Dark-type Pokemon, known as Evil-type in Japan, have been around since the Gen 2 games Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. The type has only expanded since then, and with the introduction of Dark-type Pokemon came the introduction of trainers who specialize in using them.

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Despite having been around for over twenty years, there aren't as many notable Dark-type trainers as there are for other types, with most being Gym Leaders or members of the Elite Four in different regions. They may be scarce, but they all have their own significance, and some are naturally better than others.

6 Sidney

pokemon sidney and absol

Sidney is a member of the Hoenn Elite Four. Sidney's only pure Dark-type Pokemon are Mightyena and his signature Absol, with the rest of his team being dual-type. This means they are weak to a slightly higher number of different types, making Sidney relatively easy to defeat when you encounter him.

Luckily, Sidney seems like a very carefree trainer, and doesn't mind if he loses — as long as the battle is fun. Sidney's rematch team in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire has a similar issue, but he at least adds Zoroark to his team in the rematch for another pure Dark-type Pokemon.

5 Nanu

pokemon nanu and alolan persian

Nanu is a police officer and the Kahuna of Ula'ula Island. In the past, he was part of the international police force, and was also Looker's mentor. However, fans don't seem to like Nanu nearly as much as they like Looker.

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Nanu doesn't treat the player rudely, but sometimes it seems like he'd rather not have to deal with anything that's happening around him. This kind of makes sense for someone of his age and with his experience. Nanu's signature Pokemon is Alolan Persian, and despite the fact that Raticate and Ratata are also Dark-type Alolan variants, neither of them has ever been on his team. However, he does happen to have a bunch of Alolan Meowths as pets at home.

4 Piers

pokemon piers and obstagoon

Piers is the Gym Leader of Spikemuth, as well as Marnie's older brother and the leader of Team Yell. As a rock star, it's fitting that Obstagoon is Piers' signature Pokemon, and it's also notable that Obstagoon does not have a Gigantamax form. As a result, Spikemuth has no Dynamax spot.

Piers is also well known for an infamous cutscene in Pokemon Sword and Shield. In it, he's fully animated on-stage, singing to music playing in the background — but there are no vocals. If Piers ever returns, he deserves a performance cutscene with vocals included.

3 Grimsley

pokemon grimsley & liepard

Grimsley is the third member of the Elite Four in the Unova region, and as you may be able to tell from his demeanor and fancy outfit, he comes from a noble family. He also apparently has a gambling addiction, but that aspect of him isn't quite as obvious. Despite his background, he still talks to other trainers respectfully.

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Grimsley's signature Pokemon Liepard fits his background well, and is the type of Pokemon you'd expect someone with his style to have. However, one unexpected aspect of Grimsley is that he's also an expert Mantine Surfer, so maybe if a future game either returns to Alola or brings Mantine Surfing back, we'll get to battle him while on the open water.

2 Marnie

pokemon marnie and morpeko

In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Marnie is one of the player's rivals. She's notable for having a fan club known as Team Yell, who follow her around and worship her, and for being the little sister of superstar trainer Piers. While Marnie does specialize in training Dark-type Pokemon, she randomly has a Croagunk, and later Toxicroak, on her team. The reason for this inclusion is unknown, but it could be an homage to Karen, who also has Poison-type Pokemon on her primarily Dark-type team.

After losing the Champion Cup, Marnie decides to take her older brother's place, becoming the new Gym Leader of Spikemuth. Marnie's signature Pokemon is Morpeko, which her brother caught for her when she was young. Marnie is also seen in the post-game practicing smiling since she seems to have difficulty expressing joy, although any reason why she does has never been explained.

1 Karen

pokemon karen and houndoom

Karen was the first trainer to specialize in battling using Dark-type Pokemon, and that's what makes her the best. One of the new members of the Elite Four in Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, as well as their remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver, Karen's original team doesn't consist of only Dark-type Pokemon due to how few of them existed at the time. Instead, it throws Gengar and Vileplume into the mix.

Because Ghost-type and Poison-type Pokemon have some similar aspects to Dark-type Pokemon, such as dark color schemes, it does make some sense for Pokemon like Gengar and Vileplume to be included over more standard options. However, it is odd that Karen never has a Tyranitar or its previous stages, even during rematches — despite them all being Dark-type Johtonian Pokemon.

NEXT: Pokemon: The Hardest Trainers That Aren't Gym Leaders Or Elite Four