5 best Dark-type attackers in Pokemon GO

Pokemon GO offers a lot of powerful Dark-type Pocket Monsters to use in Raids, Battle League, and Trainer Battle. With their debut through Pokemon Gold and Silver in 1997, players worldwide found a new way to deal with the troubling monsters. These creatures became popular among trainers as time passed due to their design, abilities, and battle capabilities.

While some Dark types are extremely good at defending, others are superb at attacking. While defenders are known for taking significant hits, the best attackers are those who dish out damage to the opponent using the optimal Fast and Charged Move. This article reviews the five best Dark-type attackers, excluding Shadow and Mega forms.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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Listing the best Dark-type attackers currently available in Pokemon GO

1) Tyranitar

Tyranitar (Image via TPC)

Tyranitar is the best attacker because of its influential DPS, TDO, and score in Pokemon GO. These determinants play a crucial role in measuring the power of a creature. For example, if we go with the best Dark-type DPS fighter, Deoxys (Attack) forme would rank at the top with 22.01 DPS. However, a monster becomes a good attacker with a well-balanced TDO and score, and Deoxys fails here.

Nonetheless, the case is different for Tyranitar. Its best movesets, Bite and Brutal Swing, dish out significant damage. With an attack-centric stats spread, this Dark-type attacker overwhelms Psychic and Ghost-types.

Although it is a great attacker, trainers must also look for its weaknesses. Because it is weak to Fighting-, Bug-, Fairy-, Grass-, Ground-, Steel-, and Water-type moves, they must build a suitable unit to maximize its strength.

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Tyranitar	Bite	Brutal Swing

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2) Hydreigon

Hydreigon (Image via TPC)

The three-headed Dark-type attacker, Hydregion, originates from the Unova region in Pokemon GO. The design is unique, and its battle capability is robust. It is a dual Dark- and Dragon-type Pocket Monster with access to both type moves, including one Steel-type attack as the Charged Move.

Unlike Tyranitar, players need to unlock the Charged Move Brutal Swing* for their Hydreigon to make it a good attacker. Without it, the monster has to use Dark Pulse as the Charged Move. Although it deals more damage than the attack mentioned above, it takes more energy.

Additionally, by the time trainers use that move twice in a row, Brutal Swing dishes out almost double the damage than the Dark Pulse. This moveset makes Hydreigon a fast-attacking Dark-type Pocket Monster in Pokemon GO.

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Hydreigon	Bite	Brutal Swing*

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3) Hoopa (Unbound)

Hydreigon (Image via TPC)

The Mythical monster Hoopa (Unbound) is known for challenging the Legendaries all at once in the anime. It wreaked havoc in the universe, and Pokemon GO trainers can only imagine what it can do with its offensive power. If players teach this creature the best moves, it can help them emerge victorious multiple times in the battle.

Hoppa (Unbound) has fewer weaknesses than the two entries above. Because the critter is dual typing, it only needs to worry about Bug-and Fairy-type attacks. Although the article focuses more on Dark-type monsters using the same type move, Unbound (Hoppa) doesn’t have a Dark-type Fast Move. It has to rely on the Psychic-type move, i.e., Confusion.

Moreover, its stats are attack-focused, and it can also access Ghost-type moves, making it a versatile, brutal attacker.

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Hoppa (Unbound)	Confusion	Dark Pulse

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4) Darkrai

Darkrai (Image via TPC/Serebii)

Monsters like Yveltal, Guzzlord, Zoroark, and many more can’t keep up with the battle power of Darkrai when it comes to using only Dark-type moves. It is a master at using Snarl and Dark Pulse, as it deals 16.81 DPS. While the compared ones are strong in different situations, it is robust at using its type move.

Nonetheless, the creature’s potential can be maximized by creating an ideal roster. Since Darkrai is single-typing, Bug-, Fairy-, and Fighting-type counters can deal massive damage.

To tackle it, Pokemon GO players have the option to check out other attacks from Darkrai's move disposal. It can access Fighting-, Poison-, and Shadow-type attacks, which they can use depending on the battle situation. For the PvP scenario, the best attacks would be Snarl, Dark Pulse, and Focus Blast.

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Darkrai	Snarl	Dark Pulse

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5) Guzzlord

Guzzlord (Image via TPC)

Guzzlord’s specialty is its tank power, as the max Stamina can reach 440 at Level 50. Despite being defensively weak, it excels in offense. With an attack of 188 and Snarl and Brutal Swing as its moves, Guzzlord can become a good Dark-type attacker in Pokemon GO. While the former deals 12 damage and generates 14 energy, the latter dishes out 65 damage at 33 energy. This move combination allows Guzzlord to deal consistent damage to the opponent. Instead of Brutal Swing, you can also go for Crunch

If the opponents are Ghost and Psychic-types, rest assured that the Ultra Beast can take them down. Even if the counters use super effective Charged Moves, the creature can withstand them. Nonetheless, you’ll have to look out for the weaknesses. It is vulnerable to Fairy, Bug, Fighting, Dragon, and Ice-type attacks.

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Guzzlord	Snarl	Brutal Swing

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Although these are the five best attackers you can catch in the game, there are a lot more that can do the job. Not every player has access to these additions, so those who want a fast Dark-type monster can use the best optimal movesets.