Pokemon GO: 8 Best Shadow Pokemon

Here is a list of what we think are the best Shadow Pokemon you can invest in Pokemon GO, including their best movesets.

There is a reason why players are invested in catching the best Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO. The 20% damage boost if it’s a Shadow-type is too good a buff to pass up. However, due to the massive boost to the stats, there is a drawback of 20% less defense.

This is why you need to be careful when considering which Shadow Pokemon you want to catch and use in the game. A glass cannon is often too easy to defeat in PvP content, you won’t have enough chances to deal damage.

With that said, here is our list of the best Shadow Pokemon to get in Pokemon GO.

Also Read: Pokemon GO: 8 Best Dragon-Type Pokemon

8 Best Shadow Pokémon in Pokemon GO

1. Shadow Mewtwo

• Type: Psychic
• Strengths: Arguably the best overall attacker in the game
• Weakness: Bug, Dark, and Ghost
• Best Moveset: Psycho Cut and Psystrike

Shadow Mewtwo is in a class of its own. This is mainly because of his incredible base stats and versatile movesets with Psystrike, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, and many more. The shadow boost only enhances its already overpowered nature, making it a top pick for any serious raider or PvP player. However, this Pokemon can be a bit fragile. But you don’t need to prolong the fight if you can take them down quickly.

2. Shadow Groudon

• Type: Ground
• Strengths: Massive Ground-type damage dealer, incredible raid utility
• Weakness: Grass, Ice, and Water
• Best Moveset: Mud Shot and Precipice Blades

Shadow Groudon is an absolute beast when it comes to Ground-type DPS. With Mud Shot and Precipice Blades, it melts through Electric, Rock, and Steel-type raid bosses. The shadow boost makes it arguably the best Ground-type attacker in the entire game. If you’re lucky enough to snag one with a good IV spread, it’s worth every bit of Stardust.

3. Shadow Heatran

• Type: Fire and Steel
  Strengths: Strong defensive typing, excellent Fire-type DPS
• Weakness: Ground, Fighting, and Water
• Best Moveset: Fire Spin and Magma Storm

Heatran doesn’t always get the love it deserves, but its Shadow form fixes that. With Fire Spin and Magma Storm, Shadow Heatran becomes a reliable Fire-type attacker that resists many common raid moves. Being a Steel-type means it has decent defense stats. This means the defense reduction from being a Shadow Pokemon is no big deal. 

4. Shadow Palkia

• Type: Water and Dragon
• Strengths: Top-tier Dragon-type attacker with Water coverage
• Weakness: Dragon and Fairy
• Best Moveset: Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor

Shadow Palkia hits hard. Already a great attacker in its normal form, the shadow version boosts its already impressive stats. With Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor, it becomes one of the most flexible attackers in the game. Its ability to cover both Water and Dragon roles makes it highly valuable in a wide variety of raids.

5. Shadow Ho-Oh

• Type: Fire and Flying
• Strengths: Unique role in PvP, high bulk despite shadow penalty
• Weaness: Rock, Electric, and Water
• Best Moveset: Incinerate and Brace Bird

Shadow Ho-Oh is one of the rare Shadow Pokémon that thrives in PvP. Despite the defense nerf, it remains quite bulky thanks to its solid base stats. With Incinerate and Brave Bird or Sacred Fire, Shadow Ho-Oh can deal massive damage and bait shields effectively. It shines particularly well in the Master League with proper energy management.

6. Shadow Moltres

• Type: Fire/Flying
• Strengths: Glass cannon Fire-type, excellent for raids
• Weakness: Rock, Electric, Water
• Best Moveset: Fire Spin and Sky Attack

Moltres has always been a solid Fire-type attacker, but its Shadow form takes it to the next level. With Fire Spin and Overheat, Shadow Moltres outputs some of the highest Fire-type DPS in the game. It’s not particularly tanky, but if you need to burn through Grass, Bug, or Ice bosses quickly, this is your Pokémon.

7. Shadow Zapdos

• Type: Electric/Flying
• Strengths: Hard-hitting Electric-type attacker with Flying resistances
• Weakness: Ice and Rock
• Best Moveset: Thunder Shock and Drill Peck

Shadow Zapdos combines power with versatility. Its Electric-typing makes it effective against Water and Flying raid bosses, while its Flying-type grants useful resistances. With Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt or Drill Peck, Shadow Zapdos is a powerful glass cannon. The Pokémon is a good option in raid scenarios, especially when you need to speedrun the battle.

8. Shadow Kyogre

• Type: Water
• Strengths: One of the best Water-type attackers in the game
• Weakness: Electric and Grass
• Best Movest: Waterfall and Origin Pulse

Shadow Kyogre is a terrifying Water-type force. It boasts huge base stats and becomes a top-tier Water attacker with Waterfall and Surf, or Origin Pulse. Despite its reduced defense, it remains viable due to its natural bulk. It’s a rare sight, but one that makes a huge splash in any Water-centric team.

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