Pokémon GO’s latest event, Team GO Rocket Takeover, is giving players a better chance to complete their Shadow Pokémon Pokédex until this Sunday (February 5) and catch some new ones like Shadow Galvantula, Alolan Ninetales, Grumpig, Vulpix, Zebstrika, and even Shadow Registeel !
But is the new Shadow Pokemon good in PvP?
In this guide, we’ll examine the pros and cons of each Pokemon and offer suggestions on how to best use them in competitive battles.
Shadow programmer
Registeel has been one strong Pokemon in battle, despite receiving several nerfs in the past. He is considered one of the best in PvP recently, as he is able to hit some of the toughest opponents with a deadly combination of Fighting and Electric type attacks. Registeel also has higher HP and Defense, and is resistant to 11 Pokemon attacks and types, and is only vulnerable to 3.
But what about his Shadowy counterpart? Being a Shadow Pokemon will give you buffs to your attack. However, since Registeel is already shifting too much power, this doesn’t exactly do anything to improve it.
In fact, being a Shadow-type Pokémon takes away one of Registeel’s greatest strengths – Defense. With Defense reduced as a Shadow Programmer, winning battles will be uphill. Shadow Registeel can lose battles against Venus, and Altaria, which is a piece of cake for regular Registeel.
This will make it difficult for you to use Registeel i Big Series or even Game Ultra League not having enough resources in the process.
So overall, Shadow Registeel is a downgrade as it will cost a ton of resources when built. Perhaps, you can keep one to complete your Pokédex.
Shadow of Alolan Ninetales
In general, Alolan Ninetales is no surprise compared to Registeel’s bulkiness or Galvantula’s heavy attack power. And when we look at this Pokémon, it can be considered based on two different types of attack: Snow Powder and Charm.
Shadow Alolan Ninetales with Powder Snow gets more wins across the board, with a chance to meet the likes of Lickitung, Venusaura, Skarmory, Shadow Walrein, Froslass, Lanturn and more. However, i Ultra League, The shade of Alolan Ninetales with Snow Powder isn’t as impressive. Investing in Ultra League would be a waste of resources.
Instead, you might want to turn your attention to Alolan Ninetales Shadow with Charm. This Charmer can easily breeze through more PVP fights, including Noctowl, Water of Azumarill and Lanturn. The technique is to keep using Charm throughout the battle. This should make the battles shorter, especially against Noctowl before he can achieve a third chare move.
Overall, Ninetales Alolan Shadow (Powder) is an upgrade for Big Seriesso it would be worth your time and resources to take this Shadow Pokemon.
However, i Game Ultra Leaguewhile it also gives some good results, it might not be as worthwhile as building one as it consumes too much dust and candy.
And you’ll be lucky if you can catch Ninetales’ Alolan Charm, because it’s worth taking for both Great and Game Ultra League.
Shadow of Galvantula
Galvantula is not known for its heaviness and defense like the Registeel, but it is known to be quite an attacker. With increased Attack stats as a Shadow Pokémon, Galvantula benefits by winning more in 1v1 shield and 2v2 shield in Big Series.
This Shadow Pokemon can defeat giant grass types like Venusaur and Trevenant and only lose to Shadow Walrein in a 1v1 shield.
In shield 0, Galvantula can take down Registeel, Noctowl, Mandibuzz, Drapion, and Toxicroak, but at the cost of potential losses against Azumarll.
That makes Shadow Galvantula worth it Big Series.
I Ultra League, however, Galvantula’s Shadow seems more downgraded vs its Normal version. In a 1v1 shield, Shadow Galvantula may lose against Talonflame and Umbreon.
It might seem like it’s still okay to take this Shadow Pokemon for certain situations but to make sure you succeed, a perfect candidate would be 15-15-15 IV, 356 XL Candy, and more you need more than 500 million stardust to level. 50.
Fish. So that effort may not be nearly impossible.
Shadow of Zebstrika
Opinions are divided on this electric type Pokémon, Just like other Electrics, Zebstrika has a glassy quality. Its stats are almost similar to Galvantula but with less impact. You can, however, consider Zebstrika (Normal and Shadow Type) as an out-of-meta curve in Leagues.
I Big Series, it’s mostly a downgrade. With 0v0 Shielding, it can have a huge impact on other Pokemon, however, as the shielding goes up, the chances of your Shadow Zebstrika winning goes down.
It’s good to know that the right team can take on creatures like Vensaur, Deoxys, Lickitung, and even Registeel.
You can consider keeping some of these with good stats and IVs in your team for different situations.
Game Ultra League it’s a different story. Shadow Zebstrika can easily take down opponents when shielding 1v1, electrocuting the likes of Virizion, Buzzwole, CharmTales, among others.
0v0 Shielding matchups have losses against Mandibuzz and a few others, however, the ability to defeat Cresselia, Toxicroak, and Registeel make up for it.
Players can also save XL candy as this Shadow Pokemon can be taken up to level 40+, and still reap the benefits and wins. Overall, the Zebstrika Shadow is better built Game Ultra League.
Other Shadow Pokémon are also coming like the Shadow Spoink, Grumpig, Blitzle, and Joltik, however, these Pokémon aren’t really that great so don’t waste your efforts on finding the perfect one. Instead, maybe try to find a Vulpix Shadow with good stats and don’t change it, just in case Small Series returns.
Other Shadow Pokémon are also coming like the Shadow Spoink, Grumpig, Blitzle, and Joltik, however, these Pokémon aren’t really that great so don’t waste your efforts on finding the perfect one. Instead, maybe try to find a Vulpix Shadow with good stats and don’t change it, just in case Small Series returns.
Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She is also a food enthusiast and loves a good cup of black coffee.
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