What is the Best Dark Type Pokemon?

The video introduces the Dark type as one of the best in Pokémon and this is the final video in a series ranking the best Pokémon of each type. The speaker agonized over the 10th spot, ultimately choosing Galarian Moltres. While its stats are average, its ability Berserk and signature move Fiery Wrath make it potent in the right contexts. Galarian Moltres played a key role in the speaker's Players Cup II win, often used as a Dynamax attacker, and also won a Regional Championship leveraging Foul Play.

Scrafty, a Dark/Fighting type, is highlighted as a balanced predecessor to Incineroar, possessing Fake Out and Intimidate. Despite its quadruple weakness to Fairy, Scrafty was a core member of the speaker's first VGC team, winning a Regional and National championship. The video also discusses Scraggy, its pre-evolution, which notably achieved second place at a National-level tournament due to its slower speed and supporting moves like Coaching and Foul Play.

Yveltal, a restricted legendary Dark/Flying type, is discussed. It's often compared to Xerneas, its counterpart, and has been legal in specific formats across 2016, 2019, and 2022. Yveltal is a bulkier Pokémon that provides consistent damage and utilizes its Dark Aura ability to boost Dark-type moves. Its signature move, Oblivion Wing, provides healing, making it difficult to remove. Yveltal also effectively uses Foul Play and Snarl to reduce opponent's stats.

Krookodile, a Dark/Ground type, is presented as a surprising entry, having won the Pokémon World Championships in 2017 and placed second in 2011. Krookodile's success stems from its Intimidate ability and its Ground typing providing immunity to Electric attacks, especially important against Pokémon like Tapu Koko. It was a versatile offensive Pokémon, also featuring moves like Taunt and Power Trip, and could even be part of an unusual Eevee Baton Pass strategy.

Urshifu (Single Strike Style), a Dark/Fighting type, is ranked lower than expected due to its Water-type counterpart's superior results. While it has the powerful Unseen Fist ability and Wicked Blow, it's quad-weak to Fairy and both its attacking types are resisted by Fairy. Terastallization further complicates its effectiveness as opponents can switch to a Fairy type. Despite these drawbacks, it remains a strong Pokémon, capable of significant damage, but struggles in certain matchups.

Grimmsnarl is highlighted as a powerful Dark/Fairy support Pokémon, largely due to its Prankster ability. It excels at setting up Reflect and Light Screen, offering significant damage reduction. Its Dark typing makes it immune to other Prankster-based moves like Taunt. Grimmsnarl also utilizes moves like Fake Out, Thunder Wave, Scary Face, and Spirit Break, the latter reducing special attack. It thrives in formats with restricted Pokémon and had unique strategies with Dynamax and Lagging Tail.

Chien-Pao, a Dark/Ice type, is the only Scarlet and Violet Pokémon on the list and a World Champion. It's known for its high speed and power, along with its unique Sword of Ruin ability, which reduces the defense of all other Pokémon on the field. Chien-Pao frequently pairs with Dragonite or Zamazenta to maximize damage. Its Focus Sash strategy makes it difficult to one-shot, and moves like Icicle Crash (with its flinch chance) and Sucker Punch add to its threat. Its frailty means it struggles against speed control.

The video includes honorable mentions such as Chi-Yu (strong in a vacuum but lacks significant tournament wins), Sableye (consistent but not exceptional), Ting-Lu (strong but limited success), Umbreon (tanky support), Murkrow (briefly excellent), and Liepard (high peaks but not consistent enough). Other quick mentions include Kingambit, Bisharp, Mandibuzz, Alolan Muk, and Alolan Persian.

Hydreigon, a two-time World Champion Dark/Dragon type, was a pseudo-legendary before Fairy types existed. It boasts high special attack and good natural bulk. Its Dragon typing provides excellent coverage. Despite becoming quad-weak to Fairy with its introduction, making many believe it would fade, Hydreigon has remained consistently strong across generations, even seeing success in early Scarlet and Violet metagames with unique strategies like Focus Energy Scope Lens.

Tyranitar, a Rock/Dark type, despite its terrible typing (quad-weak to Fighting), secures the number two spot due to its incredible stats and the Sand Stream ability, which boosts its special defense. Tyranitar is one of the most flexible Pokémon, capable of diverse roles from physical attacker to tank. It has consistently won Regionals and adapted well to generational mechanics like Mega Evolution, Z-moves, and Terastallization, solidifying its place as one of the best Pokémon of all time.

Incineroar is crowned the best Dark type Pokémon and, according to the speaker, the best Pokémon of all time. Its incredible ability (Intimidate), ridiculous movepool (Fake Out, Parting Shot, Knock Off, Helping Hand), strong typing, and impressive stats make it an unparalleled support Pokémon. Incineroar enables other Pokémon to deal damage, making it difficult to directly counter without weakening a team against other threats. It's a three-time World Champion and has been consistently buffed across generations.