There are a total of eighteen types in the Pokemon universe, each bearing its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Most type matchups are based on common sense or other logical reasoning. For example, Fire's weakness to Water is easy to assume, and Flying's strength against Fighting is simple to remember. However, other matchups are not so easily recognizable.
Certain types boast strengths and weaknesses that are based on more vague ideas than "fire melts ice" or "bugs eat grass." Because of their ambiguity, some strengths and weaknesses are often forgotten, even by the most hardened Pokemon trainers. So, to avoid any costly surprises, players should take care to remember these less intuitive type strengths and weaknesses.
8 Strength: Rock Against Ice
Rock-types boast strength against several notable types including Bug, Fire, and Flying. However, it also holds a lesser-known advantage against Ice-types. This unusual type matchup is one that players often gloss over in favor of using Fire, Fighting, and Steel against Ice.
The simple reasoning behind this type-matchup is that rocks can effectively break ice. While this logic is a bit perplexing, it makes sense considering the Ice type's other weaknesses — all things that can shatter the fragile substance. Remember anything that could possibly break ice, and players will be set.
7 Weakness: Dark To Bug
Dark-types bear very few weaknesses, with the most recognizable being Fairy. This type, however, suffers against Bug-types as well. This is a type matchup that not many remember, considering the prevalence of Fairy and Fighting types when compared to Bug.
There is no sound reasoning for this type-matchup, and it was likely implemented simply to help counter the Dark-type's power and avoid giving them too many resistances. Because of this, there unfortunately isn't really an easy method to remember this weakness.
6 Strength: Fighting Against Steel
Fighting-types are strong against a number of other Pokemon, including Dark, Ice, Normal, and Rock. When considering what a Fighting-type would be strong against, Steel often does not come to mind, and some players forget this matchup. In fact, some might say it is far more believable to think that Fighting is weak to Steel.
Nevertheless, the reasoning behind this type-matchup is that a well-trained fighter can easily dent or bend metal. This logic is a bit of a stretch, but the truth behind makes it much easier to understand. Thus, to remember this type advantage, keep in mind what feats an experienced fighter can accomplish.
5 Weakness: Ground To Ice
Ground-types possess a notable weakness to Grass-types and Water-types, which most trainers bear in mind when fighting them. However, it bears a vulnerability against Ice as well. While both Grass and Water are well-recognized weaknesses it is difficult to remember Ice as it is both less logical, and a much less common type within the games.
The reasoning here is that ice can effortlessly envelop the ground and alter it. Though it might not be the most intuitive logic, it actually provides a reasonable and effective argument for this type-matchup. Keep in mind how ice affects the land when going up against these Pokemon.
4 Strength: Dark Against Ghost
Dark-types are highly regarded for their strength and their immunity against Psychic-types. These powerful advantages, though, can sometimes overshadow Dark's effectiveness against Ghost-types as well. Considering that Ghost and Dark seem to go hand in hand with one another, it can be difficult to remember this one.
Even so, the reasoning behind this type-matchup is that spirits can be corrupted, and as a result, become evil. This ties into the nefarious nature of Dark-types, and with time it begins making sense. To remember this one, imagine dark forces taking possession of an unfortunate soul.
3 Strength: Ground Against Poison
Ground-types are notably strong against Electric, Fire, Rock, and Steel. While each of these advantageous type-matchups are reasonable, Ground-type's strength against Poison is questionable. As a result, many players forget Ground-type's when battling toxic Pokemon.
The reasoning behind the unusual type matcup is that poison and other toxins could be smothered in the ground, rendering them useless. This logic makes some sense, but it still remains a loose idea. However, keeping it in mind will help players against this type.
2 Weakness: Poison To Psychic
Poison-type's weakness to Ground-types alone is baffling, yet its other weakness is far more confusing. This type is vulnerable to Psychic-types as well. The reasoning behind Poison-type's weakness to Ground is a stretch, but its vulnerability to Psychic is also notably out of place.
The logic behind this type-matchup is that poisons can be overcome through sheer willpower. This is a difficult idea to process — poisons don't really work this way in the real world, but perhaps the world of is different. Keep willpower in mind when Poison and Psychic-types go up against each other.
1 Weakness: Dark To Fighting
Alongside Dark-type's unusual weakness to Bug, is their vulnerability to Fighting-types as well. Much like Dark-types vulnerability to Bug, Fighting seems to be an ambiguous weakness. However, while this type-matchup might seem confusing to Western players, the reasons behind it are very clear in Japan.
In Japan, Dark-types are instead known as Evil-types. This explains the matchup, as evil is often fought by valiant heroes with impeccable fighting abilities. Think of Dark-types as evil, and imagine the fighting heroes that would stop them.