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Pokémon Sword and Shield type strength and weakness chart

Make every move count

a Dynamax Eevee in an arena in Pokemon Sword/Shield Game Freak/Nintendo

Every Pokémon has different strengths and weaknesses to certain attacks, based on their type. Knowing the type matchups is essential to make sure each of your Pokémon moves does the most damage possible. Also knowing what your Pokémon are weak against can keep your rivals from knocking them out.

In this Pokémon Sword and Shield guide, we put together a chart of every type’s strength and weakness to help your Pokémon do their best in every battle.

Pokémon strength and weakness chart

The chart below will let you know which attacks to use and which to avoid based on Pokémon type.

For instance, a bug-type Pokémon’s bug attacks are super effective against grass-, dark-, and psychic-type Pokémon. However, bug-types take increased damage from any fire-, flying-, or rock-type moves.

Keep this chart handy whenever you’re facing off against any trainers — and especially during your Gym Challenges, as each of those trainers specializes in specific Pokémon.

As an example, the first major trainer you fight in Pokémon Sword and Shield is Milo, who specializes in grass-type Pokémon. Looking at the chart below, you’ll want to make sure that you have some Pokémon that can do bug-, fire-, flying-, ice-, or poison-type attacks in your roster. You may also want to take any ground-, rock-, or water-types out of that match — sorry Sobble starters!

Knowing type match ups will be helpful in just about any battle, especially when you’re trying to catch Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon.

Pokémon strengths and weaknesses

TYPE SUPER EFFECTIVE (ATK) WEAK AGAINST (DMG)
TYPE SUPER EFFECTIVE (ATK) WEAK AGAINST (DMG)
Bug Grass, Dark, Psychic Fire, Flying, Rock
Dark Ghost, Psychic Bug, Fairy, Fighting
Dragon Dragon Dragon, Fairy, Ice
Electric Flying, Water Ground
Fairy Fighting, Dark, Dragon Poison, Steel
Fighting Dark, Ice, Normal, Rock, Steel Fairy, Flying, Psychic
Fire Bug, Grass, Ice, Steel Ground, Rock, Water
Flying Bug, Fighting, Grass Electric, Ice, Rock
Ghost Ghost, Psychic Dark, Ghost
Grass Ground, Rock, Water Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison
Ground Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel Grass, Ice, Water
Ice Dragon, Flying, Grass, Ground Fighting, Fire, Rock, Steel
Normal -- Fighting
Poison Fairy, Grass Ground, Psychic
Psychic Fighting, Poison Bug, Dark, Ghost
Rock Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water
Steel Fairy, Ice, Rock Fighting, Fire, Ground
Water Fire, Ground, Rock Electric, Grass

Knowing your type match ups is one of the best tools you’ll have in all your battles. But what if you want to make sure your favorite starter Pokémon stays viable throughout your whole journey? Check out our guides for Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble to learn how to make your partner the best it can be.

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