In an attempt to win back the player base after making highly controversial changes to the Remote Raid Pass, developer Niantic, the creators of Pokémon GO, are introducing Shadow Raids to the game.
This is yet another long-requested feature they are introducing to the experience, along with the first opportunity ever to acquire a Master Ball.
As part of the upcoming Rising Shadows event, Team GO Rocket is fighting to take over Gyms around the world using hordes of powerful Shadow Pokémon.
Niantic is taking an aggressive approach to get people back out into the real world to take part in raids, and trainers will not be able to challenge Shadow Raids with Remote Raid Passes. Furthermore, Shadow Raids will not reward a team bonus for Premier Balls.
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Still, this gives trainers a great opportunity to complete their collection of Shadow Pokemon they may have been trying to catch for years, especially when engaging in battle against Giovanni, the leader of Team GO Rocket. The main Legendary that is to be expected as a guaranteed encounter is none other than Shadow Mewtwo.
What’s more, Shadow Raids will introduce Shiny Shadow Legendary Pokémon, something never seen before in the history of GO.
Shadow Pokemon encountered as three-star and five-star Raid Bosses will eventually enrage throughout a battle, becoming far strong as trainers fight them. Using Purified Gems, a new item, trainers can quell this enrage effect.
Purified Gems are constructed with Shadow Shards with are earned by fighting weaker Shadow Pokemon throughout a given week, in addition to an item known as the Shard Refiner, which trainers receive from Professor Willow.