Dark (type)

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.

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Types

Normal

Fire

Fighting

Water

Flying

Grass

Poison

Electric

Ground

Psychic

Rock

Ice

Bug

Dragon

Ghost

Dark

Steel

Fairy

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Stellar

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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 Johto Elite Four, Sidney of the Hoenn Elite Four, Grimsley of the Unova Elite Four, and Island Kahuna Nanu of Ula'ula Island. Notably, the Dark type is the only type that has yet to have a Gym Leader specialize in it, although it is a recurrent type used by members of villainous teams and the Elite Four. 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

Stat
HP: 72.78
Attack: 95.07
Defense: 69.22
Sp.Atk: 76.25
Sp.Def: 69.18
Speed: 75.53
Total: 458.03

Fully evolved

Stat
HP: 82.78
Attack: 108.18
Defense: 80.48
Sp.Atk: 89.68
Sp.Def: 80.75
Speed: 81.53
Total: 523.40

Battle properties

Generations II to V

Offensive			Defensive
Power	Types		Power	Types
2×			½×
½×			2×
0×	None		0×

Generation VI onwards

As of Generation VII, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to opposing Pokémon's moves that gain priority due to the Ability Prankster.

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, and the Ghost type, who had no type resistant to it. As such, Dark is designed to have a resistance to Ghost, a key immunity to Psychic moves and a resistance to itself. 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. As of Generation VII, Dark-types are also unaffected to any opposing priority status moves caused by the Ability Prankster.

Weaknesses to Fighting and Bug types results in the Dark-type alone offering little defensive utility outside of its aforementioned characteristics, due to its vulnerability to common Fighting coverage and U-turn coupled with usually poor defensive stats among Pokémon of this type, therefore it performs better defensively if paired with types such as Poison - 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.

With a neutral hit on Steel and no immunity against it, Dark is considered to be one of the best offensive types available as of Generation VI.

Contest properties

In Contests, Dark-type moves are typically categorized as Clever moves.

Pokémon

As of Generation VII, there are 54 Dark-type Pokémon or 6.7% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Dark-type in at least one of their forms, including Mega Evolutions and Alola Forms), making it the 7th rarest type.

Pure Dark-type Pokémon

# Name 052 Meowth Alola Form 053 Persian Alola Form 197 Umbreon 261 Poochyena 262 Mightyena 359 Absol Mega Absol 491 Darkrai 509 Purrloin 510 Liepard 570 Zorua 571 Zoroark

Pokéstar Studios opponents

# Name N/A Monster

Half Dark-type Pokémon

Primary Dark-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2 019 Rattata Alola Form Dark Normal 020 Raticate Alola Form Dark Normal 198 Murkrow Dark Flying 215 Sneasel Dark Ice 228 Houndour Dark Fire 229 Houndoom Dark Fire Mega Houndoom Dark Fire 302 Sableye Dark Ghost Mega Sableye Dark Ghost 430 Honchkrow Dark Flying 461 Weavile Dark Ice 559 Scraggy Dark Fighting 560 Scrafty Dark Fighting 624 Pawniard Dark Steel 625 Bisharp Dark Steel 629 Vullaby Dark Flying 630 Mandibuzz Dark Flying 633 Deino Dark Dragon 634 Zweilous Dark Dragon 635 Hydreigon Dark Dragon 686 Inkay Dark Psychic 687 Malamar Dark Psychic 717 Yveltal Dark Flying 799 Guzzlord Dark Dragon

Secondary Dark-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2 088 Grimer Alola Form Poison Dark 089 Muk Alola Form Poison Dark 130 Mega Gyarados Water Dark 248 Tyranitar Rock Dark Mega Tyranitar Rock Dark 274 Nuzleaf Grass Dark 275 Shiftry Grass Dark 318 Carvanha Water Dark 319 Sharpedo Water Dark Mega Sharpedo Water Dark 332 Cacturne Grass Dark 342 Crawdaunt Water Dark 434 Stunky Poison Dark 435 Skuntank Poison Dark 442 Spiritomb Ghost Dark 452 Drapion Poison Dark 551 Sandile Ground Dark 552 Krokorok Ground Dark 553 Krookodile Ground Dark 658 Greninja Water Dark Ash-Greninja Water Dark 675 Pangoro Fighting Dark 720 Hoopa Unbound Psychic Dark 727 Incineroar Fire Dark

Pokéstar Studios opponents

# Name Type 1 Type 2 N/A Brycen-Man Dark Psychic N/A Majin Dark Ghost

Moves

Gen	Move	Category	Contest	Power	Accuracy	PP	Range	Description
IV	Assurance	Physical	Clever	06060	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	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)	Normal	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)	Normal	The target is bitten with viciously sharp fangs. This may also make the target flinch.
VII	Black Hole Eclipse	Physical		000—	000—%	011 (max 1)	Normal	The user gathers dark energy using its Z-Power and sucks the target into it. The power varies, depending on the original move.
VII	Black Hole Eclipse	Special		000—	000—%	011 (max 1)	Normal	The user gathers dark energy using its Z-Power and sucks the target into it. The power varies, depending on the original move.
VII	Brutal Swing	Physical		06060	100100%	2020 (max 32)	All Others	The user swings its body around violently to inflict damage on everything in its vicinity.
II	Crunch	Physical	Tough	08080	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	The user crunches up the target with sharp fangs. This may also lower the target's Defense stat.
IV	Dark Pulse	Special	Cool	08080	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal (long-range)	The user releases a horrible aura imbued with dark thoughts. This may also make the target flinch.
IV	Dark Void	Status	Clever	000—	05050%	1010 (max 16)	Many Others	Opposing Pokémon are dragged into a world of total darkness that makes them sleep.
VII	Darkest Lariat	Physical		08585	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user swings both arms and hits the target. The target's stat changes don't affect this attack's damage.
IV	Embargo	Status	Clever	000—	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	This move prevents the target from using its held item for five turns. Its Trainer is also prevented from using items on it.
III	Fake Tears	Status	Cute	000—	100100%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	The user feigns crying to fluster the target, harshly lowering its Sp. Def stat.
II	Feint Attack	Physical	Clever	06060	000—%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	The user approaches the target disarmingly, then throws a sucker punch. This attack never misses.
III	Flatter	Status	Clever	000—	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	Flattery is used to confuse the target. However, this also raises the target's Sp. Atk stat.
IV	Fling	Physical	Cute	VariesVaries	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user flings its held item at the target to attack. This move's power and effects depend on the item.
V	Foul Play	Physical	Clever	09595	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	The user turns the target's power against it. The higher the target's Attack stat, the greater the move's power.
V	Hone Claws	Status	Cute	000—	000—%	1515 (max 24)	Self	The user sharpens its claws to boost its Attack stat and accuracy.
VI	Hyperspace Fury	Physical	Tough	100100	000—%	055 (max 8)	Normal	Using its many arms, the user unleashes a barrage of attacks that ignore the effects of moves like Protect and Detect. But the user's Defense stat falls.
III	Knock Off	Physical	Clever	06565	100100%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	The user slaps down the target's held item, and that item can't be used in that battle. The move does more damage if the target has a held item.
VII	Malicious Moonsault	Physical		180180	000—%	011 (max 1)	Normal	The user, Incineroar, strengthens its body using its Z-Power and crashes into the target with full force.
III	Memento	Status	Tough	000—	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user faints when using this move. In return, this harshly lowers the target's Attack and Sp. Atk stats.
IV	Nasty Plot	Status	Clever	000—	000—%	2020 (max 32)	Self	The user stimulates its brain by thinking bad thoughts. This sharply raises the user's Sp. Atk stat.
V	Night Daze	Special	Cool	08585	09595%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user lets loose a pitch-black shock wave at its target. This may also lower the target's accuracy.
IV	Night Slash	Physical	Cool	07070	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	The user slashes the target the instant an opportunity arises. Critical hits land more easily.
VI	Parting Shot	Status	Cool	000—	100100%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	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	Tough	05050	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user stores power, then attacks. If the user moves after the target, this attack's power will be doubled.
VII	Power Trip	Physical		02020	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user boasts its strength and attacks the target. The more the user's stats are raised, the greater the move's power.
IV	Punishment	Physical	Cool	VariesVaries	100100%	055 (max 8)	Normal	The more the target has powered up with stat changes, the greater the move's power.
II	Pursuit	Physical	Clever	04040	100100%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	The power of this attack move is doubled if it's used on a target that's switching out of battle.
V	Quash	Status	Clever	000—	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	The user suppresses the target and makes its move go last.
V	Snarl	Special	Tough	05555	09595%	1515 (max 24)	Many Others	The user yells as if it's ranting about something, which lowers the Sp. Atk stat of opposing Pokémon.
III	Snatch	Status	Clever	000—	000—%	1010 (max 16)	Self	The user steals the effects of any attempts to use a healing or stat-changing move.
IV	Sucker Punch	Physical	Clever	07070	100100%	055 (max 8)	Normal	This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
IV	Switcheroo	Status	Clever	000—	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user trades held items with the target faster than the eye can follow.
III	Taunt	Status	Clever	000—	100100%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	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)	Normal	The user attacks and steals the target's held item simultaneously. The user can't steal anything if it already holds an item.
VII	Throat Chop	Physical		08080	100100%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	The user attacks the target's throat, and the resultant suffering prevents the target from using moves that emit sound for two turns.
VI	Topsy-Turvy	Status	Clever	000—	000—%	2020 (max 32)	Normal	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)	Normal	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, RKS System, 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, is holding a Dark Memory, or is holding a Dread Plate or Darkinium Z.

Since Generation VII, Dark-type Pokémon are also immune to opposing Pokémon's moves that gain priority due to Prankster.

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, while Generation VII introduced the fewest, with only two.
• 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.
• The Dark type was the only type in Generation II to not have a type boost from a Badge.
• 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.
• More regional variants belong to the Dark-type than any other type, with six.

In other languages

Language Title Japanese あく (悪) Aku Chinese Cantonese 惡 Ok Mandarin 惡 / 恶 È Czech Temný Danish Mørke Mørk Dutch Duister Donker Finnish Pimeys Pimeä French Ténèbres German Unlicht Greek Σκοταδιού Skotadiou Hebrew אופל Offel Hungarian Sötét Indonesian Kegelapan Italian Buio Korean 악 Ak Norwegian Mørk Polish Mroczny Brazilian Portuguese Sombrio Noturno Trevas Romanian Întuneric Russian Темнота Temnota Spanish Latin America Oscuridad Spain Siniestro Swedish Mörker Mörk Thai มืด Mụ̄d ความมืด Khwāmmụ̄d Vietnamese Bóng tối