Shadow Pokémon are the result of a Pokémon closing off its heart due to natural or artificial means. They are incredibly distrustful of people, and have been known to attack anything unprovoked, including their own trainers. Though strong, they are stuck in a state where growth is impossible. Caution to any trainer that obtains one of these beasts.
This is an optional Subsystem that uses the Friendship and Spirit rules, as well as Injury rules. It is not recommended to use this system without them as some mechanics will not work as intended.
Shadow Type Pokémon, usually referred to as “Shadow Pokémon” are Pokémon that possess the Shadow Type as either a secondary or tertiary typing, and as a result have unusual behaviors and qualities. Shadow Pokémon, as a result of the mechanism or phenomenon that granted them the Shadow Type, have had their “hearts shut”, transforming them into soulless fighting machines.
Shadow Pokémon are special Pokémon that are strong in their own right, but this strength comes at the cost of their ability to grow like other Pokémon. There are a few key rules that should be followed when utilizing Shadow Pokémon.
Although they come with many drawbacks, Shadow Pokémon can be a powerful tool when used correctly.
The Shadow Type is a new type that is Super Effective against all other types, except for itself, which it Resists. Simply put, Shadow-type Moves deal 1.5x damage to all Pokémon without the Shadow Type, and 0.5x damage to Shadow Pokémon. This typing works like Terrastilizing; it's added as an additional type for Pokémon. The Shadow Type cannot be selected for Type Shifting under the Type Sync Feature, and Moves cannot have their Type changed to Shadow with the Move Sync Feature.
Note: This specifically means that Shadow Moves are only ever one-degree Super Effective against non-Shadow Pokemon.
At the GM’s discretion, Shadow Pokémon may have between 1 and 4 Shadow-type Moves upon their creation.
It is advised that GMs select these Shadow Moves resembling 1) Moves the Pokémon knows/could know at that level, 2) Moves it has not reached yet on its Level-Up list, or 3) Moves on its TM, Egg, or Tutor lists. The below sections feature the suite of Moves from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and a small selection we’ve provided to meet other combat niches. GMs are encouraged to incorporate Moves beyond the ones listed, and are advised to use differing names to avoid overlap and confustion.
To create additional Shadow Moves, it is recommended that you modify existing Moves following the guidelines of the Move Sync Feature. This means the Shadow Moves share the same AC, DB, Range, Frequency and effects of the Move they originate from (with anything changed to reflect the type shift). As well, the Move will have its name changed to reflect the Shadow-typing. It is also recommended to modify AC, DB, effects and ranges further as you feel is appropriate for your game.
Below are Moves that originally appeared in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, adapted for use in PTR.
Below are Moves that are adapted from existing Moves to fill Move varieties and niches that are unfilled by Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness' Shadow Moves.
These are recommended names for converting the following Moves to Shadow Moves:
Shadow Pokémon that begin to regain their lost emotions are at risk of being naturally afflicted with a unique status affliction called “Hyper Mode”, due to the Shadow programming conflicting with their emotions, causing a caustic reaction.
After a Shadow Pokémon uses a Shadow Move, it must succeed at a DC 5 Save, or else it enters Hyper Mode. For every Injury the Shadow Pokémon has, this DC is 2 higher — capping at DC 15 at 5 or more Injuries. After becoming Heavily Injured at 5 injuries, a Shadow Pokémon enters Hyper Mode immediately. Hyper Mode can only trigger this way once per Scene.
While in Hyper Mode, a Shadow Pokémon:
Additionally, whenever a Shadow Pokémon is commanded to perform a non Shadow-type Move while in Hyper Mode, they may ignore the order to use a Shadow-type Move instead. At the start of the turn, roll a d2 or flip a coin. On a 1 or heads, the Shadow Pokémon obeys the command given to it that turn as normal. On a 2 or tails, the player must choose a Shadow-type Move for it to perform.
Hyper Mode can end in the following ways:
While Shadow Pokemon are designed to be incomparable, brutal fighting machines, they are not completely incurable. The binding on a Shadow Pokemon’s heart can be lessened and their emotions and personality gradually recovered. Through hard work and dedication, the Shadow Pokemon can eventually have their Shadow nature removed, having been purified of the taint on their soul. Ergo, this process is called “purification”. However, purification can be reversed with mistreatment and egging on the Shadow Pokémon's brutal, savage nature.
By default, captured Shadow Pokémon start with 0 Friendship. Due to their altered state, they are less likely to trust a Trainer and may act out. Shadow Pokémon also need more time to earn Friendship Levels, at twice the rate of other Pokemon. When a Shadow Pokémon reaches Friendship Level 2, their non Shadow-type Moves are no longer “Unknown”, being added to their list of active Moves and are able to be used as normal. When a Shadow Pokémon reaches Friendship Level 3, they are able to be purified by NPCs and other methods. A Shadow Pokémon cannot gain any more Friendship Levels past 3 until purified.
Purification comes with the following changes:
Purification can be done using any method the GM chooses. Some suggestions are having a designated location that allows for purification, using a special item, or performing a ritual.
¶ GMing Suggestion: Purification Ceremony
The Purification Ceremony is the method to “undo the final lock” on the Pokémon’s heart, thereby purifying them. Over the years, a number of methods have been discovered to do this, including the usage of relics and vestiges of certain Legendary Pokemon, the utilization of arcane or spiritual rituals, or even certain types of technology, the first of which utilized a manner of “resonance” between normal Pokémon to trigger a change in a responsive Shadow Pokémon.
The following are a set of optional rules for implementing Shadow Pokémon in your campaign.
Admins of the malevolent organizations using Shadow Pokémon are frequently given these more potent, and more powerful, Shadow Pokémon as their tools. Follow other guidance regarding giving stronger or unique Pokemon to NPCs or as gifts to Players, such as choosing to use pseudolegendary Pokémon or Legendary Pokémon as Shadow Pokémon. Apex Shadow Pokémon may also have other improvements that make them stand above normal Shadow Pokémon, possibly having:
Originally a pipe-dream by the original manufacturers of Shadow Pokémon, later attempts eventually succeeded in creating Pokémon that under nearly all circumstances would utterly resist attempts at Purification. The “XD” moniker refers to the initial discovery that these special Shadow Pokemon have remarkably more potent abilities than normal Shadow Pokémon due to them having an “eXtra Dimension” of power.
The scope and breadth of these abilities tend to vary based on the unique circumstances of the specimen in question, but XD-series Pokémon should be significantly stronger compared to standard or Apex Shadow Pokemon. This can include:
When in the possession of Players, XD-series Pokémon are incredibly resistant to purification, requiring additional measures or extraordinary circumstances to purify. It is recommended that XD-series Pokémon be made exceptional even when purified, due to the innate strength of the Pokemon that allowed its survival of the XD conversion process.