From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

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.

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 is nullified by Miracle Eye. Dark Pokémon have a single Ground weakness if their other type is Poison, which nullifies all of Dark type's other weaknesses. 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) and excluding moves that are repeated as a result of Prankster-affected Instruct.

Offense

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 66 Dark-type Pokémon or 7.4% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Dark-type in at least one of their forms, including Mega Evolutions, Alolan Forms and Galarian Forms), making it the 8th rarest type, tying with Fighting.

Pure Dark-type Pokémon

Half Dark-type Pokémon

Primary Dark-type Pokémon

Secondary Dark-type Pokémon

Pokéstar Studios opponents

Moves

Abilities

Interacting with the Dark type

A Pokémon with Color Change, Protean, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Dark-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Dark-type move, uses 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.

Notable Dark-type Trainers

Icons

In the 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