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{{Infobox archetypearchseries| image = TheDarkCreatorDarklight-TF04MADU-JPEN-VG-artwork.jpgpng| caption = "[[The Dark CreatorGrepher]]" in the artwork of "[[Darklight]]".

| romaji = Dāku| trans = Dark

| sets =* [[Phantom Darkness]]* [[Light of Destruction]]* [[V Jump promotional cards]]* [[Crimson Crisis]]* [[Extra Pack]]* [[Stardust Overdrive]]* [[The Duelist Genesis]] | anime = * [[Yu-Gi-Oh! second series (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh!]]

* [[Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL]]* [[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]] | manga = * [[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (manga)|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]

The '''Dark counterparts''' , also called '''Dark Monsters'''<ref name="monsterArt">[[Official Card Game Art Works]]</ref>, are a [[series]] of [[DARK]]-[[Attribute]] [[Monster Card|monsters]] that is identified are primarily identifiable as DARK versions of pre-existing monsters, by an existing non-DARK counterpart and 「ダーク」 in sharing their Japanese namenames with the addition of the word "Dark". Dark counterparts also These monsters typically have a twisted, or sinister appearance compared to their original forms, which can be especially striking if the their original form was that of a benevolent monsterforms had bright colors. Because of this Almost all Dark counterparts share the same [[ATK]], [[DEF ]], and [[Level ]] with their non-DARK counterpartcounterparts, as well as having related effects that typically support DARK-Attribute monsters.

The Dark counterparts were released in formally introduced to the ''[[OCG]]'' and in ''[[TCGPhantom Darkness]]'' in ; when ''[[Phantom Darkness]]'', but dated back to was released in the anime with "''[[Rainbow Dark DragonTCG]]". The ''TCG'' , additional exclusive '''Dark counterpart''' cards counterparts were added to the booster pack, which were later introduced in into the ''OCG'' in the ''[[Extra Pack]]''.

On [[Upper Deck Entertainment]]'s site, a product blurb for ''Phantom Darkness'' described this series as the following: "''The sinister [[Yubel]] has twisted the strongest monsters into Dark versions of their former selves, giving new power to DARK monsters.''"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/Yugioh/en/products/boosters/PTDN.aspx |title=Phantom Darkness |publisher=Upper Deck Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202142525/http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/Yugioh/en/products/boosters/PTDN.aspx |archivedate=2 February 2008 |accessdate=25 June 2021}}</ref> ==Members=={| class="wikitablesortable"! Dark Counterpartcounterpart !! Original Cardmonster

| [[Dark Armed Dragon]]|| [[Armed Dragon LV7]]

| [[The Dark End DragonCreator]]|| [[Light End DragonThe Creator]]

| [[Dark General FreedDoriado]]|| [[Freed the Matchless GeneralElemental Mistress Doriado]]

| [[Dark GrepherGeneral Freed]]|| [[Warrior Dai GrepherFreed the Matchless General]]

| [[Dark HorusGrepher]]|| [[Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8Warrior Dai Grepher]]

| [[Dark NephthysHonest]]|| [[Sacred Phoenix of NephthysHonest]]

| [[Dark SimorghHorus]]|| [[Simorgh, Bird of DivinityHorus the Black Flame Dragon LV8]]

| [[Dark ValkyriaNephthys]]|| [[Dunames Dark WitchSacred Phoenix of Nephthys]]

| [[Dark VoltanisSimorgh]]|| [[Voltanis the AdjudicatorSimorgh, Bird of Divinity]]

| [[Darklord ZeratoDark Valkyria]]|| [[Archlord ZeratoDunames Dark Witch]]

| [[Darknight ParshathDark Voltanis]]|| [[Airknight ParshathVoltanis the Adjudicator]]

| [[Knight of Dark DragonDarklord Zerato]]|| [[Paladin of White DragonArchlord Zerato]]

| [[Number 10: Dark IllumiknightDarknight Parshath]]|| [[Number 10: IllumiknightAirknight Parshath]]

| [[Rainbow Number 10: Dark DragonIllumiknight]]|| [[Rainbow DragonNumber 10: Illumiknight]]

| [[The Paladin of Dark CreatorDragon]]|| [[Paladin of White Dragon]]|-| [[The CreatorRainbow Dark Dragon]] || [[Rainbow Dragon]]

==Playing Style=Disputed cards==="[[Dark Elf]]" is commonly mistaken as a Dark counterpart due to its name, its shared appearance with "[[Mystical Elf]]" with a darker color scheme, and having the opposite [[original ATK and DEF]] of that monster. However, its existence greatly predates this series' debut in ''[[Phantom Darkness]]'', and it was introduced as a [[recolored counterpart]].

"[[Shadowpriestess of Ohm]]" is occasionally mistaken as a Dark counterparts have no external support but are highly playable counterpart, due to its release in ''Phantom Darkness'' with a [[DARK]]-related effect, as well as its passing resemblance to "[[Lady of Faith]]" (whose Japanese name is translated as "High Priestess"), "[[Doriado]]", and powerful, particularly "[[Dark Armed DragonElemental Mistress Doriado]]". However, it shares only its Level with "Doriado", its overall appearance cannot be confirmed as similar enough, and its ''TCG'' and Japanese names lack the word "Dark". Additionally, which supported one "Elemental Mistress Doriado" has been ruled out as a counterpart due to the existence of the most competitive tournament Decks around ("[[Teleport Dark Armed|Tele-DADDoriado]])" with its name and related effect.

Dark counterparts usually have effects similar It is possible to their counterparts (with the exceptions of assume "[[Arcana Force EX - The Dark GrepherRuler]]" and is a Dark counterpart to "[[Dark ValkyriaArcana Force EX - The Light Ruler]]", whose counterparts are due to their shared names/appearances and the former being a DARK monster in the ''[[Normal MonsterYu-Gi-Oh! GX]]s)'' anime. However, but reworked to "The Dark Ruler" possesses multiple physical dissimilarities that go with the theme of manipulating DARK monsters you own or controlbeyond its mildly different color scheme, typically either summoning them, sending them to the Graveyard, or banishing them (from the Graveyard) to trigger effectssuch as having two eyes on its main head.

Although they do not explicitly support "[[Dark Mirror Force]]" might be viewed as a Dark counterpartscounterpart to "[[Mirror Force]]", due to their shared names and similar effects. However, several cards released in ''they are [[Phantom DarknessTrap Card]]'' work very well with thems, and there are many other "Mirror Force"-inspired cards.  There are several other archetypes that can be considered similar to this series, such as "[[Doomsday HorrorMalefic]]" gains power from banished DARK monsters and can "reload[[Shaddoll]]" your Graveyard with , as well as the banished DARK "Twilightsworn" monsters. of the "[[Escape from the Dark DimensionLightsworn]]" can Special Summon one archetype and the "Evilswarm" monsters of the banished DARK monsters, and "[[Allure of Darknesslswarm]]" increases your draw power while banishing another archetype. However, these are independent themes, and none of their members specifically support [[DARK monster]]-Attribute monsters. The "[[Veil Unauthorized Bootup Device]]" variants of Darkness"[[Machina Force]]" can also vastly increase a DARK-user's draw power while flooding and the Graveyard with DARK monsters to use as a resourcethat make it up are also similar.

Individual Dark counterparts splash well into a number of other established [[archetype]]s as support cards. They work best with Archetypes that focus on Graveyard control and which are composed Pairs of LIGHT/DARK monsters, such as "[[Destiny HEROAdreus, Keeper of Armageddon]]" monsters, and "[[ZombieTiras, Keeper of Genesis]]s" might have its DARK monster considered a member, with both cards sharing stats and having similar naming schemes. However, they typically have considerably different appearances, effects, and [[Fiend]]s/or a lack of "Dark" in one of their names.

==Disputed CardsPlaying style==Dark counterparts have no external support but are highly playable and powerful, particularly "[[Dark Armed Dragon]]", which supported one of the most competitive tournament Decks around ("[[Teleport Dark Armed|Tele-DAD]]"). "Dark Armed Dragon" can also be supported by "[[Monarch]]" Spell/Trap cards, such as being searched by "[[Return of the Monarchs]]" or being revealed while in your hand to activate "[[Tenacity of the Monarchs]]", due to having 2800 ATK and 1000 DEF.

"[[Adreus, Keeper of Armageddon]]" is seen as Dark counterparts usually have effects similar to their counterparts (with the Dark counterpart exceptions of "[[Tiras, Keeper of GenesisDark Grepher]]", both cards sharing rank, ATK, DEF and having a similar name. However not having "Dark" in its name and being of a different type (Adreus being a [[FiendDark Valkyria]] and Tiras a ", whose counterparts are [[FairyNormal Monster]]s) result in Adreus not being placed in , but reworked to go with the seriestheme of manipulating DARK monsters you own or control, typically either Summoning them, sending them to the Graveyard, or banishing them (from the Graveyard) to trigger effects.

Although they do not explicitly support Dark counterparts, several cards released in ''[[Phantom Darkness]]'' work very well with them. "[[Shadowpriestess of OhmDoomsday Horror]]" is occasionally placed within this series, since she is a gains power from banished DARK monster monsters and can "reload" your Graveyard with an effect related to other the banished DARK monsters and bears a strong resemblance to another existing card (. "[[Lady of FaithEscape from the Dark Dimension]]" can Special Summon one of the banished DARK monsters, and "[[Elemental Mistress DoriadoAllure of Darkness]]"), as well as having been released in increases your draw power while banishing another DARK monster. "[[Phantom Veil of Darkness]] alongside many of " can also vastly increase a DARK-user's draw power while flooding the Dark counterparts. However they possess differences in ATK and level, and Graveyard with DARK monsters to use as a result, she is not a Dark counterpartresource.

"[[Darkflare Dragon]]" is often considered a Dark counterpart to "[[Lightpulsar Dragon]]"The deck itself has no natural play style on it's own, since it is a DARK monster and has "alone the Dark" in its nameCounterparts cannot make a functioning deck. However they possess differences in ATK, DEF and level, and as a result, many players from Phantom Darkness until now have found decks or strategies to support these cards. Or sometimes it is not a better to say that the Dark counterpart. Also, judging from the story of [[Structure Deck: Dragons Collide|Dragons Collide]] in the official site, Darkflare Dragon is more of a companion or comrade to Lightpulsar Dragon, than a counterpartCounterparts help those decks instead.

"[[Dark ElfDestiny HERO]]" almost fitswas a fantastic choice for the deck, as wellcards like "[[Destiny HERO - Malicious]]", "[[Destiny HERO - Plasma]]" and "[[Destiny HERO - Disk Commander]]" would have fantastic effects for DARK monsters, as it is obviously a Dark counterpart and could easy be sent to the Graveyard with "[[Mystical ElfDestiny Draw]]" with practically and then "Destiny HEROs" like "Malicious" or "[[Destiny HERO - Fear Monger]]" could manipulate the same design. Graveyard for cards like "Dark Armed Dragon", "The key difference is that the ATK and DEF of "Dark ElfCreator" are inverted from , and "Mystical ElfDarklord Zerato".

Trap === Weaknesses ===As you would expect from a deck that relies on the Graveyard, cards that may fit are like "[[Masked HERO Dark Mirror ForceLaw]]" and "[[DarkfallMacro Cosmos]]"will extremely disrupt the deck. For Also your cards send a lot of cards from the deck to the formerGraveyard, the effect is somewhat reversed Add cards from your deck to your hand, and Draw Cards. So "[[Mirror Force|the originalAsh Blossom & Joyous Spring]] " and with the latter the effect is just watered "[[Thunder King Rai-Oh]]" will slow your deck down. However, the effect has nothing to do with DARK monsters.

Archetypes composed of DARK monsters based on previous monsters, like "[[Malefic]]" or "[[lswarmDark Armed Dragon]]", are not considered part is one of the series because they lack the attributes that compose it (like sharing the ATK, DEF your most powerful and Level with their non-DARK counterparteasy to summon monsters in your deck. However If you no longer can manipulate your Graveyard, or having you have so many DARK monsters in your Graveyard you cannot possibly have only 3 left in a Late Game. This has become somewhat less of an issue with "DarkArmed Dragon" becoming unlimited in their name). Instead those archetypesthe ''OCG''/''TCG'' attributes and appearance transform their members into different versions of the original card, like Corrupted versions ("Malefic") or infected versions ("lswarm").

In [[Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL]], the [[ZEXAL (power)|ZEXAL]] power allows the user to create "[[ZW -|Zexal Weapon]]" cards, while its dark counterpart, [[Most decks that use a large number of Dark ZEXAL]] allows the user Counterparts usually have to create "Dark Zexal Weapon" cards, though only one was observed when play a large amount of Monsters and Spells. At the power was usedsame time either a handful or no Trap Cards. This means any play that you make that gets interrupted might leave you entirely defenseless.

==SimilarReferences ==The "[[Lightray]]" [[Series]] can be thought of as the inverse of Dark Counterparts, as they represent [[LIGHT]] versions of existing monsters that exhibit synergy. "[[Warrior Dai Grepher]]" has both a [[DARK]] counterpart and a [[Lightray]] counterpart.<references/>

{{Archetype Archseries navbox}}{{Archseries navbox (anime)}}{{Archseries navbox (Duel Links)}}{{Counterparts}}[[Category:TCG and OCG series]]