Shadow Ball

Changes over time

How Shadow Ball changed from game to game, newest first.

1. Gen IV

   Became Special (the physical/special split)

Numbers: PokéAPI’s changelog. Descriptions: Pokémon Showdown’s for each generation, PokéAPI’s notes where Showdown’s don’t differ. Champions: Pokémon Showdown.

See Shadow Ball in the games

The games’ own animation, filmed by Mixeli on YouTube.

How it works in Champions

• Ball or bomb: blocked by Bulletproof

Good to know

• Ball or bomb move: Bulletproof blocks it.Ball and bomb moves
• Has a secondary effect: Sheer Force boosts it and removes the effect, Serene Grace doubles the chance, and Shield Dust and Covert Cloak block it.Moves with a secondary effect
• Doesn't make contact: Rough Skin, Rocky Helmet and similar don't trigger.

Who runs Shadow Ball on Showdown

1. Gholdengo99.7% of its sets
2. Mega Gengar98.3% of its sets
3. Mega Froslass87.7% of its sets
4. Female Basculegion98.5% of its sets
5. Dragapult68.5% of its sets
6. Sinistcha15.0% of its sets
7. Hisuian Typhlosion97.5% of its sets
8. Indeedee6.6% of its sets
9. Chandelure92.8% of its sets
10. Mega Chandelure96.1% of its sets
11. Hisuian Zoroark39.9% of its sets
12. Aegislash18.9% of its sets

Smogon · Showdown Champions VGC · Sep 2026: Smogon’s usage stats from Pokémon Showdown, not the in-game ladder.

On the ladder today

Ranked Doubles Pokémon with Shadow Ball among their most used moves.

#15Gholdengo#25Sinistcha#31Female Basculegion#39Gengar#40Froslass#53Dragapult#65Hisuian Typhlosion#66Hisuian Zoroark#79Alakazam#84Chandelure#120Jolteon#139Skeledirge#145Glaceon#164Cofagrigus#175Typhlosion#178Reuniclus#217Polteageist#245Rotom

Who learns Shadow Ball

129 Pokémon can learn it in Pokémon Champions.

Show all 129 in Champions

ClefableNinetalesAlakazamSlowbroGengarKangaskhanTaurosVaporeonJolteonFlareonSnorlaxTyphlosionEspeonUmbreonSlowkingQwilfishHoundoomGardevoirSableyeMawileMedichamCastformBanetteChimechoAbsolGlalieMetagrossRoseradeLopunnySpiritombLucarioToxicroakAbomasnowWeavileLeafeonGlaceonGalladeFroslassRotomWatchogLiepardMusharnaAudinoWhimsicottCofagrigusZoroarkReuniclusChandelureGolurkDelphoxMeowsticAegislashDragalgeClawitzerSylveonTrevenantGourgeistNoivernDecidueyePrimarinaOranguruPassimianMimikyuDrampaPolteageistHattereneMr. RimeRunerigusDragapultWyrdeerBasculegionSneaslerOverqwilMeowscaradaSkeledirgeArmarougeCeruledgeEspathraHoundstoneAnnihilapeFarigirafGholdengoSinistchaHeat RotomWash RotomFrost RotomFan RotomMow RotomSunny CastformRainy CastformSnowy CastformFemale MeowsticBlade AegislashSmall GourgeistLarge GourgeistSuper GourgeistMega AlakazamMega GengarMega KangaskhanMega HoundoomMega GardevoirMega MawileMega MedichamMega BanetteMega AbsolMega LucarioMega AbomasnowMega SableyeMega GalladeMega AudinoMega SlowbroMega GlalieMega MetagrossMega LopunnyGalarian SlowbroGalarian SlowkingHisuian TyphlosionHisuian ZoroarkFemale BasculegionMega ClefableMega FroslassMega ChandelureMega DelphoxMega DragalgeMega DrampaMega ChimechoMega Absol ZMega Lucario ZMega Golurk

All 315 Pokémon that learn it in any game → Filter the Pokédex to Champions →