Pokémon GO: ALL the dark Pokémon, how to capture and purify them

Pokémon GO features a classic mechanic from the franchise, namely the Dark Pokémon, which are available through the Team GO Rocket. In this section, we aim to provide you with everything you need to know about Dark Pokémon, including how to capture them, which ones exist, and much more!

How to Capture Dark Pokémon

The concept of Dark Pokémon revolves around the Team GO Rocket, the villainous organization in the Pokémon world responsible for creating these Pokémon. The process is straightforward: Team GO Rocket recruits invade certain PokéStops and can also be seen flying in balloons across the map. Your goal is to defeat them in battle to rescue a Dark Pokémon.

The Pokémon you can capture will be one that was used by the Team GO Rocket recruit during the battle (usually the first or, less often, the second Pokémon). Dark Pokémon are easily identified by their purple aura and red eyes. You will have 5 Honor Balls to capture it, similar to the rewards you receive from research tasks or raids.

It’s important to note that Dark Pokémon have some unique characteristics and differences:

• They cannot be traded with other players until they are purified.
• They always know the move Frustration, even after evolving. You can teach them another move using a TM, but they cannot forget Frustration unless an event allows it.
• They cannot learn event moves, except for quick attacks.
• Dark Pokémon receive a 20% boost to the power of all their attacks, although their Defense is reduced to 83.33%.

How to Purify Dark Pokémon and Its Benefits

To purify Dark Pokémon, simply go to the Pokémon’s information tab and consume Stardust and Candy. The cost varies depending on the type of Pokémon:

• Easy-to-find Pokémon: Costs 1000 Stardust and 1 Candy.
• Most Pokémon: Costs 3000 Stardust and 3 Candies.
• Rare Pokémon: Costs 5000 Stardust and 5 Candies.
• Legendary Pokémon: Costs 20000 Stardust and 20 Candies.

Once purified, a Dark Pokémon’s appearance will change to resemble its normal counterpart. Additionally, purified Pokémon receive the following benefits:

• Purified Pokémon always know the move Return, even after evolving. You can teach them another attack with a TM, but they will not be able to relearn it.
• Purified Pokémon increase their IVs by 2 in Health, Attack, and Defense.
• Purified Pokémon require 10% less Candy to power up or evolve.
• The Stardust cost for powering up or teaching a secondary move decreases by 20%.
• A purified Pokémon’s level can increase up to level 25.
• They can learn event moves.

All Dark Pokémon in Pokémon GO

Below is a list of all Dark Pokémon currently available in Pokémon GO, organized by their respective generations.

Dark Pokémon – Generation 1

• Bulbasaur: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Ivysaur: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Venusaur: Evolved from the previous.
• Charmander: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Charmeleon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Charizard: Evolved from the previous.
• Squirtle: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Wartortle: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Blastoise: Evolved from the previous.
• Weedle: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Kakuna: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Beedrill: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Pidgey: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Pidgeotto: Evolved from the previous.
• Pidgeot: Evolved from the previous.
• Rattata: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Raticate: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Ekans: Defeated from Jessie of Team Rocket.
• Arbok: Evolved from the previous.
• Sandshrew: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Sandslash: Evolved from the previous.
• Nidoran (female): Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Nidorina: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Nidoqueen: Evolved from the previous.
• Nidoran (male): Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Nidorino: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Nidoking: Evolved from the previous.
• Vulpix: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Ninetales: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Zubat: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Golbat: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Oddish: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gloom: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Vileplume: Evolved from Dark Gloom.
• Venonat: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Venomoth: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Diglett: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Dugtrio: Evolved from Dark Diglett.
• Meowth: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Persian: Evolved from Dark Meowth.
• Psyduck: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Golduck: Evolved from Dark Psyduck.
• Growlithe: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Arcanine: Evolved from Dark Growlithe.
• Poliwag: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Poliwhirl: Evolved from Dark Poliwag.
• Poliwrath: Evolved from Dark Poliwhirl.
• Abra: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Kadabra: Evolved from Dark Abra.
• Alakazam: Evolved from Dark Kadabra.
• Machop: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Machoke: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Machamp: Evolved from Dark Machoke.
• Bellsprout: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Weepinbell: Evolved from Dark Bellsprout.
• Victreebel: Evolved from Dark Weepinbell.
• Geodude: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Graveler: Evolved from Dark Geodude.
• Golem: Evolved from Dark Graveler.
• Slowpoke: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Slowbro: Evolved from Dark Slowpoke.
• Magnemite: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Magneton: Evolved from Dark Magnemite.
• Grimer: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Muk: Evolved from Dark Grimer.
• Shellder: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Cloyster: Evolved from Dark Shellder.
• Gastly: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Haunter: Evolved from Dark Gastly.
• Gengar: Evolved or traded from Dark Haunter.
• Onix: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Drowzee: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Hypno: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Voltorb: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Electrode: Evolved from Dark Voltorb.
• Exeggcute: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Exeggutor: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Cubone: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Marowak: Evolved from Dark Cubone.
• Hitmonlee: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Hitmonchan: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Koffing: Defeated from James of Team Rocket.
• Weezing: Evolved from Dark Koffing.
• Rhyhorn: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Rhydon: Evolved from Dark Rhyhorn.
• Tangela: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Horsea: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Seadra: Evolved from Dark Horsea.
• Scyther: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Electabuzz: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Magmar: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Pinsir: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Magikarp: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gyarados: Evolved from Dark Magikarp.
• Lapras: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Porygon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Omanyte: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Omastar: Evolved from Dark Omanyte.
• Aerodactyl: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Snorlax: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Articuno: Reward for defeating Giovanni or in temporary dark raids.
• Zapdos: Reward for defeating Giovanni or in temporary dark raids.
• Moltres: Reward for defeating Giovanni or in temporary dark raids.
• Dratini: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Dragonair: Evolved from Dark Dratini.
• Dragonite: Evolved from Dark Dragonair.
• Mewtwo: Reward for defeating Giovanni during a special Team GO Rocket research.

Dark Pokémon – Generation 2

• Chikorita: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Bayleef: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Meganium: Evolved from Dark Bayleef.
• Cyndaquil: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Quilava: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Typhlosion: Evolved from Dark Quilava.
• Totodile: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Croconaw: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Feraligatr: Evolved from Dark Croconaw.
• Ledyba: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Ledian: Evolved from Dark Ledyba.
• Crobat: Evolved from Dark Golbat.
• Natu: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Xatu: Evolved from Dark Natu.
• Mareep: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Flaaffy: Evolved from Dark Mareep.
• Ampharos: Evolved from Dark Flaaffy.
• Bellossom: Evolved from Dark Gloom.
• Sudowoodo: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Politoed: Evolved from Dark Poliwhirl.
• Hoppip: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Skiploom: Evolved from Dark Hoppip.
• Jumpluff: Evolved from Dark Skiploom.
• Aipom: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Wooper: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Quagsire: Evolved from Dark Wooper.
• Murkrow: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Slowking: Evolved from Dark Slowbro (with King’s Rock).
• Misdreavus: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Wobbuffet: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Girafarig: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Pineco: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Forretress: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gligar: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Steelix: Evolved from Dark Onix.
• Snubbull: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Granbull: Evolved from Dark Snubbull.
• Scizor: Evolved from Dark Scyther.
• Shuckle: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Sneasel: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Teddiursa: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Ursaring: Evolved from Dark Teddiursa.
• Swinub: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Piloswine: Evolved from Dark Swinub.
• Delibird: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Skarmory: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Houndour: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Houndoom: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Kingdra: Evolved from Dark Seadra.
• Phanpy: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Porygon2: Evolved from Dark Porygon.
• Stantler: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Hitmontop: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Raikou: Reward for defeating Giovanni or in temporary dark raids.
• Entei: Reward for defeating Giovanni or in temporary dark raids.
• Suicune: Reward for defeating Giovanni or in temporary dark raids.
• Larvitar: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Pupitar: Evolved from Dark Larvitar.
• Tyranitar: Evolved from Dark Pupitar.
• Lugia: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Ho-Oh: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Apex Lugia: Available through the Apex Master Research (only for those who purchase a ticket for the Johto Tour).
• Shadow Apex Ho-Oh: Available through the Apex Master Research (only for those who purchase a ticket for the Johto Tour).

Dark Pokémon – Generation 3

• Treecko: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Grovyle: Evolved from Dark Treecko.
• Sceptile: Evolved from Dark Grovyle.
• Torchic: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Combusken: Evolved from Dark Torchic.
• Blaziken: Evolved from Dark Combusken.
• Mudkip: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Marshtomp: Evolved from Dark Mudkip.
• Swampert: Evolved from Dark Marshtomp.
• Poochyena: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Mightyena: Evolved from Dark Poochyena.
• Seedot: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Nuzleaf: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Shiftry: Evolved from Dark Nuzleaf.
• Ralts: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Kirlia: Evolved from Dark Ralts.
• Gardevoir: Evolved from Dark Kirlia.
• Whismur: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Loudred: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Exploud: Evolved from Dark Loudred.
• Makuhita: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Hariyama: Evolved from Dark Makuhita.
• Nosepass: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Sableye: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Mawile: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Aron: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Lairon: Evolved from Dark Aron.
• Aggron: Evolved from Dark Lairon.
• Electrike: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Manectric: Evolved from Dark Electrike.
• Carvanha: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Sharpedo: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Wailmer: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Wailord: Evolved from Dark Wailmer.
• Numel: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Camerupt: Evolved from Dark Numel.
• Spoink: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Grumpig: Evolved from Dark Spoink.
• Trapinch: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Vibrava: Evolved from Dark Trapinch.
• Flygon: Evolved from Dark Vibrava.
• Cacnea: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Cacturne: Evolved from Dark Cacnea.
• Barboach: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Whiscash: Evolved from Dark Barboach.
• Corphish: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Crawdaunt: Evolved from Dark Corphish.
• Lileep: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Cradily: Evolved from Dark Lileep.
• Anorith: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Armaldo: Evolved from Dark Anorith.
• Shuppet: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Banette: Evolved from Dark Shuppet.
• Duskull: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Dusclops: Evolved from Dark Duskull.
• Absol: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Snorunt: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Glalie: Evolved from Dark Snorunt.
• Spheal: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Sealeo: Evolved from Dark Spheal.
• Walrein: Evolved from Dark Sealeo.
• Bagon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Shelgon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Salamence: Evolved from Dark Shelgon.
• Beldum: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Metang: Evolved from Dark Beldum.
• Metagross: Evolved from Dark Metang.
• Shadow Registeel: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Regice: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Regirock: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Latias: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Latios: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Kyogre: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Kyogre: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Groudon: Reward for defeating Giovanni.

Dark Pokémon – Generation 4

• Turtwig: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Grotle: Evolved from Dark Turtwig.
• Torterra: Evolved from Dark Grotle.
• Chimchar: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Monferno: Evolved from Dark Chimchar.
• Infernape: Evolved from Dark Monferno.
• Piplup: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Prinplup: Evolved from Dark Piplup.
• Empoleon: Evolved from Dark Prinplup.
• Starly: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Staravia: Evolved from Dark Starly.
• Staraptor: Evolved from Dark Staravia.
• Bidoof: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Bibarel: Evolved from Dark Bidoof.
• Shinx: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Luxio: Evolved from Dark Shinx.
• Luxray: Evolved from Dark Luxio.
• Cranidos: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Rampardos: Evolved from Dark Cranidos.
• Shieldon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Bastiodon: Evolved from Dark Shieldon.
• Ambipom: Evolved from Dark Aipom.
• Drifloon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Drifblim: Evolved from Dark Drifloon.
• Mismagius: Evolved from Dark Misdreavus.
• Honchkrow: Evolved from Dark Murkrow.
• Glameow: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Purugly: Evolved from Dark Glameow.
• Stunky: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Skuntank: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gible: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gabite: Evolved from Dark Gible.
• Garchomp: Evolved from Dark Gabite.
• Hippopotas: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Hippowdon: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Skorupi: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Drapion: Evolved from Dark Skorupi.
• Croagunk: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Toxicroak: Evolved from Dark Croagunk.
• Snover: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Abomasnow: Evolved from Dark Snover.
• Weavile: Evolved from Dark Sneasel.
• Magnezone: Evolved from Dark Magneton.
• Rhyperior: Evolved from Dark Rhydon.
• Tangrowth: Evolved from Dark Tangela.
• Electivire: Evolved from Dark Electabuzz.
• Magmortar: Evolved from Dark Magmar.
• Gliscor: Evolved from Dark Gligar.
• Mamoswine: Evolved from Dark Piloswine.
• Porygon-Z: Evolved from Dark Porygon2.
• Gallade: Evolved from Dark Kirlia.
• Probopass: Evolved from Dark Nosepass.
• Dusknoir: Evolved from Dark Dusclops.
• Froslass: Evolved from Dark Snorunt (female).
• Shadow Cresselia: Reward for defeating Giovanni.
• Shadow Regigigas: Reward for defeating Giovanni.

Dark Pokémon – Generation 5

• Patrat: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Watchog: Evolved from Dark Patrat.
• Purrloin: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Liepard: Evolved from Dark Purrloin.
• Pidove: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Tranquill: Evolved from Dark Pidove.
• Unfezant: Evolved from Dark Tranquill.
• Blitzle: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Zebstrika: Evolved from Dark Blitzle.
• Drilbur: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Excadrill: Evolved from Dark Drilbur.
• Timburr: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gurdurr: Evolved from the previous.
• Conkeldurr: Evolved from the previous.
• Throh: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Sawk: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Darumaka: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Darmanitan: Evolved from the previous.
• Dwebble: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Crustle: Evolved from Dark Dwebble.
• Tirtouga: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Carracosta: Evolved from the previous.
• Archen: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Archeops: Evolved from the previous.
• Gothita: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Gothorita: Evolved from the previous.
• Gothitelle: Evolved from the previous.
• Solosis: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Duosion: Evolved from the previous.
• Reuniclus: Evolved from the previous.
• Ducklett: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Swanna: Evolved from Dark Ducklett.
• Foongus: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Amoonguss: Evolved from Dark Foongus.
• Joltik: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Galvantula: Evolved from Dark Joltik.
• Ferroseed: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Ferrothorn: Evolved from Dark Ferroseed.
• Litwick: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Lampent: Evolved from Dark Litwick.
• Chandelure: Evolved from Dark Lampent.
• Golett: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Golurk: Evolved from Dark Golett.

Dark Pokémon – Generation 7

• Alolan Rattata: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Alolan Raticate: Evolved from Dark Alolan Rattata.
• Alolan Vulpix: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Alolan Ninetales: Evolved from Dark Alolan Vulpix.
• Alolan Diglett: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Alolan Dugtrio: Evolved from Dark Alolan Diglett.
• Alolan Geodude: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Alolan Graveler: Evolved from Dark Alolan Geodude.
• Alolan Golem: Evolved from Dark Alolan Graveler.
• Alolan Exeggutor: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.
• Alolan Grimer: Defeated from Team GO Rocket recruits.