5 minutes read
Catching Dark type Pokémon is fun, but they are not very common. They tend to favor certain areas and times of the day and also show up during specific events. You can also save time and be more efficient in your hunting by using a few smart tricks to your advantage.
This guide will show you in the easiest and most effective ways how to find Dark type Pokémon in Pokémon GO without any confusion. No matter if you are filling your Pokédex or powering up your team, these tips will allow you to catch more Dark types in a flash.
Part 1: Understanding When Dark-Type Pokémon Spawn
Dark-Type Pokémon usually show up more often between 8 PM and 2 AM — matching their dark, nighttime theme. During these hours, you’ll have the best chance to find and catch them.
It’s important to know that the in-game sky or lighting doesn’t affect when they spawn. The dark visuals you see on your screen are just for design and atmosphere. Instead, real local time controls Pokémon spawns. Niantic’s servers use your actual region’s clock to decide when certain types appear.
In short: want more Dark-Types? Go hunting after sunset in your real-world time zone. 🌙
Part 2: Common Tips to Catch Dark-Type Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Due to their rarity, dark type Pokémon GO might be difficult to catch in Pokémon GO. However, you may identify them more frequently with a few simple methods.
1. Play During Nighttime
Dark-type Pokémon are more prevalent after sunset, particularly between 8 PM and 2 AM. During these hours, keep a watch out for Pokémon like Murkrow, Houndour, Poochyena, and Sableye.
2. Participate in Dark-Type Events
Niantic often releases events focused on type-based spawns. Whenever there is a Dark-type event, the spawn rates for Dark Pokémon GO up dramatically. These can include:
- Spotlight Hours
- Type-themed Celebrations
- Team GO Rocket Takeovers
- Halloween Events
3. Complete Field Research Tasks
Some Field Research Tasks reward encounters with Dark-type Pokémon. These tasks usually appear during monthly rotations or special themes. Look for missions like:
- Catch 5 Dark-type Pokémon
- Make 3 Great Throws
- Defeat a Team GO Rocket Grunt
4. Battle in Team GO Rocket Encounters
Team GO Rocket is one of the most reliable ways to meet Dark types. Their Shadow Pokémon lineup often includes Dark-type species. You can find them by:
- Battling Grunts (look for “Wherever there is light, there is also shadow!”)
- Challenging Leaders during events
- Fighting Giovanni, who sometimes brings Shadow Dark-type Legendaries
5. Hatch Eggs During Special Events
Normally, Dark-type Pokémon don’t appear too often in Eggs. But during certain events, Niantic adds dark type symbol Pokémon GO to the hatch pools for example:
- 7 km Eggs during Halloween
- 12 km Eggs from Team GO Rocket
- Seasonal egg updates
Pokémon like Pawniard, Vullaby, Larvitar, Deino, and Sandile may appear in these egg rotations.
Part 3: Best Way to Catch Dark-Type Pokémon for Maximum Chances
To catch dark type pokemon can be difficult, especially if you live in an area with low spawn rates. FonesGo Location Changer makes this much easier by letting you jump to real-world hotspots where Dark-types appear more often.
FonesGo Location Changer gives you accurate location control and smart search tools, so you can find Dark-type Pokémon instantly. It helps you track, locate, and catch them without wasting time or walking long distances.
- Jump to global Dark-type spawn locations instantly
- Search real-time Pokémon data by name or ID
- Use advanced filters like CP, IV, Level, and Weather
- Access both Pokémon and Raid information
- View coordinates, despawn time, distance, and moves
- 100% safe for spoofing with a low ban-risk design
iOS — Pokémon Resource Search (Step-by-Step)
- step 1 Open Pokémon Resources
- step 2 Search Pokémon
- step 3 Use Filters for Accurate Results
- CP (Combat Power)
- Level (LV)
- IV (Individual Value)
- Spawn Time
- Distance
- Gender
- Weather
Tap the Pokéball in the FonesGo interface and select Pokémon Resources.
Type the Pokémon’s name or ID number in the search bar.
Tap Filter on the right and refine your Dark-type search by:
Android — Pokémon Resource Search (Step-by-Step)
- step 1 Enable Resource Mode
- step 2 Access Pokémon Mode
- CP
- Level (LV)
- IV
- Spawn Time
- Distance
- Gender
- Weather
- step 3 Access Raid Mode
- CP
- Egg
- Tier
- Gender
- Team
Tap the Pokémon logo on the interface to activate Resource Mode.
Enter the Pokémon ID or name from the Pokémon list. Tap Filter to refine the search using:
Switch to Raid Mode by tapping the Raid option. Enter the Pokémon ID or name from the raid list. Use the Raid Filter to fine-tune results:
✅ Learn More: Best Pokemon Go Spoofers for Raids, Gyms, and Rare Pokémon
Part 4: Best Strategies for Using Dark-Type Pokémon in Battle
Dark-Type Pokémon are powerful and versatile fighters, especially against Psychic and Ghost types. Here’s how to use them effectively:
- Use Them as Counters: Dark moves deal extra damage to Psychic and Ghost Pokémon while completely resisting Psychic attacks. Great picks include Mewtwo, Alakazam, and Gengar battles.
- Choose Strong Move Sets: Go for Pokémon like Tyranitar (Bite + Crunch), Hydreigon (Bite + Brutal Swing), Yveltal (Snarl + Dark Pulse), or Weavile (Snarl + Foul Play).
- Fight During Fog Weather: It boosts both Dark and Ghost moves.
- Use in Team GO Rocket Battles: Dark types easily defeat Psychic-heavy teams.
- Build a Balanced Team: Cover Dark-type weaknesses (Fighting, Fairy, Bug) with Steel, Flying, or Fire teammates.
Stay strategic, train with XL Candy, and your Dark-type lineup will dominate every league!
✅ Learn More: Pokémon GO Tales of Transformation: Quick Guide
Conclusion
Dark-type Pokémon are hard to spot in Pokémon GO but if you know when and where to look for them, it will be much easier to catch them. Night playing, special events, and field task completion will all give you a better chance. For an even smarter approach, FonesGo Location Changer helps you find and reach rare Dark-types quickly. You can teleport to specific spawns, filter by CP or weather, and explore new locations safely. With FonesGo, your hunt becomes easier, faster, and more fun.
