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For the identically-named human sports team, see Shadowbolts (EG).
Shadowbolts

The Shadowbolts annoyed S1E02

Nightmare Moon transformed into Shadowbolts in Friendship is Magic, part 2

Rainbow Dash Shadowbolt ID S2E4

Rainbow Dash wearing a Shadowbolt costume in Luna Eclipsed

Kind Pegasus
Occupation Nightmare Moon's "knights-in-shadowy armor"
Other links
More info
Nicknames Shady, Sb (The Periodic Table of My Little Pony)[1]
Cutie mark
Winged skull
(S1E2 and some material)
Winged skull (different design)
(S2E4 and other material)
Voice Tabitha St. Germain (English)

The Shadowbolts are a squad of Pegasus ponies similar to the Wonderbolts who were created by Nightmare Moon. They appear in the season episode Friendship is Magic, part 2 and some adaptations and merchandise. Their name is a portmanteau of the words "shadow" and "thunderbolt". Members of the Shadowbolts include Shadow Surprise and unnamed Pegasi.

Development and design[]

The Shadowbolt mare shares her mane and tail style with Blaze and Surprise. The two stallions share their mane and tail style with each other and Wave Chill. "Shady" was previously used as the name of a G1 Earth pony mare.

Though the trio of ponies appear as only a transformation of Nightmare Moon in Friendship is Magic, part 2, the pony trio appears simultaneously with Princess Luna/Nightmare Moon in some merchandise and Gameloft's mobile game.

The winged skull cutie mark[2][3] on the Shadowbolt costume worn by Rainbow Dash varies—in Luna Eclipsed and in some material, it has a different design than on Shadowbolt uniforms, while in some material, it has the same design as on Shadowbolt uniforms. Rainbow's costume is misidentified as a Wonderbolt costume in online promotional material,[4][5] but it is identified as a Shadowbolt costume in merchandise.

Shadowbolt goggle lenses do not permanently maintain their usual shape, instead being round on occasion.

Depiction in the series[]

Rainbow Dash and the Shadowbolts S01E02

In the season one episode Friendship is Magic, part 2, Nightmare Moon briefly transforms into the trio of pony Shadowbolts. She claims that they are the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest and attempts to persuade Rainbow Dash to abandon the rest of the Mane Six and become the Shadowbolts' captain, but Rainbow Dash declines this offer and sticks with the Mane Six.

In the season two episode Luna Eclipsed, Rainbow Dash wears a Shadowbolt costume for Nightmare Night.

Other depictions[]

Printed works[]

IDW comics[]

In My Little Pony Annual 2017 chapter 1, a pair of changelings impersonate the Shadowbolts and challenge Rainbow Dash to a race in order to keep her from joining the other Wonderbolts in battling Queen Chrysalis' forces. Each of the disguised changelings is addressed as Shady, the stallion-disguised one by the mare-disguised one and the mare-disguised one by Rainbow Dash.

On My Little Pony: Nightmare Knights Issue #1 page 12 and in Issue #3 starting on page 1, a Shadowbolt appears in Princess Eris' casino.

Storybooks[]

In the book My Little Pony: Tricks and Treats, an adaptation of the episode Luna Eclipsed, Rainbow Dash wears a Shadowbolt costume for Nightmare Night.

Magazines[]

In Panini's My Little Pony magazine, the Shadowbolts appear in at least one of the last two parts of the three-part story Die Legende von Nightmare Moon, an adaptation of the episodes Friendship is Magic, part 1 and Friendship is Magic, part 2.

Software[]

My Little Pony (mobile game)[]

The Shadowbolts MLP Mobile Game

Shadowbolts are featured in Gameloft's mobile game. They are a single character called "The Shadowbolts" with the Ponyville house "The Shadowbolts' Hut" and the description "They're Nightmare Moon's knights-in-shadowy armor -- the Shadowbolts are Pegasi with predilections for bringin' the pain!" Shadowbolts also appear in two of the minigames. Seasonal theming of the game has had Rainbow Dash wear her Shadowbolt costume. The "Nightmare Night at the Museum" and "Reflections of Harmony" events feature one of the male Shadowbolts as an enemy minion.

A file of the game's has included information for a character called "Shadow Surprise" with the house "Shadowbolts' Hut" and the description "One of Nightmare Moon's most trusted Shadowbolts, Shadow Surprise is a Pegasus with a predilection for bringing the pain!"

Luna Eclipsed[]

In the PlayDate Digital game My Little Pony: Luna Eclipsed, an adaptation of the episode Luna Eclipsed, Rainbow Dash wears a Shadowbolt costume for Nightmare Night.

Castle Creator[]

In some versions of Castle Creator, one of the available character images of Rainbow Dash has her Shadowbolt costume.

Xbox LIVE[]

Xbox LIVE avatar items include a Shadow Bolt[sic] pet[6] and a Shadow Bolt[sic] costume.[7]

Merchandise[]

Toys[]

Guardians of Harmony Shadowbolt and Cockatrice figures

The Toys "R" Us exclusive Collector Series includes a glow-in-the-dark Playful Ponies brushable toy of Rainbow Dash as a Shadowbolt.

The Guardians of Harmony line includes a toy of the female pony Shadowbolt, with her eyes visible.[8]

Posters[]

Despite only appearing as a transformation of Nightmare Moon in the show, the Shadowbolts appear alongside Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon on the Comic Con 2011 and Chaos is Magic posters.

The Shadowbolts are also included on Enterplay's Nightmare Moon and the Everfree Forest poster.

Shadowbolts-related WeLoveFine art prints include "Everypony", "Shadow Wonders", and "Shadows".

Apparel and accessories[]

Shadowbolts-related WeLoveFine T-shirts include fan-designed "Shadowbolts Fan", MLP Villains Allover", "MLP Season One Allover", and fan-designed "The Periodic Table of My Little Pony".

Shadowbolts-related WeLoveFine iPhone cases include "MLP Villains iPhone Case".

Tabletop RPG[]

The Shadowbolts are featured in the My Little Pony Roleplaying Game Core Rolebook. In addition to the standard Shadowbolts, the book includes an adventure module in which several of the Wonderbolts are corrupted into acting as Shadowbolts.

Quotes[]

"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria."
Friendship is Magic, part 2
"We want you to join us, the Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest. And soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria. But first, we need a captain."
— Friendship is Magic, part 2
"No! It's them or us."
— Friendship is Magic, part 2
"Sei gegrüßt, Rainbow Dash!"
Die Legende von Nightmare Moon
"Schließ dich uns an, Rainbow Dash! Du bist so schnell und könntest die Anführerin unserer Truppe werden. Na los, vergiss deine Freundinnen!"
Die Legende von Nightmare Moon

Gallery[]

'Them or us' S1E02

Shadowbolts image gallery

See also[]

References[]

  1. Sara Miscavage (2015-03-22). Comment on The Periodic Table of My Little Pony by xkappax. DeviantArt. Retrieved on 2015 March 23.
  2. My Little Pony Rainbow Dash as Shadowbolt. Retrieved on 2015 March 17.
  3. Toys“R”Us® Heads to Comic-Con International in San Diego at Entertainment Earth® Booth #2343 with Nine Noteworthy Exclusives (2013-07-02). Retrieved on 2015 March 17.
  4. My Little Pony - Halloween Costumes. Facebook (2011-10-20). Retrieved on 2015 March 17.
  5. Angela Watercutter (2011-10-21). Exclusive: Halloween Episode of My Little Pony Will Be a Night Mare. WIRED. Retrieved on 2015 March 17.
  6. Shadow Bolt Pet. Retrieved on 2015 March 17.
  7. Shadow Bolt Costume. Retrieved on 2015 March 17.
  8. Brian Truitt (2016-02-10). Exclusive: 'My Little Pony' debuts 'Harmony' line in fall. USATODAY.com. USA TODAY. Retrieved on 2016 February 10.
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