TOOL HUNTER
If you’ve been playing Pokémon GO for a while, you’ve probably encountered those dark, menacing-looking creatures with glowing red eyes—Shadow Pokémon. These corrupted creatures were introduced by Team GO Rocket and have become a significant part of the game. They deal more damage in battles but come with downsides like higher purification and powering-up costs. Many trainers wonder, can you trade Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO? Let’s dive into the details and explore everything you need to know about Shadow Pokémon, trading rules, and how to make the most of them.
Understanding Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Pokémon are regular Pokémon that have been altered by Team GO Rocket, making them more aggressive and giving them a unique appearance with a dark aura and red eyes. While they pack a stronger punch in battles, they also require more Stardust and Candy to power up or purify. Purification removes the Shadow effect, reduces upgrade costs, and can even boost their Individual Values (IVs).
One of the most common questions trainers ask is, can you trade Shadow Pokémon? The answer isn’t straightforward, and it’s essential to understand the game’s mechanics before attempting any trades.
Can You Trade Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
No, you cannot trade Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO. The game explicitly restricts trading for all Shadow Pokémon, regardless of their species, IVs, or your friendship level with another player. Even if you and your friend are “Best Friends” in the game, the option to trade Shadow Pokémon will remain unavailable.
This limitation is one of the most consistent rules in Pokémon GO. Whether you’re trying to trade a common Shadow Rattata or a rare Shadow Legendary, the game simply won’t allow it. So, if you were hoping to swap Shadow Pokémon with a buddy, you’ll need to consider other options.
Why Can’t You Trade Shadow Pokémon?
There are several reasons why Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, has disabled the ability to trade Shadow Pokémon. The primary reason is game balance. Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage than their regular or purified counterparts, making them incredibly powerful in Player vs. Player (PvP) battles and raids. If players could trade Shadow Pokémon freely, it would disrupt the competitive balance, allowing trainers to easily obtain powerful creatures without putting in the effort to battle Team GO Rocket.
Additionally, Shadow Pokémon are designed to be rewards for engaging with specific in-game content, such as defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders, and Giovanni. Allowing trades would undermine this design and reduce the incentive for players to participate in these activities.
Another factor is the potential for exploitation. If trading were allowed, players might quickly accumulate multiple high-IV Shadow Pokémon, diminishing the challenge and long-term goals of the game.
Can You Trade Purified Pokémon?
Yes, once a Shadow Pokémon is purified, it becomes eligible for trading just like any regular Pokémon. Purification removes the Shadow effect, reduces the Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, and increases each of the Pokémon’s IVs by 2 points. This makes purified Pokémon not only tradable but also more valuable in many cases.
After purification, you can trade these Pokémon to friends, provided you meet the standard trading requirements, such as friendship level and Stardust costs. This is an excellent way to help fellow trainers complete their Pokédex or obtain stronger Pokémon for battles.
What to Do With Extra Shadow Pokémon
As you battle Team GO Rocket, you’ll likely accumulate multiple Shadow Pokémon, some with less-than-ideal IVs. Instead of letting them take up space in your storage, here are some practical ways to handle them:
Purify and Trade Them
If you have extra Shadow Pokémon, consider purifying them and then trading with friends. This is especially useful if you have duplicates or ones that your friends need. Purified Pokémon are often more desirable due to their reduced upgrade costs and improved stats.
Use Them in PvP Battles
Some Shadow Pokémon perform exceptionally well in PvP, particularly in the Great League. Even those with lower IVs can be valuable in certain matchups thanks to their damage boost. Experiment with different Shadow Pokémon in your battle team to see which ones work best.
Transfer for Candy
If you have Shadow Pokémon that aren’t useful for battles or trading, you can transfer them to Professor Willow in exchange for Candy. This Candy can be used to power up or evolve other Pokémon, making it a practical option for managing your storage.
Save for Future Use
Some Shadow Pokémon know the move Frustration, which can be replaced during special events using Elite TMs. If you have Shadow Pokémon with potential, it might be worth holding onto them for future opportunities to optimize their movesets.
How to Catch More Shadow Pokémon
If you’re looking to expand your collection of Shadow Pokémon, you’ll need to engage with Team GO Rocket regularly. Here are some effective strategies to increase your encounters:
Defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts
Team GO Rocket Grunts can be found at black PokeStops with a spinning cube animation or in Rocket Balloons that appear on your map every six hours. Defeating a Grunt gives you a chance to catch one of their Shadow Pokémon. The type of Pokémon you encounter depends on the Grunt’s dialogue—for example, “Don’t tangle with us!” often leads to Grass-type Shadow Pokémon like Oddish or Bellsprout.
Battle Team GO Rocket Leaders
After defeating six Grunts, you can assemble a Rocket Radar to locate Team GO Rocket Leaders: Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo. These Leaders use stronger and rarer Shadow Pokémon, which also have a higher chance of being Shiny. Defeating them rewards you with these exclusive creatures.
Fight Giovanni for Legendary Shadow Pokémon
Giovanni, the boss of Team GO Rocket, offers some of the most sought-after Shadow Pokémon in the game. By completing Special Research tasks, you can obtain a Super Rocket Radar to find him. Giovanni typically uses Shadow Legendary Pokémon, such as Shadow Mewtwo or Shadow Regice, which rotate every few months.
Track Rocket Balloons
Rocket Balloons appear up to four times daily—at midnight, 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. local time. If you have an active Rocket Radar or Super Rocket Radar, these balloons can bring Leaders or Giovanni directly to you. This is especially helpful for players in rural areas with fewer PokeStops.
Use iMyFone AnyTo to Find Hotspots
For trainers who want to maximize their Shadow Pokémon encounters, iMyFone AnyTo offers a convenient solution. This tool allows you to simulate your GPS location, giving you access to areas with high Team GO Rocket activity. Whether you’re looking for Grunts, Leaders, or Giovanni, AnyTo helps you find them without physically traveling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Shadow Pokémon Be Shiny?
Yes, but only certain Shadow Pokémon can be Shiny. Typically, Shiny Shadow Pokémon are exclusive to those encountered in battles with Team GO Rocket Leaders. Grunts do not offer Shiny Shadow Pokémon, and even with Leaders, the Shiny version is only available if it has been released in the game.
Do Shadow Pokémon Have Higher IVs?
Not necessarily. Shadow Pokémon caught from Grunts usually have random IVs, while those from Leaders or Giovanni tend to have better stats. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases each of its IVs by 2 points, which can make a significant difference in its overall performance.
Can You Evolve a Shadow Pokémon and Then Purify It?
No, once a Shadow Pokémon is evolved, it can no longer be purified. If you want the purified version of an evolved Pokémon, you must purify it first and then evolve it. Evolving a Shadow Pokémon will leave it in its Shadow form permanently unless you purify it beforehand.
Is It Worth Keeping Shadow Pokémon?
Absolutely! Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage than their regular or purified counterparts, making them some of the most powerful attackers in raids and PvP battles. Popular choices include Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Salamence. However, they also take 20% more damage, so strategic use is key.
What’s the Best Way to Catch More Shadow Pokémon Quickly?
To catch Shadow Pokémon efficiently, use Rocket Radars to find Leaders, battle Grunts whenever possible, and take advantage of Rocket Balloons. For trainers who want to save time, tools like iMyFone AnyTo can help you teleport to areas with high Rocket activity, allowing you to encounter more Shadow Pokémon in less time.
iMyFone AnyTo.Provide App version that doesn’t require a computer.Provide App version that doesn’t require a computer.1-click change GPS location on iPhone/Android without jailbreak/root.Simulate GPS movement safely. Customize routes and speeds.Precise GPS Joystick Control makes it more realistic.Work with location-based apps such as PoGo, MHN, Life360, etc. without downloading cracked version. Compatible with the latest Android 16 and iOS 26/18.AnyTo only modifies location with user authorization.
Final Thoughts
So, can you trade Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO? The answer is a clear no. However, understanding the rules and mechanics surrounding Shadow Pokémon can help you make the most of them. Whether you choose to purify them for trading, use them in battles, or transfer them for Candy, Shadow Pokémon offer plenty of opportunities to enhance your gameplay.
For trainers looking to catch more Shadow Pokémon, leveraging tools like iMyFone AnyTo can make the process faster and more convenient. No matter your strategy, knowing how Shadow Pokémon work will give you an edge in becoming a better Pokémon GO trainer.
Some images in this article are sourced from iMyFone.
