Shadow Articuno, Kanto Legendary is coming to Pokemon Go, analysis suggests

Team Go Rocket made its entry in July to Pokemon Go, and its addition has received a positive response from fans and the community. Team Rocket also brought ‘Shadow Pokemon’ to the game and players were required to defeat them and Go Rocket Grunts.

So far, Niantic has added Shadow Pokemon to the game in three batches. On September 6, Niantic added ten new Shadow Pokemon to the game including Venonat, Venomoth, Oddish, Gloom, Psyduck, Growlithe, Abra, Hitmonchan, Larvitar and Turtwig.

Well, a Reddit user u/wwweeunit has deduced some interesting details regarding the addition of these Shadow Pokemon to the game. He has inferred the possible release pattern of Shadow Pokemon on the basis of Apk teardowns and the game update files.

According to his deduction, Niantic is releasing Shadow Pokemon in the same order as they are listed in the game’s code. He has made a compilation of Shadow Pokemon from different Apk teardowns and has also added the upcoming Shadow Pokemon to that list which is based on the game code.

The complete list of the forthcoming Shadow Pokemon in their release order can be seen below. Also, as per the below-mentioned list, we are just 16 base forms away from our first Legendary Pokemon (Articuno). However, Pokemon featured on Community Days – Ralts & Turtwig are outliers on that list.

The list ends with a collection of Pokemon resembling Giovanni’s team. We should only take this list as an assumption, as it is based on deductions and is subject to change.

Release Order of Released and Upcoming Shadow Pokemon

Rattata (Jun-22-2019)
Raticate (Jun-22-2019)
Zubat (Jun-22-2019)
Golbat (Jun-22-2019)
Bulbasaur (Jun-22-2019)
Ivysaur (Jun-22-2019)
Venusaur (Jun-22-2019)
Charmander (Jun-22-2019)
Charmeleon (Jun-22-2019)
Charizard (Jun-22-2019)
Squirtle (Jun-22-2019)
Wartortle (Jun-22-2019)
Blastoise (Jun-22-2019)
Dratini (Jun-22-2019)
Dragonair (Jun-22-2019)
Dragonite (Jun-22-2019)
Snorlax (Jun-22-2019)
Crobat (Jun-22-2019)
Mudkip (Jun-22-2019)
Marshtomp (Jun-22-2019)
Swampert (Jun-22-2019)
Drowzee (Aug-01-2019)
Hypno (Aug-01-2019)
Grimer (Aug-01-2019)
Muk (Aug-01-2019)
Cubone (Aug-01-2019)
Marowak (Aug-01-2019)
Houndour (Aug-01-2019)
Houndoom (Aug-01-2019)
Poliwag (Aug-01-2019)
Poliwhirl (Aug-01-2019)
Poliwrath (Aug-01-2019)
Politoed (Aug-01-2019)
Scyther (Aug-01-2019)
Scizor (Aug-01-2019)
Magikarp (Aug-01-2019)
Gyarados (Aug-01-2019)
Venonat (Sep-05-2019)
Venomoth (Sep-05-2019)
Oddish (Sep-05-2019)
Gloom (Sep-05-2019)
Vileplume (Sep-05-2019)
Bellossom (Sep-05-2019)
Hitmonchan (Sep-05-2019)
Growlithe (Sep-05-2019)
Arcanine (Sep-05-2019)
Psyduck (Sep-05-2019)
Golduck (Sep-05-2019)
Ralts (Aug-08-2019)
Kirlia (Aug-08-2019)
Gardevoir (Aug-08-2019)
Gallade (Aug-08-2019)
Abra (Sep-05-2019)
Kadabra (Sep-05-2019)
Alakazam (Sep-05-2019)
Larvitar (Sep-05-2019)
Pupitar (Sep-05-2019)
Tyranitar (Sep-05-2019)
Lapras
Cacnea
Cacturne
Weedle
Kakuna
Beedrill
Seedot
Nuzleaf
Shiftry
Magmar
Magmortar
Electabuzz
Electivire
Mareep
Flaaffy
Ampharos
Magnemite
Magneton
Magnezone
Bellsprout
Weepinbell
Victreebel
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Porygon
Porygon2
Porygonz
Wobbuffet
Turtwig (Sep-05-2019)
Grotle (Sep-05-2019)
Torterra (Sep-05-2019)
Ekans
Arbok
Koffing
Weezing
Meowth
Persian
Hitmonlee

Articuno
Misdreavus
Mismagius
Vulpix
Ninetales
Exeggcute
Exeggutor
Carvanha
Sharpedo
Omanyte
Omastar
Trapinch
Vibrava
Flygon
Bagon
Shelgon
Salamence
Beldum
Metang
Metagross
Zapdos
Nidoran
Nidorina
Nidoqueen
Nidorino
Nidoking
Stunky
Skuntank
Sneasel
Weavile
Gligar
Gliscor
Machop
Machoke
Machamp
Chimchar
Monferno
Infernape
Shuckle
Absol
Mawile
Moltres
Kangaskhan
Diglett

Dugtrio
Rhyhorn
Rhydon
Rhyperior
Murkrow
Honchkrow
Gible
Gabite
Garchomp
Krabby
Kingler
Shellder
Cloyster
Geodude
Graveler
Golem
Hippopotas
Hippowdon

For a quick refresher, Shadow Pokemon are those Pokemon which are influenced by dark and evil aura. All Shadow Pokemon usually have increased CP. To remove their evil aura, they need to be purified by the process called Purification.

All purified Pokemon have a minimum level of 25. Also, it requires a certain amount of Stardust and Candy in order to purify Shadow Pokemon.

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