Dusknoir
Fast
Charge
PvE Analysis
With mediocre stats both offensively and defensively, as well as a suboptimal movepool, unfortunately Dusknoir will be only worth the Pokedex entry. It’s at least kind of bulky and resistant to Machamp.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Hex + Shadow Ball* | Best |
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Hex marginally beats Astonish.
Shadow Ball is the best Charge move available, but is limited to Community Day events and Elite TMs.
Ominous Wind’s STAB is compensated by Dark Pulse’s better parameters.
Psychic has no offensive use on Dusknoir.
Best PvE Defensive Moveset
Hex is again the better fast move.
Psychic is a great option with good power and 2 bars, but it leaves Dusknoir easily picked off by Dark-type attackers.
Ominous Wind can be used frequently with 3 bars, but Dark Pulse is stronger and harder to dodge.
Shadow Ball is the slower and harder-hitting option, and isn't a bad choice considering its limited availability.
PvP Analysis
Hex + Ominous Wind and Shadow Ball* | Best |
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Hex charges fairly well, but it's a middling move overall. Astonish is yet another middling option
Ominous Wind is not a strong move, but it does have a small chance of granting a stat-boost on use, and its cheaper energy cost is more appealing for baiting shields. Psychic is an alright move and threatens Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon. However, it doesn't do much against Dusknoir's counters. Shadow Ball is the strongest Charge Move available following the Duskull Community Day event, gets STAB, and is overall a solid move. Dark Pulse has a coverage profile that is so close to Ghost that it may as well be a mono-Ghost set, however without STAB its damage output is less appealing and overall not viable.
Great League | |
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The addition of Shadow Ball following the Duskull Community Day event gives Dusknoir much needed offensive power to flip several matchups. Dusknoir's bulk is largely due to its high DEF stat, which means its unimpressive STA stat ultimately results in average bulk overall. As a mono-Ghost Pokemon, Dusknoir enjoys mostly neutral matchups that largely do not resist Dusknoir's moves, making it a decent choice overall. However with the lack of any meaningful coverage against Dark Pokemon in particular, Dusknoir is walled quite easily. Psychic could be chosen to deal unresisted damage to Normal-types, but this option gives up either the power of Shadow Ball or the speed and shield bait pressure from Ominous Wind. Its pre-evolution, Dusclops, has greater viability thanks to its superior stat product and a more diverse moveset. | |
Ultra League | |
Dusknoir requires XL candy to reach the CP cap of Ultra League, and is overall a mediocre option at best. Access to Shadow Ball following the Duskull Community Day event improves Dusknoir's viability against the meta, and gives Dusknoir a chance at the 1-shield matchup vs Giratina. However with Hex as the fast move option, Ghost-types with Shadow Claw tend to be better options overall. The lack of coverage also holds Dusknoir back significantly considering how common Dark-types are in this league. | |
Master League | |
No |