Special
Sweeper
600Elite
125Very Fast
ATier

Everything about Darkrai's stat line is built to win. 135 base Sp. Atk leads the way, and even its worst stat (70 HP) isn't a real liability. Psychic moves can't touch it, and only 2 types hit it super-effectively. Part of the Gen 4 roster.

Everything pushes toward special damage here. Darkrai's Sp. Atk does the work, HP pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs per KO. Near-impossible to catch, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
600Legend
HP70
C
Attack90
B
Defense90
B
Sp. Atk135
A
Sp. Def90
B
Speed125
A
Total600
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Darkrai yields +2 SpA, +1 Spe
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpDSpe+1
Details
Catch3LegendarySlow1.25M XP1.5m / 4'11"50.5kg / 111.3 lbs270Base XP
Pokedex Entries

To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm.

Black / White

Darkrai Weakness

Good

Darkrai's Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting and Bug moves. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. With 70 HP and balanced defenses, Darkrai can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
½xResisti
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
STAB (2)i
2Weak
2Resist
1Immune
Scorei+1
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Bad DreamsDamages sleeping opponents for 1/8 their max HP after each turn.

A Dark-type mythical at 600 base stats, Darkrai can't breed or evolve. Event distribution is the standard way to obtain one.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Darkrai
#491Darkrai
Does not evolve
Breeding
Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

STAB runs through Dark Pulse and Sucker Punch for the basics, but Darkrai's real strength is the 12-type coverage spread. Ghost and Normal hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Disable
10020Normal
Lv 1
Ominous Wind
601005Ghost
Lv 11
Quick Attack+1
4010030Normal
Lv 20
Hypnosis
6020Psychic
Lv 29
Feint Attack
6020Dark
Lv 38
Nightmare
10015Ghost
Lv 47
Double Team
15Normal
Lv 57
Haze
30Ice
Lv 66
Dark Void
5010Dark
Lv 75
Nasty Plot
20Dark
Lv 84
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
Lv 93
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark

TM Moves

Src
TM40
Aerial Ace
6020Flying
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM04
Calm Mind
20Psychic
TM57
Charge Beam
509010Electric
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
TM63
Embargo
10015Dark
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM70
Flash
10020Normal
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM59
Incinerate
3010015Fire
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM67
Retaliate
701005Normal
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
609510Rock
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM65
Shadow Claw
7010015Ghost
TM36
Sludge Bomb
9010010Poison
TM95
Snarl
559515Dark
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
30Normal
TM12
Taunt
10020Dark
TM46
Thief
6010010Dark
TM25
Thunder
1207010Electric
TM73
Thunder Wave
10020Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
9510015Electric
TM41
Torment
10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
9010Poison
TM61
Will-O-Wisp
7515Fire
TM81
X-Scissor
8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Darkrai doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Darkrai can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Endure+4
10Normal
Gen 4
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 4
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Gen 4
Natural Gift
10015Normal
Gen 4
Night Shade
10015Ghost
Gen 4
Pursuit
4010020Dark
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 4
Shock Wave
6020Electric
Gen 4
Sucker Punch+1
801005Dark
Gen 4
Swift
6020Normal

No wild encounters for Darkrai in Black & White. It's available in Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.

Darkrai is not available as a wild encounter in this game.

Also found in:

  • At 600 BST, Darkrai is built different. We rank it A-Tier. As a Mythical Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper.

  • Watch for Lucario (Fighting) and Scyther (Bug) when using Darkrai. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Darkrai doesn't evolve. As a Mythical Pokemon, it stands on its own without an evolutionary line. It's a Dark type with 600 BST.

  • Bad Dreams damages sleeping opponents for 1/8 their max HP after each turn — that's the one you want on Darkrai. It's the only ability Darkrai has.

  • Darkrai is a special attacker with base 135 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 125 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.

  • Darkrai appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.

Introduced in Diamond & Pearl, Darkrai shows up in 13 games across 6 generations. Mythical status keeps it locked behind events or specific story content in most appearances.