Over the years, Pokemon has provided fans with hundreds of type combinations, but not all of them are successful. Here are some of the less impressive types.
Since Gen I, nearly 900 Pokemon have been introduced, giving players an abundance of type combinations to choose from when constructing their teams. Some are extraordinarily powerful, but not all are exceptional. When a Pokémon takes on two types, it inherits their respective resistances and weaknesses. Occasionally, they can cancel each other out; however, if the types share a weakness, the Pokémon will take four times as much damage from those moves.
This causes some dual-types to be extremely fragile. Some of these Pokémon are still useful in battle, but others lack adequate offensive coverage to compensate. Players who utilize these combinations must always have healing items on hand.
Demaria Oxman has added the following on 23 November 2022: Despite the Pokemon on this list possessing the weakest type combinations in the franchise, many players may still desire to include them on their teams for various reasons. Some may adore these Pokemon’s aesthetics and wish to include them in their adventure. Others may simply be seeking a challenge by transforming these ostensibly weak Pokemon type combinations into fighting machines. This list has been updated to include battle advice for ambitious Pokemon trainers who may wish to utilize these type combinations in combat.
Rock/Fighting
This type combination is the best of the worst Pokemon type combinations. Although it has seven weaknesses, the most of any Pokémon in existence, none of them are 4x super effective. In addition, the combination of Rock- and Fighting-type moves enables the legendary Pokémon Terrakion — the only Pokémon with this typing — to deal extremely effective damage to eight different types.
Despite its respectable offensive capabilities, those who employ Terrakion in battle must be cautious. Three of the five most common Pokemon types are among its many weaknesses: Water, Grass, and Psychic. Trainers should exercise extreme caution when selecting opponents for a Rock/Fighting type Pokémon.
Type Compatibility
Resistances (50% damage): Normal, Bug, Fire, Poison, Rock, Darkness Weaknesses (200% damage): Normal, Bug, Fire, Poison, Rock Water, Grass, Psychic, Ground, Steel, Fairy, and Combative.
Combat Tips
Terrakion is poised to receive devastating damage from some common attacks. As a result, players may wish to equip it with an HP-restoring item, such as a Shell Bell or Leftovers, which will allow it to deliver its powerful moves for longer. Send it against Rock- or Normal-type foes, and it will likely annihilate them; however, watch out for sneaky Fighting-type moves.
Rock/Dark
Tyranitar has a menacing appearance, and its attack power is not to be underestimated. However, like Rock/Fighting, its flaws are numerous and widespread. Fighting-type attacks are four times as effective against this type. In addition, it is vulnerable to six other types, including some of the most common in the Pokemon universe, such as Water and Grass.
As stated previously, this Pokémon is immune to Psychic-type attacks due to its Dark type. Additionally, it has good type coverage, making it an acceptable offensive option. Defensively, however, Rock/Dark has more weaknesses than strengths. If not for Tyranitar’s massive stats, it would be easy to destroy, given the number of types that can annihilate it in comparison to those it resists (such as Ghost and Dark).
Type Compatibility
Immunities: Normal, Flying, Fire, Poison, Dark, Ghost Psychic Resistances Weaknesses: Water, Grass, Bug, Ground, Steel, Fairy
Dual deficiencies: Fighting
Combat Tips
Although this type combination is theoretically weak, the only Pokémon that currently possesses it, Tyranitar, is extremely powerful. A Rock/Dark creature with weaker stats would be easy to destroy, but this pseudolegend is deserving of the moniker. It has a massive Attack, and its defensive stats allow it to easily withstand two times as many effective hits. However, players should still be wary of attacks of the Fighting type. Consider providing Tyranitar with a Chople Berry to reduce the damage caused by these moves.
Ice/Psychic
This type combination turns Jynx and similar Pokémon into glass cannons. Though they can be effective if used strategically, Ice/Psychic types have a long list of weaknesses and only two resistances, making them extremely vulnerable to defeat in just two hits. They are capable of powerful attacks, but even their most potent moves are ineffective against types that can cause significant damage to an Ice/Psychic Pokémon.
The primary type of a dual-type creature may be resistant to a type of damage that the secondary type is susceptible to, or vice versa. This, however, does not apply to any of Ice/Psychic-type Psychic’s weaknesses; it only applies to Ice’s weakness to Fighting-type moves.
Type Compatibility
Resistances: Psychic, Ice Weaknesses: Insect, Fire, Rock, Darkness, Steel, Spirit
Combat Tips
Jynx and Mr. Rime, the two non-legendary Pokémon of this type, are both able to learn a few Ghost- and Dark-type moves, which can help them compensate for their weaknesses. They also possess a potent Special Attack. Trainers utilizing either EV training or the Carbos vitamin can increase their Speed. If they can outspeed their foes, Ice/Psychic types can be effective sweepers for the Special type.
Grass/Dark
With a fourfold weakness to Bug-types and six additional weaknesses, Nuzleaf and Cacturne have many foes to watch out for. In addition, some of these weaknesses, such as Flying-type, are extremely common. Thankfully, other weaknesses, such as Ice and Fairy, are uncommon.
Grass/Dark has a number of resistances, including to the common Water type, and is immune to psychic attacks. Unfortunately, neither type in this combination provides a significant offensive advantage; many types resist Grass-type attacks, and few types are weak to either Grass or Dark attacks.
Type Compatibility
Immunities (0 percent damage): Psychic Resistances: Water, Grass, Ground, Darkness, Electricity. Ghost
Flying, Fire, Poison, Fighting, Fairy, and Ice are weaknesses.
Double weaknesses (400% damage): Bug
Combat Tips
Grass/Dark types can be useful against Ghost and Psychic types in specific situations. Particularly Ghost-types have few weaknesses, so Dark-types are typically the most effective against them. Still, since Shrifty, Cacturne, and Meowscarada have weak defenses, it is best if players can boost their EVs or give them a held item that heals HP during battle.
Psychic/Grass
Psychic-types are very powerful in battle, but when they are combined with the weakest types, their weaknesses can make them very weak. Grass/Psychic, like Ice/Psychic, is an excellent example of a weak type combination. Even though Exeggutor knows some powerful moves, this combination hurts it and other Pokémon of the same type. For instance, the combination of Psychic and Grass has seven weaknesses, including a fourfold weakness to Bug-types. Its weaknesses outnumber its resistances and even the types that deal it normal damage.
Positively, Psychic-type attacks are highly effective against Poison-type threats. Aside from that, however, this type has few offensive advantages and cannot easily compensate for its other weaknesses.
Type Compatibility
Water, Grass, Psychic, Ground, Fighting, and Electric are the resistances.
Flying, Fire, Poison, Darkness, Ghost, and Ice are weaknesses.
Dual deficiencies: Bug
Combat Tips
This type combination is effective against Water and Fighting-type Pokémon. Those who wish to train their Exeggutor can do so while traveling near lakes and oceans and battling local Pokemon. As long as players avoid their weaknesses, mons with this type combination also tend to have high Special Attack, making them acceptable sweepers with the right moves.
Ice/Grass
It is undeniable that Abomasnow and its pre-evolved form are extremely fragile, despite the fact that, in the right hands, they can be incredibly powerful. As with Ice/Psychic types, they are fragile glass cannons that deal heavy damage. With four Fire-type weaknesses and six regular weaknesses, including the common Flying and Bug types, these Pokémon are easy to defeat.
Even though Ice/Grass resists a handful of fairly common types (Water, Ground, Electric, and Grass), four resistances isn’t a lot for a dual-type; consider the examples provided above. In addition, the combination of Ice and Grass-type attacks is only extremely damaging against four types. It is insufficient compensation for the vast number of flaws.
Type Compatibility
Water, Grass, Ground, and Electric are the four types of resistance.
Flying, Bug, Poison, Rock, Fighting, and Steel are its weaknesses.
Dual deficiencies: Fire
Combat Tips
Grass/Ice is a unique type combination as of Generation 9, with only Snover and Abomasnow possessing it. As stated previously, however, Abomasnow can be a powerful Pokémon with the right trainer. Its ability, Snow Warning, causes hail to fall upon entry, dealing damage to non-Ice-type Pokémon. As long as the player avoids Fire-type attacks and teaches Abomasnow powerful moves, it can function as a glass cannon.
Rock/Ground
As common as this type is and as intimidating as these Pokémon can appear, they are actually quite easy to defeat. Despite the fact that Onix and its ilk provide adequate offensive coverage through their attacks, they have comparable defensive weaknesses. Rock/Ground Pokémon have not one but two 4x weaknesses, both of which are extremely common. Additionally, it is vulnerable to four other types.
Rock/immunity Ground’s to Electric is a defensive advantage, and it possesses a decent number of resistances, including double resistance to Poison. Pokemon such as Geodude may be useful when battling a Poison-type Gym or an Electric-type Pokemon, but a single Water Pulse or Mega Drain can easily eliminate them.
Type Compatibility
Immunities: Electric
Double resistances (25% damage): Poison
Normal, Flying, Fire, and Rock are the four types of resistance.
Weaknesses: Terrain, Combat, Steel, and Ice
Dual deficiencies: Water, Grass
Combat Tips
Despite the fact that this type combination is weak, any Ground-type Pokémon will perform admirably against an Electric-type trainer. And since Electric-types are commonly encountered in games, it is almost always advisable to have one on your team. If a player wishes to transform their Rhyperior or Golem into a tank, grinding against Electric-types will do the trick.
Ice/Rock
Ice-type Pokémon are among the series’ most fragile, and Rock-type Pokémon have their own share of vulnerabilities. With two weaknesses that overlap, Fighting and Steel, this is another type combination with not one but two types that are four times as effective against it, and four more weaknesses. Additionally, it has only four resistances.
Thankfully, the combination of Ice and Rock-type moves enables Amaura and its evolution (the only Ice/Rock types) to defeat a wide range of foes, including the Grass and Ground types that can spell their demise. However, they are generally powerless against their two greatest threats, Fighting and Steel.
Type Compatibility
Normal, Flying, Toxin, and Ice Resistances
Weaknesses: Water, Grass, Ground, Rock
Double weaknesses: Fighting, Steel
Combat Tips
Similar to many others on this list, Rock/Ice excels in specialized situations. Its Rock-type moves allow Aurorus to easily defeat Ice-type foes. In addition, it is effective against the incredibly common Flying-type. Aurorus also possesses high HP, allowing it to withstand even a few 2x hits before falling. It can be given a Chople or Babiri berry to mitigate the effects of its fourfold weaknesses.
Bug/Grass
Neither of these types is considered particularly powerful, and when combined, their weaknesses compound. Bug and Grass types have a fourfold weakness to both Fire and Flying, in addition to five regular weaknesses.
Their offensive coverage is also inadequate. Both Bug and Grass have seven different types that resist their attacks, and neither has any moves that counter any of the weaknesses of the opposing type. In some situations, Bug and Grass-type Pokémon like Parasect may fare well against Water or Grass-type Pokémon, but in general, Bug and Grass-type Pokémon are incredibly fragile and offer little advantage.
Type Compatibility
Resistances: water, grass, ground, combat, electricity Weaknesses: water, grass, ground, combat, electricity Pest, toxin, rock, and ice
Double deficiencies: Flying and Fire
Combat Tips
This is one of the most difficult types to employ in combat. Not only does it have a number of weaknesses, but Grass- and Bug-type attacks are relatively ineffective against the majority of Pokémon. If you want to use Parasect or Leavanny, you should go after enemies with the Water, Ground, or Psychic type. When increasing stats via EVs, Speed is crucial. Both of these Pokémon have respectable Attack, so if they are faster than their opponent and take advantage of type advantages, they could win.