#0001 Shadow

Shadow Bulbasaur

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Grass Poison
Max CP 1,260 Vine Whip + Power Whip Sunny Cloudy
Ivysaur
Shadow Bulbasaur Pokemon GO sprite Shadow

Shadow Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Kanto region (#1, Generation 1). With a max CP of 1,260 and base stats of 118/111/128 (Atk/Def/Sta), Shadow Bulbasaur has a total stat product of 357.

Shadow Bulbasaur is weak to Fire, Flying, Ice, Psychic-type moves. It resists Grass, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Water-type attacks. Shadow Bulbasaur is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
1,260
Lv.40: 1,115 Lv.50: 1,260
Attack 118
Defense 111
Stamina 128
Total 357
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 1 · Kanto 2nd Move: 10,000 Dust · 25 Candy
Grass type

Type Chart

Weak to
Fire
Fire
+60%
Flying
Flying
+60%
Ice
Ice
+60%
Psychic
Psychic
+60%

Moves

Fast Moves

Normal
Tackle
10
DPS
5.0 PWR 5 EN 0.5s DUR 10 EPS Partly Cloudy
Grass
Vine Whip STAB
12
DPS
6.0 PWR 5 EN 0.5s DUR 10 EPS Sunny

Charged Moves

Grass
Power Whip STAB
36
DPS
90.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR
Grass
Seed Bomb STAB
27.5
DPS
55.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Poison
Sludge Bomb STAB
34
DPS
85.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Vine Whip (12 DPS), while Tackle generates energy the fastest (10 EPS).

Evolution

Bulbasaur Pokemon GO
Bulbasaur
25 Candy
Ivysaur Pokemon GO
Ivysaur
Ivysaur Pokemon GO
Ivysaur
100 Candy
Venusaur Pokemon GO
Venusaur
Venusaur Pokemon GO
Venusaur
200 Mega Energy
Mega Venusaur Pokemon GO
Mega Venusaur Mega

Forms & Variants

Bulbasaur Pokemon GO
Bulbasaur
Shadow Bulbasaur Pokemon GO
Shadow Bulbasaur Shadow
Ivysaur Pokemon GO
Ivysaur
Shadow Ivysaur Pokemon GO
Shadow Ivysaur Shadow
Mega Venusaur Pokemon GO
Mega Venusaur Mega
Venusaur Pokemon GO
Venusaur
Shadow Venusaur Pokemon GO
Shadow Venusaur Shadow

Raid Guide

Shadow Bulbasaur as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Shadow Bulbasaur is not currently available as a raid boss. When Shadow Bulbasaur returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Shadow Bulbasaur from raids would have 637 CP at level 20, or 796 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

How to Get Shadow Bulbasaur

Shadow Bulbasaur can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Shadow Bulbasaur is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Shadow Bulbasaur knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 3,000 Stardust and 3 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Shadow Bulbasaur as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Shadow Bulbasaur Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Shadow Bulbasaur in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
25 – 963 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
25 – 1,043 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
605 – 653 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
752 – 812 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
605 – 653 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
457 – 493 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
605 – 653 CP

A 100% IV Shadow Bulbasaur from raids or eggs will show 637 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Shadow Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison-type Pokemon with a stat total of 357. With its bulk spread of 111 Defense and 128 Stamina, Shadow Bulbasaur has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Fire, Flying, Ice, Psychic-type moves when using Shadow Bulbasaur. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Shadow Bulbasaur's performance.

Shadow Bulbasaur's moves get a damage boost in Sunny and Cloudy weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 10,000 Stardust and 25 Candy. With 3 charged moves available, a second move gives Shadow Bulbasaur much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Shadow Bulbasaur?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Shadow Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison-type Pokemon with base stats of 118/111/128 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 1,260. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Shadow Bulbasaur may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Shadow Bulbasaur in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Bulbasaur has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Shadow Bulbasaur for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Shadow Bulbasaur's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Bulbasaur is weak to Fire, Flying, Ice, Psychic-type moves. On the other hand, Shadow Bulbasaur resists Grass, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Water-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Shadow Bulbasaur effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Shadow Bulbasaur's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Bulbasaur's maximum CP is 1,260 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 1,115 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Shadow Bulbasaur's CP is calculated from its base stats: 118 Attack, 111 Defense, and 128 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Shadow Bulbasaur caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 637 CP, or 796 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Shadow Bulbasaur?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Shadow Bulbasaur has the following CP at key levels: 477 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 637 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 796 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 1,260 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Shadow Bulbasaur, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Shadow Bulbasaur ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
How to get Shadow Bulbasaur in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Bulbasaur can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events.
Can Shadow Bulbasaur be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Shadow Bulbasaur's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Shadow Bulbasaur availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 15 CP
L5 150 CP
L10 318 CP
L15 477 CP
L20 637 CP
L25 796 CP
L30 955 CP
L35 1,035 CP
L40 1,115 CP
L50 1,260 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #1
Generation Gen 1
Region Kanto
Height 0.70 m
Weight 6.90 kg
Buddy Distance 3.0 km
Tradable No
2nd Charged Move 10,000 Dust / 25 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 3,000 Dust / 3 Candy