Best Flying Type Pokemon

Picking the best Flying type Pokemon means judging a type that almost always comes with a partner. Flying type Pokemon hit Fighting, Bug and Grass for double damage, and Ground moves cannot touch them at all.

Most regions also put a small bird in the first patch of tall grass, which has given Flying types a reputation as the early pick you swap out by the third Gym. For players who stick with them, though, a few of those birds end up carrying the whole game. (We have also been swapped out by the third Gym. We are fine about it.)

This list ranks 15 of the 109 Flying type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Flying type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Flying Type Pokemon

#15

Gliscor

Gliscor appears to be based on a combination of scorpions and vampires, which in turn share traits with bats. Its bat-like traits and Ground type may also point to a gargoyle, and it may draw on the nobusuma, a vampiric yōkai that glides through the sky like a monstrous bat. Its Pokedex entry says it glides soundlessly on pitch-black wings and sinks sharp fangs into the throat of its prey, and it takes on a look of satisfaction once it has drained its prey of blood. (We get the same look after a second coffee.)

Gligar evolves into it when it levels up at night while holding a Razor Fang. Its Defense of 125 (Defense blunts physical attacks) comes with a Speed of 95. Every Pokemon also has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Gliscor's hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Poison Heal, heals it for an eighth of its max HP after each turn while it is poisoned. Its Ground half also means Electric moves do nothing to it, which cancels the usual Flying weakness to Electric.

#14

Dodrio

Despite its name, Dodrio has more in common with ostriches than dodos, and its crests point to cassowaries. Its three heads may draw on the Buddhist asuras, three-headed demigods whose faces each embody one emotion. Doduo evolves into it at level 31. Its Pokedex entry says one of Doduo's two heads splits to form a unique species, and that it runs close to 40 mph in prairies. (Two heads became three, and it chose running. We respect a career change.)

Its Attack and Speed are both 110 (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn). One of its abilities, Early Bird, makes sleep pass twice as quickly, and its hidden ability, Tangled Feet, doubles its evasion (how hard it is to hit) while it is confused.

Some players call it the best Flying type in the game.

#13

Noivern

Noivern seems to be based on a combination of a wyvern, a long-eared bat or fruit bat and a loudspeaker or tweeter. Its mix of bat and dragon could be an allusion to Dracula, whose name stems from the Latin draco, meaning dragon. Noibat evolves into it at level 48. Its Pokedex entry says it weakens enemies with ultrasonic waves that could crush stone, and its fangs finish the fight. (A bat with a subwoofer. We live next door to one.)

Its Speed of 123 is the third highest on this list, behind Talonflame and Swellow. Its abilities are Frisk, which reveals an opponent's held item when it enters battle, and Infiltrator, which lets it get past defensive moves such as Reflect and Light Screen. Its hidden ability, Telepathy, protects it from its own partners' damaging moves in a double battle.

#12

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. Togetic evolves into it with a Shiny Stone, an evolution item. Its newest Pokedex entry says scant few have ever sighted it, and that it will reveal itself when peace reigns in the land. (So we will not be seeing one this week.)

Its Special Attack of 120 is the highest on this list (Special Attack powers special moves like Air Slash). One of its abilities, Serene Grace, doubles the chance of a move's extra effects, such as making a target flinch and lose its turn. Its hidden ability, Super Luck, raises its chance of landing a critical hit (a rare hit that deals extra damage).

#11

Lugia

Lugia may be based on Ryūjin, a dragon who lived on the ocean floor and was the Shinto god of the sea, and it resembles a wyvern. The beluga whale, with a similar body shape and coloration, may also be a basis for its design and name. Its Pokedex category is Diving Pokemon. Its entry says a light fluttering of its wings can blow apart regular houses, and as a result it chooses to live out of sight deep under the sea. (The most polite legendary. We would also move out to stop wrecking the street.)

It is the only legendary Pokemon on this list, and its base stat total of 680 is the highest of the 15. Its Special Defense of 154 tops the list as well. Its ability, Pressure, makes any move that targets it cost one extra PP (PP is how many times a move can be used). Its hidden ability, Multiscale, halves the damage it takes while its HP is full.

#10

Skarmory

Skarmory has much in common with the Andean condor and cranes, birds held in high esteem in Japan. It is also similar to mythological metal birds such as the Stymphalian birds. Its concept could be a pun on tsuru (crane) and tsurugi (sword), and its wings resemble a Japanese paper hand fan. Its Pokedex entry says people fashion swords from its shed feathers, so it is a popular element in heraldic designs. (A bird that molts cutlery. We would vacuum carefully.)

It does not evolve. Its Defense of 140 is the highest on this list. Its abilities are Keen Eye, which stops its accuracy from being lowered, and Sturdy, which leaves it with 1 HP when a hit from full HP would knock it out. Its hidden ability, Weak Armor, raises its Speed and lowers its Defense one stage when a physical move hits it (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle). Its Steel half makes it immune to Poison moves.

Dragonite

Dragonite physically resembles a classic European dragon, but its design also parallels giant monsters from kaijū films. Its kind nature and its description as the "guardian of the sea" may come from Chinese and Japanese dragons, which are auspicious creatures with power over water and weather. Its wings may be a reference to the Yinglong, a winged dragon of Chinese mythology. Its Pokedex entry says it is known as the Sea Incarnate, and that figureheads that resemble it decorate the bows of many ships. (A ship mascot with an Attack stat. We are a ship mascot without one.)

Dragonair evolves into it at level 55, the highest evolution level on this list. Its Attack of 134 is the highest of the 15. Its ability, Inner Focus, stops it from flinching, and its hidden ability is Multiscale, the same one Lugia has.

Corviknight

Corviknight may be based on a raven, a carrion crow or the western jackdaw, all corvids commonly found in Great Britain, and its overall look may come from black knight characters in medieval settings. It may also draw on the Ravens of the Tower of London, who are believed to protect the Crown. Corvisquire evolves into it at level 38. Its Pokedex entry says that with their great intellect and flying skills, these Pokemon very successfully act as the Galar region's airborne taxi service. (An armored knight who drives a cab. We would tip well.)

Its HP is 98 and its Defense is 105. Its hidden ability, Mirror Armor, bounces any stat-lowering effect back at the Pokemon that used it.

It gets credit from players for its typing, and some call it the best Flying type there is now.

Altaria

Altaria appears to be primarily inspired by a bluebird. Its Dragon type and longer body may come from Chinese dragons, which, like bluebirds, are linked to good fortune and are often drawn riding on clouds. It may also be based on the Peng, a giant Chinese bird said to travel 3000 li in one flap of its cloud-like wings. Swablu evolves into it at level 35. Its Pokedex entry says it has a kind disposition, but if it is provoked, it will threaten opponents with shrill cries before attacking them without mercy. (A cloud with a temper. We have met this cloud on a Monday.)

Its Special Defense of 105 is its best stat. Its ability, Natural Cure, cures any major status ailment, such as a burn, when it switches out. Its hidden ability, Cloud Nine, cancels the effects of weather while it is in battle.

Gyarados

Gyarados appears to be based on a Chinese dragon and a koinobori, and it is heavily hinted to come from the Chinese tale of a carp that becomes a dragon after leaping over the Dragon Gate. The legend is an allegory for the drive needed to overcome obstacles, which fits the effort it takes to raise a Magikarp. Magikarp evolves into it at level 20. Its newest Pokedex entry says it may be the true identity of a dragon from ancient texts that razed an entire village with white-hot beams from its maw. (Splashing one day, razing villages the next. We cannot get promoted in five years.)

It weighs 235 kg, the most on this list, and its Attack is 125. Its ability, Intimidate, lowers the opponent's Attack one stage the moment it enters battle, and its hidden ability, Moxie, raises its own Attack one stage each time it knocks out a Pokemon.

Its place on a Flying list splits players. Some rank it among the best Flying types, and others call that a cop-out for a serpent with no wings.

Talonflame

Talonflame seems to be based on the peregrine falcon. Its Fire type might come from records of birds of prey, colloquially called "fire hawks," such as whistling kites that start fires on purpose to catch the prey fleeing them. It may also draw on the firebird of Slavic mythology. Fletchinder evolves into it at level 35. Its Pokedex entry says it dives toward prey at speeds of up to 310 mph and assaults them with powerful kicks. (Arson as a hunting strategy. We would like to speak to nature's manager.)

Its Speed of 126 is the highest on this list. Its ability, Flame Body, gives it a 30% chance of burning any Pokemon that touches it. Its hidden ability, Gale Wings, raises the priority of its Flying moves by one, so they tend to go first regardless of Speed.

Players call it the best Flying type outright more than once.

Swellow

Swellow seems to be based on a swallow, specifically the barn swallow or welcome swallow. Its speedy flight may come from falcons or the swallow-tailed kite, and its tail feathers resemble a pair of katana. That ties it to the move Aerial Ace, whose Japanese name, Swallow Return, comes from a sword technique credited to Sasaki Kojirō. Taillow evolves into it at level 22. Its Pokedex entry says two Swellow will diligently take care of cleaning each other's wings. (A best friend who grooms you. We have to pay for that.)

Its base stat total of 455 is the lowest on this list, while its Speed is 125. Its ability, Guts, raises its Attack to 1.5× when it has a major status ailment. Its hidden ability, Scrappy, lets its Normal and Fighting moves hit Ghost types.

Players often name Ash's Swellow in the anime as the strongest of his Flying types, though Staraptor and Pidgeot have their backers.

Pidgeot

Despite its name, Pidgeot looks less like a pigeon than a bird of prey such as an osprey or an eagle. The black markings around its eyes recall Ra and Horus, the Egyptian sun and sky gods drawn with falcon heads. Mega Pidgeot's crest seems to be inspired by punk hairstyles. Pidgeotto evolves into it at level 36. Its Pokedex entry says it flies at Mach 2 speed, seeking prey, and its large talons are feared as wicked weapons. (Mach 2 and named after a pigeon. We know the feeling of a bad nickname.)

Its Speed is 101. Its abilities are Keen Eye and Tangled Feet, and its hidden ability, Big Pecks, stops its Defense from being lowered.

Ash's Pidgeot keeps it in the conversation, with players still calling it his best Flying type and waiting for him to go back for it.

Staraptor

Staraptor is based on the white-cheeked starling combined with a bird of prey. It looks mostly like the starling, but much of its inspiration comes from hawks and falcons, and its design could be a pun on the "sparrowhawk." Mega Staraptor's size could be a reference to the roc, a legendary giant bird known to prey on giant serpents, and it can easily carry Steelix. Staravia evolves into it at level 34. Its Pokedex entry says it has left the flock, having gained strength enough to survive on its own. (We also left the group chat. Fewer people noticed.)

Its Attack is 120 and its Speed is 100. Its ability, Intimidate, lowers the opponent's Attack one stage when it enters battle. Its hidden ability, Reckless, makes recoil moves (moves that also hurt the user) 1.2× as strong.

Charizard

Charizard may be based on European dragons, which are heavily associated with fire in European folklore. Its English and Japanese names may also refer to how Western dragons draw on lizards and other reptiles. Even so, its second type is Flying, and the Fire / Dragon typing its looks suggest belongs to Mega Charizard X, its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle). Charmeleon evolves into it at level 36. Its Pokedex entry says its wings can carry it close to an altitude of 4,600 feet. (The highest we go is the top bunk.)

Its Special Attack is 109 and its Speed is 100. Its ability, Blaze, makes its Fire moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Solar Power, raises its Special Attack to 1.5× in strong sunlight but costs it an eighth of its max HP after each turn.

More players named it as their favorite Flying type than any other, though Staraptor came within four. It also tops our list of the best Fire types.

Conclusion

Flying type Pokemon take double damage from Rock, Electric and Ice, and the second type decides how much of that sticks. Only three of the 109 Flying types have no second type at all, and none of them made this list. Gliscor's Ground half cancels the Electric weakness, while Skarmory and Corviknight carry a Steel half that takes half damage from Rock and Ice.

The rest belong to Pokemon players found on their own, like a bat with a speaker for ears and a bird with a spare head. (We relate most to Altaria. Fluffy, kind, terrifying when provoked.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Flying type Pokemon has all 109, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Flying Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Flying type Pokemon?

Charizard. More players name it as their favorite Flying type than any other.

How many Flying type Pokemon are there?

There are 109 Flying type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Is Gyarados a Dragon type?

No. Gyarados is a Water / Flying type, even though its design is based on a Chinese dragon. It evolves from Magikarp at level 20.

Best Flying Type Pokemon

Best Flying Type Pokemon

Gliscor

Dodrio

Noivern

Togekiss

Lugia

Skarmory

Dragonite

Corviknight

Altaria

Gyarados

Talonflame

Swellow

Pidgeot

Staraptor

Charizard

Conclusion

Flying Type Pokemon FAQ

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Best Ghost Type Pokemon

Best Grass Type Pokemon

Best Ground Type Pokemon

Best Ice Type Pokemon

Best Normal Type Pokemon

Best Poison Type Pokemon