Shadow Pokemon

(And no, we aren't talking about Gengar.)

Shadow Pokemon

There's a lot to go over here - some canonical, some not - so let's run through the basics. Shadow Pokemon are altered Pokemon who have been granted the Shadow type. Shadow moves are super-effective against non-shadow Pokemon, and are resisted by other Shadow Pokemon. And for those not initiated, the full list of shadow moves are available here: Link

Additionally, Shadow Pokemon tend to have less regard for self-preservation, and thus find it easier to 'hit harder' than other Pokemon around their level. On the surface, this seems like a fine trait to have... well... until you see what the shadow trait does to sentient Pokemon.


The Drawbacks


The Shadow Project was one initially designed to bring out the full potential in Pokemon, and in this method, it was by blocking certain parts of thought and spirit. Though some say its a 'sealing of the heart', the effects are quite varied on a wide number of species. Actually, let's go through some specific examples!

The Immune

The most boring and shortest part of this list, the Porygon family, as an already optimized human construct, and Parasect, as a mind-controlled mushroom zombie, cannot be made into shadow Pokemon.

The Sentinels

Animate Pokemon such as the Golett and Baltoy family who are made into shadows tend to function as sentinels or golems: they act on command, but exude no emotional response on their own. Even 'reversed', they efficiently and brutally handle any command given by their master.

The Sadists

Breaking away from specific groups, this tends to be a trait of ghost, dark, psychic, and fairy types, though can definitely be found in other ranges. These Pokemon-made-shadows find enjoyment in a brutal fight and seek to both inherit and cause pain to satisfy the otherwise dull emotional highs in their head. Entering reverse is like sheer euphoria to them.

The Held-Back

And spread across all types is this last group, those who know but fear tapping into their shadow potential. They tend to be timid, until provoked into reverse, where they become the relentless monsters they hold within.


Oh, right, I've been throwing around that term a lot...


Reverse


After using several shadow moves in a row, the Pokemon may enter a 'Reverse state', where rage overtakes the mind. Its marked by a red aura - noticeable by psychics and typical aura sensors - and usually an emotional cue. Some scream, some roar, and all become incredibly dangerous.

Pokemon in reverse state use only shadow and physical moves, but their power output increases tremendously, at great cost: the body begins to feel like its burning, the creature working at such a high capacity that it begins to eat away at itself. Left in this state for a few hours, the Pokemon will inevitably die.

Its rare that this happens: Shadows can be calmed down to their senses after several seconds of deep breathing, or something pulling them down from their high - such as their name being called, or seeing their trainer in more peril than themselves!