Dark-Type Pokémon: Weaknesses, Strengths, and Everything You Need to Know

In the world of Pokémon, the cunning Dark-type Pokémon excel in evading rivals. Below, you’ll discover their weaknesses and resistances, enabling you to bring the most effective counters to your battles.

Due to their deceptive nature and versatile movesets, Dark-type Pokémon can pose significant challenges in fights. As this classification is an essential element in the games, their prowess can prove quite harmful to those lacking defenses against it.

Given that many Dark-type Pokémon possess dual typings, it is crucial to be informed about their vulnerabilities to successfully navigate encounters across various titles in the Pokémon franchise.

What Weaknesses Do Dark-types Have?

Dark-type Pokémon primarily suffer from three key weaknesses against moves and rival types:

Bug
Fairy
Fighting

Always remember that a Pokémon can hold multiple types. For instance, if you have a Dark/Dragon-type Pokémon, capitalize on any additional vulnerabilities stemming from its secondary type.

The Dark-type Pokemon Absol — The Pokémon Company

Strengths of Dark-types

Dark-type Pokémon exhibit resistance against both Ghost and fellow Dark-type creatures. Additionally, they are immune to Psychic-type attacks.

In battles against Psychic and Ghost Pokémon, Dark types shine; therefore, leverage their benefits to gain an edge.

Weaknesses of Dark-types

In addition to being vulnerable to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting-type moves and Pokémon, Dark-types find it hard to compete against Fighting, Dark, or Fairy-types, as their STAB moves deliver minimal damage.

Highly Effective Types Against Dark Pokémon

When facing Dark types, utilizing pure Fighting, Bug, or Fairy Pokémon works wonders. However, those with dual typings of any of these categories will be even more effective.

Consider these top Pokémon when countering Dark-types:

Heracross (Bug/Fighting)
Buzzwole (Bug/Fighting)
Pheromosa (Bug/Fighting)
Slither Wing (Bug/Fighting)
Iron Valiant (Fairy/Fighting)

Always take into account a Pokémon’s secondary typing when choosing your counters. While the Pokémon listed above are strong against Dark types, their opposing Pokémon could possess resistances based on the primary and secondary typings.

Effective Moves Against Dark Pokémon

Players have a plethora of potent Bug, Fairy, and Fighting-type moves at their disposal to tackle Dark-types. Here are our top recommendations based on their abilities and impact:

Megahorn (Bug)
Attack Order (Bug)
Lunge (Bug)
Silver Wind (Bug)
Moonblast (Fairy)
Play Rough (Fairy)
Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)
Focus Blast (Fighting)
Close Combat (Fighting)
Secret Sword (Fighting)

Although Bug-types and moves are often overlooked, they can be critical assets in battles against specific types like Dark. Moves like Megahorn and Attack Order deliver tremendous power and an impressive critical hit rate respectively, while Lunge has the added advantage of reducing the opponent’s Attack stat. Meanwhile, Silver Wind offers a chance to enhance all of your stats simultaneously.

On the Fairy side, Moonblast and Play Rough boast similar power levels. However, Moonblast can also decrease the opponent’s Special Attack, while Play Rough can reduce the Attack stat. Dazzling Gleam is particularly loved for its overall strength, perfect accuracy, and capability to hit multiple foes at once.

Focus Blast ranks among the top Fighting-type moves, possessing 120 power while potentially lowering the opponent’s Special Defense. Due to its special nature, the more it is used, the more substantial the damage. Notably, Secret Sword stands out as an elite move that calculates damage based on the target’s Defense.

Optimal Tera Types

With the introduction of Tera Types in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, strategies have evolved. Consider these types to bolster your Dark-type Pokémon:

Dark: Enhances the power of Dark-type moves significantly due to STAB.
Fairy: Mitigates the Dark-type’s weakness to Fairy moves, while also providing resistance against Fighting and Bug types.
Steel: Offers resistance to Fairy and Bug-type attacks.

Top Dark-type Moves

Of the 51 Dark-type moves, we have highlighted the most formidable special, physical, and status attacks available in combat:

MOVE	CATEGORY	POWER	ACCURACY	PP	EFFECT	GEN
Baddy Bad	Special	90	100%	15	Reduces damage from physical attacks	Gen VII
Fiery Wrath	Special	90	100%	10	May cause flinching	Gen VIII
Night Daze	Special	85	95%	10	May lower the opponent’s accuracy	Gen V
Dark Pulse	Special	80	100%	15	May cause flinching	Gen IV
Hyperspace Fury	Physical	100	∞	5	Lowers the user’s defense, hits through Protect or Detect	Gen VI
Foul Play	Physical	95	100%	15	Utilizes the opponent’s Attack stat	Gen V
Kowtow Cleave	Physical	85	∞	10	Guaranteed hit	Gen IX
Crunch	Physical	80	100%	15	May lower the opposing Defense	Gen II
Embargo	Status	X	100%	15	Prevents the opponent from using items	Gen IV
Hone Claws	Status	X	X	15	Boosts user’s Attack and Accuracy	Gen V

Top Dark-types in Pokémon History

Among the 91 Dark-type Pokémon introduced up to Generation 9, we’ve compiled a list of the ten finest:

Yveltal
touch
Roaring Moon
Darkrai
Tyranitar
Dog-Pao
Hydreigon
Greninja
Grimmsnarl
Umbreon

This concludes our comprehensive guide on Dark-type Pokémon. Be sure to explore our catalog of all Cat and Dog Pokémon in the franchise for additional insights into other types, including Dragon, Ground, and Normal.

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