Darkrai (Pokémon)

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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Darkrai (disambiguation).

Darkrai ダークライ Darkrai #491 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Dark Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Bad Dreams Cacophony Cacophony Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Gender unknown	Catch rate 3 (1.6%)
Breeding Egg Group Undiscovered Hatch time 121 cycles
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 Legendary Pokémon.

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

It was first officially revealed in February 2007.

It is a member of the lunar duo with Cresselia.

Biology

Darkrai's legs

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 Wing from Cresselia. However, the "unleashing of nightmares" is actually a defense mechanism, instead of an intentionally malicious act. It can become a shadow and escape danger or contact of humans. It is also capable of little human speech. In The Rise of Darkrai, it was shown its power was little of that of Dialga and Palkia. As seen in an anime episode, 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. Darkrai possibly feeds off dreams, characterized by its association with never-ending nightmares. Darkrai is the only known Pokémon that learns Dark Void.

In the anime

Darkrai in the anime

Major appearances

Darkrai (M10)

Darkrai starred in The Rise of Darkrai as the hero of the movie, taking the task of holding off the fighting between Dialga and Palkia until Ash and Dawn could put the Oración disk in the Space-Time Tower music player to calm the fighting between Palkia and Dialga. It reappeared in a cameo in the end credits of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Other

Darkrai made its anime debut in Sleepless In Pre-Battle!. Unlike the Darkrai in the film, this Darkrai was causing nightmares, much like 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 by Team Rocket's machine that was causing nightmares. Cresselia is normally in the same place as Darkrai to stop it giving nightmares but due to Darkrai's early coming, 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 in the Lily of the Valley Conference was shown to have a Darkrai. In the following episode, Conway revealed that the Trainer, Tobias, had easily defeated all eight Gyms of Sinnoh using only Darkrai. In the Sinnoh League semi-finals, this Darkrai easily defeated Ash's Heracross, Torkoal, and Gible. However, it was defeated by Ash's Sceptile in The Semi-Final Frontier!.

A Darkrai appeared in the Pokemon short PK26.

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.

In the manga

Darkrai in Pokémon Adventures

In The Rise of Darkrai manga

Main article: Darkrai (M10)

Darkrai appeared in the manga adaptation of The Rise of Darkrai.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Darkrai was first seen in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc, where it used by Sird to combat Mewtwo, when it and five of the Pokédex holders attempted to stop her from recapturing Deoxys. The powerful clash between the Genetic Pokémon and the Pitch-Black Pokémon caused the petrification of Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Silver.

Darkrai later reappeared in the Platinum arc, where it was revealed that Sird had released it into the Distortion World. Charon later took control of the Pokémon, and, along with Giratina and Heatran, used it in a battle against the other Sinnoh legendary Pokémon in the climax of the chapter. Darkrai was later freed from the control of Charon, and departed to parts unknown.

In the Pocket Monsters DP manga

A Darkrai appeared in The Illusory Pokémon Darkrai Appears!!.

In the TCG

Main article: Darkrai (TCG)

Other appearances

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 is set to appear as a Poké Ball Pokémon. It puts fighters to sleep and damages them by using Dark Void.

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.

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 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 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 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.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) Platinum Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) HeartGold SoulSilver Trade
Generation V Black White Event Black 2 White 2 Trade
Generation VI X Y Event Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Mystifying Forest (13F) Crevice Cave (B2F) Miracle Sea (B3F) Mt. Travail (B17F) Spacial Rift (B14F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Altru Tower
Pokémon Rumble	Ticket for releasing all five alternate forms of Rotom
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Hauntyard: All (Random Legendary Encounter)
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure	Haunted Zone
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond	Wish Park

In events

Games	Event	Language/Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
	Movie Darkrai	Japanese	Japan	50	July 14 to September 9, 2007
	Toys "R" Us Darkrai	English	United States	50	May 31 to June 1, 2008
	Nintendo World Store Darkrai	English	United States	50	June 1 to 30, 2008
	Alamos Darkrai	French	France	50	July 3 to 6, 2008
	Alamos Darkrai	Italian	Italy	50	July 12 to September 14, 2008
	Alamos Darkrai	Spanish	Spain	50	July 22 to August 24, 2008
	Alamos Darkrai	English	Europe	50	August 6 to 31, 2008
	Alamos Darkrai	German	Germany	50	September 6 to November 2, 2008
	Alamos Darkrai	English	Australia	50	October 30 to November 9, 2008
	Nintendo of Korea Darkrai	Korean	South Korea	50	November 8 to 9, 2008
	Winter Vacation Darkrai	Japanese	Japan	50	December 27, 2010 to January 10/11, 2011
	Home plus Darkrai	Korean	South Korea	50	September 3 to 25, 2011
	Winter 2011 Darkrai	English	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
	Winter 2011 Darkrai	German	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
	Winter 2011 Darkrai	French	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
	Winter 2011 Darkrai	Italian	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
	Winter 2011 Darkrai	Spanish	Europe	50	November 14, 2011 to January 31, 2012
	May 2012 Darkrai	English	Wi-Fi	50	May 9 to June 10, 2012
	Wonderland Darkrai	Japanese region	Japan	50	April 19 to September 30, 2014
	Wonderland Darkrai	Taiwanese region	Taiwan	50	August 7 to September 30, 2014
	Mysterious World Darkrai	All	South Korea	50	December 20, 2014 to January 18, 2015

In-game events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
	Almia Darkrai	Japanese	hide	50	April 26, 2008 onwards
	Almia Darkrai	English	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
	Almia Darkrai	French	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
	Almia Darkrai	German	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
	Almia Darkrai	Italian	hide	50	December 1, 2008 onwards
	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 VI Other generations: IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  00Start Ominous Wind Ghost Special 06060 100100% 5 00Start Disable Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 1111 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 2020 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 2929 Feint Attack Dark Physical 06060 ——% 20 3838 Nightmare Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 15 4747 Double Team Normal Status 0000— ——% 15 5757 Haze Ice Status 0000— ——% 30 6666 Dark Void Dark Status 0000— 08080% 10 7575 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— ——% 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/HM

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

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  TM04 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM12 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM14 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM24 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TM25 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM29 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 05050 080}}80% 10 TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20 TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM46 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TM56 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM57 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10 TM59 Incinerate Fire Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM61 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 TM63 Embargo Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10 TM67 Retaliate Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 5 TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM73 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM77 Psych Up Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM85 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100}}100% 15 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15 TM95 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM97 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM98 Power-Up Punch Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 20 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 HM01 Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30 HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 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 TM moves from other generations

By breeding

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

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

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Darkrai in Generation VI Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Darkrai in that game. 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

By tutoring

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

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  X Y OR AS Drain Punch Fighting Physical 75 100% 10 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150 100% 20 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Foul Play Dark Physical 95 100% 15 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Icy Wind Ice Special 55 95% 15 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Knock Off Dark Physical 65 100% 25 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Last Resort Normal Physical 140 100% 5 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Shock Wave Electric Special 60 —% 20 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Snatch Dark Status — —% 10 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Spite Ghost Status — 100% 10 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Trick Psychic Status — 100% 10 Cool 0   0   X Y OR AS Wonder Room Psychic Status — —% 10 Cool 0   0

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Darkrai can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Darkrai cannot be tutored the move in that game 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 Move Tutor moves from other generations

By events

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

Event   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  Wonderland DarkraiLv.50 Dark Void Dark Status — 80% 10 Cool 0   0   Wonderland Darkrai Phantom Force Ghost Physical 90 100% 10 Cool 0   0   A superscript level indicates that Darkrai can learn this move normally in Generation VI at that level 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 event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% Friend Area: Beau Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -22% IQ group: I
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Dark  Poké Assist: ( Dark ) Field move: (Dark Power ×-) Browser entry   It sends gusts of dark wind and lets loose dark pulses to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●●●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●●● Defense ●●●● Speed ●●●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
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 Strong: Weak: 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 Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

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

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

Trivia

• Darkrai is tied with Weavile for the highest base Speed of all Dark-types.
• As of Generation V, Darkrai's EV yield (2 Sp. Atk, 1 Speed) is unique.
• Darkrai has two different portrait pictures in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky as well.
• 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.
  • If Darkrai was the cause of the sailor's son's nightmares, it can be assumed Darkrai is aware that the player cured the boy using Cresselia's Lunar Wing. When the player takes the Member Card to the Harbor Inn, the innkeeper (presumably an illusion created by Darkrai) states that he has been waiting for the player's arrival.
• 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.

Origin

Resembling a shadow, Darkrai's appearance suggests it is based on the concept of nightmares. It may have been inspired by the old Arabic myths about genies (or jinn) or the bogeyman. Darkrai could also be based on the concept of Morpheus, the Greek god responsible for shaping dreams. It may also have been based on Phobetor, an Oneiroi being the personification of nightmares.

Name origin

Darkrai is a combination of dark, and 暗い kurai (dark) or "rai" (Hindi for king).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ダークライ Darkrai From dark and 暗い kurai (dark) French Darkrai Same as Japanese name Spanish Darkrai Same as Japanese name German Darkrai Same as Japanese name Italian Darkrai Same as Japanese name Korean 다크라이 Dakeurai Transliteration of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 達克萊伊 Dá Kè Lái Yī Transliteration of Japanese name Cantonese Chinese 達克萊伊 Daat Haak Loi Yi Transliteration of Japanese name

More languages

Related articles

• Darkrai (M10)
• Darkrai (Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky)

External links

• Darkrai on Pokemon.com

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Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

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