Shadow

The Shadow symbol

Shadow is an element acquired by Cynder in The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon.

Symbol

The symbol of Shadow has two different designs: in the console versions, it resembles a dark yin-yang symbol of black above dark violet, while in the Nintendo DS version, it looks like a purple hand with a dark purple background.

Attacks

With the Shadow element, Cynder breathe Shadow Fire, a billow of shadow blown from her mouth that resemble flames. She can also perform a Shadow Strike attack by diving into her own shadow and using it as a cloak to sink under a group of enemies and strike out with an uppercut with Shadow-empowered claws. Shadow Strike can also help Cynder get through Shadow Gates.

Both Shadow Strike and Shadow Fire will leave portions of the shadow magic coating the eyes of enemies struck by them. Under the influence of the shadow magic, opponents will attack their allies and not Cynder for a short while.

Primary Attacks
Element	Attack Name	Upgrade Level	Use
Shadow	Deadly Shadow Strike	3	When the primary attack button is held down, Cynder uses a Cloak of Shadows to become a dark cloud. Once the button is released, she performs an uppercut known as Shadow Strike.
Shadow	Sinsiter Shadow Strike	4	When the primary attack button is held down, Cynder uses a Cloak of Shadows to become a dark cloud. Press the weak attack button to send Shadow Claws. Once the primary attack button is released, she performs an uppercut known as Shadow Strike.

Secondary Attacks
Element	Attack Name	Upgrade Level	Use
Shadow	Shadow Fire	2	Hold down the secondary attack button to breathe Shadow Fire.
Shadow	Suffocating Shadow Fire	3	Hold down the secondary attack button to breathe more powerful Shadow Fire.
Shadow	Powerful Earth Missile	4	Hold down the secondary attack button to breathe Asphyxiating Shadow Fire.

Gallery

• 
  The Shadow elemental symbol in the Nintendo DS version of Dawn of the Dragon

Trivia

• In the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii versions, when releasing shadow claws using Shadow Strike, there are shadowy apparations of clawed hands homing in on enemies. This isn't present in the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version due to the changes in particle effects.
• When attacking Malefor with Shadow Fire, the breath ignites with fire as if Malefor was being hit with Spyro's Dragon Fire, making this a character gameplay error.
• In the console versions of Dawn of the Dragon, the Shadow elemental gates found in Warfang, the Ruins of Warfang and the Dam have visages resembling Malefor's.
• According to lead concept artist Jared Pullen, dragons of the Poison, Shadow and Fear elements exist, but the elements come from a different, darker entity instead of the light entity that created the other elements (Fire, Electricity, Ice, Earth, Water and Wind).
• Cynder's Shadow Dash technique later reappeared in the Skylanders franchise, as one of Cynder's two standard abilities under the Undead element. Shadow Dash involves her turning into a shadow to dash past enemies, leaving behind a trail of ghosts that cause damage. As Series 3 Phantom Cynder, while performing her Shadow Dash attack, Cynder can morph into a giant skull that explodes on release.