Want to learn more about the different types of Pokémon? Get a complete breakdown of all 18 types – from Fire to Flying – and discover the benefits they bring.
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For fans of the main series, wanting to try Pokémon is a natural phenomenon within the community. Whether it's Pokémon Go or the trading card game equivalent, it's always good to know the combinations and type system of different Pokémon types. Additionally, new types of Pokémon have been added to the mix, complicating how things work. Likewise, there's also the issue of single-type and dual-type Pokémon, which, let's be honest, only adds confusion for someone just starting out. How do I remember all this information?
Don't worry, this article is just what you need to get started in the world of Pokémon. First, this article lists all types of Pokémon, including their strengths and effectiveness. Second, it will understand the weaknesses of different types of Pokémon (basically, the types of opponents you should avoid facing with your Pokémon). Third, an explanation of single and double types will also be provided, as it can be difficult to navigate. And finally, before you panic, forget the bird guy. In fact, forget everything before Generation V, because this list focuses on the all-new lineup of Pokémon types in the Pokémon Type Chart.
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How many types of Pokémon are there?
First of all, there are eighteen different types of Pokémon. They all have their own attack type, strength and special attacks. And for you to become a Pokémon master, you must remember that even the best Pokémon with the most effective attacks will have its weaknesses. This is why it's so important to pay attention to your Pokémon type, because they follow a pretty logical pattern. For example, pitting a water type against a water type may or may not yield the desired result. However, if you think about it logically, wouldn't it make more sense to put an Electric type against a Water type Pokémon? Naturally, the water type Pokémon will take the most effective damage. So if you forget the information in the list below, science and logic are your best friends in the meantime.
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Here are the 18 different types of Pokémon:
1. Normal
Normal-type Pokémon are very average in terms of abilities. Although this type of group contains some of the most popular Pokémon, such as Snorlax and Blissey, they do not have any special attacks or traits. However, they are by no means weak considering the fact that Arceus, the creator of the Pokémon world, is a Normal type. That said, they're pretty basic (which seems a bit mean to say, but it's unfortunately true), and their weakness is Fighting-type Pokémon. Why that ? Well, given that they're pretty average, it would make sense that that means they can't fight either. However, they are immune to the Ghost type, so there's that. And this is because ghost-types are incapable of inflicting a physical attack on them.
2. Grass
So yes, these Pokémon are all plant-based and generally look like real plants. Grass-type Pokémon are primarily green and have plant-like features (think leaves for the arms or a lily leaf for the hat). And yes, although Treecko looks like a lizard, he is a grass type. As you would expect, all of their attacks are plant-based, like Grass Knot or Seed Eruption. And unlike normal-type Pokémon, they count as special attacks that follow a type-specific theme. They are not immune to other types of Pokémon, but are one of the most durable types. Grass-types are weak against fire, bug, flying, poison, and ice types.
3. Fire
As you would expect from a type of Pokémon that is usually extremely hot, they are usually found in red, orange, and sometimes yellow. These are the first elemental types mentioned in this list and they have some really cool special attacks, like Holy Fire and Blast Burn. Fire-types are great against Grass-type Pokémon because they have a unique type advantage. Despite this, they are weak against water, rock, and ground-type Pokémon. This is mainly because fire is essentially useless against all of these types, as it would be countered quite easily.
4. Water
Aquatic types are the largest group, with 157 different species. They are primarily blue, and their design is based on real aquatic animals. They can easily produce and draw water at will (so there's a good chance they'll never go thirsty) and are great swimmers, which gives them the advantage in a body of water. But, as expected, they are weak against Grass and Electric type Pokémon. This is because Grass-types can absorb their water attacks, and as for Electric-types… there's a reason why you should never put an electrical device in a body of water. It's just not a good combination.
5. Electric
Electric-type Pokémon are usually found in yellow or blue, and unfortunately, they don't shy away from being static. And chances are you won't see them near large bodies of water. That said, they are incredibly energetic and have some of the coolest special attacks, like Thunderbolt and Shockwave. And if you've seen the anime, some of these moves will be familiar to you from Ash and Pikachu's fights. Naturally, they are weak against Ground-type Pokémon, as you cannot electrocute the ground. However, they are a great choice against Water-types.
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6. Bug
With these Pokémon, their designs are generally insect-based, and a good majority of insect-types have four or more legs. They are one of the most effective types because their attacks are quite strong against Dark, Grass, and Psychic-type Pokémon and their attacks. The latter is mainly because insects are scary no matter the occasion. In comparison, they are weak against fire, flying, and stone types. This is because fire and insects are not a good combination, flying types have the upper hand and rock types are difficult.
7. Poison
Poison-type Pokémon are incredibly cool, but at the same time, they're probably some of the smelliest of the whole bunch. And this makes sense in most cases, because Weezing, for example, releases a toxic gas from its body, so naturally the Pokémon smells bad. Plus, they're probably the most ill-mannered community type in the Pokémon universe. What about toxicity? Although Poison-type has very powerful attacks, such as Mud Bomb and Poison Fang, they are weak against Psychic and Ground-type Pokémon. With Earth types, their poison loses potency, and with Psychic types, it's difficult to win against someone who can read your mind.
8. Steering wheel
Flying-type Pokémon mostly have wings and possess the ability to fly. The flying-type label can be used interchangeably with bird-type as they are mostly in the same group (except for Pokémon based on flightless birds like penguins and ostriches). That being said, their designs are based on aerial creatures like birds, flying insects and bats. Flying-types have some great attacks, like Air Blast and Sky Attack. And although the latter is one of the most powerful moves of the flying types, it can only be used in special circumstances. Although they are weak against rock, electricity, and ice types, they are also immune to ground types.
9. Rock
Although they are quite durable and extremely tough, Rock-types are not the toughest of all Pokémon types. They have a crumbly appearance but have extremely high defense thanks to their rock-hard exterior. This means that it is much more difficult to cause damage to them unless they are facing a type of Pokémon that they are weak against. All of their attacks are physical, but that's to be expected from a solid-type Pokémon. Rock-types are weak against Water, Grass, Ground Fighting, and Steel-type Pokémon.
10. Ground
You're probably wondering why rock types and ground types aren't in the same category, right? Well, that's where the dilemma of single or dual-type Pokémon comes in. Although a more detailed explanation is provided below, many soil types are dual rock types. This means that they belong to two Pokémon types instead of just one. That aside, Ground-types are a great move if you're fighting on offense. They are excellent against five other types, including fighting-type Pokémon. Their Earthquake special move is one of the strongest attacks in the game, but they are still weak against Grass, Water, and Ice types. However, they are immune to Electric-type Pokémon because, again, electricity can't really affect the ground.
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11. Ice cream
As the rarest type of Pokemon one can encounter, ice types are usually designed after arctic animals or see more mythical designs. Their rarity is due to their small numbers, with only 60 different species. They are usually blue and white, and many are made of snow. We can therefore assume that they hate sunny days. Although they have extraordinary abilities and are excellent against grass, ground, flying, and dragon types, they do have weaknesses. Naturally, they are weak against Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon, as Ice-based attacks are essentially useless against these attack types.
12. Fight
Although Fighting Types vary in appearance, they are all strong and muscular. Perfect if you fight on offense; Most attacks fall into the physical category as they have excellent combat skills. Their builds and attacks are based on great martial artists, meaning that Pokémon in this type chart can try their hand at various forms of combat without issue. Additionally, they have some fantastic special moves, the strongest being the Focus Punch Meteor Assault. Despite this, they still have their weaknesses: flying, psychic, and fairy-type Pokémon. However, they are excellent against bugs, rocks, and dark Pokémon.
13. Psychic
There is no specific appearance trait for Psychic-type Pokémon, but they are, however, the most intelligent type of all those included in this list. As one of the more substantial types on this list, there are few weaknesses regarding these overpowered creatures. And while they have some of the most notable abilities, like telekinesis, hypnosis, and teleportation, they are not entirely OP (overpowered). They are weak against Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type Pokémon, mainly because these are the three most common fears. In comparison, they are super effective against Fighting and other Psychic-types. This last point is mainly explained by the fact that their attacks count as special types, and it would make sense that they would be able to take what they throw at them.
14. Ghost
As their name suggests, these Pokémon are literally ghosts. With only two immunities, ghost-type Pokémon are even rarer than ice-type ones. While there are around 60 ice-type species, ghost-types have even fewer, with only 34 different species. However, this does not prevent them from being among the most mischievous Pokémon in their respective universe. Although they are immune to Normal Type Pokémon, they are weak to other Ghost Types as well as Dark Type. Their immunity comes from their inability to touch normal beings, so they cannot attack them. And this ties into their weakness against other types of ghosts, as only the dead can sense each other. This means that one type of ghost can attack another type of ghost. They are also very effective against insect and poison type Pokémon.
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15. Dragon
To the surprise of absolutely no one, dragons are the strongest of all Pokémon (because dragons are awesome). To learn more, there are nine legendary Pokémon that are part dragon-type and four dragon-types with legendary stats. However, the downside to Dragon-types is their infamous reputation when it comes to training, as they prove to be quite difficult. Additionally, they take longer to evolve than many other types, meaning they will keep their weaker form longer than most other Pokémon types. And while they are weak against other Dragon, Ice, and Fairy types, they are incredibly effective against Fire, Water, Electric, and Grass types in terms of defense.
16.Dark
Dark-type Pokémon were brought in as reinforcements when it became clear that psychic-type Pokémon were all-powerful. And, when paired with a ghost type, they make an untouchable combination. With emotional looking Pokémon designs, they are very effective against Psychic and Ghost types. However, their weaknesses lie in Fighting, Bug, and Fairy types. This last point is because you can't really defend yourself against fairy magic. And just as a side note, the designs of these Pokémon deserve some praise because it's hard to find cooler creatures than Umbreon and Absol. For example, have you seen Absol's bangs?
17.Steel
As the strongest defensive type, Steel-type Pokémon come across as tougher than Rock-types. While originally they could resist Ghost and Dark-types, they now only have immunity to Poison-type Pokémon. This is because waste/toxic gases cannot really affect steel. But despite losing their resistance to ghosts and dark types, they only deal neutral damage in combat. Shiny in appearance, these types are weak against Fire, Fighting, and Ground-type Pokémon. But they are incredibly effective against Ice, Rock, and Fairy types.
18. Fairy
As a new addition to the world of Pokémon, the fairy type proves to be a threat to dragon type communities. Honestly, it seems like the fairy type was introduced purely to humiliate the dragon type, as there isn't much explanation as to why they are so good at taking them down. Just like ice and psychic type Pokémon, they are also very rare. There are only 60 that can be found in the games. Rather pink (and cute) in appearance, they are also sparkly and can sometimes glow in the dark. They possess cool special attacks such as Moonblast and Sparkly Swirl and have Tinkaton as their strongest and cutest Pokémon type. They possess magical powers and like grass-type Pokémon but are weak against poison and steel-types. They are also immune to dragons, which is normal.
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What is the difference between single and double type Pokémon?
Simply put, single-type Pokémon belong to a single type, such as grass, dragon, or poison. In comparison, dual types can belong to two or more types simultaneously. So, as mentioned in the list above, some ground-types are also rock-type Pokémon. And while you might think this means the Pokémon now has dual abilities, that's not always the case. In general, the Pokémon will still shoot towards a Simple Type attack, but it will potentially deal more damage. This also means that it will have the weakness of both types, making it even weaker. A good example of this is Rayquaza, a dragon and a flying type, both of which are weak against ice types. This means that Rayquaza will be more susceptible to damage than a single Dragon-type or a single Flying-type.
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