Dark Pulse

Dark

Dark Pulse is a Charged Attack of type Dark in Pokémon GO. In Gym and Raid battles, it deals 80 damage and it costs 50 energy. In GO Battle League, Dark Pulse deals 80 damage and costs 45 energy. Explore its damage and energy stats in battles, its effectiveness against various Pokémon types, and see which Pokémon wield it best.

Dark Pulse effectiveness against other Pokémon types

NormalFightingFlyingPoisonGroundRockBugGhostSteelFireWaterGrassElectricPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy
Dark×1.0×0.6×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.6×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.6×1.0×1.0×0.6×0.6

Dark Pulse Adventure Effects

Dark Pulse has no Adventure Effects.

Dark Pulse in Gym and Raid Battles

Gym and Raid Battles Stats

CategoryCharged Attack
TypeDark
Power80
Energy50
Animation Duration3.0s
Damage Window1.4s - 2.3s
DPS26.67 Damage per second
DPE1.6 Damage per Energy

Similar moves in Gym and Raid Battles

DarkDark Pulse80503.0s26.67
DarkNight Slash45332.0s22.5
DarkCrunch65333.0s21.67
DarkFoul Play70502.0s35
DarkPayback951002.0s47.5
DarkBrutal Swing65332.0s32.5
DarkObstruct20331.5s13.33
DarkDarkest Lariat80502.0s40
DarkAura Wheel100502.5s40
DarkDark Pulse+1501003.0s50

Dark Pulse in Trainer Battles

Trainer Battles Stats

CategoryCharged Attack
TypeDark
Power80
Energy45
DPE1.78 Damage per Energy
TagsGeneral

Special effects

Dark Pulse has no special effects.

Similar moves in Trainer Battles

DarkDark PulseGeneral1.788045
DarkNight SlashSpam / BaitBoost
Special effectsSpecial

Night Slash has a 12.5% chance to:

  • Increase User's Attack by 25.0%
1.435035
DarkCrunchGeneralDebuff
Special effectsSpecial

Crunch has a 20.0% chance to:

  • Decrease Target's Defense by 20.0%
1.567045
DarkFoul PlaySpam / Bait1.636540
DarkPaybackNuke1.8311060
DarkBrutal SwingSpam / Bait1.575535
DarkObstructSpam / BaitBoost
Special effectsSpecial

Obstruct has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Increase User's Defense by 25.0%
  • Decrease Target's Defense by 20.0%
0.381540
DarkDarkest LariatNuke212060
DarkAura WheelGeneralBoost
Special effectsSpecial

Aura Wheel has a 100.0% chance to:

  • Increase User's Attack by 25.0%
2.2210045
DarkDark Pulse+Spam / Bait1.56040

Strongest Pokémon with Dark Pulse

1.Shadow Darkrai (Shadow)Shadow DarkraiDarkSnarlDarkDark Pulse16.0318.89254.12918s56
2.Mega Gengar (Mega)Mega GengarGhostShadow ClawDarkDark Pulse15.3617.71276.8956s52
3.Shadow Hydreigon (Shadow)Shadow HydreigonDarkBiteDarkDark Pulse14.7517.05262.34996s55
4.Hoopa Unbound (Unbound)Hoopa UnboundPsychicConfusionDarkDark Pulse1416.07260.41,048s55
5.DarkraiDarkraiDarkSnarlDarkDark Pulse13.9516.02258.551,053s55
6.Mega Absol (Mega)Mega AbsolDarkSnarlDarkDark Pulse13.8216.95182.161,068s79
7.YveltalYveltalDarkSnarlDarkDark Pulse13.2214.67317.741,108s45
8.Dawn Wings Necrozma (Dawn Wings)Dawn Wings NecrozmaGhostShadow ClawDarkDark Pulse12.9614.41306.591,129s47
9.HydreigonHydreigonDarkBiteDarkDark Pulse12.7714.43266.461,148s54
10.Shadow Honchkrow (Shadow)Shadow HonchkrowDarkSnarlDarkDark Pulse12.5415.67153.111,180s94

Best Great League Pokémon with Dark Pulse

Great League

Best Ultra League Pokémon with Dark Pulse

Ultra League

All Pokémon that can learn Dark Pulse

24ArbokArbokDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
24Shadow Arbok (Shadow)Shadow ArbokDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
37Alolan Vulpix (Alola)Alolan VulpixDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
37Shadow Alolan Vulpix (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan VulpixDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
52MeowthMeowthDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
52Alolan Meowth (Alola)Alolan MeowthDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
52Shadow Alolan Meowth (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan MeowthDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
52Shadow Meowth (Shadow)Shadow MeowthDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
53Alolan Persian (Alola)Alolan PersianDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset
53Shadow Alolan Persian (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan PersianDarkDark PulseReleasedStandard learnset

Dark Pulse FAQ

How does Dark Pulse compare with other moves of the same type?

In raids, Dark Pulse has lower move-only DPS compared with Dark Pulse+: 26.67 versus 50. This compares damage during the attack animation, not a Pokémon’s complete moveset.

In Trainer Battles, Dark Pulse deals less damage per energy compared with Aura Wheel (1.78 versus 2.22 DPE), and costs the same energy (45 versus 45). Higher DPE uses energy more efficiently; a lower cost lets you reach the attack sooner.

Alternatives have the same type and attack category and at least one released Pokémon that learns them. The raid comparison uses the alternative with the highest move-only DPS; the PvP comparison uses the highest DPT for Fast Attacks or DPE for Charged Attacks. Stats alone do not account for buffs, debuffs, typing, or the other moves a Pokémon can learn.

How are the best PvP users selected?

These tables show Pokémon whose recommended moveset in our imported PvPoke rankings includes this move as the Fast Attack or either Charged Attack. The rank is their position in the full league ranking, not just among users of this move. Both recommended Charged Attacks are shown. Being able to learn the move does not automatically make a Pokémon a recommended user.

How are the strongest Pokémon with Dark Pulse ranked?

Pokémon are ranked by eDPS (effective DPS), which accounts for damage, survivability, and time lost when rejoining. The default ranking uses Level 40 attackers and average raid boss weaknesses. Every moveset includes this attack. TTW estimates the time to win, and faints estimates how many attackers faint during the battle. Changing the settings can change the order.

How are tiers assigned?

Tiers group attackers by similar scores, emphasizing differences near the top. We use eight groups, labelled SS, S, A, B, C, D, E and F, when there are enough distinct scores; otherwise, fewer tiers are used. Group sizes are determined by the scores, not fixed rank cutoffs. Tiers update with the simulation settings and stay the same when you sort or change pages.

How do opponent choice and rejoin time affect the rankings?

Scores attackers against the configured T4+ raid boss pool, including Mega, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Outgoing damage reflects how effective each move type is against the bosses; incoming damage reflects the attacker’s resistances to their moves. Per-type rankings use bosses weak to that type. Types without super-effective matchups use the full pool. Unavailable Pokémon are excluded from the boss pool.

The dummy boss uses neutral effectiveness (1.0×) for every move, with incoming damage based on Defense alone. This can favor attackers whose moves the raid pool resists, or whose weaknesses make them take more damage in raids. The dummy has a fixed 25,000 HP, regardless of raid tier.

Time to return after a team of six faints. Applies to eDPS and estimated battle time.

How do Mega and Primal Pokémon boost Dark Pulse?

The Pokémon in the Mega and Primal section above boost other Trainers’ Dark Pulse damage by 30% (1.3×) in Raid Battles. The boost follows the attack’s type, not the attacking Pokémon’s type.

Standard Mega Pokémon must be on the battlefield. Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza provide their boost while in the current battle party, including after fainting. Multiple Mega or Primal boosts do not stack; the strongest applicable boost is used.

Explore all Mega and Primal type boosts

Does the ranking include Mega and Primal boosts to teammates?

No. The Mega Level setting adjusts the attacker’s own bonuses. Damage boosts provided to teammates are not included in this ranking.

What does the complete learnset list include?

It includes all Pokémon and forms that have access to Dark Pulse, whether they have been released in Pokémon GO or not.

What do legacy and exclusive moves mean?

Legacy moves were once available to a Pokémon but can no longer be learned through standard methods, such as a regular TM. Legacy and exclusive moves may require an event, an Elite TM, or another special method to obtain. Some legacy moves cannot be taught with an Elite TM.