Dark Type Guide: Strengths & Counters
Explore the Dark type: learn its strengths, weaknesses, resistances, immunities and practical tips for VGC and Showdown ladder play.
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What Is Dark Strong Against? Offensive Matchups
- Strong against: PsychicGhost
- Not very effective against: FightingDarkFairy
- Has no effect: None
Average Offensive Power: 103%: Poor offensively, ranking #11 of 18.
Offensive Matchup – Overview
Cunning strikes confound Ghosts and Psychics, but disciplined Fighters, fellow rogues, and radiant Fairies resist the dirty playbook.
Super-Effective
- Ghost – Treachery outwits spirits.
- Psychic – Deception blinds clairvoyance.
Not Very Effective
- Fighting – Honor confronts deceit.
- Dark – Shadows cancel shadows.
- Fairy – Light dispels trickery.
What Is Dark Weak To? Defensive Matchups
- Weak to: FightingBugFairy
- Resists: GhostDark
- Immune to: Psychic
Average Defensive Strength: 95%: Poor defensively, ranking #12 of 18.
Defensive Matchup – Overview
Honor (Fighting), predators (Bug), and fairy light pierce the dark, while shadows coexist with Ghost and Dark assaults and remain unreadable to Psychics.
Weak To
- Fighting – Discipline beats villainy.
- Bug – Nocturnal hunters prey on evil.
- Fairy – Purity banishes malice.
Resistant To
- Ghost – Similar shadows interfere less.
- Dark – Dark understands dark.
Immune To
- Psychic – Chaotic minds can’t be read.
Uneven Matchups
- Dark→Psychic2×←Psychic→0×
- Dark→Bug1×←Bug→2×
Related Type Guides
Full Type Chart
Type Effectiveness Chart
Interactive Battle Type Chart
DEFENSE → across columns • ATTACK ↓ down rows
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Matchup Details
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• Chart based on rules effective since 2013