what actually works to pull out a shower drain?

Are you just trying to get at a clog or replacing the whole drain? If it's the clog, usually only the cover comes off, either a screw in the middle or it just unscrews, and you can fish the hair out from there. If you're taking out the drain body itself, a drain key that grabs the crossbars is what does it, turned anticlockwise. Pliers handles jammed in the crossbars work in a pinch. Old ones stuck in with plumber's putty loosen up if you warm them with a hair dryer first.