A PvE Analysis of Precious Pals: Taken Over!

Welcome Trainers! Here we are with another PvE analysis, this time for Precious Pals: Taken Over Event. Team Rocket Grunts and their leader Giovanni are back in action, this time adding new Shadow Pokémon to their line-up. So, how do these new Shadow Pokémon impact the PvE meta, let’s find out!

New Shadow Pokémon

Trainers can encounter the following Shadow Pokémon for the first time:

So, we have the three Kalos First Partner Pokémon Line and a Unovan Legendary getting the shadow treatment and needing rescue. Let’s have a look at each one of them and you guys be the one to judge which of the above are worth rescuing.

Chespin→Chesnaught

Shadow Chesnaught GrassFighting

Let’s start with the Grass first partner Pokémon of Kalos region, the Spiny Nut Pokémon Chespin, which eventually evolves into the Spiny Armor Pokémon Chesnaught. In Grookey’s Community Day PvE analysis, while comparing the PvE performance of Rillaboom with other Grass starter Pokémon, readers may have noticed the absence of Chesnaught among top Grass raid attackers. Well fans of Chesnaught, fret not! the shadow variant is here to makeup for that absence. Using our DPS Comparer Tool: 

Look at that DPS difference between Shadow Chesnaught and regular one! Shadow Chesnaught has flown past the Mythical Shaymin (Sky Forme) and has broken into the top 5 Grass raid attackers club. Shadow Chesnaught emerges as a premier Grass attacker, leveraging its Vine Whip Fast Attack paired with Frenzy Plant to shred Water, Rock, and Ground raid bosses. Unfortunately, the story on the Fighting side isn’t as rosy as Shadow Chesnaught still remains far behind top Fighting raid attackers in Pokémon GO.

Fennekin→Delphox

Shadow Delphox FirePsychic

Next up is the Fire first partner Pokémon of Kalos region, the Fox Pokémon Fennekin which eventually evolves into (still) the Fox Pokémon Delphox. Shadow Delphox, just like its Grass starter counterpart improves its performance massively when compared to its non-shadow variant.      

As we can see, the improvement in DPS numbers for Shadow Delphox is massive. Like a fox, Shadow Delphox has moved slyly to #7 among top Fire raid attackers in Pokémon GO. Shadow Delphox transforms into a versatile Fire Pokémon with Fire Spin and Blast Burn dominating Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel raid bosses where its Shadow-enhanced DPS rivals even top Fire legendaries like Reshiram. On the Psychic side Shadow Delphox is again an improvement over regular Delphox. It is now a decent mid-level Psychic raid attacker, good for newer players who may still not have access to top Psychic Pokémon or for players wanting some variety in their Psychic raid teams. For long time players and for players looking for efficient Psychic raid teams, Shadow Delphox may struggle to find a place. 

Froakie→Greninja

Shadow Greninja WaterDark

Last of the Kalos region first partner Pokémon but by no means least, we have the Water type Bubble Frog Pokémon Froakie, which eventually evolves into Ninja Pokémon Greninja. The story remains similar: Shadow treatment turning an outlier into a top meta Pokémon.

And just like a ninja, Shadow Greninja has stealthily moved past Mega Gyarados to #6 among top Water raid attackers in the game, though the low TDO may affect its performance in practical usage. Shadow Greninja stands out as the Water assassin of the group, boasting Water Shuriken Fast Attack with Hydro Cannon for devastating output against Fire, Rock, and Ground bosses, where the Shadow boost catapults its damage to rival even the Megas. As a Dark raid attacker, Shadow Greninja’s performance improves but not as much to have any impact among the Dark raid attackers meta. 

Thundurus (Incarnate Forme)

Incarnate Shadow Thundurus ElectricFlying

Finally we have a Legendary from the Unova region, and a member of the Forces of Nature, the Bolt Strike Pokémon Thundurus (Incarnate Forme). Sadly, the Incarnate Forme struggles with its moveset and stats, especially when compared to its Therian Forme. Nevertheless, the analysis is still very interesting. 

Wildbolt Storm. Rarely has a move been so exclusive in the game, but at the same time have such an impact. First things first: Thundurus (Therian Forme) is clearly the better version of Thundurus, having better moveset and stats. But we are here to talk about the Incarnate Forme. Shadow Thundurus Incarnate with the moveset of Thunder Shock and Thunder Punch is a decent Electric raid attacker, but it doesn’t justify the heavy investment which is required to build one. The likes of Shadow Luxray and Shadow Vikavolt are ahead of Shadow Thundurus Incarnate in terms of Electric raid performance. 

The real interesting thing is its access to Wildbolt Storm. Thundurus (Incarnate Forme) cannot learn Wildbolt Storm even via an Elite Charged TM. The only Incarnate Thundurus with access to Wildbolt Storm was the one that was encountered via a Timed Research during GO Tour: Unova – Global in 2025 (same is true for Incarnate Tornadus with Bleakwind Storm and Incarnate Landorus with Sandsear Storm).

If in future, Shadow Thundurus Incarnate gets access to Wildbolt Storm, it will bolt past other Electric Pokémon and be the 2nd best Electric raid attacker only behind its other form: Shadow Thundurus Therian. For now, unfortunately, Shadow Thundurus Incarnate is stuck with the Thunder Punch and peeps in the meta from the outlier.  

Parting Words

The Shadow treatment has truly worked its magic on these Kalos starters, turning Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie into meta darlings that punch way above their weight. Shadow Chesnaught crashes the Grass elite, Shadow Delphox shines in Fire (with a solid Psychic side hustle), and Shadow Greninja ninjas its way ahead in Water—each one delivering that signature Shadow DPS spike to shred bosses like nobody’s business. Thundurus Incarnate? It’s the underdog here, with Wildbolt Storm flashing potential.

Let us know Trainers! Are you a fan of Shadow Pokémon? What about which is your least favourite of the three Kalos first partner Pokémon? (Well Greninja is everyone’s favourite!). Favourite among Forces of Nature?

And as always stay safe and happy shadow hunting!