Shadow Pokémon: Worth the Hype or Just Hype? A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question on every Pokémon GO trainer’s mind: Is it worth keeping Shadow Pokémon? The short answer? Absolutely, yes! But the real answer is far more nuanced and depends heavily on your playstyle and goals. Shadow Pokémon, with their inherent attack boost, represent a powerful strategic asset in Pokémon GO, offering significant advantages in raids and battles. However, they also come with drawbacks that must be carefully considered. Let’s dive deep into the world of Shadow Pokémon and uncover why they’re worth keeping around (most of the time).

The Allure of the Shadows: Why Shadow Pokémon Rule

The primary reason to keep Shadow Pokémon is their substantial damage output. They receive a 20% attack boost compared to their regular or purified counterparts. This increased offensive power can be a game-changer in raid battles, allowing you to deal more damage in a shorter amount of time. This is especially crucial for trainers looking to short-man raids or contribute significantly to team efforts.

Consider this: a Shadow Pokémon with mediocre IVs can often outperform a regular Pokémon with perfect IVs due to the sheer power of that attack boost. This makes Shadow Pokémon accessible to a wider range of players, as you don’t need a perfect specimen to reap the benefits.

But the boost comes at a price. Shadow Pokémon take more damage than regular Pokémon, having their defense lowered, making them glass cannons. This means they hit harder but are more vulnerable. Strategic usage, like dodging charged attacks or utilizing type advantages, becomes crucial to maximize their effectiveness.

Deciding Which Shadows to Keep: A Prioritization Strategy

Not all Shadow Pokémon are created equal. Some are inherently more valuable than others. Before blindly keeping every Shadow Pokémon you encounter, consider these factors:

• Pokémon Species: Certain Pokémon are simply better suited for Shadow status due to their existing movepool and stats. Pokémon like Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Metagross, and Shadow Salamence are all highly sought after due to their already powerful forms being enhanced by the shadow bonus. Focus on these top-tier attackers.
• IVs (Individual Values): While Shadow Pokémon don’t need perfect IVs to be effective, good IVs are still desirable. Aim for Shadow Pokémon with decent attack stats, as this is where the damage boost will have the most impact.
• Rarity: Some Shadow Pokémon are rarer than others, either due to limited availability during specific events or because the Pokémon itself is less common. Consider the rarity of the Pokémon when deciding whether to keep it, especially if it’s a shiny Shadow Pokémon!
• Personal Usefulness: If you need a specific type attacker to fill a gap in your raid team, prioritize keeping and powering up Shadow Pokémon that fit that role.
• Event-Exclusive Moves: If a Shadow Pokémon has an event-exclusive move, it becomes significantly more valuable. These moves are often powerful and unavailable outside of specific events, making the Shadow Pokémon a unique and potent asset.

Purify or Not to Purify: That is the Question

The decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon is a complex one. While purification does offer some benefits, it also comes with significant drawbacks.

Benefits of Purifying:

• Reduced Cost: Purification lowers the stardust and candy cost to power up, evolve, and teach new attacks.
• IV Boost: Purification boosts IVs, guaranteeing each stat is at least 2 stars.
• Return: Purified Pokémon learn the Charged Attack Return.
• Purifier Medal: Purifying Pokémon contributes to the Purifier Medal.

Drawbacks of Purifying:

• Loss of Attack Boost: The most significant drawback is the loss of the 20% attack boost, which is the primary reason to keep a Shadow Pokémon in the first place.
• Return’s Limited Usefulness: Return is not a particularly strong Charged Attack and is rarely useful in battle.

When to Purify:

• For Completionists: If you’re a completionist and want to fill out your Pokédex or earn the Purifier Medal, purifying common Shadow Pokémon is a good way to do so.
• For Pokémon with Poor IVs: If you have a Shadow Pokémon with very poor IVs and don’t plan to use it in battle, purifying it can make it a slightly better generalist.
• For Pokémon That Aren’t Strong Attackers: Some Pokémon are better suited for defense or support roles, and the attack boost is less valuable on them.
• For Low-Cost Purifications: Pokémon that cost only 1,000 stardust to purify (e.g., Rattata, Zubat) are great choices if you want to level up your Purifier Medal.

When NOT to Purify:

• Pokémon with Good IVs and High Attack Potential: Never purify Shadow Pokémon with good IVs and the potential to be strong attackers, as you’ll be sacrificing their primary advantage.
• Rare Shadow Pokémon: Think twice before purifying a rare Shadow Pokémon, especially if it’s a shiny.
• Pokémon You Plan to Use in Raids or Battles: The attack boost is invaluable for raids and battles, so avoid purifying Pokémon you intend to use in these scenarios.

Strategic Usage: Maximizing Shadow Pokémon’s Potential

To fully leverage the power of Shadow Pokémon, you need to use them strategically. Here are some tips:

• Prioritize Offense: Focus on using Shadow Pokémon as attackers in raids and battles, where their damage output can shine.
• Utilize Type Advantages: Leverage type advantages to deal even more damage and minimize the damage you take.
• Master Dodging: Practice dodging enemy attacks to keep your Shadow Pokémon alive longer and maximize their damage output.
• Invest in TMs: Use TMs (Technical Machines) to teach your Shadow Pokémon the best moves for their role.
• Power Up Strategically: Power up your Shadow Pokémon to a level that allows them to survive key battles without overspending your resources.

Shadow Pokémon: Enhancing Educational and Gaming Experiences

The mechanics of Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO can be related to concepts explored by the Games Learning Society. These games are not simply about entertainment; they have educational value. Decision-making processes such as deciding whether or not to purify a shadow pokemon can show users how games can teach different ideas and concepts. You can see more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

FAQs: Your Shadow Pokémon Questions Answered

1. Are low CP Shadow Pokémon worth keeping?

Initially, low CP Shadow Pokémon might seem unappealing, but they can be valuable if they evolve into powerful attackers. Prioritize species with high attack potential and good IVs. The CP will increase significantly as you evolve and power them up.

2. Should I keep my shiny Shadow Pokémon?

Shiny Shadow Pokémon are incredibly rare and valuable. Whether you keep them as Shadows for aesthetics or purify them for a potentially stronger shiny Pokémon is a personal choice, but they are certainly worth keeping.

3. Is Shadow Pokémon better than 100 IV regular Pokémon?

In most cases, yes. The 20% attack boost of a Shadow Pokémon often outweighs the perfect IVs of a regular Pokémon, especially in raid battles. The higher attack makes them better attackers than normal Pokemon.

4. Are 0-star Shadow Pokémon worth keeping?

If the Pokémon species is highly desirable (e.g., Mewtwo, Machamp) and you lack a better alternative, a 0-star Shadow Pokémon might still be worth keeping. However, if storage space is limited, prioritize higher IV Shadow Pokémon.

5. Should I purify my Shadow Pokémon before evolving?

It depends. If you plan to use the Pokémon for its Shadow attack boost, do not purify it. If you want to reduce the cost of evolving and powering it up, purifying first is an option, but you will lose the Shadow boost.

6. What are the disadvantages of Shadow Pokémon?

The main disadvantage is their reduced defense, making them more vulnerable in battle. They also cost more stardust and candy to power up and unlock new moves.

7. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon?

A 3-star Shadow Pokémon with good IVs and high attack potential is definitely worth evolving and powering up, as it will become a powerful attacker.

8. Should I purify a shiny Shadow?

This is a personal choice. Purifying it will boost its IVs, potentially making it a stronger shiny Pokémon, but you’ll lose the Shadow bonus and the unique aesthetic of a shiny Shadow.

9. How rare is a Shadow shiny?

The exact odds vary, but the shiny rate for Shadow Pokémon encountered after defeating Team GO Rocket leaders is often boosted compared to wild Pokémon encounters.

10. Is it better to fully power up Pokémon before evolving?

It doesn’t matter. Evolving a Pokémon only changes its base stats, not its level or IVs, so the CP it achieves will be the same regardless of whether you power it up before or after evolving.

11. What happens if you purify a perfect Pokemon?

If you purify a Pokémon that is already a 100% IV Pokémon, its IVs will remain unchanged. It will still lose its attack boost and gain Return.

12. Is it better to power up then evolve or evolve then power up?

It is best to evolve first so you can see which move set you have and then power it up if it is the desired move set. If you have bad moves and have powered it up first, you will lose a lot of resources.

13. How rare is a 100 Shadow Pokémon?

The chance to get a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon is the same as getting a 100% IV regular Pokémon: 1/4096, or 0.0244%.

14. What is the strongest Shadow Pokemon card?

This information is related to the Trading Card Game (TCG) and not Pokémon GO.

15. Should you always evolve shiny?

The decision to evolve a shiny Pokemon depends entirely on your preferences. Evolving it will change its appearance and possibly its movepool, so consider whether you prefer the look of the evolved form before making a decision.

Conclusion: Embrace the Shadows

Shadow Pokémon are a compelling and strategic element of Pokémon GO. While they require careful consideration and strategic usage, their potent attack boost makes them invaluable assets for trainers looking to conquer raids and dominate battles. By understanding the nuances of Shadow Pokémon, you can harness their power and elevate your Pokémon GO experience. Don’t shy away from the shadows; embrace them and become a true Pokémon master!