Is Zapdos Better Purified or Shadow in Pokémon GO?
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The short answer is: Shadow Zapdos is generally better than purified Zapdos for most players. While purifying offers some immediate benefits, the 20% damage bonus that Shadow Pokémon possess typically outweighs the advantages of a purified form. For those focused on maximizing damage output in raids, battles, and challenges, Shadow Zapdos’s offensive power makes it the superior choice. Let’s delve into the nuances of this decision.
Understanding Shadow and Purified Pokémon
The Shadow Advantage
Shadow Pokémon are corrupted creatures, characterized by their red-eyed, shadowy aura. These Pokémon are more aggressive, with their offensive power boosted by 20%. This damage boost applies to both fast and charged attacks, making them formidable attackers. However, this power comes at a cost: Shadow Pokémon take 20% more damage, which makes them a glass cannon. They also cannot be traded. Another common limitation is they originally have a frustrating attack that needs to be changed.
The Purified Path
Purified Pokémon are those Shadow Pokémon that have been cleansed, reverting to their regular form. The purification process offers some perks, most notably:
- Improved IVs: Purified Pokémon receive a +2 boost to all their individual values (IVs). This can potentially turn a 0 or 1 star Shadow Pokémon into a 2 or 3-star Pokémon.
- Combat Power Boost: Purified Pokémon get a slight increase in Combat Power (CP).
- Reduced Evolution Cost: Purifying a Pokémon before evolving it can reduce the Candy cost for evolution.
- Better Appraisals: Purified Pokémon typically receive higher appraisal scores than their shadow counterparts based on the IV increase.
Shadow Zapdos: A Powerhouse
Zapdos, a dual Electric and Flying-type legendary Pokémon, is already a strong contender in Pokémon GO. As a Shadow Pokémon, its already impressive attack stat is boosted significantly making it a devastating attacker. This makes Shadow Zapdos excel in Raid Battles, where its high DPS (damage per second) can be decisive. If you have access to an Electric-type Fast Attack and Charged Attack, its power will be greatly maximized. It also has an impressive stat spread with 253 ATK, 185 DEF, and 207 STA, further cementing its place as a top-tier Pokémon.
Why Shadow Zapdos Wins
The 20% damage bonus of Shadow Zapdos is a game-changer for offensive battles. While its defensive capabilities are reduced, the sheer damage output allows it to defeat opponents quickly, often before they can inflict significant damage. In most cases, the increased damage more than compensates for the increased vulnerability. Especially for players that are well-versed in dodging attacks, the damage boost is far more beneficial than the modest stat increases provided by purification.
The Rare and Powerful Beast
Shadow Zapdos is indeed a rare beast. It is a tier 5 raid encounter meaning you will need to be well prepared with the best counters, powerful Pokemon and the use of purified gems. With a maximum CP of 3987 and a significant stat spread Shadow Zapdos is a valuable addition to any Pokemon GO collection. Although you cannot trade a Shadow Zapdos it’s worth holding onto until you have enough resources to power it up.
Shiny Shadow Zapdos can be encountered after defeating the raid boss, but it is still a difficult achievement.
Purified Zapdos: The Alternative
When Purification Might Be Considered
While Shadow Zapdos is superior in most circumstances, there are a few exceptions where purifying might be worth considering.
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Resource Constraints: If you are very limited in Stardust, Candy, and TMs (Technical Machines), purifying might be a shortcut to a useable Zapdos. Purifying it will significantly increase its CP and potentially its stars if the IVs are low. Purified Pokemon can also use less candy when evolving, so if you are trying to evolve something this could also be an important factor to consider.
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Master League Battles: If your ultimate goal is to max out a Zapdos to level 50 and use it in Master League battles, purification is worth considering for the IV boost. However, the difference in performance is often minimal compared to the loss of damage output. Also, if you are just starting out, there are plenty of Pokemon better suited for Master League play than Zapdos.
The Trade-Off
Purifying a Shadow Zapdos will grant better appraisal and a boost to IVs, potentially turning it into a 3-star Pokémon. It will also receive a significant boost to CP. However, the purified Pokémon will lose the 20% damage bonus, which is crucial for optimizing its role as a powerful attacker. The IV increase can be beneficial in some niche scenarios but is generally less impactful than the damage boost.
The Verdict
For the majority of players, Shadow Zapdos is the better choice. The 20% damage bonus is the most crucial factor in the most common battle settings within Pokémon GO. Purifying is worth considering only in very specific scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Shadow Zapdos worth powering up?
Yes, Shadow Zapdos is definitely worth powering up. Its offensive capabilities make it a top-tier Electric-type attacker for Raid Battles. Ensure that you equip it with an Electric-type fast and charged move to maximize effectiveness.
Should you purify Shadow Legendaries?
Generally, no. Shadow Legendaries benefit greatly from the 20% damage bonus they receive. It’s better to keep them unpurified for maximum offensive power. The IV boost from purification is often less valuable than the damage buff.
Is a 0-star Shadow Pokémon good?
Yes, a 0-star Shadow Pokémon can still be good, especially if it has decent attack stats. The 20% damage bonus often makes it a better attacker than a higher-star purified Pokémon. Unless you need it specifically for a niche situation, it’s typically better to keep it Shadow.
Is Shadow Zapdos better than regular Zapdos?
Yes, Shadow Zapdos is better than regular Zapdos in most battling situations, excluding Master League play. Its 20% attack boost makes a considerable difference in DPS. However, regular Zapdos does have better defense.
Is Shadow Zapdos rare?
Yes, Shadow Zapdos is a rare Pokémon. It is a legendary Pokémon found in Shadow Raids. It also has a low encounter rate making it more difficult to find.
Is Zapdos the best legendary bird?
Zapdos is often considered the strongest of the legendary birds due to its superior typing. Electric and Flying is only weak to Ice and Rock attacks and immune to Ground. Articuno (Ice and Flying) and Moltres (Fire and Flying) have more weaknesses.
Is Articuno or Zapdos better?
Zapdos is generally better than Articuno. Zapdos has only two weaknesses while Articuno has four, with one of them being a double weakness.
Should I purify Shadow Moltres?
Generally, no. Just like Shadow Zapdos, the 20% damage boost makes Shadow Moltres a stronger attacker. Unless you have limited resources it’s typically better to keep Moltres as a Shadow.
Is there a reason not to purify Pokemon?
Yes, the primary reason not to purify Pokémon is that they lose the 20% damage bonus that Shadow Pokémon receive. While you gain an increase in IVs, this is often less impactful than the damage boost.
Should I purify Shadow Regice?
It depends. Shadow Regice is not as strong of an attacker as other Shadow Pokemon. If you want a bit more bulk out of your Regice, you may consider purifying it. The IV boost could be the difference between a 2 and 3-star rating. For most other players, Shadow Regice is a better option.
How hard is Shadow Zapdos?
Shadow Zapdos is a very difficult raid boss. It requires top counters with proper move sets, a well-powered-up team, and the strategic use of Purified Gems. The mechanics are harder than standard raid bosses making it a challenge for even experienced trainers.
What is Zapdos immune to?
As an Electric and Flying-type Pokémon, Zapdos is immune to Ground-type attacks. It is resistant to Grass, Fighting, Flying, Bug, and Steel attacks.
How rare is a Galarian Zapdos?
Galarian Zapdos is extremely rare. It can be encountered using the Daily Adventure Incense with an exceptionally low Base Catch Rate and an extremely high Flee Rate making it very hard to catch.
Who is stronger Zapdos or Raikou?
In Pokémon GO, Zapdos is generally stronger than Raikou. Although they are both electric types, Zapdos has the added benefit of being Flying type which makes it more resilient in battle. It is immune to Ground type attacks, while Raikou has to worry about them.
Can Zapdos beat Lugia?
Yes, Zapdos can beat Lugia. Lugia is weak to Electric, so Zapdos will be a strong counter. However, there are a variety of other Pokemon that will be even stronger as Lugia counters.