How to Get Secret Igris Elite Shadow in Anime Paradox (March 2026) Full Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
February 4, 2026
Gaming

If you’ve been playing Anime Paradox lately, you know the meta shifts fast, but some units remain absolute powerhouses. I’ve spent countless hours grinding, testing strategies, and scouring the latest updates to bring you the most comprehensive Anime Paradox Guide on how to get the Secret Igris Elite Shadow.

Trust me, getting this unit isn’t just about flexing a rare character; it’s about adding a top-tier damage dealer and tank hybrid to your roster that can carry you through the hardest Story Mode acts and Infinite Castle floors. In this guide, updated for March 2026, I’m going to walk you through every single step, from the prerequisites to the most efficient farming methods that most players miss.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, here is a quick overview of what you need to prepare for this evolution.

Quick Overview: Secret Igris Requirements

Requirement	Details/Item Needed	Estimated Difficulty
Base Unit	Igris (Mythic Grade)	Hard (Gacha/Drop)
Evolution Item	Elite Shadow Essence (x5)	Very Hard (Grind)
Gold Cost	50,000 Gold	Medium
Level Requirement	Unit Level 100+	Easy/Medium
Location	Evolution Altar / Summon Area	N/A

Who is Secret Igris Elite Shadow?

Before we talk about how to get him, let’s talk about why you want him. In the lore of Solo Leveling and Anime Paradox, Igris is the Marshal Grade Shadow loyal to the Shadow Monarch. The “Secret” version in Anime Paradox is a massive upgrade from the base unit.

While the base Igris is great for crowd control, the Secret Igris Elite Shadow gains a significant boost in Attack Damage (AOE) and HP scaling. His ability to tank damage while dealing massive splash damage makes him indispensable for late-game content. Compared to other Mythic units released in 2026, Secret Igris holds his own in the S-Tier category, especially for players who rely on ground-based compositions.

Step 1: Obtaining the Base Igris Unit

You cannot evolve nothing into something. The first hurdle in this Anime Paradox guide is securing the base Igris unit. As of the current patch in March 2026, there are two primary ways to get him:

Method A: The Banner Gacha

This is the most straightforward but most expensive method. Igris appears in the standard Mythic banner pool.

Strategy: Wait for a “Rate Up” banner. If Igris is featured, your chances of pulling him triple.
Currency: You’ll need plenty of Gems and Celestial Shards.
Pro Tip: Don’t pull blindly. Save up at least 50-100 pulls to guarantee a Mythic unit via the pity system.

Method B: The Dungeon Drop (Free to Play Friendly)

If you are like me and prefer grinding over spending, you can get Igris as a random drop from specific high-level dungeons.

Location: You need to farm Story Mode Act 6 or Hard Mode Dungeons.
Drop Rate: The drop rate is roughly 0.5% to 1%. It’s low, but with a strong auto-farm team, you can rack up hundreds of runs.
Team Setup: Use S-Tier AoE units like [Mythic Ryuma] or [Enel] to clear stages instantly to speed up the drop rate RNG.

Step 2: Farming for the Elite Shadow Essence

This is the part where most players get stuck. The Elite Shadow Essence is the key material that transforms your standard Igris into the Secret Igris Elite Shadow. You cannot buy this in the regular shop (except for rare, overpriced Black Market spawns), so you have to earn it.

Based on the latest data from community discord servers and my own testing, here is the breakdown of where to find this item.

Best Farming Spot: Shadow Army Raid

The most consistent source of Elite Shadow Essence is the Shadow Army Raid.

Entry Requirements: You must have completed Story Mode Act 5.
Difficulty: Nightmare Mode is recommended for higher drop chances.
The Drop Logic: The boss, “Shadow Commander,” has a 15% chance to drop one Elite Shadow Essence upon defeat in Nightmare mode.

Strategy for Speed Farming

To maximize your drops per hour, you want to finish the raid in under 3 minutes. Here is the unit loadout I personally use:

Placement: Use ground-based tanks to hold the aggro at the front.
Damage Dealers: Place Igris (if you have a copy) behind the tanks. His ground smash attacks hit the boss multiple times.
Support: Use units that provide “Burn” or “Poison” effects. These stack over time and melt the boss’s massive HP bar.
Macro/Auto-Farm: If you are on PC, using an auto-clicker or macro to replay the raid instantly can save you hours of manual clicking. Note: Use macros at your own risk regarding the game’s TOS.

Alternative Farming Spot: Infinite Castle

If the Raid is too hard for your current level, go to Infinite Castle Floor 45-55.

Enemies here are labeled “Elite Shadows.”
They have a low chance (approx. 2-5%) to drop the Essence.
Why do this? You can farm EXP for your base Igris at the same time. Efficiency is key!

Step 3: The Evolution Process

Once you have your Level 100+ Igris and 5x Elite Shadow Essences, here is exactly how to perform the evolution.

Navigate to the Summon/Evolution Area: Look for the “Evolve” button near the unit summoning crystals. It usually has a purple glowing icon.
Select Igris: Click on your Igris unit. You will see his stats and a list of available evolutions.
Select “Secret Evolution”: You should see an option for “Secret Igris Elite Shadow.” If it is greyed out, check your inventory. Do you have the Essences? Do you have 50,000 Gold?
Confirm: Hit the evolve button.
- Visual Cue: A massive animation will play where Igris is engulfed in dark smoke and re-emerges with glowing blue eyes and a different armor texture.
Equip: Drag him into your main team slot immediately!

Analyzing the Stats: Was it Worth It?

So, you’ve spent days farming. Is the Secret Igris Elite Shadow actually good? Let’s look at the numbers based on 2026 meta data.

Stat Comparison (Level 150)

Stat	Base Igris	Secret Igris Elite Shadow	Difference
Damage	4,500	7,200	+60%
Attack Speed	4.5s	3.8s	Significantly Faster
Range	12 (Short)	14 (Medium)	+2 Range
Effect	Knockback	Knockback + Shadow Burn	New DoT Effect

The Attack Speed improvement is the game-changer here. The base Igris often attacked too slowly to kill fast-moving enemies. The Secret version hits significantly faster, allowing him to clear waves before they reach your base. The addition of “Shadow Burn” (dealing damage over time) helps against tanks with high HP.

Best Team Compositions for Secret Igris

To get the most out of your new unit, you need to pair him with the right allies. Here are my top 2 team builds for March 2026:

Build 1: The Shadow Legion (Thematic)

This build focuses on maximizing the potential of Solo Leveling characters if you have them.

Frontline: Secret Igris Elite Shadow, Iron (Tank).
Backline: Sung Jinwoo (DPS), Beru (Crowd Control).
Support: Any unit that boosts “Ground” unit damage.

Build 2: The Meta Burn Comp

This utilizes the new “Burn” mechanic introduced in the 2026 summer update.

Frontline: Secret Igris Elite Shadow (He applies burn).
DPS: Ace (One Piece), Enel (One Piece).
Support: A unit that increases “Debuff Duration.” This makes Igris’s Shadow Burn last longer, effectively multiplying his damage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve seen so many players in the Anime Paradox Discord server make these errors. Don’t be one of them.

Evolving too early: Do not evolve Igris immediately at Level 100. Wait until Level 125 or 150 if possible. The cost to level up the Secret version is much higher than the base version. It is cheaper to level the base unit first, then evolve.
Selling Extra Essences: Never sell Elite Shadow Essences. The meta changes, and future updates might require them for another evolution or a different unit. Always hoard rare materials.
Ignoring Trait Rerolls: Once you get Secret Igris, use Trait Crystals to reroll his abilities. Aim for “Giant Slayer” or “Berserker” traits. These traits scale infinitely better than “Defense” traits for an offensive unit like Igris.

Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Get the Drop?

If you’ve been farming the Shadow Army Raid for 2 hours and haven’t seen a single Essence, you might be frustrated. Here are some things to check:

Difficulty Check: Are you in Normal Mode? Drops are disabled or severely reduced in Normal difficulty for Essence items. You must be on Hard or Nightmare.
Luck Stat: Does the game have a “Luck” stat on your player profile? In many Roblox games, equipping specific Luck items (like a “Four Leaf Clover”) can increase drop rates. Check your inventory for luck-boosting accessories.
Full Inventory: It sounds silly, but if your inventory is full, the game might bug out and not grant the drop. Always make sure you have space!

Is Secret Igris Better Than Other Mythics?

This is the million-dollar question. In the current March 2026 meta, he ranks Top 5 for Ground Units.

Vs. Ryuma: Ryuma has better single-target burst damage.
Vs. Secret Igris: Igris has better AoE (Area of Effect) and survivability.

Verdict: If you struggle with crowds of enemies, Secret Igris is better. If you struggle with single high-HP bosses, Ryuma might still edge him out. However, Igris is much easier to obtain and upgrade compared to the limited-time Ryuma.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Secret Igris Elite Shadow fast?

The fastest way is to grind the Shadow Army Raid on Nightmare mode. Ensure you have a high DPS team to finish the raid quickly, and try to play during 2x Drop Rate events hosted by the developers.

What are the chances of getting Elite Shadow Essence?

The drop rate is approximately 15% in Nightmare Raids and 5% in Hard Mode. It does not drop in Normal Mode.

Can I trade for Secret Igris?

Currently, Secret Igris is a non-tradable unit. You must evolve him yourself using the base Igris and Essences. However, you might be able to trade for the base Igris unit if another player has a spare.

What level should I evolve Igris?

While you can evolve at Level 100, I highly recommend waiting until Level 150. Gold becomes scarce later in the game, and leveling up the Secret form is significantly more expensive than leveling the base form.

Is Secret Igris good in Infinite Mode?

Yes, he is excellent for Infinite Castle. His AoE damage and knockback abilities allow you to stall waves effectively, giving your cooldowns time to reset for the later, harder floors.

Conclusion

Getting the Secret Igris Elite Shadow in Anime Paradox is a grind, no doubt about it. But it is one of the most rewarding F2P-friendly grinds in the game right now. He bridges the gap between paying players and free-to-play players effectively.

My last pro tip: Join the official Anime Paradox Discord (link is hypothetical, check the game description). Often, developers drop codes there for 2x Drop Rate events. If you time your farming for one of these events, you can get all 5 Essences in a single evening instead of a week.

Good luck, Shadow Hunter! I hope this guide helps you dominate the leaderboards.