From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
- If you were looking for the moves known as Dark moves in Japanese, see Shadow move.
- If you were looking for the Pokémon surrounded by Dark Auras in Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness, see Shadow Pokémon.
The Dark type (Japanese: あくタイプ Evil type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers who specialize in Dark-type Pokémon are Karen of the Indigo Plateau Elite Four, Sidney of the Hoenn Elite Four, and Grimsley of the Unova Elite Four. Notably, the Dark type is the only type that has never had a Pokémon Gym specialize in it, although it is a recurrent type used by villainous teams and Elite Four members. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Dark-type moves were special, but they may now also be physical depending on the attack.
The Dark type was introduced in Generation II, along with the Steel type.
Statistical averages
Overall
Fully evolved
Battle properties
Generations II to V
Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
2×
|
|
½×
|
|
½×
|
|
2×
|
|
0×
|
None
|
0×
|
|
Generation VI onwards
Offensive
|
|
Defensive
|
Power
|
Types
|
|
Power
|
Types
|
2×
|
|
½×
|
|
½×
|
|
2×
|
|
0×
|
None
|
0×
|
|
Characteristics
Defense
The Dark type, along with the Steel type, was introduced in Generation II in order to balance the previously overpowered Psychic type. As such, Dark is designed to have a key immunity to Psychic moves. However, most Dark-type Pokémon have poor HP, Defense, and Special Defense stats, though there are others with high defensive stats, such as Tyranitar, Umbreon, Mandibuzz, and Drapion.
Prior to Generation VI, Dark/Ghost-type Pokémon had no weaknesses (excluding Fighting under immunity-negating conditions such as Foresight or Scrappy), as the resistances of the Dark type cover the weaknesses of Ghost, and vice-versa. Introduced in Generation VI, the Fairy type is super effective against Dark and not resisted by Ghost.
Dark pairs well with Poison defensively—the latter nullifies all of the former's weaknesses, while Dark removes Poison's weakness to Psychic, leaving a single Ground weakness.
Offense
Dark-type moves are especially useful when combating Psychic and Ghost types. Many of them involve the possession of an opponent's attributes, such as Knock Off and Foul Play. Dark had little use as neutral coverage until Steel lost its resistance to it in Generation VI. Despite not being very effective against Fairy, several Dark-type Pokémon have access to Steel and Poison-type moves to pose a threat. Dark-type attacks work very well with Fairy-type attacks since the rare Steel/Fairy is the only combination that resists both.
Despite being a special type prior to Generation IV, all previous Dark-type attacks became physical, which is helpful since most Dark-type Pokémon are physical attackers due to their typically high Attack. Nevertheless, some Dark types have notably higher Special Attack, such as Hydreigon, Houndoom, and Zoroark.
Contest properties
In Contests, Dark-type moves are typically categorized as Clever moves.
Pokémon
As of Generation VI, there are 46 Dark-type Pokémon or 6.4% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Dark-type in at least one of their forms, including Mega Evolutions), making it the 7th rarest type.
Pure Dark-type Pokémon
Pokéstar Studios opponents
Half Dark-type Pokémon
Primary Dark-type Pokémon
Secondary Dark-type Pokémon
Pokéstar Studios opponents
Moves
Gen
|
Move
|
Category
|
Contest
|
Power
|
Accuracy
|
PP
|
Range
|
Description
|
IV
|
Assurance
|
Physical
|
Beautiful
|
06060
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
If the target has already taken some damage in the same turn, this attack's power is doubled.
|
II
|
Beat Up
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
VariesVaries
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user gets all party Pokémon to attack the target. The more party Pokémon, the greater the number of attacks.
|
I
|
Bite
|
Physical
|
Tough
|
06060
|
100100%
|
2525 (max 40)
|
|
The target is bitten with viciously sharp fangs. It may make the target flinch.
|
II
|
Crunch
|
Physical
|
Tough
|
08080
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user crunches up the target with sharp fangs. It may also lower the target's Defense stat.
|
IV
|
Dark Pulse
|
Special
|
Cool
|
08080
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user releases a horrible aura imbued with dark thoughts. It may also make the target flinch.
|
IV
|
Dark Void
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
08080%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
Opposing Pokémon are dragged into a world of total darkness that makes them sleep.
|
IV
|
Embargo
|
Status
|
Cute
|
000—
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
It prevents the target from using its held item. Its Trainer is also prevented from using items on it.
|
III
|
Fake Tears
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user feigns crying to fluster the target, harshly lowering its Sp. Def stat.
|
II
|
Feint Attack
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
06060
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user approaches the target disarmingly, then throws a sucker punch. It hits without fail.
|
III
|
Flatter
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
Flattery is used to confuse the target. However, it also raises the target's Sp. Atk stat.
|
IV
|
Fling
|
Physical
|
Tough
|
VariesVaries
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user flings its held item at the target to attack. Its power and effects depend on the item.
|
V
|
Foul Play
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
09595
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user turns the target's power against it. The higher the target's Attack stat, the greater the damage.
|
V
|
Hone Claws
|
Status
|
Cute
|
000—
|
000—%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user sharpens its claws to boost its Attack stat and accuracy.
|
VI
|
Hyperspace Fury
|
Physical
|
Tough
|
100100
|
000—%
|
055 (max 8)
|
|
Using its many arms, the user unleashes a barrage of attacks that ignore the effects of moves like Protect and Detect. This attack lowers the user's Defense.
|
III
|
Knock Off
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
06565
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user slaps down the target's held item, preventing that item from being used in the battle.
|
III
|
Memento
|
Status
|
Tough
|
000—
|
000—%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user faints when using this move. In return, it harshly lowers the target's Attack and Sp. Atk.
|
IV
|
Nasty Plot
|
Status
|
Cute
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The user stimulates its brain by thinking bad thoughts. It sharply raises the user's Sp. Atk.
|
V
|
Night Daze
|
Special
|
Cool
|
08585
|
09595%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user lets loose a pitch-black shock wave at its target. It may also lower the target's accuracy.
|
IV
|
Night Slash
|
Physical
|
Beautiful
|
07070
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user slashes the target the instant an opportunity arises. Critical hits land more easily.
|
VI
|
Parting Shot
|
Status
|
Cool
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
With a parting threat, the user lowers the target's Attack and Sp. Atk stats. Then it switches with a party Pokémon.
|
IV
|
Payback
|
Physical
|
Cool
|
05050
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
If the user moves after the target, this attack's power will be doubled.
|
IV
|
Punishment
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
VariesVaries
|
100100%
|
055 (max 8)
|
|
This attack's power increases the more the target has powered up with stat changes.
|
II
|
Pursuit
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
04040
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
An attack move that inflicts double damage if used on a target that is switching out of battle.
|
V
|
Quash
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user suppresses the target and makes its move go last.
|
V
|
Snarl
|
Special
|
Tough
|
05555
|
09595%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user yells as if it is ranting about something, making the target's Sp. Atk stat decrease.
|
III
|
Snatch
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
000—%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user steals the effects of any healing or stat-changing move the opponent attempts to use.
|
IV
|
Sucker Punch
|
Physical
|
Clever
|
08080
|
100100%
|
055 (max 8)
|
|
This move enables the user to attack first. It fails if the target is not readying an attack, however.
|
IV
|
Switcheroo
|
Status
|
Cool
|
000—
|
100100%
|
1010 (max 16)
|
|
The user trades held items with the target faster than the eye can follow.
|
III
|
Taunt
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
100100%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
The target is taunted into a rage that allows it to use only attack moves for three turns.
|
II
|
Thief
|
Physical
|
Tough
|
06060
|
100100%
|
2525 (max 40)
|
|
The user attacks and steals the target's held item simultaneously. It can't steal if the user holds an item.
|
VI
|
Topsy-Turvy
|
Status
|
Clever
|
000—
|
000—%
|
2020 (max 32)
|
|
All stat changes affecting the target turn topsy-turvy and become the opposite of what they were.
|
III
|
Torment
|
Status
|
Tough
|
000—
|
100100%
|
1515 (max 24)
|
|
The user torments and enrages the target, making it incapable of using the same move twice in a row.
|
All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left.
|
Abilities
Interacting with the Dark type
A Pokémon with Color Change, Protean, Imposter, or Multitype will become a Dark-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Dark-type move, uses a Dark-type move, is sent out against a Dark-type opponent, or is holding a Dread Plate.
Gen
|
Ability
|
Description
|
VI
|
Dark Aura
|
Powers up each Pokémon's Dark-type moves.
|
V
|
Justified
|
Boosts the Attack stat when it's hit by a Dark-type move.
|
V
|
Rattled
|
Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a Dark, Ghost, or Bug move.
|
All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.
|
Exclusive Abilities
Currently, no Abilities are exclusive to Dark types. This does not include signature Abilities.
Trivia
- Generation V introduced the most Dark-type Pokémon of any generation, with 16, and Generation II along with Generation VI introduced the fewest (excluding Generation I) Dark-type Pokémon, with six.
- Generation IV introduced the most Dark-type moves of any generation, with 11, and Generation VI introduced the fewest (excluding Generation I) Dark-type moves, with three.
- In Generation II, the Dark type saw one type change in a move (Bite), but no change in a Pokémon. The opposite is true for the Steel type, which saw one type change in a Pokémon family (Magnemite and Magneton), but no change in a move.
- There has yet to be a Pokémon Gym that specializes in the Dark type. It is the only type to currently hold this status.
- Despite Dark-type moves being special before Generation IV, every Dark-type move originating from before Generation IV was made into a physical move.
- The Dark-type and Ghost-types share their super effectiveness, with both types being only strong against Ghost and Psychic-types.
In other languages