Dusknoir's Ghost typing gives it an immunity to Normal and Fighting. Only 2 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Works well under Trick Room. Known as the Gripper Pokemon.
Dusknoir's all-in on Defense at the expense of HP. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 3 Defense and Sp. Def EVs and follows a fast 800K XP curve.
Comes to those whose lives have come to an end and escorts their souls to the afterlife. Known to mistakenly take the souls of those who yet have life left in them, albeit rarely.
Dusknoir Weakness
ExcellentGhost and Dark-type moves hit Dusknoir for super-effective damage. The upside? Normal and Fighting-type moves can't touch it at all. Dusknoir's overall bulk (45/135/135) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
Dusknoir doesn't evolve through normal leveling. You'll need a trade to get here from Duskull's line. Breed this form to get Duskull eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Duskull gave Dusknoir the biggest boost in Attack (+60), bringing the total to 525 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Dusknoir to get Duskull eggs easily using 63 partners from the Indeterminate egg group.
Start with max HP and Sp. Def EVs. Careful nature gives Dusknoir the right special wall lean, Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, and Pressure works in the background. Poltergeist is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Dusknoir Moveset
- Poltergeist
- Shadow Sneak
- Leech Life
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dusknoir's movepool delivers. Coverage across 11 types plus STAB from Poltergeist and Phantom Force gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Dusknoir's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Shadow Ball and Hex, and coverage across 11 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Without breeding, Dusknoir misses out on Destiny Bond and Grudge. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Shadow Ball and Hex, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dusknoir's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Poltergeist and Shadow Ball gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
No wild encounters for Dusknoir in Scarlet & Violet. Bring Duskull over from Ruby, Emerald, or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
A trade step sits in Dusknoir's 3-stage chain from Duskull. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Duskull shows up at decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Dusknoir in Legends: Arceus
The path to Dusknoir starts with Duskull at walking via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch DuskullEASYArena's ApproachGrassUncommonNightEASYAvalanche SlopesGrassUncommonNightEASYDeadwood HauntGrassUncommonNight
Step 2Catch or Evolve DusclopsEASYArena's ApproachGrassUncommonNightEASYAvalanche SlopesGrassUncommonNightEASYDeadwood HauntGrassUncommonNightor evolve from Duskull (Step 1)
Step 3Dusknoir ✓EASYDeadwood HauntGrassUncommonNightor evolve from Dusclops (Step 2)
A trade step sits in Dusknoir's 3-stage chain from Duskull. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Duskull shows up at decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Dusknoir in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Dusknoir starts with Duskull at Lv. 16-63 via walking and special encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch DuskullEASYDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.16-6325%MidCaveUnique encounterEASYStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.16-6325%MidCaveUnique encounterEASYDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-6320%MidCaveUnique encounterEASYStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.16-6320%MidCaveUnique encounterLEGENDARYRoute 224Shining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.232%MidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 224Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.232%MidRouteDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve DusclopsCHALLENGINGRoute 224Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.52-5420%PostRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 224Shining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.52-5420%PostRouteDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameor evolve from Duskull (Step 1)
Step 3Dusknoir ✓
Dusknoir's 3-stage chain starts with Duskull, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
How to Obtain Dusknoir in Sword & Shield
Duskull is your first catch on the way to Dusknoir. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 11-47 across 41 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DuskullEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingRainingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingRainingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingOvercastEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingHeavy FogEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingOvercastEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingIntense SunEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingSnowingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingIntense SunEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1430%EarlyBuildingSnowingEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingThunderstormEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingThunderstormEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingSandstormEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingSandstormEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingSnowstormEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingSnowstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2960%MidBuildingOvercastEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2960%MidBuildingOvercastEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2950%MidBuildingRainingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2950%MidBuildingRainingEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2935%MidBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2935%MidBuildingThunderstormEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2928%MidBuildingIntense SunEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2928%MidBuildingIntense SunEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingNormal WeatherEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingHeavy FogEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingHeavy FogEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2925%MidBuildingNormal WeatherEASYGiant's CapShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogEASYGiant's CapSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidHeavy FogEASYRoute 6ShieldGrassLv.28-3018%MidRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 6SwordGrassLv.28-3018%MidRouteAll WeatherEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2915%MidBuildingSnowingEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2915%MidBuildingSnowingMODERATEMotostoke RiverbankSwordOverworldLv.26-285%MidHeavy FogMODERATEMotostoke RiverbankShieldOverworldLv.28-305%MidHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3860%LateWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3860%LateWaterHeavy FogEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordOverworldLv.42-4735%LateHeavy Fog
Step 2Catch or Evolve DusclopsEASYRoute 8SwordGrassLv.38-4015%LateRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 8ShieldGrassLv.38-4015%LateRouteAll Weatheror evolve from Duskull (Step 1)
Step 3Dusknoir ✓
Dusknoir has a 525 base stat total and ranks as B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. It works best as an attacker. Base 135 Defense is where it shines.
Pressure increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one — that's the one you want on Dusknoir. Frisk is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Dusknoir fills the attacker role. It's a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Dusknoir appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Dusknoir has been available in 13 games since Diamond & Pearl, though obtaining it requires a trade evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.
- 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