Summary
- Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO offer a unique challenge, with pros and cons to consider before purifying them.
- One player purifies over 200 Pokemon, only to find out later that some are better left as Shadows for battle.
- The decision to purify a Shadow Pokemon depends on how the player plans to use it, as each version has its strengths.
A Pokemon GO player has purified more than 200 pocket monsters, only to discover that sometimes this isn't the best decision. Pokemon GO is constantly renewing the gameplay experience by adding content such as new mechanics to keep the community engaged. One of these is Shadow Pokemon, bringing to Niantic's game a gimmick seen in other media from the franchise like Pokemon Colosseum.
Shadow Pokemon have undergone a process to remove their emotions, turning them into fighting machines. In Pokemon GO, these shadow variants began to be seen with the addition of Team GO Rocket in 2019, in which trainers battle with them for the chance to catch them. Last year, Pokemon GO introduced Shadow Raids, giving trainers an additional way to get these special versions beyond encounters with Team GO Rocket. Catching a Shadow Pokemon is always an important acquisition, but one Pokemon GO player discovered something about them too late.
Pokemon GO Announces New Triumph Together Event
Pokemon GO announces a new event called Triumph Together, and players from all over the world will have to team up to earn the rewards.
Reddit user Radijsmatthijs purified 227 Pokemon only to discover that players aren't always supposed to or expected to do this. Frustrated, they share an image showing some of the purified Pokemon including Gyarados, Mamoswine, Alakazam, and two copies of the powerful Shadow Mewtwo. As well as having found Pokemon with perfect IVs, the player has caught the attention of the other trainers for having found such a high number of Shadow Pokemon. In response, they explained that they live in a city with many players, and spend around $13 USD a month on raid passes.
The Dilemma of Purifying Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO
In the comments, one Redditor called the mechanic “counterintuitive,” arguing that the player rescues the Shadow Pokemon from Team GO Rocket only to discover that it is better as a Shadow than a normal version. Purifying Shadow Pokemon or not is a recurring dilemma for Pokemon GO players, as each case offers pros and cons. The decision usually depends on how the Pokemon GO player intends to use the critter, because while Shadow Pokemon are hard-hitters, Purified versions cost less Candy and Stardust to power up, learn a new Charged Move, or level up.
Pokemon GO has more than 60 Shadow Pokemon that are obtained either by capturing, or by evolving. The first Shadow Pokemon added to the game were the Kanto starters, and the complete list includes pocket monsters from other generations, such as Ampharos, Drifloon, and Chandelure. This year Niantic has added a significant number of shadow versions, with August marking the debut of Shadow Cresselia in Pokemon GO, along with Timburr, Tirtouga, and Archen.
WHERE TO PLAY
Pokémon GO is an immersive open-world multiplayer RPG that enables you to live your own RPG adventure in augmented reality. Find and evolve all Pokémon and battle with other players in AR online in this multiplayer adventure RPG.
COMPLETE YOUR POKÉDEX AND INCREASE YOUR TRAINER LEVEL!
Catch your favourite Pokémon as you explore the open world in augmented reality, trade them with other Trainers, or get the chance to catch a Pokémon after winning a Raid. You can also collect Pokémon by hatching eggs through walking! Evolve your Pokémon in your Pokédex, gain levels to catch more powerful Pokémon and earn adventure rewards during a Raid in multiplayer or online PvP battle.
EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE IN MULTIPLAYER AND PvP!
Start your own adventure and challenge other Trainers online in PvP during epic Gym battles or in the GO Battle League. You can also enjoy multiplayer by facing off with other players in PvP battles to win rewards, or team up with other Trainers for a chance to catch Pokémon after a Raid Battle.
CREATE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!
Customise your avatar, join one of the three teams and pick your Buddy Pokémon from your Pokédex to journey by your side in this AR adventure RPG.
SWITCH BETWEEN THE REAL WORLD AND THE VIRTUAL WORLD WITH THE AR+ MODE!
Bring the RPG to the real world and search for Pokémon in locations around you. With the AR+ mode, Pokémon appear right in front of you — Catch it with your PokéBall and add it to your Pokédex.
Catch your favourite Pokémon in AR as you explore the world and battle online with other Trainers in PvP and Raid battles.
