List of Best Dark-type Pokémon Ranked:
Dark-type Pokémon are known for their mysterious and cunning nature. They often possess strong offensive capabilities and a range of unique abilities. Here’s a summary of Dark-type Pokémon characteristics:
Offensive Power: Dark-type Pokémon typically excel in physical or special attacks, allowing them to deal significant damage to their opponents. Their move sets often include moves like Crunch, Night Slash, Dark Pulse, and Knock Off.
Strategic Abilities: Dark-type Pokémon have access to various abilities that can disrupt opponents or provide tactical advantages. Abilities like Intimidate lower the Attack stat of opponents, while abilities like Prankster give priority to status moves.
Diverse Typing: Dark-type Pokémon often have dual typings, combining Dark with another type such as Ghost, Fighting, Steel, or Poison. This gives them additional resistances and immunities, making them versatile and able to handle different types of opponents.
Defensive Capabilities: Some Dark-type Pokémon possess solid defensive stats, allowing them to act as tanks on the battlefield. They can absorb hits and provide support for their team with moves like Protect, Roar, or status-inducing moves.
Tricky Abilities: Dark-type Pokémon are known for their ability to deceive opponents. Pokémon like Zoroark can take the appearance of another Pokémon using their Illusion ability, creating an element of surprise and strategic advantage.
Wide Move Pool: Dark-type Pokémon have access to a diverse range of moves, including status moves, stat-boosting moves, and powerful damaging moves. This flexibility allows trainers to customize their movesets to suit different strategies and team compositions.
Dark-type Pokémon are a popular choice among trainers due to their versatility, offensive prowess, and unique abilities. Whether you’re looking for a powerful physical attacker, a disruptive supporter, or a cunning strategist, Dark-type Pokémon offer a wide range of options to choose from.
30. Sneasel
Sneasel is a dual-type Dark/Ice Pokémon.
It has high Speed and Attack stats, making it a fast and powerful physical attacker.
It has access to moves like Ice Punch, Knock Off, and Pursuit, which can be quite effective in battle.
Sneasel evolves into Weavile when leveled up with a Razor Claw during the night or with high friendship during the day.
29. Skuntank
Skuntank is a dual-type Poison/Dark Pokémon.
It has good Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a decent tank.
Skuntank is known for its ability to learn Poison-type moves like Poison Jab, Toxic, and Sludge Bomb, which can inflict status conditions on opponents.
It also has access to Dark-type moves like Crunch and Night Slash, which can deal significant damage.
28. Liepard
Liepard is a pure Dark-type Pokémon.
It has high Speed and decent Special Attack stats.
Liepard is known for its ability to disrupt opponents with moves like Swagger, Thunder Wave, and Fake Out.
It can also utilize Dark-type moves such as Dark Pulse and Night Slash for offensive purposes.
27. Persian
Persian is a pure Dark-type Pokémon.
It has good Speed and Special Defense stats.
Persian is known for its ability to learn a wide variety of moves, including Normal-type moves like Slash and Hyper Voice, as well as Dark-type moves like Night Slash and Foul Play.
It can also utilize moves like Parting Shot and Taunt to disrupt opponents and provide support to its team.
26. Malamar
Malamar is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon.
It has a unique ability called “Contrary,” which reverses the stat changes caused by moves, allowing it to turn opponents’ stat boosts into disadvantages.
Malamar has good Attack and Special Defense stats, making it a versatile attacker and a solid tank.
It can learn a variety of moves such as Superpower, Night Slash, Psycho Cut, and Topsy-Turvy, which can be used strategically to disrupt opponents.
25. Alolan Muk
Alolan Muk is a regional variant of Muk, native to the Alola region.
It is a pure Dark-type Pokémon.
Alolan Muk has high Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a durable tank.
It has the ability “Poison Touch,” which has a chance to poison opponents upon physical contact.
Alolan Muk can learn Poison-type moves like Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, and Toxic, as well as Dark-type moves such as Crunch and Knock Off, which make it a formidable attacker.
24. Inkay
Inkay is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon.
It has an interesting evolution method where it evolves into Malamar when it levels up while the player’s console is held upside down.
Inkay has good Speed and Special Defense stats, allowing it to act as a fast attacker and a decent special tank.
It can learn moves like Topsy-Turvy, Psychic, Foul Play, and Night Slash, which can be used tactically to disrupt opponents and deal damage.
23. Cacturne
Cacturne is a dual-type Grass/Dark Pokémon.
It has a unique combination of typing, making it immune to Normal-type moves and resistant to Psychic-type moves.
Cacturne has high Attack and decent Speed stats, allowing it to hit hard and potentially outspeed some opponents.
It can learn moves like Sucker Punch, Needle Arm, Dark Pulse, and Spiky Shield, which make it a capable physical attacker and provide defensive options.
22. Spiritomb
Spiritomb is a Ghost/Dark-type Pokémon.
It has a unique typing that gives it only one weakness to Fairy-type moves and immunities to Normal and Psychic-type moves.
Spiritomb has well-rounded stats, with good defenses and decent offensive capabilities.
It has access to moves like Shadow Ball, Foul Play, Will-O-Wisp, and Sucker Punch, which allow it to deal damage and disrupt opponents.
Spiritomb is also known for its ability “Infiltrator,” which allows its moves to bypass the opponent’s substitute or light screen.
21. Shiftry
Shiftry is a Grass/Dark-type Pokémon.
It has a unique typing that grants it resistances to Grass, Ghost, Dark, and Electric-type moves.
Shiftry has good Attack and Speed stats, making it a swift physical attacker.
It can learn moves like Leaf Blade, Sucker Punch, Knock Off, and Hurricane, providing it with a variety of offensive options.
Shiftry also has access to the ability “Chlorophyll,” which doubles its Speed in harsh sunlight.
20. Krokorok
Krokorok is a Ground/Dark-type Pokémon that evolves from Sandile.
It has good Attack and Speed stats, making it a swift physical attacker.
Krokorok has access to moves like Earthquake, Crunch, Stone Edge, and Pursuit, allowing it to deal solid damage to opponents.
It also has the ability “Moxie,” which boosts its Attack stat each time it knocks out an opponent, potentially making it stronger as the battle progresses.
19. Sableye
Sableye is a pure Dark/Ghost-type Pokémon.
It has a unique typing that grants it immunities to Normal, Fighting, and Psychic-type moves.
Sableye has well-balanced defenses, making it a sturdy Pokémon.
It is known for its ability “Prankster,” which allows it to prioritize status moves and disrupt opponents.
Sableye can learn moves like Shadow Claw, Knock Off, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover, making it a versatile supporter and nuisance in battles.
18. Pangoro
Pangoro is a dual-type Fighting/Dark Pokémon.
It has a unique typing combination that grants it resistance to Dark, Rock, Ghost, and Psychic-type moves.
Pangoro has high Attack and Defense stats, making it a formidable physical tank and attacker.
It can learn moves like Hammer Arm, Knock Off, Crunch, and Bullet Punch, allowing it to hit hard and disrupt opponents.
Pangoro also has the ability “Iron Fist,” which boosts the power of its punching moves.
17. Scrafty
Scrafty is a dual-type Dark/Fighting Pokémon.
It has a unique typing that provides it with resistances to Dark, Rock, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves.
Scrafty has good Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a reliable physical tank.
It can learn moves like Drain Punch, Crunch, Dragon Dance, and High Jump Kick, giving it offensive versatility and recovery options.
Scrafty also has access to the ability “Intimidate,” which lowers the Attack stat of opponents upon switching in.
16 Honchkrow
Honchkrow is a dual-type Dark/Flying Pokémon.
It has a unique typing combination that grants it immunity to Ground-type moves and resistance to Grass, Ghost, Psychic, and Dark-type moves.
Honchkrow has high Attack and Speed stats, making it a fast and powerful physical attacker.
It can learn moves like Brave Bird, Sucker Punch, Night Slash, and Roost, allowing it to deal damage and sustain itself in battles.
Honchkrow also has the ability “Moxie,” which boosts its Attack stat each time it knocks out an opponent.
15. Sharpedo
Sharpedo is a pure Dark/Water-type Pokémon.
It has a unique typing combination that grants it resistance to Ghost, Dark, Psychic, and Water-type moves.
Sharpedo has high Speed and Attack stats, making it a fast and hard-hitting physical attacker.
It can learn moves like Crunch, Waterfall, Ice Fang, and Aqua Jet, allowing it to deal damage and strike first in battles.
Sharpedo also has the ability “Speed Boost,” which gradually increases its Speed stat after each turn in battle.
14. Crawdaunt
Crawdaunt is a dual-type Water/Dark Pokémon.
It has high Attack and decent Defense stats, making it a strong physical attacker and tank.
Crawdaunt has the ability “Adaptability,” which boosts the power of its same-type moves.
It can learn moves like Crabhammer, Knock Off, Aqua Jet, and Swords Dance, allowing it to hit hard and potentially outspeed opponents.
Crawdaunt’s unique Water/Dark typing gives it resistances to Water, Ghost, Psychic, and Dark-type moves.
13. Zoroark
Zoroark is a pure Dark-type Pokémon.
It has high Special Attack and Speed stats, making it a swift and powerful special attacker.
Zoroark has the ability “Illusion,” which allows it to transform into the last Pokémon in the player’s party until it takes damage.
It can learn moves like Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, and Nasty Plot, giving it a diverse move pool and the ability to surprise opponents.
Zoroark’s Illusion ability can be used to deceive opponents and gain a strategic advantage.
12. Absol
Absol is a pure Dark-type Pokémon.
It has good Attack and Speed stats, making it a fast and hard-hitting physical attacker.
Absol has the ability “Super Luck,” which increases its critical hit ratio.
It can learn moves like Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Swords Dance, and Play Rough, providing it with a range of offensive options.
Absol is known for its ability to sense disasters, making it a Pokémon associated with warnings and protection.
11. Drapion
Drapion is a dual-type Poison/Dark Pokémon.
It has good Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a sturdy physical tank.
Drapion has the ability “Sniper,” which increases the power of its critical hits.
It can learn moves like Cross Poison, Earthquake, Knock Off, and Toxic Spikes, making it a versatile Pokémon for both offense and utility.
Drapion’s unique Poison/Dark typing grants it resistances to Grass, Ghost, Poison, Psychic, and Dark-type moves.
10. Malamar
Malamar is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon.
It has a unique ability called “Contrary,” which reverses the stat changes caused by moves, allowing it to turn opponents’ stat boosts into disadvantages.
Malamar has good Attack and Special Defense stats, making it a versatile attacker and a solid tank.
It can learn a variety of moves such as Superpower, Night Slash, Psycho Cut, and Topsy-Turvy, which can be used strategically to disrupt opponents.
9. Houndoom
Houndoom is a pure Dark/Fire-type Pokémon.
It has high Speed and Special Attack stats, making it a fast and powerful special attacker.
Houndoom has access to moves like Flamethrower, Dark Pulse, Nasty Plot, and Solar Beam, allowing it to hit hard with both Fire and Dark-type attacks.
It also has the ability “Flash Fire,” which boosts its Fire-type moves when hit by a Fire-type attack.
8. Krookodile
Krookodile is a dual-type Ground/Dark Pokémon.
It has high Attack and Defense stats, making it a strong physical attacker and tank.
Krookodile can learn moves like Earthquake, Crunch, Stone Edge, and Bulk Up, providing it with a wide range of offensive and defensive options.
It also has the ability “Intimidate,” which lowers the Attack stat of opponents upon switching in, giving it a supportive role.
7. Umbreon
Umbreon is a pure Dark-type Pokémon.
It has high Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a durable tank.
Umbreon is known for its ability to utilize status moves like Toxic, Protect, Wish, and Moonlight to stall and support its team.
It can also learn Dark-type moves like Foul Play, Snarl, and Payback to deal damage to opponents based on their own Attack stats.
6. Greninja
Greninja is a dual-type Water/Dark Pokémon.
It has high Speed and Special Attack stats, making it a fast and powerful special attacker.
Greninja is known for its ability “Protean,” which changes its type to match the move it is about to use, providing versatility and unpredictability in battles.
It can learn moves like Hydro Pump, Dark Pulse, Ice Beam, and Extrasensory, allowing it to hit hard with a variety of elemental attacks.
5. Mandibuzz
Mandibuzz is a dual-type Dark/Flying Pokémon.
It has good Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a sturdy physical tank and special tank.
Mandibuzz can learn moves like Foul Play, Brave Bird, Roost, and Toxic, providing it with offensive and defensive options.
It also has the ability “Overcoat,” which protects it from weather-related damage and effects like Sandstorm and Hail.
4. Weavile
Weavile is a dual-type Dark/Ice Pokémon.
It has high Speed and Attack stats, making it a fast and powerful physical attacker.
Weavile can learn moves like Ice Punch, Night Slash, Knock Off, and Swords Dance, allowing it to hit hard and potentially outspeed opponents.
It also has access to the ability “Pressure,” which increases the opponent’s move usage, potentially depleting their PP faster.
3. Hydreigon
Hydreigon is a dual-type Dark/Dragon Pokémon.
It has high Special Attack and decent Speed stats, making it a strong special attacker.
Hydreigon can learn moves like Dragon Pulse, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, and Earth Power, providing it with a diverse move pool and coverage options.
It also has the ability “Levitate,” which grants it immunity to Ground-type moves.
2. Bisharp
Bisharp is a dual-type Dark/Steel Pokémon.
It has high Attack and Defense stats, making it a formidable physical attacker and tank.
Bisharp has the ability “Defiant,” which increases its Attack stat whenever its stats are lowered by an opponent.
It can learn moves like Iron Head, Knock Off, Sucker Punch, and Swords Dance, allowing it to hit hard and potentially outspeed opponents.
Bisharp’s Dark/Steel typing gives it resistance to Dark, Psychic, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Rock, Flying, and Fairy-type moves.
1. Tyranitar
Tyranitar is a dual-type Rock/Dark Pokémon.
It has high Attack and Defense stats, making it a powerful physical attacker and tank.
Tyranitar has access to the ability “Sand Stream,” which summons a sandstorm upon entering battle.
It can learn moves like Crunch, Stone Edge, Earthquake, and Dragon Dance, providing it with strong offensive options.
Tyranitar’s Rock/Dark typing gives it resistance to Normal, Flying, Poison, Psychic, and Fire-type moves.
Dark-type Pokémon are considered strong for several reasons:
Offense: Dark-type Pokémon often possess high Attack or Special Attack stats, allowing them to deal significant damage to their opponents. They have access to a wide range of powerful moves, such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, and Knock Off, which are super effective against common types like Psychic and Ghost.
Coverage: Dark-type moves have good coverage against a variety of types, including Psychic, Ghost, and Psychic. This gives Dark-type Pokémon an advantage against many popular and powerful Pokémon in battles.
Abilities: Dark-type Pokémon have access to unique and powerful abilities. Examples include abilities like Moxie, which boosts Attack after knocking out an opponent, or Prankster, which gives priority to status moves, enabling them to disrupt opponents’ strategies and gain an advantage.
Typing: Dark-type Pokémon often have dual typings, which provide additional resistances and immunities. This makes them more durable and capable of withstanding attacks from various types, increasing their overall survivability in battles.
Versatility: Dark-type Pokémon have a wide move pool, allowing them to learn a variety of moves from different types. This versatility enables them to adapt to different battle situations and counter a wide range of opponents.
Deception and Trickery: Some Dark-type Pokémon possess unique abilities, such as Zoroark’s Illusion, which allows them to disguise themselves as another Pokémon. This ability to deceive opponents can lead to surprise strategies and catch opponents off guard.
