Should you purify Shadow Kirlia in Pokemon GO?

Since its introduction to Pokemon GO on December 8, 2017, Kirlia, the Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon, has been a fascinating option for trainers. With the release of its Shadow form on August 8, 2019, the decision to purify or keep it in its shadow state has become a topic of debate.

As the Pokemon GO World Championships approach, featuring Shadow Raids from August 16 to 18, 2024, many players will catch Shadow Kirlia and wonder if they should purify it.

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What are the pros and cons of purifying Shadow Kirlia in Pokemon GO?

The Psychic/Fairy-type Emotion Pokemon (Image via The Pokemon Company)

When considering whether to purify Shadow Kirlia, it’s essential to understand the key differences between a regular and Shadow Pokemon. The most notable change is the stat adjustment that occurs with Shadow Pokemon.

In Shadow form, Kirlia receives a 20% increase in its Attack stat but suffers a 20% decrease in Defense. This results in Kirlia's base stats shifting from 117 Attack and 90 Defense to 140.4 Attack and 72 Defense.

Advantages of keeping Shadow Kirlia

Increased offensive power: The 20% boost to Attack makes Shadow Kirlia a significantly more potent attacker. With its increased attack stat, Shadow Kirlia can deal more damage in battles, making it a valuable asset in raids, especially against Pokemon weak to Psychic or Fairy-type moves.

Decreased survivability: With a reduced Defense of 20%, Shadow Kirlia will be more fragile in battle. This reduction in durability makes it a bit harder to use in prolonged battles such as raids or gym battles, where a mix of sustained durability and power matters.

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Higher Power-Up costs: Shadow Pokemon require more resources to power up. This means more Stardust and Candy will be needed to bring Shadow Kirlia to its full potential compared to its purified counterpart.

IV distribution: If your Shadow Kirlia has subpar Individual Values (IVs), purifying it will increase each stat by two points, potentially bringing it closer to a perfect IV distribution. However, this benefit must be weighed against the loss of the 20% attack boost.

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When should you purify Shadow Kirlia in Pokemon GO?

Kirlia as seen in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Purifying Shadow Kirlia might be the better option if you prioritize long-term investments, like powering up a strong Gardevoir or Gallade for future use in raids, battles, or even PvP.

Purifying will reduce the power-up costs and improve its bulk, making it more versatile and durable in a variety of situations. Additionally, purifying allows Kirlia to learn the exclusive move “Return,” which can be useful in certain PvP scenarios.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a glass cannon, i.e., a Pokemon that can deal heavy damage quickly, keeping Kirlia in its Shadow form may be the way to go. The increased Attack stat can make all the difference in tight raid battles where every bit of damage counts.

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Verdict

The decision to purify Shadow Kirlia in Pokemon GO ultimately depends on your playstyle and goals. If you’re after a high-powered attacker and can manage the cost and fragility, keeping Shadow Kirlia may be worth it.

However, if you prefer a more balanced and cost-effective option, purifying Kirlia could be the right choice.

Consider your needs and resources, and choose the path that best aligns with your strategy.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters