You’re staring at the screen. Your Tyranitar or Hydreigon just got deleted by a move you didn't see coming. It happens. Dark types are cool, edgy, and arguably some of the most powerful glass cannons in the game, but they have glaring holes. If you're wondering what is dark weak against, you aren't just looking for a list. You're trying to figure out why your team keeps folding to a stray U-turn or a Moonblast.
It’s about more than just a chart. It's about the shift in the meta since 1999. Back in the Gold and Silver days, Dark was the answer to the Psychic-type "gods" like Alakazam. Now? It’s a game of chess where Fairy types and Fighting-type priority moves are the kings.
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The Big Three: Understanding What is Dark Weak Against
Let's get the basics out of the way. Dark is weak against Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. That sounds simple. It isn't.
The Fighting Threat
Fighting moves are everywhere. Close Combat? High Jump Kick? These are high-base-power moves that almost every physical attacker carries. When you ask what is dark weak against, Fighting is usually the first answer because it's the most common coverage.
Think about it. A Pokémon like Lucario or Machamp doesn't just hit hard; they exploit the fact that Dark types often have lower physical defense. If you're switching a Dark type into a predicted Psychic move, and they read you with a Brick Break, it's over. Game over.
The Bug-Type Paradox
It’s kinda weird, right? A giant, terrifying dragon-like Dark type being scared of a butterfly. But from a balance perspective, Game Freak needed to give Bug types a job. Bug moves—specifically U-turn—are the bane of a Dark-type's existence.
U-turn is a pivot move. It does damage and lets the opponent switch out. Because Dark is weak to it, your opponent gets a free "super effective" hit while simultaneously repositioning their team to counter whatever you bring in next. It’s annoying. It’s effective. It's why Masquerain or Scizor can actually be a threat to your heavy hitters.
The Fairy Revolution
Generation VI changed everything. Before X and Y, Dark types were arguably too dominant. Then came the Fairies. Fairy types are the ultimate hard counter. They resist Dark moves and hit back with super effective damage.
If you’re running a mono-Dark team or a Dark-heavy core, a single Sylveon or Clefable can stall you out indefinitely. They take half-damage from your STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves and delete you with a Dazzling Gleam. It’s a brutal reality of the modern competitive landscape.
Why These Weaknesses Actually Exist
Game balance is a delicate thing. In the original Red and Blue, Psychic types had no real counters. They were broken. Seriously. Dark types were literally invented to fix a broken game.
By making Dark weak to Fighting, the developers ensured that the "martial arts" archetype had a specific niche: keeping the "evil" types in check. The Bug weakness was a buff to the weakest type in the game. And Fairy? That was the nuclear option to stop Dragons and Dark types from running the show.
Strategy: Dealing with the Weaknesses
You can't just stop using Dark types. They're too good. They have a total immunity to Psychic moves, which is huge. They also resist Ghost and Dark. To win, you have to play around the vulnerabilities.
The Poison/Dark Combo
This is a classic. Look at Alolan Muk or Drapion. By pairing Dark with Poison, you completely eliminate the Fairy and Bug weaknesses. Suddenly, that "weak" Pokémon only has one weakness: Ground. That's how you build a real defensive core.
The Ghost/Dark Stall
Sableye and Spiritomb used to have NO weaknesses. None. Then Fairy came along and ruined the party. Even so, these two are still incredibly hard to take down because they ignore the Fighting-type weakness that plagues other Dark types.
Common Mistakes Most Players Make
- Switching into U-turn: Never, ever switch your Dark type into a Pokémon you suspect has U-turn unless you’re holding a Rocky Helmet or have 4x resistance.
- Ignoring the Fairy-type coverage: Just because an opponent isn't a "Fairy type" doesn't mean they don't have Play Rough. Garchomp and even some Fire types carry it.
- Underestimating Priority: Mach Punch will ruin your day. Dark types are often fast, but priority moves skip the speed check.
Breaking Down the Matchups
Honestly, the best way to understand what is dark weak against is to see how it plays out in a real battle.
Imagine you’re using Roaring Moon. It’s a beast. But it’s Dark/Dragon. That means it has a 4x weakness to Fairy. One Moonblast from a Flutter Mane and your prized legendary is dust. You have to predict the switch. You have to know when to Terastallize.
Terastallization (in the newer games) is your get-out-of-jail-free card. If you know a Fighting move is coming, Terastallize into a Ghost or Poison type. Flip the script. The opponent expects a knock-out; they get a "not very effective" message instead.
Real-World Examples from the VGC and Smogon Tiers
Look at the usage stats. In the current competitive meta, Dark types like Kingambit are top-tier. Why? Because Kingambit is Steel/Dark.
While that makes it extremely weak to Fighting (4x damage), it gains a massive amount of resistances. It’s a trade-off. You accept the glaring weakness for the sake of being able to wall half the other types in the game.
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Expert players like Wolfe Glick or Aaron "Cybertron" Zheng often talk about "positioning." When you have a Dark type, positioning means keeping it away from the Fighting types until the end of the game when it can sweep. It’s about patience.
The "Pursuit" Factor
In older generations, Dark types had a move called Pursuit. It trapped Psychic types. If they tried to switch, it hit them with double damage. It made the Dark type's weaknesses feel manageable because they were so good at their specific job. Without Pursuit in the modern games, Dark types have to rely more on raw power and utility moves like Knock Off.
Knock Off is arguably the best move in the game. It removes the opponent's item. Even if you're hitting a Fighting or Fairy type that resists you, taking away their Leftovers or Life Orb is a win.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Team
If you’re struggling with the vulnerabilities of the Dark type, do these three things right now:
- Audit your coverage. If you have a Dark type, you must have a teammate that resists Fairy and Fighting. A Poison or Steel type is your best friend here. Corviknight or Gholdengo are perfect partners.
- Check for "hidden" weaknesses. Look at your team's movepool. Do you have a way to hit Fairy types hard? If not, slap Iron Head or Poison Jab on someone.
- Learn the "U-turn" check. If you see a Landorus-T or a Cinderace, assume they have a Bug-type move. Don't let your Dark type take unnecessary chip damage.
Knowing what is dark weak against is just the start. The real skill is in making your opponent think they have the advantage, only to bait them into a trap. Dark types are meant to be tricky. Play them that way. Stop playing fair. Use Taunt, use Sucker Punch, and for heaven's sake, watch out for the pixies.