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 3 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.
It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers.
It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon.
Darkrai Weakness
AvgDarkrai's Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting, Bug, and Fairy moves. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. With 70 HP and balanced defenses, Darkrai can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
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
Lum Berry and Baddreams form the backbone. Darkrai invests max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs to play its special attacker role properly, and Timid nature pushes Speed higher. Dark Pulse handles the heavy lifting on offense. Utility options rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Darkrai Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Substitute
- Icy Wind
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
STAB runs through Foul Play and Dark Pulse 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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Darkrai can't be caught in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Bring it over from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
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.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A