Darkrai
#491 Dark / Pitch-Black Pokemon
#491 Dark / Pitch-Black Pokemon
| Darkrai | |
|---|---|
| National Dex | #491 |
| Type | Dark |
| Species | Pitch-Black Pokemon |
| Height | 1.5 m (4'11") |
| Weight | 50.5 kg (111.3 lbs) |
| Abilities | Bad Dreams |
| Generation | Gen 4 (Sinnoh) |
Last updated: 2026-06-03
Darkrai is a Dark-type Mythical Pokemon introduced in Generation 4 in the Sinnoh region. Known as the Pitch-Black Pokemon, it is a member of the Lunar Duo alongside Cresselia. Darkrai is said to appear during the new moon and cause people and Pokemon to have terrifying nightmares. It was famously distributed via the Pokemon Movie 07: Dialga vs. Palkia vs. Darkrai event.
Darkrai has a shadow-like appearance with white hair covering one eye, a red scarf-like collar, and a ghostly, tattered body that resembles a djinn or shadow spirit. Its design conveys mystery and menace. Darkrai has excellent offensive stats with 135 base Special Attack and 125 base Speed. Its signature ability Bad Dreams inflicts damage on sleeping opponents each turn.
Darkrai's signature move is Dark Void, a sleep-inducing move that originally had 80% accuracy before being nerfed to 50% in Generation 7. In formats where Dark Void is usable, Darkrai can put an opponent to sleep, then set up with Nasty Plot or substitute. Dark Pulse is its primary STAB, while Focus Blast, Ice Beam, and Sludge Bomb provide coverage against Dark, Fighting, Grass, and Fairy-types.
The standard Darkrai set runs Dark Void, Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, and Focus Blast with Life Orb or a Focus Sash. The strategy is straightforward: put something to sleep with Dark Void, Nasty Plot on the switch, and sweep. Dark Pulse has a 20% flinch chance that pairs well with Darkrai's Speed. Focus Blast hits Dark and Normal-types that resist Dark.
Darkrai can also run a Choice Scarf set to function as a fast revenge killer. With Timid Choice Scarf, Darkrai reaches 498 Speed, outspeeding almost everything. Trick allows it to cripple walls by giving them the Choice Scarf. Dark Void remains useful even on Choice sets, as locking into the move is acceptable when it puts a key threat to sleep.
Darkrai
Mythical Pokemon
Darkrai has been a top-tier Ubers Pokemon since its introduction. Its combination of Speed, Special Attack, and sleep-inducing ability make it a dangerous threat. In Smogon, Darkrai is Uber due to its ability to put a Pokemon to sleep, Nasty Plot, and sweep. Common checks include faster Pokemon with Taunt (preventing Dark Void), priority users like Scizor and Lucario, Dark-types like Tyranitar and Yveltal that resist Dark, and Assault Vest users that can take special hits and hit back. Bad Dreams ensures that even if the opponent wakes up, they take damage every turn they are asleep.
