The debut of a new Shadow in Pokémon GO, especially that of a Legendary/Mythical, immediately sparks curiosity among players regarding its viability. The latest to join this bandwagon is Shadow Thundurus Incarnate, who will be featured in Shadow Raids during September.
The Electric meta is already stacked with the recent arrival of powerhouses like Mega Raichu Y and Zeraora. Moreover, there’s also Thundurus Therian with its booming power from Wildbolt Storm. So does Shadow Thundurus Incarnate carve a place for itself, or does it get lost in oblivion like Shadow Landorus Incarnate?
Let’s take a look at this Legendary’s stats, movepool, and then lay out its place in the electrifying meta of Pokémon GO.
Shadow Thundurus Incarnate Overview
Incarnate Shadow Thundurus
Electric
|
|
|---|---|
| Max CP | 3782 |
| ATK | 266 |
| DEF | 164 |
| HP | 188 |
| Weak to |   |
| Resists |       |
| Fast moves |
|
| Charge moves |
|
The ATK stat of Shadow Thundurus Incarnate is effectively 319.2, whilst its DEF stat is a measly 136.67, overtaking the 295 ATK stat of Thundurus Therian. But what Thundurus Therian trails in offensive strength, it makes up for it through its signature move, Wildbolt Storm.
Wildbolt Storm has a DPSxDPE value of 90, while Incarnate’s attacks, Thunder and Thunder Punch, only show a DPSxDPE value of 40 and 37.88, respectively. So right off the bat, we know that Shadow Thundurus Incarnate isn’t putting the Therian Forme down. But is the Shadow Incarnate Forme still viable? Time to find out!
Shadow Thundurus Incarnate in the Electric-type Meta
| Pokémon | Moves | DPS | TDO | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mega Zeraora
|
|
25.65 | 577.1 | 23.1 |
Mega Y Raichu
|
|
23.75 | 373.2 | 20.5 |
Mega X Raichu
|
|
21.34 | 425.1 | 19 |
Regieleki
|
|
18.71 | 282.5 | 16.1 |
Shadow Electivire
|
|
18.31 | 279.3 | 15.7 |
Shadow Raikou
|
|
18.31 | 373.7 | 16.3 |
Zeraora
|
|
18.27 | 404.9 | 16.4 |
Xurkitree
|
|
18.12 | 317.9 | 15.9 |
Mega Manectric
|
|
17.83 | 340.6 | 15.8 |
Therian Thundurus
|
|
17.60 | 330.2 | 15.5 |
Shadow Zapdos
|
|
17.50 | 340.2 | 15.5 |
Shadow Magnezone
|
|
17.16 | 309.8 | 15.1 |
Zekrom
|
|
16.87 | 440.0 | 15.4 |
Mega Eelektross
|
|
16.20 | 343.5 | 14.5 |
Incarnate Shadow Thundurus
|
|
16.16 | 257.0 | 14 |
Look, Shadow Thundurus Incarnate is not bad by any means, but in today’s meta, where several Megas and Shadows lead the pack, a Pokémon needs to excel to establish itself among the top ranks. Zeraora, Xurkitree, Regieleki, Zekrom, and most importantly, Thundurus Therian, are all non-Shadows that deal higher damage than Shadow Thundurus Incarnate, and are also cheaper to power up.
The ultimate display of power and economy in terms of Stardust and Candy comes in the form of Mega Raichu Y. Even without the Zap Cannon+ Charged Attack, Mega Raichu Y with Wild Charge is second only to the eventual Mega Zeraora in DPS. Pikachu Candy is easy to come by, and maxing out a Raichu is no big deal compared to the other premier Electric types in Pokémon GO. Also, increasing the Mega Level and having Zap Cannon+ at your disposal is easy, so this mouse puts all the other Shadows and Legendaries to shame, and Shadow Thundurus Incarnate just gets lost in oblivion.
The issue with Shadow Thundurus Incarnate in Pokémon GO
Even though both Therian and Incarnate Formes can learn the signature moves of the Legendary Genies in the mainline games, Pokémon GO has decided to keep them exclusive to the Therian Formes. If Shadow Thundurus Therian was given Wildbolt Storm, it would have been an explosive Electric-type attacker!
It’s tragic to see what the Incarnate Formes are being deprived of in their meta, but that’s how it is. The underwhelming performance of Shadow Thundurus Incarnate and its extremely high costs of powering up that aren’t justified by the outcome make this Pokémon a huge miss in the meta.
With the new Mega Charged Attacks making their way into Pokémon GO, we fasten our seatbelts for a meta entirely ruled by Mega Evolutions, with the more expensive Shadows slipping down the pecking order. Therefore, it’s a no… Shadow Thundurus Incarnate is not worthwhile for Raid battles.
