Shadow Force (move)

Shadow Force
シャドーダイブ Shadow Dive
Shadow Force IX.png
Shadow Force IX 2.png
Type  Ghost
Category  Physical
PP  5 (max. 8)
Power  120
Accuracy  100%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation IV
Condition  Smart
Appeal  0  
Jam  0  
Condition  Smart
Appeal  2 ♥♥
Earn +3 if the Pokémon that just went hit max Voltage.
Condition  Cool
Appeal  1
Jamming  0  
Prevents the user from being startled until the turn ends.

Shadow Force (Japanese: シャドーダイブ Shadow Dive) is a Ghost-type move introduced in Generation IV. It is the signature move of Giratina.

Effect

Generations IV and V

Shadow Force causes the user to "vanish instantly" on the turn it is selected, rendering it semi-invulnerable, and then reappear the next turn to cause damage.

Shadow Force hits the target even if it is protected by a protection move, and removes the effects of protection moves from the target for the remainder of the turn; if it hits an opponent that is protected by protection move that affects its whole side of the field, it removes the protection move from the opponent's entire side of the field (even if the protection move would not affect Shadow Force, such as Wide Guard). Shadow Force cannot remove the effects of protecting moves if it does not affect the target (such as if the target is Normal-type).

If the user falls asleep due to Yawn during the semi-invulnerable turn, the move will be cancelled before it hits. In addition, a foe who has just used Lock-On or Mind Reader can still strike through Shadow Force, as well as if the Ability No Guard is possessed by the foe or the user of Shadow Force.

Wild Pokémon cannot be caught during the semi-invulnerable stage of Shadow Force.

If a Power Herb is held by the user, Shadow Force can be executed in one turn.

Generation VI

If the target has used Minimize, Shadow Force now deals double its regular damage and bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the target is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly.

If Shadow Force hits a target that is protected by protection move that affects its whole side of the field, it removes the protection move from that entire side of the field (even if the protection move does not affect Shadow Force, such as Wide Guard), regardless of whether the target is an opponent or an ally. If Shadow Force hits a Pokémon protected by a move with a negative effect (such as Spiky Shield), the user will not suffer the negative effect of the protection move.

Generation VII

Shadow Force no longer bypasses accuracy checks nor deals double its regular damage if the target has used Minimize.

Generation VIII

In Versions 1.0 to 1.2.1 of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Shadow Force could not be selected in a battle. Starting with Version 1.3.0, it is usable and functions the same as it did in the previous generation.

Shadow Force also functions in the same way in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Shadow Force cannot bypass Max Guard nor lift its effects.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Shadow Force is now used in a single turn. It lowers the user's action speed and obscures the user.

Category  Physical
PP  5
Agile Strong
Power  100  80  120
Accuracy  100%  100%  100%
Action speed modifier
Self  +3  +1  +5
Target  0  +3  0
Additional effect
Turns  3  2  4
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
Obscures the user
Lowers the user's action speed

If used by Origin Forme Giratina, Shadow Force's animation, base power, and accuracy are changed. If the Origin Forme Giratina is Shiny, the game will crash during the move animation.[1]

Category  Physical
PP  5
Agile Strong
Power  120  100  150
Accuracy  80%  80%  90%
Action speed modifier
Self  +5  +2  +8
Target  0  +3  0
Additional effect
Turns  3  2  4
   ?  ?
   ?  ?
Obscures the user
Lowers the user's action speed

Generation IX

Shadow Force functions the same as it did in Sword and Shield.

Description

Games Description
DPPtPBR The user disappears, then strikes the foe on the second turn. It hits even if the foe used Protect.
HGSS The user disappears, then strikes the foe on the second turn. It hits even if the foe protects itself.
BWB2W2 The user disappears, then strikes the target on the second turn. It hits even if the target protects itself.
XYORAS
SMUSUM
SwShBDSP
The user disappears, then strikes the target on the next turn. This move hits even if the target protects itself.
LA The user cloaks itself in darkness as it attacks. Incoming moves also become more likely to miss.
SV The user disappears on the first turn, then attacks on the next turn. This move hits even if the target protects itself.


Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
0487  
Giratina
All available forms
 
 
No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered 40DPPt
46HGSS
46 46 46 77 49 60 77
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


By event

Generation IV

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Obtained with
0493     No Eggs Discovered No Eggs Discovered Cinema Arceus
Michina Arceus
Toys "R" Us Arceus
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move.
Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.
A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method.
An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.


In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

The user gains the Shadow Force status on the first turn. On this turn, the Pokémon cannot be hit by moves and projectiles will pass the user as if their tile was empty. On the second turn, the user attacks enemy in the front. The move breaks through the enemy's Protect, Wide Guard, or Quick Guard to damage the enemy. In the Explorers and Adventure Squad series, this move's damage is doubled at the end of damage calculation.

Being a two-turn move, this move cannot be linked. Shadow Force cannot be used in a Pokémon Tower in the Adventure Squad series.

Game Base
Power
Max
Power
Base
PP
Max
PP
Base
Accuracy
Max
Accuracy
Range Target Cuts
corners
MDTDS 50 - 6 - 100% - Front Enemy No
BSL 50 - 6 - 100% - Front Enemy No
SMD 50 99 15 30 100% - 10 tiles away (piercing) Enemy Yes
With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games:

Pokémon Rumble Rush

  Shadow Force
★★★★★
Attack power 93.70972
Charge time 1.06 seconds
Range type Dash
Number of hits 1
Number of projectiles 1
Critical hit rate 1.5%
Additional effect None

Pokémon Masters EX

Category Move Gauge MP Base Power Max Power Accuracy Target Effect Tag Description Playable Users
Physical 3 200 240 100% An opponent Shadow Presence The user takes on a shadow presence. After a set time, this presence fades and the user attacks. No other actions can be taken while in shadow presence. Opponents’ moves will not hit the user while it is in this presence. If the user is hit by a sync move or max move while in shadow presence, the presence will fade.* Sygna Suit Cynthia (Renegade) & Giratina*

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Shadow Force is a Charged Attack that has been available since October 20, 2022.

  Shadow Force
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids
Power 140
Energy cost 100
Duration 1.9 seconds
Damage window 1.7 - 1.9 seconds
 
Trainer Battles
Power 120
Energy cost 90
Secondary effect
Effect chance %
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility
By Elite Charged TM
  
By GO Snapshot
As Shadow Pokémon
As Purified Pokémon
Formerly eligible
None


Description

  This article has information requiring translation. If you are able to translate Japanese and would like to help, please add the English translation to the section or sections in Japanese.
Games Description
MDTDS Gives the user a Shadow Force status, which causes the Pokémon to charge power for 1 turn, then try a powerful attack on the next. An enemy's Protect status will not block the attack. You can't link this move.
BSL シャドーダイブじょうたいになり ちからをため つぎのこうどうで いりょくのたかい こうげきを くりだす まもりじょうたいを うちやぶり てきポケモンに ダメージをあたえる このわざは ポケモンタワーでは くりだせない
MDGtI  UNUSED
SMD You'll get the Shadow Force status condition, which lets you charge power to try a powerful attack on the next turn. It breaks through the enemies' Protect, Wide Guard, or Quick Guard to damage them.

In the anime

 
Head crest glows blue
 
Disappears
 
Reappears
 
Altered Forme Giratina
The user disappears and reappears behind the opponent to strike.
Pokémon Method
User First Used In Notes
  The middle of Origin Forme Giratina's head crest glows light blue and Origin Forme Giratina's body turns black and disappears as soon as an attack is about to hit it. Seconds later, it reappears behind the opponent and attacks it.
Giratina (movie) Giratina and the Sky Warrior Debut
  The middle of Giratina's head crest glows light blue and Giratina's body turns black and disappears as soon as an attack is about to hit it. Seconds later, it reappears behind the opponent and attacks it.
Giratina (movie) Arceus and the Jewel of Life None


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures


Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!


In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 暗影潛襲 Amyíng Chìhmjaahp *
Mandarin 暗影潛襲 / 暗影潜袭 Ànyǐng Qiánxí *
影子潛水 Yǐngzǐ Qiánshuǐ *
  Dutch Schaduwkracht
  French Revenant
  German Schemenkraft
  Greek Σκοτεινή Ισχύς Skoteinē Ischys
  Italian Oscurotuffo
  Korean 섀도다이브 Syaedodaibeu
  Brazilian Portuguese Força das Sombras
  Spanish Golpe Umbrío
  Vietnamese Bóng Đen Ẩn Mình


  This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.