One popular feature of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have been Tera Raids that allow players to team up and take down special versions of powerful mons. Co-op Dynamax raids were introduced in the previous generation, but Pokemon Scarlet and Violet upped the game with its 7-Star Tera Raid events featuring creatures that couldn't be obtained in the game otherwise. While these raids have been a great way to showcase the Terastal Phenomenon of Gen 9, developer Game Freak could throw an interesting twist on them by reintroducing a mechanic that has so far only appeared in spin-off titles.

Shadow Pokemon were first introduced as a concept in the GameCube spin-off game Pokemon Colosseum, where players were tasked with purifying the hearts of these mons who had been altered in order to become more powerful for nefarious purposes. While these creatures have appeared in other spin-off titles since, they have yet to appear in a mainline game. Given the nature of Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and the above-average power of Shadow Pokemon, the two seem like a perfect match for the formula of raids already present in Gen 9.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC's Terapogos Anime Theories Explained

Shadow Pokemon Raids Would a Game-Changer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

pokemon go purified pokemon

Following their introduction in 2003's Pokemon Colosseum, Shadow Pokemon would appear again in its sequel, 2005's Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, which featured the iconic Shadow Lugia. While a novel concept for the series and one that became quite popular among fans, these shadowy forms would not appear again until the spin-off title Pokken Tournament in 2016 which introduced Shadow Mewtwo. Their most recent incarnations come from Pokemon Go where defeating Team Rocket members gives players the chance to capture and purify the mons left abandoned by their former trainers, following the theme of mistreatment leading these mons to develop shadow-filled hearts.

Pokemon Go's latest use of Shadow Pokemon could be a great model for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to borrow as it has recently introduced Shadow Raid Bosses for players to take on. These bosses offer a greater challenge than the typical Pokemon Go Raid Boss with the ability to become enraged during the battle, boosting their attack and defense. Pokemon Go players can use Purified Gems during the battle to soothe the enraged monster, and with enough coordination can bring it back to its non-enraged state, making it much more manageable of a battle.

This iteration of the Shadow Pokemon mechanic is a great blueprint for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to follow since it could be adapted to fit the current Tera Raid model present in the games. The upcoming Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is a great chance to bring Shadow Pokemon to the mainline games for the first time since the expansion is likely to introduce a twist on previously established mechanics. Perhaps Shadow Pokemon will start appearing in Tera Raids due to some part of the plot for the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, not only giving the mons a new place in the canon lore of the franchise, but filling an interesting role in its gameplay.

The association Shadow Pokemon have with being mistreated by their trainers opens up the potential for a compelling storyline after the events of the base game for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet that the DLC should capitalize on. While Shadow Pokemon have played a limited role in the series historically, being limited to spin-off titles, it's time to officially give them their debut in a mainline entry. With their presence becoming a greater part of Pokemon Go, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could introduce these altered beasts with the launch of its DLC and allow players to transfer them from the mobile title to the Switch via Pokemon Home​​​​​​.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.

MORE: Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC Could Be a Missed Opportunity for the Paldea Region