How to Obliterate Frustration: A Comprehensive Guide to Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The burning question on every Trainer’s mind: how do I get rid of Frustration on my Shadow Pokémon? The answer is straightforward, but timing is everything. You can only remove the Charged Attack Frustration from your Shadow Pokémon by using a Charged TM during special Team GO Rocket Takeover events. These events are the only window of opportunity to alter that pesky move. Miss the event, and you’re stuck with Frustration until the next one rolls around. Therefore, it’s important to monitor news from the Pokemon GO team.
Understanding Frustration and Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Pokémon are Pokémon that have been corrupted by Team GO Rocket. They possess a unique aura and deal increased damage, making them powerful assets in battle. However, this power comes with a drawback: they are initially stuck with the Charged Attack Frustration, which is generally weak and undesirable. This is where the removal process becomes essential to unlocking their full potential.
Why Remove Frustration?
Frustration severely limits a Shadow Pokémon’s effectiveness. It’s a low-damage Charged Attack that prevents the Pokémon from utilizing its full potential in raids, battles, and gym challenges. Removing Frustration and replacing it with a more powerful Charged Attack is crucial for optimizing your Shadow Pokémon’s combat capabilities. The increased damage output of shadow pokemon makes them viable in a variety of situations so its best to take advantage of these powerful Pokemon.
The Charged TM Solution
The only way to remove Frustration is by using a Charged TM during specific Team GO Rocket events. These events are announced in advance by Niantic, the developers of Pokémon GO, via the game’s news section, social media, and various Pokémon GO communities.
During these events, simply navigate to your Pokémon storage, select the Shadow Pokémon you wish to modify, and use a Charged TM on it. The Frustration Charged Attack will be replaced with a random Charged Attack from the Pokémon’s available move pool. Remember, this is a temporary window of opportunity, so plan accordingly!
Prioritizing Your Shadow Pokémon
Not all Shadow Pokémon are created equal. Some are significantly more valuable than others due to their inherent stats, move pools, and roles in the meta. Here are a few top-tier Shadow Pokémon to prioritize when removing Frustration:
- Shadow Mewtwo: Arguably the best Pokémon in the game, Shadow Mewtwo’s immense power is amplified even further without Frustration holding it back.
- Shadow Ho-Oh: A powerful Fire- and Flying-type attacker that becomes even more formidable with a better Charged Attack.
- Shadow Lugia: While not as offensively potent as Mewtwo or Ho-Oh, Shadow Lugia boasts impressive bulk and can be a valuable asset in PvP battles.
- Shadow Metagross: A strong steel type that can deal a lot of damage in battle.
- Shadow Dragonite: A great dragon type that is boosted by being a shadow.
- Shadow Tyranitar: A shadow version of Tyranitar is a force to be reckoned with.
- Shadow Gardevoir: A fairy and psychic type that can deal a lot of damage.
Consider investing your Charged TMs into these powerhouses first to maximize your return on investment. It is always best to make a list of your best Shadow Pokémon and prioritize them when the time comes to remove the Frustration move.
Post-Removal Considerations
Once you’ve removed Frustration, you’ll want to teach your Shadow Pokémon the optimal Charged Attack for its role. This may require additional Charged TMs and some research into the current Pokémon GO meta. Websites like PvPoke are an invaluable resource to help evaluate which moveset is best for any particular Pokémon.
FAQs: Demystifying Shadow Pokémon and Frustration
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Shadow Pokémon and Frustration removal:
- Can I remove Frustration outside of Team GO Rocket events? No. A Charged TM will not remove Frustration unless a Team GO Rocket event is active.
- Will purifying a Shadow Pokémon remove Frustration? Yes, purifying a Shadow Pokémon will remove Frustration, but it will also remove the Shadow bonus, making it deal less damage overall. The general consensus is to leave good Pokemon in their shadow form for maximum damage output.
- Is there a way to know when the next Team GO Rocket event will occur? Niantic typically announces these events well in advance through the Pokémon GO app’s news section, official social media channels, and popular Pokémon GO communities. Be sure to follow these sources to stay informed.
- If I evolve a Shadow Pokémon with Frustration, will the evolved form also have Frustration? Yes, the evolved form will inherit the Frustration Charged Attack. The only way to remove it is to use a Charged TM during a Team GO Rocket event before evolving.
- Are there any Shadow Pokémon that I shouldn’t bother removing Frustration from? Yes. Shadow Pokémon with poor stats, uninspired move pools, or limited usefulness in the meta may not be worth the investment of a Charged TM. It’s essential to prioritize the most valuable Shadow Pokémon.
- Can I get Frustration back after using a Charged TM to remove it? No, once Frustration is removed with a Charged TM, it cannot be relearned.
- Does the IV (Individual Value) of a Shadow Pokémon affect its usefulness? Yes, IVs play a role in a Pokémon’s overall stats. While Shadow Pokémon deal increased damage, higher IVs will still make them more powerful.
- What are the best counters against Shadow Pokémon in Raids? Shadow Pokémon are generally weak to the same types as their non-Shadow counterparts. However, their increased damage output means you should prioritize Pokémon with high attack stats and moves that exploit their weaknesses. For example, if the raid is a shadow mewtwo, then you should use dark, ghost, and bug types.
- Is it always better to keep a Shadow Pokémon rather than purify it? Generally, yes. The damage bonus offered by Shadow Pokémon usually outweighs the benefits of purification (slightly improved IVs and reduced stardust cost).
- How do I find Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders? Team GO Rocket Grunts appear at invaded PokéStops, which are marked with a flickering, darker color on the map. Team GO Rocket Leaders (Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo) appear after you’ve collected six Mysterious Components from defeating Grunts and crafted a Rocket Radar.
- Can I use a Fast TM to change the Fast Attack of a Shadow Pokémon? Yes, Fast TMs can be used at any time to change the Fast Attack of a Shadow Pokémon, regardless of whether a Team GO Rocket event is active.
- Is there any connection between Frustration in Pokémon GO and real-life frustration? It is an interesting observation to note that frustration in pokemon go is a hindrance, similar to the way real life frustration stops you in your tracks. For other insights on learning and games, you can consult the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
- Should I wait for future events to potentially get exclusive moves on my Shadow Pokémon? Yes, sometimes Niantic will hold events that allow Shadow Pokémon to learn special exclusive moves upon evolution. It may be worth holding off on evolving until such an event is announced. This can be very helpful because often those exclusive moves are powerful.
- How does Shadow Weakness affect Shadow Pokémon? Shadow Weakness isn’t a mechanic that currently exists in Pokémon GO. This is a mechanic used in other games, but it is not used in Pokemon GO at this time. This information would not be helpful for Pokemon GO players.
- Do purified pokemon receive any special boons? After purification, the pokemon’s IVs will receive a boost in stats and CP, this can raise them up a ranking. It will also lose the Shadow Bonus effect. So, if a Shadow Pokemon is 0-stars but has decent Attacks and CP, it’s better to leave it unpurified for future battles.
Mastering the Shadow Art
Removing Frustration is just the first step in mastering Shadow Pokémon. Understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal move sets is crucial for success in Pokémon GO. By carefully planning your approach and prioritizing the right Pokémon, you can transform your Shadow Pokémon into formidable assets in your battle arsenal. Keep an eye on event announcements, and remember to TM away Frustration during those key windows!