Should I keep Frustration Pokémon Go?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid Pokémon Go gamer and content creator, I get this question a lot from my fellow trainers! Whether or not to keep or get rid of the weak Charged Move Frustration on your Shadow Pokémon is an important decision that comes down to your priorities. Let me break it down for you based on my own experience:

What is Frustration and Why Do Shadows Start with It?

Frustration is a nearly useless move that all Shadow Pokémon come pre-equipped with when you catch them. It has only 10 base power, making it one of the absolute weakest Charged Attacks in Pokémon Go battles.

Shadow Pokémon gain attack bonuses up to 20% stronger than normal in exchange for needing lots of extra Stardust and Candy XL to power up. But they can’t fully leverage that bonus with weak moves like Frustration holding them back in raids and PvP.

Niantic intentionally designed Shadows this way to encourage trainers to purify them back to normal. As a further incentive, the only ways to uninstall Frustration are to completely purify the Pokémon or use a Charged TM during a special Team GO Rocket event.

The Pros and Cons of Timing Your Frustration Removal

Deciding whether to keep Frustration for now or TM it away immediately revolves around weighing a few key factors:

The Pros of Keeping Frustration For Now:

  • Saves your Charged TMs for other Pokémon
  • Allows you to eventually evolve it during a Community Day to get exclusive moves
  • Preserves the option to purify it later so it auto-learns Return

The Cons of Keeping Frustration Equipped:

  • Your Shadow remains very weak in raids & PvP
  • Risks needing to use an Elite Charged TM on it if you evolve pre-purification

The Pros of Timing Frustration Removal:

  • Unlocks the 20% damage boost for your Shadow
  • Allows you to give it a preferred second Charged Move
  • Optimally prepares it to learn Legacy or Community Day exclusive moves

The Cons of Removing Frustration Early:

  • Uses up precious Charged TMs that could go toward other Pokémon
  • Could still need Elite TM later if you miss or skip a Community Day

As you can see, there are good reasons for both options. It comes down what your priorities are with that particular Pokémon.

Which Shadow Pokémon Should I Remove Frustration From?

With limited Charged TMs, you‘ll want to strategically prioritize removing Frustration from the Shadow Pokémon that will benefit you most right now.

Here are my top recommendations if you intend to use them often:

  • Legendary Shadows: Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Lugia, Moltres, etc. These rare catches are too powerful not to TM.
  • The Current Meta Picks: Machamp, Magnezone, Gardevoir. Maximizes their performance in raids.
  • Megas: Beedrill, Charizard, Gengar. Critical to have their best moves pre-Mega Evolution.
  • Favorites: Removing Frustration from cherished favorites like Starters enables you to battle and show them off in gyms!

There are also niche cases like preparing for PvP formats or leveling up Shadow Shinies to place as gyms defenders.

As a general rule, if you plan to use a Shadow actively, TM away Frustration to unlock its full potential! For collectors who want a mint condition Shadow, keeping Frustration allows them to remain in pristine form.

Upcoming Opportunities to Remove Frustration

Outside of the ultra rare Elite Charged TMs, timing is everything when it comes removing Frustration. Niantic only enables normal TMs to forget this move during select Team GO Rocket takeover events.

Based on patterns from previous Rocket celebrations, expect chances to TM away Frustration in:

  • March 2023: When Giovanni returns with a new Shadow Legendary
  • June 2023: To build hype before Pokémon Go Fest 2023
  • October 2023: For the big annual Team GO Rocket-themed event

I recommend marking your calendars for those key dates to ready your roster! Having prepared counters with optimal attacks makes challenging Giovanni much smoother.

The intervals between Rocket takeovers can be long, so make the most of them! Set aside resources like Candy XL and Stardust ahead of time to maximize any Shadows the moment their Frustrations vanish.

Let me know which Shadow Pokémon you are planning to empower in the comments below! Removing their Frustration is what converts them from decorative trophy to battle-ready beast.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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