Are Shadow Pokémon Always Better? Plus the Best Shadow Pokémon to Build
By Matt · Published · Updated For raids, a Shadow Pokémon is almost always better than the regular version: it deals 20% more damage, and damage is what wins raids before the timer runs out. The trade-offs are that Shadows take more damage and cost more Stardust and Candy to power up. The best Shadow Pokémon right now include Shadow Regigigas, Shadow Mewtwo and Shadow Salamence.
Everyone gets excited about Shadow Pokémon, but are they always better than the regular version? Here’s how I think about it.
The 20% that matters
Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage, but they also take about 20% more damage. They’re glass cannons.
In raids, damage is what really matters, because you need to beat the boss before the timer runs out. Yes, your Shadows will faint more, but fainting is much less of a problem than not doing enough damage to finish the raid. That’s why, with enough bulk, a Shadow is almost always the better pick.
The catch
- They’re expensive. Shadows are usually caught at low CP, so they cost a lot of Stardust and Candy to power up. If you’re Stardust poor, they may not be worth it for you yet.
- They can’t Mega Evolve. If a Pokémon has a Mega, purify one copy to Mega Evolve and keep the rest as Shadows.
- They come with Frustration. You’ll need to remove Frustration during the right event before they’re any good.
The 20% isn’t a dealbreaker, though. If you have strong regular Pokémon with a good type advantage against the boss, you’ll do just fine.
Matt's takeWith enough bulk, a Shadow is almost always better for raids. But if you're short on Stardust, a well levelled regular Pokémon with the right type will serve you well.
The best Shadow Pokémon right now
These are the top 10 on Pokémon GO Hub’s Best Shadow Pokémon list, ranked at level 40 against a neutral target:
- Shadow Regigigas: Zen Headbutt and Crush Grip*
- Shadow Mewtwo: Psycho Cut and Psystrike*
- Shadow Salamence: Dragon Tail and Fly
- Shadow Metagross: Fury Cutter and Meteor Mash*
- Shadow Reshiram: Fire Fang and Fusion Flare*
- Shadow Garchomp: Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe
- Shadow Haxorus: Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe*
- Shadow Dialga: Metal Claw and Draco Meteor
- Shadow Moltres: Fire Spin and Fly
- Shadow Palkia: Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
Moves with an asterisk are legacy moves, so you may need an Elite TM. The best Shadow without any legacy moves is Shadow Salamence.
Many of these come from Giovanni or raids, so it’s worth knowing how to find Giovanni each season.
FAQ
Are Shadow Pokémon better in Pokémon GO?
For raids, almost always. They deal 20% more damage, which matters more than their lower bulk because raids are about beating the boss before the timer runs out.
What are the downsides of Shadow Pokémon?
They take about 20% more damage, they cost more Stardust and Candy to power up, and they can't Mega Evolve.
What is the best Shadow Pokémon?
Shadow Regigigas with Zen Headbutt and Crush Grip* tops Pokémon GO Hub's Shadow rankings, followed by Shadow Mewtwo and Shadow Salamence.
Should I purify my Shadow Pokémon?
Usually not for raids, since purifying removes the damage bonus. The exception is if the Pokémon has a Mega: Shadows can't Mega Evolve, so purify one copy for that and keep the rest as Shadows.
Are Shadow Pokémon worth it if I'm short on Stardust?
Maybe not. They're expensive to power up, so if you're Stardust poor, a regular Pokémon with a good type advantage is a fine choice.
Get Matt's full take
The extended write-up on Patreon has Matt’s commentary, what to prioritise and Matt’s own plan.