Poison/Dark Type

Poison/Dark and Dark/Poison are the same defensive pairing; this page uses poison-dark as the canonical URL. Poison/Dark is a sturdy utility pairing that compresses Fairy resistance, Poison absorption, and Psychic immunity into one slot. Representative Pokémon include Stunky, Skuntank, Drapion, Alolan Muk, Overqwil. The standard type chart gives this combination no 4× weakness and 2× weak to Ground. It is immune to Psychic. Its main defensive value comes from no ¼× resistance; ½× resists Grass, Poison, Ghost, Dark, but stats, ability, item, and format still decide whether a real Pokémon can use those entries repeatedly.

Offensive plan

Poison STAB pressures Fairy and Grass targets, while Dark STAB threatens Psychic and Ghost targets. Ground is the only chart weakness, so the matchup often turns on whether the opponent can land Earthquake or Earth Power safely. The typing still needs recovery, bulk, or utility because neutral hits and hazards can wear it down.

Counterplay and defensive risks

To counter Poison/Dark, start with the chart pressure: Ground. If a 4× weakness is listed, preserve that attack type before revealing it; if there is no 4× weakness, repeated 2× pressure and hazard chip usually matter more than a single surprise hit. Scout for abilities, Terastallization, weather, recovery, and pivot moves before assuming the visible multiplier ends the exchange.

Team-building advice

Poison/Dark wants a Ground immunity or reliable Ground-resistant teammate. Flying, Levitate, Grass, and Bug partners can cover that lane, while Poison/Dark answers Psychic and Fairy pressure for them. Use the Team Calculator to check whether the rest of the six stacks the same Ground problem, then compare the full defensive chart before choosing moves or teammates.

Read the best Pokémon type combinations guide for a side-by-side defensive comparison.

Continue with Type Chart, Dual Type Calculator, Poison/Ghost guide, and Flying/Dark guide.

Frequently asked questions