Pokemon TCG Pockethas plenty of ways for players to pull some dirty tricks on their opponents. After all, it wouldn’t be the Dark-type without a sucker punch here and there. Darkness Pokemon are the kings of using poison to subdue their enemies. They can also lock down the board for control tactics that give you an easier time handling whatever your opponent throws at you.
There might not be as many Dark-type Pokemon to choose from but many of them can tilt the scales of a fight and give you victory. So if you want to pull a fast one on your opponent, then here are the eight best Darkness-type cards to choose from in Pokemon TCG Pocket.
8Golbat
Swooping In For Some Fast Hits
Every Pokemon type has its quick striker. This is a Pokemon that doesn’t require much Energy and can easily get out of the way if it takes too much damage. For the Darkness-type Pokemon, this Pokemon is Golbat. With 70 HP and a Retreat Cost of one, it can quickly prey upon weaker Pokemon if your opponent is too slow setting up.
40 damage may not be the best damage, but for one Energy it will do the trick. However, there are plenty of other Pokemon that can take its place if you go looking outside the Darkness-types. So use it if you need to, but if you find something better, consider replacing it.
7Grimer
Call Poison Control
Grimer may be a puny Basic Pokemon that can only deal ten damage per strike, but at the very least, it can leave your opponent’s Pokemon Poisoned with only one hit. This will eventually add up if not taken care of and can set you up for some good combo plays with Pokemon that can do more damage against Poisoned Pokemon.
The biggest downside this card has is that its Retreat Cost is three which is pretty steep for a Basic Pokemon at the bottom of the Evolutionary line. Regardless, it is a Pokemon to consider if you want to play with Poison.
6Nidoran
Calling For Others Of Its Kind
Nidoran may not have any Moves that can deal damage, but it can call out other male Nidoran from your deck and get them directly on the field. This is a great way to thin your deck and improve the odds of drawing something good the next turn.
Both Nidoran lines benefit from existing in the same deck, so being able to get them on the board is a crucial part of the Nidoking and Nidoqueen strategy. So, while it may not have a bite, it is useful for making plays later in the future.
5Nidoking
The King Of Poison
Nidoking is a powerhouse with a solid 150 HP. This guarantees that it can withstand most blows that your opponent throws at you. While Poison Horn costs three Energy to start using, 90 damage and a guaranteed method of Poisoning your opponent’s Pokemon is not a bad way of clearing your opponent’s strongest Pokemon in two hits.
As far as Darkness-type cards go,Nidoking has the most HPof them all and a consistent way to deal damage each turn. However, if you don’t mind doing a bit of setting up, Nidoking will act best as a card on the Bench due to another card’s Ability.
4Nidoqueen
A Devastating Power Up
While Nidoking often outshines Nidoqueen, this is one instance where you’re going to want the queen front and center. This is because of its devastating Move, Lovestrike. With a base damage of 80, it’s already a decent way of taking down your opponent a notch, but with two Nidoking on the Bench, it can deal a whopping 180 damage.
This will knock out every Pokemon in one hitexcept for Venusaur, who lives just because it has 190 HP. However, with Giovanni giving it ten more damage, even Venusaur will fall to this Move. While Nidoqueen may have ten less HP than Nidoking, it also costs less to Retreat if you need to protect this heavy hitter.
3Muk
Can You Smell The Poison?
Muk has 130 HP and will leave your opponent in a rather sticky situation. For three Energy, Venoshock will do 70 damage. If your opponent’s Pokemon is Poisoned when this Move strikes, it will do a maximum of 120 damage.
While Muk’s Retreat Cost may be three, it can bypass this due to its compatibility with Koga which can bounce it back to the hand as well as any attached Grimer. Only two Pokemon are compatible with this strategy, which makes Muk a fantastic Pokemon with additional tactics that can be used with it.
2Weezing
Flood The Field With Toxins
Weezing is another card that can be bounced back into the hand using Koga. This automatically puts it at the top of the tier list when it comes tocomparing one Darkness-type against another. With 110 HP, it has modest staying power while also being able to Poison your opponent’s Pokemon simply by being in the Active Spot.
While its Move, Tackle, leaves much to be desired, it isn’t too hard to get the Move geared up and ready to go. However, what makes this Pokemon better than Muk for a Koga target is that it can Poison without needing to attack. So you don’t need to dedicate Energy just to see it do something.
1Arbok
A Paralyzing Glare
If you’re looking for a Pokemon that can keep other ones locked in place, then Arbok will do the trick. This Darkness-type Pokemon has 100 HP and can deal a solid 60 damage each turn with its Corner Move.
The good thing about this card is that if it hits an unsuspecting Pokemon, your opponent won’t be able to retreat it the next turn. This can be troublesome for them if the Pokemon affected by this doesn’t have enough Energy attached to it to attack. This means all your opponent can do is either scramble for Energy in the hopes of knocking out Arbok or let their Pokemon get taken and focus on setting up their other Pokemon on the Bench.
