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How to Beat the Dark Crew in Scarlet & Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

How to Beat the Dark Crew in Scarlet & Violet

Learn the best strategies to defeat Team Star's Dark Crew in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Discover recommended Pokémon, weaknesses, and how to navigate the Star Barrage.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
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Learn the best strategies to defeat Team Star's Dark Crew in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Discover recommended Pokémon, weaknesses, and how to navigate the Star Barrage.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Location: The Dark Crew's base is west of the central crater, south of Cascarrafa, in the north-east corner of West Province (Area One).
  2. 2
    Reaching the Base: Travel west from Mesagoza's west gate through South Province (Area Two) towards Cortondo. Continue north-west, cross a bridge, then head west to another Pokémon Center. Go west briefly, then north to a second bridge. Cross it, then head north-east. Before Cascarrafa, take the south-east trail to the Dark Crew's base.
  3. 3
    Recommended Level: Aim for Pokémon above Level 20.
  4. 4
    Type Advantages: Your opponents primarily use Dark-type Pokémon. Fighting, Bug, and Fairy types are recommended. A Fighting type is especially encouraged.
  5. 5
    Recommended Pokémon:
    • Fighting: Makuhita (western/eastern Paldea), Mankey (western Paldea), Flamigo (east of Los Platos), Pawmo (evolved Pawmi from southern Paldea).
  6. 6
    Bug: Tarountula (southern Paldea), Nymble (western Paldea).
  7. 7
    Fairy: Fidough (near Los Platos/Mesagoza outskirts), Tinkatink (rare, near ruins like one near the base or north-east of Cortondo).
  8. 8
    Initial Grunt Battle: Outside the base, you'll face a Grunt with a Level 19 Murkrow (Dark/Flying). Electric, Rock, Ice, and Fairy Pokémon have an advantage.
  9. 9
    Star Barrage: After the initial grunt, ring the doorbell to start the Star Barrage. This involves using the 'Let's Go!' feature to auto-battle 30 Pokémon within 10 minutes.
  10. 10
    Star Barrage Mechanics:
    • Press the button to throw your Pokémon; it will auto-target. Up to three Pokémon can be sent out simultaneously.
  11. 11
    If your Pokémon take damage, speak to Clive to heal them.
  12. 12
    Revives can be found at vending machines if Pokémon are knocked out.
  13. 13
    Press the button to give up if necessary.
  14. 14
    Losing occurs if all your Pokémon are KO'd or time runs out.
  15. 15
    Star Barrage Pokémon Encountered: Stunky (Poison/Dark), Zorua (Dark), Pawniard (Dark/Steel), Sandile (Dark/Ground), Murkrow (Dark/Flying), Sneasel (Dark/Ice), Sableye (Dark/Ghost).
  16. 16
    Type Effectiveness during Star Barrage:
    • Stunky: Common counters may not be super-effective. Ground types are good.
  17. 17
    Pawniard: Fighting is super-effective. Ground is also good.
  18. 18
    Murkrow: Fairy is super-effective. Bug and Fighting deal neutral damage.
  19. 19
    Sableye: Fairy is super-effective. Fighting deals no damage.
  20. 20
    Post-Barrage Battle: After the Star Barrage, you will face the Dark Crew's head honcho.
Tips
  • The initial Grunt battle serves as a level check.
  • Bug and Fighting attacks deal neutral damage against Murkrow.
  • If you frequently use 'Let's Go!', the Star Barrage should be manageable.
  • You should have more than enough time and Pokémon to clear the Star Barrage; the guide author cleared it in under 2 minutes.
  • Consider bringing a Ground-type Pokémon for Stunky and Pawniard if you are uncertain about other counters.

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