In Pokémon GO, winning a battle isn't just about having the Pokémon with the highest CP (Combat Power). Whether you are taking over a local Gym, participating in a 5-star Raid, or climbing the ranks of the GO Battle League, the most critical factor is understanding Type Effectiveness. Knowing which types have an advantage over others can make a Level 20 Pokémon beat a Level 40 Pokémon.

The type system in Pokémon GO is based on the original series but features specific multipliers and mechanics unique to the mobile game. In this guide, we will break down the entire type chart, explain how "STAB" works, and give you the strategy needed to exploit every enemy's weakness.

Table of Contents

1. How Type Effectiveness Works in Pokémon GO

Unlike the main series games where "Immunity" means zero damage, in Pokémon GO, immunity simply acts as a double resistance. Here are the multipliers currently used in the game:

  • Super Effective: Deals 1.6x damage.
  • Not Very Effective: Deals 0.625x damage.
  • Double Resistance (Immunity): Deals 0.39x damage.

Because of these multipliers, using a move that is "Super Effective" is almost always better than using a move with higher raw power that the opponent resists.

2. The Elemental Trio: Fire, Water, and Grass

This is the most basic cycle in the game, often referred to as the "Rock-Paper-Scissors" of Pokémon.

Fire Type

  • Strong Against: Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel.
  • Weak To: Water, Ground, Rock.
  • Best Example: Charizard, Reshiram.

Water Type

  • Strong Against: Fire, Ground, Rock.
  • Weak To: Grass, Electric.
  • Best Example: Kyogre, Swampert.

Grass Type

  • Strong Against: Water, Ground, Rock.
  • Weak To: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug.
  • Best Example: Venusaur, Kartana.

3. The Physical Powerhouses: Fighting, Rock, and Ground

These types usually have high attack or high defense stats and are essential for taking down common Gym defenders.

Fighting Type

Fighting is one of the most important offensive types. It is the only type that is super effective against Normal types (like Blissey and Snorlax).

  • Strong Against: Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, Steel.
  • Weak To: Psychic, Flying, Fairy.

Ground Type

Ground is highly valued because it is the only weakness for Electric types.

  • Strong Against: Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, Steel.
  • Weak To: Water, Grass, Ice.

Rock Type

  • Strong Against: Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug.
  • Weak To: Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel.

4. The Supernatural: Psychic, Ghost, and Dark

These three types share a complex relationship often used in higher-level PVP meta play.

Psychic Type

  • Strong Against: Fighting, Poison.
  • Weak To: Bug, Ghost, Dark.

Ghost Type

Ghost moves are unique because they are super effective against other Ghost types.

  • Strong Against: Psychic, Ghost.
  • Weak To: Ghost, Dark.
  • Resistance: They have a massive "double resistance" to Normal and Fighting moves.

Dark Type

Dark types were originally introduced to balance Psychic types.

  • Strong Against: Psychic, Ghost.
  • Weak To: Fighting, Bug, Fairy.

5. Defensive Titans: Steel, Fairy, and Dragon

These types often dominate the Master League and Tier 5 Raids due to their extreme resistances or high raw power.

Steel Type

Steel is the best defensive type in the game, resisting 10 different types.

  • Strong Against: Ice, Rock, Fairy.
  • Weak To: Fire, Fighting, Ground.

Fairy Type

Fairy was introduced specifically to counter the dominance of Dragons.

  • Strong Against: Fighting, Dragon, Dark.
  • Weak To: Poison, Steel.
  • Immunity: Fairy takes very little damage from Dragon-type moves.

Dragon Type

Dragons are the "generalists" of Pokémon GO. While they are only super effective against other Dragons, their moves deal high neutral damage to almost everything else.

  • Strong Against: Dragon.
  • Weak To: Dragon, Ice, Fairy.

6. The Utility Types: Electric, Ice, Bug, Poison, and Flying

Electric Type

  • Strong Against: Water, Flying.
  • Weak To: Ground.

Ice Type

The "Dragon Slayer." Ice is essential for Raids against Legendary Dragons like Rayquaza or Garchomp.

  • Strong Against: Grass, Ground, Flying, Dragon.
  • Weak To: Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel.

Poison Type

  • Strong Against: Grass, Fairy.
  • Weak To: Ground, Psychic.

Flying Type

  • Strong Against: Grass, Fighting, Bug.
  • Weak To: Electric, Ice, Rock.

7. Understanding STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus)

Beyond strengths and weaknesses, you must understand STAB. If a Water-type Pokémon (like Blastoise) uses a Water-type move (like Hydro Pump), it deals 20% more damage (1.2x multiplier).

When choosing moves for your Pokémon, always try to match the move type to the Pokémon's type. A Pokémon using a Super Effective move with STAB is the most powerful combination in the game.

8. How Dual Types Change the Game

Many Pokémon have two types, such as Swampert (Water/Ground) or Charizard (Fire/Flying). This can create "Double Weaknesses" or "Neutralized Weaknesses."

Double Weaknesses

If a Pokémon is 4x weak to a type, it takes 2.56x damage.

  • Example: Rayquaza is Dragon/Flying. Both Dragon and Flying are weak to Ice. Therefore, Ice moves deal massive damage to Rayquaza.

Neutralizing Weakness

A second type can cancel out a weakness.

  • Example: Swampert is Water. Normally, Water is weak to Electric. However, Swampert is also Ground-type, which is immune to Electric. This makes Electric moves deal "Neutral" or even reduced damage to Swampert.

Conclusion

Memorizing the Pokémon GO type chart might seem daunting at first, but it is the key to becoming a top-tier trainer. Start by remembering the core Elemental Trio, then learn the specific counters for the Pokémon you face most often in Gyms and Raids.

Before entering any battle, check your opponent's type and adjust your team accordingly. Use STAB bonuses to your advantage and always look for Double Weaknesses to end battles quickly. With this knowledge, you can save Potions, earn more Premier Balls in Raids, and dominate the GO Battle League.

Do you have a favorite type combination? Or is there a specific Pokémon that always gives you trouble in battle? Let us know in the comments below!