Shadow Triad

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Shadow Triad
ダークトリニティ Dark Trinity
Shadow Triad B2W2 Trailer.png
The Shadow Triad in the Black 2 and White 2 trailer
Age Unknown
Gender Male
Eye color Gray
Hair color White
Hometown Unknown
Region Unova
Trainer class Team Plasma
Generation V, VIII, IX
Games Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, Masters EX
English voice actor Jason Griffith (B2W2AT)
Ben Balmaceda[1] (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor Akira Ishida (B2W2AT)
Takaaki Torashima (Masters EX)
Member of Team Plasma
Rank Bodyguards
Manga series Pokémon Adventures
Debut Letting Go

The Shadow Triad (Japanese: ダークトリニティ Dark Trinity), each referred to individually as Shadow (Japanese: ダーク Dark), are three faithful servants of Ghetsis and N and are high-ranking members of Team Plasma.

The Shadow Triad are completely loyal to Ghetsis because he once saved their lives.

In the core series games

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201
The Shadow Triad at Marvelous Bridge
A Shadow (second from the left) in the opening of Black 2 and White 2

They appear many times in Pokémon Black and White, first being seen in Chargestone Cave, mostly to escort the player to either N or Ghetsis. They make very sudden ninja-like appearances, appearing seemingly out of thin air.

The Shadow Triad are the ones who enabled Ghetsis to evade arrest, creating an opening in which Ghetsis was able to escape Cheren's confinement. After Team Plasma has been defeated, they appear at Marvelous Bridge and on the orders of Ghetsis, give the player the Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, and Griseous Orb—the three orbs of the Pokémon of Myth. However, on Ghetsis's orders, they make no attempt to find him. They vanish from the bridge and are not seen again for the rest of the game.

At some point after Black and White's events, they appear in front of Striaton Gym Leaders at Striaton Restaurant, challenge and easily defeat the trio, before disappearing.

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the Shadow Triad are first seen with Zinzolin on the Plasma Frigate. After the player, Cheren, and Hugh finish off the remainder of the Team Plasma Grunts, Zinzolin has the Shadow Triad escort the player off the ship.

The Shadow Triad are later seen in Opelucid City after it has been frozen by the Plasma Frigate. They steal the DNA Splicers so that Ghetsis can use it on Kyurem, but are chased by the player and Drayden. After finally being caught, a Shadow challenges the player to a battle, and even though he loses, they still get away.

The Shadow Triad are seen again on the Plasma Frigate after talking to Ghetsis about Kyurem. Each Shadow battles the player after they give Hugh back his sister's Purrloin, which has evolved into Liepard since it was stolen. After defeating them, they allow the player to leave but warn them about Ghetsis and Kyurem, and end up staying behind with Hugh and Liepard. After Ghetsis has been defeated and suffers a mental breakdown, a Shadow comes to take him away.

After entering the Hall of Fame, they remain in Icirrus City and challenge the player once per season. Still loyal to Ghetsis, they attempt to regain his lost heart by defeating the player.

Pokémon

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Opelucid City



Plasma Frigate







Icirrus City

They are all fought individually, in a Single Battle, Triple Battle, and Rotation Battle, respectively. If the player has fewer than three Pokémon remaining, or declines battle, the remaining opponents will vanish until the season changes.

Single Battle



Triple Battle



Rotation Battle



Returned

The Purrloin stolen from Hugh's sister is revealed to have evolved into a Liepard, and is returned to Hugh by the Shadow Triad when they are encountered in Ghetsis's room.

510.png
Purrloin → Liepard

In spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

The Shadow Triad appears during the Villain Arc in Pokémon Masters EX. Each of them uses a Bisharp.

Gallery

Artwork

Shadow Triad concept art.png Black 2 White 2 Shadow Triad.png
Early concept art from
Black and White
Concept art from
Black 2 and White 2

Sprites and models

In the core series

Spr B2W2 Shadow Triad.png Shadow Triad OD.png
Sprite from
Black 2 and
White 2
Overworld sprite from
Generation V

In other games

Spr Masters Shadow Triad.png VSShadow Triad Masters.png
Model from
Masters EX
VS model from
Masters EX

Quotes

Main article: Shadow Triad/Quotes

In the anime

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

The Shadow Triad appeared in the Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer. Nate was first seen chasing one of the Shadows through the frozen Opelucid City. He had his Lucario attack the Shadow with Aura Sphere, but the attack was blocked by the Shadow Triad's Bisharp, allowing the trio to get away with the item they had stolen.

Pokémon

Bisharp
Shadow Triad's Bisharp

Bisharp was seen protecting the Shadow Triad from Nate's Lucario's Aura Sphere.

Bisharp's only known move is Protect.

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 石田彰 Akira Ishida
English Jason Griffith
European Spanish Fernando Cordero


In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

The Shadow Triad in Pokémon Adventures
The Shadow Triad in the Black 2 & White 2 arc
Black & White arc

The Shadow Triad debuted in Letting Go. They were first seen reporting to Ghetsis after observing N's battle with Black in Accumula Town. In Defeating Stoutland, the Triad were seen spying on Clay, who had unearthed the Dark Stone.

In The Battle Within, they arrived in Nacrene City, where they began their operation to steal the Dark Stone. While they battled Lenora, several Team Plasma Grunts infiltrated the Nacrene Museum to find the Dark Stone's holding place. Initially, they held the advantage until Lenora was joined by five other Gym Leaders, who had been planning to ambush the villains after learning of their plans. Despite their teamwork, the Gym Leaders eventually fell to the Shadow Triad's trump card, the forces of nature. Though they were unable to find the Dark Stone, the Shadow Triad took the defeated Gym Leaders to N's Castle, though Brycen managed to escape.

The Shadow Triad (right) in color

In The Shadow Triad, the Triad tried and failed to capture the Swords of Justice. Later at the P2 Laboratory, they tested Team Plasma's newest creation, Genesect, before being interrupted by the Striaton City Gym Leaders, Cilan, Cress, and Chili. Despite their combined strength, the Striaton Gym Leaders were unable to defeat their opponents, even after evolving their Pokémon. They were eventually rescued by Keldeo, who had been watching the battle and determined the Gym Leaders to be the better humans. The Shadow Triad took that opportunity to try and capture Keldeo, forcing its mentors to step in and rescue it, using their swords to send both the Shadow Triad and the flying. Refusing to give up, one of the Triad had Genesect fire a Techno Blast at Keldeo, forcing its masters to step in and protect it. The beam froze Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion solid, causing them to sink into the water.

Black 2 & White 2 arc

The Shadow Triad returned as members of Team Plasma. In Therian Forme III, the Shadow Triad appeared to prevent Blake from arresting Ghetsis. Kelden, remembering its previous encounter with them, proceeded to attack them on its own, giving Ghetsis the chance to escape. Blake managed to sneak aboard the Plasma Frigate, but was forced to leave his Pokémon behind while they fought the Shadow Triad and the Forces of Nature without him. In Pink Slip, the three were revealed to have defeated Blake's Pokémon. They then left to regroup with the Plasma Frigate.

In Deduction Time, the Shadow Triad were sent to battle the Swords of Justice and Kelden on the outskirts of Lacunosa Town. Later, Kelden tried to strike Colress down, only to end up shattering the Reveal Glass instead, reverting the Forces of Nature back to the Incarnate Formes. Kelden's mentors took this opportunity to defeat the Forces of Nature. Their attempts to beg for mercy were ignored by Cobalion, who promptly struck the Shadow Triad down as the Forces of Nature fled.

In their first appearance, they all were wearing identical black masks. In all later appearances, they are seen wearing different masks which resemble the elemental monkeys' facial patterns, but are much darker in color.

Pokémon

On hand
Lilligant
Shadow Triad's Lilligant

The Pansage-masked Shadow used a Lilligant to attack Lenora at Nacrene City. Later, she fought against Clay's Excadrill and Elesa's Emolga. Later, she faced the Striaton triplets and had an advantage due to the type match ups.

Lilligant's known moves are Quiver Dance, Mega Drain, and Hyper Beam, and her Ability is Chlorophyll.

Egg → Larvesta
Shadow Triad's Larvesta

The Pansear-masked Shadow used a Larvesta to attack Lenora at Nacrene City. Later, he fought against Burgh's Whirlipede and won, only to be defeated by Brycen's Cryogonal. Later, he faced the Striaton triplets and had an advantage due to the type match ups. It was later revealed that Larvesta was hatched from an Egg that was created by Ghetsis's Volcarona.

None of Larvesta's moves are known, and his Ability is Flame Body.

Basculin
Shadow Triad's Basculin

The Panpour-masked Shadow used a Blue-Striped Basculin to attack Lenora at Nacrene City. Later, he was used against Skyla in addition to fighting Lenora. Later, he faced the Striaton triplets and had an advantage due to the type match ups.

Basculin's only known move is Aqua Tail, and his Ability is Adaptability.

Used
Tornadus
Shadow Triad's Tornadus
Shadow Triad's Tornadus
Main article: Forces of nature (Adventures)

Tornadus was caught by Giallo near the Battle Subway train. Later, the Shadow Triad used Tornadus to battle the Gym Leaders at Nacrene City. Afterward, he was given to Hood Man in order to figure out how to change between his Incarnate and Therian Formes.

Thundurus
Shadow Triad's Thundurus
Shadow Triad's Thundurus
Main article: Forces of nature (Adventures)

Thundurus was caught by Giallo near the Battle Subway train. Later, the Shadow Triad used Thundurus to battle the Gym Leaders at Nacrene City. Afterward, he was given to Hood Man in order to figure out how to change between his Incarnate and Therian Formes.

Landorus
Shadow Triad's Landorus
Shadow Triad's Landorus
Main article: Forces of nature (Adventures)

Landorus was caught by Giallo near the Battle Subway train. Later, the Shadow Triad used Landorus to battle the Gym Leaders at Nacrene City. Afterward, he was given to Hood Man in order to figure out how to change between his Incarnate and Therian Formes.

Genesect Shiny
Shadow Triad's Genesect

Genesect was a weapon created by Team Plasma. It first appeared in the P2 Laboratory where the Shadow Triad were shown testing its strength. After their defeat at the hands of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, the Shadow Triad used Genesect to freeze the three and send them sinking into the water.

Genesect's only known move is Techno Blast.

In the TCG

Shadow Triad
Main article: Shadow Triad (Plasma Freeze 102)

Shadow Triad was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Black & White Series (the Japanese BW Era). First released in the Thunder Knuckle expansion, it later debuted in English in the Plasma Freeze expansion, with both prints featuring an illustration by Yusuke Ohmura. Shadow Triad allows the player to take a Team Plasma card from their discard pile and put it in their hand.

Trivia

  • The Shadow Triad are the only notable members of Team Plasma who have not appeared in the anime.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 黑暗鐵三角 Hāk'am Titsāamgok *
黑暗三人組 Hāk'am Sāamyàhnjóu *
Mandarin 黑暗鐵三角 Hēiàn Tiěsānjiǎo *
黑暗三人組 / 黑暗三人组 Hēiàn Sānrénzǔ *
France Flag.png European French Trio des Ombres
Germany Flag.png German Finstrio
Italy Flag.png Italian Trio Oscuro
South Korea Flag.png Korean 다크 트리니티 Dark Trinity
Brazil Flag.png Brazilian Portuguese Tríade das Sombras (TCG, PS495-PS497)
Tríade das Trevas (PS523-present)
Spain Flag.png European Spanish Trío Sombrío
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Bộ Ba Bóng Tối

References

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