Best Dark-type Pokemon in Legends Z-A

Pokémon Legends Z-A has reintroduced Mega Evolutions, a long-awaited feature for Pokémon trainers. Dark-type Pokémon are now particularly strong and durable, and with several of them capable of Mega Evolving, players want to know which ones are the most effective.

This guide covers the top Dark-type Pokémon in Legends Z-A. You’ll find details on how to evolve them, where to find their Mega Stones, and suggestions for the best moves, Effort Value (EV) spreads, and Natures to maximize their potential.

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

Currently, this Pokémon is considered the best tank in the Pokémon Legends Z-A battles. This is mainly because it’s very durable and has access to a frustrating set of moves that opponents struggle to deal with.

Mega Tyranitar

With moves like Dig, Earthquake, Crunch, and Protect, this Pokémon boasts a massive 600 Base Stat Total, making it a formidable opponent in battles and player-versus-environment challenges. When it evolves into Mega Tyranitar, it becomes an even more powerful force, overflowing with attack strength and durability.

To obtain Tyranitar, players must first catch and evolve Larvitar. Larvitar appears in specific areas early in the game, or in .

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 is a consistently solid Pokémon, known for its good speed and attack power. It’s fairly easy to train, and becomes even stronger when it Mega Evolves, gaining significant boosts to both speed and attack. Sharpedo and Mega Sharpedo excel as physical attackers, and benefit from moves like Aqua Jet, Liquidation, Crunch, and Ice Fang.

Mega Sharpedo

Sharpedo is a strong attacker with moves that hit many types for super effective damage, including Ice Fang and the powerful Dark-type attack Crunch. This makes it a real problem for increasingly popular Pokémon like Mega Charizard Y and X. While Mega Manetric is a tough matchup – it’s faster and can quickly defeat Sharpedo – experienced players can often play around this weakness.

It’s fairly easy to get a Sharpedo. Players can find many Carvanha, and sometimes even an evolved Alpha Sharpedo, in the area.

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

Okay, so Houndoom is seriously a top-tier Pokémon. It’s amazing as a Dark-type, but don’t sleep on its Fire-type power either – it’s a huge help when you’re trying to build a well-rounded team. And guess what? Mega Houndoom is coming back in Pokémon Legends Z-A! It’s super fast, packs a punch with its Special Attack, and has some brutal moves like Overheat and Dark Pulse. Get ready, because this thing is going to be a threat again.

Mega Houndoom

Houndoom is a strong Pokémon for both battling in-game (PvE) and against other players (PvP). It can be a valuable asset to any team while playing through the main story of Legends Z-A because it deals damage using both Fire and Dark-type moves. Many players will find it helpful against Pokémon that are Ghost and Fire-types, and it’s useful even without the ability to evolve into Mega Meganium.

In Pokemon Legends Z-A, you can obtain Houndoom by either evolving a Houndour that you’ve caught, or by finding and defeating an Alpha Houndoom.

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 a highly awaited Pokémon returning in Pokémon Legends Z-A. While its stats aren’t exceptionally high, even with Mega Evolution, it excels in two key areas: Physical Attack and Speed. This combination allows it to act quickly in battle and effectively defeat Pokémon holding Mega Stones, particularly with the move Knock Off.

Mega Absol

Absol and Mega Absol are incredibly effective against Psychic and Ghost-type Pokémon, often defeating them before they can even act. Plus, Absol can learn powerful moves like Play Rough, which gives it an advantage against trainers who rely on just one type of Pokémon, like those specializing in Dragons.

Getting an Absol is pretty straightforward: simply progress through the main story and complete the “A Rogue Mega Absol” quest to obtain Absol and its Mega Stone. For Alpha Absol (or a Shiny Absol, if you’re fortunate), check the rooftops of the Magenta District.

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 one of the quickest Pokémon in Legends Z-A, boasting a speed stat of 122 that can even reach 142 when it transforms into Mega Greninja. While it’s designed as a mixed attacker, many players prefer to build it as a strong physical attacker. A popular and effective build includes the moves Night Slash, Water Shuriken, Hydro Pump, and Ice Punch, giving it a wide range of combat options.

Mega Greninja

Greninja and its Mega Evolution are powerful partners in Pokémon Tag Battles. Their high speed makes it difficult for opponents to hit them, allowing them to quickly attack with moves like Water Shuriken or Hydro Pump. Ice Punch is a useful addition to their moveset, providing coverage against a wider range of Pokémon and effectively countering opposing Greninja and Mega Greninja.

You can obtain a Froakie fairly early in the game by completing the ‘A Challenge from Froakie’ quest. Alternatively, you can catch one in the wild, but that option isn’t available until much later.

2025-11-13 16:36