In brief, Pokémon types dictate whether one Pokémon is either strong or weak - super effective or not very effective - against another, dealing additional or reduced damage as a result - and receiving additional or reduced damage - as a result. The standard Type chart that has evolved through the different generations will be like a second language to long-term Pokémon fans, but to newcomers it can appear too daunting to even know where to begin, so with that in mind we’ve put together a type chart of our own, as well as an explanation of how Type effectiveness works and how to plan around it, just below. On this page:
Type chart, effectiveness and weakness explained in Pokémon Go Pokémon Go type effectiveness changes compared to other Pokémon games
Type chart, effectiveness and weakness explained in Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go’s Types are exactly the same as those in the main Pokémon games, but the effect of those type matchups is slightly different: in brief, things like effective or resisted attacks have slightly different multipliers to the main Pokémon games - although a December 2018 update brought them slightly closer in line. Here’s a Pokémon Go type chart to get you started on what’s effective against what. The Season of Mythical Wishes continues with the Winter Holiday event, which has brought Mega Glalie to Pokémon Go. Don’t forget to partake in the new Go Battle League season. Elsewhere, be sure to use Daily Adventure Incense for the chance of encountering Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos and Galarian Moltres.
Pokémon Go type effectiveness changes compared to other Pokémon games
As you may have noticed, there are also no Type immunities in Pokémon Go, unlike in the main series. But that’s not the end of it. The immunities removed are:
Ground immune to Electric Flying immune to Ground Ghost immune to Normal and Fighting Normal and Fighting immune to Ghost Steel immune to Poison Dark immune to Psychic Fairy immune to Dragon
Instead of a total immunity to damage, these initially worked the same as simple resistances. Now, however, they’ve been tweaked to form another tier of resistance, with the defending Pokémon that would normally be immune taking just 0.39 times the amount of damage it normally would - in other words, type immunity roughly cuts the amount of damage received to about a third. Here’s a full rundown of the multipliers that apply to standard, super effective, not very effective, immune, and doubly effective attacks.
Not very effective - 0.625x damage, instead of the 0.5x damage done in the main series. Super effective - 1.6x damage, instead of 2x damage done in the main series. Immunity - 0.39x damage, instead of 0 damage done in the main series. Doubly effective - 2.56x damage, instead of 4x damage done in the main series.
In other words, the latest tweaks to Type effectiveness brings them noticeably closer to the multipliers in the mainline games - but still not in line with them entirely. It does make Type effectiveness all the more important though, so it’s well worth getting to grips with those matchups if you can! Ultimately, it’s your mastery of three elements that will give you the greatest shot in PvP and the Gym and Raiding scene: Type effectiveness, understanding Pokémon Go’s moves, and having a good idea of the best Pokémon in Pokémon Go.
