Unveiling the Mystery: Why Can’t Shadow Pokémon Be Traded in Pokémon GO?
The burning question on every Pokémon GO Trainer’s mind: Why can’t I trade my Shadow Pokémon? The short answer is that Niantic disabled Shadow Pokémon trading to prevent exploitation of the purification mechanic and to address other potential gameplay imbalances. In essence, the ability to easily trade Shadow Pokémon combined with the boost they receive upon purification created a loophole that players were using to obtain incredibly powerful, perfect IV (Individual Value) Pokémon much faster than intended.
But there’s more to the story. Let’s dive into the nuances, the history, and the reasons behind this seemingly frustrating restriction.
A Brief History of Shadow Pokémon and Trading
When Shadow Pokémon first arrived in Pokémon GO, they represented a unique challenge and opportunity. Rescued from the clutches of Team GO Rocket, these corrupted Pokémon possessed boosted attack stats but suffered from reduced defense. They also came with the move “Frustration,” which could only be replaced during special Rocket Takeover events.
Initially, Shadow Pokémon were tradeable. However, this proved problematic. Players quickly realized that by trading Shadow Pokémon with low IVs and then purifying them, they could almost guarantee a Pokémon with perfect or near-perfect stats. Purifying a Pokémon significantly increases its IVs, and when starting with a low IV Shadow, the increase could easily push it into the 90%+ range.
This exploit created a situation where obtaining powerful Pokémon was no longer a matter of patience, dedication, and luck, but rather a calculated process of trading and purifying. Niantic, understandably, stepped in to close this loophole and restore balance to the game.
The Concerns Behind Allowing Shadow Pokémon Trading
Several factors influenced Niantic’s decision to disable Shadow Pokémon trading:
- IV Manipulation: As mentioned above, the ease of obtaining high IV Pokémon through trading and purification undermined the game’s core mechanics of catching, hatching, and battling to acquire strong Pokémon.
- Market Imbalance: If Shadow Pokémon trading were allowed, it could potentially create an in-game market where players bought and sold Shadow Pokémon with specific IV ranges, further disrupting the intended gameplay loop.
- Game Economy Impacts: A flood of powerful, easily-obtained Pokémon could diminish the value of other rare and hard-earned Pokémon, impacting the game’s overall economy.
- Preservation of Challenge: Part of the thrill of Pokémon GO lies in the challenge of finding and training powerful Pokémon. Removing that challenge would detract from the overall experience.
Shadow Pokémon and Pokémon HOME
In addition to trade restrictions, Shadow Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME. This decision is likely rooted in the same concerns that led to the trade ban: preventing the exploitation of the purification mechanic to obtain overpowered Pokémon in other Pokémon games. Pokemon Home is the place where all your collected Pokemon can go to exist in one virtual storage. Pokemon Go is one of the games where you can “deposit” them.
Are There Any Plans to Re-Enable Shadow Pokémon Trading?
As of now, Niantic has not announced any plans to re-enable Shadow Pokémon trading. While they initially suggested they might revisit the feature after finding a solution to the purification exploit, no such solution has been implemented or publicly discussed. It’s possible that Niantic is still exploring potential options, but for the foreseeable future, Shadow Pokémon remain untradeable.
What is the Future of Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Pokemon still offer trainers more powerful attacks and unique challenges. They have adjusted to the trade restrictions and provide opportunities to use new moves.
Shadow Pokémon: A Unique and Powerful Asset
Even though they can’t be traded, Shadow Pokémon remain a valuable asset in Pokémon GO. Their increased attack power makes them formidable opponents in raids, battles, and Team GO Rocket encounters. Building a strong team of Shadow Pokémon can significantly enhance your performance in these areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shadow Pokémon and Trading
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the rules and restrictions surrounding Shadow Pokémon:
1. Can I trade Purified Pokémon?
Yes, Purified Pokémon can be traded, but they count as Special Trades, limiting you to one per day in most cases.
2. Why are Purified Pokémon tradeable but Shadow Pokémon are not?
Purified Pokémon have already received the stat boost from purification, so trading them doesn’t allow for further IV manipulation.
3. Can I transfer Shadow Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?
No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME.
4. What happens if I try to trade a Shadow Pokémon?
The game will prevent you from selecting a Shadow Pokémon for trade and will display a message indicating that it is not allowed.
5. Is there any way to get a Shadow Pokémon back if I accidentally transfer it?
No, once a Pokémon is transferred (whether Shadow or not), it is permanently gone.
6. Can I use Shadow Pokémon in Gyms or as my Buddy?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon can be used in Gyms and set as your Buddy just like regular Pokémon.
7. Are Shadow Pokémon always better than regular Pokémon?
While Shadow Pokémon have increased attack, they also take more damage. This makes them situational, and a regular Pokémon with better IVs might sometimes be preferable.
8. Should I always purify my Shadow Pokémon?
Not necessarily. If a Shadow Pokémon has good IVs, the attack bonus might outweigh the lower defense. It depends on your play style and the specific Pokémon.
9. How do I remove the move “Frustration” from my Shadow Pokémon?
You can only remove “Frustration” during special Team GO Rocket Takeover events when you can use a Charged TM.
10. Do Shadow Pokémon require more Stardust and Candy to power up?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon typically require more Stardust and Candy to power up than their regular counterparts.
11. Are Shadow Pokémon always weak when I catch them?
Shadow Pokémon can have varying IVs when you catch them, just like regular Pokémon.
12. Will there ever be a way to trade Shadow Pokémon?
Niantic has not ruled it out entirely, but there are no current plans to re-enable Shadow Pokémon trading. It would likely require a significant change to the purification mechanic.
13. Why are Mythical Pokémon not tradeable?
Mythical Pokémon are typically event-exclusive and designed to be rare. Allowing them to be traded would undermine their rarity and value.
14. What are Special Trades in Pokémon GO?
Special Trades include Pokémon not already in your Pokédex (including shinies and regional variants), legendary Pokémon, and purified Pokémon. They typically require more Stardust and are limited to one per day.
15. Do Shadow Pokémon have any special advantages besides increased attack?
Shadow Pokémon add a unique aesthetic and challenge to the game, requiring players to carefully consider their team composition and battle strategies. They are also a reminder of the ongoing battle against Team GO Rocket.