Dark type, also known as the "evil" (あくタイプ) type, is one of the 18 types in the Pokemon franchise. The dark type encapsulates mischeviousness and, of course, evilness. Each pokemon represents unsavory types such as the hyper-aggressive, kleptomaniacs, and pranksters.
Dark type was first introduced in gen 2 as a counter for the uber busted psychic type. 6 Dark types were introduced:
They were... Rather underpowered and underutilized in GS. This was before the special/physical split, and dark was a special category. Pokemon like Sneasel had absolutely no good dark STAB moves, as they were physical attackers. To make matters worse, most of the gen 2 dark type moves had very physical names, i.e crunch, beat up, pursuit...
Karen was the first ever dark type leader. Usually, they introduce a new type by adding it to a leader, which is good practice. Unfortunately, her team was ass, and she had a vileplume. I enjoyed her as a character, though. I also like the tough and wild image dark types portray.
Favorites from this gen: Murkrow, Houndoom line, and Sneasel.
Gen 3 introduced a whopping 10 new dark types!
This is when dark type became more heavily associated with the evil teams. You could argue Silver's sneasel was the beginning, but that boy was, like 12, he wasn't evil. The ace of the big bad in Sapphire, Archie, was a sharpedo, and Carvanha was the unoffical mascot of team aqua. Still, the phys-special split hadn't happened yet, so they were still kinda trash. Atleast most of them were dual-typed.
This Gen also introduced the second dark type gym leader: Sidney! Dark type gyms are few and far between; All of them are a part of the elite four.
Favorites from this gen: Cacturne, Sableye, Sharpedo, Absol.
Gen 4 was more about giving evos to the sorely lacking gen 2 mons, and also more fun type combos. There's 3 poison/dark types, and another ghost/dark type! The phys-special split has FINALLY happened!!! Many dark types now have perfectly good STAB moves.
We also got our first dark type legendary!!!
Darkrai is still stupid busted to this day, like most legendaries. I love its ability, Bad Dreams. Too bad sleep isn't that viable competitively.
Favorites this gen: Weavile, Stunky, Honchkrow, Spiritomb
Gen 5 is the last real notable batch of dark types. Gen 5 holds the record of most dark type pokemon introduced at a devious 16 new additions. It also brought us our first dark type pseudolegendary.
This gen had the most fun designs out of all the dark types. They went for a more punky, rocker aesthetic for these ones, which I think fit for a more "american" pokemon region. I like when they lean into the more playful evil dark types represent rather than... abject terror and villanry. I don't like how ghost types are the "mischevious" type; I think ghosts should be the malicious ones.
This gen also introduced the third dark type leader, Grimmsley.
Favorites this gen: Liepard, Scraggy, Scrafty, Vullaby
Gen 6 introduced the first dark type starter with Greninja and the first dark type box legendary with Yveltal
Yveltal really embodied the "evil" of dark type, since it is the embodiment of destruction. Despite that, I don't think Yveltal is inherently evil. Is a tornado evil for destroying a city? I'm surprised Giratina wasn't dark type, since it is evil in canon.
I don't have much to say about Greninja, so lets talk about my favorite addition: Mega Gyarados!!!
Gyarados is my favorite pokemon, and I absolutely adore its mega. It looks like a battle ship, with its great fins looking like sails. Or like raging waves. It's just sad that it loses its busted abilities for a mediocre one.
Footnotes: Notable moments in other gens
Gen 7:
• Introduced the scourge of every comp level and second dark type starter, Incineroar
• Introduced a dark type mythical/ ultra beast, Guzzlord
• Introduced new "regional forms", and with that new forms for grimer, muk, meowth, and persian.
=====*=====
Gen 8:
• Introduced the first ever dark type gym leader, Piers
• Introduced even MORE dark type forms, and an evolution to Linoone, Obstagoon and subsequently introduced the first (non-legendary) dark type signature move: obstruct.
