Darkrai (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0490: Manaphy	Pokémon	#0492: Shaymin →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Darkrai (disambiguation).

Darkrai Pitch-Black Pokémon ダークライ Darkrai #0491 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Dark Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Ability Bad Dreams Cacophony Cacophony Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Gender unknown	Catch rate 3 (1.6%)
Breeding Egg Group No Eggs Discovered Hatch time 120 cycles Egg not obtainable
Height 4'11" 1.5 m Darkrai 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 111.3 lbs. 50.5 kg Darkrai 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 210 Gen. IV Unknown IV 270 V+	Leveling rate Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Darkrai 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 2 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 1 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Black	Base friendship 0
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Darkrai (Japanese: ダークライ Darkrai) is a Dark-type Mythical Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It was officially revealed in February 2007.

It is a member of the lunar duo with Cresselia.

Darkrai is the last Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex.

Biology

Darkrai's extendable stilt-like appendages

Darkrai is a black, shadow-like Pokémon. It has a small head with a white fog-like ghostly plume billowing from its head covering one of its bright blue eyes, with the portion on its face resembling hair. It also has a red spiky growth around its neck. It has skinny arms and long black tatters hanging from its shoulders. It also has black, claw-like hands. It has the slight appearance of an hourglass figure and appears to be wearing an old, ripped cloak. It normally does not have any sort of legs, but it is able to extend stilt-like appendages in their place. In self-defense, Darkrai can retract its head and white "plume" into the pit atop its torso fringed by the aforementioned red growth.

Darkrai is known to "inhabit" dreams and causes the target to have unending nightmares, which can be stopped if exposed to a Lunar Feather from Cresselia. However, the "unleashing of nightmares" is actually a defense mechanism, instead of an intentionally malicious act. Darkrai is capable of flying at high speeds, and it can become a shadow in order to escape danger or contact with humans. It is also capable of some human speech. In The Rise of Darkrai, it was shown its power was weaker than that of Dialga and Palkia. Its relationship to its counterpart, Cresselia, can vary between individuals and canons, with some being antagonistic, as seen Sleepless In Pre-Battle! and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky, or cooperative, as seen in Nightfall? Nightmares! and A Midsummer Night's Light!. As seen in Sleepless In Pre-Battle!, Darkrai does not only cause nightmares; it is also attracted to them. It can also go around objects it is attracted to several times, as seen in the mentioned episode and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. Shadows of Almia also reveal Darkrai can use an ability called Dark Power to either trap humans or Pokémon in a Dark Void dimension of total darkness or teleport them to another location. Darkrai is said to be active on nights of the new moon. Darkrai possibly feeds off dreams, characterized by its association with never-ending nightmares.

Darkrai is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Dark Void. It is also the only known Pokémon that can have Bad Dreams as an Ability.

Game data

NPC appearances

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness: Darkrai is revealed to be the main antagonist of the game in the post-game story. He wants to cover the world in darkness, and was behind the collapse of the Temporal Tower in the main storyline of the game. His interference is also the reason the player was separated from Grovyle and turned into a Pokémon. In the post-game story, he turns his attention to distorting the fabric of space to cover the world in darkness.
• PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond: Darkrai is the main antagonist in the game. He resided in Wish Park and wants to merge the Wish Park with PokéPark.
• Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia: Darkrai is the final boss, summoned by Blake Hall.

	Spoilers end here.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Sinnoh #— Johto #— Diamond It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon. Pearl Folklore has it that on moonless nights, this Pokémon will make people see horrific nightmares. Platinum To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm. HeartGold It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers. SoulSilver
Generation V Unova #— Black To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm. White Black 2 To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm. White 2
Generation VI Kalos #— Hoenn #— X It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers. Y It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon. Omega Ruby It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers. Alpha Sapphire It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon.
Generation VII Alola #— Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar #— Sinnoh #— Hisui #242 This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword and Shield. Brilliant Diamond It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of a new moon. Shining Pearl Folklore has it that on moonless nights, this Pokémon will make people see horrific nightmares. Legends: Arceus On a moonless night, a strange incident occurred in which every one of a village's inhabitants suffered nightmares. The villagers attested that Darkrai appeared before them in these nightmares.
Generation IX Paldea #— Kitakami #— Blueberry #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Newmoon Island (requires Member Card*) (Only one) Platinum Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) (Only one) HeartGold SoulSilver Trade
Generation V Black White Event Black 2 White 2 Trade
Generation VI X Y Event Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Event
Generation VII Sun Moon Event Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Event Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield Unobtainable Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) (Only one) Legends: Arceus Coronet Highlands: near Clamberclaw Cliffs (Only one*)
Generation IX Scarlet Violet Event

In side games

Darkrai in PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Ranger: SoA Altru Tower MD Time MD Darkness Mystifying Forest (13F), Lower Crevice Cave (B2F), Miracle Sea (B3F), Mt. Travail (17F), Spacial Rift (B14F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag) MD Sky Mystifying Forest (13F), Lower Crevice Cave (B2F), Miracle Sea (B3F), Mt. Travail (17F), Spacial Rift (B14F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag) Rumble Ticket for releasing all five alternate forms of Rotom PokéPark Wii Haunted Zone
Generation V Rumble Blast Hauntyard: All (Random Legendary Encounters) PokéPark 2 Wish Park Rumble U Flower Garden: Festival on Mount Moon (Reward), Challenge Battle: The Final Battle Royale NFC Figurine
Generation VI Battle Trozei Pitch-Black Cavern: Stage 4 Rumble World Legend Terrain: Tomb of Nightmares (Special Boss) Super MD Distress Mountain Picross Area 18: Stage 11 (As a Mythical Pokémon)
Generation VII Rumble Rush Arceus Sea, Rowlet SeaFinal
Generation VIII This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation Shuffle Event: Take on Escalation Battles Masters EX Poké Fair sync pair scout: Sygna Suit Cyrus & Darkrai

In events

Games	Event	Language/Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
DP	Cinema Darkrai	Japanese	Japan	50	July 14 to September 9, 2007
DP	Toys "R" Us Darkrai	English	United States	50	May 31 to June 1, 2008
DP	Nintendo World Store Darkrai	English	United States	50	June 1 to 30, 2008
DP	Alamos Darkrai	French	France	50	July 3 to 6, 2008
DP	Alamos Darkrai	Italian	Italy	50	July 12 to September 14, 2008
DP	Alamos Darkrai	Spanish	Spain	50	July 22 to August 24, 2008
DP	Alamos Darkrai	English	Europe	50	August 6 to 31, 2008
DP	Alamos Darkrai	German	Germany	50	September 6 to November 2, 2008
DP	Alamos Darkrai	English	Australia	50	October 30 to November 9, 2008
DP	Nintendo of Korea Darkrai	Korean	South Korea	50	November 8 to 9, 2008
BW	Winter Vacation Darkrai	Japanese	Japan	50	December 27, 2010 to January 10/11, 2011
BW	Homeplus Darkrai	Korean	South Korea	50	September 3 to 25, 2011
BW	Winter 2011 Darkrai	English	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
BW	Winter 2011 Darkrai	German	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
BW	Winter 2011 Darkrai	French	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
BW	Winter 2011 Darkrai	Italian	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
BW	Winter 2011 Darkrai	Spanish	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
BW	May 2012 Darkrai	English	Wi-Fi	50	May 9 to June 10, 2012
XY	Wonderland Darkrai	Japanese region	Online	50	April 19 to September 30, 2014
XY	Wonderland Darkrai	Taiwanese region	Online	50	August 7 to September 30, 2014
XYORAS	Mysterious World Darkrai	All	South Korea	50	December 20, 2014 to January 18, 2015
XYORAS	February 2015 Darkrai	PAL region	Online	50	February 13 to May 5, 2015
XYORAS	Pokémon 20th Anniversary Darkrai	American region	Online	100	May 1 to August 31, 2016 September 27 to October 31, 2016
XYORAS	Pokémon 20th Anniversary Darkrai	PAL region	Online	100	May 1 to August 31, 2016 September 1 to 30, 2016
SMUSUM	Alamos Darkrai	Korean region	Online	50	June 6 to August 31, 2018
SV	Darkrai	All	Online	50	December 7 to 21, 2023

In-game events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
DPPtHGSS	Almia Darkrai	Japanese	hide	50	April 26, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS	Almia Darkrai	English	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS	Almia Darkrai	French	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS	Almia Darkrai	German	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS	Almia Darkrai	Italian	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS	Almia Darkrai	Spanish	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Enigma Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 70		130 - 177	250 - 344
Attack: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Defense: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Sp. Atk: 135		126 - 205	247 - 405
Sp. Def: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Speed: 125		117 - 194	229 - 383
Total: 600	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆	Power 2/4 ★★☆☆
Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆	Stamina 3/3 ★★★
Jump 3/5 ★★★☆☆	Total 15/21 ★★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Notes: If Miracle Eye is used by an opponent or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Psychic-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Disable Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 1111 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 2020 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 2929 Sucker Punch Dark Physical 07070 100100% 5 3838 Night Shade Ghost Special 0000— 100100% 15 4747 Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00——% 15 5757 Haze Ice Status 0000— 00——% 30 6666 Dark Void Dark Status 0000— 05050% 10 7575 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00——% 20 8484 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100100% 15 9393 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM006 TM006 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM017 TM017 Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM018 TM018 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM023 TM023 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM029 TM029 Hex Ghost Special 06565 100}}100% 10 TM030 TM030 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM032 TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM034 TM034 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM036 TM036 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM042 TM042 Night Shade Ghost Special 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM043 TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM049 TM049 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM050 TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM054 TM054 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM058 TM058 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM061 TM061 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM062 TM062 Foul Play Dark Physical 09595 100}}100% 15 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM073 TM073 Drain Punch Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 10 TM082 TM082 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 090}}90% 20 TM083 TM083 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM086 TM086 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM087 TM087 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM088 TM088 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM094 TM094 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM105 TM105 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM107 TM107 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 TM109 TM109 Trick Psychic Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM114 TM114 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM120 TM120 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM129 TM129 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM135 TM135 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM140 TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM143 TM143 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TM148 TM148 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM152 TM152 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM158 TM158 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TM163 TM163 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM166 TM166 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM174 TM174 Haze Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM177 TM177 Spite Ghost Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM181 TM181 Knock Off Dark Physical 06565 100}}100% 20 TM192 TM192 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150150 100}}100% 20 TM199 TM199 Lash Out Dark Physical 07575 100}}100% 5 TM203 TM203 Psych Up Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM221 TM221 Throat Chop Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM224 TM224 Curse Ghost Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Darkrai Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -22% IQ group: I
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Boss of Distress Mountain Connected to: None Connection Orb Set: None Phrases Normal Have you had nightmares on a moonless night? If you have, that was my doing. Low HP (< 50%) Tsk… This wound seems bad…
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group: Dark Poké Assist: Dark Field move: (Dark Power ×-) Browser entry R-257 It sends gusts of dark wind and lets loose dark pulses to attack.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●●●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.17 seconds Base HP: 53 Base Attack: 84 Base Defense: 57 Base Speed: 80
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Darkrai came to the PokéPark in search of a comfortable place to stay. He's second to none when playing Dusknoir's Speed Slam.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond PokéPark Pad entry: He tried to ease his loneliness by inviting everyone to one world, but the incident with the Dark Vortex made him realize that he was not alone.
Pokémon Battle Trozei Dark Attack Power: ★★★★★ Power of Five Increases the damage dealt by matching five Pokémon.			Pokémon Shuffle Dark Attack Power: 80 - 145 20 #303 Sleep Charm Leaves the foe asleep. Swappable Skill(s): Spookify+
Pokémon GO Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 285 Base Defense: 198 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 20 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Snarl, Feint Attack Charged Attacks: Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Sludge Bomb†

Evolution data

Unevolved Darkrai  Dark

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII Legends: Arceus
Cross-Generation HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Darkrai images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In the anime

Main series

Darkrai in the anime

Major appearances

Darkrai (M10)

Darkrai debuted in The Rise of Darkrai as a protagonist. It took the task of holding off the fighting between Dialga and Palkia until Ash and Dawn could put the Oración disk in the Space-Time Towers music player to calm the two Legendary Pokémon down. It reappeared in a cameo in the ending credits of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Darkrai (recurring)

A Darkrai appeared in Nightfall? Nightmares! and A Midsummer Night's Light!, where it was a target of Matori and the Matori Matrix, along with Cresselia.

Darkrai's known moves are Dark Pulse and Dark Void, and its Ability is Bad Dreams.

Other

Darkrai made its main series debut in Sleepless In Pre-Battle!. Unlike the Darkrai in The Rise of Darkrai, this Darkrai was maliciously causing nightmares, much like the one in the games. According to Officer Jenny, it comes at a certain time every year. In the episode, however, it came earlier due to it being lured out by Team Rocket's machine, which was also causing nightmares. Cresselia is normally in the same place as Darkrai to stop it from giving nightmares, but due to Darkrai's early arrival, the people in Canalave City had nightmares for several days. One night, it was concealing itself when Cresselia used its abilities to reveal it from the darkness. The two then battled and Darkrai hid itself once more in the shadows.

In League Unleashed!, a mysterious Trainer competed in the Lily of the Valley Conference with a Darkrai. In the following episode, Conway revealed that the Trainer, Tobias, had easily defeated eight Gym Leaders of the Sinnoh region using only Darkrai. In the Sinnoh League semifinals, this Darkrai was used against Ash, where it easily defeated Heracross, Torkoal, and Gible. However, it was defeated by Ash's Sceptile in The Semi-Final Frontier!.

In Pikachu, What's This Key?, Meowth, Wobbuffet, and Inkay visited a Darkrai courtesy of Klefki's keys. Darkrai scared them out of a dark world in which it resided.

In Dream a Little Dream from Me!, a Darkrai was the source of Pikachu, Meowth, and Squishy's nightmare. Darkrai eventually left as soon as it was spotted by Ash and his friends.

Minor appearances

A Darkrai appeared in the opening sequence of Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP104 Darkrai Dawn's Pokédex Darkrai, the Pitch-Black Pokémon. Legend has it that on a moonless night, Darkrai will lure people to sleep and unleash nightmares upon them. DP189 Darkrai Dawn's Pokédex Darkrai, the Pitch-Black Pokémon. Darkrai can cause people and Pokémon to have nightmares.

GOTCHA!

A Darkrai briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Darkrai in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Ranger: The Comic – Shadows of Almia

Darkrai plays a major role in Pokémon Ranger: The Comic – Shadows of Almia.

Movie adaptations

Main article: Darkrai (M10)

Darkrai plays a major role in the manga adaptation of The Rise of Darkrai.

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

A Darkrai has a recurring role in Phantom Thief Pokémon 7.

Pocket Monsters DP

A Darkrai appeared in PMDP19.

A Darkrai appeared in PMDP29.

Pokémon Adventures

In Phew for Mew, Sird let out a beam of light from a Poké Ball in an attempt to recapture Deoxys. When Mewtwo's attack collided with the beam, it caused Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Silver to turn to stone. In Double Trouble with Dialga and Palkia IV, the beam was revealed to have been Darkrai. In The Final Dimensional Duel VIII, Sird was revealed to have released it into the Distortion World, where it clashed with Palmer's Cresselia and was briefly controlled by Charon. After escaping from Giratina's realm, it left to parts unknown.

A Darkrai appeared as a silhouette in a fantasy in Unplugging Rotom (Heat, Wash, Mow, Fan, Frost).

In the TCG

Main article: Darkrai (TCG)

Other appearances

Pokémon UNITE

Main article: Darkrai (UNITE)

Darkrai is slated to be added to the game as a Ranged Speedster in October 2024.

Darkrai trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Darkrai in Pokkén Tournament

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Darkrai appears as a trophy.

Trophy information

A Pitch-Black Pokémon. It becomes active on nights of the new moon. This legendary Pokémon has the power to lull people to sleep and fill their heads with dreams. Proverbs say that Darkrai will make people have terrifying dreams on moonless nights. A Dark-type Pokémon, Darkrai uses the Dark Void move, along with Embargo, which stops foes from using held items.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

Darkrai appears as a Poké Ball Pokémon. It puts fighters to sleep and damages them by using Dark Void. It also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.

Trophy information

NA: This Dark-type Pokémon can cause people and other Pokémon to experience nightmares. While it is floating in the air, it tucks its legs in so far, it looks like they vanish! In battle it will use a move called Dark Void, which sucks in surrounding opponents and puts them into a deep sleep.

PAl: A Pokémon shrouded in mystery, Darkrai has the ability to implant nightmares into the minds of both humans and Pokémon. It has legs, but seems to prefer to float in the air. Its favourite move in this game is Dark Void. When this attack hits something, it creates a vortex that sucks in fighters and puts them to sleep.

Pokkén Tournament

Main article: Darkrai (Pokkén)

Darkrai is a Battle Pokémon in the arcade and Nintendo Switch versions of Pokkén Tournament. Its moves include Dark Pulse, Dark Void, Nasty Plot, Shadow Claw, Nightmare, and Dream Eater. During Synergy Burst, it can use the Burst Attack Infinite Eclipse.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Darkrai returns as a Poké Ball summon. As before, it uses Dark Void, which puts foes to sleep and damages them. Darkrai also appears as a Spirit.

Trivia

• Darkrai's effort value yield of 2 Special Attack and 1 Speed is unique.
• Darkrai has two different portrait pictures in both Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky.
• Sailor Eldritch's son says "Dar... Dark... Is watching me..." in his sleep before the player cures his nightmare. It is assumed that he is talking about Darkrai, as it is known to give its victims horrific nightmares.
• In the early Japanese versions of Diamond and Pearl, Darkrai can be caught with the Surf glitch. However, this glitch was fixed in other language versions. Another glitch has been discovered that allows players of other language releases to reach Darkrai without the Member Card.
  • This has been remedied in Pokémon Platinum, however, as Darkrai itself will not appear on the island without the event ticket.
• Darkrai was designed by Hironobu Yoshida.
• In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, Darkrai is the only non-Ghost type Pokémon capable of traveling through walls and all other terrain types without the All-Terrain Hiker IQ skill.
• Despite being a gender-unknown Pokémon, the Darkrai in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky is referred to as a male.

Origin

Darkrai's appearance and abilities suggest it is based on the concept of nightmares or a mare. Resembling a shadow, it may also have been inspired by the bogeyman, the Greek god Morpheus, genies (or jinn), or the Oneiroi, namely Phobetor. It may also be based on the nocnitsa from Slavic folklore, an evil spirit that torments children with horrible nightmares, slowly draining them of their life energy with each passing night. Supposedly, the only way to protect oneself from a nocnitsa is by placing a knife or special stone underneath a pillow, similar to how victims of Darkrai's nightmares can only be woken up with the Lunar Feather. In contrast to its counterpart Cresselia's association with the crescent moon, Darkrai appears to represent the new moon.

Name origin

Darkrai may be a combination of dark and 暗い kurai (dark).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ダークライ Darkrai From dark and 暗い kurai French Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name Spanish Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name German Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name Italian Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name Korean 다크라이 Darkrai Transcription of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 達克萊伊 Dákèláiyī Transcription of Japanese name Cantonese Chinese 達克萊伊 Daahthāklòihyī Transcription of Japanese name

More languages Hindi डार्कराय Darkrai Transcription of its English/Japanese name Russian Даркрай Darkray Transcription of English name Thai ดาร์กไร Dakrai Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Lunar duo
• Darkrai (M10)
• Darkrai (Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky)
• Darkrai (Pokkén)
• Darkrai (UNITE)
• Mythical Pokémon

External links

• Darkrai on Pokémon.com

Mythical Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Legendary Pokémon

Super Smash Bros. series Games: Super Smash Bros. • Super Smash Bros. Melee • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Characters: Pikachu • Jigglypuff • Mewtwo • Pichu Pokémon Trainer (Squirtle • Ivysaur • Charizard) • Lucario • Greninja • Incineroar Stages: Saffron City • Pokémon Stadium • Poké Floats • Pokémon Stadium 2 • Spear Pillar Prism Tower • Unova Pokémon League • Kalos Pokémon League Poké Ball and Master Ball: Abomasnow • Abra • Alolan Exeggutor • Alolan Raichu • Alolan Vulpix • Arceus • Articuno • Beedrill Bellossom • Bewear • Blastoise • Bonsly • Celebi • Chansey • Charizard • Chespin • Chikorita • Clefairy Cyndaquil • Darkrai • Dedenne • Deoxys • Ditto • Eevee • Electrode • Entei • Fennekin Fletchling • Gardevoir • Genesect • Giratina • Gogoat • Goldeen • Groudon • Gulpin • Hitmonlee Ho-Oh • Inkay • Jirachi • Keldeo • Koffing • Kyogre • Kyurem • Latias and Latios Lugia • Lunala • Manaphy • Marill • Marshadow • Meloetta • Meowth • Mew • Metagross • Mimikyu Moltres • Munchlax • Onix • Oshawott • Palkia • Piplup • Porygon2 • Pyukumuku • Raikou • Scizor • Snivy Snorlax • Solgaleo • Spewpa • Staryu • Starmie • Suicune • Swirlix • Tapu Koko • Togedemaru • Togepi Torchic • Unown • Venusaur • Victini • Vulpix • Weavile • Weezing • Wobbuffet • Xerneas • Zapdos • Zoroark Collectables: Trophies (Melee • Brawl • for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U) Stickers Spirits Misc: The Subspace Emissary • My Music • Final Smash • Pokémon Change • Brawl cameos

← #0490: Manaphy

Pokémon

#0492: Shaymin →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.