Quote Originally Posted by Hinoto-no-Ryuji View Post
I think, in this case, we can probably assume that "shade" is being used as a general descriptor and not a technical one. It seems to be used to imply that the subject is somehow lesser than the real thing. In Shiva's case, it's because she's not the real thing (when that had been the aim); in Niddhog's case, it's because he lacks his own corporeal form.

It'd be interesting to know the Japanese term in each situation, because I think we know enough about what constitutes a Primal to say that Estinien!Niddhog isn't one.
Just to piggyback this, I'm 99.999999999% sure that Nidhogg isn't a Primal (I'll just give that .000000001% because plot twists are a thing). How easy would it be for him to win the war by tempering all of Ishgard, robbing them of their freedom and being free himself to punish them without retribution? Middy also comments on how far his "son" has fallen, not a shade or spectre (or Primal) in the Singularity Reactor.