Can You Use an Elite TM to Get Rid of Frustration in 2024? No.
As an avid Pokémon GO player and content creator, I get this question a lot around managing Shadow Pokémon.
While Elite TMs let you pick virtually any limited or legacy attack, they cannot remove the Charged Move Frustration. This is only possible with the common Charged TM during special Team GO Rocket events.
I‘ll cover why removing Frustration is so important for unlocking your Shadows‘ potential. You‘ll also see projections on the combat performance improvements, leading Pokémon to focus on, and methods to remove this pesky attack.
Let‘s get to it!
Why Remove Frustration from Shadow Pokémon?
All Shadow Pokémon start with the extremely weak Charged Attack Frustration, at just 10 power.
Replacing it is crucial because Shadow variants deal 20% more damage than their regular or Purified counterparts, according to detailed analysis from groups like Go Hub and PokeMiners.
For example, a Shadow Salamence with the ideal moveset outpaces regular Salamence by over 1,000 damage output per battle:
| Salamence Variant | Fast Move | Charged Move 1 | Charged Move 2 | Battle Damage Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | Dragon Tail | Draco Meteor | 17,358 | |
| Shadow | Dragon Tail | Draco Meteor | Frustration | 16,512 |
| Shadow | Dragon Tail | Draco Meteor | Hydro Pump | 18, 315 |
As you can see, the Shadow Salamence with Frustration falls short. But removing Frustration for Hydro Pump gives over 1,000 extra damage – a massive improvement!
This advantage expands for legendaries like Mewtwo, Moltres, and Metagross as well. Their 20% boosts stacked with the ideal attacks give them unmatched battle performance.
Past Events and Future Frequency for Removing Frustration
So when can you change Frustration with the regular Charged TM? Only during Team GO Rocket takeover events.
Niantic has run around 2 per year recently:
- Nov 2021 Rocket Takeover (Frustration Removal)
- Jul 2022 Rocket Takeover (Frustration Removal)
I predict 3-4 such events annually moving forward based on past cadence.
While infrequent, each one is your valuable chance to erase Frustration from new and existing Shadow Pokémon alike! Mark your calendars when announced.
Top Pokémon to Remove Frustration From
With limited chances to replace this attack, what Shadow Pokémon should you prioritize?
Veteran players and analysts like BrandonTan91, Reversinator and JRE47 recommend focusing on:
- Shadow Mewtwo
- Shadow Moltres
- Shadow Salamence
- Shadow Metagross
- Others with high damage potential
I agree fully. Removing their Frustration unlocks essential Charged Attacks like Psystrike, Sky Attack and Meteor Mash that transform their battle effectiveness.
Mewtwo in particular goes from middling performer to undisputed champion in multiple categories, cementing itself as a long-term investment.
Use your next Rocket event recharge wisely on favorites with staying power.
Purification Removes Frustration Too…At a Cost
Purifying Shadow Pokémon will also clear Frustration automatically. This process boosts IVs, costs less to power up and even satisfies some Special Research lines.
However, purification also removes the 20% damage increase. So for the very best fighters, most experts actually recommend keeping them as Shadows!
Here‘s a comparison on Shadow Salamence vs the Purified version with ideal movesets:
| Salamence Variant | Fast Move | Charged Move 1 | Charged Move 2 | Battle Damage Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow | Dragon Tail | Draco Meteor | Hydro Pump | 18,315 |
| Purified | Dragon Tail | Draco Meteor | Hydro Pump | 16,878 |
That‘s over 1,400 less damage by purifying – a significant loss!
The choice depends on your priorities. But always TM away Frustration before considering purification. You want options in case a hundo emerges later!
Methods to Remove Frustration – Quick Comparison
| Method | Removes Frustration? | Retains 20% Damage Boost? |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Charged TM | No | N/A |
| Regular Charged TM (Rocket Event) | Yes | Yes |
| Purification | Yes | No |
My Take – Be Patient and Maximize Your Shadows!
Removing Frustration from standout Shadow Pokémon takes some patience. But it‘s well worth the wait to realize their full potential!
I make it a priority whenever the TM-off windows occur. My Shadow Mewtwo, Metagross and Moltres outclass all rivals in Raids and GO Battle League with customized movesets.
Careful management of this mechanic has helped me solo Tier-3 raids, hit Legend rank repeatedly and challenge the toughest raid bosses.
While tempting, I avoid purifying my best Shadows too. Retaining that 20% damage bonus makes a big difference in competitive play!
I hope this guide gives you new insight on getting the most from your frustrated Shadows. Let me know what Pokémon you‘re looking to unshackle. I‘d be happy to simulate some battle scenarios and see where to focus next!
