Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Use a Fighting-type Pokémon or a Pokémon with a strong Fighting-type attack against Shadow Snorlax: Normal-type Pokémon are weak to Fighting. For a Team GO Rocket battle, choose a durable attacker and consider all three opposing Pokémon, not just Snorlax. Purifying is a separate decision: it improves appraisal and lowers certain resource costs, while keeping a Pokémon Shadow preserves its higher damage output at the price of taking more damage and costing more to power up.

How to beat Shadow Snorlax in a Team GO Rocket battle

Shadow Snorlax is Normal type, so Fighting-type attacks are the straightforward weakness to exploit. The official type-effectiveness guide explains how type matchups affect battles; the Pokémon GO Hub Shadow Snorlax entry identifies its Normal typing and Fighting weakness.

Pick a Fighting-type attacker or another Pokémon that can use a strong Fighting-type move. Favor one that can withstand incoming attacks: Shadow Pokémon deal more damage, but they also take more damage when attacked. Your choice should fit the full Rocket lineup, since a counter that handles Snorlax may not be a good answer to the other opponents.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Niantic describes a Team GO Rocket Grunt battle as a team of three Pokémon using Fast and Charged Attacks. You can review the battle flow in the official Team GO Rocket Grunts guide. The precise best counter depends on your Pokémon’s moves and strength, the battle format, and the rest of the opposing team; these sources do not establish one guaranteed team for every encounter.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Nintendo Pokémon GO Plus +
  • The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!

Check whether you mean a Rocket battle or a Shadow Raid

A Shadow Snorlax encountered through Team GO Rocket is not the same battle format as a Shadow Raid at a Gym. Shadow Raid bosses can become enraged, and a Purified Gem can help subdue an enraged boss. That advice applies to Shadow Raids, not ordinary Rocket Grunt battles. See Niantic’s Shadow Raids guide for the raid distinction.

What changes when you purify a Shadow Pokémon?

Purification consumes Stardust and Candy, improves the Pokémon’s appraisal, and reduces the Stardust and Candy costs of powering it up, evolving it, or learning a new attack. The exact purification cost is shown in the game; the official mechanics guide does not provide a fixed price table.

Rank #2
Sale
Pokémon GO Plus +
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
  • Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)

Purification also changes the Pokémon’s attacks: it forgets Frustration and learns Return, a Charged Attack exclusive to Purified Pokémon. You can remove Return at any time with a Charged TM. Even if a special event let you remove Frustration before purification, purification still teaches Return. Frustration normally cannot be removed with a TM outside such event exceptions, so check the current official event announcement before using Charged TMs for that purpose. Niantic’s Shadow Pokémon & Purified Pokémon guide covers these mechanics.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Keep it Shadow or purify it?

Consideration Keep it Shadow Purify it
Damage dealt and received Deals more damage with Fast and Charged Attacks, but takes more damage when attacked. Does not retain the Shadow damage increase and damage penalty.
Resource costs Costs more Candy and Stardust to power up or unlock a second Charged Attack than a regular Pokémon. Reduces Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, evolving, or learning a new attack.
Appraisal Does not receive the appraisal improvement associated with purification. Appraisal improves.
Frustration and Return Keeps Frustration unless it is removed during an eligible special event. Forgets Frustration and learns Return; Return can be removed with a Charged TM.

Keep it Shadow if you value its increased damage and are comfortable with its extra vulnerability and higher resource costs. Purify if the improved appraisal, lower costs for the listed actions, or Return better suits your plans. Neither choice is universally best: compare those trade-offs for the individual Pokémon before spending Stardust and Candy.

Rank #3
Sale
Pokemon Go Plus +
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
  • Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What happens after a Rocket Grunt win?

Winning a Grunt battle awards Stardust and gives you a chance to catch the Shadow Pokémon left behind. Your number of Premier Balls depends partly on how many of your Pokémon survive and your medal ranks, according to Niantic’s Team GO Rocket Grunts guide.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Nintendo Pokémon GO Plus +
Nintendo Pokémon GO Plus +
The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.; Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
$139.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
Pokémon GO Plus +
Pokémon GO Plus +
Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!; Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
$124.00
SaleBestseller No. 3
Pokemon Go Plus +
Pokemon Go Plus +
Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!; Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
$99.97
Bestseller No. 5
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed)
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed)
Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!; Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
Best Value
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed)
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
  • Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Rank #4
Silicone Case for Poke Go Plus + (2023), Go Plus Plus Cover Case with Strap, Soft Protective Case Shockproof Scratch-Resistant (Black)
  • Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
  • Premium Silicone Material for Comfort & Safety: Crafted from high-quality silicone, this case delivers a soft, pleasant touch while shielding your Poke GO Plus+ from scratches, dirt, and daily wear.
  • Portable Design with Wrist Strap: The built-in hand strap allows you to wear the case on your wrist, ensuring easy portability and hands-free convenience during outdoor adventures.
  • Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
  • Package: Silicone Case x1; Hand strap x1. If you need any support please feel free to contact us.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.