Shadow Pokemon are the corrupted creatures Team Rocket grunts leave behind. Here’s how to catch them and the benefits of doing so.
Team Rocket has been a mainstay in Pokemon ever since the franchise launched during the mid ’90s. Whether it be the video games or the TV show, Jessie, James, Giovanni, and their team of grunts have been a thorn in the paw of trainers around the world. Now, they are a threat in Pokemon Go too.
Team Rocket has invaded Pokemon Go in a couple of different ways. First by occupying Pokestops, and then by flying high above the AR map in balloons. Typical Team Rocket. Whether a trainer encounters a Rocket grunt or leader at a Pokestop or is descended upon by a balloon, the outcome will be the same. A battle against the Team Rocket member and their accompanying Shadow Pokemon.
Shadow Pokemon can be identified by their red eyes and a purple mist surrounding them. They will also act more erratically than a regular Pokemon and use the move frustration. At this point, catching one doesn’t sound very appealing. However, various research tasks require trainers to catch shadow Pokemon. What’s more, once purified, the Pokemon will not only return to normal, but it will also become much more powerful than before.
To catch and resuce a Shadow Pokemon, trainers must first defeat the Rocket member. Once defeated, the grunt or leader will flee, leaving one of their poor tainted Pokemon behind them. Trainers will then need to try and catch the Pokemon in the same way that they would after winning a raid. The number of Pokeballs at their disposal will be determined by how well they fared in battle agaisnt Team Rocket.
Once caught, trainers will have the option to purify their newly caught shadow Pokemon. It costs stardust and candy, but once purified, that Pokemon will have a certain set of advantages. It will cost less stardust to power it up than a regular Pokemon, and fewer candies to evole it. It will also learn a unique move, and its level will increase.
