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[[File:Cresselia and Darkrai DP4 artwork.png|200px|thumb|Cresselia and Darkrai in promotional art for the {{tcg|Great Encounters}} set in the TCG]]
'''Lunar duo''' is a fan term for a [[Groups of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon|duo]] consisting of the [[Legendary Pokémon]] {{p|Cresselia}} and the [[Mythical Pokémon]] {{p|Darkrai}}. They reside in the [[Sinnoh]] [[region]].

The {{pkmn|category|Lunar Pokémon}} Cresselia and {{pkmn|category|Pitch-Black Pokémon}} Darkrai are commonly seen as polar opposites, with the former being based on the crescent moon and the latter on the new moon. Cresselia and Darkrai reside on [[Fullmoon Island]] and [[Newmoon Island]], respectively, which are direct mirror images of each other. Additionally, Darkrai is said to give people nightmares, while Cresselia gives people pleasant dreams. The duo appears in {{pkmn|Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness}}, and {{pkmn|Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|Sky}} as enemies. While Cresselia is [[female]], Darkrai is a [[gender unknown]] Pokémon.

==In the core series games==
===Cresselia===
{| style="float:right"
| {{Compare|name=Cresselia|type=Psychic|ndex=488|ab=Levitate|HP=120|Attack=70|Defense=110|SpAtk=75|SpDef=120|Speed=85}}
|}
{{main|Cresselia (Pokémon)}}
Cresselia, the {{pkmn|category|Lunar Pokémon}}, can be found {{pkmn2|roaming}} Sinnoh in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s|Diamond, Pearl}}, {{v2|Platinum}}, {{pkmn|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl|Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl}}. She is also available on [[Marvelous Bridge]] in {{B2W2}}, on [[Crescent Isle]] in {{pkmn|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, and in the [[Ultra Space Wilds]] Cliff World in {{pkmn|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}.

Cresselia's stats are more defensive than its counterpart, having a base 110 for {{stat|Defense}} and 120 for {{stat|Special Defense}} (base 120 Defense and base 130 Special Defense prior to [[Generation IX]]), as well as having base 120 [[HP]]. Cresselia's [[signature move]], {{m|Lunar Dance}}, causes the user to [[fainting|faint]], but restores the HP and [[PP]] and removes all [[Status condition#Non-volatile status|non-volatile]] [[status condition]]s (except fainting) of the Pokémon that is sent out to take its place. Its other signature move, {{m|Lunar Blessing}}, instead restores its and its allies'  HP by 25% of their maximum HP, and heals any non-volatile [[status condition]]s they may have.
{{-}}

===Darkrai===
{| style="float:right"
| {{Compare|name=Darkrai|type=Dark|ndex=491|ab=Bad Dreams|HP=70|Attack=90|Defense=90|SpAtk=135|SpDef=90|Speed=125}}
|}
{{main|Darkrai (Pokémon)}}
Darkrai, the {{pkmn|category|Pitch-Black Pokémon}}, found on [[Newmoon Island]] in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s|Diamond, Pearl}}, and {{pkmn|Platinum}} with the use of the [[Member Card]].

Darkrai's stats are on the offensive side, unlike Cresselia, whose stats are more defensive, having 135 {{stat|Special Attack}} and 125 {{stat|Speed}}. Darkrai's [[signature move]], {{m|Dark Void}}, puts all adjacent foes to {{status|sleep}}, with an [[accuracy]] of 50% for each Pokémon (80% prior to [[Generation VII]]).
{{-}}

===Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum===
After obtaining the [[National Pokédex]], the player can encounter Cresselia on [[Fullmoon Island]] after being taken there by Sailor Eldritch. After interacting with Cresselia, it will depart, leaving behind the [[Lunar Feather]], and start {{pkmn2|roaming}} [[Sinnoh]]. In {{game|Platinum}}, Darkari will appear on [[Newmoon Island]]. The player is required to have obtained the [[Member Card]] in order to enter the locked inn at [[Canalave City]] and trigger the event to appear on Newmoon Island.

===Pokémon Black 2 and White 2===
Cresselia can be encountered on the [[Marvelous Bridge]] after visiting the [[Strange House]].

===Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire===
Cresselia can be found at [[Crescent Isle]], while in the center area of it is a strange ring hovering in the air through which the player can encounter.

===Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon===
Cresselia can be found in the [[Ultra Space Wilds]] by following a red [[Ultra Wormhole]] to the Cliff World during the [[Ultra Warp Ride]].

===Pokémon Sword and Shield===
Cresselia can encountered in the [[Max Lair]] during Dynamax Adventures.

===Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl===
Cresselia will appear on [[Fullmoon Island]] after the player obtains the [[National Pokédex]]. Upon meeting Cresselia, it will drop the Lunar Feather and start {{pkmn2|roaming}} [[Sinnoh]]. Darkrai will appear in [[Newmoon Island]] if the player has a [[Member Card]].

===Pokémon Legends: Arceus===
Cresselia will appear in [[Moonview Arena]] after the player starts [[Task (Legends: Arceus)|Mission]] 23: "The Plate of Moonview Arena". If the player has [[Save data bonus|save data]] from {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}} on their [[Nintendo Switch]], Darkrai will appear in [[Clamberclaw Cliffs]], provided they've started [[Task (Legends: Arceus)|Request]] 93: "The Darksome Nightmare".

===Pokémon Scarlet and Violet===
Cresselia and Darkrai can be transferred into the games through [[Pokémon HOME]].

===Pokémon Legends: Z-A===
In the game's [[Mega Dimension]] DLC, Darkrai plays a major role, having become afflicted with Rogue Mega Evolution and reaching out to the player character and Team MZ through nightmares. After entering the main distortion above Prism Tower, the player, Taunie/Urbain and Korrina battle Darkrai and defeat it in both its base and Mega forms, saving it from Rogue Mega Evolution and allowing the player to catch it.

==Moveset comparison==
The following are Cresselia and Darkrai's level-up movesets from {{g|Legends: Arceus}}.
{| class="roundy" style="text-align:center; margin:auto; background: #{{night color}}; border: 3px solid #{{night color light}}"
|-
! style="background:#{{night color dark}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color2|{{night color light}}|Level|Lv.}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | [[File:488Cresselia.png|96px]]<br>{{pcolor|Cresselia|{{psychic color dark}}}}<br><small>{{typecolor|Psychic}}</small>
| style="background:#{{dark color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | [[File:491Darkrai.png|96px]]<br>{{pcolor|Darkrai|{{dark color dark}}}}<br><small>{{typecolor|Dark}}</small>
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|1}}
| style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | {{mcolor|Tackle|{{normal color dark}}}}
| style="background:#{{ghost color light}}" | {{mcolor|Shadow Sneak|{{ghost color dark}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|6}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | '''{{mcolor|Confusion|{{psychic color dark}}}}'''
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | ''{{mcolor|Hypnosis|{{psychic color dark}}}}''
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|12}}
| style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | {{mcolor|Slash|{{normal color dark}}}}
| style="background:#{{ghost color light}}" | {{mcolor|Hex|{{ghost color dark}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|19}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | '''{{mcolor|Psycho Cut|{{psychic color dark}}}}'''
| style="background:#{{dark color light}}" | ''{{mcolor|Nasty Plot|{{dark color dark}}}}''
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|27}}
| style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | ''{{mcolor|Recover|{{normal color dark}}}}''
| style="background:#{{dark color light}}" | '''{{mcolor|Dark Pulse|{{dark color dark}}}}'''
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|36}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | '''{{mcolor|Psychic|{{psychic color dark}}}}'''
| style="background:#{{ghost color light}}" | {{mcolor|Shadow Ball|{{ghost color dark}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|57}}
| style="background:#{{fairy color light}}" | {{mcolor|Moonblast|{{fairy color dark}}}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | {{mcolor|Psychic|{{psychic color dark}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:right; background:#{{night color dark}}" | {{color|{{night color light}}|66}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color light}}" | ''{{mcolor|Lunar Blessing|{{psychic color dark}}}}''
| style="background:#{{dark color light}}" | ''{{mcolor|Dark Void|{{dark color dark}}}}''
|-
| colspan="3" style="background:#{{night color dark}}; color: #{{night color light}}; {{roundybottom|5px}}"| <small>Moves in '''bold''' get {{color2|{{night color light}}|Same-type attack bonus|STAB}}. Moves in ''italics'' do no damage.</small>
|}{{-}}

==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky===
{{spoilers}}
In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]] and [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|Explorers of Sky]], Cresselia appears as an NPC, who has made it her mission to foil Darkrai's plot of plunging everyone in the world into an endless nightmare. After healing {{p|Azurill}} of his nightmare, she joins the player's team as a guest in [[Dark Crater]]. After defeating Darkrai, Cresselia will offer to officially join the team back at [[Sharpedo Bluff]].Darkrai is the game's main antagonist during the post-game story. He wants to cover the world in darkness and was behind the collapse of the [[Temporal Tower]] in the game's main storyline. His interference is also why the player was separated from {{OBP|Grovyle|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} and turned into a Pokémon. In the post-game story, he turns his attention to distorting the fabric of space to cover the world in darkness.
{{endspoilers}}

===Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia===
In [[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]], Cresselia appears as the guardian of the Yellow Gem. Darkrai serves as the final boss of the main story, being summoned by [[Blake Hall]] using the [[The King of Almia and the Three Princes|Shadow Crystal]].

===PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond===
In [[PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond]], Darkrai is the game's main antagonist. He resided in [[Wish Park]] and wants to merge the Wish Park with [[PokéPark]].

===Pokkén Tournament===
In [[Pokkén Tournament]], Darkrai appear as a playable fighter in the Arcade and [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]] versions of the game. Cresselia appears as a Support Pokémon in all versions of the game alongside {{p|Reshiram}}.

===Pokémon Masters EX===
In [[Pokémon Masters EX]], both Cresselia and Darkrai serve a notable role during the Sinnoh chapter of the [[villain arc]], with {{mas|Cyrus}} seeking to plunge the world into an eternal nightmare and the heroes opposing him with Cresselia's power.

{{PairDex/h|night}}
{{PairDex|100|Cyrus|trainerlink=Cyrus (Masters)#Darkrai|trainerimg=Cyrus Sygna|sygna=[[Sygna suit|Sygna Suit]]|0491|Darkrai|Dark|Fairy|Tech|exrole=Field|6|Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout}}
{{PairDex|094|Dawn|trainerlink=Dawn (Masters)#Cresselia|trainerimg=Dawn Sygna|sygna=[[Sygna suit|Sygna Suit]]|0488|Cresselia|gender=female|Psychic|Dark|Support|exrole=Sprint|6|Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout}}
|}

In addition, Cresselia appears as a boss Pokémon in the [[Legendary Arena]].

==In animation==
[[File:Lunar duo anime.png|thumb|250px|Darkrai and Cresselia in {{aniseries|JN}}]]
===''Pokémon the Series''===
In {{aniseries|PTS}}, Cresselia and Darkrai debuted separately, both having met Ash in one way or the other.

====''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''====
{{main|Darkrai (M10)}}
Darkrai starred in ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]'' as the hero of the {{pkmn|movie}}, taking the task of holding off the fighting between {{mov|Dialga}} and {{mov|Palkia}} until {{Ash}} and {{an|Dawn}} could put the [[Oración]] disk in the [[Space-Time Towers]]' music player to calm the two [[Legendary Pokémon]] down. It reappeared in a cameo in the end credits of ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''.

====''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]''====
A Cresselia first appeared in a short {{wp|Cameo appearance|cameo}} in the beginning of the {{pkmn|movie}} ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]''. 

====[[Pikachu short]]s====
A Darkrai appeared in the [[Pikachu short]], ''[[PK26|Pikachu, What's This Key?]]''. 

===={{aniseries|DP}}====
Cresselia and Darkrai made their {{pkmn|animated series}} debut in ''[[DP104|Sleepless In Pre-Battle!]]''. Cresselia normally returns to her shrine on [[Fullmoon Island]] during a certain time of the year when {{p|Darkrai}} also comes by to cause nightmares. In the episode, however, it came earlier due to it being lured by {{TRT}}'s machine that was causing nightmares. She may also leave her [[Lunar Feather|feathers]], which people find to help stop the nightmares caused by Darkrai. Cresselia is normally in the same place as Darkrai to stop it giving nightmares but due to Darkrai's early coming, the people in [[Canalave City]] had nightmares for several days. One night, Darkrai was concealing itself when Cresselia used her abilities to reveal it from the darkness. The two then battled and Darkrai hid itself once more in the shadows.

In ''[[DP183|League Unleashed!]]'', {{si|Tobias}} in the [[Lily of the Valley Conference]] was shown to have a Darkrai. In [[DP184|the following episode]], [[Conway]] revealed that he had easily defeated eight [[Gym Leader]]s of the [[Sinnoh]] [[region]] using only Darkrai. In the Sinnoh League semi-finals in ''[[DP189|The Semi-Final Frontier!]]'', this Darkrai easily defeated [[Ash's Heracross]], {{AP|Torkoal}}, and {{AP|Gible}}. However, it was defeated by [[Ash's Sceptile]], marking its only known loss.

===={{aniseries|XY}}====
A Darkrai appeared in ''[[XY098|Dream a Little Dream from Me!]]'', plunging {{AP|Pikachu}}, {{MTR}}, and [[Squishy]] into a shared nightmare.

===={{aniseries|JN}}====
Cresselia and Darkrai appeared in ''[[JN074|Nightfall? Nightmares!]]'' and ''[[JN075|A Midsummer Night's Light!]]''. Upon being targeted by [[Team Rocket]]'s [[Matori Matrix]] elite unit, Cresselia fled Fullmoon Island to mainland Sinnoh. Darkrai, sensing Cresselia was in trouble, left [[Newmoon Island]] to help her. Cresselia was later encountered by Dawn and [[Chloe]], who treated her injuries. When Team Rocket appeared again to capture Cresselia, Darkrai appeared to defend her, getting severely hurt in the process. After being healed by Cresselia's {{m|Lunar Dance}}, Darkrai defeated Team Rocket and subsequently headed back home with Cresselia. As the two departed, Chloe theorized that Cresselia was living close to Darkrai in order to keep it from getting lonely on its remote island.

==In the manga==
[[File:Palmer Cresselia Psycho Shift Adventures.png|thumb|200px|Cresselia and Darkrai in Pokémon Adventures]]
===Pokémon Adventures===
===={{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}====
In ''[[PS414|Double Trouble with Dialga and Palkia IV]]'', [[Team Galactic]] {{tc|Commander}} [[Sird]] was revealed to be in possession of Darkrai. She had first used it at the end of the {{MangaArc|FireRed & LeafGreen}}, where its clash with {{adv|Mewtwo}} had led to {{adv|Red}}, {{adv|Blue}}, {{adv|Green}}, {{adv|Yellow}}, and {{adv|Silver}} getting turned into stone, although its identity wasn't revealed back then.

===={{MangaArc|Platinum}}====
Cresselia appeared under the ownership of [[Palmer]], who had caught her on [[Fullmoon Island]] in order to give Sailor [[Eldritch]]'s son the cure to wake up from a terrible nightmare. Cresselia followed her Trainer into the [[Distortion World]], where she squared up against her nemesis, Darkrai, whom Sird had released there due to it being too difficult to control. Darkrai was later taken control of by [[Charon]], who used it and {{p|Heatran}} to battle Sinnoh's other [[Legendary Pokémon]]. When Charon tried to escape, {{adv|Platinum}} rode on Cresselia to pursue him. Once Charon had been defeated, Darkrai departed to parts unknown, while Cresselia chose to stay with Palmer.

===Pocket Monsters DP===
A Darkrai appeared in ''[[PMDP19|The Illusory Pokémon Darkrai Appears!!]]''.

===Movie adaptations===
{{main|Darkrai (M10)}}
Darkrai plays a major role in the first ''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]'' {{pkmn|movie}}, ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''. Likewise, it appears in the {{ma|The Rise of Darkrai|manga adaptation}} of the film by [[Ryo Takamisaki]].

===Pokémon Try Adventure===
A Cresselia debuted in [[TA26]].
{{-}}

==Related articles==
* {{p|Cresselia}}
* {{p|Darkrai}}

{{Legendary groups}}

{{Project Pokédex notice}}

[[Category:Fanon terminology]]
[[Category:Groups of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon]]

[[fr:Duo lunaire]]
[[it:Duo Lunare]]
[[zh:梦与月的宝可梦]]