What it does
Shadow Sneak is a Ghost-type physical move with +1 priority. The damage output is modest, but the priority bracket means it moves before any standard-speed action — unless the opponent also has equal or higher priority, or Trick Room is active.
Ghost-type priority moves are scarce. Most priority options sit in Normal (Fake Out, Extreme Speed) or Fighting categories; Ghost-type attackers have almost nothing else to work with. That scarcity makes Shadow Sneak irreplaceable for slow Ghost-types: they use it to compensate for Speed disadvantages, to secure KOs on weakened targets, or to threaten action before faster opponents can respond.
The trade-off is clear: Shadow Sneak doesn't hit hard enough to be a primary damage source. It's a finisher and a control tool, not a wallbreaker. If a target is at high health, a stronger move usually outdamages it even accounting for priority.
One Trick Room note: priority moves still obey the priority bracket under Trick Room. They move first at their priority level regardless of how slow or fast the user is. But within the same priority bracket, Trick Room reverses order — so a slow user of Shadow Sneak actually moves after a fast user of the same priority move under Trick Room.
Who runs it
Ceruledge carries it at nearly 90% usage. It has solid Attack and above-average Speed, but Shadow Sneak removes the guesswork — against a weakened target, it guarantees the KO without relying on Speed comparisons. Flash Fire makes it immune to Fire, and the priority move makes it offensively proactive in every matchup.
Aegislash relies on it heavily. Low Speed in Sword Form means standard moves often lose the Speed race; Shadow Sneak bypasses that entirely, letting it land finishing blows before slower opponents can act.
Mimikyu uses Disguise to absorb an attack, then either builds with setup moves or closes out weakened targets with Shadow Sneak.
Decidueye has modest Speed for its role; Shadow Sneak gives it consistent priority output despite that.
Absol occasionally uses it for coverage, though its Speed is higher than most Ghost-types so the priority need is less acute.
How to use it
In doubles, Shadow Sneak has two main situations. The first: a target is low on HP and you want to secure the KO without risking a faster opponent hitting you first. The second: your partner needs a safe turn to execute a setup or field move, and Shadow Sneak lets you threaten one of the opposing Pokémon before they can disrupt.
Against targets at high health, Shadow Sneak rarely does enough to matter. It's the wrong choice when you need raw damage — pick your primary attacking move instead.
Tips & strategy
Normal-type and Fighting-type Pokémon are immune to Ghost-type moves. Always confirm a target's typing before clicking Shadow Sneak — a wasted turn in doubles is expensive.
For Aegislash, the interaction between King's Shield stance switching and Shadow Sneak timing matters. After switching to Sword Form, if the opponent is faster, Shadow Sneak guarantees action before they respond. Managing that priority window is central to playing Aegislash well.