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Shadow Groudon

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#383
Default
270
ATK
228
DEF
205
STA
Lvl 50Max CP
4652
Lvl 40
4115
Lvl 25Weather Boost
2939
Lvl 20Raids/Eggs
2351
Lvl 15Research
1764

PvE Analysis

Shadow Groudon stands as one of the absolute apex monsters of all Ground Types. This thing is incredibly tanky, and hits like the earthquake that it embodies. While other Ground Types can compete with it depending on the situation, nothing can surpass it.... save its Primal forme.

Best PvE Offensive Moveset

Mud Shot + Precipice Blades*Best
  • Mud Shot is superior to Dragon Tail, with higher overall damage output, weather compatibility with charge moves, and better meta-relevant coverage.
  • Precipice Blades* is the charged move of choice, providing strong STAB damage.
  • Earthquake is significantly outclassed, but still functions decently if you can't get your hands on a Precipice Blades Shadow Groudon.
  • Solar Beam leaves Shadow Groudon as a surprisingly competent (though consistently outclassed) Grass attacker if you're desperate.
  • Fire Blast can’t compete with Shadow Groudon’s other charge moves.
  • Fire Punch* comes out fast due to being multi-bar, but it's not recommended in PvE

PvP Analysis

Mud Shot or Dragon Tail + Fire Punch* and Precipice Blades*

Mud Shot is recommended for its incredible energy generation, which lets Groudon access its powerful charge moves sooner. Dragon Tail is a surprisingly powerful option, sacrificing energy generation for incredible up-front damage, and a much stronger matchup against any Flying-types in the format.

Fire Punch is almost mandatory due to its significantly cheaper energy cost, which gives Groudon more plays with shield-baiting, in addition to more consistent damage. Groudon's signature move, Precipice Blades, serves as Groudon's primary threat, dealing very heavy STAB damage and severely denting anything that doesn't resist it. You could run Solar Beam to try to catch a Kyogre off-guard, but it's really not worth it. Earthquake is strictly outclassed by Precipice Blades.

Great League1.5 / 5

Shadow Groudon is a fun spice pick due to the hilarious amount of damage its Precipice Blades can deal, cleaving through even tanky Pokemon such as Lickitung, Umbreon, and Azumarill. Its access to Dragon Tail can also turn it into somewhat of an answer to opposing Dragon-type Pokemon. Unfortunately, Shadow Groudon is incredibly fragile and demands heavy shield investment. The Great League is also not lacking in good Ground-type options, further pushing Shadow Groudon out of viability.

Ultra League2 / 5

Shadow Groudon sadly does not perform very well in the Ultra League. At this level, its huge stats are too restricted to be terribly effective, and its typing/moveset isn't as needed as it is in the Master League due to a lack of relevant Pokemon that it directly counters well. It can use its quickly charging moves to act as a closer, but frankly, it's not exactly a top choice for the tier by any meaningful metric.

Master League4 / 5

Shadow Groudon is a horrifying closer; the sheer power from its Precipice Blades can just about oneshot almost anything that doesn't resist it. Pokemon such as Zacian, Xerneas, Mewtwo, Palkia-O, and even Kyogre to some extent - all who can barely take a Precipice Blades from a regular Groudon, are pretty much deleted by Shadow Groudon. Even the tankiest viable Pokemon in the game, Zygarde-C, struggle to take two Precipice Blades from a Shadow Groudon. Even Ho-Oh, a bulky Ground resist, takes nearly half from Precipice Blades.

Of course, all this extra damage has to come with some drawbacks. The Shadow debuff makes Groudon rather fragile. As Groudon often relies on its Charged Attacks for damage, it can become more unreliable when dealing with shielded opponents, especially if they have a strong Fast Attack pressure. For instance, Shadow Groudon is not as reliable as regular Groudon when it comes to countering Dialga.

Like regular Groudon, Shadow Groudon can also struggle to stand out due to Landorus-T being both a more flexible Ground-type Pokemon and a counter to Groudon. Shadow Groudon also still struggles to challenge Flying-type enemies.

Purification Cost
20 Candy + 20,000 Stardust
Flee Rate
1 %
Buddy Distance
Catch Rate
2 %
Female Ratio
%
Male Ratio
%