Strategy: Intro, EVs, Natures

I typically do not utilize legendary Pokémon in battle, but I have added Darkrai to my post-Elite Four party in White. Additionally, I am not a competitive battler by any means. Darkrai is not able to participate in regular competitive battles or in the battle tower/subway/maison anyway. However, if you wish to make it a member of your party and are interested in my opinion, feel free to read on!

Darkrai has excellent speed and special attack percentiles. It is relatively difficult to EV train in older games unless you are experienced, but if you happen to have a reset bag in X/Y, you can use Super Training to pick EVs of your choice. I have found that hitting hard and fast is the best in-game strategy for those who lack in defense/special defense and thus would split EV training between SPECIAL ATTACK and SPEED. Darkrai is not terrible in regards to defense, though. Since it is already very fast, you could consider maxing out special attack and splitting the rest between speed and defense as well. Again, since Darkrai is a legendary and is not qualified to partake in most things, I would not worry too much about EVs unless that sort of thing interests you.

In regards to natures, anything that increases special attack or speed would be most helpful. Darkrai is clearly superior in special attack and thus picking a nature that decreases attack would not be very harmful. I think that a MODEST (↑ sp. attack, ↓ attack), BOLD (↑ defense, ↓ attack) or even TIMID (↑ speed, ↓ attack) nature would be ideal for games in which you can soft reset to change the nature. If you are interested in teaching Darkrai any physical attacks, though, you could consider seeking a neutral nature instead.

Strategy: Move Set

The Darkrai I use in White knows the moves DARK PULSE, DARK VOID, DREAM EATER and PSYCHIC. Dark Pulse is the strongest dark-type move that Darkrai can learn and I think it is useful to have as a STAB move. Dark Void and Dream Eater take advantage of Darkrai's ability "Bad Dreams," in which a sleeping Pokémon loses HP each turn. Dark Void puts the Pokémon to sleep (its signature move!) and Dream Eater adds to the damage done while asleep as well as heals Darkrai's HP. Lastly, I taught Darkrai Psychic in order to counter any fighting-types it may come across. HIDDEN POWER is another possibility if you investigate what type your Darkrai's Hidden Power move will be. With the addition of the fairy-type in X/Y, I would likely want to consider teaching Darkrai SLUDGE BOMB instead of Dream Eater in order to counter that weakness as well.

I tend to hit hard and fast when possible, but if you like to increase your stats before attacking, NASTY PLOT or CALM MIND may be moves you should consider as well.

If you are more interested in using Darkrai competitively, feel free to browse the opinions over at Smogon as well. They give not only example move sets, but also ideal natures, EVs and held items as well.

b a c k   .   c l e a r   .   f o r w a r d    The Dark Knight and its contents are © Samantha, however Darkrai and Pokémon are © Nintendo and other rightful owners. The Dark Knight is a part of AFTER-DEATH.ORG.