The final evolution of the Mankey line is literally formed after Primeape dies, but Shadow Annihilape makes an impact in the ⚔️ Raids scene, dealing as much damage as regular Conkeldurr and Mega Falinks. To put it into a clearer perspective, Shadow Annihilape’s damage output overtakes good ol’ Machamp, Marshadow, and even Hawlucha, making it quite viable. Of course, there are stronger counters, but this is a fine addition to your Raid lineup, with the Ghost subtyping giving it an additional resistance against Normal-type moves. It has a good HP but underwhelming DEF, but still, the Ghost subtyping again comes to the rescue, giving it a handy resistance to Fighting, a super common 🛡️ Gym attacker.

🔵 Great League

Say hello to arguably the best Fighting type in the Great League. Unlike Primeape, Shadow Annihilape gains STAB in Rage Fist, and spamming it makes Counter more and more dangerous. Talonflame (regular and Shadow), Tinkaton, Shadow Quagsire, Corviknight, and both Primeape and Annihilape go down to its onslaught.

Shadow Annihilape is the scariest as a lead, eliminating Aegislash, Shadow Drapion, Shadow Swampert, Clodsire, Corviknight, Primeape, Shelgon, Altaria, Shadow Quagsire, and many more core threats quite easily.

Obviously, its performance dips when there are no shields around but if you have chosen Close Combat instead of Ice Punch, you actually get an overall better Pokémon as Shadow Annihilape traditionally used Rage Fist as its main weapon.

As a closer, Close Combat Shadow Annihilape even takes out Wigglytuff, Alolan Ninetales, both regular and Shadow Politoed, Corviknight, Shadow Quagsire, and a slew of other wins it usually also gets with Ice Punch.

Note that in the (1-1) shield scenario, Ice Punch or Close Combat makes no difference, while in (2-2), Ice Punch only helps it gain Clodsire and Forretress. Overall, Counter with Rage Fist and Close Combat is the way to go, giving you a dominant Pokémon in all shield scenarios of the Great League.

🟡 Ultra League

Close Combat is the unanimous pick to go alongside Rage Fist in the Ultra League, as Shadow Annihilape cements itself as the leading Fighting Pokémon of the lower PvP Leagues. Be it Cobalion, Virizion, Kommo-o, Bellibolt, Shadow Drapion, Shadow Scizor, Blastoise, Feraligatr, and Nidoqueen. It even beats Ancient Power Giratina Altered, but narrowly loses to the Shadow Sneak version.

In (2-2), Shadow Annihilape is one of the best Pokémon in the entire Ultra League, losing to Ancient Power Giratina Altered but beating the Shadow Sneak user. This Pokémon punches through almost everything else on its way, including Tentacruel, Golisopod, Gastrodon, Regidrago, and Primeape.

And when there are no shields left, Close Combat is Shadow Annihilape's nuke. It blasts through much of the meta, but in this case, it unfortunately can't beat Giratina Altered, no matter whether it's Ancient Power or Shadow Sneak. Still, it's exceptional in this role, impressing like it did with shields on play.

🟣 Master League

Shadow Annihilape doesn't stop its rampage, boasting a surprising display of power even when its stats are way lower than the top threats of the Master League.

In the traditional (1-1), it takes out both Black and White Kyurem, premier Steel types except Metagross, Metal Claw Crowned Shield Zamazenta, and Marshadow. It gains Metagross and Kyogre on (0-0), and loses the Kyurem fusions, but in either scenario, its winning run is more or less the same. Not great, but quite good.

But Shadow Annihilape’s explosive arc is revealed in its role as a lead, as in (2-2) shields, it powers through Crowned Shield Zamazenta (any moveset), Black and White Kyurem, Metagross, Crowned Sword Zacian, Zacian Hero, Kyogre, Yveltal, and Ho-Oh. Frankly, Shadow Annihilape exceeds expectations in the (2-2) scene, but overall, it's more of a spicy pick now, especially with Marshadow gaining Shadow Claw.

Shadow Annihilape brings value in both the PvE and PvP scene, with its best showing coming in the Great and Ultra Leagues. This Pokémon is a phenomenal investment for sure! 🙌