Summary
Pokemonfans who want to go competitive will want to maximize the combat potential of theirPokemonroster. Those who want to become the next Champion in Nintendo’s hit franchise have got to give their A-Game - synergy and strategy play a huge role in any hopeful Champion’s arsenal. However, most Pokemon experts rely on Type synergies to maximize the presence of their Pokemon in a match.
With18 Pokemon Types, it’s not easy to find thebestPokemonType Combosout there. With Pokemon having distinct move sets, strengths, and weaknesses associated with each Type, it seems just having the right Type Combination can secure a match.
Updated July 14, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With Pokemon GO teasing Halloween 2024 festivities with Gigantamax Raids and a huge leak revealing exciting games to come, Pokemon fans should anticipate an exciting 2024 in their midst. However, fans who want to master their Pokemon experience should consider taking their battles to the next level by learning about more Type Combinations they can use in their fights.
Among must-try Type Combinations include the ferocity of Dragon/Steel, as well as the electrifying radiance of Electric/Fairy - both interesting combinations for their take on defensive resistances and opportunities for heavy-hitting offense.
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Fans ofPokemongameplaywho want the equivalent of the “best of both worlds” may appreciate the complementary Dual Typing ofDragon/Steel.When looked at separately, Dragon-type is often touted as an aggressive powerhouse for heavy-hitting gameplay, whereas Steel-type is praised as a naturally-defensive Pokemon type. When combined, Dragon/Steel boasts the offensive advantages of Dragon-types with Steel’s supportive Fairy Resistance, circumventing Dragon’s notable weakness to the Typing.
Taking them as a combination means Dragon/Steel has a natural Immunity to Poison-types and major weaknesses against Ground and Fighting-types - both of which can be circumvented with the right switch-up strategies. In competitive play, Steel’s natural defenses provides the Pokemon with the opportunity to count on Dragon’s traditionally-sweeping attacks.
Notable Moves for Dragon/Steel Pokemon
The Ideal Teammates
Despite the decent overall firepower of the Dragon/Steel-type, they can make all the difference in the battlefield when used alongside the right teammates - especially if they can cover the Dual-type’s weaknesses against Fighting and Ground-types. Ideal Pokemon to use in this scenario include:
Although rare in terms of the number of Pokemon that possess them across thePokemonfranchise, theElectric/FairyTyping can be quite the effective offensive Type for teams that need a heavy-hitter with decent resistances. When taken separately, Fairy-types have natural Resistances to otherwise powerful Dragon and Dark-types, while Electric-type boasts offensive prowess against Flying and Water-types.
Combined, the combination not only takes advantage of their Resistances and Advantages but also the fact that very few Typings resist both Electric-type and Fairy-type Moves. Not only that, but the Dual Typing can technically adapt to different opponents and constantly pressure them. When constructed with the right team, an Electric/Fairy Pokemon canbecome a Competitive powerhouse.
Notable Moves for Electric/Fairy Pokemon
Despite the impressive potential of Electric/Fairy Pokemon, they still need coverage against Ground-types as they’re immune to their Electric-type Moves. Thankfully, some teammates that could help them secure the victory include:
15Grass/Dark
Manageable Weaknesses Through Speed, Healing
Due to how mundane-sounding the Grass-Type seems, it’s pretty surprising to see them paired with Dark-Types due to how unconventional the Type is at first glance. However, this rather odd mix may very well lead to some powerful Pokemon, especially when built correctly. As with other Dual Types, this Typing builds upon the best of what Grass and Dark-Types could offer.
In terms of strength, theGrass/DarkTyping immediately boasts powerful attacks against more common Ground, Rock, and Water-Types, while at the same time packing a punch against rarer Ghost and Psychic Types. However, players need to pay attention to weaknesses as well, as the Typing shares vulnerabilities against common Bug and Fire-Types and is weak against unconventional Fairy-Types.
Notable Moves For Grass/Dark Pokemon
Given how the Grass/Dark Typing can benefit via immunity towards Psychic-Type attacks and abilities like Prankster that aim to slow them down, the best way to maximize teams of this type is to secure Pokemon that can cover the Grass Type’s inherent weaknesses. Suggested Pokemon to pair with these Pokemon include:
14Fire/Ghost
Unconventional Types Can Become Easier To Deal With, Defend Against
When one hears of a Fire-Type, common partner Types immediately include Dragon and Ground Types, mainly due to themes. In turn, seeing Fire being paired with Ghost for the Fire/Ghost Typing seems like a rather odd choice, especially regarding statistics. TheFire/GhostType immediately brings strength to the table, particularly against rather unconventional Types such as Psychic and Steel.
However, players may also want to note odd elements regarding this Typing. Thanks to the Ghost Type another half, these Pokemonare immediately immune to Normal and Fighting Types. Interestingly enough, players need to be wary that the Ghost Typing means these Fire/Ghost Pokemon are weak against and strong against fellow Ghost-Types.
Notable Moves For Fire/Ghost Pokemon
The Fire/Ghost Dual Typing’s inherent weaknesses to Dark, Ghost, Ground, Rock, and Water means a team with these Pokemon need to work their way around different Type Attacks. Instead of accommodating each of these Types, however, players may simply want to be able to get out of sticky situations whenever necessary. Here are some setups to consider:
13Water/Fighting
Buffs Can Enhance Strengths, Adjust To Weaknesses
It’s not often that a Pokemon can ever tout both a Water and a Fighting Typing, mainly due to how unconventional their themes could get. However, the image of a martial artist being rather slippery to avoid enemy blows is precisely what the Water/FightingType would boast.
At its core, theWater/Fightingwould bring in some of the best Attacks against rather powerful PokemonTypings, prevalent ones such as Fire and Ground, while simultaneously being able to dish out damage against unconventional foes such as Dark and Steel Types. Unfortunately, players need to note that this Typing is a double-edged sword, as this Dual Type is weak against common Grass Types and Psychic Types.
Notable Moves For Water/Fighting Pokemon
While the Water/Fighting Dual Typing doesn’t suffer from the crippling 4X Damage from Grass, the number of Weaknesses still pose a threat to a player’s main Pokemon with this setup. In turn, teams may want to include the following:
12Fire/Fighting
Straightforward Offense Can Pulverize Careless Foes
Granted, some might say that theFire/FightingDual Type is too common of a combination. It also doesn’t help that it has weaknesses to the more common Ground Types and the more potent Flying and Psychic Types. However, those who can make fast-paced builds can work around these weaknesses and capitalize on Fire/Fighting and its strengths.
Essentially, the Fighting Type aspect finally removes the Fire Type’s innate weakness from Fire. Moreover, players can capitalize on ever-helpful Fire Type and Fighting Type maneuvers such as Flamethrower and Close Combat.
Notable Moves For Fire/Fighting Pokemon
Despite the infamy of the Fire/Fighting Typing among Starters, fans who want to take advantage of fast-paced plays may want to consider upping their defenses against specialized Flying, Ground, Psychic, and Water Types. In this regard, team setups to consider could be composed of:
11Water/Fairy
Common Type Weaknesses Are A Reasonable Trade For Powerful Defense
TheWater/FairyDual Type evidently rises to the occasion when it comes to decently balancing a Pokemon’s inherent weakness/resistance statistics. Granted, this Type Combination does have weaknesses in the form of Electric, Grass, and Poison Pokemon. However, its inherent defensive resistance and offensive advantages trump more powerful Pokemonteams.
For instance, Fairy contributes an innate immunity to the Dragon Type - great for canceling out the popularity of Dragon Type in the meta. Its resistances also form a great defenseagainst powerful attackssuch as Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Flamethrower, and good ol' melee combat. Lastly, this type is a nightmare of naturally potent Types, perfect to counter otherwise strong setups.
Notable Moves For Water/Fairy Pokemon
With the Water/Fairy Typing still runs the risk of getting double damage from Electric, Grass, and Poison Types, players may also want to consider capitalizing on dishing out more pain to Types it’s resistant towards. In these instances, ideal teammates are:
10Electric/Steel
Adapting To Ground Weaknesses Can Elevate Fast-Paced Plays
Players who want an awesome defensive Dual Type Combination will love the potential ofElectric/Steel. In fact, this type alone has the most number of resistances in the series. Aside from its immunity to Poison, an Electric/Steel type can wreck matcheswith powerhouse movessuch as Body Press, Flash Cannon, Thunderbolt, and Magnet Pull.
Granted, this Dual Type Combination has a maddening 4x weakness against Ground and equally frustrating weaknesses against Fire and Fighting. However, players who can work around these caveats can fully capitalize its 11 Resistances to victory.
Notable Moves For Electric/Steel Pokemon
Players looking for more variety for their Electric/Steel Typing should be very wary of defending not just from Fire and Fighting Types but also devastating Ground Moves. In this regard, securing protections or delaying enemy attacks should be a priority for this combination’s teams. Sample setups include:
9Water/Flying
Can Wreck Traditional Meta Members
Players who want a more straightforward Dual Type Combination will appreciateWater/Flying. Essentially, it does great when it comes to naturally negating each others' weak points. For instance, this Dual Type no longer has their individual aspects' natural weaknesses against Grass Types (for Water), and Ice Types (for Flying).
Likewise, this Dual Type Combination can get deadly against the more common Fighting, Fire, and Ground Types in the meta. Of course, players have to work around this type’s natural weakness to Rock Types and its rather deadly 4x weakness against Electric Types.
Notable Moves For Water/Flying Pokemon
The glaring Rock and Electric-Type weaknesses of Water/Flying Dual Types mean its teammates have to cover these setbacks to be more effective in battle. When dealt with, however, Water/Flying could pose huge threats on the battlefield. In this case, ideal party members could be:
8Steel/Flying
Decent Defenses Provide Room For Various Attack Strategies
In the right hands, theSteel/FlyingType can spell disaster for opponents. This typing fully maximizes the benefits of both the Steel Type and the Flying Type. Essentially, the Flying Type aspect negates the otherwise deadly potential of the Ground Type. Meanwhile, the Steel Type aspect helps counteract the Flying Type’s natural weakness against the Rock Type.
With these synergies in mind, the Steel/Flying combination will remain useful to natural powerhouses amongst competitive Pokemonregardless ofrarity statussuch as Fairy, Fighting, Ice, and Rock Types. Likewise, it has natural resistances against powerful Dragon and Psyching Types. Players just need to stay wary of the natural weakness of Fire and Electric Types.
Notable Moves For Steel/Flying Pokemon
The inherent weaknesses of Steel/Flying Dual Typings against Fire and Electric means players need a team with members that can counteract these threats. Due to the number of extra Weaknesses this Dual Typing has, it may help to focus instead on general defense and pumping as many attacks as possible. In this regard, suggested teams include:
