3CL TCG

Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026

Darkrai

Say it: DARK-rye

Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand

Darkrai is the Pitch-Black Pokémon — a Dark mythical. In Pokémon GO it is a top Dark raid attacker. Dark helps against Psychic and Ghost; Fighting, Bug, and Fairy hit Dark hard. Catch Darkrai from special raids, research, and events. Dark Void is a limited exclusive when available.

Say it: DARK-rye

Darkrai (#491) is a Dark mythical Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Trainers use it as a premier Dark raid attacker with Snarl + Dark Pulse / Shadow Ball / Focus Blast (and Dark Void when unlocked). Against Darkrai, lead with Fighting (best), or Bug or Fairy. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.

Dark#491

Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).

Pokédex notes

Darkrai is a Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0491. Mythical Pokémon are usually event-gated — watch official GO calendars for return windows.

Where in GO: Legendary raids, research breakthroughs, and GO Tour events

Invest tip: Snarl + Dark Pulse is the usual Dark kit; Shadow Ball adds Ghost; Focus Blast adds Fighting. Dark Void is Elite / event when missing. Shadow Darkrai is elite Dark DPS — remove Frustration before investing.

Type matchups

  • Dark moves hit Psychic and Ghost hard.

When Darkrai is your opponent, Fighting, Bug, Fairy hits hard.

Full type matchup guide →

GO base stats

From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.

Attack
285
Defense
198
Stamina
172

Weak to

FightingBugFairy

Resists

PsychicGhostDark

Best Pokémon to use against it

When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.

Recommended

Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.

  1. 1. Mega Lucario · beats Fighting

    Counter + Aura Sphere

  2. 2. Mega Mewtwo X · beats Fighting

    Counter + Focus Blast — Psychic/Fighting Mega

  3. 3. Terrakion · beats Fighting

    Double Kick + Sacred Sword

  4. 4. Shadow Machamp · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  5. 5. Lucario · beats Fighting

    Counter + Aura Sphere

  6. 6. Conkeldurr · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  7. 7. Machamp · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  8. 8. Shadow Hariyama · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  9. 9. Keldeo · beats Fighting

    Low Kick + Sacred Sword

  10. 10. Buzzwole · beats Fighting

    Counter + Superpower

  11. 11. Toxicroak · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  12. 12. Breloom · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

Budget

Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.

  1. 1. Conkeldurr · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  2. 2. Machamp · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  3. 3. Hariyama · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  4. 4. Toxicroak · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  5. 5. Breloom · beats Fighting

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  6. 6. Poliwrath · beats Fighting

    Rock Smash + Dynamic Punch

  7. 7. Primeape · beats Fighting

    Counter + Close Combat

  8. 8. Heracross · beats Fighting

    Counter + Close Combat

  9. 9. Emboar · beats Fighting

    Low Kick + Focus Blast

  10. 10. Sawk · beats Fighting

    Low Kick + Focus Blast

  11. 11. Throh · beats Fighting

    Low Kick + Focus Blast

  12. 12. Hitmonchan · beats Fighting

    Counter + Close Combat

Recommended moves

Game Master “moves in GO” lists the always-available TM pool. Dark Void may need an Elite TM / event unlock — confirm on your copy.

Fast

  • Snarl · Standard

    Dark energy / default

  • Feint Attack · Standard

    Dark alternate

Charged

  • Dark Pulse · Standard

    Dark nuke

  • Dark Void · Elite / event

    Best Dark nuke when available

  • Shadow Ball · Standard

    Ghost coverage

  • Focus Blast · Standard

    Fighting coverage

Moves in GO

Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.

Fast

  • snarl
  • feint attack

Charged

  • focus blast
  • shadow ball
  • dark pulse

PvP league ranks (family snapshot)

  • Great League · rank #609 of 954 · CP 1495

    Feint Attack + Focus Blast

  • Ultra League · rank #468 of 747 · CP 2457

    Feint Attack + Focus Blast

  • Master League · rank #94 of 1023 · CP 4227

    Feint Attack + Focus Blast

Open battle tools →

In your Collect

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Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).

As a raid boss

5-star · Dark · weak to Fighting, Bug, Fairy

Watch out: Dark Pulse / Focus Blast / Shadow Ball — Fighting and Fairy lead.

  1. 1. Mega Lucario

    Counter + Aura Sphere

  2. 2. Shadow Machamp

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  3. 3. Terrakion

    Double Kick + Sacred Sword

  4. 4. Xerneas

    Geomancy + Moonblast

  5. 5. Conkeldurr

    Counter + Dynamic Punch

  6. 6. Togekiss

    Charm + Dazzling Gleam

Open in raid lobby →

Raid attacker roles

Dark-type shortlist

  • Darkrai — Snarl + Dark Pulse
Full Dark list →

Recommended vs these bosses

In the Competitive Guide

Related species

Also named in the same guide chapters (text only).

BaxcaliburChandelureConkeldurrCostume DarkraiCostume GardevoirCostume GengarCostume GroudonCostume Kyogre
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