Pokken Tournament DX/Darkrai

Introduction

Darkrai is a mostly defensive binary state character with a very strong field phase and an overwhelming Bad Dreams Rising or “nightmare mode” state. In field, he excels at setting traps and punishing approaches by his opponent, and with a victorious field and a nightmare mode achieved, his good mobility, arsenal of invulnerable moves, filthy okizeme and strong chip damage make a nightmare darkrai among the most fearsome characters in the game.

However, he does have notable weaknesses. On the whole, his frame data is extremely slow, both in field and in duel. While he is good at punishing approaches in field, his lack of long-range counter pierces and otherwise fast projectiles make forcing the opponent to approach him difficult. This is not even to mention how he struggles against characters with longer-ranged options that have no need to approach him in the first place.

Furthermore, if he fails to attain a nightmare state, his duel phase is laughably weak. While nightmare can subsist without good frame data, the lack of mobility, invulnerable options, and setups in a “regular state” duel means darkrai can truly struggle if he does lose field or otherwise shifts without nightmare.

• 540 HP
• 200 CC Synergy Gauge
• Shield: Normal

• High Stance: Charges Synergy Gauge (can move while active).
• Low Stance: Invincible against Highs on frame 1 (can move while active).

• DP Forward Dash: 21 Frames
• DP Back Dash: 25 Frames (Invincible from frame 1-8)

• BDR Forward Dash: 22 Frames
• BDR Back Dash: 26 Frames (Invincible from frame 1-22)

Darkrai has air control when jumping.

• Darkrai can move forward and backwards during a neutral jump.
• Darkrai can halt the distance of a forward or backwards jump.

General Moves

Bad Dreams Rising
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Bad Dreams Rising
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Bad Dreams Rising (otherwise known as Nightmare Mode or BDR for short) puts Darkrai in a powered up state. To enter this state, Darkrai must land a Dark Void on the opponent or phase shift from Field to Duel while in Burst Mode, aside from shield breaks. All Pokemon moves are enhanced. Gains access to two extra Pokemon moves, 2A Dream Eater and 8A Nightmare. Rifts are now automatically activated without the need of Nasty Plot. Specific moves can cancel into Teleportation (On hit, block, and whiff). Forward Dash receives invincibility frames and is able to cross-up the opponent. Back Dash receives added invincibility frames. In Bad Dreams Rising, Darkrai is unable to break shields. Rifts no longer deal chip damage as well, aside from that of j.X. Darkrai is brought out of Bad Dreams Rising if the phase shifts from Duel to Field, or if Darkrai is hit with a non-shifting command grab or the first hit of psystrike.

Y+B Grab
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Grab	FP 80 / DP 90	12	N/A	i11	FP Shift (+8) / DP Shift	N/A

Field Phase: When in Burst Mode, activates Bad Dreams Rising upon phase shifting from field.

X+A / [X+A] Counter Attack
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Counter	80 / 100	3	Special Mid	i35 / i55	0 / Launch	-8 / 0

Darkrai is put into a counter armor state from frame 1-28 (48 if charged). When in Burst Mode, activates Bad Dreams Rising upon phase shifting from field.

j.R Teleportation
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Teleports from the air to the ground. Can teleport through enemies, even outside nightmare. Can teleport forward, backwards, or straight downward in Duel Phase. Can teleport left, right, backwards, or straight downward in Field Phase

]Y[ Release Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	i5	N/A	N/A

Disappears, creates a phantom, then reappears in the same spot. Has invulnerability while disappeared. +1 Orb

]X[ Release X
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	i43	N/A	N/A

Darkrai takes a bow, and consumes all orbs to receive healing and buffs. With 0 orbs, heals 10 recoverable HP. With 1 orb, heals 30 recoverable HP. With 2 orbs, heals 30 recoverable HP and grants a 4-second Defense buff. With 3 orbs, heals 60 recoverable HP and grants an 8-second Attack and Defense buff. With 4 orbs, heals 60 recoverable HP, grants an 8-second Attack and Defense buff, and gives Darkrai 30cc of Synergy.

Field Phase Moves

nY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	48	Special Mid	i23	+8	-8

Darkrai throws out three orb projectiles that home in on the opponent. Special cancelable.

sY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Darkrai claws the ground, creating a phantom. Invincible against Highs on frame 1. Special cancelable. +1 Orb

fY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60 / 20 / 88 (30)	Mid / Low / Mid	i23	Shift / Stun / Launch	-8

Darkrai summons a pillar of hands that have high vertical height. Leaves behind a puddle that stuns the opponent if they come in contact. The puddle can be activated with Nasty Plot, summoning a pillar of hands that chases down the opponent. When in Burst Mode, activates Bad Dreams Rising upon phase shifting. +1 Orb

bY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30 / 74 (20)	Mid High / Mid High	i23	0 / Stun	-8

Darkrai creates a rift. After a short amount of time, the rift will activate and stun the opponent. Can be activated immediately with Nasty Plot. Holding bY (b[Y]) will cause the rift to stay inactive until activated by Nasty Plot. After blocking the attack from the rift, the hitbox is no longer active. +1 Orb

j.Y / j.fY / j.sY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20 / 20	Mid High / Mid	i15	-12 / Stun	-33

Darkrai throws out a trap. The trap is based on the direction input from the j.Y. Inputting a forward direction during j.Y creates a ceiling trap that stuns. Inputting a neutral or back direction creates a vertical wall trap that stuns. Inputting a left or right direction creates a horizontal wall trap that stun. +1 Orb

bX / b[X]
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	70 / 106 / 50 (15)	Mid Low	i19 / i39	Stun	-8 / +4

Darkrai thrusts forward and stuns the opponent. When charged, the move counter pierces and also places a mirror. If the mirror is hit by an opponent's projectile, the mirror turns into a set of jaws that tracks down the opponent. The mirror can also be activated with Nasty Plot. +1 Orb (b[X] Only)

j.X
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80	MH	i39	Shift (Knockdown)	-8

Darkrai dives headfirst to the ground. Teleports backwards, behind the spot at which Darkrai landed. When in Burst Mode, activates Bad Dreams Rising upon phase shifting.

X Homing Attack 1
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40	Mid	i25	+8	-8

Darkrai homes in on the opponent and does two strikes. Throw crush. Can be canceled with block or jump. Special cancelable.

XX / X[X] Homing Attack 2
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40 / 80	M	i25	Shift (+8)	-8 / Guard Break

Following up from Homing Attack 1, Darkrai throws out a rift that has a large reach. Can be charged to guard break/counter pierce. If Homing Attack 1 was blocked, there is a 26 frame window to punish a charged Homing Attack 2. When in Burst Mode, activates Bad Dreams Rising upon phase shifting.

Weak Moves

2Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30	0	Low	i15	+8	-8

A low swipe that is able to throw crush. Special / 2X cancelable. In Bad Dreams Rising, can press R to cancel into Teleportation.

4Y / 4YY / 4YYY (4YY:Y)
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20 / 10 / 30 (50)	0 / 0 / 3	High / Special Mid / Mid	i15	+4 / 0 / +8 (Launch)	-8 / -8 / -12

Continuous punches that advance Darkrai forward. The Just Frame timing for 4YYY is found shortly after inputting 4YY.

5Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20	0	Mid	i19	+4	-4

Special / 8X cancelable. Goes into 5YY. In Bad Dreams Rising, can press R to cancel into Teleportation.

6Y (6:Y)
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40 (60)	3	Mid	i19	Launch	-8 (+4)

An uppercut that is invincible against Highs on frame 1. The Just Frame version can be done by pressing forward and Y on the exact same frame.

8Y / 8[Y]
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	76 / 72	3 / 0	High / Mid	i23 / i43	Launch / +28	-8 / +24

High and Mid High invincible starting on frame 5. Charging 8Y spawns a wave of hands that pulls the opponent closer to Darkrai. Charging 8Y gives added High and Mid High invincibility frames. 8[Y] loses the hitbox that 8Y has.

jY
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20 / 18	3 / 0	Mid High / Mid	i15	-8 / Stun	-16

Darkrai throws out a ceiling trap that stuns.

Strong Moves

2X / 2X Rift
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60 / 52 (12)	3 / 0	Low / Mid Low	i23	Knockdown / Launch	-8 / -2

Darkrai creates a rift. Invincible against Highs on frame 1. 2X's rift shoots out vertically with a forward diagonal. In Bad Dreams Rising, the rift is automatically activated. +1 Orb

4X / 4X Rift / 4[X]
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60 / 51 / 90	3 / 0 / 4	High / Aerial / High	i23 / i43	Launch	-12 / N/A / +4

Darkrai creates a rift. 4X's rift shoots out diagonally, and can only hit aerial opponents. Grounded opponent's cannot be hit. In Bad Dreams Rising, the rift is automatically activated. Charging 4X sends out a long range claw swipe that counter pierces. 4[X] does not place a rift. +1 Orb (4X Only)

5X / 5X Rift
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40 / 57 (12)	4 / 0	Mid Low / Mid	i23	+4 / +28	-12 / -8

Darkrai creates a rift. 5X's rift shoots out straight horizontally. In Bad Dreams Rising, the rift is automatically activated. Special cancelable. +1 Orb

6X / 6X Rift
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40 / 57 (12)	4 / 0	Special Mid / Mid	i27	Launch / +28	-12 / -8

Darkrai creates a rift. 6X's rift shoots out straight horizontally. In Bad Dreams Rising, the rift is automatically activated. +1 Orb

8X / 8X Rift / 8[X]
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60 / 57 (12) / 80	4 / 0	Special Mid / Mid Low	i31 / i51	+12 / +24 / Crumple	-8 / -10 / +4

Darkrai creates a rift. 8X's rift shoots out straight horizontally. In Bad Dreams Rising, the rift is automatically activated. Charing 8X allows it to counter pierce. +1 Orb

jX / jX Rift
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	70 / 52 (12)	3 / 0	Mid High / Mid	i31	Knockdown / Launch	-8 / -10

Darkrai dives headfirst to the ground, leaving a rift upon landing. Teleports backwards, behind the spot at which Darkrai landed. j.X's rift shoots out vertically with a backwards diagonal. In Bad Dreams Rising, the rift is automatically activated. +1 Orb

Pokemon Moves

2A Dream Eater
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Grab	180	12	N/A	i27	Shift	N/A

Only usable in Bad Dreams Rising. Darkrai grabs the opponent, absorbing 30 HP and receives added Synergy gain. Instantly phase shifts. Upon phase shifting, Darkrai teleports backwards from Its location.

4A Nasty Plot
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Counter	34 (12)	0 / 1 per hit (Phantom)	Mid	i21	Stun	+10

Darkrai goes into a counter armor state from frame 5-28. Coming in contact with an opponent's attack causes Darkrai to disappear, leaving behind a phantom that immediately detonates. When detonated, the opponent is stunned. Darkrai reappears behind the spot where Nasty Plot was activated. Holding Nasty Plot during the activation places a phantom that doesn't immediately detonate (+1 Orb). Activating Nasty Plot detonates all phantoms (2 Max). In Bad Dreams Rising, Nasty Plot is given counter armor on frame 1.

5A Dark Pulse
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60 (15) / 96 (30)	3 / 1 per hit	Special Mid / Mid Low	i27	+4 / +12	-8 / 0

Darkrai fires a projectile. Using Dark Pulse will cause phantoms to throw out a Dark Pulse from their position on the stage. Afterwards they disappear. In Bad Dreams Rising, the properties of the move are enhanced. In Bad Dreams Rising, can press R to cancel into Teleportation.

6A / 6[A] Dark Void
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	36	-12	Mid / Low	i39 / i59	FP Shift (+8) / DP 0	-12 / Unblockable

Darkrai drops a void onto the ground. Landing a Dark Void on the opponent sends Darkrai into Bad Dreams Rising. PSP will be reset for both players if landed in Duel Phase. When charged, Dark Void will go through an opponent's block. Dark Void's damage comes from the aerial hits above. These hits cannot KO.

6A / 6[A] Dark Void
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80 (20) / 120 (31)	3	Mid	i39 / i59	Launch	-12 / +8

In Bad Dreams Rising, Dark Void spawns a pillar of hands. This version of the move can KO.

8A Nightmare
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	91 (27)	3	Mid High	i27	Launch	-12

Only usable in Bad Dreams Rising. Darkrai disappears, becoming invincible on frame 5. Darkrai reappears and flies in at the opponent with a drill-like motion. Can cancel into any aerial afterwards.

jA Shadow Claw
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	50 (15)	0	Mid High	i19	Crumple	-4

A 360 degree flurry of hits that has two followups. In Bad Dreams Rising, can press R to cancel into Teleportation.

jAA Shadow Claw: Kick Followup
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	55 (16)	3	MH	i19	Launch	-29

A vertical ranged flash kick that launches the opponent. In Bad Dreams Rising, can press R to cancel into Teleportation.

jAY/X / jA[Y/X] Shadow Claw: Slice Followup
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80 (20) / 120 (30)	4	Mid High	i19 / i39	Launch	-33

A horizontal ranged slash that launches the opponent. Able to be charged, allowing the move to counter pierce. Charging this move air stalls Darkrai. In Bad Dreams Rising, can press R to cancel into Teleportation.

L+R Infinite Eclipse
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	180 (66) / 240 (66)	12	Mid	i23	Shift	-20 / -12

A dome that has multiple hits connected to it. Invincible on frame 9. In Bad Dreams Rising, the move deals more damage, becomes safer on block, and is invincible on frame 1. Counter pierces.

Combos

NM 2X > 4X > 2X > 4X > j.Y > 2A (Placeholder)

Notable Players

-Midori (JP/AUS): Vods, Twitter
-Drakonzeta (US): Twitter
-Haruyuki (JP/Arcade): Vods
-Shadowcat (US): Vods 1, Vods 2, Vods 3, Twitch, Twitter
-Rubs (EU): Twitter