Best Dark-type Pokemon in Legends Z-A

Pokemon Legends Z-A brought back what every trainer has been yearning for years: Mega Evolutions. Now Dark-type Pokemon are among the most bulky and powerful species, and with some of them having Mega Evolutions of their own, trainers feel the need to know which are the best and which are not.

This guide will provide information on the best Dark-type Pokemon in Legends Z-A, including how to evolve them, where are their Mega Stones, and best movesets, EV Spread, and Natures.

BST (Base Stat Total) Is read from left to right as follows: HP/Atk /Sp. Atk/Def/Sp. Def/Speed

Tyranitar

Ideal For Battles Of Attrition

Best EV Spread: 252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 4 Sp. Def
Best Nature: Adamant (Attack ↑ - Sp. Attack ↓)
Rec Moveset: Dig, Earthquake, Crunch, Protect.
Mega Stone Location: (Tyranitarite) Unlocks After Beating Rogue Mega Tyranitar
BST: 100/134/110/95/100/61
BST (Mega): 100/164/150/95/120/71

It is the strongest tank in the current Pokemon Legends Z-A meta, for two important reasons: Its bulkiness and access to a series of moves that can become quite annoying for rivals.

Larvitar

Pupitar

Tyranitar

Mega Tyranitar

The combination of Dig, Earthquake, Crunch, and Protect turns this beast with 600 BST (Base Stat Total) into an insurmountable rival in both competitive and PvE. Evolving into Mega Tyranitar turns this already huge Pokemon into a mountain of pure attack power and resilience.

To get Tyranitar, players need to catch and evolve Larvitar, which can be found in certain early-game locations or in Wild Zone 15.

Sharpedo

A Decent Combination Of Coverage, Speed, And Power

Best EV Spread: 252 Atk/ 252 Speed/ 4 Def
Best Nature: Jolly (Speed ↑ - Sp. Attack ↓)
Rec Moveset: Liquidation, Aqua Jet, Crunch, Ice Fang
Mega Stone Location: (Sharpedonite) Bought from Quasartico Inc. For 180 Mega Shards
BST: 70/120/40/95/40/95
BST (Mega): 70/140/70/110/65/105

Sharpedo has always been a decent choice in terms of speed and power. Relatively easy to train, it becomes more powerful when Mega Evolving, reaching notable speed and attack power. As a good Physical Attacker with a decent Speed, Sharpedo (and Mega Sharpedo) work best with moves like Aqua Jet, Liquidation, Crunch, and Ice Fang.

Carvanha

Sharpedo

Mega Sharpedo

As a purely offensive type, Sharpedo has good coverage thanks to Ice Fang and Dark-type STAB Crunch, and can become a threat to Mega Charizard Y/X, which is climbing the meta rankings at abnormal speeds. Its most notorious counter is Mega Manetric, which outspeeds it and can kill it real fast, but a skilled trainer will know how to avoid this matchup.

Getting Sharpedo is relatively easy, as players can find lots of Carvanha or even an evolved Alpha Sharpedo in Wild Zone 10.

Houndoom

Squishy But Fast & Powerful

Best EV Spread: 252 Sp. Atk/ 252 Speed/ 4 Def
Best Nature: Timid (Speed ↑ - Attack ↓)
Rec Moveset: Flamethrower, Overheat, Dark Pulse, Nasty Plot
Mega Stone Location: (Houndoomite) Bought from Quasartico Inc. For 180 Mega Shards
BST: 75/90/50/110/80/95
BST (Mega): 75/90/90/140/90/115

Houndoom is one of the best Dark-types and also one of the most powerful Fire-types at the same time, which is something to consider when building a balanced team. Mega Houndoom is back for revenge in Pokemon Legends Z-A, with its lethal combination of Speed, Special Attack, and lots of vicious moves like Overheat and Dark Pulse.

Houndour

Houndoom

Mega Houndoom

Houndoom is a nice Pokemon for both PvE and PvP, and can carry most teams throughout the Main Story of Legends Z-A, thanks to its ability to cause both Fire and Dark-type STAB damage. Most trainers will find it useful to counter Pokemon like Chandelure(Ghost/Fire), or Victreebel, and even Meganium if it doesn't evolve into Mega Meganium.

To get Houndoom in Pokemon Legends Z-A, players need to catch and evolve a Houndour or simply get an Alpha Houndoom from Wild Zone 6.

Absol

A Great Dark-Type Physical Attacker

Best EV Spread: 252 Atk/ 252 Speed/ 4 HP
Best Nature: Adamant (Attack ↑ - Sp. Attack ↓)
Rec Moveset: Night Slash, Play Rough, Knock Off, Swords Dance
Mega Stone Location: (Absolite) First Mega Stone to be Unlocked after Beating Mega Absol
BST: 65/130/60/75/60/75
BST (Mega): 65/150/60/115/60/115

Absol is one of the most anticipated returns in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Though it doesn't boast an incredible amount of stats (even by Mega Evolving), it does have two strong points: Physical Attack and Speed, which are enough to gain Priority in combat and destroy Mega Stone holders thanks to Knock Off.

Absol
Mega Absol

Absol/Mega Absol destroys most Psychic and Ghost-types even before they can move, and thanks to being able to learn coverage moves like Play Rough (Fairy), which will help it beat some sense into single-type users (I'm talking about Dragon Trainers) even before they can do anything to counter.

Acquiring an Absol is relatively easy: Just follow the Main Quest and complete A Rogue Mega Absol to receive Absol and its Mega Stone. If players want to catch an Alpha Absol (or a Shiny one if they're lucky enough), they can try the rooftops of Magenta District or Wild Zone 20.

Greninja

One Of The Fastest Pokemon In The Current Meta

Best EV Spread: 252 Sp. Atk/ 252 Speed/ 4 Def
Best Nature: Naughty (Attack ↑ - Sp. Defense ↓)
Rec Moveset: Night Slash, Water Shuriken, Hydro Pump, Ice Punch
Mega Stone Location: (Greninjite) Reach Rank Y in Season 2 of Ranked Battles
BST: 72/95/67/103/71/122
BST (Mega): 72/125/77/133/81/142

Greninja is among the fastest Pokemon in Legends Z-A,with a whopping 122 that can be boosted to 142 when it evolves into Mega Greninja. This Pokemon is a hybrid attacker, but some trainers like to build it as a Physical Attacker, though. The current most powerful build includes Night Slash, Water Shuriken, Hydro Pump, and Ice Punch, which grants this Pokemon lots of versatility.

Froakie

Frogadier

Greninja

Mega Greninja

Greninja & Mega Greninja become quite effective in Tag-Team Pokemon Battles, especially since it's easy to dodge certain moves with its incredible speed, then snipe using Water Shuriken or Hydro Pump.Ice Punch adds both coverage and a decent counter against Feraligatr and Mega Dragonite.

Players can get a Froakie relatively early by completing the 'A Challenge from Froakie' Quest, or by capturing one in Wild Zone 16, though this option doesn't become available until much later in the game.