What Is the Best Type Combination in Pokémon?
Quick Answer
Discover the best dual-type combinations in Pokémon ranked by fewest weaknesses. Bug/Steel leads with only 1 weakness.
Not all type combinations are created equal. Some dual types stack weaknesses, while others create defensive fortresses. Here’s a data-driven ranking of the best type combinations in Pokémon.
How We Ranked Type Combinations
We analyzed all 153 possible dual-type combinations using the type chart to calculate:
- Total weaknesses (2× and 4× damage taken)
- Total resistances (0.5×, 0.25×, and 0× damage taken)
- Immunities (complete damage negation)
The fewer weaknesses and more resistances, the higher the ranking.
Top 10 Best Defensive Type Combinations
| Rank | Type Combination | Weaknesses | Resistances + Immunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bug / Steel | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Normal / Ghost | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Water / Ground | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | Poison / Dark | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Ghost / Dark | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Steel / Fairy | 2 | 11 |
| 7 | Grass / Steel | 2 | 10 |
| 8 | Poison / Steel | 2 | 10 |
| 9 | Flying / Steel | 2 | 10 |
| 10 | Dragon / Steel | 2 | 10 |
Why These Combinations Work
Bug/Steel
With only 1 weakness and 9 types resisted or immunized, this combination patches the weaknesses of both types effectively. It’s immune to Poison.
Normal/Ghost
Another excellent pairing with 1 weaknesses and 5 resistances. Immune to Normal and Fighting and Ghost. The types complement each other defensively.
Type Combinations to Avoid
The worst combinations stack shared weaknesses:
- Types that share multiple weaknesses (like Ice/Rock with 7 weaknesses)
- Types where one adds weaknesses without covering the other’s
Building Teams with Dual Types
Use the Team Builder to test how dual-type Pokémon fit your squad. The tool calculates your team’s combined defensive coverage, so you can see exactly how adding a Bug/Steel type changes your overall matchups.
For more on building defensively solid teams, check our defensive team building guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best type combination in Pokémon?
- Bug/Steel is one of the best with only 1 weakness and 9 resistances/immunities.
- How many type combinations exist in Pokémon?
- There are 153 possible dual-type combinations (18 choose 2) plus 18 single types, totaling 171 possible type combinations.
- What dual type has the least weaknesses?
- Bug/Steel has only 1 weakness, making it one of the most defensively solid combinations in the game.
- What makes a type combination good?
- A good type combination has few weaknesses (ideally 1-2), many resistances, at least one immunity, and complements the Pokémon stat distribution. Defensive types benefit from resistance stacking.
- Are dual types better than single types?
- Usually yes. Dual types gain additional resistances and STAB coverage. However, they can also gain extra weaknesses. The best dual types patch each other weaknesses rather than stacking them.
- What type combination has the most resistances?
- Steel/Fairy has 11 resistances and immunities combined.