Elemental interactions in Pokémon have always been guided by type effectiveness charts, helping trainers optimize strategic decisions in battles. Unlike traditional games where immunities block damage entirely, Pokémon Go modifies these mechanics by converting complete resistances into partial reductions. This adjustment ensures no attack deals zero damage, keeping battles dynamic across PvE and PvP modes.
Understanding elemental advantages remains crucial for maximizing offensive output and defensive resilience. Mobile adaptations simplify calculations by using multipliers rather than binary effectiveness tiers. When a move’s type aligns with the attacker’s elemental affinity, a Same-Type Attack Bonus amplifies damage further. Mastering these interactions becomes essential for competitive play and raid victories.
Elemental Interactions and Strategic Implications
Pokémon Go streamlines combat mechanics by removing absolute immunities present in core games. For instance, Dragon-type moves now deal minimal damage to Fairy-types rather than none. This adaptation requires trainers to reassess traditional strategies, as every matchup involves calculated trade-offs rather than guaranteed outcomes.
| Type | Strong Against | Weak Against | Resistant To | Vulnerable To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairy | Fighting, Dragon, Dark | Poison, Steel, Fire | Fighting, Bug, Dragon, Dark | Poison, Steel |
| Dark | Ghost, Psychic | Fighting, Dark, Fairy | Ghost, Psychic, Dark | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| Dragon | Dragon | Steel, Fairy | Fire, Water, Grass, Electric | Ice, Dragon, Fairy |
| Ice | Flying, Ground, Grass, Dragon | Steel, Fire, Water, Ice | Ice | Fighting, Rock, Steel, Fire |
| Psychic | Fighting, Poison | Steel, Psychic, Dark | Fighting, Psychic | Bug, Ghost, Dark, Psychic |
| Electric | Flying, Water | Ground, Grass, Electric, Dragon | Flying, Steel, Electric | Ground |
| Grass | Ground, Rock, Water | Flying, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fire, Grass, Dragon | Ground, Water, Grass, Electric | Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire, Ice |
| Water | Ground, Rock, Fire, Electric | Water, Grass, Dragon | Steel, Fire, Water, Ice | Grass, Electric |
| Fire | Bug, Steel, Grass, Ice | Rock, Fire, Water, Dragon | Bug, Steel, Fire, Grass, Ice | Ground, Rock, Water |
| Steel | Rock, Ice, Fairy | Steel, Fire, Water, Electric | Normal, Flying, Poison, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, Fairy | Fighting, Ground, Fire |
| Ghost | Ghost, Psychic | Normal, Dark, Ghost | Normal, Fighting, Poison, Bug | Ghost, Dark |
| Bug | Grass, Psychic, Dark | Fighting, Flying, Poison, Ghost, Steel, Fire, Fairy | Fighting, Ground, Grass | Flying, Rock, Fire |
| Rock | Flying, Bug, Fire, Ice | Fighting, Ground, Steel | Normal, Flying, Poison, Fire | Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass |
| Ground | Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire, Electric | Flying, Bug, Grass | Poison, Rock, Electric | Water, Grass, Ice |
| Poison | Grass, Fairy | Poison, Ground, Rock, Ghost, Steel | Fighting, Poison, Grass, Fairy | Ground, Psychic |
| Flying | Fighting, Bug, Grass | Rock, Steel, Electric | Fighting, Ground, Bug, Grass | Rock, Electric, Ice |
| Fighting | Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, Dark | Flying, Poison, Psychic, Bug, Ghost, Fairy | Rock, Bug, Dark | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| Normal | Rock, Steel, Fighting | Ghost | Fighting |
Consider a Fire Blast from Blaziken against an Abomasnow. The Grass/Ice dual typing doubles vulnerability to Fire, resulting in amplified damage output. Such interactions underscore the importance of type-specific counters, particularly in raid scenarios where optimal DPS determines success.
Adapting Core Mechanics for Mobile Gameplay
Several immunities from mainline titles function as heightened resistances instead. For example:
- Electric moves now deal reduced damage to Ground types
- Psychic attacks partially affect Dark types
- Dragon-type moves have diminished impact on Fairies
Damage multipliers operate on a sliding scale:
- Super effective: 1.6x damage
- Double effectiveness: 2.56x damage
- Resisted: 0.625x damage
- Immunity-converted resistance: 0.39x damage
This framework ensures every matchup remains consequential while preserving strategic depth. Dual-typed defenders like Excadrill (Ground/Steel) require attackers exploiting both weaknesses for maximum efficiency.
Comprehensive Type Analyses
Top Normal-type Combatants
Normal-type strengths: Neutral coverage
Vulnerabilities: Fighting
Premier Choices: Mega Lopunny, Regigigas
Counters: Terrakion, Lucario
Elite Fighting-type Options
Fighting-type advantages: Normal, Rock, Steel
Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic
Top Picks: Terrakion, Mega Blaziken
Countermeasures: Mewtwo, Hoopa Unbound
Dominant Flying-type Specialists
Flying-type efficacy: Grass, Fighting
Resistances: Ground, Grass
Leading Contenders: Mega Rayquaza, Yveltal
Opposing Forces: Zekrom, Xurkitree
Poison-type Powerhouses
Poison strengths: Grass, Fairy
Susceptibilities: Psychic, Ground
Top Performers: Nihilego, Mega Gengar
Counteractions: Groudon, Mewtwo
Ground-type Giants
Ground-type dominance: Electric, Fire
Vulnerable to: Ice, Water
Leading Figures: Primal Groudon, Therian Landorus
Opposition: Kyogre, Kartana
Rock-type Champions
Rock-type prowess: Flying, Fire
Countered by: Water, Grass
Top Picks: Rampardos, Mega Diancie
Adversaries: Keldeo, Terrakion
Bug-type Bruisers
Bug-type effectiveness: Psychic, Dark
Weaknesses: Fire, Rock
Elite Choices: Volcarona, Pheromosa
Opposition: Reshiram, Rayquaza
Ghost-type Gladiators
Ghost-type advantages: Psychic, Ghost
Vulnerable to: Dark, Ghost
Top Contenders: Lunala, Giratina
Counterpicks: Tyranitar, Darkrai
Steel-type Specialists
Steel-type strengths: Rock, Ice
Weaknesses: Fire, Fighting
Premier Options: Metagross, Mega Aggron
Opposing Forces: Reshiram, Terrakion
Fire-type Forces
Fire-type efficacy: Steel, Grass
Countered by: Water, Rock
Leading Picks: Reshiram, Mega Blaziken
Adversaries: Kyogre, Groudon
Water-type Warriors
Water-type strengths: Ground, Fire
Resisted by: Grass, Dragon
Top Choices: Primal Kyogre, Palkia
Counters: Kartana, Xurkitree
Grass-type Champions
Grass-type dominance: Water, Ground
Vulnerabilities: Fire, Ice
Elite Picks: Kartana, Mega Sceptile
Opposition: Rayquaza, Reshiram
Electric-type Experts
Electric-type strengths: Water, Flying
Resistances: Steel, Electric
Leading Figures: Xurkitree, Zekrom
Countermeasures: Excadrill, Garchomp
Psychic-type Power Players
Psychic-type advantages: Fighting, Poison
Susceptible to: Dark, Ghost
Top Performers: Mewtwo, Mega Alakazam
Adversaries: Hydreigon, Tyranitar
Ice-type Innovators
Ice-type effectiveness: Dragon, Flying
Weaknesses: Steel, Fire
Top Choices: Kyurem, Mega Glalie
Counters: Reshiram, Terrakion
Dragon-type Dominators
Dragon-type strengths: Dragon
Resisted by: Steel, Fairy
Premier Picks: Mega Rayquaza, Palkia
Opposing Forces: Dialga, Salamence
Dark-type Delegates
Dark-type prowess: Psychic, Ghost
Vulnerabilities: Fairy, Fighting
Leading Contenders: Mega Tyranitar, Hydreigon
Counterpicks: Terrakion, Keldeo
Fairy-type Frontrunners
Fairy-type advantages: Dragon, Dark
Weak against: Poison, Steel
Top Options: Mega Gardevoir, Hero Zacian
Countermeasures: Metagross, Nihilego