Hello all you fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game and casual readers. The Pokemon Trading Card Game thrives on the multitude of playable strategies. While it is easy to zoom out and say that the only objective in Pokemon is to hit your opponent harder than they hit you, there is a lot more nuance than that. For example, which Pokemon Type do you prefer to play? There are the hard hitting fire types that burn away energy when they attack. There are electric types that specialize in lightning fast attacks. There are colorless types that sacrifice power for adaptability. And there are the dark types that… (What do the dark types do? I guess poison a little bit but do they have a big thing? Just looking edgy? Got it) … look cool and somewhat edgy. 

Today we’re going to be looking at the top 10 best dark type cards in the Pokemon TCG. This list will only take into consideration cards released before August 20 of 2021. We will be judging these cards based on the abilities printed on the cards alone, so unfortunately multi-card combos are off the table. With that said, let’s get into the list.

10. Galarian Zigzagoon

Galarian Zigzagoon from Sword & Shield.

• This Basic Pokemon has 70 HP.
• The Headbutt Tantrum ability is the main draw of this card. When you play this Pokemon from your hand onto your Bench, this ability deals 10 damage to one of your opponent’s Pokemon. 
• Surprise Attack costs two energy and deals 30 damage if you flip heads. If you flip tails, this attack does nothing.

9. Hoopa

Hoopa from Darkness Ablaze.

• This Basic Pokemon has 120 HP.
• For one energy, the Assault Gate attack deals 90 damage but only if you move Hoopa into your Active spot this turn. Despite the unusual condition, this is still a very useful attack.

8. Galarian Slowking VMAX

Galarian Slowking VMAX from Chilling Reign. 

• This VMAX Pokemon has 320 HP. 
• Max Toxify deals 10 damage and also poisons your opponent’s Active Pokemon. In addition, instead of the poison condition dealing 10 damage as it normally does, it deals 120 damage. This is really high poison damage and can build up very quickly if given enough time. This attack costs two energy. 

7. Crobat VMAX

Crobat VMAX from Shining Fates.

• This VMAX Pokemon has 300 HP. 
• Stealth Poison deals 70 damage for two energy. Your opponent’s Pokemon becomes poisoned and you switch this card with one on your bench. Just make sure you have a good Pokemon to switch into. 
• Max Cutter deals 180 damage for three energy. 

6. Crobat V 

Crobat V from Shining Fates.

• This Basic Pokemon V has 180 HP. 
• The main draw of Crobat V is its ability, Dark Asset. When you play this Pokemon onto your Bench from your hand, you may draw until you have six cards in your hand. This is a good way to draw cards that aren't a Supporter card. 
• Crobat also has the Venomous Fang attack which deals 70 damage for two energy and poisons your opponent’s Pokemon. 

5. Galarian Obstagoon

Galarian Obstagoon from Shining Fates.

• This Stage 2 has 160 HP.
• For two energy, the Obstruct attack deals 90 damage and prevents your opponent’s Basic Pokemon from damaging Galarian Obstagoon. This attack is very good and can completely stop many decks in their tracks. 
• The Untamed Shout ability deals 30 damage to one of your opponent's Pokemon when you evolve this Pokemon.

4. Galarian Weezing

Galarian Weezing from Shining Fates. 

• This Stage 1 Pokemon has 120 HP.
• For one energy, Severe Poison poisons your opponent and deals 40 damage instead of the normal 10.
• The Neutralizing Gas ability turns off all of your opponent’s abilities as long as this Pokemon is in the Active Spot.  Many decks heavily rely on their abilities so this ability can be a game changer. 

3. Malamar VMAX

Malamar VMAX from Vivid Voltage.

• This VMAX Pokemon has 310 HP.
• Max Jammer deals 180 damage for three energy. When you use it, your opponent reveals their hand and you may put a card from it on the bottom of their deck. 

2. Galarian Moltres V

Galarian Moltres V from Chilling Reign. 

• This Basic Pokemon V has 220 HP.
• Once during your turn, the Direflame ability allows you to attach one dark energy from your discard pile to this Pokemon.
• For three energy, Aura Burn deals 190 damage to your opponent’s active Pokemon and 30 damage to itself. 

1. Eternatus VMAX

Eternatus VMAX from Darkness Ablaza.

• This VMAX Pokemon has 340 HP. 
• For two energy, Dread End deals 30 damage for each dark Pokemon you have in play. This damage could be pretty low but Eternatus’s ability…
• ...allows you to have eight benched Pokemon as long as they are all dark types. This ability, Eternal Zone, can boost your damage maximum to 270 damage.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this article you may also be interested in:

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