When picking the best Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO, you should think about more than just the highest or Attack stat. You need to consider how well the Pokémon performs in battles and how it fits with your team. A pure Dark-type is different from a Dark-/Poison- or Dark-/Dragon-type, and having a second type can give you useful resistances or create serious weaknesses, like being double weak to Fighting moves. Also, consider your current team's weaknesses to ensure it's well-balanced.

In the end, choosing the best Dark-type Pokémon means balancing stats, types, move sets, and how easy it is to get that Pokémon so you can have one that performs well in the current game environment. Dark-types use a lot of energy, so they take more strategy. While there are some great Dark-types, you could have an easier time with the best Water-type Pokémon.

10 Mega Gyarados Is A Surprising Twist

Not Many Think of This One

Gyarados is usually known as a Water/Flying Pokémon, but when it Mega Evolves, it changes to a Water-/Dark-type. This makes it a much stronger Pokémon. When it Mega Evolves, all of its stats get significantly better, with its Attack reaching an incredible 292. Mega Gyarados is tough because it has more resistance than weaknesses, and it benefits from weather conditions like Fog and Rain due to it being a Water-type.

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With moves like Bite and Hydro Pump, it can deal a lot of damage quickly. It’s especially useful in battles because it’s immune to Psychic-types and has fewer weaknesses than many other Pokémon. If you really want to use this Pokémon well, take advantage of the weather. It can be powerful when used to its fullest. It’s my favorite Pokémon on this list because it’s an evolved version of a Gen 1, and I really recommend catching a Mega Gyarados if you can.

9 Overqwil Is More Than Poisonous

Keep A Lookout For This One

Overqwil is a great choice for a Dark-type in Pokémon GO. It has a unique combination of Dark and Poison-types, which makes it different from many other Pokémon. With a maximum combat power of 3304 and 157 HP, it can hold its own in battles. This Pokémon is from Gen 8 and has strong defense due to its typing, which makes it resistant to several types like Dark, Ghost, Poison, Grass, and Ground. Plus, it doesn’t have any major weaknesses, which is a big advantage.

Max

3330

Attack

222 ATK

Defense

171 DEF

Stamina

198 HP

Overqwil also has a good range of moves, letting you adapt to different opponents. While it may not have the highest attack power among Dark-types, its versatility allows you to effectively use both Dark and Poison moves. This Pokémon can make a difference to your team, but only if you're looking for a strong and flexible Dark-type Pokémon.

8 Shiftry Is A Beloved Classic

Never Go Wrong With Shiftry

Shiftry is a unique Dark-type in GO. What sets it apart is that it either resists or is weak against almost every type, meaning it has very few types that hit it neutrally. This gives it a lot of advantages with various resistances but also some notable weaknesses that you should keep in mind during battles. Its Attack stat is impressive, reaching over 200 at its highest level, and its moveset is balanced, featuring both Dark and Grass-type moves.

Max

2637

Attack

200 ATK

Defense

121 DEF

Stamina

207 HP

The combination of Snarl and Leaf Blade works particularly well, letting its shadow form teal a lot of damage quickly. With its dual Dark and Grass typing, Shiftry can handle a wide range of opponents. However, you should be aware of its weaknesses, which include Fighting, Flying, Poison, Fire, Bug, and Ice-types. Still, it's high Attack stat and solid moveset make it a strong choice for any trainer wanting to add a powerful and unique Dark-type Pokémon to their lineup.

7 Sharpedo Isn't Just A Shark

Another Classic Winner

Sharpedo is both a Dark- and Water-type in Pokémon GO, and it has received a significant upgrade with its shadow form, making it a great addition to your team. Its typing is defensively strong, with no major weaknesses and a good resistance to Psychic-types. This is helpful against Psychic-type Pokémon in battles. What makes Sharpedo stand out is its impressive Attack stat of 243, which allows it to deal a lot of damage. Although its defense isn't the highest, it has good stamina, which helps it stay in fights longer than you'd expect.

There are very few Dark and Water-type combinations in Pokémon GO, so try and get this Pokémon to get the best of both worlds.

The biggest advantage of Sharpedo is its shadow form. Using the moves Bite and Hydro Pump together in this form can achieve an impressive 19.15 DPS. This high damage output lets Sharpedo take down opponents quickly, making it a powerful contender in battles. Its ability to deal a lot of damage while also being somewhat durable makes it one of the best Dark-type Pokémon to use in Pokémon GO.

6 Honchkrow Looks Welcoming But Is A Damage Dealer

Don't Underestimate This Pokémon

Pokémon GO's Honchkrow is a great option as a Dark-type Pokémon. It has strong defenses against both Ground and Psychic-types, which makes it tough to beat in battles against those types. In of stats, Honchkrow excels in Attack and Stamina, with values of 243 and 225. These strong stats mean it can do a lot of damage and stay in battles longer than many other Pokémon. You'll find that it can consistently hit hard and take hits well.

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Even without a Shadow form, Honchkrow performs impressively, dealing 18.5 DPS when using the moves Snarl and Brave Bird. This powerful combination allows it to take down opponents quickly, especially if they aren’t prepared. Its moves also provide a good mix of strong Dark-type and Flying-type attacks. In short, Honchkrow’s resistance to popular types, high Attack and Stamina, and impressive damage output makes it a top choice for Dark types. It's a smart pick for any trainer looking to add a strong Dark-type Pokémon to their team.

5 Bisharp Stands Tall Among Others

Can Really Cut Up The Competition

Bisharp is a strong Pokémon with many great attributes in Pokémon GO. It has a high Attack stat of 232 at its maximum potential, which makes it a big threat in battles. Although its Steel-type makes it weak against Fighting Pokémon, it has an impressive 11 resistances, meaning it can withstand attacks from more than half the types in the game. This versatility makes it a valuable choice in various situations.

Max

3215

Attack

232 ATK

Defense

176 DEF

Stamina

163 HP

However, Bisharp has a limited selection of moves. It can deal a decent amount of damage (about 18.95 DPS) using Dark-type moves like Snarl and Dark Pulse. Still, having a variety of move types is important for covering different opponents effectively. Despite this limitation, its strong Attack and many resistances make it a top Dark-type Pokémon. It can be a great addition to any team, as long as you keep in mind its weakness to Fighting-type moves.

4 Krookodile Tends To Get Overlooked

But It's A Top-Tier Pokémon

Krookodile, known as the Intimidation Pokémon, is a great addition to any Pokémon GO team. It has solid Attack and Stamina stats of 229 and 216, which means it can deal good damage and last longer in battles compared to many other Pokémon. Although it doesn't have the largest move pool, it can still hit hard, making it a strong contender in fights.

With the moves Snarl and Earthquake, Krookodile can deliver a solid 13.47 DPS, giving it a good damage output during battles. This move set allows it to effectively take down opponents. While some may argue that other Dark-type Pokémon can deal more damage or have a wider range of moves, Krookodile balances solid attack power with decent stamina. Its high stamina lets it withstand more hits and stay in the battle longer, which can be especially helpful in long fights or against multiple opponents.

3 Hydreigon Has Three Heads of Destruction

They Do The Job Well

Hydreigon is a Dark-/Dragon-type that offers some good resistances, even though it has quite a few weaknesses in Pokémon GO. This makes it a bit fragile, but it can still hit hard. If you’re great at strategy, you can pull this one out when it’s needed and really take advantage of its strength. I have since gotten rid of this Pokémon, but when I had him, I liked to use it as a last resort because he could really clean house.

This is probably the most underestimated on this list, but it can pack a punch.

Don’t think Hydreigon looks more powerful than it actually is, it’s still a formidable Pokémon. It has access to strong Dark and Dragon-type moves, which means it can deal a lot of damage to many enemies. While its Attack stat isn't the absolute highest among Dark-types, it's still good enough to make an impact. Hydreigon clearly deserves its place among the top Dark-type Pokémon.

2 Tyranitar Is Almost The Top

Yet, It's Still Devastating

Tyranitar is a strong and popular Pokémon from Gen 2, known as a pseudo-legendary. It has a fairly balanced set of strengths and weaknesses, with seven of each. Its strong resistance to Psychic-type moves makes it a good choice against Psychic Pokémon in Pokémon GO, but you should avoid Fighting-type enemies as it’s a major disadvantage.

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Whether you're participating in raids, battling in gyms, or facing other trainers in PvP, having Tyranitar on your team gives you both strong attack options and strategic advantages. It’s not good enough to be number one, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for anyway since it’s got a real advantage against many types.

1 Yveltal Is The Best One Here

No Other Pokémon Here Can Compare

Yveltal is currently the only Dark-type Legendary Pokémon available in Pokémon GO, making it one of the best options. Its typing is advantageous because it resists Psychic and Ground attacks better than other Pokémon. Yveltal has impressive stats as well, with an Attack of 250 and a Stamina of 246, giving it strong hitting power. Its Defense is a bit lower at 185, but still decent.

Even if you don't want a Dark-type, you should get a legendary whenever the opportunity arises.

In battles, using moves like Sucker Punch and Dark Pulse, Yveltal can deliver a solid damage output of 16.29 DPS, making it a tough opponent. Although other Dark-types deal more damage, Yveltal's combination of stats, type advantages, and being a Legendary Pokémon makes it a top choice. This, and other Pokémon on the list, are some you should keep an eye out for in Pokémon GO.

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Pokémon GO
Released
July 6, 2016
ESRB
e
Developer(s)
Niantic, The Pokemon Company
Publisher(s)
Niantic
Engine
Unity
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
ios, andriod
Cross Save
yes
Franchise
Pokemon

Platform(s)
iOS, Android