What is a good moveset for Darkrai?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Darkrai, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for its pre-evolutions, if any, can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilties, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Darkrai Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

I might be a new person, but I am the master of stall sweeping teams. Check this moveset out.

Dark Void- much more accurate than hypnosis, which is 60 accuracy compared to 80. It makes use of darkrai's ability and puts foe to sleep.
Double team- While the opponent is sleeping, you are able to set up double team, making this guy hard to hit.
Nasty Plot- Raises special attack by 2 stages, after nasty plot and double team maxed, your opponent is completely screwed.
Dream Eater- The signature move for darkrai, great power and works well with dark void, also allows darkrai to regain health.

EV's- 252 SAtk 252 Spd 4 HP
Ability- Bad dreams
Item- Leftovers
Timid Nature

Darkrai is an amazing pokemon that is capable of sweeping an entire team. Even though his only attacking move is dream eater, which won't do much to steel, or have no affect on dark, Darkrai's ability will eventually cause the opponent to attack and once darkrai is set up with maxed out nasty plot, anything resistant to dream eater still stands no chance. The only threat to this moveset would be a Dusknoir with something like shadow punch. Even considering all of this, shadow punch wouldn't do very much and leftovers should provide enough health coverage so that any opponent would fall after 8 turns.

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Dream eater ain't a signature move

Answer 1

Okay, so Darkrai has a totally overpowered ability AND an unfair Sleep-inducer move paired with blazing speed.

Seriously, all you really need to win is Dark Void and Nightmare. You could actually keep the other two slots empty and sweep half of a team with those two moves.

If you're not too cocky, put Dream Eater on for recovery, and attach a Big Root to Darkrai for more HP to be healed, and put Focus Punch on'em to counter Special Walls like Vaporeon, Blissey, and Regiice.

Comments

NOTE: Darkrai is really only good in Double Battles, so pair it with Dugtrio, Trapinch, or another Pokemon with Arena Trap, to trap the opponent.

If you plan on using him in a Single Battle, then replace Dream Eater with Dark Pulse or Psychic.

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Why was this voted down so much? Focus Punch is useful because your foe is asleep, and that high base power makes up for lower Physical Attack stat.. Dark Void is a must. Dream Eater and Nightmare work well with Dark Void. For single battle, he suggested switching Dream Eater with Dark Pulse or Psychic, which is good. Nightmare also works well with Bad Dreams. This is a good answer, I would suggest you vote it up.

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I'd say that I got voted down for calling Darkrai, "Overpowered."

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Glad to see my comment made a difference.

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In your case of moves , your darkrai would have a hard time against an opponent with the ability 'Vital Spirit" or "Insomnia"

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Pikachu agrees with ~-~WILL~-~'s reasoning.

Answer 2

Dark Pulse-Good power, STAB
Psychic-covers Fighting weakness, plus bug type attacks are rarely put on non bug types because of their low power, and it's very predictible when they do (like on Rhydon), and most the useful bug types like heracross already have a weakness to psychic as well (Poison, or fighting)
Dark void-makes use of ability and makes foes sleep
Calm Mind/nasty plot/ice beam/thunderbolt/focus Blast-Nasty plot or calm mind if you want to power up darkrai while the foe is asleep, thunderbolt or ice beam if you want good type coverage. Focus Blast if you feel lucky, and like high risk high reward moves.

other move to look at: Shadow Ball,

EDIT: I did not choose Dream Eater because it's way too predictable on Darkrai. Your opponent knows his ability, and that his main idea his to hit you while you're asleep. So They'll probably switch out. That's why I have a stat move, he gets a free turn to power up his stats. Plus Dream Eater loses its charm because of the sleep clause. All they have to do is keep that pokemon out of play, and half of your moveset is wasted.

Comments

what about Nightmare?

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i would go with ice beam, i didnt know darkrai's learnset anyways

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DarkTyphlosion, you rank the highest...*covets DarkTyphlosion*

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dude, bit of an old Q. But yeah lol, DT is pretty epic.

Answer 3

Gen V

Darkrai @ Leftovers

Trait: Bad Dreams

EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd

Timid Nature

• Dark Void
• Nasty Plot
• Dark Pulse
• Ice Beam

Comments

Dude all these moves were already available in gen 4 .

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Just reaffirming that these are still best even in Gen V.

Answer 4

Here are two moveset options, ordered from best to worst:

1. Sleep and Kill: Leftovers

Dark Void: Puts the foe to Sleep, allowing for Bad Dreams to destroy.

Dark Pulse: Good power, high accuracy, STAB, decent chance to cause flinching, type coverage is good.

Taunt: Stops the foe from using Sleep Talk and other non-attacking moves, including Taunt.

Calm Mind: The foe is usually going to switch once put to Sleep, so you can use that time to raise your stats.

1. Standard Darkrai Set: Leftovers/Big Root

Dark Void: Puts the foe to Sleep, allowing for Bad Dreams and Dream Eater if you have it.

Dark Pulse: Good power, high accuracy, STAB, decent chance to cause flinching.

Embargo: Stops the use of hold items.

Dream Eater/Spacial Rend/Roar of Time: Dream Eater works well with Dark Void, heals Darkrai, has high accuracy, high power, and deals with Fighting types. Spacial Rend and Roar of Time are moves that only the movie givaway Darkrai has. Spacial Rend has high power, decent accuracy, and a good chance for a critical hit. Roar of Time has high power and decent accuracy. The advantage of Roar of Time is that while your foe is asleep, they won't be able to attack you on the turn after Roar of Time when you are recharging.

Comments

How the heck is darkrai  supposed to learn roar of time?

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It says in the answer. Only an event darkrai can have it

Answer 5

Physical Darkrai!!??
Item: Muscle band
Ability: Bad-dreams
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 6 Hp

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Sucker-punch
X-Scissor/Brick-break
Rock-slide
Swords-dance/Dark-void

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Anyone else notice that this guy has base 90 Attack? Or were you too distracted by that 135 S.Attack? His Physical offense is pretty good. Sucker-punch is STAB and priority. X-Scissor can be useful in Ubers if you are afraid that your Psychic type foe is not going to use an attacking move while Brick-break provides always good coverage and screen breaking. Rock-slide is coverage especially over Bug types. Swords-dance is for boosting while Dark-void is status.

Comments

why use attack when it's sp. attack stat is greater?

Answer 6

Darkrai @ Salac Berry

Trait: Bad Dreams
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dark Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute

SubSalac Darkrai, AKA The Win Button. The idea is that you come in on something that Darkrai threatens, thus forcing a switch. On the switch you use Substitute, and while you have your Substitute up you can sweep, but should it fade keep replenishing it until the Salac Berry kicks in, and you know have a Darkrai at +1 Speed and +2 Special Attack, only stopped by Blissey/Chansey, and priority moves, so try to make sure you clear the field of anything such as Xtrmekiller or Scizor before setting up with Darkrai. Otherwise, you are free to sweep your heart out with the amazing coverage provided by Focus Blast and Dark Pulse. If you don't like the low accuracy/PP of Focus Blast, Hidden Power [Fighting] is acceptable, but won't hit quite as hard.

Comments

Great Pic!

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y'know, almost all dark types can learn Aerial Ace, (including Darkrai) it counters both of a dark type's weeknesses

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Yes but Darkrai has much better SAtk, and Aerial Ace won't KO any Bug or Fighting types, and there aren't too many of either in Ubers bar the occasional Terrakion or Scizor, neither of which are even weak to Flying.

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late reply and a bump. I call that a win in my book.

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Like a sir o3o

Answer 7

So, Darkrai is pretty good in Ubers. Though the Dark Void nerf made it less used in Ubers. There are a few things around this, but it's not easy. First set, we have the classic Z-Hypnosis Darkrai.

Darkrai @ Psychium Z
Ability: Bad Dreams
Timid Nature
EVs: 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP

• Hypnosis
• Nasty Plot
• Dark Pulse
• Focus Blast/Sludge Bomb

This has a 40% chance to fail. First turn, use Z-Hypnosis to put the opponent to sleep and get a speed boost. Then, whether they switch out or not, use Nasty Plot. You now have +2 Sp. Atk and +1 Speed. Dark Pulse is for your main STAB. Focus Blast is for other Darkrai, while Sludge Bomb is for unboosted Xerneas.

Now, here's my second set for Darkrai. Sub-Nasty Plot.

Darkrai @ Leftovers
Ability: Bad Dreams
Timid Nature
EVs: 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP

• Substitute
• Nasty Plot
• Dark Pulse
• Focus Blast/Sludge Bomb

This is similar to the last set. First turn, use Substitute and hope they don't attack you. Then, use Nasty Plot to boost your Sp. Atk. Dark Pulse is STAB. Focus Blast and Sludge Bomb are for the same purpose as last set.

Answer 8

Specs

Item: Choice-specs
Ability: Bad-dreams
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 S.Attack, 252 Speed, 6 Hp

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Dark-pulse

Thunderbolt or Thunder

Ice-beam

Focus-blast or Hidden-power (Fighting)

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546.75 S.Attack.... That is just insane! Most people expect to be put to sleep by Darkrai so they switch in a sleep talker or use a Pokemon with Taunt, they will get a nasty surprise when they get a load of Specs boosted Attacks from a base 135 S.Attack stat! Dark-pulse is STAB and get great coverage in Ubers. Thunderbolt is coverage but if you expect or are using Kyogre give him Thunder for some more power. Ice-beam is great Uber coverage. Focus-blast is for powerful coverage but if you are concerned about the accuracy use Hidden-power (Fighting) instead. This set gives you super-effective coverage over 491 Pokemon! Including almost every Pokemon in Uber! (Reshiram is neutral to it).

Comments

Finally a non dark void set, I may use this.
It's thunder is enough to Ohko a kyogre.

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why does everything depend on the nature? thats all i ask

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Most natures boost 1 stat and lowers another. For this set, Timid raises Speed and lowers Attack.

Answer 9

Nature: Naive
Ability: Bad Dreams
Item: Leftovers

Dark Void
Focus Punch (Learn in Gen 4)
Dream Eater
Flamethrower

Here, Darkrai can put it's target to sleep using Dark Void, then hit it over and over again with Focus Punch and Dream Eater, while its ability and item will let it gain HP while it's opponent is losing it. Flamethrower is a good alternative if Dark Void doesn't work and will take care of any Bug-types.

Comments

I approved this because it had explanation, but please provide a role or effort values.

Answer 10

Dark Void, very good move to put foes to sleep and works in conjunction with Bad Dreams.

.Nasty Plot, boosting that great special attack

Dark Pulse, STAB move, chance to flinch, works well off Darkrai's special attack especially after a Nasty Plot boost.

Focus Blast, great coverage with Dark Pulse, hitting almost all Pokemon for at least neutral damage.

Other options include Substitute, Ice Beam, Thunder/Thunderbolt and Taunt.

Answer 11

Darkrai @ Leftovers

Trait: Bad Dreams

EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 SDef / 4 Spd

Modest Nature

• Dark Void
• Nasty Plot
• Thunderbolt
• Ice Beam

Answer 12

Darkrai of death

EVs: 252 S.attack, 252 speed, 6 hp

Nature: Timid

Item: leftovers/life orb/big root

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Dark pulse: STAB

Dark void: Good night, sorta...

Dream eater: Coverage and healing

Ice beam: Awesome uber coverage

Comments

XD, my exact set, just remove dream eater, to predictable, I go nightmare, make that bad dream in to a NIGHTMARE!

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i like both including the one Latioslover321's change though i would choose the one Latioslover321 put

Answer 13

Darkrai@ Chople Berry / Leftovers
Psychic -- coverage, deals very nice damage due Darkrai's high Sp. Atk, may also lower the opponents Sp. Def.
Dark Void -- good with his ability, puts both pokemon of you're foe asleep
Ice Beam -- coverage, deals very nice damage, has a 10% chance to freeze the target.
Dark Pulse / Nasy Plot / Calm Mind / Nightmare -- Dark Pulse if you want another very strong move to deal with ghost and that stuff, Nasty Plot or Calm Mind to increase you're Darkrai's stats while you're opponent is asleep, Nightmare if you want to improve the damage while the opponent is asleep.

Other options are Thunder / Thunderbolt / Focus Blast / Shadow Ball.

Answer 14

Darkrai (Leftovers/Life orb/Focus Sash)
EVs: 4HP, 252 Spa, 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
Ability: Bad Dreams

• Dark void (Puts the foe to sleep, works good with Bad dreams and Dream eater)

• Dark Pulse (STAB, Good power and accuracy, chances do flinch)

• Dream eater (Coverage, heals HP, amazing power and accuracy)

• Focus Blast / HP Fighting / Ice beam (Coverage, you choice)

Answer 15

Item: Leftovers

Ability: bad dreams

dark void

dark pulse

dream eater

nightmare

LVL 100 SHINY DARKRAI

Answer 16

Darkrai @ Leftovers
Ability: Bad Dreams
EVs: 252 HP/ 126 Speed/ 126 SpAtk
Nature: Mild

• Dark Void
• Substitute
• Calm Mind
• Dark Pulse

You can sweep anything that dark is effective against if you use Dark Void to put it to sleep, and then use Substitute and spam Calm Minds until it wakes up, and then you use Dark Pulse.

Answer 17

Basically, there are 2 Darkrai options:

Sleep Inducer Set

Darkrai @ Big Root/Wise Glasses
EVs: 252 Sp.Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Nature: As long as it boosts Sp. Atk, whatever.
Ability: Bad Dreams (It's the only one anyway, but works great)

Dark Void
Nightmare
Dream Eater
Dark Pulse/Psychic

This set is ruined by switching out, as Dark Pulse/Psychic is all you can do in a switch out situation, unless you sleep all 6 opponents, but then a probable rage quit. You get the idea anyway.

Special Sweeper

Darkrai @ Leftovers/Wise Glasses
EVs: Sp.Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Nature: Sp.Atk boost again.

Dark Pulse
Psychic
Sludge Bomb
Shadow Ball/Haze/Nasty Plot

Dark Pulse STAB, Psychic is Fighting coverage and Sludge Bomb is powerful Fairy coverage. Haze to ruin stat boosters. Nasty Plot to boost his brilliant Sp.Atk. Shadow Ball (or whatever you like, such as Thunderbolt/Ice Beam) for another powerful attack. There's no point in another attack though, so Haze/Nasty Plot is better.

The last set is better, TBH.

Answer 18

Darkrai: The most annoying Pokemon you will ever encounter. Even more annoying than Psycho Shift Cresselia. Somehow...
Darkrai @ Big Root

Ability: Bad Dreams
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 Sp. Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP

Moves:

-Dark Void (screw you Insomnia pokes... you ruin everything...)
-Dream Eater (reliable regen)
-Nightmare (TROLOLOLOLOLOL...)
-Dark Pulse / Shadow Ball (You don't want to be Taunt bait, do you? Oh wait, that's right, they're asleep...)

Basically, he's made for screwing people. I have more rage quit victories than actual victories because of Darkrai and only Darkrai. I have proven this set over and over again.

Comments

This is super gimmicky set and not particularly reliable at all. I'd prefer to use a proven set thanks.

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If you say this is a gimmicky set, I'd like you to show me a proven set. Check lobster44's Sleep Inducer set. Mine is gimmicky, then so is his. If my wins didn't keep getting reset, then I could show you what I mean. (haven't been on Showdown! for a while now...)

Answer 19

Gen VI
Nature: (Anything as long as it doesn't have - Speed)
Item: Leftovers

Dark Void: Works great with Darkrai's Bad Dreams, better accuracy than other sleep moves.
Dark Pulse: Good power and accuracy, STAB, can make the target flinch. Good for sleep resistant Pokemon, (Most of them are Psychic types.)
Dream Eater: Better than Nightmare, (In my opinion) good power and accuracy, good against Fighting types, works with Bad Dreams
Calm Mind: Helps boosts up Sp. Attack and Sp. Defense.

Even If you don't use a competitive moveset, Darkrai will still destroy. With this moveset, I start off with Dark Void, then hit them with Dream Eater. Most people will switch out, and this gives you time to use Calm Mind. If they don't, Dream Eater will take care of damage, which also gives you time to use Calm Mind. If the opponent is sleep resistant, just spam Dark Pulse, which will probably be super-effective, due to most sleep resistant Pokemon being Psychic type. If it is Psychic, it will be a pretty easy K.O.

Btw, this is my First Competitive Moveset I created, soooooooooo.......

Answer 20

Darkrai
moveset:
Dark void
Dream eater
Sludge bomb
Dark pulse