Fighting Type

The Fighting type (Japanese: かくとうタイプ Fighting Type) is one of the eighteen Pokemon types. Fighting-type Pokemon are characterized by their martial arts prowess, physical strength, and combat discipline. Fighting is renowned for having the most offensive type coverage, being super effective against five different types, making it one of the most valuable offensive types in the game.^[1]

Overview

Type Effectiveness

Offensive

Defensive

Key Note: Best Offensive Coverage

Fighting has the most super-effective coverage of any type, hitting five types for double damage (Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, Steel). This makes Fighting-type moves essential coverage options even for non-Fighting Pokemon.^[2] However, Fighting-type moves cannot hit Ghost-type Pokemon at all, which is a significant limitation.

Characteristics

Common Traits

Special Properties

Notable Fighting-Type Pokemon

Pseudo-Legendary Status

Kommo-o (Dragon/Fighting, Gen VII) is the only pseudo-legendary Pokemon with the Fighting type.^[3] With a base stat total of 600 and evolution at level 45, it represents the pinnacle of Fighting-type power in the pseudo-legendary category.

Legendary/Mythical

Mythical Fighting Types

Iconic Fighting Types

Competitively Notable

Regional Variants

Common Fighting-Type Moves

Physical Moves

Special Moves

Status Moves

Signature Moves

Fighting-Type Specialists

Gym Leaders

Elite Four/Champions

Trial Captains

Type Combinations

All Fighting-Type Combinations

Defensive Type Combinations

Fighting's three weaknesses (Flying, Psychic, Fairy) can be mitigated through smart dual typing:

Offensive Type Combinations

Notable Fighting Starters

Three Fire/Fighting starter Pokemon have created a controversial pattern:

The repetition of Fire/Fighting starters in Generations III-V led to community complaints about lack of creativity.^[4]

Abilities

Fighting-Type Related Abilities

Signature Fighting Abilities

Hidden Abilities

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

Weaknesses

Role in Metagame

Fighting-Type Cores

Fighting-types often pair with Pokemon that can handle Psychic and Fairy threats:

Special Mechanics

Punching Moves and Iron Fist

Many Fighting-type moves are classified as punching moves, gaining a 20% power boost from the Iron Fist ability:^[5]

Pokemon like Conkeldurr and Hitmonchan with Iron Fist become significantly more threatening.

Aura Mechanics

Several Fighting-type Pokemon and moves interact with the Aura mechanic:

No Guard Interactions

Machamp's signature ability No Guard ensures all moves hit, which synergizes with:

This makes Machamp uniquely capable of using Dynamic Punch (100% confusion on hit) reliably.^[6]

Guts and Status Conditions

Fighting-types frequently use the Guts ability, which boosts Attack by 50% when afflicted with a status condition:

Strategy:

1. Give Pokemon Flame Orb (burns after one turn)
2. Attack is boosted by Guts (1.5x)
3. Burn's Attack reduction is ignored
4. Facade doubles power when statused (70 → 140)

Common Guts Users:

• Conkeldurr (with Drain Punch for recovery)
• Machamp
• Heracross

Fighting-Type Z-Moves

All-Out Pummeling is the Fighting-type Z-Move introduced in Generation VII. When used with Close Combat (120 BP), it becomes a devastating 190 BP attack without the defense drops.

Gigantamax Fighting-Types

Urshifu: Dual Fighting Legendaries

Urshifu (Gen VIII) is unique as a legendary Pokemon with two distinct forms, both Fighting-type:

Urshifu-Single Strike (Dark/Fighting)

Urshifu-Rapid Strike (Water/Fighting)

Both forms have Unseen Fist, making them immune to Protect/Detect/King's Shield, which revolutionized competitive play.^[7]

Sacred Swords of Justice

The Swords of Justice are a quartet of legendary Fighting-type Pokemon introduced in Generation V:

All four share Sacred Sword, a 90 BP move that ignores stat changes, and all have the Justified ability (Attack +1 when hit by Dark moves).^[8]

Zamazenta: The Crowned Shield

Zamazenta is the box legendary of Pokemon Shield, with two forms:

Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles)

• Type: Fighting
• Ability: Dauntless Shield (+1 Defense on switch-in)

Zamazenta-Crowned Shield

• Type: Fighting/Steel
• Ability: Dauntless Shield
• Held Item: Rusted Shield (required for transformation)
• Base Stat Total: 720

Zamazenta-Crowned became one of the most dominant Pokemon in competitive history, combining massive bulk with Intrepid Sword boosting Attack and Fighting/Steel's excellent defensive typing.^[9]

Paradox Fighting-Types

Generation IX introduced Paradox Pokemon, including several Fighting-types:

Ancient Paradoxes

Future Paradoxes

Iron Hands became immediately dominant with its massive HP and Attack stats, access to Drain Punch, and Electric typing for coverage.

Historical Significance

Generation I

Fighting-types were strong but limited in Gen I:

• Machamp was the premier Fighting-type
• Psychic dominated and resisted Fighting
• Low Special stat hurt Fighting-types against Psychic

Generation II-III

Fighting began improving:

• Dark-type introduced (weak to Fighting)
• Steel-type introduced (weak to Fighting)
• Focus Punch and Focus Blast added powerful options

Generation IV-V

Fighting reached its peak:

• Close Combat became widely distributed
• Lucario's popularity soared
• Swords of Justice introduced
• Fighting became top-tier offensive type

Generation VI-Present

Fighting faced new challenges:

• Fairy-type introduction (resists Fighting)
• Mega Lucario and Mega Blaziken dominated
• Urshifu revolutionized with Unseen Fist
• Fighting remains essential coverage despite Fairy

Blaziken and Speed Boost

Blaziken (Fire/Fighting) is notable for its Hidden Ability Speed Boost, which raises Speed at the end of each turn. This made Blaziken so powerful it became the first non-legendary Pokemon banned to Ubers in Smogon competitive play.^[10]

Strategy:

1. Protect (gain +1 Speed)
2. Swords Dance (gain +2 Attack)
3. Speed Boost activates (+1 Speed again)
4. Sweep with Flare Blitz / Close Combat

Medicham and Pure Power

Medicham has the unique ability Pure Power, which doubles its Attack stat. With 60 base Attack doubled to 120, Medicham becomes a dangerous wallbreaker despite modest stats.

Mega Medicham:

• Base Attack: 100 (doubled to 200 by Pure Power)
• Effective Attack stat of 200 is the highest in the game
• Access to High Jump Kick, Zen Headbutt, Ice Punch

See Also

• Pokemon Types Index
• Normal Type
• Dark Type
• Steel Type
• Lucario
• Pokemon Main Page