Look, we’ve all been there. You’re cruising through a gym or a high-stakes ranked match, and suddenly your opponent drops an Umbreon or a Kingambit. It feels like hitting a brick wall made of shadows. Dark types are notoriously annoying because they aren’t just strong; they’re "cheap." They use moves like Sucker Punch to steal your turn or Knock Off to literally delete your held item.
If you want to know pokemon what is good against dark, you have to look past the basic type chart. Sure, the game tells you one thing, but the actual meta in 2026 tells another.
The Holy Trinity of Dark-Type Weaknesses
On paper, the math is simple. There are three specific types that make Dark types cower. If you aren't carrying at least two of these on your team, you're basically asking to get swept by a stray Hydreigon.
Fighting types are the classic answer. It’s a thematic thing—honorable martial arts overcoming "evil" or underhanded tactics. In reality, it's about raw physical pressure. Moves like Close Combat or Aura Sphere don't just hit hard; they exploit the generally lower physical bulk of many glass-cannon Dark types.
Then you have Fairy types. When Gen 6 introduced Fairies, it was a massive middle finger to the Dark-type dominance of the time. Fairies are immune to Dragon (which often pairs with Dark) and resist Dark moves themselves. It’s the ultimate "I’m not trapped in here with you, you’re trapped in here with me" scenario.
And finally... Bugs. Yeah, I know. It feels weird. But Bug-type moves like First Impression or U-turn are devastating. Why? Because most Dark types have high utility, and U-turn lets you hit them for super effective damage while switching into a safer counter. It’s tactical.
Why Fighting Types Still Rule the Meta
Honestly, if you want a "delete" button for Dark types, you grab a Fighting type.
Take a look at Iron Valiant. It’s a Fairy/Fighting paradox Pokemon that basically exists to make Dark types miserable. It outspeeds almost everything and hits with Spirit Break or Close Combat.
But it’s not just about the big names. Even a standard Machamp or Conkeldurr with the Guts ability can ignore the status-effect nonsense Dark types love to pull. If they try to Will-O-Wisp you to lower your attack, they actually just trigger your Guts boost and get flattened by a Facade or Drain Punch.
Pokemon What is Good Against Dark: Beyond the Type Chart
If you only look at the red and green arrows on a chart, you’re going to lose. High-level play is about coverage.
You’ve got to think about dual types. A lot of the scariest Dark types aren't mono-type.
- Ting-Lu is Dark/Ground. Fighting is good, but Water and Grass suddenly become options too.
- Roaring Moon is Dark/Dragon. That 4x weakness to Fairy is its Achilles' heel. One Moonblast and it’s over.
- Kingambit is Dark/Steel. This is the big one. Because of that Steel typing, it actually resists Fairy and Bug. You must use Fighting moves here. 4x damage is the only way to reliably take it down before it starts clicking Sucker Punch.
The "Hidden" Bug Counter
Most people sleep on Bug moves. Don't be "most people."
Volcarona is a beast. Even though it's Fire/Bug, a Quiver Dance-boosted Bug Buzz will melt almost any Dark type that isn't named Incineroar.
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Even Meowscarada (a Dark type itself!) uses U-turn to pivot out of bad matchups. If you're facing a Dark type, having a fast U-turn user is a "soft" counter. You chip away at their health while keeping the momentum. Momentum is everything in Pokemon. If you lose it, the Dark type starts using Taunt or Torment, and then you're just playing their game.
Tactical Advice for Your Next Battle
Don't just swap in a random Fairy and hope for the best. Dark types are experts at "punishment." They want you to switch so they can use Pursuit (in older gens) or just set up a Nasty Plot while you’re moving.
- Check for STAB: Just because your Pokemon can learn a Fighting move doesn't mean it should be your primary counter. You want STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus). A Sylveon using Hyper Voice (with Pixilate) is often better than a random Mewtwo using Low Kick.
- Watch the Item: Dark types love the Focus Sash. You think you’ve got the OHKO, they survive with 1 HP, and then they use Endeavor or Foul Play. Stealth Rock or Spikes are your best friends here to break that Sash before the fight even starts.
- Terastallization (The 2026 Wildcard): In current Scarlet/Violet metas, remember that a Dark type can change its type instantly. If you bring in a Fighting type to counter a Kingambit, they might Tera-Flying and suddenly your Close Combat does nothing while they hit back with a Tera Blast. Always have a backup plan.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake? Bringing a Psychic or Ghost type to a Dark fight.
It sounds obvious, but people forget that "coverage" moves exist. They think their Gengar can outspeed and hit with a Focus Blast. While true, Focus Blast has 70% accuracy. In Pokemon world, 70% basically means "I’m going to miss when it matters most."
If you miss that move, Gengar is gone. Dark moves are 2x effective against Ghost, and most Dark types have the Special Defense to tank one non-STAB hit. Don't gamble your ace on a shaky accuracy move. Stick to the Fairies. They're consistent, they're bulky, and they're the true answer to pokemon what is good against dark.
Next Steps for Your Team:
Check your current roster. If you don't have at least one Fairy-type attacker (like Flutter Mane or Enamorus) or a Fighting-type physical wallbreaker (like Great Tusk), go to the PC and swap one in. Focus on moves with at least 90 accuracy—consistency beats raw power every single time when you're dealing with the tricks of the Dark type.