Dark-type Pokémon: Powers, Strengths, Weaknesses, Moves & More

The world of Pokémon has been a growing phenomenon since 1996, when the first pair of video games came out in stores. Pokémon started off as a video game series and although new creatures are primarily introduced in the video games, the anime series has become as popular as the video games. As of May 2022, there are almost 900 individual Pokémon identified by the PokéDex divided into one or two of the eighteen Pokémon types. In this article, we are going to analyze one of those types – the Dark-type.

Dark-type Pokémon are among the eighteen Pokémon types, as introduced in the core game series. As of Generation VIII, there are 69 Psychic-type Pokémon, including pure and dual types. Traditionally, Dark-type Pokémon are super effective against Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokémon, and are weak against Bug-, Fairy-, and Fighting-type Pokémon.

In this article, we are going to tell you all the information you’ll need if you want to focus on Dark-type Pokémon in any of the games. You’ll find out about the type, its powers, its strengths and weaknesses, the Pokémon of that type, and their moves. We’re going to focus on both the core games, as well as other popular video games based on the Pokémon franchise.

List of Dark-type Pokémon

As we have said, there is a total of 69 Dark-type Pokémon in the franchise. Some of them are pure Dark-type Pokémon, while others are dual-type Pokémo; dual-type Pokémon can have Dark- as their primary or secondary type. Here is a full list of all Dark-type Pokémon based on these three categories:

Pure Dark-type

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

Dual-type (Primary Dark-type)

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

Dual-type (Secondary Dark-type)

#	Name	Type 1	Type 2
088	Grimer (Alolan Form)	Poison	Dark
089	Muk (Alolan Form)	Poison	Dark
130	Mega Gyarados	Water	Dark
248	Tyranitar / Megy Tyranitar	Rock	Dark
274	Nuzleaf	Grass	Dark
275	Shiftry	Grass	Dark
318	Carvanha	Water	Dark
319	Sharpedo / 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 Form)	Water	Dark
551	Sandile	Ground	Dark
552	Krokorok	Ground	Dark
553	Krookodile	Ground	Dark
658	Greninja / Ash-Greninja	Water	Dark
675	Pangoro	Fighting	Dark
720	Hoopa (Unbound)	Psychic	Dark
727	Incineroar	Fire	Dark
877	Morpeko (Full Belly Mode) / Morpeko (Hangry Mode)	Electric	Dark
892	Urshifu (Single Strike Style) / Gigantamax Urshifu (Single Strike Style)	Fighting	Dark

Powers and Abilities

In this section, we are going to give you the basic statistical averages for all Dark-type Pokémon in general:

Stats	Overall	Fully evolved
HP	72.59	85.16
Attack	92.25	109.78
Defense	68.24	82.36
Special Attack	74.32	89.60
Special Defense	68.25	81.69
Speed	76.14	84.56
Total	451.79	533.15

With the release of the Pokémon X and Y games (and from this generation onwards), all Dark-type moves have normal effectiveness against Steel-type movies, which had resistance to these moves in previous games. As of Generation VII, status moves that have been given increased priority by the Tramp ability have no effect on opposing Dark-type Pokémon.

In the second generation, there were no icons for types. They were only presented in text form in this generation. The first direct icons were introduced with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire in the third generation, with the font also changing. Due to the change in representation, the type itself was also abbreviated to “Dk”.

Since then, the basic structure has consisted of white lettering on a type-colored background. In the fourth generation, the frame became rectangular with a dark border. This was retained in the fifth generation. With the introduction of the sixth generation, the icon has changed significantly. The rectangular shape has been rounded off into an oval and is complemented by a light border between the background and the final dark frame.

The font was changed again and the type was written out again. Also, the name of the type no longer consists of pure capital letters, but is only capitalized at the beginning in the regular notation of a noun. The main difference from the sixth generation to the seventh generation is the changed font.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Dark-type Pokémon are super effective (dealing double damage) against Ghost-type and Psychic-type Pokémon. On the other hand, Dark-type Pokémon are completely immune to Psychic-type attacks. They are resistant to Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Their weaknesses are Bug-, Fairy-, and Fighting-type moves.

Moves

As of Generation VIII, these are the known Dark-type moves:

Gen	Move	Category	Contest	Power	Accuracy	PP	Description
IV	Assurance	Physical	Clever	60	100%	10 (max 16)	If the target has already taken some damage in the same turn, this attack’s power is doubled.
VIII	Aura Wheel	Physical		110	100%	10 (max 16)	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		80	95%	15 (max 24)	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	—	100%	10 (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	60	100%	25 (max 40)	The target is bitten with viciously sharp fangs. This may also make the target flinch.
VII	Black Hole Eclipse	Physical		—	—%	1 (max 1)	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		—	—%	1 (max 1)	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		60	100%	20 (max 32)	The user swings its body around violently to inflict damage on everything in its vicinity.
VIII	Ceaseless Edge	Physical		65	90%	15 (max 24)	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	80	100%	15 (max 24)	The user crunches up the target with sharp fangs. This may also lower the target’s Defense stat.
IV	Dark Pulse	Special	Cool	80	100%	15 (max 24)	The user releases a horrible aura imbued with dark thoughts. This may also make the target flinch.
IV	Dark Void	Status	Clever	—	50%	10 (max 16)	Opposing Pokémon are dragged into a world of total darkness that makes them sleep.
VII	Darkest Lariat	Physical		85	100%	10 (max 16)	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	—	100%	15 (max 24)	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	—	100%	20 (max 32)	The user feigns crying to fluster the target, harshly lowering its Sp. Def stat.
VIII	False Surrender	Physical		80	—%	10 (max 16)	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	60	—%	20 (max 32)	The user approaches the target disarmingly, then throws a sucker punch. This attack never misses.
VIII	Fiery Wrath	Special		90	100%	10 (max 16)	The user transforms its wrath into a fire-like aura to attack. This may also make opposing Pokémon flinch.
III	Flatter	Status	Clever	—	100%	15 (max 24)	Flattery is used to confuse the target. However, this also raises the target’s Sp. Atk stat.
IV	Fling	Physical	Cute	—	100%	10 (max 16)	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	95	100%	15 (max 24)	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		—	—%	3 (max 4)	A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Urshifu use. This single-strike move can ignore Max Guard.
VIII	G-Max One Blow	Special		—	—%	3 (max 4)	A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Urshifu use. This single-strike move can ignore Max Guard.
VIII	G-Max Snooze	Physical		—	—%	3 (max 4)	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		—	—%	3 (max 4)	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	—	—%	15 (max 24)	The user sharpens its claws to boost its Attack stat and accuracy.
VI	Hyperspace Fury	Physical	Tough	100	—%	5 (max 8)	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		80	100%	10 (max 16)	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	65	100%	20 (max 32)	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		75	100%	5 (max 8)	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		180	—%	1 (max 1)	The user, Incineroar, strengthens its body using its Z-Power and crashes into the target with full force.
VIII	Max Darkness	Physical		—	—%	3 (max 4)	This is a Dark-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target’s Sp. Def stat.
VIII	Max Darkness	Special		—	—%	3 (max 4)	This is a Dark-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target’s Sp. Def stat.
III	Memento	Status	Tough	—	100%	10 (max 16)	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	—	—%	20 (max 32)	The user stimulates its brain by thinking bad thoughts. This sharply raises the user’s Sp. Atk stat.
V	Night Daze	Special	Cool	85	95%	10 (max 16)	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	70	100%	15 (max 24)	The user slashes the target the instant an opportunity arises. Critical hits land more easily.
VIII	Obstruct	Status		—	100%	10 (max 16)	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	—	100%	20 (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	Tough	50	100%	10 (max 16)	The user stores power, then attacks. If the user moves after the target, this attack’s power will be doubled.
VII	Power Trip	Physical		20	100%	10 (max 16)	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	—	100%	5 (max 8)	The more the target has powered up with stat changes, the greater the move’s power.
II	Pursuit	Physical	Clever	40	100%	20 (max 32)	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	—	100%	15 (max 24)	The user suppresses the target and makes its move go last.
V	Snarl	Special	Tough	55	95%	15 (max 24)	The user yells as if it’s ranting about something, which lowers the Sp. Atk stat of opposing Pokémon.
III	Snatch	Status	Clever	—	—%	10 (max 16)	The user steals the effects of any attempts to use a healing or stat-changing move.
IV	Sucker Punch	Physical	Clever	70	100%	5 (max 8)	This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
IV	Switcheroo	Status	Clever	—	100%	10 (max 16)	The user trades held items with the target faster than the eye can follow.
III	Taunt	Status	Clever	—	100%	20 (max 32)	The target is taunted into a rage that allows it to use only attack moves for three turns.
II	Thief	Physical	Tough	60	100%	25 (max 40)	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		80	100%	15 (max 24)	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	—	—%	20 (max 32)	All stat changes affecting the target turn topsy-turvy and become the opposite of what they were.
III	Torment	Status	Tough	—	100%	15 (max 24)	The user torments and enrages the target, making it incapable of using the same move twice in a row.
VIII	Wicked Blow	Physical		80	100%	5 (max 8)	The user, having mastered the Dark style, strikes the target with a fierce blow. This attack always results in a critical hit.