So, you’re having trouble against those pesky Dark-type Pokemons? Well, you’re not alone. These mysterious yet powerful Pokemon have been wreaking havoc on many different Pokemon types. If you want to know Dark type weakness, strengths, and counters, you’ve landed at the right place!
For starters, let’s understand what are different examples of Dark-type Pokemons. These include Absol, Darkrai, and Tyrannitar, etc. You might have seen Ash Ketchum’s greninja in the Pokemon games and animated series. Yep, that’s a Dark-type as well. Hence, they make up a good quantity of all the Pokemons. See below what are the Dark type weakness and counters!
What are the Dark Type Pokemon Weaknesses?
Dark-type Pokemons are weak to the following:
- Fighting-type Pokemon
- Fairy-type Pokemon
- Bug-type Pokemon
The Dark type weakness include Fighting-type pokemon, Fairy-type pokemon, and Bug-type pokemons. All of these types deal super effective damage to Dark-types, making them their primary counter. So, if you’re having trouble dealing with Wild Absols, your handy Machamp or even Beedrill can do the job of countering them.
Dark type pokemons gave a lot of trouble to trainers worldwide until the introduction of fairy-type in Gen 6 with Pokemon X and Y. It’s ironic how fairy-types also counter dark-types, especially since both of them are polar opposites. But, that’s what Pokemon is known for. Don’t forget that Pokemon can be dual typed.
Hence, they can be dark type mixed with another type. That reduces the amount of damage they will take from their counter-type, especially if the 2nd type directly counters dark type weakness. Make sure to check the matchups accordingly to deal maximum damage!
Dark Type Pokemon Resistances
To thoroughly understand the matchups, it’s equally important to know the Dark type Pokemon resistances. Dark type resistances include:
- Dark-type Pokemon
- Ghost-type Pokemon
- Psychic-type Pokemon
Dark-type Pokemon take lesser damage from Dark types, Ghost-types, and Psychic-types. Take advantage of this fact when facing any of these Pokemon types if you are using a Dark-type Pokemon. The resistant types will take more damage but deal lesser damage. Another surprise with Dark types is that they deal lesser damage to their own type.
This is something not seen commonly with other Pokemon types. Next time you have a Dark type Pokemon on the field and see a Gardevoir, Gengar, Umbreon, or any other psychic-type enemy, see them quiver in nightmares.
What are Dark Type Pokemon Strengths?
Each Pokemon type has their strengths and weaknesses. While we have discussed the Dark type weakness in detail, it’s time to shed some light on Dark type strengths. Caught the pun there? It was bad. So, Dark-type pokemon are strong against the following types:
- Psychic-type Pokemons
- Ghost-type Pokemons
Do Dark Type Pokemon take damage from Psychic-type?
No, Psychic-type moves have no effect on Dark type Pokemons. This can be seen when you face a Gardevoir as a Darkrai. Watch as all her powerful ultimate moves don’t even scratch the shadowy cloak of Darkrai. Hence, Dark-type pokemons are the biggest counter to Psychic-types.
Best Dark Type Pokemons in All Generations
Dark type Pokemons are some of the rarest and most intriguing out of all. They do not match their type at all in nature, as their personality can be that of a lovable pet. In our quest to discover the dark type weakness, strengths, and effectiveness, a question might be triggering you. You may ask which dark type Pokemons are the best? See the list below:
- Best 2nd Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Tyranitar, Umbreon, Houndoom
- Best 3rd Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Absol, Crawdaunt, Sharpedo
- Best 4th Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Darkrai, Weavile, Drapion
- Best 5th Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Hydreigon, Bisharp, Zoroark
- Best 6th Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Greninja, Yveltal, Malamar
- Best 7th Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Incineroar, Grimmsnarl, Guzzlord
- Best 8th Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Galarian Moltres, Urshifu
- Best 9th Gen Dark-type Pokemons – Chien-Pao, Kingambit
Best Dark Type Moves
Struggling to get the most value out of your dark type Pokemons? Well, we’ve got some spicy information that can blow your mind. Dark-type moves are some of the most lethal ones in the entire franchise. Yes, they might not be available to all dark-type mons but a lot of them can unlock or learn them. We are talking about the best dark type moves that deal a ton of damage without failing to hit. Check them out below:
- False Surrender – This moves the manipulates the enemy into surrendering, leaving them vulnerable and full of openings. That’s when they strike without fail to deal 80 damage.
- Taunt – This move is a great example of the type of trickery dark-type pokemons can go ahead with. It forces the enemy to use only attacking moves, disabling them to use any status moves.
- Night Daze – Facing an enemy that never seems to miss? Decrease their accuracy by 40% with a 85% chance on top of dealing 85 damage to them with this move.
- Foul Play – Struggling to beat that massively jacked Dragonite? Use Foul Play on him. This move deals fixed 95 damage, and deals more damage according to the enemy’s attack.
- Throat Chop – A move that sounds straight out of a Mortal Kombat game, it deals 100 damage with 100% accuracy. This also prevents the enemy from using any sound-based moves like Sing, Snore, Overdrive, etc.
- Hyperspace Fury – Lowers the defense of the enemy on top of dealing 95 damage with a 100% accuracy.
- Dark Pulse – A staple move of multiple dark-types. This move deals 80 damage to the target without failing. Sadly, it has an inherent 20% chance of flinching, resulting in missed attacks sometimes.
- Crunch – One more staple dark type move that deals 80 damage and can lower enemy defense by 1 stage. Having 100% accuracy also benefits the user a lot.
- Fiery Wrath – This move is like an upgraded flamethrower, except being a dark type move. It deals 90 damage without fail and remains the signature move of Galarian Moltress.
- Sucker Punch – One of the only dark-type moves that lands as a high priority attack. This means that no matter the move selected by the enemy, your attack will land first. This move deals 70 damage with a 100% accuracy to hit.
