15 best Dark-type Pokemon ranked: Umbreon, Yveltal, Absol, & more

Dark-type Pokemon were added to the franchise in Gen 2 where they excel thanks to their strong defenses and tricky offenses that can catch opponents off guard. So, here are the best Dark-type Pokemon of all time.

While some trainers prefer adorable Fairy-type Pokemon like Sylveon and Jigglypuff, others go for the more mysterious Dark-types as they are known for their ability to destroy Ghost types and Psychic types.

Whether it’s the coolest Eeveelution, Umbreon, or the positively terrifying Mythical creature Darkrai, here are the best of the bunch based on everything from stat distribution, potential move pools, abilities, and how they actually play in battle.

Every Pokemon in the list appears in its standard form, except for those that change to receive a secondary typing that allows them to be a part of the ranking.

Contents

• What is the best and strongest Dark-type Pokemon?
• 15 best Dark-type Pokemon of all time
  • Houndoom
  • Weavile
  • Grimmsnarl
  • Absol
  • Zoroark
  • Umbreon
  • Greninja
  • Hydreigon
  • Chi-Yu
  • Chien-Pao
  • Tyranitar
  • Darkrai
  • Roaring Moon
  • Hoopa (Unbound)
  • Yveltal

• What are the worst Dark-type Pokemon?

What is the best and strongest Dark-type Pokemon?

The strongest Dark-type Pokemon up to date is Yveltal, the Legendary beast from Pokemon Y. This mighty ‘mon is a dual Dark/Flying type, which means is resistant to very used types such as Ground, Psychic, and Ghost.

However, there’s a whole list of other strong Dark-type creatures with different abilities and strengths to suit any roster you’re trying to build.

15 best Dark-type Pokemon of all time

15. Houndoom

• Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Type: Dark/Fire
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Ground / Rock / Water

Even though this devilish Pokemon has a really low defense that could end up in a quick Ko, its Sp. Atk stat and Speed enable it to quickly sweep opponents.

Additionally, Dark-type moves like Nasty Plot can raise Houndoom’s Sp. Atk even further, dealing more damage per hit.

While a competitive moveset consisting of Fire Blast, Dark Pulse, and Sludge Bomb will give you great coverage, it won’t make up for its lackluster defense, so you must keep an eye on its weaknesses.

Houndoom base stats:

14. Weavile

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Dark/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Rock / Bug / Steel / Fire / Fairy

Weavile may be the definition of a glass cannon, but it can dish out so much damage that we honestly don’t mind. A dual Dark/Ice typing gives it fantastic coverage options, being able to defeat Dragon, Psychic, Flying, and Ghost-types with standout moves like Ice Punch and Night Slash.

Having such great offensive potential would be useless if it didn’t get a chance to use it, but fortunately, Weavile has a superb Speed stat that means it will get to attack first against the majority of opponents, while a strong Attack stat contributes to that raw power.

Weavile base stats:

13. Grimmsnarl

• Debut: Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Type: Dark/Fairy
• Weaknesses: Poison / Steel / Fairy

Grimmsnarl certainly made an impression when it debuted in Pokemon Sword & Shield, becoming the first (and only) Dark/Fairy-type Pokemon in the franchise. This unique combination leaves it with only three weaknesses (Poison, Fairy, and Steel) and the ability to take down Dragons, Psychics, and Ghosts.

It’s got a great lineup of STAB moves like Play Rough and Foul Play that make the most of its Attack stat, while the ability to Gigantamax boosts its HP and makes it even more creepy looking than before. Grimmsnarl does suffer from a low Speed stat, but it has enough going for it to balance that out.

Grimmsnarl base stats:

12. Absol

• Debut: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Type: Dark
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Bug / Fairy

One of the most popular Dark-type Pokemon is Absol, the ‘Destruction Pokemon’ that only appears when a natural disaster is about to happen. Unfortunately, this has led many to believe it’s a harbinger of doom, but it’s actually just trying to warn people.

With a shocking Attack stat and moves like Sucker Punch and Throat Chop, it can deal massive damage. Things only get better when Mega Evolved, with a boosted Attack stat and an impressive Speed stat that gives it enough power to knock out opponents before they even get the chance to move.

Absol base stats:

11. Zoroark

• Debut: Pokemon Black & White
• Type: Dark
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Bug / Fairy

The master of illusion took everyone by surprise with its very balanced stats. More so, due to its Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed excelling a little bit more, it’s set to be a very good fighter.

While its illusions help trick enemies, the many Dark-type attacks in its move pool are what make Zoroark great. Dark Pulse deals good damage and has a 20% chance of making the target flinch, Nasty Plot helps raise even more its Sp. Atk and Swords Dance does the same with the Attack stat, making this sinister fox unstoppable.

Zoroark base stats:

10. Umbreon

• Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Type: Dark
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Bug / Fairy

Eeeveelutions will always have a special place in our hearts, and one of the top choices is Umbreon. As well as incredible bulk with high HP, Defense, Sp. Defense, it has access to the recovery move Moonlight and a few good support moves, which makes it a nightmare to deal with.

Umbreon does struggle with a low Attack stat and Sp. Attack stat. Additionally, while its Speed stat is far lower than it has any right to be for such a nimble-looking creature, with good bulk and some great STAB attacks like Dark Pulse and Foul Play, it’s still got a lot of potential.

Umbreon base stats:

9. Greninja

• Debut: Pokemon X & Y
• Type: Water/Dark
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Bug / Grass / Electric / Fairy

Greninja got a place in our Water-type Pokemon ranking, so it’s not surprising to see it reach the top tiers of our Dark-type Pokemon list, too. Aside from its popularity — it was once voted the world’s favorite Pokemon — and its cool appearance, it’s also a total warrior on the battlefield.

The dual Water/Dark-type creature has a huge Speed stat which means it will often get to attack first, while its hidden ability Protean allows it to become the type of the last move it used, changing its resistances and giving it STAB potential for any move — and it has some great moves.

Greninja base stats:

8. Hydreigon

• Debut: Pokemon Black & White
• Type: Dark/Dragon
• Weaknesses: Fairy / Fighting / Bug / Ice / Dragon

Hydreigon’s type combination is a very powerful one, as it is resistant to all base types such as Fire, Water, Electric, and Grass, while also staying safe from fan favorites like Ghost and Psychic-type Pokemon.

Its move pool is very versatile, offering Hydreigon a lot of coverage with moves like Flash Cannon, Dark Pulse, and Draco Meteor -which lowers the enemy’s Sp. Atk while dealing great damage- to even Fire and Water-type moves like the iconic Flamethrower and Hydro Pump.

Hydreigon base stats:

7. Chi-Yu

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Type: Dark/Fire
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Ground / Rock / Water

Chi-Yu is part of the Dark-type Legendary Ruinous Quartet introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This tiny fish has Fire as its secondary type, and even though it looks helpless, it can cause several damage to its enemies.

This very strong Pokemon has solid stats, with its Sp. Atk exceeding expectations. More so, its special ability Beads of Ruin reduces the Sp. Def of its enemy, leaving it completely vulnerable. By using Nasty Plot it can raise its Sp. Atk stat by two and then destroy its target with powerful moves such as Dark Pulse or Flamethrower.

Chi-Yu base stats:

6. Chien-Pao

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Type: Dark/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Rock / Bug / Steel / Fire / Fairy

Another member of the Legendary Ruinous Quartet, the adaptable Chien-Pao is a very strong wallbreaker with a type combination resisted by only a few. Additionally, it has very high Attack and Speed stats making it a tough Pokemon to take down.

The move Icicle Crash is a strong move with a 30% chance of making the enemy flinch, while Ice Shard has a priority of +1, so it hits before all moves without an increased priority, making it ideal to KO weakened targets.

Chien-Pao base stats:

5. Tyranitar

• Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Type: Rock/Dark
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Ground / Bug / Steel / Water / Grass / Fairy

For many trainers, Tyranitar is the definitive Dark-type Pokemon, and it’s not hard to see why — it has a brilliant Attack stat and very solid defenses, making it a bulky creature that can deliver show-stopping physical damage with STAB moves like Stone Edge and Crunch.

That’s not to mention its Mega Evolution, which has an outstanding total base stat. In this form, that Attack stat rises to a shocking 164, while its Defense becomes 150. As long as you’re not going up against a Fighting-type opponent, Tyranitar is a great addition to any team.

Tyranitar base stats:

4. Darkrai

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Dark
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Bug / Fairy

The pure Dark-type Mythical Pokemon, Darkrai, is a shadow-like creature that’s known for inflicting “unending nightmares” on those around it. Aside from being really creepy, it’s also scary on the battlefield, with huge Special Attack and Speed stats that let it hit hard and fast.

Those stats are put to good use with moves like Dark Void, which puts opponents to sleep, and Nasty Plot, which raises its Special Attack by two stages. Follow this up with powerful STAB attacks like Dark Pulse and Foul Play, and your opponents won’t know what’s hit them.

Darkrai base stats:

3. Roaring Moon

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Type: Dragon/Dark
• Weaknesses: Fairy / Fighting / Bug / Ice / Dragon

If you’re looking for the most brutal Pokemon you can get for your team, look no further than Roaring Moon — a Paradox Pokemon introduced in Gen 9. While Roaring Moon is only available in Pokemon Scarlet version, those who own Violet can find resources online to help get them in their game like these helpful trade codes.

Roaring Moon is a Dragon/Dark-type with an incredibly impressive base Attack stat. Coupled with its blisteringly fast base Speed stat, this Pokemon will often go first in battle and deal a ton of damage with each hit.

Being a dual Dragon/Dark-type Pokemon does mean it has to watch out for quite a few weaknesses including Fairy, Dragon, Ice, Bug, and Fighting, but it also gives it immunity to Psychic — as well as coverage options for almost any opponent with a great moveset. Moves like Night Slash, Throat Chop, Dragon Rush, and Scale Shot will be invaluable for a Roaring Moon.

Roaring Moon base stats:

2. Hoopa (Unbound)

• Debut: Pokemon X & Y
• Type: Psychic/Dark
• Weaknesses: Bug / Fairy

The Mythical Hoopa becomes a Psychic/Dark-type when it enters its Unbound form, which gives it major offensive potential and only two weaknesses (one of them being Bug, which you don’t really need to worry about), backed up by a ridiculous Attack and Special Attack stats.

It does suffer from a low Defense and Speed stat, and a lack of type resistances which isn’t brilliant, but those huge attack stats combined with brilliant STAB moves like Psychic and Dark Pulse are undeniably good. Just don’t expect it to last too long on the battlefield.

Hoopa (Unbound) base stats:

1. Yveltal

• Debut: Pokemon X & Y
• Type: Dark/Flying
• Weaknesses: Rock / Electric / Ice / Fairy

With a Pokedex entry as terrifying as ‘the Destruction Pokemon’, the Legendary Yveltal was bound to be a top-tier Dark-type Pokemon. It gets solid bulk with a huge HP stat and decent defenses, while its Attack and Special Attack stats mean it’s capable of dishing out some huge damage — the best of both worlds.

Yveltal’s standout features are its signature move Oblivion Wing, which combines respectable damage with a significant health boost, and the ability Dark Aura, which increases the power of Dark-type moves to make it a huge threat to most opponents, but especially Ghost and Psychic-types.

Yveltal base stats:

What are the worst Dark-type Pokemon of all time?

Despite there being magnificent Dark-type choices in this ranking, there are also some very bad ones that you should stay away from if you want to win every encounter.

One of the worst Dark-type Pokemon in the franchise is Alolan Raticate. Its Dark/Normal type combo gives it an unnecessary weakness to Fighting-type moves and its stats are just average, with a very low Sp. Atk and Sp. Def, making it slow and leaving it vulnerable.

Similar to Alolan Raticate, Alolan Persian is a disappointment. Its type combo is one of the weakest ones in the game, its stats are standard and the design is just horrible.

Finally, there’s Mightyena. This Gen 3 Pokemon has even lower stats than Alolan Persian and due to its single type, it has less coverage than other options. As if it wasn’t enough, most of its move-pool is focused on Normal moves instead of Dark ones.

That’s everything you need to know about the best Dark-type Pokemon of all time. For more Pokemon content, check our list below:

Best Water-types | Best Grass-types | Best Fighting-types | Best Psychic-types | Best Dragon-types | Best Electric-types | Best Legendary Pokemon | All cat Pokemon | All dog Pokemon | Creepiest ‘mon | Cutest Pokemon | The rarest and most expensive Pokemon cards