Best Dark-type attackers in Pokémon Go

Dark-type Pokémon are just one of 18 different types in the world of Pokémon Go. Each has its own strengths, weaknesses and best Pokémon. Dark Pokémon get bonus points for being metal and/or emo are just really cool best known for being anti-Mewtwo tech.

As such, it's important to know the best Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go. Given that they are super-effective against Psychic and Ghost-type Pokémon, this is a type you’ll want on top of. But, as always, some are worthy of your time, Candy and Stardust, and others are not

So, to make life easy for everyone, I've split this page into multiple sections, including an overview of what Dark-type Pokémon are, the best Legendary Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go and the best non-Legendary Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go, including a brief analysis of each.

On this page:

• Best Legendary Dark-type Pokémon
• Best non-Legendary Dark-type Pokémon
• What are Dark-type Pokémon?

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Best Dark-type Legendary Pokémon

With so many different Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go, it is getting incredibly difficult to know which ones you can rely on.

Level for level, is a perfect Darkrai better than a perfect Yveltal? How do the two dual-type budget options Hydreigon and Tyranitar compare? Who is the best Dark-type in Master League? As always, the strongest Pokémon depends on the situation, which is why our lists below come with a brief note for each Pokémon, telling you where and how it is useful.

As with our list of best Pokémon in Pokémon Go, we’re going to avoid covering Shadow Pokémonand Mega Pokémon. Including them would pretty much knock everything else out of this list. If you want to read more about either of those, you can check out our best Shadow Pokémon and best Mega Pokémon in Pokémon Go guides.

And finally, it's also worth adding that this is an editorialised list of Pokémon - it's not strictly the Pokémon that throw the biggest punches.

Here’s a breakdown of the best Dark-type Legendary Pokémon:

Darkrai

• Darkrai types: Dark
• Darkrai weaknesses: Bug, Fairy and Fighting
• Main use: Raids

As a Mythical Pokémon, it’s fitting that Darkrai tops our list. It has a devastating attack stat which will only go up when we get its Mega Evolution at a (probably much) later date.

Shadow Ball is technically a better attack than Dark Pulse even when you factor in STAB, which is a shame. Hopefully Dark Void will make the Pitch-Black Pokémon an even stronger option in future.

Unfortunately, Darkrai isn’t quite worth running in Master League outside of some obvious wins against the Necrozmas and Mewtwo.

Yveltal

• Yveltal types: Dark/Flying
• Yveltal weaknesses: Electric, Fairy, Ice and Rock
• Main use: Master League

Yveltal is a top-tier attacker. While it is better as a Flying-type attacker thanks to its signature move Oblivion Wing, it is a respectable Dark-type attacker, too. Admittedly, if you’re desperate for Dark-type attackers, there are better, more budget-friendly options in the form of Hydreigon and Tyranitar.

Which brings us to its main use: Master League.

Sucker Punch is now truly excellent, making it a must-have against the likes of the Necrozmas floating around the top of the meta. Oblivion Wing is an incredible attack and Dark Pulse is there for STAB. It’s always great to see a cool Pokémon do well, and we hope Yveltal stays at the top of the meta for a while yet.

Guzzlord

• Guzzlord types: Dark/Dragon
• Guzzlord weaknesses: Fairy (2x), Bug, Dragon, Fighting and Ice
• Main use: Great League

For sake of ease (and functional similarities), we’re counting Ultra Beasts as Legendary Pokémon. We know they’re not technically the same thing, and no we don’t mind grouping them the same way we group Primal and Mega Evolution.

Disclaimer out of the way, Guzzlord is a top-tier Great League Pokémon thanks to its God-tier Stamina stat. It’s the fourth-bulkiest Pokémon in the game after Blissey, Eternamax Eternatus and Chansey. That’s pretty impressive company.

This is also a good chance to talk about Brutal Swing. It’s a great spammy Charged Move that also hits very hard. Whether you’re looking at PVP or Raids, this is a move you want to keep an eye out for and run when you get the chance.

The Mega Squads event sees the release of Maschiff! Want to know what's happening this month? Then take a look at the September schedule. Don't forget to keep an eye out for both the rarest Pokémon and the best Pokémon in your travels.

Best Dark-type non-Legendary Pokémon

As a rule of thumb, Legendary Pokémon are typically stronger than non-Legendary Pokémon. However, if things were that simple you wouldn’t be here. Dark types are the exception that prove the rule. Put the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai to one side and your strongest options are actually the pseudo-Legendary Hydreigon and Tyranitar. And even then, the differences in terms of damage output are surprisingly slim.

So, some pseudo-Legendries can clearly go toe-to-toe with even the most famous Pokémon.

Given that maxing out a non-Legendary Pokémon is generally cheaper than doing the same for a Legendary, it’s good to know how they stack up when a more budget version is available.

Again, this is an editorialised list of Pokémon, not simply those who have the biggest attack stats.

Here's a breakdown of the best Dark-type non-Legendary Pokémon:

Tyranitar

• Tyranitar types: Rock/Dark
• Tyranitar weaknesses: Fighting (2x), Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel and Water
• Main use: Raid attacker, Mega Evolution

Tyranitar is the go-to budget Dark-type attacker. Not only does this pseudo-Legendary have Brutal Swing to quickly even the odds, but it Mega Evolves into the current best Dark-type attacker in the game.

It’s also a decent Rock-type attacker with Smack Down and Stone Edge. Given that Smack Down is a Legacy move, there is an argument for that and Brutal Swing in Dark-type raids. We don’t hate it – Smack Down hits like a truck.

Sadly, it has too many relevant weaknesses to be truly standout in PVP, but that’s ok. We’re sitting here picturing T’tar using Brutal Swing on our opponents and it looks like that scene where The Hulk is smashing the “puny god” Loki into the floor. We are smiling.

Hydreigon

• Hydreigon types: Dark/Steel
• Hydreigon weaknesses: Fairy (2x), Bug, Dragon, Fighting and Ice
• Main use: Raid attacker

Another pseudo-Legendary well worth your time is Hydreigon. It’s slightly better than Tyranitar on paper, but lacks a Mega Evolution. It absolutely needs Brutal Swing (like most Dark-types) to become an absolute nightmare – unfortunately it’s a Legacy move on this Pokémon, but it’s well worth investing in if you have it.

Is it worth an Elite TM? That’s tough to say – especially when Tyranitar has it as part of its normal pool... We would probably save it unless we’re working on a hundo, as there are Legendary Pokémon that could probably make better use of an Elite TM.

Absol

• Absol types: Dark
• Absol weaknesses: Bug, Fairy and Fighting
• Main use: Future-proofing

Absol is sweet – not just because we identify with the emo haircut, but because it will eventually Mega Evolve into the strongest Dark-type attacker. It already has a very high attack stat – Mega Absol Z takes this to almost disgusting levels, putting it above even Mega Tyranitar.

For now, it’s a reasonable Dark-type attacker, just be aware that it’s very glassy.

Sableye

• Sableye types: Dark/Ghost
• Sableye weaknesses: Fairy
• Main use: Great League

Sableye and shadow Sableye are both great picks for Great League. Shadow works slightly better, but regular is perfectly acceptable.

This Pokémon has long been a staple of competitive play, though it has had shaky moments thanks to the likes of Wigglytuff and Tinkaton. That said, it’s still well worth considering – not everyone runs its nemeses, and as fewer people run Sableye, fewer people will run its counters, making Sableye stronger... Keep an eye on the meta and you can do well with this Pokémon.

What are Dark-type Pokémon?

In order to save you from having to remember it, here's a breakdown of the Dark typing in Pokémon Go.

Dark-type explained

• Type: Dark
• Weak to: Bug, Fairy and Fighting
• Resistant to: Dark and Ghost
• Very resistant to: Psychic
• Super effective against: Ghost and Psychic
• Not very effective against: Dark, Fairy and Fighting
• Boosted by: Fog weather

Note: Unlike in the main series games, there is no Immunity in Pokémon Go! Dark is very resistant to Psychic-type moves, but it is not immune.

Good luck finding the most powerful Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go!