Darkrai is a pure Dark-type Mythical Pokémon that is vulnerable to Bug-, Fairy-, and Fighting-type attacks. Thanks to its unique typing, it resists Dark, Ghost-, and Psychic-type moves.
Darkrai will return to Five-Star Legendary raids on Monday, November 16, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, November 24, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
For a broader look at what else is happening this month, be sure to check out The Complete List of November 2026 Pokémon GO Events.
Darkrai Overview
The Pitch-Black Pokémon features high offensive power, making it a formidable attacker in raids and Master League PvP.
| Stats | Values |
| Type | Dark |
| Region | Generation 4 (Sinnoh) |
| PokéDex Number | 491 |
| Weakness | Bug, Fighting, and Fairy |
| Resists | Ghost, Dark, and Psychic |
| Maximum Combat Power (CP) | 4227 CP |
| Best Fast Attack | Snarl |
| Best Charged Attack | Shadow Ball / Dark Pulse / Sludge Bomb |
| Boosted Condition | Foggy weather |
| Shiny | Available |
| Usefulness in PVP | Top-tier Meta Threat in Master League |
| Usefulness in Raids | Elite Dark-type Attacker |
Best Darkrai Recommended Counters
Whether you are looking to secure a high-IV catch, hunt for its rare Shiny form, or build a dominant attacker for raids and Master League, having the right counters is crucial.
The following top Pokémon deal maximum super-effective damage to Darkrai:
| POKÉMON | RECOMMENDED MOVESET |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash as a Fast Attack and Breaking Swipe as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Blaziken | Counter as a Fast Attack and Focus Blast as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Gardevoir | Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Machamp | Counter as a Fast Attack and Dynamic Punch as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Heracross | Counter as a Fast Attack and Megahorn as a Charged Attack |
| Terrakion | Double Kick as a Fast Attack and Sacred Sword as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Gardevoir | Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack |
| Lucario | Counter as a Fast Attack and Aura Sphere as a Charged Attack |
| Pheromosa | Bug Bite as a Fast Attack and Bug Buzz as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Hariyama | Counter as a Fast Attack and Dynamic Punch as a Charged Attack |
Note: Capitalize on Darkrai’s multi-type weaknesses to Bug, Fighting, and Fairy attacks. Remember that only one Mega or Primal Pokémon can be active per raid lobby, so coordinate with your team to maximize damage output.
Darkrai Raid Boss Moveset
When challenging Darkrai in Five-Star raids, watch out for these attacks:
Fast Attacks: Snarl (Dark), Feint Attack (Dark) or Sucker Punch (Dark)
Charged Attacks: Dark Pulse (Dark), Shadow Ball (Ghost), Focus Blast (Fighting), Foul Play (Dark), or Sludge Bomb (Poison)
Best Budget Darkrai Recommended Counters
If you lack premier Mega Evolutions, Legendaries, or Shadow options, these accessible budget alternatives perform reliably in battle:
Machamp with Counter as a Fast Attack and Dynamic Punch as a Charged Attack.
Hariyama with Counter as a Fast Attack and Dynamic Punch as a Charged Attack.
Granbull with Charm as a Fast Attack and Play Rough as a Charged Attack.
Togekiss with Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack.
Pinsir or Scizor with Bug-type moves like Bug Bite and X-Scissor.
Darkrai Raid Tips
Lead with a premier Fighting- or Fairy-type Mega Evolution (such as Mega Blaziken, Mega Gardevoir, or Mega Heracross) to supply heavy typed damage bonuses to your lobby members.
Pay attention to in-game weather: Cloudy weather boosts Fighting- and Fairy-type attacks, while Rain boosts Bug-type moves.
Form a team in a Party to charge up Charged Attacks significantly faster.
Avoid using Ghost-, Dark-, or Psychic-type counters, as Darkrai resists them and will take reduced damage.
Darkrai in Pokémon GO PvP
Darkrai is a terrifying offensive threat primarily utilized in Master League:
Master League: With its high attack stat and devastating move coverage including Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, and Sludge Bomb, Darkrai puts immense pressure on shield usage.
How Many Trainers are Needed?
Due to its moderate defense and high offensive stats, Darkrai can be taken down by aggressive high-level players.
Hard Duo / Trio: Possible for high-level trainers utilizing maxed-out Shadow and Mega Fighting/Fairy counters in optimal weather.
Safe Group Size: 3 to 6 trainers with standard recommended counters will easily secure a clean victory.
Maximize Your Catch Chances
Golden Razz Berries: Pair Golden Razz Berries with Excellent Curveball throws to optimize your base catch percentage.
Gym Control & Friend Bonus: Battle at gyms controlled by your team color and raid alongside Ultra or Best Friends for additional Premier Balls.
Hundo CP for Darkrai from Raid
Upon defeating Darkrai, you can catch it with the following CP values:
Standard Catch CP (Level 20, No Weather Boost): 2136 CP
Weather Boosted Catch CP (Level 25, Foggy): 2671 CP
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Shiny Darkrai is available in Pokémon GO, giving you a chance to encounter its distinct purple-hued form after a raid!Can Darkrai be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
In both raids and PvP, Snarl is universally preferred for its exceptional energy generation, allowing Darkrai to reach its powerful charged moves quickly.What is the best Fast Attack for Darkrai?
FUN FACT: Darkrai is paired with Cresselia as part of the lunar duo representing dreams and nightmares in Sinnoh lore, and it frequently appears in Pokémon GO’s Five-Star raid rotation during special seasonal events.
For official event announcements and updates, check out the Pokémon GO official website
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