In Pokémon GO, you can soon unlearn Frustration for your Shadow Pokémon for a few days. We at MeinMMO will show you which monsters are particularly worth it and how changing the Charged Attack works.
What is Frustration? Frustration is a Charged Attack that your Shadow Pokémon receive after being caught. As long as you do not purify this monster, this attack remains. A few days a year, Pokémon GO offers you the chance to unlearn Frustration with the help of a Charged TM.
One of these opportunities will be available during the next Rocket takeover, which runs from May 14, 2025, at 00:00 to May 18, 2025, at 23:59.
Why should you unlearn Frustration? Frustration is a bad Charged Attack. Many other attacks can perform much better in battle. Of course, you could also simply purify your Shadow Pokémon to learn different attacks, but that is not recommended.
Shadow Pokémon have a 20% stronger attack compared to their normal version. Although they have similar losses in defense, the strong specimens are excellent for use in Raid or Arena battles. Therefore, it is advisable to unlearn the move Frustration.
These 18 monsters should forget Frustration
Not every Pokémon is worth keeping as a Shadow and unlearning the Charged Attack. However, especially strong attackers can benefit from the Shadow boost, which is why changing Frustration for these monsters is particularly advantageous.
We took a look at which 18 monsters are worth unlearning the Charged Attack and have summarized them for you below.
Mewtwo
Mewtwo remains one of the best attackers in Pokémon GO. If you caught a strong Shadow from Giovanni or in Raids in the past, you should definitely unlearn the Charged Attack Frustration for this monster.
To obtain a particularly strong Mewtwo, you should aim for a combination of the Fast Move Psycho Cut and the Charged Move Psystrike. However, you will need to spend a Charged TM to learn the Charged Move, as it is a special event move.
If you do not want to use this, you can instead use Confusion. Alternatively, Mewtwo can also learn additional attacks that do not belong to its Psychic type, such as Ice Beam, Focus Blast, Flamethrower, or Thunderbolt.
As a Psychic Attacker:
– Fast Move: Psycho Cut
– Charged Move: Psystrike or Confusion
In PvP:
– Fast Move: Psycho Cut
– Charged Moves: Psystrike and Shadow Ball
Kyogre
Kyogre is a legendary Water-type Pokémon from the 3rd generation, known as one of the strongest attackers of its type. Although you unfortunately cannot evolve its Shadow form into its even stronger Primal form, the monster is still a great asset in Raids.
In Raids, it is best to utilize a moveset of Cascade and Origin Pulse. In the GO Battle League, however, a combination of moves including Cascade, Surf, and Origin Pulse is advisable.
Water Attacker:
– Fast Move: Cascade
– Charged Move: Origin Pulse
In PvP Attacker:
– Fast Move: Cascade
– Charged Moves: Surf and Origin Pulse
Groudon
Just like Kyogre, the legendary Ground-type Pokémon comes from the 3rd generation and is its counterpart. It possesses strong stats and moves, making it one of the strongest attackers of its type. Thus, it can excel as a candidate in Raids as well as in the GO Battle League.
In Raids, you should ideally use a moveset of Mud Shot and Earthquake. In the Master League, however, you should utilize Mud Shot, Earthquake, and Fire Punch.
Ground Attacker:
– Fast Move: Mud Shot
– Charged Move: Earthquake
PvP Attacker:
– Fast Move: Mud Shot
– Charged Moves: Earthquake and Fire Punch
Raikou
The legendary Electric-type Pokémon Raikou comes from the 2nd generation and is also one of the best attackers in the game. This monster has been available in the past as a Shadow variant from Giovanni and in Raids. If you have managed to catch a strong specimen, you should definitely unlearn Frustration for it.
Instead, use a combination of Thunder Shock or Volt Switch and Thunderbolt. While Thunder Shock charges a bit faster, Volt Switch deals more damage. This gives you a strong Electric moveset for your next battle.
– Fast Move: Thunder Shock or Volt Switch
– Charged Move: Thunderbolt
Entei
Entei is a legendary Fire-type Pokémon. It is also among the best attackers in the game and is worth having a good move in its Shadow form. So unlearn Frustration and better equip it with the Charged Move Overheat. The Fast Move Fire Fang completes the optimal moveset.
– Fast Move: Fire Fang
– Charged Move: Overheat
Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno
Moltres and Zapdos, along with Articuno, are the legendary Bird Pokémon of the 1st generation. While Moltres belongs to the Fire and Flying types, Zapdos comes from the Electric and Flying types. Articuno brings the Ice and Flying types.
Moltres: Especially Moltres can score as a strong Flying attacker and as a strong Fire Pokémon in the game. For this reason, you should equip it with a moveset of Fire Spin and Sky Attack.
As a pure Flying attacker, you should instead use Wing Attack and Sky Attack. For a pure Fire attacker, use Fire Spin and Overheat. However, Sky Attack is a special event move, so it can only be learned with a Charged TM.
General:
– Fast Move: Fire Spin
– Charged Move: Sky Attack
As a Flying Attacker:
– Fast Move: Wing Attack
– Charged Move: Sky Attack
As a Fire Attacker:
– Fast Move: Fire Spin
– Charged Move: Overheat
Zapdos: In contrast to Moltres, Zapdos is a strong Electric attacker. The Shadow Pokémon can impress with the attacks Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt. However, Thunder Shock is also an event move for which you need a Fast TM.
– Fast Move: Thunder Shock
– Charged Move: Thunderbolt
Articuno: The Ice and Flying Pokémon Articuno has, in contrast to the other two bird Pokémon, more of a strength in defense. Nevertheless, it can be played as an Ice attacker, even if it does not rank among the best attackers.
– Fast Move: Icy Wind
– Charged Moves: Triple Axel
Dragonite
Dragonite is the final evolution of the Dragon-type Pokémon Dratini. It ranks among the best Dragon attackers. The additional attack boost from the Shadow form pushes it even further, which is why you should definitely unlearn Frustration for Dragonite.
For the Charged Attacks, you should focus on Draco Meteor or Outrage, with the latter requiring a Charged TM since it is an event attack. As a fast Fast Move, Dragon Tail is suitable.
General:
– Fast Move: Dragon Tail
– Charged Move: Fly
As a Dragon Attacker:
– Fast Move: Dragon Tail
– Charged Move: Outrage or Draco Meteor
Electivire
Another strong Electric attacker, alongside Raikou and Zapdos, is the Pokémon Electivire. It evolves from Electabuzz. For this, stick to the moveset of Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt. This will prepare you for the next battle.
– Fast Move: Thunder Shock
– Charged Move: Thunderbolt
Machamp
Machamp is one of the strongest Fighting attackers in Pokémon GO overall. You receive the monster by catching Machop, evolving it into Machoke, and then into Machamp.
It is strongest when equipped with a moveset consisting of Counter and Dynamic Punch. Therefore, you should definitely equip the monster with these attacks.
– Fast Move: Counter
– Charged Move: Dynamic Punch
Tyranitar
One of the top Rock attackers is Tyranitar. The Rock and Dark-type Pokémon is the final evolution of Larvitar. Its best Rock moveset is Stone Edge and Dark Pulse. However, Stone Edge is a special event attack. To learn this, you need a Fast TM.
In addition, the Pokémon can also be seen as a strong Dark attacker. Here, focus on a moveset of Bite and Crunch.
Rock Attacker:
– Fast Move: Stone Edge
– Charged Move: Dark Pulse
Dark Attacker:
– Fast Move: Bite
– Charged Move: Crunch
Swampert
A strong Water- and Ground-type attacker is Swampert. The Pokémon evolves from Mudkip through Marshtomp. If you want a strong Water Shadow, you should aim for a moveset of Water Gun and Hydro Cannon. However, you need a Fast TM to learn Hydro Cannon.
As a Ground attacker, it can shine with a combination of Mud Shot and Earthquake. And even in the GO Battle League, Shadow Swampert can impress. Here, you should use the following attacks: Mud Shot, Hydro Cannon, and Earthquake (via pvpoke.com).
As a Water Attacker:
– Fast Move: Water Gun
– Charged Move: Hydro Cannon
As a Ground Attacker:
– Fast Move: Mud Shot
– Charged Move: Earthquake
In PvP:
– Fast Move: Mud Shot
– Charged Moves: Hydro Cannon and Earthquake
Mamoswine
Mamoswine is the strongest Ice attacker in Pokémon GO after the white and black forms of Kyurem. It evolves from Swinub through Piloswine. Its strongest moveset is the combination of Powder Snow and Avalanche. As a pure Ground attacker, you should use a moveset of Mud-Slap and Superpower.
Ice Attacker:
– Fast Move: Powder Snow
– Charged Move: Avalanche
Ground Attacker:
– Fast Move: Mud-Slap
– Charged Move: Superpower
Feraligatr
Feraligatr stands out through its versatility. If you have the monster in its Shadow variant, you can consider whether to use it for Raids or the Battle League.
While it excels as a Water attacker in Raids, it can also perform well in both the Super and Ultra Leagues, becoming a powerful monster against which your opponents will bite the dust.
For the optimal moveset, you will need to use Charged TMs. Both Water Gun and Hydro Cannon are otherwise not learnable.
As a Water Attacker:
– Fast Move: Water Gun or Cascade
– Charged Move: Hydro Cannon or Hydro Pump
In PvP:
– Fast Move: Dark Claw
– Charged Moves: Hydro Cannon and Ice Beam
Metagross
The final evolution of Beldum is the Steel and Psychic Pokémon Metagross. It is one of the best Steel attackers in the game, making it worthwhile to unlearn Frustration. Focus on a moveset of Meteor Mash and Bullet Punch.
However, Bullet Punch is a special event move, so you will need to use a Charged TM to learn it.
– Fast Move: Meteor Mash
– Charged Move: Bullet Punch
Garchomp
Garchomp is the final evolution of the Dragon-type Pokémon Gible. It belongs to the Ground and Dragon types in the game. Due to its high attack value and strong defense, it ranks among the best attackers in Pokémon GO, which is why you should definitely unlearn Frustration for it. Depending on what you want to use Garchomp for, you should teach it the following attacks:
Ground Attacker:
– Fast Move: Mud Shot
– Charged Move: Earth Power
Dragon Attacker:
– Fast Move: Dragon Tail
– Charged Move: Outrage
Here we explain why everyone should now be hunting for a strong Gible.
More strong Shadow Pokémon for Raids and the GO Battle League
Besides the mentioned monsters, there are still a number of other Shadow Pokémon for which it is worth changing the Charged Attack, as they are among the best attackers in Pokémon GO:
- Rhyferior as a strong Ground and Rock attacker
- Ground Moveset: Mud-Slap and Earthquake
- Rock Moveset: Stone Edge and Rock Throw
- Magnezone is excellent as an Electric attacker
- Electric Moveset: Volt Switch and Thunderbolt
- Heatran shines as a Fire attacker, but requires a Charged TM for Lava Plume
- Fire Moveset: Fire Spin and Lava Plume
- Gardevoir is one of the best options when you need Fairy-type attackers
- Fairy Moveset: Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Rampardos is a very strong option as a Rock attacker
- Rock Moveset: Stone Edge and Rock Slide
- Excadrill is among the best Ground attackers in the game
- Ground Moveset: Mud-Slap and Sand Tomb
- Palkia is a very strong Dragon attacker
- Dragon Moveset: Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
- Shaymin is currently among the absolute top in the Super League, but requires a Charged TM for Acrobatics
- PvP Moveset: Fairy Wind, Air Slash, and Acrobatics
- Lapras is currently indispensable in the Ultra League, but also needs a Charged TM for its Ice Beam
- PvP Moveset: Psywave, Surf, and Ice Beam
- Ho-Oh can prove itself as a Fire attacker
- Fire Moveset: Overheat and Sacred Fire
- Machoke still makes a name for itself as a Fighting attacker
- Fighting Moveset: Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Dragonite is excellent as a Dragon attacker if you still need one
- Dragon Moveset: Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Scizor is well-suited as a Bug attacker
- Bug Moveset: Fury Cutter and Bullet Punch
- Gyarados can impress both as a strong Water attacker in Raids and in the GO Battle League
- Water Moveset: Cascade and Hydro Pump
- PvP Moveset: Fire Spin, Waterfall, and Crunch
How you can challenge the members of Team GO Rocket to secure Shadow Pokémon, we show you in the following video:
How can you unlearn Frustration?
Frustration is typically a fixed attack that cannot simply be unlearned throughout the year. To give players this opportunity, there are regular Rocket events during which you are given this option.
You can change the Charged Attack by using a so-called Charged TM or Elite Charged TM. Whether you have already received a Charged TM or Elite Charged TM can be seen in your item bag.
The difference between Charged TM and Elite Charged TM
You receive Charged TMs through various rewards, including randomly after a Raid. When you use this, the existing Charged Attack changes randomly. So you cannot directly influence the desired attack. If you want a specific attack, your only option is to try your luck again.
On the other hand, you can only buy Elite Charged TMs from certain community boxes in the in-game shop. These are usually available during Community Days. If you have already purchased one and use it, a window will open where you can specifically choose an attack. In addition, you can also learn special event Charged Moves with this item, which is not possible with a regular Charged TM.
How to change the attack
The process is essentially the same for both types of TMs. Go to your item bag and click on the corresponding Charged TM. This will open your Pokémon storage, and you can select your desired monster.
Once you click on the selected Pokémon, the attack will either be changed randomly (Charged TM) or you will receive a selection window where you can choose an attack (Elite Charged TM).
Alternatively, you can also search for your desired monster in the Pokémon storage. If you click on the menu in your Pokémon view and select “Items,” your item bag will open, allowing you to choose the desired Charged TM. Depending on whether it is a Charged TM or Elite Charged TM, the attacks will again be assigned randomly or can be selected.
Here we show you 2 time-saving tips when unlearning Frustration.
Attention: If you have unlearned the Charged Attack Frustration and later purify your monster, this Pokémon will automatically learn the move Return. In that case, you have to change the attack again. So think carefully in advance whether you want to keep the monsters in their Shadow form to avoid wasting valuable Elite Charged TMs.
Will you unlearn the Charged Attack Frustration for your Shadow Pokémon? Which monsters do you find it worthwhile to change the Charged Attack? And what moveset do you teach your Pokémon? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments here on MeinMMO.
Do you want to challenge the big Rocket Boss and don’t know which monsters are best to use? We have summarized the best counters against Giovanni for you.
