Type effectiveness is the foundation of Pokemon strategy. There are 18 types, each with strengths and weaknesses. A super-effective hit deals 2x damage, a not-very-effective hit deals 0.5x, and some combinations are immune entirely. Dual types multiply these effects — a Rock move against Charizard (Fire/Flying) hits for 4x damage.
Offensive Priorities
The most valuable offensive types are Ground, Rock, Ice, and Fighting. Ground hits five types super-effectively, Ice hits four including the powerful Dragon type, and Fighting shreds most Normal and Dark walls.
Defensive Champions
For tanking, Steel is the gold standard — it resists 10 different types and is immune to Poison. Fairy resists Fighting, Bug, and Dark, and is immune to Dragon. Ghost is immune to Normal and Fighting, giving it perfect defensive play against physical attackers.
Common Dual-Type Traps
Fire/Flying (Charizard) has that crippling 4x Rock weakness. Grass/Ice (Abomasnow) has a 4x Fire weakness. Ground/Rock (Rhyperior) has a 4x Water and 4x Grass weakness. Always check the dual type before sending in your attacker.
Immunities to Remember
- Ghost is immune to Normal and Fighting
- Normal is immune to Ghost
- Flying and Levitate users are immune to Ground
- Steel is immune to Poison
- Fairy is immune to Dragon
- Dark is immune to Psychic
Memorising the Chart
Start with the three starter triangles (Fire-Water-Grass, Rock-Paper-Scissors style), then learn the five "king" types: Ground, Ice, Fighting, Ghost, Fairy. Once those click, the rest follows naturally.