What are Dark-type Pokemon weak to? Strengths & weaknesses explained

In the Pokemon world, the sneaky Dark-type is known for easily outmaneuvering opponents, so here’s all about their weaknesses and resistances, so you can take the best counters into battle.

Dark-type Pokemon can be troublesome in battle due to their mystique and sneaky movesets, as it is essentially another element in Pokemon games, and therefore, can be quite damaging to those who are weak against it.

As most of them have two typings, here’s what you need to know to survive an encounter with a Dark type in any game from the Pokemon franchise.

What is Dark-type weak to?

Dark-type Pokemon have three primary weaknesses when it comes to moves and opposing Pokemon types:

• Bug
• Fairy
• Fighting

Don’t forget that a Pokemon can have multiple types. For example, your chosen ‘mon may be a Dark and Dragon-type Pokemon, so be sure to take advantage of any other weaknesses they may have by being aware of their secondary type.

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Dark-type strengths

Dark-type Pokemon are resistant to both Ghost and other Dark-type creatures and moves, and they have immunity toward the Psychic type as well.

Any Dark creature can be a great addition to any team when battling Psychic and Ghost, as their attacks are super effective. So, go ahead and exploit their advantages.

Dark-type weaknesses

Besides being weak to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting-type Pokemon and moves, Dark-type Pokemon don’t put it up against Fighting, Dark, or Fairy opponents, as their STAB moves don’t deal much damage.

Super effective types against Dark Pokemon

When coming up against Dark types, pure Fighting, Bug, or Fairy Pokemon will do great, but it’s better to find those who have two of those types.

These are some of the best Pokemon you can use to counter a Dark-type:

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

Always bear in mind a Pokemon’s secondary type when selecting your counter Pokemon and moves. While the above examples are effective against Dark types, the opposing Pokemon may have resistances based on their primary/secondary type.

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Super effective moves to use against Dark Pokemon

There are plenty of Bug, Fairy, and Fighting super-effective moves that players can use against Dark-type Pokemon. Here are the ones we recommend due to their power and effects:

• 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)

Bug Pokemon or moves tend to be put aside from the meta, as they’re not that strong. However, they can be key additions when fighting some types such as Dark. While Megahorn and Attack Order have great power and a high critical hit ratio, respectively, Lunge lowers the opponent’s Attack stat and Silver Wind may raise all your stats at once.

Moonblast and Play Rough have similar power. However, Moonblast is a special move that may lower the opponent’s Special Attack, while Play Rough – a physical attack – will do the same with the opponent’s Attack stat. Dazzling Gleam is a fan favorite, as it is powerful, has perfect accuracy, and can hit all adjacent enemies.

Focus Blast is one of the best Fighting-type moves with 120 power and the chance of lowering the opponent’s Special Defense. As a special move, this means that the more you use it, the more damage it will deal. Another fan-favorite is Secret Sword, a top-notch move that inflicts damage based on the target’s Defense.

Best Tera Types

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet‘s addition of Tera Types changed the battle rules, so here are the ones you should consider to make your Dark-type creatures stronger:

• Dark: Boosts the power of Dark-type moves on top of STAB
• Fairy: Eliminates the Dark-type weakness to Fairy moves, plus helps resist Fighting and Bug types, too
• Steel: Helps resist Fairy and Bug-type moves

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Best Dark-type moves

There are 51 Dark-type moves and we’ve picked the most powerful special, physical, and status attacks you can use in battle:

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, but strikes through Protect or Detect	Gen VI
Foul Play	Physical	95	100%	15	Uses the opponent’s Attack stat	Gen V
Kowtow Cleave	Physical	85	∞	10	Always hits	Gen IX
Crunch	Physical	80	100%	15	May lower the opponent’s Defense	Gen II
Embargo	Status	X	100%	15	The opponent can’t use items	Gen IV
Hone Claws	Status	X	X	15	Raises the user’s Attack and Accuracy	Gen V

Best Dark-types ever in Pokemon

The Pokemon franchise has a total of 91 Dark-type creatures (up to Gen 9), and here are the 10 best of the ranking:

• Yveltal
• Hoopa
• Roaring Moon
• Darkrai
• Tyranitar
• Chien-Pao
• Hydreigon
• Greninja
• Grimmsnarl
• Umbreon

That’s all there is to know about Dark-type Pokemon. Go ahead and check our list of all the Cat or Dog Pokemon in the franchise, and learn more about other types such as Dragon, Ground, and Normal.