Fighting is a Pokémon type that just makes sense. Most Fighting-type Pokémon look ready to punch, kick, and chop their way to victory. Many are themed after martial arts, while others simply look like they enjoy the thrill of a fight.
Fighting-types have the highest average attack stat of all Pokémon, which makes sense given their tendency toward physical attacks. Fighting is also the only type that’s super effective on Normal-types, so it’s helpful to have one in your arsenal any time you come across a Normal-type. Many Pokémon have Fighting as their secondary type, which provides additional utility in battle.
To combat their power, Fighting-type Pokémon have plenty of weaknesses and angles that can be taken advantage of by savvy players. While many of them hit fast and hit hard, they’re still susceptible to a few specific types.
Here’s how to counter any powerful Fighting-types that come your way.
Fighting weakness: Fairy
The recently-introduced Fairy-type can put a significant dent in Fighting-types. Fairies have a resistance to Fighting-type moves as well as generally high special defense stats, so they can put up a wall against special-based Fighting-type attackers. Fairy-types have plenty of powerful moves, too, including Moonblast, Dazzling Gleam, and Draining Kiss. While there aren’t too many Fairy-type Pokémon out there thanks to its relatively recent introduction, plenty of non-Fairy Pokémon can learn Fairy-type moves, so make sure your team has a few in its arsenal if you’re going up against a Fighting-type master.
Fighting weakness: Psychic
A traditionally powerful type, there are plenty of strong Psychic-type Pokémon and moves available that will reduce Fighting-types to puddles. Aim for strong attacks like Psychic, Psyshock, and Extrasensory. Like Fighting, Psychic has traditionally been an offensive type, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble taking out fighters with a strong Psychic-type. Psychic is also similar to Fairy in that many non-Psychic-type Pokémon can learn Psychic-type moves, though those moves won’t be quite as powerful thanks to their lack of STAB. The only potential pitfall with Psychic-types is that many of them don’t have great defense stats, so make sure to get your hits in quickly before they can take you out with a powerful non-Fighting-type move like Mega Punch.
Fighting weakness: Flying
The Flying-Fighting counter in Pokémon is one of most sensible matchups in the game: as ground-based fighters, Fighting-type Pokémon generally can’t reach Flying-type Pokémon to get hits in. Flying pairs well with just about every other type in the game, so adding a strong dual-type flyer to your team can help you take out Fighting-type enemies as well as other types.
Flying-types are extremely common in the series—each region has its respective bird Pokémon, and many legendary Pokémon are part Flying-type—so it won’t take much looking to find a worthy competitor. When choosing a suitable Flying-type, make sure it isn’t also part Normal, as many early-game Flying-types are. While a dual-type Flying and Normal Pokémon will still be super effective on a Fighting-type, it will lose its resistance to Fighting-type moves, so tread carefully.
While Fighting-types might seem intimidating at first glance, they’re not completely impervious to damage. Alongside these weaknesses, it’s important to note that Bug-type Pokémon have a resistance to Fighting-type moves, so they can help defend in a pinch if needed. In an odd twist for type matchups, Fighting-type Pokémon also have a resistance to Bug-type moves, so there isn’t much offensive potential for Bug-types. If you can find and field a strong Psychic, Fairy, or Flying-type Pokémon, you’ll be able to take down these Attack-oriented Pokémon in most situations.
