Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membershipbenefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon All Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Key art for Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know ahead of the Nintendo game's release
Pokemon Presents 2026
Pokemon All Pokemon Presents 2026 codes and rewards for Pokemon Go, Legends Z-A, TCG Pocket, and more
A screenshot of Raikou as seen in the Pokemon anime.
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch re-releases patch a bug that could make certain legendaries disappear permanently
A suspicious-looking Charizard looks at a Ditto Snorlax plush
Toys & Collectibles Gripped with Pokemon Pokopia fever? You need to see these delightfully derpy Ditto toys
Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon The best Pokemon games, ranked from worst to best
Pokemon Go codes
Pokemon Pokemon Go codes (March 2026) and how to redeem them
Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A
The Ultra Rare Mew stamp from the Pokopia Stamp Rally.
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Stamp Rally explained
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Pokemon 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Go
Pokemon With over 30 billion images logged, Pokemon Go is using players' activity to train its spinout AI company
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
Pokemon
Anime Shows How to watch Pokemon in order: a complete guide to the TV show and movies
Pokemon
Pokemon I've been playing Pokemon for 27 years – these are my 7 Pokemon Day predictions for the 2026 celebrations
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go Darkrai Raid counters and everything you need to know

Guides
By Phillip Martinez published 22 October 2021

The best Pokemon to use against Darkrai in Pokemon Go Raids

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Pokemon Go Darkrai Raid
(Image credit: Niantic)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

These Pokemon Go Darkrai counters will help you defeat the Legendary Pokemon in raids. Darkrai comes from the Sinnoh region, and is returning to Raids in Pokemon Go for a limited time where trainers will be able to catch this powerful ‘mon.

From Friday, October 22 at 10 a.m. to Friday, November 5 at 10 a.m. local time, Darkrai will be appearing in Level 5 Raids. And while trainers will want to catch this Legendary Pokemon to add to their collection, not to mention having a chance to encounter a Shiny Darkrai, all Darkrai will also have an exclusive move.

Any Darkrai battled and caught during this two-week period will know the move Sludge Bomb, which will make it harder to battle but also give it a great attack to use in once it's yours. We’ll get into that in more detail down below, but read on for everything you need to know about how to defeat Darkrai in Pokemon Go Raids.

You may like
  • Pokemon TCG Pocket Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
  • Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket All Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
  • Key art for Pokemon Champions Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know ahead of the Nintendo game's release

Pokemon Go Darkrai Counters 

Pokemon Go Darkrai Raid

(Image credit: Niantic)

Darkrai is a pure Dark-type Pokemon and is weak to Bug, Fighting and Fairy-type attacks similar to others like Mega Absol. 

Similar to the counters for Mega Absol, Mega Beedrill is the premier Mega Pokemon to use against Darkrai. Having access to Bug Bit and X-Scissor, both Bug-type attacks, will dwindle Darkrai’s health in no time. Mega Beedrill will also boost the power of every Bug-type move used on every trainers’ team. 

Heracross will benefit from this boost and has access to both Fighting and Bug-type moves. Counter is the best Fighting-type Fast attack to use against Darkrai. It also has access to Megahorn, one of the most powerful Bug-type Charged attacks in Pokemon Go.

To round out your team against Darkrai, use Fighting and Fairy-type Pokemon that know Counter or Charm as their Fast moves. Hariyama, Conkeldurr, Lucario and Machamp are the best Fighting-type options. Togekiss and Granbull are the best Fairy-type Pokemon to bring into battle. However, as we alluded to above the addition of Sludge Bomb to Darkrai’s arsenal could make it risky to bring too many Fairy types into battle. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Here is a list of counters to go against Darkrai in Pokemon Go. 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Darkrai Counters
PokemonMoveset
Mega BeedrillBug Bite and X-Scissor
HariyamaCounter and Dynamic Punch
ConkeldurrCounter and Dynamic Punch
LucarioCounter and Aura Sphere
MachampCounter and Dynamic Punch
TogekissCharm and Dazzling Gleam
GranbullCharm and Rough Play
SirFetchdCounter and Close Combat
HeracrossCounter and Megahorn
BreloomCounter and Dynamic Punch

 Pokemon Go Darkrai Moveset 

Darkrai has access to two different Fast attacks, but thankfully for Pokemon Go trainers they are both Dark-type moves. Snarl and Feint Attack will do minimal damage to Fighting and Fairy-type Pokemon so bringing them in won’t be too bad. It’s with Darkrai’s Charged attacks that trainers will have to strategize more.

Dark Pulse is the only Dark-type Charged attack that Darkrai uses so if it has it you’ll be ok using Fighting and Fairy types. Fairy types will also resist Darkrai’s Focus Blast attack, which is a Fighting-type move. Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type attack that really only affects trainers who want to use Gardevoir in this battle. Gardevoir, while resisting Darkrai’s Focus Blast is weak to Shadow Ball. 

However, Sludge Bomb will do massive damage to any Fairy-type trainers bring into battle. Use the suggested team feature when first entering a Raid to scout what moves Darkrai could bring into battle. If the suggested team doesn’t have any Fairy types, there is a good chance that Darkrai is bringing Sludge Bomb into the battle. Use this to your advantage and you’ll be ok.

Here is every Fast and Charged attack Darkrai can have in Pokemon Go Raids.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Darkrai Moveset
Fast AttackCharged Attack
SnarlShadow Ball
Feint AttackFocus Blast
Row 2 - Cell 0 Dark Pulse
Row 3 - Cell 0 Sludge Bomb

Pokemon Go tips | Pokemon Go Eevee evolutions | Pokemon Go Great League best team  | Pokemon Go Master League best team  | Pokemon Go Ultra League best team | Pokemon Go Giovanni counters | Pokemon Go Cliff counters | Pokemon Go Sierra counters | Pokemon Go Arlo counters | Pokemon Go Ditto | Pokemon Go evolution items | Pokemon Go 41-50 level guide | Pokemon Go Unova Stones | Pokemon Go A Thousand-Year Slumber | Pokemon Go shiny list | Pokemon Go XL Candy | Pokemon Go Mega Energy 

CATEGORIES
Android iPhone iPad Platforms Mobile Gaming
Phillip Martinez
Phillip Martinez
Social Links Navigation

I'm currently a GamesRadar guide contributor with a specialty in everything Pokemon GO. If you've wanted to know the best way to take down a Rayquaza, there's a good chance you read one of my guides. I previously have written for IBT Media, Newsweek and Screen Rant. I'm a huge fighting game fan and everything Pokemon, but I've grown to love RPGs.

Read more
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
 
 
Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon All Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
 
 
Key art for Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know ahead of the Nintendo game's release
 
 
Pokemon Presents 2026
Pokemon All Pokemon Presents 2026 codes and rewards for Pokemon Go, Legends Z-A, TCG Pocket, and more
 
 
A screenshot of Raikou as seen in the Pokemon anime.
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch re-releases patch a bug that could make certain legendaries disappear permanently
 
 
A suspicious-looking Charizard looks at a Ditto Snorlax plush
Toys & Collectibles Gripped with Pokemon Pokopia fever? You need to see these delightfully derpy Ditto toys
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Mega Froslass in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions could run "forever" if the series does, lead says, even if there's "10,000" 'mons
 
 
A Pokemon Perfect Order Booster Box outlined in white, against a colorful, blurred background
Tabletop Gaming Forget Amazon, this Pokemon card offer is the best I've seen on a must-have new set
 
 
Mega Charizard X in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Pokemon Champions producer "really enjoyed" the Pokemon Stadium games, used them as a "reference"
 
 
Greninja and Sylveon fight in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon I made a competitive team in minutes in Pokemon Champions – this could open the door for newcomers
 
 
Pokemon Champions trailer screenshot shows a Gardevoir attacking alongside a Trevenant.
Pokemon Pokemon Champions releases on Switch in 2 weeks, but a battle pass already looms over the F2P launch
 
 
A screenshot of Ditto transformed into Dragonite - flying next to the real Dragonite - in Pokemon Pokopia.
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia once again overtakes Resident Evil Requiem on Metacritic as the best game of 2026
 
 
Latest in Guides
Crimson Desert Mysterious Energy
RPGs Mysterious Energy in Crimson Desert explained
 
 
arc raiders flashpoint
Third Person Shooters What's in the Arc Raiders Flashpoint update and when does it release
 
 
Tenebrum in Crimson Desert
RPGs How to beat Tenebrum in Crimson Desert
 
 
A crow with a drop of blood falling upwards from its eye sits in front of a blood-red moon
Horror Games Dead by Daylight Blood Moon event date and launch time
 
 
Trading goods in Crimson Desert
RPGs Trade Goods and Trading in Crimson Desert explained
 
 
An enemy player stands in the crosshairs of the player's sniper rifle in Combat Arena.
FPS Games Combat Arena codes (March 2026) for Coins and Crates
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Steel Legion concept art against a plain background
    1
    Fan-favorite Steel Legion returning to Warhammer 40K after Armageddon book closes out current edition
  2. 2
    Warhammer 11th Edition officially revealed, and your old Codex army books will still work
  3. 3
    "F*** me, I guess": Hades 2 actor Ben Starr "hated" himself while playing the roguelike because his character Prometheus is a "hard boss"
  4. 4
    Disgaea dev's spooky new Stardew Valley-like is finally confirmed for a western release months after its Japanese announcement
  5. 5
    Black Ops vet says his mystery PlayStation project wasn't a live-service game, and even if Sony shutting down his studio "f***ing sucked" he reckons it's just because "times change"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...