#0393 Shadow

Shadow Piplup

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

Water
Max CP 1,215 Pound + Drill Peck Rainy
Infernape | Prinplup
Shadow Piplup Pokemon GO sprite Shadow

Shadow Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Sinnoh region (#393, Generation 4). With a max CP of 1,215 and base stats of 112/102/142 (Atk/Def/Sta), Shadow Piplup has a total stat product of 356.

Shadow Piplup is weak to Electric, Grass-type moves. It resists Fire, Ice, Steel, Water-type attacks. Shadow Piplup is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
1,215
Lv.40: 1,075 Lv.50: 1,215
Attack 112
Defense 102
Stamina 142
Total 356
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 4 · Sinnoh 2nd Move: 10,000 Dust · 25 Candy
Water type

Type Chart

Weak to
Electric
Electric
+60%
Grass
Grass
+60%

Moves

Fast Moves

Water
Bubble STAB
10
DPS
10.0 PWR 12 EN 1.0s DUR 12 EPS Rainy
Normal
Pound
12
DPS
6.0 PWR 5 EN 0.5s DUR 10 EPS Partly Cloudy

Charged Moves

Water
Bubble Beam STAB Buff
22.5
DPS
45.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Flying
Drill Peck
28
DPS
70.0 PWR 33 EN 2.5s DUR
Ice
Icy Wind Buff
18.6
DPS
65.0 PWR 33 EN 3.5s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Pound (12 DPS), while Bubble generates energy the fastest (12 EPS).

Evolution

Piplup Pokemon GO
Piplup
25 Candy
Prinplup Pokemon GO
Prinplup
Prinplup Pokemon GO
Prinplup
100 Candy
Empoleon Pokemon GO
Empoleon

Forms & Variants

Piplup Pokemon GO
Piplup
Shadow Piplup Pokemon GO
Shadow Piplup Shadow
Prinplup Pokemon GO
Prinplup
Shadow Prinplup Pokemon GO
Shadow Prinplup Shadow
Empoleon Pokemon GO
Empoleon
Shadow Empoleon Pokemon GO
Shadow Empoleon Shadow

Raid Guide

Shadow Piplup as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Shadow Piplup is not currently available as a raid boss. When Shadow Piplup returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Shadow Piplup from raids would have 614 CP at level 20, or 767 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

How to Get Shadow Piplup

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

A Shadow version of Shadow Piplup is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Shadow Piplup 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 Piplup as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Shadow Piplup Catch CP

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

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
24 – 929 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
24 – 1,005 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
582 – 629 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
724 – 783 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
582 – 629 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
440 – 476 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
582 – 629 CP

A 100% IV Shadow Piplup from raids or eggs will show 614 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Shadow Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon with a stat total of 356. With its bulk spread of 102 Defense and 142 Stamina, Shadow Piplup has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Electric, Grass-type moves when using Shadow Piplup. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Shadow Piplup's performance.

Shadow Piplup's moves get a damage boost in Rainy 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 Piplup much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Shadow Piplup?

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 Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon with base stats of 112/102/142 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 1,215. 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 Piplup 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 Piplup in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Piplup has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Shadow Piplup 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 Piplup's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Piplup is weak to Electric, Grass-type moves. On the other hand, Shadow Piplup resists Fire, Ice, Steel, Water-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Shadow Piplup 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 Piplup's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Piplup's maximum CP is 1,215 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 1,075 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 Piplup's CP is calculated from its base stats: 112 Attack, 102 Defense, and 142 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 Piplup caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 614 CP, or 767 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Shadow Piplup?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Shadow Piplup has the following CP at key levels: 460 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 614 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 767 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 1,215 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Shadow Piplup, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Shadow Piplup 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 Piplup in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Piplup can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events.
Can Shadow Piplup be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Shadow Piplup'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 Piplup availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 15 CP
L5 145 CP
L10 307 CP
L15 460 CP
L20 614 CP
L25 767 CP
L30 921 CP
L35 998 CP
L40 1,075 CP
L50 1,215 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #393
Generation Gen 4
Region Sinnoh
Height 0.40 m
Weight 5.20 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