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. 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: 72.59
Attack: 92.25
Defense: 68.24
Sp.Atk: 74.32
Sp.Def: 68.25
Speed: 76.14
Total: 451.79

Fully evolved

Stat
HP: 85.16
Attack: 109.78
Defense: 82.36
Sp.Atk: 89.60
Sp.Def: 81.69
Speed: 84.56
Total: 533.15

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 against Psychic type, so it is immune to Psychic attacks. However, this immunity can be nullified by use of the move Miracle Eye. Dark Pokémon have a single Ground weakness if their other type is Poison, which nullifies all of Dark type's other weaknesses. Before the inclusion of the Fairy type in Generation VI, Dark Pokémon had no weaknesses if their other type was Ghost. Dark Pokémon are immune to opposing Pokémon's moves that gain priority due to Prankster, including moves called by moves that call other moves (such as Assist and Nature Power), but excluding moves that are repeated as a result of Prankster-affected Instruct or moves that occur earlier than their usual order due to Prankster-affected After You.

Offense

Certain Dark-type attacks often have secondary effects that are otherwise not available from moves of other types. They also often have lower base power than moves of other types, but might have their power boosted by their aforementioned secondary effects in certain situations (some examples being Payback or Assurance).

Dark-type attacks are resisted by Fighting, Dark, and Fairy, so using them along with Fairy attacks will optimize neutral coverage.

Contest properties

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

Pokémon

As of Generation VIII, there are 82 Dark-type Pokémon or 7.99% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Dark-type in at least one of their forms, including Mega Evolutions and regional forms), making it the 8th rarest type.

Pure Dark-type Pokémon

# Name 052 Meowth Alolan 053 Persian Alolan 197 Umbreon 261 Poochyena 262 Mightyena 359 Absol Mega Absol 491 Darkrai 509 Purrloin 510 Liepard 570 Zorua 571 Zoroark 827 Nickit 828 Thievul

Half Dark-type Pokémon

Primary Dark-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2 019 Rattata Alolan Dark Normal 020 Raticate Alolan Dark Normal 146 Moltres Galarian Dark Flying 198 Murkrow Dark Flying 211 Qwilfish Hisuian Dark Poison 215 Sneasel Dark Ice 228 Houndour Dark Fire 229 Houndoom Dark Fire Mega Houndoom Dark Fire 263 Zigzagoon Galarian Dark Normal 264 Linoone Galarian Dark Normal 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 859 Impidimp Dark Fairy 860 Morgrem Dark Fairy 861 Grimmsnarl Dark Fairy Gigantamax Grimmsnarl Dark Fairy 862 Obstagoon Dark Normal 893 Zarude Dark Grass 904 Overqwil Dark Poison

Secondary Dark-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2 088 Grimer Alolan Poison Dark 089 Muk Alolan 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 503 Samurott Hisuian Water 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 877 Morpeko Full Belly Mode Electric Dark Morpeko Hangry Mode Electric Dark 892 Urshifu Single Strike Style Fighting Dark Gigantamax Urshifu Single Strike Style Fighting Dark

Pokéstar Studios opponents

Brycen-Man  Dark  Psychic  Levitate HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 100 100 100 100 100 100

Majin  Dark  Ghost  Wonder Guard HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 100 100 100 100 100 100

Monster  Dark  Pressure HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 100 100 100 100 100 100

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.
VIII	Aura Wheel	Physical		110110	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	Morpeko attacks and raises its Speed with the energy stored in its cheeks. This move's type changes depending on the user's form.
VII	Baddy Bad	Special		08080	09595%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	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.
II	Beat Up	Physical	Clever	000—	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.
VIII	Ceaseless Edge	Physical		06565	09090%	1515 (max 24)	Normal	The user slashes its shell blade at the target, aiming to land a critical hit. Shell splinters left behind by this attack will continue to damage the target for several turns.
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.
VIII	False Surrender	Physical		08080	000—%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	The user pretends to bow its head, but then it stabs the target with its disheveled hair. This attack never misses.
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.
VIII	Fiery Wrath	Special		09090	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Many Others	The user transforms its wrath into a fire-like aura to attack. This may also make opposing Pokémon flinch.
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	000—	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.
VIII	G-Max One Blow	Physical		000—	000—%	033 (max 4)	Many Others	A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Urshifu use. This single-strike move can ignore Max Guard.
VIII	G-Max One Blow	Special		000—	000—%	033 (max 4)	Many Others	A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Urshifu use. This single-strike move can ignore Max Guard.
VIII	G-Max Snooze	Physical		000—	000—%	033 (max 4)	Many Others	A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Grimmsnarl use. The user lets loose a huge yawn that lulls the targets into falling asleep on the next turn.
VIII	G-Max Snooze	Special		000—	000—%	033 (max 4)	Many Others	A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Grimmsnarl use. The user lets loose a huge yawn that lulls the targets into falling asleep on the next turn.
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.
VIII	Jaw Lock	Physical		08080	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Normal	This move prevents the user and the target from switching out until either of them faints. The effect goes away if either of the Pokémon leaves the field.
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.
VIII	Lash Out	Physical		07575	100100%	055 (max 8)	Normal	The user lashes out to vent its frustration toward the target. If its stats were lowered during the turn, the power of this move is doubled.
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.
VIII	Max Darkness	Physical		000—	000—%	033 (max 4)	Many Others	This is a Dark-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Sp. Def stat.
VIII	Max Darkness	Special		000—	000—%	033 (max 4)	Many Others	This is a Dark-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Sp. Def stat.
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.
VIII	Obstruct	Status		000—	100100%	1010 (max 16)	Self	This move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession. Direct contact harshly lowers the attacker's Defense stat.
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	000—	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.
VIII	Wicked Blow	Physical		08080	100100%	055 (max 8)	Normal	The user, having mastered the Dark style, strikes the target with a fierce blow. This attack always results in a critical hit.
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 Protean or Libero will become a Dark-type Pokémon if it uses a Dark-type move. A Pokémon with Color Change, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Dark-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with 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 VII 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.

Items

	Name	Description
	Black Glasses	An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a pair of shady-looking glasses that boost the power of Dark-type moves.
	Colbur Berry	If held by a Pokémon, this Berry will lessen the damage taken from one supereffective Dark-type attack.
	Dark Gem	A gem with an essence of darkness. When held, it strengthens the power of a Dark-type move one time.
	Dark Memory	A memory disc that contains Dark-type data. It changes the type of the holder if held by a certain species of Pokémon.
	Darkinium Z	It converts Z-Power into crystals that upgrade Dark-type moves to Dark-type Z-Moves.
	Dread Plate	An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a stone tablet that boosts the power of Dark-type moves.
All details are accurate to Generation VIII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page.

Cram-o-matic

	Name
	Binding Band
	Black Apricorn
	Blunder Policy
	Dubious Disc
	Iapapa Berry
	Maranga Berry
	Razor Claw
	Ring Target
	Rowap Berry
	Scope Lens
	Weakness Policy
	Wide Lens
	Zoom Lens

Notable Dark-type Trainers

Main article: Category:Dark-type Trainers

Gen	Trainer	Title	Location
II	Karen	Elite Four	Indigo Plateau
III	Sidney	Elite Four	Ever Grande City
V	Grimsley	Elite FourBWB2W2 Pokémon TrainerSMUSUM	Unova Pokémon LeagueBWB2W2
VII	Nanu	Island Kahuna	Ula'ula Island
VIII	Marnie	Pokémon Trainer Gym Leader	Spikemuth
VIII	Piers	Gym Leader Pokémon Trainer	Spikemuth

Icons

Core series

File:DarkIC.gif				File:Picross DarkIC.png
Icon from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, HeartGold and SoulSilver	Icon from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen	Icon from Generation IV	Icon from Generation V	Icon from Generation VI	Icon from Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	Icon from Pokémon Sword and Shield	Symbol icon from Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword and Shield	Icon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus	Symbol icon from Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus

Side series

Icon from Pokémon Stadium 2	Icon from Pokémon Colosseum	Icon from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness	Icon from Pokémon Battle Revolution

Spin-off games

Symbol icon from Pokémon Ranger	Symbol icon from Pokémon Battrio	Symbol icon from Pokémon Tretta	Symbol icon from Pokémon GO	Symbol icon from Pokémon Rumble Rush	Symbol icon from Pokémon Masters EX	Symbol icon from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX	Symbol icon from Pokémon Mezastar	Symbol icon from New Pokémon Snap

In the TCG

Main article: Darkness (TCG)

Introduced in the Neo Genesis set, Darkness-type Pokémon in the TCG are generally weak to Fighting with resistances to Psychic. Darkness-type Pokémon can be strong against Psychic, whilst Fairy Pokémon can resist this type.

Trivia

• Bug is the only type that hasn't been paired with Dark.
• Generation V introduced the most Dark-type Pokémon of any generation, with 16, while Generation VII introduced the fewest, with only two.
• Generation IV and Generation VIII introduced the most Dark-type moves of any generation, with 11 each, 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.
  • This makes the Dark type the only added type to not have a previously introduced Pokémon have its type changed.
• The Dark type was the only type in Generation II to not have a type boost from a Badge.
• In Generation II, Dark-type Pokémon could only be found at night. In subsequent generations, however, Pokémon of this type could be found at any time of day.
• Despite Dark-type moves being special before Generation IV, every damaging Dark-type move originating from before Generation IV was made into a physical move.
  • This is the only type to have had every damaging move change category in Generation IV.
• The Dark and Ghost types share their super effectiveness, with both types being only strong against Ghost- and Psychic types.
• More regional forms belong to the Dark-type than any other type, with nine.
• Prior to Generation VI, Dark/Ghost Pokémon normally 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.
• All moves that fail unless used by a certain species or form of Pokémon (Hyperspace Fury, Dark Void, and Aura Wheel*) are Dark-type.
• All Dark-type moves are eligible to be used in Sky Battles.
• The Dark type was the last type to receive a Gym Leader, only getting simultaneously two in Generation VIII.
• All types that are super-effective against the Dark type are resisted by the Poison type.

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* Jahat Italian Buio Korean 악 Ak Malaysian Gelap Norwegian Mørk Polish Mroczny Portuguese Brazil Sombrio Noturno Trevas Portugal Escuridão Romanian Întuneric Russian Темнота Temnota Spanish Latin America Oscuridad Spain Siniestro Swedish Mörker Mörk Thai มืด Muet ความมืด Khwammuet Turkish Karanlık Vietnamese Bóng tối