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.

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

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. 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, including moves called by (such as  and ) and excluding moves that are repeated as a result of Prankster-affected.

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 s, Dark-type moves are typically categorized as moves.

Pokémon
As of Generation VIII, there are 66 Dark-type Pokémon or 7.3% of all Pokémon (counting those that are Dark-type in at least one of their forms, including Mega Evolutions, s and s), making it the 8th rarest type, tying with Fighting.

Interacting with the Dark type
A Pokémon with, , , , or 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.

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

In the TCG
Introduced in the TCG Neo Genesis set, Darkness-type Pokémon in the TCG are generally weak to TCG Fighting with resistances to TCG Psychic. Darkness-type Pokémon can be strong against TCG Psychic, whilst TCG Fairy Pokémon can resist this type.

Trivia

 * Generation V introduced the most Dark-type Pokémon of any generation, with 16, while Generation VII introduced the fewest, with only two.
 * 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, but no change in a Pokémon. The opposite is true for the Steel type, which saw one type change in a Pokémon family ( and ), 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 from a Badge.
 * Despite Dark-type moves being special before Generation IV, every 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 or ), 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 (,, and ) 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.