Dark (type)

The **Dark type** (Japanese: **あくタイプ** *Evil type*) is one of the eighteen types. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Dark-type moves were special, but they may now also be physical depending on the attack.

The Dark type was introduced in Generation II, along with the Steel type.

## Battle properties

### Generation VI onwards

As of Generation VII, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to opposing Pokémon's moves that gain priority due to the Ability Prankster.

## Characteristics

### Defense

The Dark type, along with the Steel type, was introduced in Generation II in order to balance against Psychic type, so it is immune to Psychic attacks. However, this immunity is nullified by Miracle Eye. Dark Pokémon have a single Ground weakness if their other type is Poison, which nullifies all of Dark type's other weaknesses. Dark Pokémon are immune to opposing Pokémon's moves that gain priority due to Prankster, including moves called by moves that call other moves (such as Assist and Nature Power) and excluding moves that are repeated as a result of Prankster-affected Instruct.

### Offense

Dark-type attacks are resisted by Fighting, Dark, and Fairy, so using them along with Fairy attacks will optimize neutral coverage.

### Contest properties

In Contests, Dark-type moves are typically categorized as Clever moves.

## Pokémon

As of Generation AN-V, there are 29 Dark-type Pokémon or 9.51% of all Pokémon, including those that are Dark-type in at least one of their forms, such as a regional form, except through abilities like Multitype. This makes it the 9th most common type, tying with the Grass type.

## Abilities

### Interacting with the Dark type

A Pokémon with Color Change, Protean, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Dark-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Dark-type move, uses a Dark-type move, is sent out against a Dark-type opponent, is holding a Dark Memory, or is holding a Dread Plate or Darkinium Z.

Since Generation VII, Dark-type Pokémon are also immune to opposing Pokémon's moves that gain priority due to Prankster.

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### Exclusive Abilities

Currently, no Abilities are exclusive to Dark types. This does not include signature Abilities.

## Notable Dark-type Trainers

Main pages: Category:Dark-type Trainers and Category:Dark-type Trainers

## Trivia

* Generation AN-I introduced the most Dark-type Pokémon of any generation, with 19, while Generation VII introduced the fewest, with only two.
	+ Of the core series games, Generation V and its 16 Dark-type Pokémon have the most.
* Generation IV introduced the most Dark-type moves of any generation, with 11, and Generation VI introduced the fewest (excluding Generation I) Dark-type moves, with three.
* In Generation II, the Dark type saw one type change in a move (Bite), but no change in a Pokémon. The opposite is true for the Steel type, which saw one type change in a Pokémon family (Magnemite and Magneton), but no change in a move.
	+ This makes the Dark type the only added type to not have a previously introduced Pokémon have its type changed.
* The Dark type was the only type in Generation II to not have a type boost from a Badge.
* Despite Dark-type moves being special before Generation IV, every damaging Dark-type move originating from before Generation IV was made into a physical move.
* The Dark and Ghost types share their super effectiveness, with both types being only strong against Ghost- and Psychic types.
* More regional forms belong to the Dark-type than any other type, with nine.
* Prior to Generation VI, Dark/Ghost Pokémon normally had no weaknesses (excluding Fighting under immunity-negating conditions such as Foresight or Scrappy), as the resistances of the Dark type cover the weaknesses of Ghost, and vice-versa. Introduced in Generation VI, the Fairy type is super effective against Dark and not resisted by Ghost.
* All moves that fail unless used by a certain species or form of Pokémon (Hyperspace Fury, Dark Void, and Aura Wheel \*) are Dark-type.
* All Dark-type moves are eligible to be used in Sky Battles.
* The Dark type was the last type to receive a Gym Leader, only getting simultaneously two in Generation VIII.
* All types that are super-effective against the Dark type are resisted by the Poison type.