Dark Type Pokemon GO

Dark-type Pokemon GO is one of the most flexible attacking types in the game. Dark moves are super-effective against Psychic and Ghost — the same coverage as Bug, but with higher overall DPS thanks to attackers like Mega Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Yveltal, and Shadow Weavile. Dark types also resist Psychic and Ghost moves themselves, making Dark attackers the safest pick for Mewtwo and Origin Giratina raids. Signature Dark moves include Foul Play, Brutal Swing, Dark Pulse, Crunch, Bite, and Sucker Punch. Dark types are weak to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting, with Fairy and Fighting being especially common attacking types in PvP and raids.

Best Dark-type attackers

The top Dark attackers are Mega Tyranitar, Mega Houndoom, Yveltal, Hydreigon, and Shadow Tyranitar. Mega Tyranitar (Rock/Dark) with Bite and Brutal Swing has the highest Dark DPS in the game and doubles as a top Rock attacker. Mega Houndoom (Dark/Fire) with Snarl and Crunch flexes between Dark and Fire roles. Yveltal (Dark/Flying) with Snarl and Dark Pulse is the best non-Mega Dark attacker. Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing is a strong budget Dark option. Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Weavile (Dark/Ice), and Shadow Hydreigon round out the Shadow tier.

Dark type in PvP and GO Battle League

Dark types are PvP heavyweights. Sableye (Ghost/Dark) is one of the top three Great League Pokemon ever. Skuntank (Poison/Dark) and Mandibuzz (Dark/Flying) anchor open Great and Ultra League cores. Drapion (Poison/Dark), Pangoro (Dark/Fighting), and Krookodile (Dark/Ground) flex into specialty cups. In Master League, Yveltal, Hydreigon, and Mega Tyranitar lead the Dark charge. Galarian Moltres (Dark/Flying) is a Daily Adventure Incense rarity that surprises with Brave Bird and Sky Attack. Hoopa Unbound (Psychic/Dark) brings unique typing to limited formats. Houndoom and Mightyena offer budget Great League play.

Strengths, weaknesses and strategy

Dark attackers shine against Psychic (Mewtwo, Lugia, Latios, Cresselia) and Ghost (Origin Giratina, Mega Gengar, Trevenant). They are 1.6× weak to Bug, Fairy, and Fighting — and Dark/Flying duals like Yveltal take 4× damage from Electric and Ice. Foggy weather boosts Dark by 1.2× alongside Ghost. Avoid Dark attackers against Crowned Zacian, Xerneas, Togekiss, Mega Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Genesect. Dark is the safest type to use against Mewtwo since most Dark attackers (Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Yveltal) resist Psychic and hit super-effectively at the same time. Dark/Steel duals are non-existent in Pokemon GO (regrettably).

Notable Dark Pokemon

Dark Community Days have included Larvitar → Tyranitar with Smack Down (Rock/Dark dual typing makes it a Dark CD too), Sneasel → Weavile with Avalanche, Houndour → Houndoom, Poochyena → Mightyena with Play Rough, Purrloin → Liepard, Deino → Hydreigon with Brutal Swing, Pawniard → Bisharp, and Inkay → Malamar. Mega Tyranitar debuted in 2022 and is still considered the best Mega Dark attacker. Mega Houndoom and Mega Absol appear in Mega Raid rotations. Yveltal arrived in 2024 with Brave Bird-tier raid attacks. Hoopa Unbound was the first Elite Raid in 2022. Shadow Tyranitar is one of the most-farmed Pokemon during Take Over events.