Which two Pokémon types were introduced in Generation II?

Generation II introduced the Dark and Steel Pokémon types.

The two types debuted in Pokémon Gold and Silver, which expanded the series beyond its original 15-type system. Dark and Steel were designed partly to rebalance type matchups and provide new strategic options in battles.

Dark-type Pokémon were associated with attacks and abilities that could bypass or punish certain strategies. Steel-type Pokémon emphasized defense, resistances, and durable designs inspired by metal, armor, and machinery. Their addition changed how players built teams and evaluated moves.

The types are sometimes confused with Fairy, which was introduced much later in Generation VI. Dragon already existed in the first generation, although only a small number of Dragon-type Pokémon and moves were initially available. In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the naming can differ slightly: the Dark type is often called Darkness, while Steel is often called Metal.