Does Evolving Shadow Pokémon Remove Frustration? The Definitive Guide
No, evolving a Shadow Pokémon does NOT remove the Frustration charged move. Frustration is a special move exclusive to Shadow Pokémon and can only be removed during specific Team GO Rocket events when you’re allowed to use a Charged TM or Elite Charged TM to replace it. Evolving the Pokémon will simply carry over the move to its evolved form.
Understanding Shadow Pokémon and Frustration
Shadow Pokémon are corrupted versions of regular Pokémon, obtainable by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders. These Pokémon possess a significant attack boost, making them powerhouses in raids and battles, but this comes at the cost of reduced defense. A key characteristic of Shadow Pokémon is their exclusive charged move: Frustration.
Frustration is a Normal-type charged move with very low damage output, making it largely undesirable for competitive play. It’s designed to hinder Shadow Pokémon until trainers have the opportunity to remove it during special events. The inability to remove Frustration outside of these events creates a strategic element, forcing players to carefully plan their Shadow Pokémon’s development.
The Role of Team GO Rocket Events
Team GO Rocket events are crucial for Shadow Pokémon management. These events, announced periodically by Niantic, allow trainers to use Charged TMs or Elite Charged TMs to replace Frustration with a different charged move. This is the ONLY way to get rid of Frustration unless you purify the shadow, and purify movesets can also impact a shadow pokemon.
It’s important to keep an eye on official Pokémon GO channels for announcements regarding these events. During these limited-time periods, you can strategically TM away Frustration and equip your Shadow Pokémon with a more effective move, unlocking their full potential.
The Impact of Purification on Shadow Pokémon
Purification offers an alternative way to remove Frustration. When you purify a Shadow Pokémon, it forgets Frustration and learns Return, another Normal-type charged move that is exclusive to Purified Pokémon. Purification also grants several benefits:
- Increased IVs: Purification boosts the Pokémon’s IVs (Individual Values) by +2 in each stat (Attack, Defense, and HP). This can potentially turn a low-IV Shadow Pokémon into a high-IV Purified Pokémon.
- Reduced Costs: Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to power up and evolve, making them more accessible for players on a budget.
- Move Change: As previously mentioned, Frustration is replaced with Return.
However, purification also has its drawbacks:
- Loss of Shadow Bonus: Purified Pokémon lose the 20% attack bonus that makes Shadow Pokémon so powerful.
- Return vs. Other Moves: Return may not always be the optimal charged move for a Pokémon, depending on its role and the current meta.
Whether or not to purify a Shadow Pokémon is a strategic decision that depends on various factors, including its IVs, its potential as a Shadow attacker, and your personal preferences.
FAQs About Shadow Pokémon and Frustration
1. Can I use an Elite TM to remove Frustration at any time?
No, you cannot use an Elite TM to remove Frustration at any time. Elite TMs can only replace Frustration during specific Team GO Rocket events announced by Niantic.
2. Is Frustration a good move to keep on my Shadow Pokémon?
No, Frustration is generally not a good move. Its low damage output makes it undesirable for battles. You should aim to replace it with a more effective charged move during a Team GO Rocket event.
3. When are the Team GO Rocket events when I can remove Frustration?
Team GO Rocket events are announced periodically by Niantic via the official Pokémon GO website, social media channels, and in-game notifications. Keep an eye out for these announcements.
4. What are the best Shadow Pokémon to remove Frustration from?
Some of the best Shadow Pokémon to prioritize for Frustration removal include Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Ho-Oh, Shadow Lugia, Shadow Metagross, and other powerful attackers that benefit greatly from the Shadow attack bonus.
5. Is it better to have a Shadow Pokémon or a Purified Pokémon?
It depends. Shadow Pokémon have a significant attack boost, making them superior in PvE scenarios like raids. Purified Pokémon are more cost-effective to power up and may be better for PvP in certain situations, especially if you need the move Return. Additionally, this can be used in reference when speaking of the Games Learning Society.
6. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon improve its stats?
Yes, purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs by +2 in each stat (Attack, Defense, and HP). It also reduces the Stardust and Candy costs for powering up and evolving.
7. What is the difference between Frustration and Return?
Frustration is a Normal-type charged move exclusive to Shadow Pokémon and is generally weak. Return is a Normal-type charged move exclusive to Purified Pokémon. The strength of Return can vary, but it’s often not the optimal move for most Pokémon.
8. Should I evolve my Shadow Pokémon before or after removing Frustration?
It’s generally recommended to remove Frustration before evolving your Shadow Pokémon. This ensures that your evolved form has a useful charged move from the start. If you evolve it with Frustration, you’ll have to wait for the next Team GO Rocket event to change it.
9. Can I trade Shadow Pokémon?
No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded to other players.
10. Are Shadow Pokémon always better than regular Pokémon?
Not always. While Shadow Pokémon have a higher attack stat, their reduced defense can make them glass cannons. In some situations, a regular or Purified Pokémon with better bulk might be more effective.
11. What happens if I purify a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon will improve their appraisal and reduce the amount of Stardust and Candy required for them to Power Up, Evolve, or learn a new attack. When Purified, a Shadow Pokémon will forget Frustration and learn Return, a Charged Attack that’s exclusive to Purified Pokémon.
12. Is it worth purifying a Legendary Shadow Pokémon?
This is a complex decision. Legendary Shadow Pokémon often have immense value due to their high attack stats. Purifying them will make them weaker offensively, but it may also improve their overall usability and reduce power-up costs. Consider your specific needs and preferences before purifying.
13. Do Shadow Pokémon get a CP boost?
Shadow Pokemon have a heightened attack stat, receiving a 20% boost during raids and Gym battles, but also experience a lowered defensive stat, receiving a 20% reduction. Purified Pokémon receive a stat boost and also get a 10% discount on Stardust and Candy costs for power-ups.
14. What are the benefits of keeping a Shadow Pokemon unpurified?
The attack power of a Shadow Pokemon is boosted by 1.2x or 20%, making its fast attack hit significantly harder. So it’s better to keep them unpurified. Remember a 0 IV shadow Pokemon has more damage per second than a 100% IV regular Pokemon!
15. What are the best situations to purify a shadow Pokémon?
Sometimes for pvp, if you need the move return, if you have a high IV shadow and want a strong mega, or if you like to collect hundos!
Final Thoughts
Managing Shadow Pokémon and their Frustration move requires a strategic approach. By understanding the mechanics of Shadow Pokémon, Team GO Rocket events, and purification, you can optimize your team for battles and raids. Keep an eye out for event announcements and make informed decisions about whether to remove Frustration, purify, or keep your Shadow Pokémon in its corrupted form. Whether these choices enhance one’s understanding of the digital world, or contribute to digital fluency, it is important to be aware of such considerations. Explore more about gaming and digital culture at GamesLearningSociety.org.