Fighting-type Pokémon are weak to Flying, Psychic and Fairy moves, which deal double damage to them. Fighting moves are super effective against Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark and Steel types, but they cannot hit Ghost types at all. This guide breaks down the full Fighting type chart, how dual types change matchups and the best counters to use in battles and raids.
Note: type matchups below follow the main Pokémon games from Generation VI onward (the games that added the Fairy type).
In this article
Fighting Type Weaknesses at a Glance
| Matchup | Types | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting is weak to | Flying, Psychic, Fairy | Takes 2× damage |
| Fighting resists | Bug, Rock, Dark | Takes ½ damage |
| Fighting moves are super effective on | Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, Steel | Deal 2× damage |
| Fighting moves are not very effective on | Poison, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Fairy | Deal ½ damage |
| Fighting moves have no effect on | Ghost | 0× damage |
Source: Bulbapedia’s Fighting type page, which lists matchups for each generation.
What Is Fighting Type Weak To?
Flying
Flying-type moves such as Brave Bird, Hurricane and Air Slash hit Fighting types for double damage. Flying types also resist Fighting attacks, so they make excellent defensive switch-ins.
Psychic
Psychic moves such as Psychic, Psyshock and Zen Headbutt are super effective. Psychic types also resist Fighting moves, making them one of the most reliable counters.
Fairy
Fairy was added in Generation VI partly to balance powerful Dragon and Fighting types. Moonblast and Play Rough deal double damage, and Fairy types resist Fighting attacks.
What Is Fighting Type Strong Against?
- Normal: Fighting is the only type that is super effective against Normal.
- Rock and Steel: great for breaking through bulky defensive Pokémon.
- Ice: Ice types have low defensive coverage, so Fighting moves punish them.
- Dark: a double advantage, since Fighting also resists Dark moves.
How Dual Types Change Fighting Weaknesses
When a Pokémon has two types, multiply the matchups together. A weakness can double to 4× or cancel out completely:
| Dual type (example) | Key weaknesses | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting/Steel (Lucario) | Fire, Fighting, Ground | Steel cancels the Psychic and Fairy weaknesses |
| Fighting/Psychic (Gallade) | Flying, Ghost, Fairy | Psychic moves become neutral |
| Fighting/Flying (Hawlucha) | Flying, Psychic, Electric, Ice, Fairy | Psychic and Fairy are still 2× |
| Fighting/Dark (Pangoro) | Fairy 4×, Flying, Fighting | Psychic becomes immune; Fairy is very dangerous |
| Fighting/Water (Poliwrath) | Flying, Psychic, Electric, Grass, Fairy | Water adds Electric and Grass weaknesses |
Best Counters to Fighting Types
- Psychic types: Alakazam, Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy) and Espeon resist Fighting and hit back hard.
- Flying types: Talonflame, Corviknight and Dragonite take reduced damage and use strong Flying moves.
- Fairy types: Togekiss (Fairy/Flying) double-resists Fighting; Sylveon and Clefable are reliable too.
- Ghost types: immune to Fighting moves entirely; Gengar and Mimikyu can switch in safely.
In Pokémon GO, the same type rules apply, but damage multipliers are smaller, so stats and move timing matter more.
Tips for Using Fighting Types
- Carry a coverage move, such as Ice Punch or Stone Edge, to hit Flying and Psychic counters.
- Use Fighting types against bulky Normal, Steel and Rock Pokémon.
- Watch for Ghost types; switch out or use a Dark or Ghost move.
- Pair a Fighting type with a Psychic- or Fairy-resistant teammate, such as a Steel type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fighting type weak to in Pokémon?
Fighting types are weak to Flying, Psychic and Fairy moves. These deal double damage to a pure Fighting-type Pokémon.
Is Fighting weak to Ghost?
No. Ghost moves deal normal damage to Fighting types. However, Fighting moves cannot hit Ghost types at all, which makes Ghosts a strong defensive switch.
Is Fighting weak to Dark?
No. Fighting resists Dark-type moves, and Fighting moves are super effective against Dark types.
Was Fighting always weak to Fairy?
No. Fairy type did not exist before Generation VI (Pokémon X and Y). Before that, Fighting types were only weak to Flying and Psychic.
The Bottom Line
Fighting type is weak to Flying, Psychic and Fairy, resists Bug, Rock and Dark, and hits Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark and Steel hard, but cannot touch Ghost. Check dual types before battle and keep a Psychic, Flying or Fairy counter ready. For more gaming and pop culture guides, visit The Urban Splatter.
