Dark (type): Difference between revisions

The Dark type, along with the {{t|Steel}} type, was introduced in [[Generation II]] in order to balance against {{t|Psychic}} type. Dark types also have a resistance to {{t|Ghost}} and Dark types itself. Their weaknesses to {{t|Fighting}} , {{t|Bug}}, and {{t|Fairy}} types, especially when Dark-type Pokémon tend to have below average defensive stats results in the Dark type alone offering little defensive utility outside of its aforementioned characteristics. However, it performs slightly better defensively if paired with types such as {{t|Poison}}, which nullifies all of Dark type's weaknesses, leaving a single {{t|Ground}} weakness.

Prior to [[Generation VI]], Dark/{{type|Ghost}} Pokémon normally had no weaknesses (excluding {{t|Fighting}} under immunity-negating conditions such as {{m|Foresight}} or {{a|Scrappy}}), as the resistances of the Dark type cover the weaknesses of Ghost, and vice-versa. Introduced in Generation VI, the {{t|Fairy}} type is super effective against Dark and not resisted by Ghost. As of [[Generation VII]], Dark-types are also unaffected to any opposing [[priority]] [[status move]]s caused by the [[Ability]] {{a|Prankster}}.

Dark types are especially useful when combating Psychic and Ghost types, an offensive matchups that is shared by Ghost types. Similar to Ghost types, Dark types had little use prior to [[Generation V]], as {{type|Steel}} resists both of them. With a neutral hit on Steel Pokémon since [[Generation VI]] and no immunity against it, Dark type is considered to be an optimal neutral coverage available. However, both {{t|Fighting}} and {{t|Fairy}} are the threat for Dark types due to their advantage in matchups.

Despite being a [[special move|special]] type prior to [[Generation IV]], all previous Dark-type attacks became [[physical move|physical]], which removes the previous limitation as most Dark-type Pokémon are physical attackers due to their typically high {{stat|Attack}}. Several Dark-type moves involve the possession of an opponent's attributes, such as {{m|Knock Off}} and {{m|Foul Play}}, which deals additional damage under the common situations.  

! colspan="3" style="background:#{{Dark color light}}; {{roundybottom|8px}}" |<small>All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.</small>