Highlights
- Dual-typing in Pokemon battles adds complexity: leverage resistances & weaknesses for strategic advantage.
- Unique dual-type Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Mega Charizard X, and Primal Groudon stand out in battle.
- Building a diverse team with multiple types cancels weaknesses and increases battle options for success.
There are currently 1025 monsters in the Pokemon Pokedex, each with a specific type that gives it certain advantages and disadvantages in battle. The way they work is pretty straightforward: Fire is strong against Grass, Water is weak against Grass, and so forth. But things become more complicated when Pokemon with dual types get matched up against one another.
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As it stands, 18 different types can be combined in Pokemon, which makes Pokemon battles significantly more complicated and technical than meets the eye. There are a few dual-type Pokemon that stand above the rest, not only in terms of their unique typing, but also in terms of Super Effective attacks, same-type attack bonuses, and overall stats.
Updated May 8, 2024 by Ben Painter: When building a team in Pokemon, it is wise to select those that have multiple types. Certain combinations mean that weaknesses are canceled out, and it adds to a greater variety among the roster to deal with whatever may be thrown at the player.
It is important to fill out the squad with as many solid Pokemon as possible to give players the best chance to defeat powerful trainers in the games and their high-leveled Pokemon. This update adds five more of the best dual-type Pokemon.
25 Alolan Muk
Poison/Dark
Although its first-generation predecessor, the Poison-type Muk, is a pretty average Pokemon, its Alolan form is almost an entirely new Pokemon with great advantages in battle owing to its dual typing. Even though the Pokemon’s stats all remain the same as the first generation Muk, Alolan Muk fares much better in battle.
Being a Poison/Dark type Pokemon means that Alolan Muk has four resistances. Poison protects the Pokemon against Dark’s weaknesses to Fairy and Fighting-type moves, while Dark grants it immunity to Psychic types.
Alolan Muk’s Base Stats:
HP: |
105 |
---|---|
Attack: |
105 |
Defense: |
75 |
Sp. Atk: |
65 |
Sp. Def: |
100 |
Speed: |
50 |
Total: |
500 |
24 Mega Ampharos
Electric/Dragon
Ampharos is a fan-favorite Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Gold & Silver and has been a regularly used ‘mon in the games ever since. With its high special attack, it can strike hard with strong Thunderbolt and Electro Ball attacks.
Its popularity only increased with the introduction of its Mega Evolution in Pokemon X&Y, which meant it gained the Dragon typing along with its Electric type. Originally, this Pokemon was meant to be a Dragon-type in its first appearance, but this was scrapped. Finally, it was given this type along with its fluffy, luscious mane, which it has become synonymous with.
Mega Ampharos’ Base Stats:
HP: |
90 |
---|---|
Attack: |
95 |
Defense: |
105 |
Sp. Atk: |
165 |
Sp. Def: |
110 |
Speed: |
45 |
Total: |
610 |
23 Mega Charizard X
Fire/Dragon
Mega Pokemon seem to have been forgotten by the Pokemon franchise, which is a crying shame, as there are some ‘mons that change typing, adding to better strategy in battle.
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Mega Charizard X is a fan-favorite Pokemon. Its black and blue design is simply perfect, and in battle, it can hit for super effective STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage against Dragon, Ice, Grass, Steel, and Bug. It also resists five types and is only weak to three, one of which is countered directly with its Dragon typing since Dragon is super effective against itself. Complete with its Tough Claws ability, which powers up moves upon contract, Mega Charizard X is one of the best Dual-type Pokemon.
Mega Charizard X’s Base Stats:
HP: |
78 |
---|---|
Attack: |
130 |
Defense: |
111 |
Sp. Atk: |
130 |
Sp. Def: |
85 |
Speed: |
100 |
Total: |
634 |
22 Primal Groudon
Fire/Ground
The top dual-type Pokemon with total stats of a huge 770 is the Fire/Ground-type, Primal Groudon. Being a Fire/Ground-type Pokemon means that it has only one big weakness, which is Water-type attacks. While this double-weakness to Water-type attacks might be an issue for other Fire/Ground-type Pokemon, Groudon’s Desolate Land ability neutralizes all Water-type attacks.
With this weakness out of the way and the ability to hit almost half of all Pokemon with Super Effective attacks and same-type attack bonuses, Groudon is a force to be reckoned with.
Primal Groudon’s Base Stats:
HP: |
100 |
---|---|
Attack: |
180 |
Defense: |
160 |
Sp. Atk: |
150 |
Sp. Def: |
90 |
Speed: |
90 |
Total: |
770 |
21 Gengar
Ghost/Poison
Without a doubt, one of the most popular Pokemon of all time, Gengar is loved by all, and it is matched in the games due to its expert battle properties. Some may not realize that Gengar is a dual-type Pokemon as its Poison typing is not really focused on much, just the Ghost-type.
Like all the other popular Pokemon, Gengar has a Mega Evolution and also a Gigantamax Form. Game Freak certainly has capitalized on the love the spooky ‘mon receives. It has a high Special Attack and Speed stat. Not many can outspeed it and before enemies know it, they are struck hard with a STAB Shadow Ball or Sludge Bomb attack.
Gengar Base Stats:
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
60 |
60 |
Attack: |
65 |
65 |
Defense: |
60 |
80 |
Sp. Atk: |
130 |
170 |
Sp. Def: |
75 |
95 |
Speed: |
110 |
130 |
Total: |
500 |
600 |
20 Garchomp
Dragon/Ground
The Dragon/Ground-type Pokemon, Garchomp, might not be Supper Effective against many Pokemon (only 32 of all Pokemon to be exact), but it does very well in other aspects. The first thing that makes Garchomp formidable, is that it can hit almost every type of Pokemon, except for Steel/Flying-types, with neutral damage.
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In addition, Garchomp, and especially Mega Garchomp, have very high overall stats, with high attack and speed stats. These, combined with its ability to use Swords Dance and its near immunity to Electric-type attacks, make it a tough opponent to beat.
Garchomp’s Base Stats:
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
108 |
108 |
Attack: |
130 |
170 |
Defense: |
95 |
115 |
Sp. Atk: |
80 |
120 |
Sp. Def: |
85 |
95 |
Speed: |
102 |
92 |
Total: |
600 |
700 |
19 Zapdos
Electric/Flying
Zapdos, one of the original 150 Pokemon, is great at both offense and defense. The combination of its Electric/Flying typing means that it can hit 42% of all Pokemon with super-effective damage. Since Flying neutralizes Electric’s only weakness – Ground – it also means that Zapdos has five resistances and only two weaknesses.
Above these advantages, with moves like Hurricane, Thunderbolt, and Heat Wave, Zapdos can paralyze opponents while also having a wide range of powerful attacks to choose from. This Legendary Pokemon is certainly one of the strongest Pokemon with two types.
Zapdos’ Base Stats:
HP: |
90 |
---|---|
Attack: |
90 |
Defense: |
85 |
Sp. Atk: |
125 |
Sp. Def: |
90 |
Speed: |
100 |
Total: |
580 |
18 Mamoswine
Ice/Ground
Mamoswine is the only fully evolved Ice/Ground-type Pokemon, and with an added attack stat of 130, it is by far one of the most lethal Pokemon in battle. Mamoswine’s unique dual-typing is the most powerful to date, as it can hit more than half of all Pokemon with Super Effective same-type attack bonuses.
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Ice/Ground-type Pokemon also do not have any double weaknesses, so there isn’t much that can take this Pokemon out. With its powerful typing and good stats, Mamoswine is the Pokemon players will want to have with them in any battle.
Mamoswine’s Base Stats:
HP: |
110 |
---|---|
Attack: |
130 |
Defense: |
80 |
Sp. Atk: |
70 |
Sp. Def: |
60 |
Speed: |
80 |
Total: |
530 |
17 Landorus
Flying/Ground
The Pokemon, Landorus, has two forms. The Incarnate form is slightly faster, while the Therian form has a slightly higher attack stat. Stats aside, it is this Pokemon’s type, which is Flying/Ground-type, that makes it a rather tricky opponent to face.
Since Flying and Ground-types are literal opposites, they cover each other’s weaknesses, meaning that Landorus is only really weak to Ice-type attacks. Ice-type Pokemon are the rarest of all, and so there are few Pokemon that pose a danger to Landorus in either of its forms.
Landorus’ Base Stats:
Incarnate |
Therian |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
89 |
89 |
Attack: |
125 |
145 |
Defense: |
90 |
90 |
Sp. Atk: |
115 |
105 |
Sp. Def: |
80 |
80 |
Speed: |
101 |
91 |
Total: |
600 |
600 |
16 Swampert
Water/Ground
Swampert, the Water/Ground-type Pokemon, has both high attack and defense stats, and it can Mega evolve into Mega Swampert, which boasts even higher stats. Although the Water/Ground-type combination has a double weakness to Grass-type attacks, it no longer has the Electric-type weakness caused by Water since it is a Water and Ground-type.
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There are rather few Grass-type attacks in Pokemon, so Swampert’s double weakness to Grass-types is not so bad. With the addition of a few Ice-type moves that Swampert can learn, it can hold its own against most opponents.
Swampert’s Base Stats:
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
100 |
100 |
Attack: |
110 |
150 |
Defense: |
90 |
110 |
Sp. Atk: |
85 |
95 |
Sp. Def: |
90 |
110 |
Speed: |
60 |
70 |
Total: |
535 |
635 |
15 Archaludon
Steel/Dragon
The Dragon-type’s three biggest weaknesses (Fairy, Ice, and Dragon) are all neutralized by Archaludon’s Steel dual typing. That leaves only Ground and Fighting that it is weak. It resists nine types and is immune to one: Poison. Archaludon is certainly a powerful dual-type Pokemon.
It is the evolved form of Duraludon and was introduced in the Indigo Disk DLC of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Gamers will need to find a Metal Alloy to obtain one in their copy of either game. Defensively, this Pokemon is hard as steel, with 130 defense, but it can also hit for special attack damage with a stat of 125. Combining that with its signature Electro Shot move, players will have a beast on their side with Archaludon.
Archaludon’s Base Stats:
HP: |
90 |
---|---|
Attack: |
105 |
Defense: |
130 |
Sp. Atk: |
125 |
Sp. Def: |
65 |
Speed: |
85 |
Total: |
600 |
14 Heatran
Fire/Steel
Although it is tough to get one’s hands on a Heatran, being a Fire/Steel-type Pokemon, it has numerous advantages in battle. Heatran will take only one-quarter damage from five different types of Pokemon or attacks, and it resists four other types of attacks.
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Moreover, since Heatran has the Flash Fire ability, which powers up its Fire-type attacks, it is completely immune to two other types of attacks. To top it off, it has a decent special attack stat. Suffice it to say, there is not much that can cause significant damage to a Heatran.
Heatran’s Base Stats:
HP: |
91 |
---|---|
Attack: |
90 |
Defense: |
106 |
Sp. Atk: |
130 |
Sp. Def: |
106 |
Speed: |
77 |
Total: |
600 |
13 Scizor
Bug/Steel
Bug/Steel-type Pokemon, like Scizor, have a rather long list of advantages and a short list of weaknesses. Apart from being able to Mega evolve into Mega Scizor, which has even higher stats, this Pokemon already has high attack and descent defense stats.
Being a Bug/Steel-type Pokemon, it also has more time in battle to set up Swords Dance, which allows Scizor to extend its combos with additional moves. When used together, Swords Dance, which boosts Bullet Punch, can do tremendous damage to powerful foes like Mega Aerodactyl and Togekiss.
Scizor’s Base Stats:
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
70 |
70 |
Attack: |
130 |
150 |
Defense: |
100 |
140 |
Sp. Atk: |
55 |
65 |
Sp. Def: |
80 |
100 |
Speed: |
65 |
75 |
Total: |
500 |
600 |
12 Magnezone
Electric/Steel
Although Electric/Steel-type Pokemon have a glaring weakness to Ground-type attacks, this pairing makes for an almost unbreakable wall of defense. Electric/Steel-type Pokemon like Magnezone have a whopping eleven resistances, which is more than any other Pokemon typing out there.
Magnezone’s high defense stats mean that it takes full advantage of all eleven resistances, making it almost impossible to take this Pokemon down in battle. On top of that, Magnezone also has a high Special Attack stat, so it does not only hold well as a defensive Pokemon but can also dish out a few powerful attacks.
Magnezone’s Base Stats:
HP: |
70 |
---|---|
Attack: |
70 |
Defense: |
115 |
Sp. Atk: |
130 |
Sp. Def: |
90 |
Speed: |
60 |
Total: |
535 |
11 Lucario
Fighting/Steel
This Pokemon takes the best defensive typing (Steel) and one of the best offensive typings (Fighting) and combines them into a powerful package. With this typing, Lucario can hit 33% of all Pokemon with super effective damage while being able to resist eight types of moves.
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In addition to the benefits afforded by Lucario’s dual typing, it also has some powerful moves, including Extreme Speed and Bullet Punch. This makes him a trusty and versatile battle companion who can confidently take on almost any other Pokemon.
Lucario’s Base Stats:
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
70 |
70 |
Attack: |
110 |
145 |
Defense: |
70 |
88 |
Sp. Atk: |
115 |
140 |
Sp. Def: |
70 |
70 |
Speed: |
90 |
112 |
Total: |
525 |
625 |
10 Mimikyu
Ghost/Fairy
This Pokemon is NOT Pikachu, but in recent years Mimikyu has been touching on the popularity of the franchise mascot since its inception in Pokemon Sun & Moon. The Ghost/Fairy type is popular for its appearance; a mysterious creature that disguises itself as a Pikachu.
But it is also known for its ability, Disguise, which is very useful in battle as it can protect it from the first attack. It’s also useful for competitive battles and nuzlocke players. It is decent offensively with 90 Attack and can absorb further hits with its 105 Sp. Def.
Mimikyu’s Base Stats:
HP: |
55 |
---|---|
Attack: |
90 |
Defense: |
80 |
Sp. Atk: |
50 |
Sp. Def: |
105 |
Speed: |
96 |
Total: |
476 |
9 Ferrothorn
Grass/Steel
Although Grass types (along with Bug types) are notorious for being weak, Ferrothorn is proof that when it comes to dual typing, the sum is greater than its parts. The combination of Grass and Steel means that this Pokemon is resistant to nine other types and completely immune to one while having only two weaknesses.
Additionally, with moves like Spikes, Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off, Ferrothorn is a defensive behemoth and would take a very tough opponent to get through to.
Ferrothorn’s Base Stats:
HP: |
74 |
---|---|
Attack: |
94 |
Defense: |
131 |
Sp. Atk: |
54 |
Sp. Def: |
116 |
Speed: |
20 |
Total: |
489 |
8 Shedinja
Bug/Ghost
On the face of it, a Bug/Ghost type isn’t the best type combination, being 2x weak to 5 different types, but this is negated by the fact that Shedinja has the Wonder Guard ability, meaning that it can only be hit by moves that are super effective to it.
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With some clever play and coming out against the right opponents, Shedinja can never be hit. To compensate for this, it is given 1 HP, so when it does get hit, it gets knocked out straight away. Moves like Shadow Sneak, Mind Reader, and Phantom Force can ensure that this Pokemon does at least get some damage off, even if an opponent can hit it.
Shedinja’s Base Stats:
HP: |
1 |
---|---|
Attack: |
90 |
Defense: |
45 |
Sp. Atk: |
30 |
Sp. Def: |
30 |
Speed: |
40 |
Total: |
236 |
Steel/Psychic
Steel types are very useful to use in Pokemon games. They have a lot of resistance, and usually, Steel ‘mons have amazing defensive stats. Metagross is no exception to this. The signature Pokemon of Hoenn Champion Steven Stone, players of Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire will know how many problems this tank has caused.
Psuedo-legendary Pokemon are also go-tos in the games as they can always be relied on, despite how hard they are to obtain. Metagross even has a boost in its stats thanks to its Mega Evolution, a genuine cheat code in-game.
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
80 |
80 |
Attack: |
135 |
145 |
Defense: |
130 |
150 |
Sp. Atk: |
95 |
105 |
Sp. Def: |
90 |
110 |
Speed: |
70 |
110 |
Total: |
600 |
700 |
6 Rayquaza
Dragon/Flying
When it comes to Legendary Pokemon there is perhaps only one more iconic than this Pokemon. Rayquaza’s design is striking. In Pokemon Emerald, it prevents the battle between Groudon and Kyogre.
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This ‘mon only gets better as its Mega Evolution is one of the most powerful Pokemon in the franchise with a staggering base total of 780. It doesn’t get much stronger than that. With its dual typing of Dragon/Flying, gamers can work with many moves, including some Fire moves to deal with its big weakness towards Ice-type Pokemon.
Rayquaza’s Base Stats:
Normal |
Mega |
|
---|---|---|
HP: |
105 |
105 |
Attack: |
150 |
180 |
Defense: |
90 |
100 |
Sp. Atk: |
150 |
180 |
Sp. Def: |
90 |
100 |
Speed: |
95 |
115 |
Total: |
680 |
780 |