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How Do You Get Return?
What to Know About Return
Pokemon in Pokemon GO have 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 in Pokemon GO will 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?
In Pokemon GO, the Charged Attack Return is exclusive to Purified Pokemon. For this to happen, trainers will need to first snag a Shadow Pokemon and then purify it. Shadow Pokemon are used by Team 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 the Team 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 a Rocket Radar. This is made by collecting 6 Mysterious Components from Rocket Grunts. During Special Research, players will get a Super Rocket Radar, which leads to an encounter with Giovanni, who will always have a Legendary Pokemon.
Once a Shadow Pokemon has been added to the team, players can select Purify on the Pokemon's page. This will always cost Stardust and Candy. Common Pokemon require as low as 3 Candy and 3000 Stardust. Legendary/Mythical Pokemon will need 20 Candy and 20000 Stardust.
The only Charged Attack that Shadow Pokemon will have upon capture is Frustration. This is a Normal-type move that has the Shadow Bonus applied to it, meaning it will do extra damage than a regular Charged Attack. When players purify the Shadow Pokemon, Frustration becomes Return and loses the Shadow Bonus.
If players want to get a second Charged Attack, they can select the New Attack option on the Pokemon's page. This will cost Stardust and Candy.
If players want to get rid of Return, they will need a Charged TM ( or Elite Charged TM), which is sometimes given out as a reward for Timed Research or Special Research Tasks. Another way to obtain them is through PvP/GO Battle League.
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What to Know About Return
Return does 35 damage in Gyms & Raids; it does 130 Damage in PvP. With "three bars" worth of charge, it's not exactly the swiftest Charged Attack in Pokemon 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.
On the other hand:
- Pokemon that go well with Return as their Charged Attack are Normal-type Pokemon, such as Snorlax. It also helps if the Pokemon has a Fast Attack that generates Energy quickly.
- For example: Lick (Fast Attack) + Return (Charged Attack) is a recommended combination for a Purified Snorlax.
- Those that are partaking in PvP may get a better use out of Return, as it does more damage there than it does in Gym and Team GO Rocket battles.
- Another reason players may want to keep Return is for chipping away at Protect Shields. When battling a Team GO Rocket Leader, they'll always use the Protect Shields against the trainer's first two Charged Attacks.
- Rather than wasting the Charge on a Charged Attack that has Type-advantage on a Protect Shield, use Return instead. Some Charged Attacks can be used consecutively (twice) if they've been Charged enough by the Fast Attack.
- Store up Energy for the Charged Attack with the Type-advantage, and use Return when the Rocket Leader still has Protect Shields.
Ultimately, the decision to keep Return will vary from trainer to trainer. Pokemon GO trainers should consider their Pokemon's Typing and 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.
Pokemon GO is available for mobile devices.
