Flying Type

The Flying type (Japanese: ひこうタイプ Flying Type) is one of the eighteen Pokemon types. Flying-type Pokemon are characterized by their ability to soar through the air, featuring wings, levitation, or other aerial capabilities. Until Generation VI, Flying was unique as the only type that no pure-type Pokemon belonged to (excluding the Tornadus line).^[1]

Overview

Type Effectiveness

Offensive

Defensive

Key Note: Ground Immunity

Flying-type Pokemon are immune to Ground-type moves, making them essential counters to powerful Ground-type threats like Landorus-Therian and Garchomp. This immunity also grants immunity to Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and the Arena Trap ability.^[2]

Characteristics

Common Traits

Special Properties

Notable Flying-Type Pokemon

Pure Flying-Type

Until Generation V, no pure Flying-type Pokemon existed. The Tornadus evolutionary line remains the only pure Flying-type Pokemon family in the series.^[3]

Pseudo-Legendary Flying Types

Many pseudo-legendary Pokemon feature Flying as a secondary type:

Legendary/Mythical

Iconic Flying Types

Competitively Notable

Regional Birds

Each generation traditionally introduces an early-route Normal/Flying bird:

Common Flying-Type Moves

Physical Moves

Special Moves

Status Moves

Signature Moves

Flying-Type Specialists

Gym Leaders

Elite Four

Champions

Type Combinations

All Flying-Type Combinations

Most Common: Normal/Flying

Normal/Flying is the most common type combination in Pokemon, appearing in nearly every generation's regional bird line.^[4]

Unique Combinations

Abilities

Flying-Type Related Abilities

Signature Abilities

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

Weaknesses

Role in Metagame

Stealth Rock Problem

Flying-types suffer significantly from Stealth Rock:

This makes Heavy-Duty Boots a critical item for many Flying-types in competitive play.^[5]

Tailwind Teams

Tailwind is a defining support move for Flying-types:

Special Mechanics

Sky Battles (Generation VI)

Generation VI introduced Sky Battles, exclusive to Flying-type Pokemon and those with Levitate:

Roost Mechanic

Roost is a crucial Flying-type move with unique properties:

Wind Moves

Several moves are classified as wind moves, triggering specific abilities:

Wind Rider and Wind Power abilities activate when hit by these moves.

Abilities and Synergies

Gale Wings History

Gale Wings underwent significant changes:

This nerf significantly reduced Talonflame's viability, dropping it from OU to UU tier.^[6]

Aerilate Mechanics

Aerilate (Mega Salamence, Mega Pinsir) converts Normal-type moves to Flying:

Notable Type Immunities

Flying-type provides immunity to several battlefield effects:

However, Flying-types are grounded when:

• Hit by Smack Down
• Affected by Gravity
• Holding Iron Ball
• Using Roost (temporarily)

Historical Significance

Generation I

Flying-types established key mechanics:

• No pure Flying-type Pokemon
• Fly as two-turn HM move
• Legendary Birds set precedent

Generation II

Minimal changes to Flying-type:

• Still no pure Flying-type
• Steel-type resists Flying
• Skarmory introduced as defensive staple

Generation III-IV

Flying-types gained prominence:

• Salamence and Staraptor as offensive threats
• Defog introduced (Gen IV) for hazard removal
• Aerodactyl gained competitive viability

Generation V

Tornadus introduced as first pure Flying-type:

• Therian Formes added competitive depth
• Landorus-Therian became OU staple
• Flying Gem + Acrobatics combo

Generation VI-VII

Major metagame shifts:

• Gale Wings Talonflame dominated Gen VI
• Mega Salamence with Aerilate
• Gale Wings nerfed in Gen VII
• Sky Battles introduced (then removed)

Generation VIII-IX

Modern competitive landscape:

• Heavy-Duty Boots mitigates Stealth Rock
• Corviknight as premier physical wall
• Dynamax allowed flying moves to set Tailwind
• Terastallization provides Flying coverage to non-Flying types

Competitive Archetypes

Defog Support

Flying-types dominate as Defog users:

Offensive Sweepers

Defensive Pivots

Flying-Type Forms and Variants

Alternate Forms

Mega Evolutions

Regional Variants

Notable Competitive Sets

Landorus-Therian

Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt / Toxic

The most consistent Ground/Flying pivot in competitive Pokemon.

Corviknight

Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn

Premier physical wall and Defog user in Generation VIII-IX.

Dragonite

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake
- Outrage / Ice Spinner

Classic Dragon Dance sweeper with Multiscale durability.

Flying-Type Trivia

Unique Facts

Coverage Oddities

See Also

• Pokemon Types Index
• Normal Type
• Dragon Type
• Ground Type
• Pokemon Main Page