There are 18 different types in Pokémon, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Here's a look at how to utilize them in Pokémon GO.
Types have been an integral part of the Pokémon franchise since it’s inception, and with Pokémon GO they’re just as important. Pokémon operates on rock-paper-scissors style combat, where different types are effective when attacking others, or resistant when defending against certain types. Water Gun, a Water move, is effective against Fire-type Pokémon, but Grass-type Pokémon resist it. Of course, effective moves deal more damage than regular moves and are the key to winning battles in nearly every game in the series.
Many players starting with Pokémon GO as their first entry may not be completely familiar with type matchups, and it can be hard to keep track of every single interaction even if you're a long-time player. It's important to understand how types work, so here's a look at how to make the most of type advantages in Pokémon GO.
The types in Pokémon Go and their weaknesses are no different than in the main series. Anyone that’s played Sword and Shield or any of the other recent games should be familiar with these type matchups, the varying strengths, and weaknesses of each type, but for those returning to Pokémon Go after many years to check out the latest update, or those new to the series, above are all the Type matchups in the game. From top to bottom and left to right, there's Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy. There are 18 types in total, and many Pokémon are dual-type, meaning they have more than one. These impact their weaknesses, so place close attention to both types.
What options players have for building their teams is dependent on their surrounding area. In the mainline games, Pokémon appear in specific routes, but in Pokémon Go their location is tied to their type; Water-types near bodies of water, for instance. Having a wide variety of types is important for countering any enemy Pokémon players come across in gyms, so don’t exclusively catch one or two types! Also make sure to look at the moves each Pokémon comes with, as they’re not all the same even if they’re the same Pokémon.
As the game nears it’s fourth anniversary this summer, there are many game modes that have been implemented during Pokémon Go’s lifespan. The earliest addition, Gym Battles, let players leave their Pokémon at their team’s gym to defend it. The best Pokémon types to place as defenders are those with fewer type weaknesses. Bulky normal types, like Snorlax, Blissey, and Slaking, are often seen defending gyms because they only resist Fighting types. If other trainers have already placed their Pokémon in a gym, consider placing a Pokémon that covers their weakness. So if a Pokémon weak to Fighting is defending, place a Pokémon with Psychic, Flying or Fairy moves in the gym to cover that weakness. This forces players attacking the gym to have more diverse teams to compensate and not just brute force their way through with 1 type.
Another type of battle are the online bouts players can participate from the comfort of their home. They select 3 Pokémon and then head into battle against another player in a similar tier of difficulty. Which types of Pokémon players ought to bring is much harder to choose from, as unlike with gym battles, there’s no telling what the opponent may have. When picking team composition, choose Pokémon with varying types and moves that complement one another. For example, bring a water type like Piplup along if another party member is weak to fire or ground; their water moves will help counter the weaknesses of their teammates.
Pokémon Go is available for IOS and Android.
