I’ve noticed that many players opt to keep their Shadow Pokémon instead of purifying them. I initially thought the point of getting them was to purify. Is there some competitive advantage to retaining them as Shadow Pokémon, or is it more about how they look?
4 Answers
There’s definitely a strong case for not purifying Shadow Pokémon. While the extra damage is great, some trainers still prefer non-Shadow Pokémon for battling. Ultimately, it’s about what you enjoy! If you’ve got a good IV Shadow Pokémon, keeping it as a trophy can be a good choice. And if you have a chance to purify a rare one for a perfect (4-star) version, go for it!
Keeping Shadow Pokémon has its perks! They deal 20% more damage than regular Pokémon but also take 20% more damage in return. So, if you’re quick about it, you can knock out opponents before taking too much damage yourself. In most cases, they’re just stronger as Shadows, though there are exceptions!
Purifying does give an attack boost, around a 10% increase, but that doesn’t really outweigh the benefits of having that extra damage from Shadow Pokémon in most situations. Plus, some quests require you to purify, so it makes sense to hold onto some until you get that task!
Thanks for clarifying! So there’s more strategy involved with keeping Shadows.
A lot of players keep Shadows like Geodude or Magikarp because purifying costs 1,000 Stardust, and if you’re on a tight budget, it’s better to wait. Also, the Stardust cost can increase based on walking distance, so it’s smart to save those low-cost Pokémon to purify later when required!
Definitely! Just remember, if it’s a useful Shadow, it’s usually better to keep it that way! Sounds like a fun challenge managing them!