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Should You Purify a 4-Star Shadow Pokémon? A Definitive Guide

The question of whether to purify a 4-star Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO is one of the most hotly debated topics among dedicated trainers. The short, definitive answer is: generally, no, you should NOT purify a 4-star Shadow Pokémon.

Here’s why: The power of a Shadow Pokémon lies in its significant attack boost. While purifying turns it into a Purified Pokémon with potentially perfect IVs (Individual Values), you sacrifice a substantial amount of damage output in the process. This article will break down the nuances of this decision, helping you make the best choice based on your individual goals and playstyle.

Understanding Shadow vs. Purified Pokémon

Before diving deeper, let’s establish the key differences:

Shadow Pokémon: These corrupted Pokémon possess a 20% attack boost but suffer from a corresponding decrease in defense. This makes them glass cannons, dealing massive damage but being more vulnerable in battle.
Purified Pokémon: When you purify a Shadow Pokémon, it loses the attack boost but gains +2 IVs to each stat, and learns the move Return. Purifying also lowers the Stardust and Candy cost to power them up.

The Allure of Perfect IVs

The main reason trainers consider purifying a 4-star Shadow Pokémon is the potential to obtain a 100% IV (“hundo”) Pokémon. A perfect IV Pokémon is highly sought after for its perceived optimal performance and collectibility. However, the marginal increase in performance from perfect IVs is often overshadowed by the significant loss of the Shadow boost.

The Power of the Shadow Boost

The 20% attack boost that Shadow Pokémon possess is a game-changer. In many cases, a 0-star Shadow Pokémon will outdamage a 100% IV regular Pokémon. This is especially true in Player vs Environment (PvE) scenarios like raids, where damage output is paramount. While you may see articles about the Games Learning Society and their influence on player choice, the impact of a Shadow Pokémon’s attack bonus is universally acknowledged. This difference is so substantial that the increased damage from Shadow Pokémon far outweighs the slightly higher survivability of standard Pokémon. For more on GamesLearningSociety.org, visit their official website.

Scenarios Where Purifying Might Be Considered

While generally discouraged, there are a few niche scenarios where purifying a 4-star Shadow Pokémon could be considered:

PvP (Player vs. Player) with Return: Some Pokémon benefit from the move Return in PvP battles. However, this is highly specific to the Pokémon and the team composition. It is also very niche.
Mega Evolution: If you desperately need a strong Mega Evolution and have a high-IV Shadow Pokémon that will reach 100% IV after purification, it might be worth considering. Still, shadow pokemon can be evolved normally, and purified pokemon aren’t required for mega evolution.
Collection: Some trainers prioritize completing their collection of hundo Pokémon above all else. If this is your primary goal, purifying a near-perfect Shadow Pokémon to achieve that status is a valid personal choice.
Low-Relevance Pokémon: Shadow pokemon are almost always better in battle as the 20% damage boost outweighs the increase in IVs. However, some species are simply not very good for PvE or PvP. These species of pokemon may be purified to save resources in the long run.

Practical Examples

Let’s consider two popular examples:

Shadow Tyranitar: Shadow Tyranitar is one of the best Dark and Rock-type attackers in the game. Purifying it would significantly diminish its raid performance. Therefore, do not purify.
Shadow Mewtwo: Shadow Mewtwo is arguably the strongest attacker in the entire game. Purifying it would be a monumental mistake, severely limiting its damage output. Absolutely do not purify.

These are extreme cases, but they illustrate the general principle. For most viable attackers, the Shadow bonus is simply too valuable to sacrifice for perfect IVs.

Should You Purify a 4-Star Shadow Pokémon? Final Verdict

Unless you have a very specific reason to do so (such as a unique PvP strategy or a deep-seated desire for a particular hundo), it is almost always better to keep a 4-star Shadow Pokémon unpurified. The 20% attack boost provides a significant advantage in PvE content and often outweighs the benefits of perfect IVs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens when you purify a 4-star Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon adds +2 to each IV stat (Attack, Defense, and HP), changes its appearance, grants the “Purified” tag, resets its level to 25 (or 30 if weather-boosted), reduces the Stardust and Candy cost to power it up, and replaces Frustration with Return. If a pokemon has 13 or 14 in each stat, it will go to 15 in each stat, making it a hundo.
Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon make it stronger?

Not necessarily. While it increases the IVs, it removes the 20% attack boost that makes Shadow Pokémon so powerful. In most cases, the decrease in damage output outweighs the increase in IVs.
Which Shadow Pokémon should I prioritize purifying?

Generally, you shouldn’t prioritize purifying strong Shadow Pokémon. If you are hoping to level up your Purifier Medal, then Rattata, Zubat, Magikarp, or Purrloin are prime choices because they only require 1000 stardust to purify.
Is it harder to get a 4-star Shadow Pokémon than a regular 4-star Pokémon?

Yes. Getting a 4-star Shadow Pokémon is more complicated because the base IVs for shadow pokemon start at a much higher number, making it more challenging to get a good one. Finding a regular 4-star Pokémon in the wild has a 1 in 4096 chance. Shadow pokemon base is at least 0/0/0, while pokemon from research, raids, or eggs are at least 10/10/10.
What are the benefits of keeping a Shadow Pokémon?

The primary benefit is the 20% attack boost, which significantly increases its damage output in raids and other PvE content. Shadow pokemon also look cooler to some trainers.
Is Return a good move?

Return can be useful in some PvP scenarios, particularly for baiting shields. However, it is not generally considered a top-tier move.
Does purifying a Shiny Shadow Pokémon affect its shininess?

No, purifying a Shiny Shadow Pokémon does not affect its shiny status. It will remain shiny after purification.
If my Shadow Pokémon is already 3-star, should I still purify it?

Probably not. Even with high IVs, the Shadow bonus is generally more valuable than the slight increase in stats you would get from purifying.
Is it better to evolve a Shadow Pokémon before or after purifying it?

You can evolve at any time. Evolving before or after has no effect, though it is usually recommended to evolve before powering up, as leveling up your trainer level can lead to the pokemon being readily available with the same CP.
Can a Shadow Pokémon become perfect after purifying?

Yes. By purifying a Shadow Pokémon, it gains at least +2 IV in every stat. If a shadow Pokémon has at least 13 in each stat, it will become a 100% IV pokemon once purified.
Does the Shadow bonus apply in PvP battles?

Yes, the 20% attack boost applies in PvP battles, making Shadow Pokémon powerful offensive threats. Shadow Pokemon also have a 20% lower defense than a normal pokemon, making them frail.
How does the Shadow bonus affect raid battles?

The Shadow bonus drastically increases damage output in raid battles, allowing you to contribute more to the raid and potentially earn more rewards.
If I purify a Shadow Pokémon, can I ever make it a Shadow Pokémon again?

No. Once a Shadow Pokémon is purified, it cannot be reverted to its Shadow form.
Are there any Shadow Pokémon that are objectively better to purify?

Some shadow pokemon, such as Rattata or Zubat, are not useful in PVE or PVP. Purifying those is likely more helpful, and it’s cheap to do.
What’s more rare: A 4-star Pokemon or a 4-star Shadow Pokemon?

A 4-star shadow pokemon is generally considered to be more rare, because you can’t trade for shadow pokemon, and shadow pokemon generally have worse stats.

Should I purify a 4 star shadow?