Dark-type Pokémon have been the "cool kids" of the franchise since Generation II. They were literally brought into the game to stop Alakazam from being a god. But honestly, if you're running a Tyranitar or a Hydreigon, you've probably noticed they have some pretty glaring holes in their defense. If you're wondering what are dark types weak against, you aren't just looking for a simple list. You're looking for why a tiny bug or a pink fairy can suddenly drop your massive, intimidating Godzilla-clone in one hit.
The mechanics behind these weaknesses aren't just random. Game Freak actually built them around a specific narrative of "justice" and "purity" versus "underhanded tactics."
The Core Triangle: Fighting, Bug, and Fairy
Dark types are weak against three specific types: Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. That’s the short answer. But the nuance is in how these types interact. If you look at the competitive meta, the prevalence of these moves changes how you have to play your Dark types.
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Fighting types represent honorable combat. In the world of Pokémon lore, Dark types are known as the "Evil" type in Japan (the literal translation of Aku). It makes sense that a disciplined martial artist—a Fighting type—would overcome a dirty fighter. When you're in a match, a Move like Close Combat or Aura Sphere is basically a death sentence for a pure Dark type. Take Umbreon. It’s a defensive beast, but a well-timed High Jump Kick from a Blaziken will still tear through those massive defenses because of that 2x multiplier.
Why Bugs? It's Actually Pretty Weird
Most people find the Bug-type weakness confusing. Why would a giant dark dragon like Roaring Moon be scared of a cricket? It’s a classic trope in Japanese media where the "hero" is often represented by a bug (think Kamen Rider). The "justice" of the bug overcomes the "villainy" of the Dark type. In practical gameplay, U-turn is the biggest nightmare for any Dark-type trainer. It’s one of the most common moves in competitive play. Your opponent switches out, deals 2x super effective damage, and gains momentum all at once. It's frustrating. Honestly, it's probably the most common way Dark types lose health without the trainer even realizing what hit them.
The Fairy Menace
Then came Generation VI. Before X and Y, Dark types only had two weaknesses. They were arguably too good. The introduction of the Fairy type was a massive balancing act. Fairies represent pure, magical light—the natural opposite of darkness.
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If you're using a Dark/Dragon type like Guzzlord or Hydreigon, Fairy moves don't just hurt. They obliterate. Because Dragon is also weak to Fairy, those Pokémon take 4x damage. A simple Moonblast from a Flutter Mane will send them straight back to their Pokéball. You have to be incredibly careful switching these Pokémon in if there’s even a hint of a Fairy-type move on the horizon.
Resistance Matters Too
You can't just look at what hits them hard; you have to look at what they ignore. Dark types are completely immune to Psychic moves. This was their original purpose. Back in the Red/Blue days, Psychic types had no real counters. Dark types fixed that. They also resist Ghost-type moves and other Dark-type moves.
But here’s a tip: they also have a unique interaction with the move Prankster. Since Generation VII, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to status moves used by an opponent with the Prankster ability. If someone tries to hit your Grimmsnarl with a Prankster-boosted Will-O-Wisp, it’ll just fail. That’s a huge tactical advantage that many casual players overlook.
The Dual-Type Problem
Dark types rarely exist in a vacuum. Most of the best ones have a second type that either helps or hurts their survivability.
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- Sableye and Spiritomb: For a long time, these had no weaknesses at all. Dark/Ghost was the ultimate defensive combo until Fairy showed up. Now, they only fear Fairy moves.
- Tyranitar (Rock/Dark): This thing is a powerhouse, but it has a "4x weakness" to Fighting. One Low Kick or Mach Punch and it’s over.
- Kingambit (Steel/Dark): Currently a king of the "Scarlet and Violet" meta. The Steel typing helps with the Fairy weakness, but it makes the Fighting weakness even worse.
You've got to weigh the trade-offs. Adding a Steel or Poison sub-type is usually the best way to keep your Dark types alive against those pesky Fairies. Poison/Dark types like Alolan Muk or Overqwil are notoriously difficult to take down because they only have one weakness: Ground.
Practical Strategy: How to Survive
Knowing what are dark types weak against is only half the battle. You have to know how to bait those moves.
If you know the opponent is going to click U-turn, don't just sit there. Switch to a Rocky Helmet user or a Steel type. If you're staring down a Iron Valiant (which is Fairy/Fighting, a Dark type's literal nightmare), you need to get out of there immediately.
Tera Types change everything. In the current generation, you can change your Pokémon's type on the fly. If you have a Kingambit and you know a Fighting move is coming, Terastallizing into a Ghost type will make that move do zero damage. It's a high-level mind game.
Actionable Defense Tips
- Check for U-turn: If the opponent has a Scizor or a Landorus-T, expect a Bug-type move. Don't lead with a Dark type unless you have a solid switch-in.
- Carry a "Fairykiller": Always have a Steel or Poison-type move on your team to handle the Fairies that threaten your Dark types.
- Assault Vest: Give this item to bulky Dark types like Alolan Muk or Hoodra to help them live through powerful Moonblasts or Focus Blasts.
- Identify 4x Weaknesses: Always check if your Pokémon's secondary type overlaps with Dark's weaknesses. If you see a Fighting type and you're using Tyranitar, you switch. Period.
Dark types are meant to be high-risk, high-reward. They have some of the coolest designs and most disruptive moves like Knock Off and Sucker Punch. But they aren't invincible. Respect the Bug, fear the Fighter, and stay far away from the Fairies unless you've got a backup plan. Mastering these matchups is basically the difference between a casual player and someone who actually wins tournaments.