Shadow Pokémon

[Hiatus]

Would any of us like to see them make their way to main series, if we remember what Shadow Pokémon are? What new Pokémon would we like to see a shadow form for?

 

[illumine]

In the specific sense in which they were presented, as a result of possession of a Pokémon which was then 'imbued' with darkness (which portrays the original Pokémon as kinda lame, but anyway), it's unlikely because that's too tied to the plot of the games it was present in, and they're unlikely to want to use the same teams, same plot points, etc. In the generic sense in which dark versions of Pokémon might be interesting, they could try it although recent games haven't really had an aesthetic which would complement that, but whether they'd want to use the same name is ambiguous. Including them in the games, without centering these around them, would be an incitation to use them rather than, as in their earlier appearances, to effectively get rid of them, and as such it might not be likely to see much along those lines until they can go somewhere with it.

 

[Del]

Mewtwo in a shadow form?!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sirfetch’d]

I like Shadow Pokemon but I don't think they'd make much sense in a main series game :( I'd love to see a XD sequel with Shadow Pokemon though! It'd be pretty cool if Shadow Pokemon could mega evolve and all too if they were to ever make a sequel to XD!

 

[FireSnow]

I think Shadow Pokemon are great and all but I don't think they belong in the main series games. They really don't add anything and are a little bit annoying with the whole not leveling up until they are purified which makes it a real grind that isn't much fun. It was great in Colosseum and XD where the grinding was what made the game fun in some aspects but as for main series, it wouldn't make much sense.

 

[LilBueno]

I think Shadow Pokemon did what Mega Evolution couldn't succeed in doing. Mega Evolution seemed more like a gimmick to me because it barely had any effect on the plot or the gameplay for the main story (though a lot of that is due the difficulty level of the main story) whereas Shadow Pokemon were more relevant to the actual game itself. Shadowness also made more sense as it was artificially induced as opposed to Mega Evolution's "natural" occurrence that just happened to be discovered recently or not recently and only a few people can do it, but no one's really surprised about it? Shadow Pokemon's condition was easier for me to accept.

 

[Imperator161]

I think Shadow Pokemon did what Mega Evolution couldn't succeed in doing. Mega Evolution seemed more like a gimmick to me because it barely had any effect on the plot or the gameplay for the main story (though a lot of that is due the difficulty level of the main story) whereas Shadow Pokemon were more relevant to the actual game itself. Shadowness also made more sense as it was artificially induced as opposed to Mega Evolution's "natural" occurrence that just happened to be discovered recently or not recently and only a few people can do it, but no one's really surprised about it? Shadow Pokemon's condition was easier for me to accept.

I agree with this. Megas felt very forced to me, and they seemed like a very polarizing force within Pokemon. It seemed like GF wanted to do something different, and didn't want to deal with backlash from adding full evolutions to Pokemon people already knew and loved (although I personally never minded the addition of evolutions to existing Pokemon lines in gens II and IV), so they stuck Megas in and tried to convince their audience that it was feasible for us to just suddenly learn about Megas after 20 years. Funny how people in the Pokemon world "suddenly" discover major topics (or new Pokemon in existing regions) the moment it becomes convenient for the plot.

As for Shadow Pokemon, I really liked Colosseum and XD. I don't know how well Shadow Pokemon would work in the main games, but I would definitely like to see another game in the same vein as Colosseum and XD. From what I can tell, those games were severely underrated, and I think they could use some more appreciation with the release of a sequel. I wouldn't mind a Shadow Pokemon sideline plot in a main series game, but I would only want it if it were done well (and didn't feel forced). Maybe if a region abutted Orre or something, it could fit in nicely.

 

[LilBueno]

I wouldn't mind a Shadow Pokemon sideline plot in a main series game, but I would only want it if it were done well (and didn't feel forced). Maybe if a region abutted Orre or something, it could fit in nicely.

Something I can see happening is a Pokemon becoming a Shadow Pokemon through natural means. I mean, a Shadow Pokemon is described as having its heart artificially closed off and we've seen plenty of Pokemon endure hard times. Maybe it wouldn't be as drastic as Colosseum's and Gale of Darkness's idea, but something like that and instead of the energy used for evolution, the energy spreads as a virus to other Pokemon (that idea is actually something from my fanfic lol).
Or a subplot wold be nice, maybe the villainous Team experimented on several Pokemon, turned them into Shadow Pokemon, and the hero has to go out and find them all, purify them, and maybe get rewarded with a Legendary at the end? The Pokemon games are in dire need of side quests and that could be a decent one.

 

[sirboulevard]

I think they could do great in a Main Series game. I mean obviously there would have to be mechanical tweaks (I could see Pokemon Amie being used to unlock the shadow mon's heart at potential risk to the trainer), but overall the concept of Shadow Mons is part of what made Cipher a pretty terrifying villian for the series. Mind control and abuse are pretty horrifying problems in the real world and seeing our usually happy go lucky pokemon like that cemented that this was evil.