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Pokemon GO PvP in the GO Battle League is always evolving, and plenty of Shadow Pokemon have risen through the ranks of the Great, Ultra, and Master Leagues. But which Shadow Pokemon are the best to use in PvP? While the answers can fluctuate depending on the meta, some of the best Shadow Pokemon have clearly risen to the top of the rankings.
Pokemon GO players who regularly participate in PvP have likely encountered these Shadow Pokemon before, and there's a good reason for that. These Shadow Pokemon match up well with other top meta picks, have quality type coverage and a great mix of sturdiness and offensive firepower.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.
Five best Shadow Pokemon for Pokemon GO PvP
1) Shadow Dragonite
A fantastic blend of damage output and durability, Shadow Dragonite is a gold standard among Dragon-types in Pokemon GO PvP. It's comparable to Altaria in the Great League, but access to the move Superpower gives it counter capabilities against popular Steel-type foes including Galarian Stunfisk and Registeel. Its battle effectiveness only increases in the Ultra and Master Leagues.
Even though it loses durability as a Shadow Pokemon, Shadow Dragonite is still bulky and access to the Charged Move Dragon Claw is something that many popular meta Dragon-types can't claim. Even though it's highly susceptible to Ice-type moves as a Dragon/Flying-type, Shadow Dragonite can carry a team on its back in just about any GO Battle League format it's allowed in.
2) Shadow Feraligatr
For years, Shadow Feraligatr was blessed with hard-hitting and diverse Charged Moves but lacked Fast Moves that could generate enough energy to make them reliable. This changed in Pokemon GO's World of Wonders season when it gained Shadow Claw, making Charged Attacks like Hydro Cannon, Crunch, and Ice Beam much more viable for it in PvP.
It doesn't have the best stats in the Great or Ultra League and it drops off heavily in the Master League, but Shadow Feraligatr's Charged Moves give it the ability not just to contend but to excel. Several meta darlings like Steelix, Giratina, Talonflame, and Swampert won't last long if Shadow Feraligatr gains an energy lead.
3) Shadow Poliwrath
Thanks to a Water/Fighting-type combination, access to Counter, Icy Wind, and Scald, and great all-around Attack/Defense/Stamina stats, Shadow Poliwrath is a problem for opponents in Pokemon GO's Great and Ultra Leagues. Unfortunately, it drops off to non-viability in the Master League, but it can menace the two lower leagues as well as several limited formats that permit it.
Its versatile moves can cause problems for Fire, Rock, Steel, Dark, Ice, Ground, Normal, Dragon, Grass, and Flying-type foes when players use a Counter, Icy Wind, and Scald moveset. With such wide type coverage and the ability to dole out as much damage as it takes, Shadow Poliwrath can strongarm its way through several formats.
4) Shadow Registeel
Its non-shadow counterpart is certainly no slouch, but Pokemon GO PvPers shouldn't overlook Shadow Registeel in the Ultra League. It loses very little defensive capability due to the Shadow Form defense debuff while gaining more firepower along the way. Access to Lock-On allows Shadow Registeel to power up devastating attacks like Focus Blast and Zap Cannon with regularity.
Ordinary Registeel may continue to be the preferred option in PvP as a pure defender, but if trainers are diving into the Ultra League, Shadow Registeel's added attack damage can keep it as an effective defender while more reliably closing out matches.
5) Shadow Quagsire
Arguably the best example of the "Mudboi" archetype in the Great League, Shadow Quagsire's base Stamina stat of 216 and Water/Ground-type combination is one of the best general-use creatures in the Great League, even if its viability heavily drops outside of it. It's bulky and has fantastic type coverage with strong Water and Ground-type moves as well as access to Stone Edge.
Thanks to its stats and move versatility, Shadow Quagsire can shine as a lead or a closer depending on its team makeup. Players should just make sure to keep it away from Grass-type opponents at all costs. Fortunately, though, Grass-types don't have the best record in Great League contention aside from a few outliers like Shadow Abomasnow, Serperior, Gogoat, and Shadow Venusaur.
