How to beat Dusknoir

Dusknoir has 1 version in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 160 HP as a Psychic Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Dusknoir is weak to Darkness, so those attacks do double damage. 71 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
2. Don't over-invest. It only gives up 1 Prize card, so avoid spending a big two-Prize attacker on it if a cheaper Pokémon can do the job.
3. Avoid Fighting attacks. Dusknoir resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Shadow Bind for 150 (3 Energy). 296 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 3 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Darkness attacks do at least 160 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 160+ damage (after Resistance).

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 150 from Shadow Bind and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Dusknoir card

Damage is the number printed on the card. Attacks marked + or × can do more, and Abilities, Tools and Stadiums can change the maths — always read the card. Energy letters: G Grass, R Fire, W Water, L Lightning, P Psychic, F Fighting, D Darkness, M Metal, N Dragon, C Colorless (any Energy).

Related: all Dusknoir cards in Standard · how to knock out a 160 HP Pokémon · Darkness vs Psychic · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides