Worst Pokémon type?

Started by Squirrel August 18th, 2013 6:18 AM
  • 5672 views
  • 40 replies

Squirrel

Age 28
Male
Seen 5 Days Ago
Posted July 10th, 2021
9,551 posts
11.7 Years
We've had the best, now it's time for the worst - which do you think is the worst Pokémon type for competitive battling? How do duel-typings effect this? Is there a type that you see as unsalvageable in the current meta? Discuss!
Currently I will have to say that Poison is probably the worst type in competitive play. With all of the Steel types out there immune to their attacks and just simply the lack of coverage proves this. Poison is only super effective against one type and that is Grass type which itself isn't used too often. This is a shame too because Poison is one of my favorite types but it simply can't cut it in competitive play. Now I will not say that all Poison moves are bad because Toxic is one of the most common and one of the best moves to use as well as Toxic Spikes, but running a Poison type Pokemon just isn't as viable. I have high hopes that the introduction of the Fairy type might make Poison types more common if Poison does actually turn out to be SE against it.

There are also some bad dual typings such as Fire/Bug, Fire/Flying, and Bug/Flying that have a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock. It is really hard to use these Pokemon without a spinner to clear away hazards for them to set up or have a chance to get off attacks. For example, Yanmega is one of the strongest Pokemon in UU, but due to SR it can have a hard time functioning. It usually runs a LO set, and after taking 50% of its HP after SR it can only get off a few attacks due to recoil damage. That is why these typings are pretty bad.

Nolafus

Aspiring something

Age 27
Male
Lost in thought... again
Seen March 3rd, 2018
Posted March 11th, 2017
5,722 posts
10.9 Years
I have to say the poison or rock types are the worst competitively. The former doesn't have good coverage while the latter really lacks a lot of mons that provide a lot of power bar Tyraniter and Terrokoin. Rock type monotype teams really struggle against physical walls thanks to the majority of the type being psychical attackers.

For me, ice/bug would be the hardest type to make viable as it's not only has a 4X weakness to stealth rock, but also to common fire type moves as well.
PairPC sister

KorpiklaaniVodka

KID BUU PAWAA

Age 24
Male
Eastern Europe
Seen September 26th, 2016
Posted September 26th, 2016
3,318 posts
9.9 Years
Currently I will have to say that Poison is probably the worst type in competitive play. With all of the Steel types out there immune to their attacks and just simply the lack of coverage proves this. Poison is only super effective against one type and that is Grass type which itself isn't used too often. This is a shame too because Poison is one of my favorite types but it simply can't cut it in competitive play. Now I will not say that all Poison moves are bad because Toxic is one of the most common and one of the best moves to use as well as Toxic Spikes, but running a Poison type Pokemon just isn't as viable. I have high hopes that the introduction of the Fairy type might make Poison types more common if Poison does actually turn out to be SE against it.
No. NO. NO. NO FREAKING WAY.

The Poison-type is actually one of the best types in the game. The reason for this is because while they are not good offensively, they are actually surprisingly good defensively, absorbing Toxic Spikes and having access to dangerous moves such as Toxic, as well as the mentioned Toxic Spikes. Poison-type moves aren't that bad - there are Sludge Wave, Gunk Shot, Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab. Four powerful moves that allow Poison-types to hit hard. And did I mention how annoying Tentacruel is?
Resisting Fighting and Grass is a great thing, as they are common types offensively.


The worst type in OU is in my opinion Fire. The reason for this is because Politoed and Tyranitar are everywhere in this tier and it'll limit the usefulness of the Fire-type. Pair that with a crippling Stealth Rock weakness and the fact that Dragon-types and Water-types are everywhere in OU, and Fire-types suddenly have a lot of trouble. They are super-effective against stuff like Scizor and Ferrothorn, yes, but they do next to nothing against Politoed and Tyranitar. Also, all Ninetales really does is to set up Drought, while Poli and T-tar can also do something else besides setting up rain or sand, respectively.
PokeCheats | Serebii | AMA | Rock-type Club | Legendary Club #Respect4Rhyperior #Respect4Garbodor #Respect4Tangrowth #FreeGenesect2016 #FreeHoopa-U2016
No. NO. NO. NO FREAKING WAY.

The Poison-type is actually one of the best types in the game. The reason for this is because while they are not good offensively, they are actually surprisingly good defensively, absorbing Toxic Spikes and having access to dangerous moves such as Toxic, as well as the mentioned Toxic Spikes. Poison-type moves aren't that bad - there are Sludge Wave, Gunk Shot, Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab. Four powerful moves that allow Poison-types to hit hard. And did I mention how annoying Tentacruel is?
Resisting Fighting and Grass is a great thing, as they are common types offensively.


The worst type in OU is in my opinion Fire. The reason for this is because Politoed and Tyranitar are everywhere in this tier and it'll limit the usefulness of the Fire-type. Pair that with a crippling Stealth Rock weakness and the fact that Dragon-types and Water-types are everywhere in OU, and Fire-types suddenly have a lot of trouble. They are super-effective against stuff like Scizor and Ferrothorn, yes, but they do next to nothing against Politoed and Tyranitar. Also, all Ninetales does is really to set up Drought, while Poli and T-tar can also do something else besides setting up rain or sand, respectively.

Not going to disagree with what you said because it is true. Fire types aren't that great at all, but this isn't restricted to OU. You see many fire types being viable in lower tiers such as Victini, Chandelure, Darmanitan, Magmortar, etc and are all used pretty well.

I also see your point about Poison types being able to absorb fighting attacks and T-Spikes, but in all honesty do that many people run Poison types for that? Some do, but I usually see a spinner more useful for clearing hazards because it can clear them all not just T-Spikes. Also there are other Pokemon that are great for switching into fighting attacks such as Jellicent.

You also mention that Poison types are great because they have access to Toxic. You do realize that 99% of Pokemon have access to that move right?
Route 49
Seen February 7th, 2016
Posted June 21st, 2015
612 posts
10.5 Years
The Bug-type is in my opinion the worst out of all 17 types. They have the lowest average Base Stat total, no unique niches, no immunities and its STAB is resisted by six types (Including the common Ghost and Steel types). They are also weak to Stealth Rock as well as all forms of status. That's as bad as it gets.
Boilurn, the Scald Pokemon and the evolved form of Hottle. It can burn the holder by the lightest of touches when it boils. It can boil 3 gallons of water in one minute.
The Bug-type is in my opinion the worst out of all 17 types. They have the lowest average Base Stat total, no unique niches, no immunities and its STAB is resisted by six types (Including the common Ghost and Steel types). They are also weak to Stealth Rock as well as all forms of status. That's as bad as it gets.
I'd agree Bug type can be horrid without assistance from spinners because of SR. However, I still think that Scizor, Forretress, and Volcarona really do the Bug type well. Scizor is still one of the most common Pokemon used because of its sheer strength and ability to U-turn out of a situation, Forretress can set up and spin away hazards, and if Volcarona can switch in on no Stealth Rocks, can set up and be a devastating sweeper. Though sadly outside of these and maybe a few more, Bug can certainly be argued as the worst type.

Lucky1Yena

Just some guy

Age 29
He/Him
Behind you...
Seen June 19th, 2022
Posted March 11th, 2022
156 posts
11 Years
While I've never REALLY done competitive battling, I can still say this: A duel-type bug/grass Pokémon has so many weaknesses it's not even funny.

SIX weaknesses (fire, ice, poison, flying, bug and rock), two of which do 4x the damage normally.
What would I like to see in the future? A few things, actually.
1) A trio of ROM hacks [gen1, gen2, gen3] that, aside from the generation, are pretty much identical: You start in Kanto and post-elite four you travel through Johto as it would have been "3 years ago".
2) A demake of Heart Gold / Soul Silver. Possibly using Fire Red as a base.
3) An official Pokémon game, following the standard "gotta catch 'em all" format, but aimed more at the older players.
Route 49
Seen February 7th, 2016
Posted June 21st, 2015
612 posts
10.5 Years
I'd agree Bug type can be horrid without assistance from spinners because of SR. However, I still think that Scizor, Forretress, and Volcarona really do the Bug type well. Scizor is still one of the most common Pokemon used because of its sheer strength and ability to U-turn out of a situation,
U-turn! I forgot that some of the Bug-type moves have a niche, and U-turn is certainly one of them, as it hits every Pokemon and works while taunted, unlike Volt Switch and Baton Pass respectively. Struggle Bug, Tail Glow and Quiver Dance are some of the other unique moves, but still, I'm sure that with U-turn's great secondary effect it is one of the best Bug-type moves out there, despite having average power. I can tell that GameFreak have made improvements on that type unlike the first three generations.
Boilurn, the Scald Pokemon and the evolved form of Hottle. It can burn the holder by the lightest of touches when it boils. It can boil 3 gallons of water in one minute.

Keiran

[b]Rock Solid[/b]

Age 31
New Jersey
Seen March 14th, 2022
Posted July 25th, 2018
2,441 posts
12.1 Years
Poison and bug are actually quite good. Both have numerous, useful resistances to support dual-types well. The ice-type is definitely the worst type to have- no useful resistances whatsoever and weaknesses to many common attacks. Since many things weak to Ice are doubly weak to it, Ice-STAB is rarely needed. Also, since it has nearly no representation in the metagame Gamefreak balances around, its safe to say that Ice is the worst type designed in regards to competitive play.
Mod of Trade Corner| Pair | Trainer Information

When kings upon the main have clung to pride
And held themselves as masters of the sea
I've held them down beneath the crushing tide
Till they have learned that no one masters me
Poison and bug are actually quite good. Both have numerous, useful resistances to support dual-types well. The ice-type is definitely the worst type to have- no useful resistances whatsoever and weaknesses to many common attacks. Since many things weak to Ice are doubly weak to it, Ice-STAB is rarely needed. Also, since it has nearly no representation in the metagame Gamefreak balances around, its safe to say that Ice is the worst type designed in regards to competitive play.
Ice types themselves can be generally useless at times because of SR weaknesses and I really hope that this gen brings some improvements to the defensively. Ice types do have a good niche though in taking down the all too common Dragon. While you will more times than not see non-Ice types doing this role, there are still good Ice types out there such as Cloyster, Mamoswine, Frosslass, Abomasnow, Jynx, Weaville, and Kyurem that all have great roles in their respective tiers. However, I do agree that Ice types can be pretty bad and aren't as useful as most types.

KorpiklaaniVodka

KID BUU PAWAA

Age 24
Male
Eastern Europe
Seen September 26th, 2016
Posted September 26th, 2016
3,318 posts
9.9 Years
I also see your point about Poison types being able to absorb fighting attacks and T-Spikes, but in all honesty do that many people run Poison types for that? Some do, but I usually see a spinner more useful for clearing hazards because it can clear them all not just T-Spikes. Also there are other Pokemon that are great for switching into fighting attacks such as Jellicent.
...until you realise most Fighting-type Pokemon have stuff like Payback for Ghost-types (especially Conkeldurr), but they can't really do much to poison-types because if they were to run Earthquake, Fighting-type STAB and Ground-type coverage are pretty much redunant because Poison-types are rare in this metagame (not to mention they'd rather run Stone Edge for Fire- and Flying-types). A spinner can be spinblocked, unless it has foresight (but what user of rapid spin with access to Foresight will you actually see in OU? Hitmontop?), whereas Poison-types can switch in and absorb them. And tbh I'd rather use a Magic Bounce user (preferably Xatu).

The fact that Poison-types are so rare in this metagame ironically makes them good.

Poison and bug are actually quite good. Both have numerous, useful resistances to support dual-types well. The ice-type is definitely the worst type to have- no useful resistances whatsoever and weaknesses to many common attacks. Since many things weak to Ice are doubly weak to it, Ice-STAB is rarely needed. Also, since it has nearly no representation in the metagame Gamefreak balances around, its safe to say that Ice is the worst type designed in regards to competitive play.
Actually, no. The Ice-type is a good type offensively. Kyurem(-B) and Weavile, for example, are very good Ice-type physical attackers, with the former also being able to go on a mixed or special route, while the latter has Pursuit, Ice Shard, Low Kick and a great base 125 Speed. However, you won't see Kyurem-C often in OU because it works best in hail, which is by far the worst weather (although it's also my 2nd favourite to use, after sand). Speaking of hail, Abomasnow is also a good attacker, with 172 SpA EVs being able to OHKO Scizor with HP Fire while 84 Spe EVs allow it to outpace it as well as Politoed and Tyranitar, and KOing them with Wood Hammer.
There's also Mamoswine, which like Weavile has Ice Shard, as well as powerful STABs in Icicle Crash and Earthquake. And let's not forget about Cloyster: its Shell Smash set can spell doom to many teams, but it has trouble setting up due to its downright horrible special bulk.
However, the Ice-type is indeed the worst type defensively, and I hope it will resist to Fairy-type attacks in gen VI.
PokeCheats | Serebii | AMA | Rock-type Club | Legendary Club #Respect4Rhyperior #Respect4Garbodor #Respect4Tangrowth #FreeGenesect2016 #FreeHoopa-U2016

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
I'd say that Poison and Ice are bad. While Poison has decent neutral coverage, it only hits 1 type (Grass) supereffectively. Ice suffers from having common weaknesses to Fire, Fighting and Rock.

Keiran

[b]Rock Solid[/b]

Age 31
New Jersey
Seen March 14th, 2022
Posted July 25th, 2018
2,441 posts
12.1 Years



Actually, no. The Ice-type is a good type offensively. Kyurem(-B) and Weavile, for example, are very good Ice-type physical attackers, with the former also being able to go on a mixed or special route, while the latter has Pursuit, Ice Shard, Low Kick and a great base 125 Speed. However, you won't see Kyurem-C often in OU because it works best in hail, which is by far the worst weather (although it's also my 2nd favourite to use, after sand). Speaking of hail, Abomasnow is also a good attacker, with 172 SpA EVs being able to OHKO Scizor with HP Fire while 84 Spe EVs allow it to outpace it as well as Politoed and Tyranitar, and KOing them with Wood Hammer.
There's also Mamoswine, which like Weavile has Ice Shard, as well as powerful STABs in Icicle Crash and Earthquake. And let's not forget about Cloyster: its Shell Smash set can spell doom to many teams, but it has trouble setting up due to its downright horrible special bulk.
However, the Ice-type is indeed the worst type defensively, and I hope it will resist to Fairy-type attacks in gen VI.
Yeah, but I think this is about the actual types and not Pokemon with said type having a small niche. The point is, an Ice-type needs to have tons of other positive characteristics to make it usuable like all of the Pokemon you listed, whereas any Pokemon is usually blessed just by being part Water (for example).
Mod of Trade Corner| Pair | Trainer Information

When kings upon the main have clung to pride
And held themselves as masters of the sea
I've held them down beneath the crushing tide
Till they have learned that no one masters me

Fire Flyy

metaphysical poet

Age 26
Male
below the heavens
Seen August 6th, 2015
Posted November 12th, 2013
187 posts
10.8 Years
its normal type without question; poison has good resistances and absorbs/sets Tspikes; normal has no resistances at all and hits nothing supereffectively, which matters a lot since the game is based around super-effective hits and resisting hits for the most part
Male
In a Rabbit
Seen July 13th, 2022
Posted June 9th, 2022
824 posts
9.8 Years
"What is the worst offensive type? What is the worst defensive type?"

Asking what the worst type overall is... well, that's a lot tougher than the above question. For instance, those who have commented above have made arguments for why the Poison type is bad offensively. And then people countered these arguments, saying how Poison is useful for its resistances and getting rid of T-spikes.

A friend and I once added up weaknesses and resistances, finding that Grass was tied for having the highest (weaknesses - resistances) defensively, and being second for having the least (supereffective - n.v.effective) offensively. Yet Grass types make up for this with status and strategies like subseed.

The person above said Normal was one of the worst; however, Normal type moves tend to have good coverage alongside other moves. Defensively, Normal types only have one weakness.

Overall, I think Poison types are currently the worst off typing. Offensively, they're purely bad. Defensively, they're average. Their are better defensive types to take advantage of toxic stalling. Finally, Toxic Spikes isn't common enough to make this specialty a big deal.
3DS FC: 4914-3495-9756 (IGN: Shrew)

BDSP Final Team:


KorpiklaaniVodka

KID BUU PAWAA

Age 24
Male
Eastern Europe
Seen September 26th, 2016
Posted September 26th, 2016
3,318 posts
9.9 Years
its normal type without question; poison has good resistances and absorbs/sets Tspikes; normal has no resistances at all and hits nothing supereffectively, which matters a lot since the game is based around super-effective hits and resisting hits for the most part
The Normal-type, however, is only resisted by three types: Ghost, Rock and Ground. Earthquake / Fire Punch and a Ghost- or a Dark- type move take care of this and thus the Normal-type can cover its resistances. Not to mention Normal-types have access to a very expansive movepool and are quite bulky too. There's a reason Arceus-Normal is #2 in Ubers.
PokeCheats | Serebii | AMA | Rock-type Club | Legendary Club #Respect4Rhyperior #Respect4Garbodor #Respect4Tangrowth #FreeGenesect2016 #FreeHoopa-U2016
Seen September 12th, 2016
Posted June 17th, 2016
1,254 posts
15.3 Years
By offensive, it's gotta be Poison-type, their moves are only super effective against Grass-type
Spoiler:
and Fairy-type
.

Defensively speaking it should be none other than Grass-type, they have a lot of weaknesses like Bug-moves, Ice-moves, Fire-moves, Flying-moves, Poison-moves. Most have frail defensive stats, with Ferrothorn, Ludicolo being one of the few good defensive Grass Pokemon.

Nolafus

Aspiring something

Age 27
Male
Lost in thought... again
Seen March 3rd, 2018
Posted March 11th, 2017
5,722 posts
10.9 Years
Defensively speaking it should be none other than Grass-type, they have a lot of weaknesses like Bug-moves, Ice-moves, Fire-moves, Flying-moves, Poison-moves. Most have frail defensive stats, with Ferrothorn, Ludicolo being one of the few good defensive Grass Pokemon.
I'll have to disagree with you on this one (and not only because grass is my favorite type). I'd have to go with ice because the only thing it resists is itself, while having extremely common weaknesses like fire, fighting, and rock. I'm only speaking in terms of defense here.

Offensively, I've got to go with the majority and say poison.
PairPC sister

Opposite Day

too old for name changes

Age 30
Male
∞Rain town, Norway
Seen August 12th, 2014
Posted August 12th, 2014
974 posts
14.9 Years
While I've never REALLY done competitive battling, I can still say this: A duel-type bug/grass Pokémon has so many weaknesses it's not even funny.

SIX weaknesses (fire, ice, poison, flying, bug and rock), two of which do 4x the damage normally.
It's never too late! ;) Give it a go and you won't know what hit you.


Worst type in my opinion - I'll probably be controversial here and say that in Gen V, it's Rock, because it is such a double edged sword. Yes, you have a ridiculously powerful STAB - but these are the cons, namely

1) Your main STAB never hits when it needs to (Stone Edge), making you bite your nails every single time you use it - and it only has about a 50% chance to connect twice in a row. Smack Down just doesn't cut it.
2) You are defensively weak to things like Earthquake, Surf, Close Combat, Bullet Punch, and neutral to moves such as Volt Switch, Draco Meteor, U-Turn.. Stone Edges from your opponent ( :x ) etc. Heck, you're even weak to Grass Knot if Thunderus-T decides to use it - pretty much everything carries coverage to hit you.
3) You don't even resist Stealth Rock yourself.

As such, the best users of Rock moves are the ones that don't really need them and can afford the miss - or has something else that they can use to put pressure on your opponent. The only two Rock-type pokemon that come to mind that I see in OU are for instance Tyranitar and Terrakion, and while Terra is the most difficult pokemon to switch into it still misses with Stone Edge when you need it to, making it moot. Close Combat can only go so far :/

Give us a 100% accurate Rock move Gen VI, pleaaaaaaaaaaaase.

Livewire

Male
Sunnyshore City
Seen December 3rd, 2022
Posted August 2nd, 2019
14,091 posts
13.8 Years
I think the worse defensive type is Ice, sadly, partly because it's so nice offensively. Give and take I guess. But really common weaknesses to Fire, Fighting, Steel and Rock, (SR) coupled with the fact that Ice only resists Ice, and you've got a bad defensive typing.

And I think Normal is the worst offensively. Being able to deal super effective damage is huge....and they can't do that. Plus, not many normal Pokemon aside from base Arceus possess enough raw power to compensate for that. I'd say Poison, but Toxic Spikes (And immunity to Toxic & T-Spikes) is big, competitively. And now, it's SE to Fairy.

Danny0317

Fluorite's back, brah

Age 23
Male
Seen February 19th, 2021
Posted March 11th, 2017
1,067 posts
9.9 Years
Let's see offensively is probably bug. Not because it's bad, I actually like bug type but the bug moves are pretty bad. There are barely any good bug moves not counting megahorn...

Defensively, Ice. I love ice types but only resisting themselves... that's terrible... It should be resistant to water...

Overall, the worst type in my opinion is dragon DON'T KILL ME NOW. Just kidding I might hate dragon type but I just don't like Normal type. No supper effective against anything and not resistant to anything but ghost ... really? It makes sense that it should be like that but it just sucks
Route 49
Seen February 7th, 2016
Posted June 21st, 2015
612 posts
10.5 Years
Let's see offensively is probably bug. Not because it's bad, I actually like bug type but the bug moves are pretty bad. There are barely any good bug moves not counting megahorn...
I almost said the same on this, but I was told that there are actually some good moves however which we haven't discovered. U-turn in particular has the unique niche of damaging every Pokemon and then switching out, whereas Bug Buzz is just a reliable, accurate STAB move for special attackers. Other than that, I agree that most moves such as Leech Life, Struggle Bug and Pin Missile are such a stupid idea.
Boilurn, the Scald Pokemon and the evolved form of Hottle. It can burn the holder by the lightest of touches when it boils. It can boil 3 gallons of water in one minute.

Danny0317

Fluorite's back, brah

Age 23
Male
Seen February 19th, 2021
Posted March 11th, 2017
1,067 posts
9.9 Years
I almost said the same on this, but I was told that there are actually some good moves however which we haven't discovered. U-turn in particular has the unique niche of damaging every Pokemon and then switching out, whereas Bug Buzz is just a reliable, accurate STAB move for special attackers. Other than that, I agree that most moves such as Leech Life, Struggle Bug and Pin Missile are such a stupid idea.
Only thing I disagree with here is pin missile. Give a pokemon with that move a kings rock and BAM see if they can attack