Darkrai Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Darkrai is a popular Dark-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,739, Darkrai is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Darkrai in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Darkrai Base Stats & Overview

Darkrai (#491) is a Dark-type Pokemon from Generation 4. As a Mythical Pokemon, Darkrai is incredibly rare and usually only available through special research tasks or events.

Base Stats
Attack	285
Defense	198
Stamina	172
Total Stats	655
Max CP	3,739
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 285 Attack, 198 Defense, and 172 Stamina, Darkrai has a total stat product of 655. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Darkrai

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Darkrai’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Darkrai for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Dark-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Darkrai Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Darkrai effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Dark-type Pokemon, Darkrai has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Darkrai is weak to: Fighting, Bug, Fairy-type moves. When battling against Darkrai, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Fighting – Deals increased damage
• Bug – Deals increased damage
• Fairy – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Darkrai resists: Ghost, Dark, Psychic-type moves. This means Darkrai takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Ghost – Reduced damage
• Dark – Reduced damage
• Psychic – Reduced damage

🏆 Darkrai PvP Analysis

Darkrai can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 3,739, Darkrai would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Darkrai can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Darkrai can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.

⚔️ Darkrai Raid Guide

Darkrai appears as a Tier 5 Legendary raid boss during special events. Here’s what you need to know to defeat and catch it:

Raid Boss Stats

• Tier: 5 (Legendary)
• Recommended Trainers: 4-6 with optimal counters
• Boss CP: ~50,000+
• Catch CP Range: 2,000 – 2,500 (weather boosted: 2,500 – 2,800)

Tips for Defeating Darkrai

1. Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Darkrai’s weaknesses
2. Dodge charged moves when possible to preserve your Pokemon
3. Coordinate with your raid group for maximum efficiency
4. Use a weather boost when possible for stronger attackers

🎯 Best Counters for Darkrai

Whether you’re battling Darkrai in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Darkrai:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Darkrai’s weaknesses to Fighting, Bug, Fairy-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Machamp	Fighting	High DPS with Counter + Dynamic Punch
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	Counter + Aura Sphere deals massive damage
Conkeldurr	Fighting	Excellent attack stat with Fighting moves
Pheromosa	Bug/Fighting	High Bug DPS
Genesect	Bug/Steel	Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
Scizor	Bug/Steel	Fury Cutter + X-Scissor

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Darkrai
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Darkrai may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Darkrai in Pokemon GO

Darkrai is a Mythical Pokemon. Mythical Pokemon are typically obtained through:

• Special Research: Complete special research tasks to encounter Darkrai
• Paid Events: Sometimes available through ticketed events

Note: Mythical Pokemon cannot be traded in Pokemon GO.

Darkrai Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Darkrai

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Darkrai’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Darkrai with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Darkrai, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Darkrai works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Dark type weak to Fighting, Bug, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Darkrai spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Dark moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Darkrai in the Pokemon Franchise

Darkrai first appeared in Generation 4 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Darkrai’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Darkrai was introduced as part of the Generation 4 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 4 Pokemon update.

📊 How Darkrai Compares

Let’s see how Darkrai stacks up against other Dark-type Pokemon:

Stat	Darkrai	Type Average	Rating
Attack	285	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	198	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	172	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	3,739	~2,500	⭐⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Darkrai is a powerful Dark-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,739 and solid base stats (285/198/172), it stands as one of the premier options for high-level content including Master League PvP and Legendary raids.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Darkrai’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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