Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon Ruby face several limitations, making them a suboptimal choice for many players. While some of these Pokémon have redeeming qualities, their overall performance suffers due to the game’s mechanics and their specific stat distributions. Here, we’ll explore why the selection of Dark-types in Pokémon Ruby feels underwhelming and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
The Core Issue: Special Moves and Physical Attackers
In Generation 3, Dark-type moves are classified as special, meaning they rely on the Special Attack stat rather than the Physical Attack stat. Unfortunately, most Dark-type Pokémon in this generation are physical attackers, which creates a mismatch between their strengths and the type’s primary moves. This limitation drastically reduces their effectiveness in battle.
Dark-Type Pokémon Breakdown in Pokémon Ruby
Mightyena
- Pros: Decent base Attack and a fantastic ability, Intimidate, which lowers the opponent’s Attack stat.
- Cons: Mightyena is slow, frail, and lacks the Special Attack stat to utilize Dark-type moves effectively. This makes it struggle in battles against tougher opponents.
Sableye
- Pros: Sableye has no weaknesses (in Gen 3) and boasts a versatile movepool, making it somewhat unpredictable in battle.
- Cons: Despite its advantages, it has abysmally low stats in both Attack and bulk, along with poor Speed. It often fails to make a significant impact in fights.
Absol
- Pros: Absol has an excellent ability, Pressure, and an incredible base Attack stat. Its design and flavor also make it a fan favorite.
- Cons: Like many other Dark-types in Gen 3, Absol is slow and frail. Additionally, its mediocre Special Attack stat means it cannot fully leverage its STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) Dark moves.
Cacturne
- Pros: Cacturne has a good movepool and strong stats in both Attack and Special Attack, giving it some flexibility in terms of offense.
- Cons: It is incredibly slow and frail, with a glaring six weaknesses, making it a risky choice for most battles.
Crawdaunt
- Pros: Crawdaunt benefits from the Shell Armor ability, which prevents critical hits, and it has solid attacking stats with decent physical bulk. It also features a good movepool, including access to strong Water-type moves.
- Cons: Its Speed is abysmal, its Special Defense is poor, and its HP is low, leaving it vulnerable to many attacks.
Sharpedo
- Pros: Sharpedo is a glass cannon with decent Speed, high Attack, and a good Special Attack stat to make use of Dark and Water moves. Its movepool includes useful coverage options.
- Cons: Sharpedo’s defenses are nearly non-existent, with a pitiful base 40 Defense stat. Even Ninjask, known for its frailty, has better defensive stats.
Shiftry
- Pros: Shiftry has decent offensive stats and a variety of coverage moves. Its ability, Chlorophyll, allows it to double its Speed in sunny weather, making it situationally viable.
- Cons: Without Sunny Day, Shiftry is too slow for its frailty to make an impact. It also has six weaknesses, making it hard to keep on the field in many battles.
Best Options for Endgame Teams
Among the available Dark-types in Pokémon Ruby, only a few are worth considering for an endgame team:
- Sharpedo: Its Speed and offensive stats make it a strong contender for quick knockouts, provided it doesn’t take a hit.
- Crawdaunt: With proper support and careful play, Crawdaunt’s versatility can shine in battles.
- Absol or Shiftry: These Pokémon can work in niche roles if their weaknesses are mitigated by team composition and strategy.
Why Generation 4 Improved Dark-Types
The introduction of the physical-special split in Generation 4 resolved many of the issues that plagued Dark-types in Gen 3. Physical attackers like Absol and Sharpedo could finally utilize powerful Dark-type moves that matched their strengths, making them far more viable in competitive and casual play.
While Dark-types in Pokémon Ruby have potential, their effectiveness is significantly hampered by the game’s mechanics and their inherent stat weaknesses. Sharpedo and Crawdaunt stand out as the best options, but even they are far from top-tier choices. Players seeking to use Dark-types will need to exercise creativity and strategy to maximize their potential in Pokémon Ruby.
