Fighting-type Pokemon pack quite the punch, meaning battles can result in their opponents being knocked down easily. Thankfully, we have ways to exploit these Pokemon weaknesses to capitalize on types that can counter them.
Getting pummelled by musclebound Fighting-type Pokemon is common, as these creatures excel at combat, and even though they’ve been around since Gen 1, they are still hard to take down.
So, let’s look at the weaknesses of Fighting-type Pokemon, as well as their resistances. This way you’ll know exactly which Pokemon and moves to use against them in battle.
What is Fighting-type weak to?
Fighting-type Pokemon have three primary weaknesses when it comes to moves and opposing Pokemon types:
Therefore, when looking to take down a Fighting-type Pokemon, bring some that belong to those categories and focus on using moves related to those types. However, keep track of your opponent’s dual typing, as things can change.
Fighting-type strengths
The sturdy Fighting-type Pokemon are resistant to Rock, Bug, and Dark-type opponents and moves. However, they don’t have any particular immunity.
If you happen to add a Fighting-type Pokemon to your team, take advantage of how its attacks are super effective against Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel.
Fighting-type weaknesses
This type is weak against Flying, Psychic, and Fairy, so whenever you fight against them, take Pokemon with those types to secure a win.
But, when using a Fighting-type Pokemon, never put them up against Poison, Flying, Psychic, Bug, or Fairy, as their moves won’t deal much damage. More so, their moves won’t have any effect at all if your opponent is a Ghost-type.
Super effective types against Fighting Pokemon
When facing down a Fighting type, pure Fairy, Psychic, or Flying Pokemon are fantastic counters against these powerful monsters, but it’s best to use those with two typings like the ones listed above.
Some of the best Pokemon you can use to counter Fighting-type Pokemon are:
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- Galarian Articuno (Psychic/Flying)
- Lugia (Psychic/Flying)
- Togekiss (Fairy/Flying)
- Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy)
- Tapu Lele (Psychic/Fairy)
Don’t forget that an opposing Pokemon can have multiple types, too. For example, the Legendary Terrakion is a Fighting and Rock-type Pokemon. So be sure to take advantage of any other weaknesses they may have by being aware of their secondary type.
Super effective moves to use against Fighting Pokemon
There are plenty of Fairy, Flying, and Psychic super-effective moves that players can use against Fighting-type Pokemon. Here are the ones we recommend due to their power and effects:
- Moonblast (Fairy)
- Play Rough (Fairy)
- Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)
- Sky Attack (Flying)
- Hurricane (Flying)
- Aeroblast (Flying)
- Fly (Flying)
- Psystrike (Psychic)
- Dream Eater (Psychic)
- Mist Ball (Psychic)
Moonblast and Play Rough have similar power (95 and 90, respectively). However, as a special move, Moonblast may lower the opponent’s Special Attack, while Play Rough – as a physical attack – will do the same with the opponent’s Attack.
Sky Attack is the most powerful Flying-type move, plus it has a high critical ratio. However, it needs a turn to charge and might cause flinching. Both Hurricane and Aeroblast are good, but Fly is the ultimate fan favorite. The Gen 1 move has 95 power and almost perfect accuracy, and because it flies up before hitting, it can evade an upcoming attack.
Psystrike is one of the most used Psychic moves due to its 100 power and perfect accuracy, but mostly because it inflicts damage based on the opponent’s Defense stat. Mist Ball is a strong special move that has a 50% chance of lowering the opponent’s Special Attack.
Best Tera Types
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet‘s addition of Tera Types changed the battle rules, so here are the ones you should consider to make your Fighting types stronger:
- Fighting: Boosts the power of Fighting-type moves on top of STAB
- Ground: Removes the Fighting-type weakness to Flying moves
- Flying: Eliminates the Fighting-type weakness to Flying moves and helps resist Fairy and Psychic attacks
Best Fighting-type moves
There are 56 Fighting-type moves and we’ve picked the most powerful special, physical, and status attacks you can use in battle:
| MOVE | CATEGORY | POWER | ACCURACY | PP | EFFECT | GEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus Blast | Special | 120 | 70% | 5 | May lower the opponent’s Sp. Defense | Gen IV |
| Secret Sword | Special | 85 | 100% | 10 | Inflicts damage based on the opponent’s Defense | Gen V |
| Aura Sphere | Special | 80 | ∞ | 20 | Ignores Accuracy and Evasiveness | Gen IV |
| Meteor Assault | Physical | 150 | 100% | 5 | User must recharge next turn | Gen VIII |
| Focus Punch | Physical | 150 | 100% | 20 | If the user is hit before attacking, it flinches | Gen III |
| Close Combat | Physical | 120 | 100% | 5 | Lowers the user’s Defense and Sp. Defense | Gen IV |
| Dynamic Punch | Physical | 100 | 50% | 5 | Confuses the opponent | Gen II |
| Cross Chop | Physical | 100 | 80% | 5 | High critical hit ratio | Gen II |
| Counter | Physical | X | 100% | 20 | When hit by a Physical attack, the user strikes back with x2 power | Gen I |
| Bulk Up | Status | X | X | 20 | Raises the user’s Attack and Defense | Gen III |
Best Fighting-types ever in Pokemon
The Pokemon franchise has a total of 94 Fighting-type creatures (up to Gen 9), and here are the 10 best of the ranking:
- Zamazenta
- Koraidon
- Lucario
- Urshifu
- Annihilape
- Iron Hands
- Terrakion
- Machamp
- Kommo-o
- Iron Valiant
Those are the weaknesses, strengths, and resistances you need to consider when facing a Fighting-type Pokemon. You can also check out our list of all the Cat or Dog Pokemon in the franchise, and learn more about other types such as Fire, Grass, and Water.