Talk:A Theory on Dark Type Pokemon/@comment-26480939-20190119013905

I do like this theory, but one thing bugs me that I have to bring up:

Dark-type moves are more Combat Pragmatist rather than Casting a Shadow in nature. Very few Dark-type moves even correspond to the latter. Think of it as just 'fighting dirty', not actual darkness. Granted, there are some exceptions, but just a cursory glance at the Dark-type page on Bulbapedia shows that very thing. Examples:

Assurance (Gen IV): Does more damage to the target if it's already taken damage on that turn. (sounds like kicking them while they're down, don't it?)

Beat Up (Gen II): Calls in the rest of the team to strike the target. (As much as I dislike this comparison, sounds like a gangbang, right?)

Fake Tears (Gen III): Feigns crying to lower enemy's SDEF stat. (Crocodile tears, anyone?)

Foul Play (Gen V): Deals more damage the more the enemy's stats have been raised.

Parting Shot (Gen VI): Lowers the enemy's ATK/SATK and retreats. (Taking verbal potshots?)

Throat Chop (Gen VII): Attacks the enemy's throat, preventing any sound-based moves for 2 turns afterwards. (Throats/necks being very vulnerable spots of the anatomy, this is very nasty to do to someone. If you've played Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 1 or 2, this sounds rather reminiscent of the Assassin's Aphonia ability.)

Note how all of these examples have connotations of 'cheap blows' or 'dirty fighting'.

So tl;dr: Dark-type is more often dirty fighting than actual elemental darkness.