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.
On a moonless night, a strange incident occurred in which every one of a village’s inhabitants suffered nightmares. The villagers attested that Darkrai appeared before them in these nightmares.
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
One boost from Nasty Plot and Darkrai gets dangerous fast. The Timid nature targets max Sp. Atk and Speed, and Baddreams backs the whole approach. Dark Pulse and the remaining moves handle most of what's left standing.
Best Build
Best Darkrai Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Darkrai's coverage across 9 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Foul Play and Dark Pulse for same-type damage. Dream Eater and Blizzard are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Darkrai in Scarlet & Violet. 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.
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