Shadow move

Shadow moves (Japanese: ダークわざ Dark moves) are moves known only by Shadow Pokémon.

Mechanics

Shadow moves have no type and display a blank space where the type would normally go on the summary and battle screens. In Pokémon Colosseum, there is only one Shadow move, Shadow Rush, which has regular effectiveness against any type. In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Shadow moves are super effective on any non-Shadow Pokémon and are not very effective on Shadow Pokémon. All Shadow moves have unlimited PP, and display "--" (two dashes) as their current and maximum PP at all times. Shadow moves cannot be copied by Mimic or Sketch. Using Mirror Move on a Shadow move will result in Mirror Move failing.

In Pokémon XD, the area on the summary screen that would normally display type effectiveness instead displays no icon at all for every type (instead of either a super effective, effective, not very effective, or immune icon).

Damage-dealing Shadow moves can be either physical or special, despite damage categories being otherwise solely dependent on type at the time. Other moves would not be categorized separately from type until the following generation.

Since Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded, all of these moves are exclusive to the two GameCube games, with all but Shadow Rush exclusive to Pokémon XD. This also excludes them from use in Contests, as there are no Contests in Orre.

All Legendary Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon XD have a signature Shadow move. This move appears as a dark, corrupted counterpart of a move that the Pokémon would normally learn, and has lower base power than its non-Shadow counterpart, but still inflicts more damage due to usually being in a situation where it will be super effective.

Moves

Pokémon Colosseum

Game Move Category Power Accuracy Range Description
C Shadow Rush Physical 90 100%
   
   
Normal
An attack that is so harsh, it also hurts the attacker.

Pokémon XD

Game Move Category Power Accuracy Range Description
XD Shadow Blast Physical 80 100%
   
   
Normal
A wicked blade of air is formed using a shadowy aura.
XD Shadow Blitz Physical 40 100%
   
   
Normal
A Pokémon throws this tackle while casting a shadowy aura.
XD Shadow Bolt Special 75 100%
   
   
Normal
A shadowy thunder attack that may paralyze.
XD Shadow Break Physical 75 100%
   
   
Normal
A shattering ram attack with a shadowy aura.
XD Shadow Chill Special 75 100%
   
   
Normal
A shadowy ice attack that may freeze.
XD Shadow Down Status 100%
   
   
Many Others
A shadowy aura sharply cuts the foe's Defense.
XD Shadow End Physical 120 60%
   
   
Normal
A shadowy aura ram attack that also rebounds on the user.
XD Shadow Fire Special 75 100%
   
   
Normal
A shadowy fireball attack that may inflict a burn.
XD Shadow Half Status 100%
   
   
All
A shadowy aura's energy cuts everyone's HP by half.
XD Shadow Hold Status 80%
   
   
Many Others
The opponent Pokémon cannot escape.
XD Shadow Mist Status 100%
   
   
Many Others
A shadowy aura sharply cuts the foe's evasiveness.
XD Shadow Panic Status 60%
   
   
Many Others
A shadowy aura emanates to cause a confuse condition.
XD Shadow Rave Special 70 100%
   
   
Many Others
A shadowy aura in the ground is used to launch spikes.
XD Shadow Rush Physical 55 100%
   
   
Normal
A Pokémon executes a tackle while exuding a shadowy aura.
XD Shadow Shed Status 100%
   
   
Other Side
A shadowy aura eliminates Reflect and similar moves.
XD Shadow Sky Status 100%
   
   
Both Sides
Darkness hurts all but Shadow Pokémon for 5 turns.
XD Shadow Storm Special 95 100%
   
   
Many Others
A shadowy aura is used to whip up a vicious tornado.
XD Shadow Wave Special 50 100%
   
   
Many Others
Shadowy aura waves are loosed to inflict damage.

Trivia

  • Shadow moves introduced in XD are the only damage-dealing moves which are incapable of dealing neutral damage.
  • All Shadow status moves inflict negative effects to the opponent and non-Shadow Pokémon, with none of the moves providing positive stat changes to the user.


Project Moves and Abilities logo.png 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.