Best Shadow Pokemon Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Pokemon Colosseum and XD are the only Gamecube games to feature Shadow Pokemon from Cipher.
• Shadow Pokemon are stronger and have unique shadow moves, posing a challenge to players.
• Legendary Pokemon like Salamence and Lugia appear as Shadow Pokemon with powerful movesets.

Pokemon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness are the only two Pokemon games on the Nintendo Gamecube, and the only titles to feature the subtype of Pocket Monsters known as Shadow Pokemon. These creatures are essentially normal Pokemon that have had their hearts turned by the evil Pokemon team known as Cipher, committing acts of malice in the region of Orre. Players must ‘Snag’ Pokemon to purify them from shadow as one of the game’s core mechanics.

Team Cipher uses Shadow Pokemon to do their bidding. These Pokemon are far more dangerous than their basic counterparts, attacking both Pokemon and humans alike with no control of their powers. Shadow Pokemon also have special ‘shadow moves’ and a dark aura. These Pocket Monsters possess different strengths and abilities.

9 Marowak

Formidable, Yet Underleveled

The bone keeper Pokemon, Marowak, has its own shadow form, used in battle by Cipher admin Eldes in Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. The Pokemon is fought at level 44 and possesses new powerful shadow moves, such as Shadow End and Shadow Panic. Shadow Marowak is one of the stronger shadow Pokemon compared to the other 131 known shadow Pokemon in existence, but lacks the strength of some of the other Pokemon on this list due to being weaker in level.

8 Lapras

Water Power House

Much like Shadow Marowak, Shadow Lapras is battled at level 44, making it on an even power footing with Marowak from a level point of view. However, Lapras possesses a type advantage over Marowak in terms of its Water-type moveset. Shadow Lapras is also harder to catch and has arguably stronger moves than Marowak, such as Shadow Storm and Shadow Sky.

7 Rhydon

Extensive Shadow Moves

The Drill Pokemon, Shadow Rhydon, can be battled at level 46, a step up from Shadow Lapras and Marowak. This Pocket Monster can use four shadow moves, such as Shadow Hold, and has equally strong base moves, like Megahorn and Earthquake. Grand Master Greevil uses a Shadow Rhydon in battle against the player, putting up a considerable fight for those who dare oppose it. Shadow Rhydon comes slightly below the other Pokemon on this list due to its easier catch rate.

6 Tauros

Best Ground Type Shadow Pokemon

The final Pokemon at the level 46 mark is Shadow Tauros. Much like its regular form, Shadow Taurus has a range of Normal-type moves such as Body Slam and Refresh, and can also use top-tier Ground-type moves like Earthquake in battle. Shadow Tauros comes marginally ahead of Rhydon and just behind Shadow Exeggutor due to its limited moveset compared to the Grass/Psychic type.

5 Exeggutor

Varied But Powerful

With powerful special attack moves such as Ancient Power, and status attacks like Hypnosis, Shadow Exeggutor packs a real punch on the battlefield. Like Rhydon, Greevil uses Exeggutor in Gale of Darkness’s final battle, exerting the likes of Shadow Storm to wreak havoc.

4 Salamence

Shadow Enhanced Dragon

Taking a substantial leap up from the previous Shadow Pokemon on this list is Shadow Salamence at a mighty level 50. Shadow Salamence has a range of strong attacks that one might expect from a Dragon-type, including Dragon Claw, Aerial Ace, and Dragon Dance. Cipher Admin Eldes uses Salamence as his strongest Pocket Monster, showcasing the enhanced aggression of Shadow variants. Salamence is one of the strongest non-legendary Pocket Monsters.

3 Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos

Shadow Legendaries With Unique Moves

The three legendary birds are nearly indistinguishable in terms of power due to their contrasting typing, legendary status, and leveling. In Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, each of the three birds is level 50, reminiscent of their main series levels. Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos are notably harder to catch than the previous Pokemon on this list, and all have strong signature moves that set them apart.

For example, Moltres can use Shadow Fire, the shadow variation of Flamethrower. Articuno and Zapdos follow suit with Shadow Chill and Shadow Bolt, respectively. These more dangerous variations of the Legendary Birds are some of the most powerful in the games.

2 Shadow Dragonite

Highest Level Shadow Pokemon

The strongest Shadow Pokemon on this list from a pure level point of view, Shadow Dragonite, comes in at a whopping level 55, five levels higher than the Shadow legendaries.

The Pocket Monster can be fought at Gateon Port lighthouse, owned by the former Cipher Admin Mirror. B. The battle can only commence after all the other Shadow Pokemon in the region have been snagged. Shadow Dragonite puts up a mean fight with arguably one of the strongest shadow movesets in the games.

1 Shadow Lugi

Strongest Shadow Pokemon

At no surprise, Shadow Lugia comes top of this list as the most powerful shadow Pokemon. The final boss of Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Shadow Lugia, otherwise known as X001, is notably different from its normal counterpart, donning a dark shadow complexion and silver spikes resembling armor. While shadow Pokemon do not usually look different from their standard counterparts, Lugia embodies the darkness to its fullest, changing its appearance in the process.

Shadow Lugia is battled at level 50, and can use its signature ability, Shadow Blast, to shatter opponents and other strong moves of various typings. Shadow Lugia could easily put Shadow Dragonite in its place due to its immense strength despite its slightly lower level. Overall, Shadow Lugia is the strongest Shadow Pokemon and the most challenging to catch in the games.

• 

  Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness

  Released

  October 3, 2005

  Developer

  Genius Sonority

• 

  Pokemon Colosseum

  Released

  March 22, 2004

  Developer

  Genius Sonority