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.
It is said to take lost spirits into its pliant body and guide them home.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 31 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Destiny Bond, Feint Attack, Grudge and 4 more.
Bulk and offense in one package. Dusknoir runs Leftovers for passive recovery each turn with a Adamant nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Shadow Sneak. Max HP and Attack EVs and the remaining moves make it hard to safely switch into.
Best Build
Best Dusknoir Moveset
- Shadow Sneak
- Will O Wisp
- Ice Punch
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Dusknoir misses out on Destiny Bond and Feint Attack. That's 7 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Shadow Ball and Shadow Punch, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The chain to Dusknoir requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Duskull at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
How to Obtain Dusknoir in Platinum
To get Dusknoir, start by catching Duskull through walking encounters at Lv. 16-48. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DuskullEASYTurnback Cave - Section 1GrassLv.16-18UncommonMidCaveNightEASYLost Tower - 1FGrassLv.17-19UncommonMidBuildingNightEASYLost Tower - 2FGrassLv.17-19UncommonMidBuildingNightEASYRoute 209GrassLv.17UncommonMidRouteNightEASYLost Tower - 3FGrassLv.18-20UncommonMidBuildingNightEASYLost Tower - 4FGrassLv.18-20UncommonMidBuildingNightEASYLost Tower - 5FGrassLv.19-21UncommonMidBuildingNightCHALLENGINGTurnback Cave - Section 1GrassLv.18RareMidCaveMorning/day
Step 2Catch or Evolve DusclopsEASYTurnback Cave - Section 2GrassLv.36-38UncommonLateCaveNightEASYSendoff SpringGrassLv.39-40UncommonLateNightCHALLENGINGTurnback Cave - Section 2GrassLv.38RareLateCaveMorning/dayCHALLENGINGSendoff SpringGrassLv.40RareLateMorning/dayEASYTurnback Cave - Section 3GrassLv.46-48UncommonPostCaveNightCHALLENGINGTurnback Cave - Section 3GrassLv.47-48RarePostCaveMorning/dayor 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