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Introduced by Team GO Rocket, Shadow Pokemon are creatures forcibly corrupted and made more aggressive. You'll recognize them by their red, glowing eyes and dark aura. While they deal more damage in battles, they also come with the drawback of increased purification and powering-up costs. They can be purified to return to their normal state, gaining bonuses like lower power-up costs and boosted IVs.
But here's the question many trainers ask: Can you trade Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO? Let’s explore.
In this article:
Can You Trade Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO?
No, you cannot trade Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO. The game places this restriction across all Shadow Pokemon, regardless of species, IVs, or friendship level. Even best friends can't exchange them.
Why Can't You Trade Shadow Pokemon?
The main reason is game balance. Shadow Pokemon are more powerful in certain battle scenarios, such as Rocket battles or PvP matches. Allowing them to be traded could disrupt the game’s fairness and allow players to bypass the effort needed to obtain them. Additionally, Niantic likely wants to keep Shadow Pokemon as a reward for battling Team GO Rocket directly.
Can You Trade Purified Pokemon?
Yes, once a Shadow Pokemon is purified, it becomes eligible for trading like any normal Pokemon. After purification:
- The Shadow effect is removed
- IVs may increase by +2
- Stardust and Candy costs are reduced
Once purified, you’re free to trade it with friends, provided you meet the usual friendship and stardust cost requirements.
What to Do With Extra Shadow Pokemon?
If your storage is full of extra or low-IV Shadow Pokemon, here are your options:
1 Purify and trade
Ideal if you want to help a friend or reduce storage.
2 Use for PvP battles
Some low-IV Shadows perform better in Great League.
3 Transfer for extra candy
Less useful ones can be sent to Professor Willow.
4 Keep for future Elite TM use
Some Shadows with Frustration may be valuable if TM’d later.
Bonus Tip: How to Catch More Shadow Pokemon
Catching Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO requires engaging with Team GO Rocket regularly. Here’s how to maximize your encounters:
Tips 1 Defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts
Grunts appear at black PokeStops with a spinning cube animation and also in Rocket Balloons that float onto your map every 6 hours. After each victory, you get a chance to catch a Shadow Pokemon used by the Grunt. The type of Pokemon depends on the Grunt’s dialogue and theme (e.g., “Don't tangle with us!” often leads to Grass-types like Shadow Oddish or Bellsprout).
Tips 2 Battle Team GO Rocket Leaders
Use 6 Rocket Radar components (from beating Grunts) to create a Rocket Radar and locate Leaders—Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo. Each uses a rotating set of rarer Shadow Pokemon with higher shiny chances. Their Shadow Pokemon are stronger and more desirable.
Tips 3 Fight Giovanni for Legendary Shadow Pokemon
As the boss of Team GO Rocket, Giovanni offers a chance to catch Legendary Shadow Pokemon like Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Regice, or Shadow Groudon—rotated monthly or during special events. Use a Super Rocket Radar (from Special Research) to find him.
Tips 4 Track Rocket Balloons
Balloons appear up to 4 times a day—at midnight, 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. local time. If you have an active Rocket Radar or Super Rocket Radar, the balloon will bring a Leader or Giovanni to you—ideal for those facing rural challenges in Pokémon GO.
Tips 5 Teleport with iMyFone AnyTo for Hotspots
Use iMyFone AnyTo to simulate your GPS location and visit Rocket-dense areas. This lets you farm multiple Rocket encounters without walking, especially helpful during limited-time Shadow events or special research windows.
FAQs
1．Can Shadow Pokemon be shiny?
Yes, but only certain ones. Usually, only Shadow Pokemon from Leaders (not Grunts) can be shiny—and only when their shiny form has been released.
2．Do Shadow Pokemon have higher IVs?
Not necessarily. However, if caught from Leaders or Giovanni, they often come with decent IVs, and Purification adds +2 to each IV stat.
3．Can I evolve a Shadow Pokemon and then purify it?
No. Once you evolve a Shadow Pokemon, it cannot be purified. If you want the purified version of an evolved form, you must purify first and then evolve.
4．Is it worth keeping Shadow Pokemon?
Yes. Shadow Pokemon get a 20% damage boost, making them some of the strongest attackers in raids and PvP. Popular ones include Shadow Mewtwo, Machamp, and Salamence.
5．What’s the best way to catch more Shadow Pokemon fast?
Use Rocket Radars, battle frequently, and take advantage of Rocket Balloons and location spoofing tools like AnyTo to maximize encounters during events.
Conclusion
While trading Shadow Pokemon isn’t possible, understanding their mechanics can help you use them effectively—or decide when to purify and trade. Whether you're collecting, battling, or optimizing your PvP roster, knowing the ins and outs of Shadow Pokemon gives you a serious edge.
For more ways to optimize your Shadow Pokemon hunting—no matter where you are—try location changer iMyFone AnyTo for location flexibility!
Spencer Hill has over 5 years of experience specializing in mobile screen mirroring and virtual location modification. As a senior editor at iMyFone, he creates user-friendly tutorials that help mobile users maximize their device functionality.
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