Table of Contents
Difficulty:
Doable at trainer level 30 with optimized counters or weather boost
| HP | 15,000 | ATK | 237.10 | DEF | 147.80 |
|---|
| CP Range | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lvl 20 | 2048 - 2136 | Lvl 25 | 2560 - 2671 |
Notable Weather
Fast Move Difficulty
| Move | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Snarl | Challenging |
| Feint Attack | Intermediate |
Charge Move Difficulty
| Move | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Shadow Ball | Challenging |
| Dark Pulse | Intermediate |
| Focus Blast | Intermediate |
Overview
In its March of 2020 release, Darkrai made its return to the raid scene as a Tier 5 rather than a Tier 6, making it substantially easier to deal with. This raid is actually doable with 2 trainers and without boosts given the proper counters, but this guide will focus on the much more forgiving 3-person run given the current rarity of these counters
Darkrai hits like a truck, plain and simple. While not as strong as Mewtwo in this regard, it is still able to cut down teams with its powerful blows, which makes TDO a bigger issue than DPS given perfect counters. Be ready to re-lobby for this one, as the Pitch Black Pokemon is quite the imposing force.
Approach
- Without friendship and/or weather boosts, the only viable Pokemon with the DPS needed for the Duo are Shadow Machamp, Lucario, Shadow Gardevoir, Mega Beedrill, and Conkeldurr
- Shadow Machamp is the best overall counter, with the best clear times and solid total performance
- Lucario is the top non-shadow counter, though it falls to a single Focus Blast, and even takes heavy damage if it dodges.
- Knowing the moveset can be very important, scouting for this one is recommended
- A tank or two can save a run
- If you want to try the Trio, then make sure that you have friendship bonuses and weather on your side outside of events that boost power in some way
Battling Strategy
- Dodging can be very important, though it can also be difficult with some movesets
- Try to always dodge Focus Blast unless you know that surviving it won't net your Pokemon another charged move
- If attempting a Duo, then dodging is exceptionally important in many cases. With weather and friend bonuses, DPS isn't a huge issue. But TDO definitely is.
Best Raid Boss Counters
Counters Viable at Lv.30
Shadow Machamp
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Dynamic Punch | Best |
Pros:
- Highest DPS counter, great option for the duo
- Resists Dark Type movesets
Cons:
- Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and takes an event to remove Frustration
- Somewhat frail, appreciates dodging
Lucario
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Aura Sphere | Best |
Pros:
- Highest non-shadow DPS option in neutral weather, can help beat down the clock
- Resists Dark Type moves
Cons:
- Weak to Focus Blast
- Fairly frail, greatly appreciates dodging
- Still considered a fairly rare species overall
Conkeldurr
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Dynamic Punch | Best |
Pros:
- Outstanding mix of DPS and TDO, the real all-arounder for this match
- Pre-evolution is a semi-common raid boss, making it very obtainable
- Resists Dark Type movesets
- Can be evolved to final form for free if traded
Cons:
- If not traded, costs a whopping 200 candy to evolve
Shadow Gardevoir
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Charm | Dazzling Gleam | Best |
Pros:
- Double-resists Focus Blast, one of the best counters Vs. this move
Cons:
- Weak to Shadow Ball
- Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and takes an event to remove Frustration
Counters viable at Lv.40
Machamp
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Dynamic Punch | Best |
Pros:
- Great overall counter, many players have at least one raised
- Resists Dark Type movesets
Hariyama
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Dynamic Punch | Best |
Pros:
- Basically a budget Machamp
Cons:
- Basically a budget Machamp
Togekiss
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Charm | Dazzling Gleam | Best |
Pros:
- Bulkiest counter, great anchor for this raid
- Resists Dark Type movesets, double resists Focus Blast
Cons:
- DPS is a bit low
Counters Viable at Lv.35
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
Pros:
- Resists Focus Blast
Cons:
- Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and takes an event to remove Frustration
Breloom
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Dynamic Punch | Best |
Pros:
- Decent DPS option if lacking supreme counters
- Resists Dark Type movesets
Cons:
- Fairly frail, appreciates dodging
Gardevoir
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Charm | Dazzling Gleam | Best |
Pros:
- Many players have at least one, as it was featured in its own Community Day
- Double-resists Focus Blast
Cons:
- Weak to Shadow Ball
Blaziken
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Focus Blast | Best |
Pros:
- Many players have at least one, as it was featured in its own Community Day
- Resists Dark Type movesets
Cons:
- Generally more effective as a Fire attacker
Heracross
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
Pros:
- Resists Dark Type moves and Focus Blast
Cons:
- Regional species, not generally available
Togekiss
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Charm | Dazzling Gleam | Best |
Pros:
- Bulky choice that can help keep trainers in the game
- Resists Dark Type movesets, double-resists Focus Blast
Counters Viable at Lv.40
Shadow Alakazam
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Counter | Focus Blast | Best |
Pros:
- Resists Focus Blast, though it will still probably KO if not dodged
Cons:
- Extremely frail, dodging is manditory
- Best moveset is Elite
- Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and takes an event to remove Frustration
Genesect
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Fury Cutter | X-Scissor | Best |
Pros:
- Highest non-shadow Bug Type DPS
Cons:
- Mythical Pokemon, candy can be difficult to obtain and cannot be traded
