Learn These Pokémon Types and You Can Be a Pokémon Master

The Pokémon video games are a lot of fun to play, but there are plenty of battle mechanics to learn in order to become a Pokémon master. There are IVs and EVs, evolutions, held items, and elemental types and weaknesses. You may ask yourself, "how many Pokémon types are there"? In the Pokémon video games, there are a total of 18 different elemental types! We'll break down each type and share their elemental weaknesses and resistances so you can craft your ideal Pokémon team. Please note that this information is for the most recent games, so there may be differences if you play earlier Pokémon games! It's all elementary, really.

Ghost Pokémon

Ghost-type Pokémon are part of the original 15 types that have been with us since Gen I. Part glass cannon and part utility, their low HP was made more viable with 2 type immunities. (That would be normal and fighting type!) There has been some mystery about how Ghost Pokémon originated, whether they were the spirits of other Pokémon who died or were just born that way. The Pokédex entries for a few of them hint at their origins, but others are likely to remain a mystery.

Popular Ghost Pokémon

• Ghastly, Haunter, and Gengar
• Duskull and Dusclops
• Mimikyu
• Dreepy, Drakolac, and Dragapult
• Giratina

Ghost-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Ghost and Psychic
• Not very effective against: Dark
• Ineffective against: Normal

Ghost-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Ghost and Dark

Ghost-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Bug and Poison
• Immune to: Normal and Fighting

Psychic Pokémon

Did you know that Psychic-type is the most common elemental type to appear in a legendary Pokémon? This has been a trend since Generation I introduced Mew and Mewtwo! Psychic Pokémon tend towards special attacks more than physical attacks, which may play into your move choices when using dual-type Pokémon. There are actually Psychic-type Pokémon with dual typing from every other element, so you have plenty of great coverage choices when creating your Pokémon team!

Popular Psychic Pokémon

• Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam
• Espeon
• Ralts, Kirlia, and Gardevoir
• Ponyta and Rapidash (Galarian form)
• Mew and Mewtwo

Psychic-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Fighting and Poison
• Not very effective against: Psychic
• Ineffective against: None

Psychic-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Bug, Dark, and Ghost

Psychic-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Fighting and Psychic
• Immune to: None

Dragon Pokémon

One of the most powerful Pokémon types overall, Dragon-type Pokémon are often more difficult to find and catch in the wild. In our opinion, they also have some of the coolest designs! They actually introduced Fairy-type Pokémon in Generation VI to help balance Dragon's lack of weaknesses compared to other Pokémon types. Like Ghost-type Pokémon, Dragon-type is the only other Pokémon weak to their own element!

Popular Dragon Pokémon

• Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite
• Gible, Gabite, and Garchomp
• Deino, Zweilous, and Hydreigon
• Noibat and Noivern
• Latias and Latios

Dragon-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Dragon
• Not very effective against: Steel
• Ineffective against: Fairy

Dragon-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Dragon, Fairy, and Ice

Dragon-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Electic, Fire, Grass, and Water
• Immune to: None

Water Pokémon

As one of the three starter types (the other two being Grass and Fire), Water-type creates a perfect triangle with the starter types being weak or resistant to each other. Water is also the most common element in Pokémon! Given how much biodiversity there is, it makes sense with the abundant marine and amphibious creatures that most Water Pokémon are based on. Like Psychic-type, Water-type is another element that has combinations with all 18 elemental Pokémon types.

Popular Water Pokémon

• Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise
• Mudkip, Marshtomp, and Swampert
• Feebas and Milotic
• Mareanie and Toxapex
• Suicune and Walking Wake

Water-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Fire, Ground, and Rock
• Not very effective against: Dragon, Grass, and Water
• Ineffective against: None

Water-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Electric and Grass

Water-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water
• Immune to: None

Rock Pokémon

Slow and defensive, Rock-type Pokémon are commonly used as tanks in Pokémon battles. They also boast the most robust lineup of fossil Pokémon! However, they're not without their checks and balances. Many Rock-type Pokémon are naturally slow and have the most extensive list of weaknesses. (Tied with grass.) Rock Pokémon generally appear as if they're encased in rock-like armor, while others look more like sentient rocks!

Popular Rock Pokémon

• Geodude, Graveler, and Golem
• Larvitar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar
• Rockruff and Lycanroc
• Rhyhor, Rhydon, and Rhyperior
• Diancie

Rock-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Bug, Fire, Flying, and Ice
• Not very effective against: Fighting, Ground, and Steel
• Ineffective against: None

Rock-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water

Rock-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Fire, Flying, Normal, and Poison
• Immune to: None

Fire Pokémon

As we mentioned earlier, Fire is one of the three starter types related to one of the three Pokémon you can choose from at the start of your adventure. Many moves of this type also have an additional ability to inflict the Burn status on other Pokémon. Because animals and natural phenomena related to fire are relatively rare in nature, an assortment of creatures and objects inspire Fire-type Pokémon designs. Some inspirations include candles and lanterns, mythological creatures, and lava!

Popular Fire Pokémon

• Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard
• Growlithe and Arcanine
• Larvesta and Volcarona
• Turtonator
• Ho-Oh

Fire-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Bug, Grass, Ice, and Steel
• Not very effective against: Dragon, Fire, Rock, and Water
• Ineffective against: None

Fire-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Ground, Rock, and Water

Fire-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Bug, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, and Steel
• Immune to: None

Electric Pokémon

Some of the fastest Pokémon in the games, Electric-type Pokémon have a need for speed! Many Electric attacks have the chance to paralyze a target, which additionally cuts its speed and may prevent them from moving. Because of the popularity of the Pokémon mascot Pikachu, nearly every generation has had an electric rodent/Pikachu clone. (Generation II gives Pikachu a pre-volution, so it counts on a technicality!) Electric-type Pokémon are also tied with Normal-type for having the least weaknesses, making them very useful in battle.

Popular Electric Pokémon

• Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichou
• Jolteon
• Mareep, Flaafy, and Ampharos
• Toxel and Toxtricity
• Raikou

Electric-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Flying and Water
• Not very effective against: Dragon, Electric, and Grass
• Ineffective against: Ground

Electric-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Ground

Electric-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Electric, Flying, and Steel
• Immune to: None

Dark Pokémon

Dark was one of two new types introduced in Generation II, along with Steel-type. Because of the amount of Psychic-type Pokémon and a lack of effective counters, Dark-type Pokémon were introduced to balance battles. Several factors may influence what could be considered a Dark-type Pokémon. Some of them are based on nocturnal creatures, whereas others use a lot of dark colors in their overall design. With moves like Sucker Punch and Nasty Plot, Dark-type Pokémon may just appear intimidating or like scrappy fighters. In the end, you can't help but love them!

Popular Dark Pokémon

• Umbreon
• Absol
• Zorua and Zoroark
• Impidimp, Morgrem, and Grimmsnarl
• Darkrai

Dark-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Ghost and Psychic
• Not very effective against: Dark, Fairy, and Fighting
• Ineffective against: None

Dark-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Bug, Fairy, and Fighting

Dark-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Dark and Ghost
• Immune to: Psychic

Bug Pokémon

Bug-Type Pokémon are commonly plentiful in beginner areas, as they evolve quickly and are easy to catch. Out of all the 18 Pokémon types, it is still the only one yet to be featured in a Legendary Pokémon. (We'll have to see if that changes in future games!) Their designs and evolutionary lines commonly look like a lot of bugs and other invertebrates with similar life cycles. (That would be starting at the larval stage, then evolving to a pupa, and finally maturing to its adult form.) On average, they have the lowest overall stats and the lowest HP. Still, there are some great Bug-type Pokémon that would be a shame for you to overlook!

Popular Bug Pokémon

• Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree
• Pinsir
• Scyther, Scizor, and Kleavor
• Snom and Frosmoth
• Genesect

Bug-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Dark, Psychic, and Grass
• Not very effective against: Ghost, Steel, Poison, Fairy, Flying, Fighting, and Fire
• Ineffective against: None

Bug-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Flying, Fire, and Rock

Bug-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Grass, Fighting, and Ground
• Immune to: None

Grass Pokémon

The third and final element for starter Pokémon is Grass-type. Quite a few of their designs are based on plants and fungi, but others are simply animals featuring vegetation in their overall design. A typical dual-type mixture for Grass Pokémon is the Poison-type, which makes sense because there are quite a few species of toxic plants! Many Grass-type Pokémon are used for inflicting status effects and healing, making them a valuable asset to most teams.

Popular Grass Pokémon

• Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur
• Leafeon
• Bounsweet, Steenee, and Tsareena
• Toedscool and Toedscruel
• Virizion and Iron Leaves

Grass-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Water, Rock, and Ground
• Not very effective against: Dragon, Bug, Fire, Flying, Poison, Steel, and Grass
• Ineffective against: None

Grass-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison, and Bug

Grass-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Electric, Ground, Water, and Grass
• Immune to: None

Ice Pokémon

Currently the rarest elemental type, there are relatively few Ice-type Pokémon. Many Ice-type Pokémon designs are based on Arctic and Antarctic creatures or animals that like the snow, but they also include references to cold things. (Such as blocks of ice and even ice cream!) These cool creatures have a chance to completely freeze opponents, rendering them immobile for several turns until they thaw. That's certainly one way to stop your competitors ice cold!

Popular Ice Pokémon

• Glaceon
• Snorunt, Glalie, and Froslass
• Swinub, Piloswine, and Mamoswine
• Cetoddle and Cetitan
• Articuno

Ice-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Grass, Ground, Dragon, and Flying
• Not very effective against: Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water
• Ineffective against: None

Ice-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Fighting, Rock, Fire, and Steel

Ice-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Ice
• Immune to: None

Fairy Pokémon

To create balanced counters for Dragon-type and Dark-type Pokémon, Fairy-type was introduced in Generation 6. Specifically, Pokémon such as Spiritomb and Sableye had no weaknesses before Gen 6 due to their dual Ghost and Dark-type status. Several Pokémon from earlier generations were changed to be Fairy-type so that there would be more variety, including the few that were brand new. They have some of the cutest designs out of all the Pokémon!

Popular Fairy Pokémon

• Sylveon
• Cottonee and Whimsicott
• Togepi, Togetic, and Togekiss
• Tinkatink, Tinkatuff, and Tinkaton
• Zacian

Fairy-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Dragon, Dark, and Fighting
• Not very effective against: Steel, Fire, and Poison
• Ineffective against: None

Fairy-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Poison and Steel

Fairy-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Bug, Dark, and Fighting
• Immune to: Dragon

Poison Pokémon

Did you know that in Gen I, Poison-type Pokémon were actually the most common, edging out Water Pokémon? They were quickly outnumbered in subsequent generations but had a good run! Many Poison-type Pokémon were derived from poisonous or venomous plants and creatures, from snakes and centipedes to mushrooms and rafflesia flowers. Some moves can poison opponents, doing damage every turn until an antidote is applied or the affected Pokémon is healed at a Pokémon Center. Poison-type Pokémon often have spiny or thorny appearances to show that you shouldn't tangle with them!

Popular Poison Pokémon

• Nidoran, Nidorina, Nidorino, Nidoqueen, and Nidoking
• Croagunk and Toxicroak
• Budew, Roselia, and Roserade
• Shroodle and Grafaiai
• Eternatus

Poison-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Grass and Fairy
• Not very effective against: Poison, Ground, Rock, and Ghost
• Ineffective against: Steel

Poison-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Psychic and Ground

Poison-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Grass, Fairy, Poison, Fighting, and Bug
• Immune to: None

Steel Pokémon

Just like Dark-type Pokémon, Steel-type was added in Generation II to balance some fairly overpowered Pokémon. They were made as a more defensive counter to Psychic and Normal Pokémon, which had great offensive lineups. Still, Steel-type Pokémon aren't slouches regarding their attack power, as can be the case with some defenders. However, they lack speed as they are heavy Pokémon, just like Rock-type Pokémon. Steel Pokémon designs are often very metallic, based on objects made of metal or creatures with metallic armor.

Popular Steel Pokémon

• Steelix
• Beldum, Metang, and Metagross
• Aron, Lairon, and Aggron
• Duraludon
• Jirachi

Steel-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Ice, Fairy, and Rock
• Not very effective against: Steel, Fire, Electric, and Water
• Ineffective against: None

Steel-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Fire, Ground, and Fighting

Steel-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Dragon, Bug, Flying, Fairy, Grass, Ice, Normal, Psychic, Steel, and Rock
• Immune to: Poison

Flying Pokémon

It's common knowledge that the 4 classical elements are fire, earth, water, and air. Interestingly enough, even with 18 types, Pokémon technically lacks an air element. This spot is taken by Flying-type, reserved for Pokémon who reside in the sky and use aerial or wind-related attacks. The overwhelming majority of Flying-type Pokémon are designed from birds, but they're not without a few oddballs. (We're looking at you, Fan Rotom and Mantine!)

Popular Flying Pokémon

• Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot
• Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat
• Noibat and Noivern
• Rookidee, Corvisquire, and Corviknight
• Yvetal

Flying-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Grass, Fighting, and Bug
• Not very effective against: Steel, Rock, and Electric
• Ineffective against: None

Flying-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Electric, Rock, and Ice

Flying-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Fighting, Grass, and Bug
• Immune to: Ground

Fighting Pokémon

As you might have noticed, Pokémon attacks have two different fighting styles—special and physical. Fighting-type Pokémon mainly specialize in physical attacks, as there are relatively few special Fighting attacks. The Pokémon in this category are often humanoid or bipedal in nature, and some even convey real-world fighting styles in their stances and overall design. In fact, two famous martial artists have been immortalized in the Pokémon franchise as Hitmonlee (Bruce Lee) and Hitmonchan (Jackie Chan)!

Popular Fighting Pokémon

• Machop, Machoke, and Machamp
• Riolu and Lucario
• Hawlucha
• Hakamo-o and Kommo-o
• Koraidon

Fighting-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark
• Not very effective against: Flying, Fairy, Poison, Psychic, and Bug
• Ineffective against: Ghost

Fighting-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Flying, Psychic, and Fairy

Fighting-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Dark, Bug, and Rock
• Immune to: None

Ground Pokémon

Essentially Pokémon's "earth" elemental type, Ground Pokémon are generally found in caves and regions that are very rocky or sandy. It is also the most resisted type, with Flying Pokémon completely unaffected by Ground moves. A handful of Pokémon with the Levitate ability also don't take damage from Ground moves. Still, Ground-type Pokémon have several very powerful attacks and an immunity to electric attacks, making them extremely useful battle partners!

Popular Ground Pokémon

• Cubone and Marowak
• Trapinch, Vibrava, and Flygon
• Baltoy and Claydol
• Wooper and Clodsire (Paldean form)
• Zygarde

Ground-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: Electric, Rock, Steel, Fire, and Poison
• Not very effective against: Grass and Bug
• Ineffective against: Flying

Ground-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Water, Ice, and Grass

Ground-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: Rock and Poison
• Immune to: Electric

Normal Pokémon

Unlike other Pokémon types, there isn't any one unifying feature to represent what a Normal-type Pokémon is. They're relatively common in low-level areas, but there are some late-game Normal Pokémon too! In every game, you'll find a low-level Pokémon in the starter area that evolves by or at level 20, giving you a leg-up when you take on your first gym. Sometimes a Pokémon with the Normal-type has a variety of forms or evolutions with multiple type possibilities, such as Eevee and Castform, and the legendary Arceus. They're so adaptable that we can't help but love Normal-type Pokémon!

Popular Normal Pokémon

• Munchlax and Snorlax
• Eevee
• Porygon, Porygon 2, and Porygon Z
• Stufful and Bewear
• Arceus

Normal-Type Effectiveness (Offense):

• Super-effective against: None
• Not very effective against: Rock and Steel
• Ineffective against: Ghost

Normal-Type Weaknesses (Defense):

• Weak to: Fighting

Normal-Type Resistances (Defense):

• Resistant to: None
• Immune to: Ghost

That's a lot to remember, but thankfully there are tons of Pokémon resources to help you remember your Pokémon types, resistances, and weaknesses—like our guide to the 50 most powerful Pokémon moves. What are some of your favorite Pokémon? Who has to be part of your battle team no matter what? We'd love to hear about your Pokémon prowess in the comments! Also, don't forget to check out our Pokémon gifts! You'll feel like a Pokémon Master in no time.