Pokémon Types: What You Need To Know About Each Type Before Jumping In

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People new to the Pokémon franchise are likely overwhelmed by the different Pokémon types. With 18 different types in the franchise, it’s easy to feel lost in the matchups. What attack types are super effective against which Pokémon species? Why does Earthquake hurt Pikachu so much, but doesn’t hurt Pidgey at all?

Some of these matchups are obvious like Water-type moves are super effective against Fire-type Pokémon. However, some aren’t so obvious. For example, Fight-type moves are super effective against Dark-type Pokémon.

Pokémon essentially boils down to a game of rock-paper-scissors. Each Pokémon type will be resistant to some specific Pokémon. Yet they will also be weaker against other Pokémon types. The same goes for move-types, where some moves are super effective to some Pokémon but completely ineffective to others.

A few sites offer type charts that show how each move type does against each Pokémon type. However, in this article, we broke down each type and discussed what it’s good against (and what it’s not good against). Let’s get started!

 

Normal-Type

Normal-type Pokémon may seem like the least useful type to have on a team. After all, Normal-type attacks aren’t strong against any Pokémon-type. The attacks are weak against Rock-type and Steel-type Pokémon, and completely ineffective against Ghost-type Pokémon.

However, this type only has one weakness, Fight-type. Additionally, Normal-type is the only type completely unaffected by Ghost-type moves. If you’re about to go up against a Ghost-type trainer, it may be smart to stock up on Pokémon that are at least half Normal-type.

Normal-type Pokémon make up 121 of the 898 species in the series. This comes out to a little more than 13% of the Pokédex. Especially in the early game, Normal-type Pokémon is one of the easiest and most plentiful to find. The only type that is more common is Water-type.

This is to the new trainer’s benefit. After all, Normal-type Pokémon have the fewest weaknesses (tied with Electric-type). If you’re still learning the ins and outs of the game, keeping a few Normal-type Pokémon in your party can help you stay in battles longer. But remember to be careful of Fight-type Pokémon!

Normal-Type Pokémon:

Snorlax, Rattata, and Pidgey are some of the most recognizable Normal-type Pokémon. However, some of these species are a lot more common than others. For instance, in Pokémon Red & Blue, the first games in the franchise, Rattata, and Pidgey are some of the easiest Pokémon to find.

However, in the entire game, there are only two Snorlaxes available! If you don’t catch the first Snorlax you come across, you better prepare for your second encounter. Luckily, the Snorlaxes aren’t random encounters.

Some of the best Pokémon in the franchise are half Normal-type. This is because of the added immunity the type gets against Ghost-type attacks. For example, Psychic-type Pokémon are weak against Ghost-type moves. However, a species that is half Normal-type and half Psychic-type is immune to Ghost-type moves.

Girafarig from Pokémon Silver & Gold & Oranguru from Pokémon Sun & Moon, are both examples of half Normal and half Psychic-type species.

New trainers should be careful with these half-and-half Pokémon though. A species can be weak against a move-type twofold. Take the Galarian variant of Zigzagoon. This species is half Normal and half Dark-type. Since both of these types are weak to Fight-type moves, Galarian Zigzagoon is twice as weak to these moves.

Let’s say a Fight-type move typically does 10 points of damage to a species that isn’t weak to it. Against a Galarian Zigzagoon, this move would do 40 points of damage instead!

 

Fire-Type

These Pokémon are an essential addition to any team. Fire-type moves are super effective against four different Pokémon types: Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel. Additionally, this type is resistant to Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type moves. That’s a total of six different move types that are weak against this group.

That’s not to say that Fire-type Pokémon don’t have their weaknesses. Water, Ground, and Rock-type moves are all three super effective to this group. Additionally, Fire-type moves are weak when used on Fire, Water, Rock, and Dragon-type species. If you’re about to go up against a trainer that specializes in one of these types, make sure you have other Pokémon on your team to balance it out.

76 species in the series are Fire-type, which is just under a 10th of the Pokédex. Trainers can start any of the core games with a Fire-type Pokémon (with their other options being Water or Grass species). However, if you don’t choose the Fire-type starter, it can take a while before you come across another to add to your party.

For instance, in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, trainers will not encounter a wild Fire-type Pokemon until right before the 4th gym badge. Depending on your experience with the series, you might want to always start with the Fire option.

Fire-Type Pokémon:

Charizard is perhaps the most recognizable Fire-Type Pokémon. The species is the final evolution of Charmander, one of the starters in Pokémon Red & Blue. Other recognizable species in this group are Growlithe, Vulpix, and Flareon.  Most of these types, such as Growlithe, are easy enough to find (though not necessarily common).

Many legendaries are Fire-type, such as Moltres and Ho-oh. That means that they are only available once per game!

While this species has many strengths, its weaknesses become apparent, especially when mixed with another type. Charizard is half Fire and half Flying-type. This means that they are immune to Ground-type moves. However, this also means that Rock-type moves are four-time effective to them!

While Charizard is a great addition to most teams, new trainers should remember this weakness when fighting a Rock-type species.

Perhaps the most defensive Fire species is Volcanion, a legendary Pokémon from generation six. This species is Fire and Water-type, which means it’s not weak to Water-type moves. Although they’re still weak to Ground and Rock-type moves, the species has double resistance to Fire, Ice, and Steel-type moves.

Too bad Volcanion is only available through events, and not through any of the core games.

 

Water-Type

The most common type of Pokémon in the franchise is Water-type. 146 species fall into this category, which comes out to just under 16 percent of all species in the Pokédex. In the original game alone, 28 of the 151 species are water, almost 20 percent!

However, unless players chose the water starter in the game, it can take a little while for trainers to come across a Water-type Pokémon. Psyduck becomes available after the second gym, but many species don’t become available until players get fishing rods or learn to surf.

Water species are always good to have on your team. Yet Water-type moves are only strong against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. This group is resistant to Fire, Water, Ice, and Steel-type moves. Veteran players know that Water-type attacks are strong against Fire-type weaknesses. Having both within your party is a great way to balance out your team.

Water-moves against Water, Grass, and Dragon-type Pokémon is a losing bet. Additionally, if your opponent pulls out an Electric or Grass-type species against your Water-type, it is best to switch out. Luckily, these are the only two weaknesses that Water-type Pokémon needs to worry about.

If you want to play defensive, Water is a great element to have on your roster.

Water-Type Pokémon:

Most people recognize Squirtle, the Water-Type starter from Pokémon Red & Blue. Other species in this family include Magikarp, Gyrados (evolved from Magikarp), Lapras, and Vaporeon. As with Fire-type Pokémon, Water-type’s rarity varies from species to species. Once players get the Old Rod, Magikarp is plentiful. However, there is only one Lapras in the first Pokémon games and the possibility of only one Vaporeon.

In a previous article, we briefly discuss the species Whiscash and how useful it is to any party. This species is Water and Ground-type, which means that they are Water-type and immune to Electric-type attacks. This comes at a cost of course, as the species is four times weaker against Grass-type moves.

That being said, it is their only weakness, so the tradeoff is pretty fair.

Most trainers are attracted to using Gyrados, the Water and Flying-type that evolves from Magikarp. They’re very strong Pokémon that are easy to get early in the games. However, this species is four times weaker against Electric-type moves because it’s also part Flying-type.

It’s sort of the opposite of Whiscash because they take normal damage from Grass-type moves. Remember: there’s always a tradeoff of some sort.

 

Electric-Type

Electric Pokémon only have one weakness: Ground-type attacks. Unless a trainer is going up against a Ground-based team, Electric-types are a fantastic addition to the team. Additionally, if you’re going up against Water or Flying-type Pokémon, then Electric attacks are your best friend.

When your Electric-type is going up against a Water AND Flying-type species, the match is over from the start.

But of course, don’t put your Electric-types against a Ground-type team. Not only will they have attacks to wipe your team out, but Electric-type moves are completely ineffective against them.  If they pull out Electric, Grass, or Dragon-type species, you might as well change out. Electric-type moves only cause half-damage to these species.

Out of 898 different species, only 62 in the entire franchise are Electric-type. Only four other types are rarer than this one, which we’ll be visiting later. In the original game, it is possible to get a Pikachu before the first gym in the Viridian Forest. However, they are incredibly rare, so trainers will need to look for a while.

Otherwise, trainers won’t be able to find another Electric-type until fairly late in the game, until after they obtain surf.

Electric-Type Pokémon:

Pikachu is not only the most recognizable Electric-type species but the most recognizable Pokémon of all time. Indeed, anyone off the street can recognize Pikachu without a second glance. Most people will also recognize Raichu (Pikachu’s evolution), and Pichu, Pikachu’s pre-evolution introduced in the second generation.

As we’ve stated, Electric-type species are some of the hardest to find. They’ve become easier to find in more recent games, but the original Red & Blue made them nearly impossible to find until late-game.

This is likely because they are only weak to Ground-type moves. However, in the instance of Electric and Flying-type species like Zapdos, they have no weaknesses. This is also the case with Pokémon that have the “Levitate” ability, like Eelektross.

But remember: once other types are introduced into the mix, so are their weaknesses. Chinchou is an Electric and Water-type from Pokemon Gold & Silver. This mixed type is weak not only to Ground-type attacks but also to Grass-type attacks now. However, since it’s an Electric-type, it’s not weak to Electric-type moves.

That means Chinchou is a Water-type that’s not weak to Electric-type moves.

 

Grass-Type

On the surface, Grass-type Pokémon seem like a bad addition to a team. This group is weak against five different attack types, tied with Rock-type for the most weaknesses. Grass-type Pokémon are weak to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug-type attacks. In addition to this, Grass-type moves are only super effective against Water, Ground, and Rock-type species.

Grass-type species are resistant to Water, Electric, Grass, and Ground-type moves though. That’s four different attack types that only do half the damage. On the other hand, Grass-type attacks are weak against Fire, Grass, Poison, Flying, Dragon, and Steel-type species.

The biggest draw to this Pokémon type though is the available moves. Grass-type Pokémon can usually learn moves like Poison Powder or Stun Spore, which indirectly attack opponents. Some Grass-type moves even regain health, like Absorb and Leech Seed.

After Normal and Flying-type Pokémon, Grass-type is the most common in the series. 112 species are at least part Grass-type. That’s a little more than 12 percent of the franchise.  Grass-type species are also fairly easy to find, especially early in the game. In Pokémon Red & Blue, for example, trainers can find this type right after the first gym.

Grass-Type Pokémon:

Bulbasaur, the first Pokémon in the Pokédex, is perhaps the most recognizable Grass-type species. Most people will likely recognize Oddish, Bellsprout, and Exeggcute from the first generation.  Grass-pokemon are very easy to find in any core game and are readily available near the beginning. Indeed, players can start the game with a Grass-type.

Because they have so many weaknesses, players should find Grass-type species with a second type. Bulbasaur is a good addition because it’s part Poison-type. This means, unlike other Grass Pokémon, they take normal damage from Poison and Bug-type attacks. However, this also means that they are weak to Psychic attacks.

Another good type pairing is in Appletun, the Grass, and Dragon-type Pokémon. The Dragon-type gives this species normal resistance to Fire-type attacks. Additionally, Appletun only takes around 25% damage against Grass, Water, and Electric-type moves. But beware: this species takes four times damage against Ice-type moves!

 

Ice-Type

Any good team incorporates at least one Ice-type Pokémon. Ice attacks are one of the most useful in the game. They are super effective against Grass, Ground, Flying, and Dragon-type Pokémon. Fire, Water, Ice, and Steel-type Pokémon are resistant to Ice-type attacks. That’s only four out of 18 types though.

This comes at a cost, of course. Ice-type Pokémon creatures will have four weaknesses: Fire, Fight, Rock, and Steel-type attacks. Additionally, Ice-type species are only resistant to Ice-type attacks. That means every other attack type will do at least a normal amount of damage to them. Given how useful Ice-type attacks are though, we think this is a good tradeoff.

Ice-type Pokémon are the rarest in the franchise. Out of the entire Pokédex, only 51 of the species are Ice-type. That means that less than 6 percent of all Pokémon fall into this category. They’re both incredibly rare and only appear late in the game. In the original game, players aren’t able to get an Ice-type Pokémon until after the 4th gym!

Ice-type Pokémon:

Most people might not recognize an Ice-type Pokémon if they saw one because they are so rare. The most recognizable in the franchise are Lapras, Jynx, and Cloyster. Although players will have to wait a long time to get an Ice-type in their party, they aren’t necessarily the hardest to find.

Indeed, Seel and Shelder are easy to find late-game, and they both evolve into Ice-type species.

In the first generation, no Pokémon are exclusively Ice-type. Most are Ice and Water-type, with one Ice and Psychic-type and one Ice and Flying-type.  The benefit to the Ice and Water-type combination is the added resistance to Fire and Steel-type moves. However, these Pokémon are now weak to Electric and Grass-type moves.

Articuno is the Ice and Flying-type species in the first generation. This legendary is resistant to Fight-type moves because of this Flying-type addition. However, Articuno is four times weaker against Rock-type attacks because of this combination. So much for “Legendary.”

 

Fight-Type

Any well-balanced team will include a Fight-type Pokémon. Their attacks are strong against Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel-type species. Keep in mind though, Poison, Flying, Psychic, Bug, and Fairy-type Pokémon only take half-damage from these attacks. Also, Ghost-type species are immune to these attacks.

Fight-type Pokémon take half damage from Bug, Rock, and Dark-type moves. This makes them a great early addition in most of the games. However, they are weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type attacks. Keep that in mind when going up against trainers that specialize in these types.

70 species in the Pokédex are Fight-type species. This makes up a little less than 8 percent of the catalog. However, it’s worth noting that in Red & Blue, only 8 Pokémon are Fight-type. That makes up only about 5 percent of the game! Luckily, they are easy to find.

Fight-Type Pokémon:

Machamp, Hitmonlee, and Mankey are the most recognizable species of this type. In the first game, players can catch a Mankey before the first gym. This is good for the player, as the first gym is Rock-type. Other species like Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan only appear once in the game though, and players can only choose one of these two species.

Some species may seem like great additions but are in fact hindrances to your team. Take Pangoro for example. This Fight and Dark-type Pokémon is fairly strong, but they take four times the normal damage from Fairy-type attacks. Additionally, they are weak against both Fight and Flying-type attacks.

Lucario is perhaps the best Fight-type Pokémon. This species is also Steel-type, so they are weak to Fire, Fight, and Ground-type attacks. However, they only take half the damage from Normal, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Dark, and Steel-type attacks. Additionally, they only take around 25% damage from Bug and Rock-type attacks and are immune to Poison-type attacks.

They are one of the most defensive Fight-type species.

 

Poison-Type

On the surface, Poison-type Pokémon creatures aren’t the best addition to your team. Their attacks are only strong against Grass and Fairy-type species. Poison, Ground, Rock, and Ghost-type Pokémon only take half damage from these attacks, and Steel-type Pokémon are immune.

However, many Poison-type attacks will poison the enemy, making them take additional damage at the end of their turns.

Additionally, Poison-type species are some of the most defensive in the series. Only Ground and Psychic-type attacks cause double damage to this group. Poison-type only takes half damage from Grass, Fight, Poison, Bug, and Fairy-type attacks. Overall, that comes down to five different attack types that the Poison-type is stronger than.

Poison-type Pokémon make up 74 species in the catalog. That means a little more than 8 percent of all species are Poison-type. However, 33 of them are from generation one. That means more than 20 percent of the first generation are Poison-type!

Poison-Type Pokémon:

The most recognizable Poison-type Pokémon are likely Bulbasaur, Zubat, and Gengar. Although in the first games, this type is almost impossible to avoid. You can’t walk through a cave without encountering a Zubat. You can’t surf without coming across a Tentacool. Even one of the starters is part Poison-type.

One of our favorite Poison-type Pokémon is Crobat from the second generation. This species is also a Flying-type, making it immune to Ground-type attacks. However, it’s still weak to Flying-type weaknesses, Electric, Ice, and Rock-type attacks. They only take around 25% damage against Fight, Poison, and Bug-type attacks though, so we believe this evens it out.

One of the most popular in this category is Gengar. However, this Poison and Ghost-type Pokémon suffers from the weaknesses of both types. Gengar is weak to Ground, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. Remember to look out for this when building your team.

Try to cancel out weaknesses with dual-type Pokémon when possible.

 

Ground-Type

Any well-balanced team should include a Ground-type Pokémon. These attacks are super effective against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon. Remember: this is the only type of attack that Electric-type species are weak against.

Only Grass and Bug-type Pokémon are resistant to these attacks, and Flying-type species are immune to these attacks.

However, Ground-type Pokémon are not great on defense. Water, Grass, and Ice-type attacks are strong against them, and Water and Grass-type Pokémon are some of the most common in the series. Ground-type species have immunity to Electric-type attacks though, and resistance to Poison and Rock-type attacks.

Like Fight-type Pokémon, 70 species are Ground-type. These kinds of Pokémon are usually fairly easy to encounter, including early on in the game. A smart trainer will add one to their team as soon as they can.

Ground-Type Pokémon:

Geodude, Onix, and Rhyhorn are the most recognizable Ground-type Pokémon. Species like Geodude are very common, popping up in most caves in Red & Blue. Other species, like Rhyhorn, are only available in special areas like the Safari Zone. But once players are in this area, the species is a common encounter.

A lot of Ground-type species are also Rock-type, like Onix. This matchup is no good though. Ground and Rock-type Pokémon share a lot of weaknesses, so a species that’s both these types will take four times damage from Water and Grass-type moves. They are also weak against Ice, Fight, Ground, and Steel-type moves.

Gligar is likely the best Ground-type species. This Pokémon is also Flying-type, meaning they are immune to both Electric and Ground-type moves. For defensive playstyles, Gligar is an essential addition to any team.

 

Flying-Type

This type is a good addition for any team, especially in most early games. Flying-type attacks are strong against Grass, Fight, and Bug-type species. However, Electric, Rock, and Steel-type species are resistant to these attacks. Keep that in mind when going up species like Magnemite.

Flying-type Pokémon are weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves. If you’re playing Red & Blue, try not to send your Pidgey out when fighting the first gym. This type is resistant to Grass, Fight, and Bug-type moves and immune to Ground-type moves.

106 species qualify as Flying-type, making it the fourth most common type in the series. Almost 12 percent of the Pokédex consists of this type. Interestingly enough, almost all Flying-type Pokémon are dual-type. The only exceptions are Tornadus from generation six, and Rookidee and Corvisquire from generation eight.

Flying-Type Pokémon:

Most people will recognize Pidgey, Butterfree, and Zubat. In every single core game, Flying-type species are some of the first you can encounter. Pidgey is available the moment you first set foot in tall grass. It’s a good thing too because this type is great to have against most other species you’ll encounter at the start, such as Grass and Bug-types.

Pidgey, and its evolutions Pidgeotto and Pidgeot, are great additions to any team. This species is also Normal-type, so they are immune to Ghost-type attacks as well as Ground. Too bad they also take the normal amount of damage from Fight-type moves.

Many Dragon-type Pokémon, like Dragonite and Salamence, are also Flying-type. This may seem like a good combination, but we discourage using these types. The combination of these two types means that they’re four times weaker against Ice-type moves. In the later part of the games, these Pokémon are weak to a lot of the trainers you’ll come up against.

 

Psychic-Type

A Pokémon with Psychic-type moves is always a great addition to your party. These moves are strong against both Poison and Fight-type species. Only Psychic and Steel-type Pokémon can resist these attacks. However, Dark-type species are immune to these attacks, so be careful when fighting these types.

Psychic-type Pokémon only take half damage from Fight and Psychic-type attacks. They are weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks though. In the first generation, Dark-type didn’t exist, so they were an even stronger type back then.

The Pokédex includes 98 Psychic species, making it the fifth most common type in the series. 14 of the original 151 are Psychic-type, making up almost ten percent of the available Pokémon in Red & Blue. However, these types can be incredibly hard to find.

Psychic-Type Pokémon:

Alakazam, Slowpoke, and Mewtwo are the most recognizable Psychic-types in the series. Depending on which game you’re playing, this type can be very hard to find, and might not appear until late in the game. In Ruby & Sapphire, trainers can catch Ralts before the first gym (although the encounter rate is pretty low).

In Red & Blue though, Abra won’t be available until after the second gym and can run away from encounters.

Gardevoir is a great addition to any team. Originally, this species was only a Psychic-type. But when generation six introduced Fairy-type Pokémon, Gardevoir became both a Psychic and Fairy-type. This means they only take normal damage from Dark and Bug-type moves since Pokemon X & Y.

Another great Psychic choice for your team is Metagross. This species is also Steel-type. They are weak to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. However, they only take half-damage from eight different attack types! They also only take about 25% damage from Psychic-type attacks and are immune to Poison-type attacks.

 

Bug-Type

This type, like Poison, may not seem like a great addition to a team. After all, Fight, Poison, Flying, Ghost, Steel, and Fairy-type Pokémon all only take half-damage from these attacks. Additionally, Bug-type species are weak against Fire, Flying, and Rock-type attacks.

However, Bug-type attacks are useful against Grass, Psychic, and Dark-type Pokémon. Additionally, Bug-type species are resistant to Grass, Fight, and Ground-type attacks. Depending on the trainer or Gym Leader you’re fighting, a Bug-type Pokémon in your team can be a smart move.

85 Pokémon are Bug-type, meaning it’s the sixth most common type after Psychic. A little more than 9 percent of all species are Bug-type. Although in the first generation, only about 7 percent are Bug-type (12 species). That being said, players will likely encounter 8 of these species before the second gym.

Bug-Type Pokémon:

The most recognizable of this type are Butterfree, Beedrill, and Scyther. In every core game, players will encounter Bug-type species very early in the game, usually before the first gym. In Red & Blue for, example, Bug-type Pokémon will overwhelm the player in the Viridian Forest before the first gym. However, other Bug-type species like Scyther, Pinsir, and Venonat are only available in the Safari Zone.

Beedrill is a good addition to most teams. This species only takes about 25% damage from Grass and Fight-type Pokémon because it is both a Bug and Poison-type species. Keep in mind though, that Beedrill is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock-type moves.

Heracross is also a good Pokémon to have on your team. This Bug and Fight-type species have a fairly high base attack, especially for a Bug-type Pokémon. However, this species is four times weaker against Flying-type attacks! Keep this in mind when taking on species in this category.

 

Rock-Type

Your team won’t stand a chance in the field without a few Rock-type attacks. This type is strong against Fire, Ice, Bug, and Flying-type Pokémon. That means a species like Charizard is four times weaker against Rock-type moves! Only Fight, Ground, and Steel-type moves are resistant to these attacks.

Putting a Rock-type Pokémon on the defensive is another story though. This type is weak to five different attack types: Water, Grass, Fight, Ground, and Steel. Luckily, they only take half the damage from Normal, Fire, Poison, and Flying-type attacks.

69 of the 898 species in the Pokédex are Rock-type. Only 6 other types are less common than this type. That’s not to say that it’s hard to find Rock-type Pokémon in the core games. Indeed, in the first generation, players can find Geodudes after the first gym.

Rock-Type Pokémon:

There is some overlap with Ground-type Pokémon, as Geodude and Onix are two of the most recognizable Rock-type species as well. Most people will likely also recognize Kabuto and Omanyte from the first generation. Most Rock-type species are plentiful and easy to find.

Others like Kabuto and Omanyte only appear once per game and need to be revived from Fossils. A good thing for new players to note: if the Pokémon comes from a Fossil, it will most likely be part Rock-type.

In the case of Kabuto and Omanyte, these species are both Rock and Water-type. That means they only take about 25% of damage from Fire-type attacks. But remember, this ALSO means that they take four times the damage from Grass-type attacks, and are also weak to Electric-type attacks now.

One of our favorite Rock-type species is Armaldo from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire. This species is also Bug-type, so they take normal damage from Fight and Ground-type attacks. Additionally, this species can learn Water, Steel, Poison, Fight, and even Ghost-type moves. They’re both defensive and versatile.

 

Ghost-Type

If you are going for a defensive playstyle, then you need at least one Ghost-type Pokémon on your team. This type is immune to both Normal and Fight-type attacks, and only takes half damage from Poison and Bug-type moves. They are only weak to other Ghost-type moves as well as Dark-type.

That being said, Ghost-type species aren’t the best for the offense. Normal-type species are immune to their attacks, and Dark-type takes half the damage. Only Psychic and Ghost-type species are weak to Ghost-type attacks. Remember, if your opponent has a Ghost-type out, try and use a Pokémon that knows a Ghost-type attack, but is not a Ghost-type species.

Only 60 species in the franchise are Ghost-type. This means it’s the second-rarest type (tied with Fairy-type) after Ice-type. In Red & Blue, this type is especially rare. Only 3 species are Ghost-type in the game!

Ghost-Type Pokémon:

Gastly, and its evolutions Haunter and Gengar, are the most recognizable Ghost-type in the series. They are also the only Ghost-type in the first games. In most of the core games, Ghost-type Pokémon only appear in one or two specific locations. In Red & Blue, for example, Gastly only appears in The Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town.

However, their encounter rate in the tower is fairly high.

One of the best Ghost-Pokémon is Spiritomb from Pokémon Diamond & Pearl. This species is also Dark-type. This means they are immune to Normal, Fight, AND Psychic-type attacks. They only have one weakness: Fairy-type moves. Too bad there is only ever one of these Pokémon per game.

Mimikyu is another one of our favorite Ghost-type species. They are also Fairy-type, so they have an added immunity to Dragon-type attacks. However, they are also weak to Steel-type moves because of this. Keep this in mind on the battlefield!

 

Dragon-Type

It’s easy to assume that Dragon-type Pokémon are the strongest and hardiest in the series. Unfortunately, Dragon-type is not the best to have on your team. Their attacks are only strong against other Dragon-types. Most other types take normal damage from these moves, but Steel-type only take half damage, and Fairy-type species are immune.

Dragon-types are a good addition for defensive play though. These Pokémon only take half damage from Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric-type moves. However, they are weak to Dragon, Ice, and Fairy-type attacks. What this means is that Dragon-type Pokémon are hard to battle early in the game, but become considerably easier in the late game.

Dragon-type Pokémon only make up 61 of the species in the Pokédex, making it the fourth rarest type. Additionally, Dragon-type species are incredibly hard to find in most of the core games. Trainers will have to look long and hard to catch one.

Dragon-Type Pokémon:

Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite are likely the most recognizable Dragon-type Pokémon. They are also the only 3 species in Red & Blue in this type, meaning only 2 percent of the first 151 are Dragon-type. Dratini are only available in the Safari Zone after the 4th gym and have an incredibly low encounter rate.

They can be one of the most frustrating species to find in the whole series.

If you do catch one, you will be tempted to add Dratini to your team for battle. Its final evolution, Dragonite, is a Dragon and Flying-type species. While this means it’s immune to Ground-type moves, it’s also four times weaker to Ice-type attacks! This works against the player in the late game, especially when it’s time to take on the Elite Four.

Turtonator, from Pokémon Sun & Moon, is a much better Dragon-type for any team. This species is also Fire-type, which gives them protection from Ice and Fairy-type attacks. However, they are also weak to Ground and Rock-type moves. Don’t put this species up against an Onix or Golem!

 

Dark-Type

In Pokémon Gold & Silver, Nintendo added two additional types. The first of these is Dark-type Pokémon. This type is immune to Psychic-type attacks and only takes half damage from Ghost and Dark-type attacks. They are weak to Fight, Bug, and Fairy-type attacks though.

Dark-type attacks are useful against Psychic and Ghost-type species. Remember, this is one of two types that Ghost-type is weak to. Fight, Dark, and Fairy-type Pokémon only take half-damage from Dark-type attacks, but all other types take normal damage.

Like Rock-type, 69 species are Dark-type in the Pokédex. That makes it tied for the 7th least common type in the series. However, Dark-type Pokémon are typically fairly easy to find, and depending on the game, these can be found before the first gym.

Dark-Type Pokémon:

Umbreon, one of Eevee’s many evolution choices, is most likely the most recognizable species in this category. The Alolan variant of Meowth and Persian are also Dark-type though. In Gold & Silver, trainers won’t be able to catch a Dark-type until near the end of the game.

However, in games like Ruby & Sapphire, trainers can catch Dark-type the first time they enter tall grass.

Murkrow is one of the original Dark-type Pokémon. This species is also Flying-type, so they have added resistance to Fight and Bug-type attacks. Although this also means that they are weak to Electric and Rock-type attacks. Keep this in mind when building your team.

One of the best Dark-type Pokémon is Sableye from Ruby & Sapphire. Also a Ghost-type, this species is immune to Fight and Normal-type attacks along with Psychic-type attacks. Their only weakness is Fairy-type attacks. Although not the strongest species, Sableye is a great addition to your team.

 

Steel-Type

Pokémon Gold & Silver also introduced Steel-type Pokémon. Steel-type species are likely the best when it comes to defensive playstyles. Fire, Fight, and Ground-type attacks are all super effective against this type. However, this type only takes half the damage from every other type except for Water, Electric, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks.

Also, they are immune to Poison-type attacks.

Ice, Fairy, and Rock-type Pokémon are all weak to Steel-type attacks. However, Fire, Water, Electric, and Steel-type Pokémon all only take half the damage from these attacks. While Steel-type attacks will always be useful, they become the most useful in the latter part of the games.

66 different species are Steel-type, making up just over 7% of the Pokédex. In some games, these Pokémon are very rare, such as the remakes for Red & Blue, Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green. Until the post-game, players can obtain very few Steel-type species.

Steel-Type Pokémon:

Magnemite and Magneton are the most recognizable Steel-type Pokémon, and the only two in the original 151 that count in this type. It’s worth noting as well that in the original Red & Blue, these species only counted as Electric-type. In later games, such as Pokémon Sword & Sheild, Steel-type Pokémon are very easy to find, with species available before the first gym.

Magneton, and its final evolution Magnezone, are great additions to any team. Its dual Electric-type means that Flying and Steel-type moves only cause quarter damage. However, Ground-type moves cause four times the damage. Don’t put a Magnezone up against a Dugtrio!

Duraludon from Pokémon Sword & Sheild is arguably the best Steel-type out there. Since they are also Dragon-type, Fire-type attacks aren’t super effective to this species. Also, Grass-type moves only do one-quarter damage.

 

Fairy-Type

It wasn’t until Pokémon X & Y that Nintendo added Fairy-type species. These Pokémon only have two weaknesses: Poison and Steel-type attacks. They only take half damage from Fight, Bug, and Dark-type attacks, and are completely immune to Dragon-type attacks.

Dragon, Dark, and Fight-type species are all weak to Fairy-type attacks. But keep in mind that Fire, Poison, and Steel-type Pokémon only take half-damage from these attacks. Make sure you’re not wasting these attacks on species like Bulbasaur or Charizard.

Even though it’s the newest type, 60 different species are in the Pokédex as Fairy-type. That makes this type tied with Ghost-type as the second least common type. Despite this, Fairy-type Pokémon creatures are not too hard to find in the core games, depending on the species.

Fairy-type Pokémon:

Jigglypuff, Clefairy, and Togepi are likely the most recognizable Fairy-type Pokémon. But remember, they didn’t start as Fairy-type Pokémon. Up until generation six, all three of these Pokémon were only Normal-type. Most Fairy-type species are very easy to find, although won’t be available to the player until after the first gym in most cases.

In Pokémon Sun & Moon though, the starter Popplio eventually evolves into a Water and Fairy-type, Primarina.

Incidentally, Primarina is one of the best Fairy-type species available. Since they’re also Water-type, Steel-type attacks only do normal damage to them. However, they are now weak to Grass and Electric-type moves.

Galarian Weezing is our favorite Fairy-type Pokémon. This species is also Poison-type, so Poison-type attacks only do normal damage. This species is weak to Psychic and Ground-type attacks. However, if you can catch one with the Levitate ability, Ground-type attacks will not affect it at all!