Best Fairy Type Pokemon

Picking the best Fairy type Pokemon starts with what the type does to dragons. Fairy type Pokemon hit Fighting, Dragon and Dark for double damage, and Dragon moves do nothing to them at all.

The type only arrived in Gen VI, and it took several older Pokemon along with it. Six of the 15 below were around before Fairy existed, which is why a few of them spent years filed under a different type. (Imagine finding out at 30 that you were a fairy the whole time. We would need a minute.)

This list ranks 15 of the 64 Fairy type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Fairy type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

#15

Tinkaton

Tinkaton may be inspired by duendes, gnomes or dwarfs, the last of which are commonly shown smithing with iron tools. Its habit of attacking Corviknight, a Steel type bird used for taxi services, also recalls gremlins, the creatures once blamed for aircraft malfunctions during World War II. Its Pokedex entry says its hammer tops 220 pounds, yet it swings it around easily as it steals whatever it pleases and carries its plunder back home. Tinkaton itself stands 0.7 m tall. (We have met this person at a garage sale.)

Tinkatuff evolves into it at level 38. Its Special Defense, which blunts special attacks, is 105. Every Pokemon has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Tinkaton's Mold Breaker lets its moves ignore any ability on the target that would hinder or block them. Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Pickpocket, steals the held item of any Pokemon that touches it.

Several players name it their favorite Fairy type, and for at least one it carried a whole game.

#14

Mimikyu

Mimikyu hides under a disguise based on Pikachu, with a crudely drawn face that looks like a child's crayon drawing. The costume works like a ghost made from a bedsheet, and in the games it comes from the boom in Pikachu merchandise 20 years earlier. It also shares traits with the Bugul Noz, a kind fairy spirit of Breton myth whose ugliness leaves it forever alone. Its Pokedex entry says a scientist who peeked under its old rag in the name of research died of a mysterious disease. (Some questions can wait for the next grant cycle.)

It stands 0.2 m tall and weighs 0.7 kg. Its Speed is 96 (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn), and its Special Defense is 105. Its only ability, Disguise, stops the first hit of damage it takes in a battle, which gives it a free turn that most Pokemon never get.

#13

Zacian

Zacian may be based on Excalibur, King Arthur's sword, and its role as a warrior helping a king may take inspiration from the Knights of the Round Table. Otherwise it resembles a wolf, an animal once native to Great Britain, and its long blue fur resembles a caparison, the cloth worn by warhorses in the High Middle Ages. Its Pokedex entry says it has slumbered for many years, and some say it is Zamazenta's elder sister while others call the two rivals. (We also have a sibling we describe this way.)

It is one of two legendary Pokemon on this list. Its Speed of 138 is the highest of the 15, and its Attack is 120. Its only ability, Intrepid Sword, boosts its Attack in battle.

It comes up in the same breath as Xerneas whenever players argue over the strongest Fairy type.

#12

Alcremie

Alcremie appears to be based on whipped cream, or Eton mess, a British dessert made of fruit, meringue and whipped cream. Its Gigantamax form, a giant version it takes for three turns in some battles, may be based on a wedding cake. Its Pokedex entry says that when it is content, the cream it secretes from its hands becomes sweeter and richer. (Our mood also affects our cooking. The direction is different.)

Milcery evolves into it after a spin, which in the games means spinning your character in place. It stands 0.3 m tall and weighs 0.5 kg. Its Special Attack, which powers special moves, is 110, and its Special Defense is 121. Its ability, Sweet Veil, keeps its side from falling asleep, and its hidden ability, Aroma Veil, protects its allies against moves that mess with their minds.

#11

Florges

Florges appears to be based on fairies and nymphs, in particular the Anthousai, because of its heavy connection to flowers. The flower arrangement around its neck may be a reference to the 18th century pouf hairstyle, and its body structure resembles the hyacinth. Its Pokedex entry says its life can span several hundred years and that it devotes all of it to protecting gardens. (Several hundred years of weeding. We cannot do one weekend.)

Floette evolves into it with a Shiny Stone, an evolution item. Its Special Defense of 154 is the highest on this list, and its Special Attack is 112. Its ability, Flower Veil, protects friendly Grass type Pokemon from having their stats lowered. Its hidden ability, Symbiosis, passes its held item to an ally once that ally uses up its own.

#10

Grimmsnarl

Grimmsnarl may be based on ogres, trolls and oni, brawny creatures from myth with grotesque looks and abundant hair. It also resembles Grendel, the giant of Beowulf, and the fact that its strength comes from its hair may refer to Samson from the Book of Judges. Its Pokedex entry says its hairs work like muscle fibers, and when they unfurl they latch on to opponents the way tentacles would. (We also have hair that grabs things. Mostly the shower drain.)

Morgrem evolves into it at level 42. Its HP is 95 and its Attack is 120. Its ability Prankster gives its non-damaging moves priority, which means they go before the opponent's attacks. Its hidden ability is Pickpocket, the same one Tinkaton has.

It has its own following as a favorite Fairy type, including one player who had wanted a Dark / Fairy Pokemon since Gen VI.

Whimsicott

Whimsicott is based on a fully bloomed ball of cotton and a sheep, since both produce clothing material. It may also draw on the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary, a mythical plant used to explain where cotton came from in the Middle Ages, and its wandering in the wind seems to be based on tumbleweeds. Its Pokedex entry says its cotton keeps growing as long as it bathes in sunlight, and when too much fluff builds up, it tears it off and scatters it. (We shed like this each spring. Nobody calls it whimsical.)

Cottonee evolves into it with a Sun Stone. Its Speed of 116 is second only to Zacian on this list. Its ability Prankster lets its moves that deal no damage go first, and its other ability, Infiltrator, gets past defensive moves such as Reflect and Light Screen. Its hidden ability, Chlorophyll, doubles its Speed in strong sunlight.

Primarina

Primarina is based on a sea lion, particularly the Japanese sea lion. Its love of performing may draw on sea lion shows at circuses, zoos and marine parks, and its singing may be inspired by sirens, the sea creatures of myth that lure sailors with songs. Its Pokedex entry says every battle is a stage for it, and its singing and the dancing of its balloons mesmerize the audience. (A seal with stage presence. We clap for less.)

Brionne evolves into it at level 34. Its Special Attack of 126 is second only to Xerneas on this list, and its Special Defense is 116. Its ability, Torrent, makes its Water moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Liquid Voice, turns its sound-based moves into Water moves.

Several players rate it the best of the Alola starters, or their favorite Pokemon from Gen VII.

Mawile

Mawile may have been based on the futakuchi-onna, a woman from Japanese legend with a mouth in the back of her head. Its mouth resembles a bear trap, which may explain its unexpected Steel type and its category, Deceiver Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says its huge jaws are steel horns that have been transformed. (It has a second mouth and still eats less than we do.)

Its base stat total of 380 is the lowest on this list, with an Attack of 85. Its abilities are Hyper Cutter, which stops other Pokemon from lowering its Attack, and Intimidate, which lowers the opponent's Attack one stage when it enters battle (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle). Its hidden ability, Sheer Force, makes moves with extra effects 1.3× as strong but drops those effects.

Its fans credit the Fairy type and Mega Mawile, its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle), for turning an obscure Pokemon into a strong one.

Clefable

Clefable seems to be based on fairies and pixies, a playful and magical humanoid creature with wings. It may also be inspired by the idea of life from outer space, given its rumored celestial origins and vaguely star-shaped body, and it may reference the moon rabbit through its large ears. Its category is Fairy Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says that on clear, quiet nights it listens for the voices of its kin living on the moon. (We also stare at the sky waiting for family to call.)

Clefairy evolves into it with a Moon Stone. Its HP is 95 and its Special Attack is 95. Its ability Magic Guard protects it from any damage that does not come directly from a move. Its hidden ability, Unaware, ignores the opponent's stat changes when it deals or takes damage, which means a rival that has boosted its Attack over and over hits Clefable as if it never had.

Xerneas

Xerneas is shaped like the letter X and resembles a cervid, more specifically the extinct species Eucladoceros. It may be based on Cernunnos of Celtic mythology, a life-giving deity known as the "horned god", or on the stags of Norse mythology that ate from the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Its Pokedex entry says that when the horns on its head shine in seven colors, it is said to be sharing everlasting life. (We share a cold with the whole office. Same idea.)

Its base stat total of 680 is the highest on this list, and its Attack and Special Attack are both 131, also the best of the 15. Its only ability, Fairy Aura, makes Fairy moves 1.33× as strong for all Pokemon on the field, its opponents included. It stands 3 m tall and weighs 215 kg.

Azumarill

Azumarill may be based on a rabbit combined with a beach ball, or possibly a lifebuoy. Its rabbit look likely influences its Fairy type and its ability Huge Power, and both may draw on the moon rabbit legend, where people see a rabbit in the dark markings on the Moon. Its Pokedex entry says it creates air-filled bubbles, and when Azurill play in rivers, it covers them with these bubbles. (A lifeguard who is also a pool toy.)

Marill evolves into it at level 18. Its HP is 100 and its Attack is 50, which reads as weak until Huge Power doubles that Attack in battle. Its other ability, Thick Fat, halves the damage it takes from Fire and Ice moves, and its hidden ability, Sap Sipper, absorbs Grass moves and raises its Attack one stage.

Togekiss

Togekiss appears to be based on fairies and birds. Its white color and link to peace suggest doves, its triangular belly markings are similar to a snowy owl, and its round body resembles an egg like its pre-evolutions. It may also be based on the Japanese take on the Hōō, the Chinese phoenix. Its Pokedex entry says scant few have ever sighted it, and that it will reveal itself when peace reigns in the land. (We have also stopped showing up anywhere with conflict. It is called a group chat.)

Togetic evolves into it with a Shiny Stone. Its Special Attack is 120 and its Special Defense is 115. Its ability Serene Grace doubles the chance of its moves' extra effects, like a flinch or a burn. Its hidden ability, Super Luck, raises its chance of landing a critical hit (a hit that deals extra damage) by one stage.

In battle it turned into one of those Pokemon that seems to be on every team.

Gardevoir

Gardevoir seems to be based on a principal ballet dancer and a knight. Its long white frills resemble a floor-length dress, and its thin pointed legs make it look as if it stands en pointe. It also resembles the meadow elves of folklore, and since the word elf was later supplanted by the French loanword fairy, that may explain its Fairy type. Its Pokedex entry says it will dedicate itself to defending a master it has come to adore. (Loyal to the death and dressed for a ball. We manage one of those on a good day.)

Kirlia evolves into it at level 30. Its Special Attack is 125 and its Special Defense is 115. Its ability Trace copies the opponent's ability as it enters battle, and its hidden ability, Telepathy, protects it from its allies' attacks.

Plenty of players liked it long before Gen VI, and the Fairy type gave them another reason to use it.

Sylveon

Sylveon shares traits with dogs, cats and foxes like most Eeveelutions, but its large, rounded ears resemble a rabbit's. That rabbit link may tie it to the moon rabbit, or to Chang'e, the Chinese goddess of the Moon, who is often depicted in a robe with a silk shawl and ribbons that likely inspired Sylveon's ribbon-like feelers. Its Pokedex entry says it wraps these ribbons around quarrelers to instantly restore calm. (We have tried this at family dinners. It went poorly.)

It evolves from Eevee. Its Special Defense is 130 and its Special Attack is 110. Its hidden ability, Pixilate, turns its Normal moves into Fairy moves and makes them 1.3× as strong.

More players named it as their favorite Fairy type than any other. Most of them write the name and leave it there, and one calls it an all time favorite.

Conclusion

Fairy type Pokemon take double damage from Poison and Steel, and the two Steel / Fairy picks here have neither weakness left. Mawile and Tinkaton take no damage from Poison moves, and their Steel half takes half from Steel moves, which cancels the other weak spot. Azumarill and Primarina get halfway there, since Water also resists Steel.

The pure Fairy types live with both weaknesses and lean on Special Defense instead, like Florges at 154 and Sylveon at 130. (We relate most to Mimikyu. Hiding under a costume, hoping nobody looks.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Fairy type Pokemon has all 64, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Fairy Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Fairy type Pokemon?

Sylveon. More players name it as their favorite Fairy type than any other.

How many Fairy type Pokemon are there?

There are 64 Fairy type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Was Clefable always a Fairy type?

No. Clefable first appeared in Gen I, and the Fairy type only arrived in Gen VI.

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

Tinkaton

Mimikyu

Zacian

Alcremie

Florges

Grimmsnarl

Whimsicott

Primarina

Mawile

Clefable

Xerneas

Azumarill

Togekiss

Gardevoir

Sylveon

Conclusion

Fairy Type Pokemon FAQ

Related articles

Best Fighting Type Pokemon

Best Fire Type Pokemon

Best Flying Type Pokemon

Best Ghost Type Pokemon

Best Grass Type Pokemon

Best Ground Type Pokemon