[overview]
**Draft Order**: Late round 1 onwards
**Price Range**: 17-18 points
**Overview**: Darkrai is a very fast, strong special attacker with incredible coverage. With access to Hypnosis and Bad Dreams, it can be a very difficult Pokemon to handle for any team if Hypnosis doesn't miss. Access to Nasty Plot, coupled with its amazing Speed and coverage options, makes Darkrai a potent setup threat. It is also a strong cleaner thanks to its base 125 Speed. However, Darkrai is frail and lacks a strong STAB move option outside of Dark Pulse; thus, it works best on teams with good entry hazard support and pivot options.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Holding a Special Attack–boosting item allows Darkrai to hit extremely hard. It has super effective coverage to hit all types that resist Dark and also has access to Taunt and multiple ways to inflict status to shut down bulkier Pokemon.
**Cleaner/revenge killer**: Darkrai's excellent Speed allows it to outspeed several Pokemon and pick them off with a strong Dark Pulse or coverage move. It's also an excellent Choice Scarf user, as it naturally outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame when holding one.
**Setup sweeper**: Darkrai's amazing Speed, decent coverage, and access to both Nasty Plot and Calm Mind make it a solid setup sweeper. However, its lackluster bulk, reliance on inaccurate Hypnosis, and lack of resistances make it difficult to find free turns to set up.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse
**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind
**Utility Moves**: Trick, Hypnosis, Taunt, Substitute, Knock Off, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave
**Coverage**: Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Thunder, Psychic, Psyshock
Niche Moves
========
**Foul Play**: Foul Play can be used to deal with physical attackers, making it a good option on Choice Scarf sets to revenge kill physical setup sweepers.
**Sucker Punch**: Sucker Punch can be used to pick off weakened Pokemon that may be holding a Choice Scarf or relying on priority moves.
**Hex**: Hex can be combined with Toxic Spikes or other status-spreading support to give Darkrai a 130 Base Power Ghost-type coverage option.
**Night Shade**: Night Shade is an option for dealing consistent damage to Fairy-types that are not weak to Poison-type coverage like Diancie.
**Swords Dance**: In niche scenarios, Darkrai can surprise specially bulky checks with a physical set, using Swords Dance to boost its otherwise mediocre Attack stat.
Common Items
========
**Special Attack-boosting items**: Darkrai prefers switching up moves to make the most of its excellent coverage. Items like Life Orb and Expert Belt provide a much-needed boost without locking Darkrai into a single move. Choice Specs can be run if Darkrai wants to hit as hard as possible.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf makes use of Darkrai's excellent Speed, enabling it to revenge kill faster Pokemon or slower Pokemon at +1 Speed. It can also be used in combination with Trick to hinder bulky special walls.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Darkrai is pretty frail, and entry hazards cut into its longevity. Heavy-Duty Boots circumvent this issue, giving it more opportunities to deal damage and spread status conditions.
**Focus Sash**: Focus Sash is usually seen on lead sets that carry Hypnosis. Focus Sash allows Darkrai at least two chances to land Hypnosis and impair a Pokemon.
Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: Leftovers can be run on sets with Hypnosis or Substitute to provide consistent recovery, allowing Darkrai to stick around longer.
**Assault Vest**: Assault Vest can be used to patch up Darkrai's mediocre special bulk, letting it take special hits more effectively. This can be useful in games where Darkrai has to check a Psychic-type.
**Resistance Berry**: A resistance Berry can be used to live a super effective hit once, helping with setting up or revenge killing.
**Salac Berry**: A Salac Berry can be used in conjunction with Substitute or Endure to outspeed faster Pokemon and potential Choice Scarf users.
Tera
========
Darkrai is typically banned from using Terastallization, as gaining additional STAB types to beat its checks gives it a massive buff. If it is allowed to Terastallize, defensive Tera types like Steel, Fairy, and Poison can allow Darkrai to set up more easily and sweep. Tera Ground and Electric are also excellent options to avoid Thunder Wave attempts to slow it down. On the offensive side, Darkrai can use Tera Fighting, Fairy, and Poison to deal with opposing Dark- and Fairy-types.
Draft Strategy
========
Darkrai's fantastic Speed in a format that lacks top-tier speed options makes it a fairly common early pick to secure Speed for the draft. It is usually immediately paired with a strong Tera Captain to build the team around, and the rest of the draft should be chosen to support it accordingly. Darkrai's profile is often best suited for offense-oriented teams, though it appreciates a solid defensive core that grants it set flexibility.
**Strong Tera Captain**: As Darkrai is usually Tera banned, pairing it with a strong Tera Captain like Raging Bolt, Enamorus, or Ogerpon-W is recommended to maximize the offensive output of the draft.
**Entry hazards**: Darkrai particularly appreciates entry hazard support from teammates like Garchomp and Glimmora to weaken opposing bulky Pokemon, enabling it to sweep more easily.
**Pivot options**: Darkrai is very frail and takes a lot of damage even from neutral hits. As such, it appreciates being able to switch in safely via pivoting from the likes of Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Galarian Slowking.
**Strong physical attackers**: Darkrai appreciates a physical wallbreaker or setup sweeper to help break opposing teams, making Pokemon like Ogerpon-C, Quaquaval, and Iron Hands excellent partners.
**Dual screens support**: Dual screens from Pokemon like Uxie, Deoxys-S, and Klefki help circumvent Darkrai's frailty and allow it to setup more easily and sweep the opposing team.
**Strong Steel- or Poison-type Pokemon**: Darkrai appreciates having a teammate that is able to switch into Fairy-type moves and threaten to KO them. Pokemon like Metagross and Pecharunt make excellent teammates for this reason.
Checks and Counters
========
**Bulky Fairy-types**: Fairy-types that are not weak to or are immune to Sludge Bomb, like Diancie, Klefki, and Tinkaton, are especially very good against Darkrai, as it lacks the coverage to hit them super effectively. Other Fairy-types need to be wary of switching into Sludge Bomb.
**Bulky Dark-types**: Bulky Dark-types like Ting-Lu, Zarude, and Overqwil are able to switch into Darkrai to sponge hits. However, Ting-Lu and Zarude must be wary of coverage moves like Ice Beam and Focus Blast, or getting crippled by status.
**Faster attackers and strong attackers with priority**: Darkrai is very fast, but it is still vulnerable to opposing Choice Scarf users and faster threats like Iron Bundle. It is also frail and does not resist any priority attacks outside of Sucker Punch. As such, it can be picked off by strong priority attacks like Jet Punch from Palafin-H, Vacuum Wave from Keldeo, and Bullet Punch from Scizor. While Darkrai is bulky enough to live a strong priority move from full, it's worth scouting the item and offensive investment of these Pokemon before deciding to stay in with Darkrai.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/professor-shuckle.530941/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dartrix-joker.356084/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rahul_3301.537035/
**Draft Order**: Late round 1 onwards
**Price Range**: 17-18 points
**Overview**: Darkrai is a very fast, strong special attacker with incredible coverage. With access to Hypnosis and Bad Dreams, it can be a very difficult Pokemon to handle for any team if Hypnosis doesn't miss. Access to Nasty Plot, coupled with its amazing Speed and coverage options, makes Darkrai a potent setup threat. It is also a strong cleaner thanks to its base 125 Speed. However, Darkrai is frail and lacks a strong STAB move option outside of Dark Pulse; thus, it works best on teams with good entry hazard support and pivot options.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Holding a Special Attack–boosting item allows Darkrai to hit extremely hard. It has super effective coverage to hit all types that resist Dark and also has access to Taunt and multiple ways to inflict status to shut down bulkier Pokemon.
**Cleaner/revenge killer**: Darkrai's excellent Speed allows it to outspeed several Pokemon and pick them off with a strong Dark Pulse or coverage move. It's also an excellent Choice Scarf user, as it naturally outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame when holding one.
**Setup sweeper**: Darkrai's amazing Speed, decent coverage, and access to both Nasty Plot and Calm Mind make it a solid setup sweeper. However, its lackluster bulk, reliance on inaccurate Hypnosis, and lack of resistances make it difficult to find free turns to set up.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Dark Pulse
**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind
**Utility Moves**: Trick, Hypnosis, Taunt, Substitute, Knock Off, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave
**Coverage**: Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Thunder, Psychic, Psyshock
Niche Moves
========
**Foul Play**: Foul Play can be used to deal with physical attackers, making it a good option on Choice Scarf sets to revenge kill physical setup sweepers.
**Sucker Punch**: Sucker Punch can be used to pick off weakened Pokemon that may be holding a Choice Scarf or relying on priority moves.
**Hex**: Hex can be combined with Toxic Spikes or other status-spreading support to give Darkrai a 130 Base Power Ghost-type coverage option.
**Night Shade**: Night Shade is an option for dealing consistent damage to Fairy-types that are not weak to Poison-type coverage like Diancie.
**Swords Dance**: In niche scenarios, Darkrai can surprise specially bulky checks with a physical set, using Swords Dance to boost its otherwise mediocre Attack stat.
Common Items
========
**Special Attack-boosting items**: Darkrai prefers switching up moves to make the most of its excellent coverage. Items like Life Orb and Expert Belt provide a much-needed boost without locking Darkrai into a single move. Choice Specs can be run if Darkrai wants to hit as hard as possible.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf makes use of Darkrai's excellent Speed, enabling it to revenge kill faster Pokemon or slower Pokemon at +1 Speed. It can also be used in combination with Trick to hinder bulky special walls.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Darkrai is pretty frail, and entry hazards cut into its longevity. Heavy-Duty Boots circumvent this issue, giving it more opportunities to deal damage and spread status conditions.
**Focus Sash**: Focus Sash is usually seen on lead sets that carry Hypnosis. Focus Sash allows Darkrai at least two chances to land Hypnosis and impair a Pokemon.
Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: Leftovers can be run on sets with Hypnosis or Substitute to provide consistent recovery, allowing Darkrai to stick around longer.
**Assault Vest**: Assault Vest can be used to patch up Darkrai's mediocre special bulk, letting it take special hits more effectively. This can be useful in games where Darkrai has to check a Psychic-type.
**Resistance Berry**: A resistance Berry can be used to live a super effective hit once, helping with setting up or revenge killing.
**Salac Berry**: A Salac Berry can be used in conjunction with Substitute or Endure to outspeed faster Pokemon and potential Choice Scarf users.
Tera
========
Darkrai is typically banned from using Terastallization, as gaining additional STAB types to beat its checks gives it a massive buff. If it is allowed to Terastallize, defensive Tera types like Steel, Fairy, and Poison can allow Darkrai to set up more easily and sweep. Tera Ground and Electric are also excellent options to avoid Thunder Wave attempts to slow it down. On the offensive side, Darkrai can use Tera Fighting, Fairy, and Poison to deal with opposing Dark- and Fairy-types.
Draft Strategy
========
Darkrai's fantastic Speed in a format that lacks top-tier speed options makes it a fairly common early pick to secure Speed for the draft. It is usually immediately paired with a strong Tera Captain to build the team around, and the rest of the draft should be chosen to support it accordingly. Darkrai's profile is often best suited for offense-oriented teams, though it appreciates a solid defensive core that grants it set flexibility.
**Strong Tera Captain**: As Darkrai is usually Tera banned, pairing it with a strong Tera Captain like Raging Bolt, Enamorus, or Ogerpon-W is recommended to maximize the offensive output of the draft.
**Entry hazards**: Darkrai particularly appreciates entry hazard support from teammates like Garchomp and Glimmora to weaken opposing bulky Pokemon, enabling it to sweep more easily.
**Pivot options**: Darkrai is very frail and takes a lot of damage even from neutral hits. As such, it appreciates being able to switch in safely via pivoting from the likes of Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Galarian Slowking.
**Strong physical attackers**: Darkrai appreciates a physical wallbreaker or setup sweeper to help break opposing teams, making Pokemon like Ogerpon-C, Quaquaval, and Iron Hands excellent partners.
**Dual screens support**: Dual screens from Pokemon like Uxie, Deoxys-S, and Klefki help circumvent Darkrai's frailty and allow it to setup more easily and sweep the opposing team.
**Strong Steel- or Poison-type Pokemon**: Darkrai appreciates having a teammate that is able to switch into Fairy-type moves and threaten to KO them. Pokemon like Metagross and Pecharunt make excellent teammates for this reason.
Checks and Counters
========
**Bulky Fairy-types**: Fairy-types that are not weak to or are immune to Sludge Bomb, like Diancie, Klefki, and Tinkaton, are especially very good against Darkrai, as it lacks the coverage to hit them super effectively. Other Fairy-types need to be wary of switching into Sludge Bomb.
**Bulky Dark-types**: Bulky Dark-types like Ting-Lu, Zarude, and Overqwil are able to switch into Darkrai to sponge hits. However, Ting-Lu and Zarude must be wary of coverage moves like Ice Beam and Focus Blast, or getting crippled by status.
**Faster attackers and strong attackers with priority**: Darkrai is very fast, but it is still vulnerable to opposing Choice Scarf users and faster threats like Iron Bundle. It is also frail and does not resist any priority attacks outside of Sucker Punch. As such, it can be picked off by strong priority attacks like Jet Punch from Palafin-H, Vacuum Wave from Keldeo, and Bullet Punch from Scizor. While Darkrai is bulky enough to live a strong priority move from full, it's worth scouting the item and offensive investment of these Pokemon before deciding to stay in with Darkrai.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/professor-shuckle.530941/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dartrix-joker.356084/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rahul_3301.537035/
Last edited:
