Pokémon battles are a complex dance of strategy and elemental forces, and understanding type effectiveness is crucial for any trainer aiming to be the very best. Since the dawn of the Pokémon franchise, type matchups have dictated combat, creating a fascinating ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ dynamic. Even recent games like Scarlet and Violet emphasize this core mechanic, ensuring players grasp the nuances of hitting a Grass-type with a Fire-type move.
In essence, a Pokémon’s elemental type determines how effective its attacks will be against an opponent, and conversely, how vulnerable it is to incoming attacks. This system introduces layers of strategy: super effective hits deal increased damage, while resisted hits do less. Neutral damage is the standard, and in core series games, immunities add another level of complexity. Each of these interactions directly impacts the damage dealt in battle.
While Pokémon Go simplifies type effectiveness slightly by removing immunities and adjusting damage multipliers, the fundamental type matchups remain consistent with the main series.
With 18 distinct types to learn, the type chart can seem overwhelming at first. Even seasoned Pokémon veterans occasionally need a refresher! To help you navigate this system, we’ve created a comprehensive guide focusing on Flying-type Pokémon and their weaknesses, alongside a broader Pokémon type effectiveness chart and explanations of how to leverage this knowledge for strategic advantage.
Learn about battling and catching Guzzlord in Pokémon Go and see type effectiveness in action. Watch on YouTube
Pokémon Go Type Chart: Effectiveness and Weaknesses Explained
Pokémon Go utilizes the same 18 types found in the main Pokémon games, but with a key difference: immunities are absent. In the core series, for example, Fairy-type Pokémon are immune to Dragon-type moves. In Pokémon Go, Fairy types resist Dragon-type attacks instead. This adjustment applies across all type-based immunities, streamlining combat for the mobile platform. Ability-based immunities, like Levitate, are also not part of Pokémon Go.
To get you started, here’s a Pokémon Go type chart outlining effectiveness and weaknesses. Remember, this chart applies to the attack type, not the Pokémon’s type itself. If a Pokémon’s type matches the move it’s using, it receives a Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB), further increasing damage, but type matchup remains the primary damage multiplier.
| 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, Electric | 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 |
For example, if Mewtwo uses Ice Beam against a Venusaur, it will inflict significant damage. This is because Venusaur is a Grass and Poison-type Pokémon, and Grass types are vulnerable to Ice attacks. If a Kyurem of the same level used Ice Beam against the same Venusaur, the damage would be even higher due to STAB, as Kyurem is an Ice-type Pokémon itself. While a Pokémon’s attack stat also plays a crucial role, this illustrates the power of type effectiveness.
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Flying-Type Pokémon: Strengths and Weaknesses
Flying-type Pokémon are known for their speed and agility, often soaring above the battlefield. They are strong against Fighting, Bug, and Grass-type Pokémon. This makes them excellent choices when facing opponents like Machamp (Fighting), Scyther (Bug), or Venusaur (Grass). Flying-type moves can clip the wings of Fighting-types, swat away pesky Bug-types, and blow away Grass-types with ease.
However, these aerial aces have their vulnerabilities. Flying-type Pokémon are weak to Rock, Electric, and Ice-type attacks. Let’s delve into why these types are super effective against Flying types:
Rock-Type Moves
Rock-type attacks are devastating against Flying-type Pokémon. Think of it like throwing rocks at birds – a direct hit can bring them down quickly. Rock-type moves like Rock Throw, Stone Edge, or Smack Down can ground even the most agile Flying types.
Electric-Type Moves
Electric-type attacks are another major threat to Flying types. Electricity disrupts the ability of Flying Pokémon to maintain flight, causing significant damage. Moves like Thunder Shock, Wild Charge, and Thunder are highly effective. Imagine a lightning bolt striking a bird in mid-air – the result is rarely good for the bird.
Ice-Type Moves
Ice-type attacks are also super effective against Flying-type Pokémon. The cold vulnerability of birds is well-known – freezing temperatures can severely hamper their ability to fly and function. Ice Beam, Avalanche, and Ice Shard are examples of moves that can chill Flying types to the bone.
Rayquaza, a powerful Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon, is doubly weak to Ice-type attacks.
Best Pokémon to Counter Flying Types
To effectively combat Flying-type Pokémon, you’ll want to utilize Pokémon with Rock, Electric, or Ice-type moves. Here are some top Pokémon in Pokémon Go for each type that excel at taking down Flying types:
Rock-Type Counters:
- Rampardos: With its incredible Attack stat and Rock-type moves like Smack Down and Rock Slide, Rampardos is a premier Rock-type attacker, perfect for dismantling Flying types.
- Rhyperior: A sturdy Rock and Ground-type, Rhyperior combines bulk with powerful Rock-type moves such as Smack Down and Rock Wrecker.
- Tyranitar: A Dark and Rock-type, Tyranitar offers strong offensive presence and access to Rock-type moves like Smack Down and Stone Edge.
Electric-Type Counters:
- Xurkitree: An Ultra Beast with phenomenal Attack, Xurkitree unleashes devastating Electric-type moves like Thunder Shock and Discharge.
- Zekrom: A legendary Electric and Dragon-type, Zekrom is a powerhouse with access to moves like Charge Beam and Wild Charge.
- Therian Thundurus: The Therian Forme of Thundurus is an Electric and Flying-type with high offensive stats and access to Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt.
Ice-Type Counters:
- Kyurem: A legendary Dragon and Ice-type, Kyurem boasts high Attack and potent Ice-type moves such as Powder Snow and Glaciate.
- Galarian Darmanitan (Ice Mode): In its Ice Mode, Galarian Darmanitan is a blazing fast Ice-type attacker with moves like Ice Fang and Avalanche.
- Mamoswine: An Ice and Ground-type, Mamoswine is a strong and versatile counter with access to Powder Snow and Avalanche.
Type Effectiveness Changes in Pokémon Go
It’s important to reiterate that Pokémon Go simplifies type effectiveness compared to the main series games, most notably by removing immunities. The immunities absent in Pokémon Go are:
- Ground to Electric
- Flying to Ground
- Ghost to Normal and Fighting
- Normal to Ghost
- Steel to Poison
- Dark to Psychic
- Fairy to Dragon
Instead of immunity, these matchups now function as an additional level of resistance, reducing damage to 0.39x the normal amount.
Here’s a breakdown of the damage multipliers in Pokémon Go:
- Doubly Effective: 2.56x damage (vs. 4x in main series)
- Super Effective: 1.6x damage (vs. 2x in main series)
- Neutral: 1.0x damage (same as main series)
- Not Very Effective: 0.625x damage (vs. 0.5x in main series)
- “Immunity” (Resistance Tier 2): 0.39x damage (vs. 0 damage in main series)
Double effectiveness occurs when a Pokémon has two types, both vulnerable to the incoming attack type. Alolan Sandslash, being Ice and Steel-type, is doubly weak to Fire and Fighting attacks.
Understanding these multipliers and type matchups is key to maximizing damage output in Pokémon Go battles.
Mastering Type Matchups for Victory
Type effectiveness is a cornerstone of Pokémon Go battle strategy. While memorizing the entire type chart takes time, focusing on key matchups, like understanding What Is Super Effective Against Flying Types, will significantly improve your battle prowess. By exploiting weaknesses and choosing your Pokémon and moves strategically, you’ll gain a considerable edge in raids, Gym battles, and PvP encounters. Take the time to learn these elemental interactions, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a top Pokémon Go trainer!
Continue reading to explore detailed breakdowns of each Pokémon type, including their best attackers, counters, and moves in Pokémon Go.
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