Catching a Shadow Pokémon is only half the job. As long as its heart remains closed, it only half obeys, does not grow, and can neither be traded nor join the Game Boy Advance. Purification restores its true nature. Here is how it works, step by step.
What purification changes
| Shadow Pokémon | Purified Pokémon | |
|---|---|---|
| Moves | Shadow Rush; the other moves are revealed little by little | Four normal moves |
| Experience | Stored, but its level does not rise | All the accumulated experience is returned at once |
| Obedience | May enter Hyper Mode and go its own way | Normal |
| Trading | Impossible | Possible, notably to the Game Boy Advance |
| Nickname | Impossible | Your choice, at the time of purification |
| Ribbon | None | National Ribbon |
Step 1: empty the heart gauge
The P★DA shows a heart gauge for each Shadow Pokémon. It must drop to zero before any purification. Several actions make it go down:
- Walking with the Shadow Pokémon in your party;
- sending it into battle (what counts is its presence on the field, not the victory);
- calling it out when it enters Hyper Mode, using the dedicated option in the battle menu;
- giving it a scent massage.
As the gauge drops, the Pokémon recovers its moves and its nature is revealed:
| Purification | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0% | Freshly caught Pokémon: Shadow moves, unknown nature |
| 20% | A first normal move reappears |
| 40% | Its nature is revealed |
| 60% | A new move is recovered |
| 80% | Hyper Mode becomes more frequent, and a final move returns |
| 100% | Its heart is ready to open: head to Agate Village |
Step 2: the Relic Stone of Agate Village
When the P★DA indicates that the Pokémon’s heart is ready to open, go to Agate Village, in front of the Relic Stone. Place the Pokémon there: the ritual takes place, its Shadow moves disappear, it recovers its experience, receives the National Ribbon, and you can give it a nickname.
The shortcut: the Time Flute
The Time Flute is a rare item. Played near the Relic Stone, it makes Celebi appear, which purifies any Shadow Pokémon, even if its gauge is not empty. The first one is given to you by the Area 1 leader at Mt. Battle, after the victory over Dakim. Save it for a Pokémon that takes a long time to purify, such as a Legendary.
After purification
- Each Pokémon recovers four moves: one learned by leveling up, one by TM, one by breeding, and one special move. Some, such as Helping Hand, Heal Bell or Follow Me, cannot be found any other way on these Pokémon and are very useful in Double Battles.
- The Pokémon may gain several levels at once, thanks to the stored experience.
- Once the game is finished, it can be sent to Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed or LeafGreen. See the Game Boy Advance link.
Our tips
- Always keep one or two Shadow Pokémon in your party and bring them in at the start of battle before recalling them.
- Stop by Agate Village often: a ready Pokémon that waits misses the chance to gain levels.
- Purify Legendary Pokémon with the Time Flute: their gauge takes a long time to empty.
- Think about Ho-Oh: you only get it once all 48 Shadow Pokémon have been caught and purified (see the Legendary Pokémon).
