What it does
On paper, Shadow Claw reads almost identically to Night Slash: 70 base power, physical, +1 crit stage on use, contact, single-target. The split is in the subtype classification.
In Champions, Shadow Claw is a slicing move. In standard Scarlet/Violet, it is not. That distinction matters because Sharpness applies a 1.5× power multiplier to slicing moves — turning 70 effective power into 105 before STAB. Ghost-type STAB on top of that pushes the math into genuinely threatening territory. This is a Champions-specific ruling; any damage calc from the base games will understate what this move actually does here.
Ghost typing also carries inherent utility in doubles: Normal and Fighting types are immune to everything else but not to Ghost moves. That means Shadow Claw can punch through defensive Normal-types that would wall most physical attackers.
Who runs it
Mimikyu (54%) is the face of Shadow Claw in Champions. Disguise guarantees one free hit absorb on entry — this single property transforms Mimikyu from 'fragile attacker' to 'attacker that always gets a move off.' With Sharpness-boosted Shadow Claw (Champions ruling), Mimikyu's actual output goes well past what its 90 base Attack suggests. Ghost/Fairy typing gives it Dragon and Ghost coverage simultaneously.
Runerigus (18%) uses Shadow Claw differently. With 111/105 physical bulk (Defense 111 / SpDef 105), it's a durability-first attacker. The Sharpness-boosted Shadow Claw gives it real offensive threat without needing to be a glass cannon; the idea is to survive long enough that opponents have to make bad trades.
Absol (9%) occasionally runs Shadow Claw for Ghost coverage when Night Slash's Dark typing doesn't reach the targets it needs.
How to use it
Mimikyu's standard sequence in doubles: switch in, absorb a hit through Disguise, click Shadow Claw with the Sharpness multiplier already in play. If there's no Ghost immunity across from you, the damage output is significant. If there is, you need a backup plan — keeping only Ghost STAB in your moveset leaves you stonewalled by any Normal-type pivot.
Crit stacking works the same as Night Slash: Scope Lens or Razor Claw adds another stage on top of Shadow Claw's built-in +1, and you can stack further if an ability contributes. Keep the user on the field long enough to benefit from accumulated crit rate, since switching out resets it.
Tips & strategy
Verify your data source when building. If you pull Shadow Claw's power from the base games or a non-Champions resource, you'll see 70. In Champions, treat it as 105 against targets where Sharpness applies. This gap is enough to change OHKOs vs. 2HKOs on several common threats.
Disguise breaks on the first hit it absorbs, and spread move attacks in doubles will pop it just like any other direct hit. Don't count on Disguise to absorb a spread move — it doesn't discriminate. Account for this when setting up doubles positioning.
Runerigus and Mimikyu want different team support. Mimikyu benefits from speed control (faster than many threats with the right support) so it gets to attack before Disguise is targeted. Runerigus wants wallbreaker help — it doesn't need to move first, it needs opponents to be softened up.