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.
At the bidding of transmissions from the spirit world, it steals people and Pokémon away. No one knows whether it has a will of its own.
With the mouth on its belly, Dusknoir swallows its target whole. The soul is the only thing eaten— Dusknoir disgorges the body before departing.
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 43 partners from the Indeterminate egg group. Notable egg moves include Grudge, Haze, Memento and 1 more.
Bulk and offense in one package. Dusknoir runs Assault Vest for a special bulk boost with no status moves allowed with a Adamant nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Poltergeist. Max HP and Attack EVs and Ground coverage make it hard to safely switch into.
Best Build
Best Dusknoir Moveset
- Shadow Sneak
- Poltergeist
- Power Up Punch
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 S-Tier — one of the best competitive options available. 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