Shadow Pokémon can be powerful additions to your team in Pokémon Go.
Originating from the Gamecube spin-off games – Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness – Shadow Pokémon have had their hearts corrupted by evil. It’s your job in Pokémon Go to rescue and then purify these Pokémon, making them far stronger in the process.
You can catch Shadow Pokémon by defeating Team Go Rocket at the PokéStops they have invaded, so keep an eye out for any suspicious looking PokéStops! It’s also a good idea to know what the current Grunt lineups and counters are.
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Shadow Pokémon are creatures whose hearts have been corrupted by Team Go Rocket. You can tell you’ve got a Shadow Pokémon on your hands from its mean, red-eyed, expression and ominous purple aura.
As well as looking different, it’ll behave differently too. Shadow Pokémon have the charge move Frustration, while the Candy and Stardust cost to power it up are tripled.
So – how do you solve a a problem like a Shadow Pokémon?
The answer – purify them, and having a Purified Pokémon offers a number of benefits that make the process worthwhile.
More on that further in the article, but first – how do you get a Shadow Pokémon?
You do this by defeating the Team Go Rocket that have invaded your local PokéStops.
Once you have defeated them, they will abandon their Shadow Pokémon, allowing you to capture it in a similar way to how you capture defeated Raid Bosses.
Now that you’ve rescued a Shadow Pokémon, it’s time to purify it.
First, you’ll want to find your chosen Shadow Pokémon in your Pokémon storage. Shadow Pokémon have a purple flame next to their picture, like how Shiny Pokémon have a set of silver stars.
Once you’ve picked a Shadow Pokémon, you’ll discover that there is a new option available above ‘Power Up’ and ‘Evolve’ (if this Pokémon can evolve) – Purify.
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon will cost a specific amount of Stardust and Candy depending on which Pokémon you want to Purify and how strong it is. A Squirtle, for example, will need 2,000 Stardust and 2 Squirtle Candy to be purified, while a Blastoise will require 5,000 Stardust and 5 Squirtle Candy.
Select ‘Purify’ and then ‘Yes’ on the confirmation window to watch a cutscene of your Pokémon being cleansed of the evil that has invaded its heart, leaving you with a newly purified Pokémon.
Purified Pokémon have a number of perks that set them apart from other Pokémon, which include:
The Candy cost to evolve will decrease by 10%.The Candy and Stardust cost to power up will decrease by 10%.The Candy and Stardust cost for learning a second charged attack will decrease by 20%.The Purified Pokémon will learn Return.IVs will be increased by 2 in every stat.Finally, a Purified Pokémon’s level will increase to the Trainer’s level (up to level 25).
The only downside to puryfing a Pokémon is that it will lose its shadow stat modifiers.
Due to the Candy cost, it’s worth catching non-Shadow Pokémon as you play, so that you will be able to quickly purify Shadow Pokémon after you catch them. This will help you build up a strong collection of new Pokémon and level up your Purifier medal.
Below you’ll find a complete list of all the currently released Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon Go – it will help you plan out your new catching regime!
The Psychic: Taken Over event in September 2025 introduced the following Shadow Pokémon:
Shadow QwilfishShadow SwabluShadow Altaria (Evolves from Shadow Swablu)Shadow BaltoyShadow Claydol (Evolves from Shadow Baltoy)Shadow DeinoShadow Zweilous (Evolves from Shadow Deino)Shadow Hydreigon (Evolves from Shadow Zweilous)Shadow Incarnate Forme Tornadus
The Delightful Days: Taken Over event introduced these Shadow Pokémon in August 2025:
Shadow Staryu (can be evolved into Shadow Starmie)Shadow Giratina Shadow Fletchling (can be evolved into Shadow Fletchinder and Shadow Talonflame)Shadow Pikipek (can be evolved into Shadow Trumbeak and Shadow Toucannon)Shadow Grubbin (can be evolved into Shadow Charjabug and Shadow Vikavolt)
May 2025 saw the introduction of the following Shadow Pokémon to Pokémon Go as part of the Crown Clash: Taken Over event:
Shadow Slakoth (can be evolved into Shadow Vigoroth and Shadow Slaking)Shadow Dialga Shadow Inkay (can be evolved into Shadow Malamar)Shadow Tyrunt (can be evolved into Shadow Tyrantrum)Shadow Amaura (can be evolved into Shadow Aurorus)
Fashion Week: Taken Over in January 2025 saw the following Shadow Pokémon being added to Pokémon Go:
Shadow Taillow (can be evolved into Shadow Swellow)Shadow PalkiaShadow Snivy (can be evolved into Shadow Servine and Serperior)Shadow Tepig (can be evolved into Shadow Pignite and Emboar)Shadow Oshawott (can be evolved into Shadow Dewott and Samurott)Shadow Trubbish (can be evolved into Shadow Garbodor)Shadow Bunnelby (can be evolved into Shadow Diggersby)
In October 2024, the following Shadow Pokémon were added to Pokémon Go as part of the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over event:
Caterpie (can be evolved into Shadow Metapod and Shadow Butterfree)Mankey (can be evolved into Shadow Primeape and Shadow Annihilape)HeatranRoggenrola (can be evolved into Shadow Boldore and Shadow Gigalith)Venipede (can be evolved into Shadow Whirlipede and Shadow Scolipede)Karrablast (can be evolved into Shadow Escavalier)Shelmet (can be evolved into Shadow Accelgor)
In August 2024, the Adventure Week: Taken Over event added the following Shadow Pokémon into Pokémon Go:
CresseliaTimburr (can evolve into Shadow Gurdurr and Shadow Conkeldurr)Tirtouga (can evolve into Shadow Carracosta)Archen (can evolve into Shadow Archeops)
In March 2024, the following Shadow Pokémon were added to Pokémon Go as part of the World of Wonders: Taken Over event:
Pidgey (can evolve into Shadow Pidgeotto and Pidgeot)GroudonDarumaka (can evolve into Shadow Darmanitan)Gothita (can evolve into Shadow Gothorita and Gothitelle)Solosis (can evolve into Shadow Duosion and Reuniclus)
In January 2024, the following Shadow Pokémon were added to Pokémon Go as part of the Taken Treasures event:
In October 2023, the below Shadow Pokémon were added to Pokémon Go as part of the Team Go Rocket Takeover running during the Halloween Part 2 2023 event:
In June 2023, the following Shadow Pokémon were added to Pokémon Go as part of the Team Rocket Takeover occuring during the Solstice Horizons event:
Alolan Geodude (can be evolved into Shaodw Alolan Graveler and Shadow Alolan Golem)Ledyba (can be evolved into Shadow Ledian)HitmontopRegirockGlameow (can be evolved into Shadow Purugly)Gible (can be evolved into Shadow Gabite and Shadow Garchomp)
In March 2023, as part of the Let’s Go event, the following Shadow Pokémon were added to Pokémon Go:
Alolan Grimer (can be evolved into Shadow Alolan Muk)Phanpy (can be evolved into Shadow Donphan)Treecko (can be evolved into Shadow Grovyle and Shadow Sceptile)Torchic (can be evolved into Shadow Combusken and Shadow Blaziken)RegiceDrifloon (can be evolved into Shadow Drifblim)
Another batch of Shadow Pokémon were released in February 2023 as part of a Team Go Rocket Takeover in Pokémon Go:
Alolan Vulpix (can be evolved into Shadow Alolan Ninetales)Spoink (can be evolved into Shadow Grumpig)RegisteelBlitzle (can be evolved into Shadow Zebstrika)Joltik (can be evolved into Shadow Galvantula)
In November 2022, another Team Go Rocket Takeover happened in Pokémon Go and brought these Shadow Pokémon to the game:
Alolan Diglett (can be evolved into Shadow Alolan Dugtrio)Onix (can be evolved into Shadow Steelix)Natu (can be evolved into Shadow Xatu)Wailmer (can be evolved into Shadow Wailord)Golett (can be evolved into Shadow Golurk)
Shadow Ursaluna was released as part of the November 2022 Community Day.
The following Pokémon had their Shadow versions released as part of the Battle Weekend on Saturday, 9th July:
Geodude (can be evolved into Shadow Graveler and Golen)LatiosShinx (can be evolved into Shadow Luxio and Luxray)Patrat (can be evolved into Shadow Watchog)Purrloin (can be evolved into Shadow Liepard)Ducklett (can be evolved into Shadow Swanna)Foongus (can be evolved into Amoonguss)
On Wednesday, 25th May, the Shadow version of Alolan Marowak was released as part of the Alola to Alola event.
On Saturday, 16th April, the Shadow version of Alolan Exeggutor was released as part of the An Egg-citing Surprise mini-event, which, itself, was part of the Spring into Spring 2022 event.
On Sunday, 3rd April, the following Shadow Pokémon were released into Pokémon Go:
Alolan Rattata (can be evolved into Shadow Alolan Raticate)Alolan Sandshrew (can be evolved into Shadow Alolan Sandslash)Alolan ExeggutorSudowoodoGirafarigNumel (can be evolved into Shadow Camerupt)Latias
On 24th January, 2022, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced into Pokémon Go:
Voltorb (can be evolved into Shadow Electrode)Chikorita (can be evolved into Shadow Bayleef and Meganium)Cyndaquil (can be evolved into Shadow Quilava and Typhlosion)Totodile (can be evolved into Shadow Croconaw and Feraligatr)Whismur (can be evolved into Shadow Loudred and Exploud)Hippopotas (can be evolved into Shadow Hippowdon)
On May, 18th, 2021, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced as part of the Luminous Legends Y event:
Tangela (can be evolved into Shadow Tangrowth)Horsea (can be evolved into Shadow Seadra and Kingdra)Snubbull (can be evolved into Shadow Snubbull)Poochyena (can be evolved into Shadow Mightyena)Makuhita (can be evolved into Shadow Hariyama)Electrike (can be evolved into Shadow Manectric)Starly (can be evolved into Shadow Staravia and Staraptor)Skorupi (can be be evolved into Shadow Drapion)
On April, 1st, 2021, the Shadow versions of Aipom and, in turn, Ambipom were introduced.
On February, 2nd, 2021, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced:
Swinub (can be evolved into Shadow Piloswine and Mamoswine)NosepassAron (can be evolved into Shadow Lairon and Aggron)Spheal (can be evolved into Shadow Sealeo and Walrein)Lileep (can be evolved into Shadow Cradily)Anorith (can be evolved into Shadow Armaldo)
On December, 10th 2020, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced:
Wooper (can be evolved into Shadow Quagsire)Teddiursa (can be evolved into Shadow Ursaring)
On October, 12th 2020, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced:
Diglett (can be evolved into Shadow Dugtrio)Slowpoke (can be evolved into Shadow Slowbro or Slowking)Shellder (can be evolved into Shadow Cloyster)AerodactylHoppip (can be evolved into Shadow Skiploom and Jumpluff)Skarmory
As part of Rocket Straight to Victory research quest, part of the Pokémon Go Fest 2020 celebrations on the July, 26th 2020, the following Shadow Pokémon were released:
Mewtwo
On July, 10th 2020, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced alongside the first appearance of Jessie and James in Pokémon Go:
Ekans (can be evolved into Shadow Arbok)Nidoran – female (can be evolved into Shadow Nidorina and Nidoqueen)Nidoran – male (can be evolved into Shadow Nidorino and Nidoking)Machop (can be evolved into Shadow Machoke and Machamp)Koffing (can be evolved into Shadow Weezing)Pineco (can be evolved into Shadow Forretress)Gligar (can be evolved into Shadow Gliscor)ShuckleStunky (can be evolved into Shadow Skuntank)
On February 4th 2020, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced:
Vulpix (can be evolved into Shadow Ninetails)Exeggcute (can be evolved into Shadow Exeggutor)PinsirOmanyte (can be evolved into Shadow Omastar)Misdreavus (can be evolved into Shadow Mismagius)MawileCarvanha (can be evolved into Shadow Sharpedo)Beldum (can be evolved into Shadow Metang and Metagross)
A variety of Legendary Shadow Pokémon have also be introduced as rewards for defeating Giovanni and the ones which have been released so far are:
ArticunoZapdosMoltresMewtwoRaikouEnteiSuicuneLugiaHo-OhLatiasLatiosRegisteelRegiceRegirockRegigigas
On December 24th 2019, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced as part of the 2019 Christmas event:
DelibirdStantlerAbsolBagon (can be found in Shadow Shelgon and Salamence)Snover (can be evolved into Shadow Abomasnow)
On November 7th 2019, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced to the game:
Sandshrew (can be evolved into Shadow Sandslash)Bellsprout (can be evolved into Shadow Weepinbell and Victreebel)Magnemite (can be evolved into Shadow Magneton and Magnezone)HitmonleePorygon (can be evolved into Shadow Porygon2 and Porygon-Z)Wobbuffet
There have also been some changes to the previous Shadow Pokémon roster, with certain Shadow Pokémon now only being available from defeating Team Go Rocket Leaders.
These Pokémon are:
Shadow Cubone – found by defeating CliffShadow Alolan Grimer – found by defeating ArloShadow Skorupi – found by defeating Sierra
There’s also a chance that you will encounter a shiny version of these three Shadow Pokémon.
On October 17th 2019, the following Shadow Pokémon were introduced to the game:
Weedle (can be evolved into Shadow Kakuna and Beedrill)Electabuzz (can be evolved into Shadow Electivire)Magmar (can be evolved into Shadow Magmortar)LaprasMareep (can be evolved into Shadow Flaaffy and Ampharos)Seedot (can be evolved into Shadow Nuzleaf and Shiftry)SableyeTrapinch (can be evolved into Shadow Vibrava and Flygon)Cacnea (can be evolved into Shadow Cacturne)Shuppet (can be evolved into Shadow Banette)Duskull (can be evolved into Shadow Dusclops and Dusknoir)
The Shadow Pokémon that were already available from the introduction of Shadow Pokémon into Pokémon Go:
Bulbasaur (can be evolved into Shadow Ivysaur and Venusaur)Charmander (can be evolved in Shadow Charmeleon and Charizard)Squirtle (can be evolved in Shadow Wartortle and Blastoise)Rattata (can be evolved into Shadow Raticate)SnorlaxZubat (can be evolved into Shadow Golbat and Crobat)Oddish (can be evolved into Shadow Gloom, Vileplume or Bellossom)GloomVileplumeVenonat (can be evolved into Shadow Venomoth)Psyduck (can be evolved into Shadow Golduck)Growlithe (can be evolved into Shadow Arcanine)Poliwag (can be evolved into Shadow Poliwhirl, Poliwarth or Politoed)Abra (can be evolved into Shadow Kadabra and Alakazam)Grimer (can be evolved into Shadow Muk)Drowzee (can be evolved into Shadow Hypno)Cubone (can be evolved into Shadow Marowak)ScytherMagikarp (can be evolved into Shadow Gyarados)HitmonchanDratini (can be evolved into Shadow Dragonair and Dragonite)Houndour (can be evolved into Shadow Houdoom)Larvitar (can be evolved into Shadow Pupitar and Tyranitar)Mudkip (can be evolved into Shadow Marshtomp and Swampert)Ralts (can be evolved into Shadow Kirlia and Gardevoir or Gallade)Turtwig (can be evolved into Shadow Gortle and Torterra)
Now you know which Shadow Pokémon have been released in Pokémon Go, the question becomes which Shadow Pokémon can you currently catch? This is because Shadow Pokémon can only be obtained by defeating them in Shadow Raids or through Team Rocket battle – be it with a Grunt, a Team Rocket Leader or Giovanni himself. It’s also important to note that these lineups all reguarly rotate, so the Shadow Pokémon you’re searching for might not be currently available.