Should you purify Shadow Latios in Pokemon GO?

If you are wondering whether to purify your Shadow Latios in Pokemon GO, the answer is no. This version of the creature outperforms its regular form in all scenarios, and it is worth retaining. After a limited availability period where you could get Shadow Latios by defeating Giovanni, you can now get it from 5-star Shadow Raids.

This article discusses why you should let Shadow Latios in Pokemon GO the way it is.

Why you shouldn't purify Shadow Latios in Pokemon GO

Shadow Latios is a strong attacker with 268 base attack. When accompanied by the 20% Shadow boost, this becomes 321.6. With fantastic STAB and non-STAB moves like Dragon Breath, Dragon Claw, Aura Sphere, Psychic, and Luster Purge the creature has the potential to hit hard.

Also read: Pokemon GO Dynamax attackers tier list

Shadow Latios can be shiny for the first time in November 2025 (Image via TPC)

With the 20% debuff to its defences, it goes from base 212 to base 169. This is quite a hit, but the overall damage the creature does in the time it is on the field is enough to compensate for the loss in defensive prowess.

Also read: Are the Dynamax Eeveelutions good in Pokemon GO?

While regular Latios ranks 39 and 22, in the list of top Dragon- and Psychic-type attackers, respectively, Shadow Latios comes in at 21 and 9. Even in the Master League, Shadow Latios is a powerful pick.

Unless you want to Mega Evolve Latios (which is a good option), the high cost of powering up Shadow Latios is worth it. With the creature coming to raids at least once or twice annually, you should not have too hard a time collecting its Candy. If you only use it for PvE battles, you won't need to spend extra resources to teach it a second Charged Attack.

Also read: Pokemon GO shiny odds

Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Pokemon GO Evolution Calculator
• Pokemon Type Calculator

🚨 Calculate the Pokemon type effectiveness to win battles with our newly launched Pokemon GO Type Calculator 🚨

Edited by Abhipsito Das