Dark-type Pals are some of the best in the entire game! Not only because there are so many of them, but also because you’ll find some of the strongest creatures here. That means you’re spoiled for choice when building a team. You should never underestimate Dark Pals and especially add them to your squad later in the game. Some are better suited for base work or as mounts. Either way, they belong in any roster and, beyond their raw power, bring handy special abilities that make them even better. Today we’ll take a closer look at several Dark-type Pals, what they excel at, and where they might fall short.
Palworld Dark Pals: Strengths and weaknesses in battle
Dark is likely the element the developers favor most. It also has by far the most Pals! They are strong against Neutral and weak to Dragon. They’re also immune to the Blindness status effect. All in all, solid fighters! On top of that, some of the very best Pals in the game sit at the top of this type. That makes Dark especially popular in the late game — you’ll likely end up using them. Still, not all of them are meant purely for combat; some shine in other roles.
Best Palworld Dark Pals for combat: Top 5
As mentioned, Palworld’s combat practically begs you to consider Dark-type Pals — not just because they’re strong, but because there are so many of them. Many of the heavy hitters also feature dual typings, which makes them even more flexible. Picking a top 5 is tough when so many are genuinely strong!
Our Top 5 Dark Pals
- Bellanoir (Libero): Not only boasts the highest Attack, but can also fire a charged beam at enemies.
- Necromus: Technically a mount with a double jump, yet its well-rounded stats make it an exceptional fighter.
- Frostallion Noct: Arguably the Dark-type fighter. As a mount, it converts your attacks to Dark and boosts Dark damage at the same time.
- Selyne: Also part Neutral and, as a mount, boosts both Dark and Neutral. It also has a lot of HP.
- Shadowbeak: A mount that boosts Dark attacks and increases flight speed. Its overall stats rank among the best of all Dark Pals.
Beyond these, others are extremely useful as well. Hoocrates boosts the Attack of Dark Pals while in your team. Several Pals (Nox, Pyrin Noct, Maraith, etc.) convert rider attacks to Dark while mounted. Felbat can convert damage dealt into HP — effectively lifesteal. Nitemary has a great perk that lets you obtain more Pal Souls. And Omascul helps your Pals gain more EXP.
Palworld Dark Pals as base workers: Tips and best picks
A major advantage of Dark Pals is that they’re nocturnal and can keep working through the night. They also don’t need to sleep during the day, so they can work around the clock. Their sanity drops faster, though, so keep an eye on them and give them breaks. Shroomer Noct can help here — it’s a solid worker and slows SAN loss.
This type also includes some true all-rounders with plenty of work skills. Bushi Noct, Incineram, and Sootseer are prime examples — you should absolutely use them in your base! For mining, there are two standouts. Astegon lets you fly and increases ore yield. Xenovader boosts efficiency and helps you find more meteorite fragments.
Palworld Dark Pals as mounts: Fast rides and Partner Skills
You can never have too many mounts of this type. Many Dark Pals double as mounts, and most of them either boost Dark damage while riding or convert rider attacks to Dark. That makes most mounts more combat-oriented. But they’re not just strong — they’re fast, too! Below are picks that are less obvious but still extremely practical.
The best Dark mounts include:
- Tarantriss is wildly underrated, and you unlock its saddle at level 28. It’s not fast, but it can double jump and use silk threads like grappling hooks.
- Ghangler is a Dark-type water mount! It increases the bite rate when fishing at night.
- We have to mention Necromus again for its absurd speed. It’s noticeably faster than every other mount in the game.
Partner Skills of Palworld’s Dark Pals: Gold coins and dungeons
Beyond fighters and mounts, keep an eye on a few other cool abilities. Some revolve around dungeons: Leezpunk lets you track down dungeons, while Prixter helps you find exits faster. While you’re there, you can also catch a Mau and put it on a Ranch to farm gold coins.
Tombat is another practical Pal — with its ultrasound it can detect nearby wild Pals and mark them for you. We’ll also shout out Smokie: it not only helps you locate Chromite, but also increases Chromite drops from combat.
Conclusion: Palworld Dark Pals guide for combat, work, and mounts
With the largest roster of any element, Dark offers tremendous breadth. At the top you’ll find some of the strongest Pals in the entire game, many of which are also among the fastest mounts. Don’t underestimate their value as base workers either — several bring fantastic work skills. And certain Partner Skills shine outside of combat, especially for resource gathering and dungeon exploration.
Rent a Palworld server and launch your own game server! With our guide, you’re well prepared — you’ll know which Pals to prioritize and which ones to skip.
