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Type Dark
Type Dark HOME

The Dark type (Japanese: あくタイプ, HepburnAku taipu) is one of the eighteen Pokémon elemental types.

The Dark type was added in Generation II to counteract the Psychic type's dominance in Generation I, by being completely immune to it and able to hit Psychic types super-effectively. It was also given to make the Fighting type and Bug type more dominant due to their downfall to Psychic types in Generation I. Since Generation VI, it is weak to Fairy types.

The Dark type is represented from traits that are considered feral and untameable, specifically that born from adverse and intense complex social conditions; to that of traits that evoke a negative leaning nature - from having a nocturnal day cycle, exhibitions of unusually cruel, crafty, and clever intelligence, belligerent aggressiveness, the sentient awareness and choice to harm and/or inflict ill will, and to that of the negative end of nature and reality; such as the shadows, declination, "the survival of the fittest", destruction, comings of darker times; and to the unknown but potentially dangerous aspects of the mysterious and enigmatic. It should be further noted that the type of Dark does not automatically associate with the concept of evil, as both evidence exists of cruelty capable of Pokémon not just of the type (Ekans, Fearow) and that it is the trainer that influences majorly how a Pokémon matures and acts.

Many Dark types are rather just born with features that define them as a type, as they understand of the powers that come with it, such as Absol and Sableye, and/or are defined so by the perspective of humans with necessary purpose in the environment and their species but whose actions and traits are at most taboo and are discouraged in human society.

Before Generation IV, every damage-inflicting Dark-type moves were special moves. All pre-existing Dark attacks that dealt damage changed to become physical in Generation IV, meaning that any Dark special attacks would be introduced from Generation IV onward. Non-damaging Dark moves work to disrupt the opponent in unique ways or raise user stats.

The Dark-type Pokémon, along with the Poison types, are mostly used by the criminal organizations.

The known famous Dark-type Trainers are: Karen, the fourth member of the Elite Four of the Johto Pokémon League; Sidney, the first member of the Elite Four of the Pokémon League (Hoenn); Grimsley, a member of the Elite Four of the Pokémon League (Unova); Nanu, an island Kahuna in Alola; Piers, the seventh Gym Leader of Galar; Marnie, Piers' sister and successor; and Giacomo, the boss of Team Star's Segin Squad.

Quick Answers

Why was the Dark type added in Generation II of Pokémon? toggle section
Introduced in Pokémon's Generation II, the Dark type was a countermeasure to the Psychic type's dominance in Generation I. Dark type Pokémon were immune to Psychic types and could effectively counter them. The inclusion of Dark type also enhanced the dominance of Fighting and Bug types, previously weak against Psychic types. From Generation VI, Dark types developed a weakness to Fairy types. Initially, Dark type moves were special, but from Generation IV, they became physical, with new Dark special attacks introduced.
Provided by: Fandom
What types of Pokémon are Dark types super-effective against? toggle section
Dark type Pokémon, such as Darkrai, demonstrate superior effectiveness against Ghost type Pokémon. Notably, dual-type Pokémon that are both Dark and Ghost, including Spiritomb and Sableye, exhibit immunity to super effective damage due to the cancellation of their respective weaknesses, a trait that persisted until the Fairy type's introduction in Generation VI.
Provided by: Fandom
What was the impact of the Dark type on Fighting and Bug types in Pokémon? toggle section
Dark type Pokémon, in the context of battles, are vulnerable to Fighting and Bug types. Moves from Fighting types are super effective against Dark types, providing an edge in combat. Similarly, Bug types with their super effective moves against Dark types, become a strategic choice in battles against Dark type Pokémon.
Provided by: Fandom
Since Generation VI, which type of Pokémon has the Dark type become weak to? toggle section
From Generation VI onwards, Dark type Pokémon exhibit a weakness to Steel type Pokémon. This marks a shift from previous generations where Steel types resisted Dark type moves.
Provided by: Fandom
What traits are represented by the Dark type in Pokémon? toggle section
Dark type Pokémon embody traits seen as wild and uncontrollable, often emerging from challenging social scenarios. They exhibit a negative-leaning nature, with traits such as nocturnal activity, crafty intelligence, and aggressive behavior. Dark types, like Absol and Sableye, are aware of their inherent powers. They are often perceived as dirty fighters.
Provided by: Fandom

Dark-type moves[]

  • There are 53 Dark-type moves.
  • In battles: Physical moves stand out.
    • 28 moves are of the Physical type.
    • 6 moves are of the Special type.
    • 15 moves are of the Other type.
  • In contests: Clever moves stand out.
    • 16 moves are of the Clever type type.
    • 7 moves are of the Tough type type.
    • 5 moves are of the Cool type type.
    • 3 moves are of the Cute type type.
    • 0 moves are of the Beautiful type type.

List of Dark-type moves[]

Name Category Contest Generation Power
Assurance Physical type Clever type[1] Generation IV 60[2]
Baddy Bad Special type - Generation VII 90
Beat Up Physical type Clever type Generation II -
Bite[3] Physical type Tough type Generation I 60
Black Hole Eclipse - - Generation VII -
Brutal Swing Physical type - Generation VII 60
Ceaseless Edge Physical type - Generation VIII 65
Comeuppance Physical type - Generation IX -
Crunch Physical type Tough type Generation II 80
Dark Pulse Special type Cool type Generation IV 80
Dark Void Other type Clever type Generation IV -
Darkest Lariat Physical type - Generation VII 85
Embargo Other type Clever type[4] Generation IV -
Fake Tears Other type Cute type[5] Generation III -
False Surrender Physical type - Generation VIII 80
Feint Attack Physical type Clever type Generation II -
Fiery Wrath Special type - Generation VIII 90
Flatter Other type Clever type Generation III -
Fling Physical type Cute type[6] Generation IV -
Foul Play Physical type Clever type Generation V 95
G-Max One Blow - - Generation VIII -
G-Max Snooze - - Generation VIII -
Hone Claws Other type Cute type Generation V -
Hyperspace Fury Physical type Tough type Generation VI 100
Jaw Lock Physical type - Generation VIII 80
Knock Off Physical type Clever type Generation III 65[7]
Kowtow Cleave Physical type - Generation IX 85
Lash Out Physical type - Generation VIII 75
Malicious Moonsault Physical type - Generation VII 180
Max Darkness - - Generation VIII -
Memento Other type Tough type Generation III -
Nasty Plot Other type Clever type[4] Generation IV -
Night Daze Special type Cool type Generation V 85
Night Slash Physical type Cool type[1] Generation IV 70
Obstruct Other type - Generation VIII -
Parting Shot Other type Cool type Generation VI -
Payback Physical type Tough type[8] Generation IV 50
Power Trip Physical type - Generation VII 20-860
Punishment Physical type Cool type[5] Generation IV -
Pursuit Physical type Clever type[6] Generation II 40
Quash Other type Clever type Generation V -
Ruination Special type - Generation IX -
Snarl Special type Tough type Generation V 55
Snatch Other type Clever type Generation III -
Sucker Punch Physical type Clever type Generation IV 80
Switcheroo Other type Clever type[8] Generation IV -
Taunt Other type Clever type Generation III -
Thief Physical type Tough type Generation II 60[2]
Throat Chop Physical type - Generation VII 80
Topsy-Turvy Other type Clever type Generation VI -
Torment Other type Tough type Generation III -
Wicked Blow Physical type - Generation VIII 75
Wicked Torque Physical type - Generation IX 80

Effectiveness of Dark-type moves[]

×2
Super effective against Pokémon of the types: Type Ghost and Type Psychic.
½
Not very effective against Pokémon of the types: Type Dark, Type Fairy and Type Fighting.

Weaknesses and resistances of the Dark type[]

A type chart displaying the weaknesses and resistances of a Pokémon when damaged by a move. Empty fields are moves that do normal damage.

×4
Doubly super effective
×2
Super effective
½
Resistant
¼
Very resistant
×0
Immune
Type of the move
Bug type vertical Dark type vertical Dragon type vertical Electric type vertical Fairy type vertical Fighting type vertical Fire type vertical Flying type vertical Ghost type vertical Grass type vertical Ground type vertical Ice type vertical Normal type vertical Poison type vertical Psychic type vertical Rock type vertical Steel type vertical Water type vertical
Type Dark
×2
½
×2
×2
½
×0
Type DarkType Bug
×2
½
×2
×2
×2
½
½
½
×0
×2
Type DarkType Dragon
×2
½
×2
½
×4
×2
½
½
½
×2
×0
½
Type DarkType Electric
×2
½
½
×2
×2
½
½
×2
×0
½
Type DarkType Fairy
¼
×0
×2
½
×2
×0
×2
Type DarkType Fighting
¼
×4
×2
×2
½
×0
½
Type DarkType Fire
½
×2
½
½
½
×2
½
×0
×2
½
×2
Type DarkType Flying
½
×2
×2
½
½
×0
×2
×0
×2
Type DarkType Ghost
×2
×0
×0
½
×0
Type DarkType Grass
×4
½
½
×2
×2
×2
×2
½
½
½
×2
×2
×0
½
Type DarkType Ground
×2
½
×0
×2
×2
½
×2
×2
½
×0
½
×2
Type DarkType Ice
×2
½
×2
×4
×2
½
½
×0
×2
×2
Type DarkType Normal
×2
½
×2
×4
×0
×0
Type DarkType Poison
½
½
½
×2
½
×0
Type DarkType Psychic
×4
×2
×0
Type DarkType Rock
×2
½
×2
×4
½
½
½
×2
×2
½
½
×0
×2
×2
Type DarkType Steel
½
[9]
½
×4
×2
½
½
[10]
½
×2
½
½
×0
×0
½
½
Type DarkType Water
×2
½
×2
×2
×2
½
½
×2
½
×0
½
½

Dark-type-Pokémon Trainers[]

Dark-type-Pokémon Gym Leaders[]

Leader Location Badge
Piers League Card
Piers
Spikemuth, Galar Dark Badge
Dark Badge
Marnie Gym Leader League Card
Marnie
Spikemuth, Galar Dark Badge
Dark Badge

Dark-type-Pokémon Kahunas[]

Competence Category Z-Crystal
VS Nanu SM
Nanu
Kahuna Darkinium Z
Darkinium Z

Dark-type-Pokémon Elite Four Members[]

Competence Category
VSKaren
Karen
Johto Elite Four
ORAS VSSidney
Sidney
Hoenn Elite Four
Grimsley VS BW
Grimsley
Unova Elite Four

Dark-type-Pokémon Special Trainers[]

Competence Category
200
Team Rocket Grunt Female HGSS
Team Rocket Grunts
Giacomo
Giacomo
Leader of Team Star Segin Squad

Dark type records[]

Dark-type Pokémon[]

80 Pokémon are Dark type.

Pure Dark-type Pokémon[]

Primary Dark-type Pokémon[]

Secondary Dark-type Pokémon[]

Pokémon with Dark-type alternate formes[]

The following alternate formes of some Pokémon are also of the Dark type.

Relations with other types[]

  • They're strong against the Psychic type because of people's fear of either darkness or evil people, and fear is known to disrupt one's rationality and concentration. It can also be because of how easy it is to corrupt one's mind with wicked and malevolent thoughts, which is why Dark is the only weakness of Psychic to be immune to it as well.
  • They're strong against the Ghost type because evil can damage the soul.
  • They're weak against the Fighting type because philosophically, a warrior must overcome their fears - represented by Dark. The Fighting type also supposedly represents justice, which opposes evil, also represented by Dark types.
  • They're weak against the Bug type because some bugs operate well in darkness. While criminals are active during darkness, when they least expect it, bugs can swarm over them.
  • They're weak against the Fairy type because fairies represent light and the darkness disappears with light. Furthermore, light is a metaphor for goodness, which always triumphs over evil in fiction.
  • Before Generation VI, the Steel type resisted them; this is likely in reference to the idea of steel being used in security measures, like locks or even weapons for self defense, eliminating threats and practicing skills, and to how some metals like silver are weaknesses of classical monsters and demons. In turn, so may the crafty and clever find ways to overcome security measures with figuring out their features.
  • They resist themselves because it's hard for villains to recruit anyone who is already evil or when they have expressed disapproval towards them for their certain personalities or actions.

Trivia[]

  • If a Dual-type Pokémon is both Dark and Ghost type or vice versa, both types cancel out each other's weaknesses with their resistances, leaving Pokémon like Spiritomb and Sableye immune to super effective damage until the introduction of the Fairy type in Generation VI.
  • Prior to Generation VIII, Dark type was the only Pokémon type not to be used in a Pokémon Gym. Because of this, the Dark type has the fewest Gym Leaders.
  • The Dark type has the same type advantages as the Ghost-type (Psychic and Ghost).
  • While most types are represented quite straightforwardly (i.e. Grass types based off plants, Fire types being based on heat and flames, etc.) there is a rather loose definition of what represents a Dark type. While most, such as Scrafty or Bisharp are associated with nasty, "dirty" fighters (hence moves like Nasty Plot and Sucker Punch) some, such as Umbreon and Darkrai represent literal darkness, while others, such as Stunky and the Alolan form of Rattata are simply nocturnal animals. A few, most notably Absol and Greninja, are even portrayed as having noble and shady qualities. Others like Inkay and the Alolan form of Muk could reference how they produce dark things like ink and sludge. It could also describe how certain Pokémon can be sinful such as how the Alolan form of Persian is filled with pride, the Alolan form of Raticate is gluttonous, and the Galarian form of Moltres is wrathful.
    • The original Japanese name for the Dark type is actually the "evil" type.
  • The Vullaby line are the only Dark type Pokémon to be exclusively female.
  • The Impidimp line are the only Dark type Pokémon to be exclusively male.
  • The Dark-type is the only type that cannot be obtained in any Kanto-based game (those being the Gen I games, the Gen III remakes, and the Gen VII remakes) without trades or, in only one specific case, Mega Evolution.

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b Before Generation VI, this was a Beautiful type-type move.
  2. ^ a b 50 until Generation V.
  3. ^ In Generation I, Bite was Normal-type move.
  4. ^ a b Before Generation VI, this was a Cute type-type move.
  5. ^ a b Before Generation VI, this was a Clever type-type move.
  6. ^ a b Before Generation VI, this was a Tough type-type move.
  7. ^ 20 until Generation V.
  8. ^ a b Before Generation VI, this was a Cool type-type move.
  9. ^ Before Generation VI, Dark/Steel-type Pokémon were very resistant to Dark-type moves.
  10. ^ Before Generation VI, Dark/Steel-type Pokémon were very resistant to Ghost-type moves.
  11. ^ Due to the ability Multitype, equipped with the Dread Plate.
  12. ^ Thanks to the ability RKS System, equipped with the Dark Memory.
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