Highlights

• Fairy-type Pokemon are effective against popular offensive types like Fighting, Dragon, and Dark in the Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC).
• Fairy-types have high Special stats and powerful moves that rival other offensive types such as Dragon and Psychic.
• Florges, Iron Valiant, Flutter Mane, Sylveon, Clefable, Togekiss, Grimmsnarl, and Zacian are some of the best Fairy-type Pokemon for competitive play.

Fairy-type Pokemon first made their appearance in Pokemon X and Y and are the answer to facing Dragon-types successfully. They have two weaknesses from Poison and Steel. However, they are Super Effective against some of the most popular offensive types in the Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC): Fighting, Dragon, and Dark.

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Fairy-types can be offensive, but many are equipped with strong support moves, including recovery, stat boosts, and Status Conditions; they thrive in Double Battles. Their Sp. Def. stats are also the highest among all the types in Pokemon. Offensively, they have some key moves that can put dents in any team, and some make solid Sweeper Pokemon. The below Fairy-type Pokemon are the best for competitive play.

Updated August 8, 2023 by Taylor Pittman: Fairy-type Pokemon have made a name for themselves on competitive teams. They're equipped with high Special stats and powerful moves that rival other offensive types such as Dragon and Psychic.

Fairy-types started out as rare, but with each generation, they increase. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet continue this trend and add many powerful Fairy-type Pokemon for players to add to their competitive teams. This updated list includes more of the best Fairy-type Pokemon seen in the VGC meta.

Florges

HP: 78

Attack: 65

Defense: 68

Sp. Atk: 112

Sp. Def: 154

Speed: 75

Florges is a Fairy-type Pokemon first seen in Generation Six, but it has made a resurgence in competitive matches using Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as their format. Its Special Stats are most impressive, and players will find it works best as a Support Pokemon on most teams. Florges can manage itself on the field for longer than expected with its Special Bulk.

Despite being a defensive-leaning Pokemon, Florges has access to a high Sp. Atk stat and several powerful attack moves. Moonblast and Petal Dance are hard hitters for almost every Pokemon without a good type matchup. Players can stretch Florges' time as a Special Tank on the field using Synthesis and Wish.

Iron Valiant

HP: 74

Attack: 130

Defense: 90

Sp. Atk: 120

Sp. Def: 60

Speed: 116

Iron Valiant is a dual Fairy/Fighting-type Paradox Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet. Paradox Pokemon are a regional phenomenon related to future and past Pokemon. Iron Valiant is a shoo-in for competitive battles because of its high Attack and Speed stats, keeping it above the competition.

In Double Battles, Iron Valiant shines with Quick Guard and Wide Guard, protecting its allies from priority and multi-target moves. Still, players will get the most use out of it by taking advantage of its offensive moves, such as Moonblast, Close Combat, and Dazzling Gleam. These moves are boosted by Electric Terrain, something all Paradox Pokemon have access to.

Flutter Mane

HP: 55

Attack: 55

Defense: 55

Sp. Atk: 135

Sp. Def: 135

Speed: 135

Flutter Mane is arguably one of the best competitive Fairy-type Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet. It is a dual Ghost/Fairy-type Paradox Pokemon with a unique stat spread. Players often use it as a wall breaker because of its Special Stats and Speed. Most opponents in the metagame have a hard time keeping up with the ancient 'Mon.

There are positives and negatives with its typing removing certain resistances and immunities. It does have several powerful Ghost-type moves, including Shadow Ball and Phantom Force. Since it is not likely to be out-sped, players can use it to knock out persistent opponents.

Sylveon

HP: 95

Attack: 65

Defense: 65

Sp. Atk: 110

Sp. Def: 130

Speed: 60

Sylveon is a Gen VI Eeveelution and Fairy-type Pokemon. Its Special stats are very high, and its other stats are decently balanced. However, Sylveon is best used as a support Pokemon in Double Battles. Moves like Baby-Doll Eyes, Light Screen, Helping-Hand, Baton Pass are all great support moves. In addition, Sylveon's ability Cute Charm is another stall tactic players can take advantage of.

Of course, Sylveon can still dish out some damage with its main Same Type Attack Bonus moves, Moonblast, and Dazzling Gleam. Also, moves such as Hyper Voice, Shadow Ball, and Iron Tail give it good type coverage. Its Hidden Ability, Pixelate, changes Hyper Voice into a Fairy-type move and grants it a 20% power boost making it even more formidable.

Clefable

HP: 95

Attack: 70

Defense: 73

Sp. Atk: 85

Sp. Def: 90

Speed: 60

Clefable is another excellent support Fairy-type Pokemon. It was introduced in Generation I as a Normal-type, but post-Generation VI, it became a Fairy-type staple. Its ability Magic Guard protects it from many passive damage-dealing moves, entry hazards, and weather conditions. It also has many recovery moves for itself or its team.

Arguably its access to the move Healing Wish is its best strategy in the field. Healing Wish immediately makes the user faint; however, a party member will switch in with full HP. Clefable is perfect for setting up offensive allies and sneak-attacking opponents. Its Speed doesn't make it the first choice as an attacker, but it does have STAB options like Play Rough and Dazzling Gleam should players get the chance.

Togekiss

HP: 85

Attack: 50

Defense: 95

Sp. Atk: 120

Sp. Def: 115

Speed: 80

Togekiss is a more offensive Fairy-type from Generation I who, just like Clefable, started as a Normal-type until Generation VI. Players can only get it by evolving Togetic with a Shiny Stone. Its dual Fairy/Flying typing leaves it more vulnerable to more types, but it has a fantastic choice of STAB moves to make up for it. Air Slash and Fairy Wind hit even harder than usual due to Togekiss's high Special stats, so players can get serious damage from it.

Nevertheless, it's more likely to catch this Pokemon playing a support role as with most Fairy-types. Players can use Follow Me and Wish to protect Glass Cannons like Regieleki or Alakazam from opposing Pokemon. If players want to give Togekiss some support, then a Ground-type Pokemon would be best to account for its Electric-type weakness.

Grimmsnarl

HP: 95

Attack: 120

Defense: 65

Sp. Atk: 95

Sp. Def: 75

Speed: 60

Grimmsnarl is a ferocious Fairy/Dark-type with an Attack stat of 120. Its notable STAB moves include Darkest Lariat, Play Rough, and False Surrender, which cut through the competition when type-matchups allow it. Be wary of other offensive Fairy-types, as it lacks in Defense and Speed. Players should consider a Sitrus Berry as a recovery tactic to extend its life on the field.

Alternatively, Grimmsnarl can 100% be used as a Screen Setter. Light Screen and Reflect will protect the user and allies from physical and Special attacks. Screening gives more fragile Pokemon a chance to shine and Grimmsnarl time to use its damaging movepool. Its ability, Prankster, also accomplishes this by prioritizing non-damaging moves from foes and grants Grimmsnarl immunity to them.

Zacian

HP: 90

Attack: 130

Defense: 115

Sp. Atk: 80

Sp. Def: 115

Speed: 138

As far as Fairy-type Pokemon go, Zacian is the most powerful in the entire Pokemon franchise. It is the mascot of Pokemon Sword and is the sibling of sorts of Zamazenta. It moves incredibly fast and hits even harder on the field with its ability Intrepid Sword boosting its Attack stat. Its STAB moves include Close Combat, Play Rough, and Moonblast.

If Zacian is given the Rusted Sword, it takes on the Crowned Sword form. Crowned Form has a few different effects on it. First, its Speed and Attack stats are increased. Additionally, it gains Steel-typing. Steel maintains very few weaknesses, so opponents will have difficulty getting it off the field once it's there. Typically, targets do not survive more than one of its hits in this form unless they are Poison or Steel. Zacian's signature move in Crowned Sword form is Behemoth Blade, and it is almost always an OHKO and can even give Dynamaxed foes substantial damage. The STAB move eases the blow of Zacian being unable to Dynamax itself.