Beginner's Guide to Dark Pokemon: Weaknesses and Strengths

Step into the shadows and into the mysterious world of Dark-type Pokemon! With their villainous aura and allure, Dark types are of the eighteen different types in the Pokémon franchise. They were introduced in Generation II, specifically in Pokemon Gold & Silver, and have since been a core part of the series.

Like all other Pokemon, Dark-types would be OP if they had no weaknesses. Knowing their weaknesses and counters can make beating them in battle as easy as pie! Read on to crack their edgy exterior and find their movesets, strengths, resistances, and a complete list of every Dark-type Pokemon!

What are Dark Pokemon?

It's a common misconception that Dark-type Pokémon are automatically considered evil. Still, many of them are just misunderstood creatures with hard-cased exteriors! They are typically associated with traits with negative connotations and potentially dangerous aspects of society, like "survival of the fittest," destruction, shadows, and a nocturnal cycle.

Dark Pokémon are potentially the least recognizable out of all the Pokémon types. They look eerily similar to Ghost-type Pokémon, so players can get easily confused. Dark Pokemon are, overall, outstanding fighters with tons of shady tricks up their sleeve. After all, they're called Dark Pokemon for a reason!

Dark-Type Weaknesses

Dark-type Pokemon have three primary weaknesses. They are super weak against Bug-type Pokemon and Fighting-types. They are also vulnerable against the adorably pink Fairy-type Pokemon to counteract their Dark nature.

These Dark-type weaknesses and resistances are universal across all games, including the newest games like Pokémon Go, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Dark-Type Counters

The best Pokemon to counter any Dark-type Pokémon include Bug, Fairy, and Fighting. Fairy-types are your best bet, as they usually have strong Attack stats and moves, including Xerneas.

Fighting types should be your next go-to, with their hard-hitting moves. We recommend Lucario, Conkeldurr, or Machamp.

When facing off against a Dark-type, bring along a balanced team. Some Pokemon can be hybrid and have dipped their toes into two types. Take advantage of the above weaknesses when crafting your squad. 

Dark-Type Strengths & Resistances

We can't all be invincible! Dark-type Pokemon are also resistant to certain other types and movesets. Dark types are immune to Ghost-type Pokemon and Psychic-types. This is mainly due to overlaps in their skill sets.

As well as being resistant to them, Dark-types excel against Ghost and Psychic-type Pokemon. They will always triumph over them in battle.

Dark-Type Moves

Here are some of the most iconic Dark-type attacks as seen in the franchises like the anime, and a brief description of each move set. Most Dark-type Pokemon moves also have a high flinch chance bonus to catch the opponent unawares.

• Baddy Bad - The user acts bad and attacks the target. A wondrous wall of light is put up to weaken the power of the opposing Pokémon’s physical moves.
• Black Hole Eclipse - The user gathers dark energy using its Z-power and sucks the target into it.
• Crunch - The user crunches up the target with sharp fangs. This may also lower the target's Defense stat.
• Dark Pulse - The user releases a horrible aura imbued with ill intent, which can make the target flinch.
• Darkest Lariat - The user swings both arms and hits the target.
• Fake Tears - The user feigns crying to fluster the target. This harshly lowers the target's Sp. Defense stat.
• Feint Attack - This Dark-type attack sees the user approaches the target disarmingly, then throws a sucker punch. This attack never misses.
• Fiery Wrath - The user transforms its wrath into a fire-like aura to attack. This may also make opposing Pokémon flinch.
• Foul Play - The user turns the target's strength against it. The higher the target's Attack stat, the greater the damage this move inflicts.
• Hyperspace Fury - Using its many arms, the user unleashes a barrage of attacks that ignore the effects of moves like Protect and Detect, lowering the user's Defense stat.
• Nasty Plot - The user stimulates its brain by thinking bad thoughts. This sharply boosts the user's Sp Attack stat.
• Night Daze - The user losses a pitch-black shockwave at the target to inflict damage. This has a chance to lower the target's accuracy.
• Sucker Punch - This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
• Payback - The user stores power, then attacks. This move's power is doubled if the user moves after the target.
• Thief - The user attacks and steals the target's held item simultaneously. The user can't steal anything if it already holds an item.

All Dark-Type Pokémon

The Pokémon franchise has over 90 different Dark-type Pokémon, including Mega Evolutions. Some Dark-type Pokemon are pure, while others are half with Dark being with primary or secondary typing.

You gotta catch them all! Here is the complete list of all Dark-type Pokemon seen in the games and anime.

Pure Dark-Type Pokemon

• Meowth (Alolan)
• Persian (Alolan)
• Umbreon
• Poochyena
• Mightyena
• Absol (and Mega Absol)
• Darkrai
• Purrloin
• Liepard
• Zorua
• Zoroark
• Nickit
• Thievul
• Maschiff
• Mabosstiff

Half Dark-Type Pokemon - Primary

• Rattata (Alolan) - Dark/Normal
• Ratticate (Alolan) - Dark/Normal
• Moltres (Galarian) - Dark/Flying
• Murkow - Dark/Flying
• Qwilfish (Hisuian) - Dark/Poison
• Sneasel - Dark/Ice
• Houndour - Dark/Fire
• Houndoom (and Mega Houndoom) - Dark/Fire
• Zigzagoon (Galarian) - Dark/Normal
• Linoon (Galarian) - Dark/Normal
• Sableye (and Mega Sableye) - Dark/Ghost
• Hounchkrow - Dark/Flying
• Weavile - Dark/Ice
• Scraggy - Dark/Fighting
• Scrafty - Dark/Fighting
• Pawnicard - Dark/Steel
• Bisharp - Dark/Steel
• Vullaby - Dark/Flying
• Mandibuzz - Dark/Flying
• Deino - Dark/Dragon
• Zweilous - Dark/Dragon
• Hydreigon - Dark/Dragon
• Inkay - Dark/Psychic
• Malamar - Dark/Physic
• Yveltal - Dark/Flying
• Guzzlord - Dark/Dragon
• Impidimp - Dark/Fairy
• Morgrem - Dark/Fairy
• Grimmsnarl (and Gigantamax) - Dark/Fairy
• Obstagoon - Dark/Normal
• Zarude - Dark/Grass
• Overqwuil - Dark/Poison
• Kingambit - Dark/Steel
• Iron Jugulis - Dark/Grass
• Chien-Pao - Dark/Ice
• Ting-Lu - Dark/Ground
• Chi-Yu - Dark/Fire

Half Dark-Type Pokemon - Secondary

• Grimer (Alolan) - Poison/Dark
• Muk (Alolan) - Poison/Dark
• Mega Gyarados - Water/Dark
• Tyranitar (and Mega Tyranitar) - Rock/Dark
• Nuzleaf - Grass/Dark
• Shiftry - Grass/Dark
• Carvanha - Water/Dark
• Sharpedo (and Mega Sharpedo) - Water/Dark
• Cacturne - Grass/Dark
• Crawdaunt - Water/Dark
• Stunky - Poison/Dark
• Skuntank - Poison/Dark
• Spiritomb - Ghost/Dark
• Drapion - Poison/Dark
• Samurott (Hisuian) - Water/Dark
• Sandile - Ground/Dark
• Krokorok - Ground/Dark
• Krookodile - Ground/Dark
• Greninja - Water/Dark
• Hoopa (Unbound) - Psychic/Dark
• Incineroar - Fire/Dark
• Morpeko (Hangry and Full Belly) - Electric/Dark
• Urshifu - Fighting/Dark
• Meowscarada - Grass/Dark
• Lokix - Bug/Dark
• Bombirdier - Flying/Dark
• Brute Bonnet - Grass/Dark
• Roaring Moon - Dragon/Dark

Final Thoughts

Don't judge a book by its cover! Despite their mean and edgy exterior, Dark Pokemon types are fantastic to have in your team. Dark-types can be extremely deadly, but hopefully, this guide has given you a rough idea of Dark-type weaknesses, strengths, counters, and move sets to use in future Pokemon battles!

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FAQs about Dark-Type Pokemon

What are the best Dark-types?

The Eeveelution, Umbreon, is considered one of the most popular Dark-type Pokemon, with decent all-rounder stats. Incineroar, the final evolution of starter Litten, is also a tremendously well-rounded Dark-type suitable for any team.

What are the best Dark-type moves?

Crunch is a strong move, a signature to the Dark types. It has a chance of lowering DFefense, catching opponents off guard. Dark Pulse is also a classic move, deadly for any Pokemon in its path.

What are Dark-type Pokemon weak to?

Dark types have three weaknesses: Bug, Fairy, and Fighting types.

What are Dark-type Pokemon strong against?

Dark types excel against any Ghost or Psychic Pokémon types.

What is the weakest Dark-type Pokemon?

In any situation, Alolan Rattata and its evolution, Raticate, are considered the weakest out of all 91 Dark-type Pokemon.