Pokémon battles are fundamentally decided by type effectiveness. Since the inception of the Pokémon franchise, understanding which types are strong or weak against others has been a core strategic element. In Pokémon GO, this intricate Rock Paper Scissors system is alive and well, directly influencing your success in raids, gyms, and Trainer Battles. If you’re wondering what is strong against Flying type Pokémon, you’re in the right place to master this crucial aspect of the game.
In essence, elemental types determine the damage multiplier when a Pokémon uses a move against an opponent. A super effective move deals significantly more damage, while a not very effective move deals less. Neutral damage is the standard, and while immunities from the main series are modified in Pokémon GO, understanding these matchups is key to becoming a proficient trainer.
While type effectiveness in Pokémon GO shares its foundation with the main series games, there are key differences. Notably, Pokémon GO simplifies immunities into super resistances and adjusts damage multipliers. Despite these tweaks, the core type matchups remain consistent.
With 18 distinct Pokémon types, memorizing the entire type chart can seem like a monumental task. Even veteran players often rely on type charts to strategize. To aid you in your Pokémon GO journey, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide focusing on Flying-type Pokémon weaknesses and the best strategies to exploit them. This guide will not only answer “what is strong against Flying type Pokémon” but also delve into the nuances of type effectiveness in Pokémon GO.
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Decoding Type Effectiveness and Flying-Type Weaknesses in Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO’s type system mirrors the core Pokémon games, maintaining 18 types, albeit with modified immunity mechanics. Unlike the main series where some types boast complete immunity to others (Fairy-types immune to Dragon, for example), Pokémon GO converts these immunities into super resistances. This means Fairy-types resist Dragon-type attacks rather than being entirely unaffected. This alteration applies across all type-based immunities in Pokémon GO. Ability-based immunities like Levitate are not present in the game.
To effectively answer “what is strong against Flying type Pokémon,” let’s consult the Pokémon GO type chart. Remember, this chart illustrates the effectiveness of the attack type being used, not the Pokémon’s type itself. A crucial element to consider is the Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB). When a Pokémon uses a move that matches its type, it receives a damage bonus. While STAB is important, type matchup effectiveness is paramount.
| Type | Strong Against | Weak Against | Resistant To | Vulnerable To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Rock, Steel, Fighting | Ghost | Fighting | |
| Fighting | Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, Dark | Flying, Poison, Psychic, Bug, Ghost, Fairy | Rock, Bug, Dark | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| Flying | Fighting, Bug, Grass | Rock, Steel, Electric | Fighting, Ground, Bug, Grass | Rock, Electric, Ice |
| Poison | Grass, Fairy | Poison, Ground, Rock, Ghost, Steel | Fighting, Poison, Grass, Fairy | Ground, Psychic |
| Ground | Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire, Electric | Flying, Bug, Grass | Poison, Rock, Electric | Water, Grass, Ice |
| Rock | Flying, Bug, Fire, Ice | Fighting, Ground, Steel | Normal, Flying, Poison, Fire | Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass |
| Bug | Grass, Psychic, Dark | Fighting, Flying, Poison, Ghost, Steel, Fire, Fairy | Fighting, Ground, Grass | Flying, Rock, Fire |
| Ghost | Ghost, Psychic | Normal, Dark, Ghost | Normal, Fighting, Poison, Bug | Ghost, Dark |
| Steel | Rock, Ice, Fairy | Steel, Fire, Water, Electric | Normal, Flying, Poison, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, Fairy | Fighting, Ground, Fire |
| Fire | Bug, Steel, Grass, Ice | Rock, Fire, Water, Dragon | Bug, Fire, Grass, Steel, Ice, Fairy | Ground, Rock, Water |
| Water | Ground, Rock, Fire | Water, Grass, Dragon | Steel, Fire, Water, Ice | Grass, Electric |
| Grass | Ground, Rock, Water | Flying, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fire, Grass, Dragon | Ground, Water, Grass, Electric | Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire, Ice |
| Electric | Flying, Water | Ground, Grass, Electric, Dragon | Flying, Steel, Electric | Ground |
| Psychic | Fighting, Poison | Steel, Psychic, Dark | Fighting, Psychic | Bug, Ghost, Dark, Psychic |
| Ice | Flying, Ground, Grass, Dragon | Steel, Fire, Water, Ice | Ice | Fighting, Rock, Steel, Fire |
| Dragon | Dragon | Steel, Fairy | Fire, Water, Grass, Electric | Ice, Dragon, Fairy |
| Dark | Ghost, Psychic | Fighting, Dark, Fairy | Ghost, Psychic, Dark | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| Fairy | Fighting, Dragon, Dark | Poison, Steel, Fire | Fighting, Bug, Dragon, Dark | Poison, Steel |
To illustrate, consider a scenario: If Mewtwo uses Ice Beam against a Flying and Dragon-type Pokémon like Rayquaza, the damage will be significant because Ice-type attacks are super effective against both Flying and Dragon types. Furthermore, if that Mewtwo is also an Ice-type, the damage would be even higher due to STAB. While a Pokémon’s Attack stat is a primary factor, type effectiveness multipliers dramatically amplify damage output.
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Pokémon GO Type Effectiveness: Damage Multipliers and Immunities Demystified
As previously mentioned, Pokémon GO diverges from the main series by eliminating type immunities. The immunities removed include:
- Electric is no longer resisted by Ground (Ground is weak to Electric)
- Ground is no longer resisted by Flying (Flying is weak to Electric)
- Ghost is no longer resisted by Normal and Fighting (Normal and Fighting are weak to Ghost)
- Normal is no longer resisted by Ghost (Ghost is strong against Ghost and Psychic)
- Steel is no longer resisted by Poison (Poison is strong against Grass and Fairy)
- Dark is no longer resisted by Psychic (Psychic is weak to Bug, Ghost and Dark)
- Fairy is no longer resisted by Dragon (Dragon is weak to Ice, Dragon and Fairy)
Instead of complete immunity, these matchups initially functioned as standard resistances. However, Pokémon GO refined this further, introducing a super resistance tier. Pokémon that would be immune in the main series now take only 0.39x damage – a significant reduction, approximating a two-thirds damage cut.
Here’s a breakdown of damage multipliers in Pokémon GO:
- Doubly Effective: 2.56x damage (compared to 4x in main series)
- Super Effective: 1.6x damage (compared to 2x in main series)
- Neutral: 1.0x damage (same as main series)
- Not Very Effective: 0.625x damage (compared to 0.5x in main series)
- Super Resistance (formerly Immunity): 0.39x damage (compared to 0 damage in main series)
Double effectiveness occurs when a defending Pokémon has two types, both vulnerable to the incoming attack type. For example, Alolan Sandslash, being Ice and Steel-type, is doubly weak to Fire and Fighting attacks because both Ice and Steel types are weak to Fire and Fighting.
Imagine a Charmeleon using a Fire-type attack with 100 base damage. Against another Charmeleon (neutral matchup), the damage is 1.0x, boosted by STAB (1.2x), resulting in 120 damage. However, against an Alolan Sandslash, the 2.56x double effectiveness multiplier combined with STAB (1.2x) yields a massive 3.07x damage multiplier.
Understanding type effectiveness is paramount in Pokémon GO, especially in Player vs Player (PVP) battles where strategic Pokémon switching and move selection are crucial. Mastering these matchups significantly increases your chances of victory. While memorizing all type interactions takes time, utilizing resources like type charts and focusing on key type weaknesses, such as what is strong against Flying type Pokémon, will provide a substantial advantage. To further enhance your battle prowess, explore guides on the best moves in Pokémon GO and the best Pokémon overall in Pokémon GO.
Exploiting Flying-Type Weaknesses: Rock, Electric, and Ice Types
Now, let’s directly address the core question: What is strong against Flying type Pokémon? Flying-type Pokémon are vulnerable to Rock, Electric, and Ice-type attacks. This means when facing a Flying-type opponent in Pokémon GO, utilizing Pokémon with moves of these types will inflict super effective damage, giving you a significant combat advantage.
Rock-Type Advantage Against Flying Pokémon
Rock-type attacks are super effective against Flying-type Pokémon. This is intuitively understandable when considering real-world analogies – rocks falling from the sky (where Flying types often reside) are certainly dangerous! In Pokémon GO, leveraging powerful Rock-type attackers is an excellent strategy against Flying types.
Rampardos, a powerful Rock-type attacker.
Best Rock-type attackers against Flying types:
- Rampardos: Known for its incredible Attack stat, Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide is a premier choice.
- Rhyperior: A durable Rock and Ground-type, Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker offers both offense and survivability.
- Nihilego: This Rock and Poison-type Ultra Beast provides a unique typing advantage and strong Rock-type moves.
Electric-Type Advantage Against Flying Pokémon
Electric-type attacks are also super effective against Flying-type Pokémon. This matchup is conceptually linked to birds and storms – lightning in the sky is a natural threat to avian creatures. Electric Pokémon are fantastic counters to Flying types in Pokémon GO.
Xurkitree, a top-tier Electric-type attacker.
Best Electric-type attackers against Flying types:
- Xurkitree: With phenomenal Attack, Xurkitree using Thunder Shock and Discharge is an electrifying force.
- Zekrom: A legendary Electric and Dragon-type, Zekrom boasts high stats and powerful Electric moves like Charge Beam and Wild Charge.
- Therian Thundurus: This Electric and Flying-type Pokémon offers a double STAB potential when using Electric-type moves and is a strong attacker.
Ice-Type Advantage Against Flying Pokémon
Ice-type attacks are the third weakness of Flying-type Pokémon. The vulnerability to Ice is associated with birds in colder climates struggling against freezing temperatures and icy conditions. Ice Pokémon can effectively combat Flying types in Pokémon GO battles.
Kyurem, a formidable Ice-type attacker.
Best Ice-type attackers against Flying types:
- Kyurem: A legendary Ice and Dragon-type, Kyurem possesses immense power and access to moves like Powder Snow and Glaciate.
- Baxcalibur: A pseudo-legendary Ice and Dragon-type, Baxcalibur is a relatively new but incredibly strong Ice attacker.
- Galarian Darmanitan (Ice Mode): This Ice-type Pokémon in its Ice Mode is an offensive powerhouse with Ice Fang and Avalanche.
Mastering Type Matchups: A Key to Pokémon GO Success
Understanding what is strong against Flying type Pokémon is just one piece of the larger puzzle of type effectiveness in Pokémon GO. By learning the type chart and strategically utilizing Pokémon with type advantages, you can significantly improve your performance in all aspects of the game. Whether you’re raiding against powerful Flying-type bosses, battling in gyms defended by Flying-type Pokémon, or facing off against other trainers in the GO Battle League, exploiting Flying-type weaknesses with Rock, Electric, and Ice attacks is a winning strategy.
Continue to explore the type chart and learn the strengths and weaknesses of each Pokémon type. This knowledge, combined with practice and strategic team building, will elevate you from a casual player to a true Pokémon GO master. Good luck, and happy battling!
This article is part of our ongoing series dedicated to helping Pokémon GO players master the game. Stay tuned for more type-specific guides and advanced battle strategies.
