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Pokemon inPokemon GOhave two categories of moves: Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks. Fast Attacks are a Pokemon’s main move when battling, but they will also “charge” the Charged Attack. The Charged Attacks can only be used when they’re fully, well, charged. Unleashing a Charged Attack will normally deal a lot of damage if it hits the opponent.
However, not all Charged Attacks are good, and some are worth being replaced via TM. A Purified Pokemon inPokemon GOwill learn a unique Charged Attack: Return. This is a Normal-type move with modest base power, which is why some trainers may want to replace it with another Charged Attack. While it may not be preferred on a Pokemon that can’t get STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus), Return has some advantages.
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How Do You Get Return?
InPokemon GO, the Charged Attack Return is exclusive toPurified Pokemon. For this to happen, trainers will need to first snag a Shadow Pokemon and then purify it. Shadow Pokemon are used byTeam GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders. Team GO Rocket can be challenged by tapping the Rocket Balloons or interacting with a Poke Stop with the Rocket Logo.
If players manage to defeat theTeam GO Rocket Leader, they’ll have access to a Bonus Challenge. This is where they can attempt to snag/catch one of the Shadow Pokemon from the Grunts/Leaders' lineup. It’s recommended to use Razz Berries (or Golden Razz Berries for Legendary Pokemon) on a Shadow Pokemon, as this will make it easier to catch them.
Rocket Leaders can only be encountered if players have aRocket Radar. This is made by collecting6 Mysterious Componentsfrom Rocket Grunts. During Special Research, players will get aSuper Rocket Radar, which leads to an encounter with Giovanni, who will always have a Legendary Pokemon.
Once a Shadow Pokemonhas been added to the team, players can selectPurifyon the Pokemon’s page. This will always costStardustandCandy. Common Pokemon require as low as3 Candyand3000 Stardust. Legendary/Mythical Pokemon will need20 Candyand20000 Stardust.
The only Charged Attack that Shadow Pokemon will have upon capture isFrustration. This is a Normal-type move that has theShadow Bonusapplied to it, meaning it will do extra damage than a regular Charged Attack. When players purify the Shadow Pokemon, Frustration becomesReturnand loses the Shadow Bonus.
If players want to get a second Charged Attack, they can select theNew Attackoption on the Pokemon’s page. This will cost Stardust and Candy.
If players want toget rid of Return, they will need aCharged TM (or Elite Charged TM), which is sometimes given out as a reward forTimed ResearchorSpecial Research Tasks. Another way to obtain them is through PvP/GO Battle League.
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What to Know About Return
Return does35 damageinGyms & Raids; it does130 Damage in PvP. With “three bars” worth of charge, it’s not exactly the swiftest Charged Attack inPokemon GO. Furthermore, a Pokemon like Tyranitar (Rock/Dark-type)won’t get STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus)from using Return, and it would benefit from having a Charged Attack from its own move pool instead.
Ultimately, the decision to keep Return willvary from trainer to trainer.Pokemon GOtrainers shouldconsider their Pokemon’sTypingand if they have enough Stardust or Candy to unlock a second Charged Attack. If players prefer to have two Charged Attacks that match their Pokemon’s Typing, then they can just use a Charged TM/Elite Charged TM to get rid of Return.
