Fairy types are a nightmare. Let’s be real. Since they showed up in Generation VI to put those over-confident Dragon types in their place, they’ve basically run the meta. You’re sitting there with your Garchomp, feeling like a god, and suddenly some pink cupcake-looking thing walks out and makes your strongest move literally vanish. It’s frustrating. But if you're asking what type is good against fairy, you're probably tired of getting swept by a Moonblast.
The short answer? Poison and Steel. That’s the gospel truth.
But honestly, just knowing the types isn't enough anymore. If it were that simple, nobody would lose to a Sylveon or a Flutter Mane. The complexity comes from how these types interact with the rest of the game's mechanics, especially since Game Freak loves giving Fairy types weirdly high Special Defense. You can't just throw a random sludge bomb and expect a win.
The Steel-Clad Solution
Steel is arguably the best answer to the Fairy problem. Why? Because it’s one of the few types that resists Fairy moves while also dealing super-effective damage back. It’s a double-edged sword that actually works in your favor. When you look at the math, Steel types take 0.5x damage from Fairy-type attacks. That’s huge. It turns a potential one-hit KO into a manageable chip on your health bar.
Think about Metagross or Scizor. These aren't just counters; they're predators. Scizor, specifically, is a beast because of the move Bullet Punch. Because Fairy types are often a bit "glassy" on the physical side, a priority Steel move boosted by a Technician ability can end a fight before it even starts. It’s satisfying. Watching a Togekiss flinch or just fold to a well-timed Iron Head is the peak of competitive satisfaction.
But there’s a catch. There’s always a catch. Most Fairy types carry coverage moves. You’ll be cruising along with your Steel type and suddenly—BAM—a Mystical Fire or an Earth Power comes out of nowhere. This is why "Steel is good against Fairy" is only half the story. You have to predict the switch.
Poison: The Toxic Underdog
Poison was a bit of a joke for years. Unless you were fighting a Grass type, Poison moves were mostly used to fish for status effects. Then 2013 happened. Pokemon X and Y gave Poison a massive promotion by making it the second primary weakness for Fairy.
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If you want to know what type is good against fairy in a way that catches people off guard, Poison is your best bet. Most players expect the Steel-type switch. They don't always expect a Salazzle or a Toxapex to ruin their day. Salazzle is especially nasty because it’s fast. It can outspeed a lot of the mid-tier Fairies and land a Sludge Wave that deletes them.
The problem with Poison is the defensive side. Unlike Steel, Poison doesn't resist everything under the sun. It's a more surgical tool. You bring in a Poison type when you know you can outpace the opponent. It’s about tempo. If you let a Fairy type setup a Calm Mind, even a super-effective Poison move might not be enough to stop the sweep.
Why Fire and Poison Resist, But Don't Always Win
Here’s something people forget: Fire resists Fairy. It doesn't hit them for super-effective damage, but a Fire type will only take half damage from a Play Rough. This is a crucial defensive pivot. If you’re trapped and don't have a Steel or Poison type healthy, your Charizard or Arcanine can soak up the hit.
- Fire resists Fairy.
- Poison resists Fairy.
- Steel resists Fairy.
- Fairy resists Bug, Dark, and Fighting (Avoid these!).
Don't ever, under any circumstances, try to muscle through a Fairy type with a Fighting or Dark type unless you have a massive level advantage or a very specific strategy. You're just asking for a bad time. I've seen too many players try to use a Choice Banded Urshifu against a Clefable. It’s a bloodbath. The Fairy type will just sit there, heal with Soft-Boiled, and laugh while you struggle.
The Secret "Pseudo-Counters"
Sometimes the answer to what type is good against fairy isn't a type at all—it's a stat. Fairies are notorious for having incredible Special Defense but mediocre Physical Defense. Look at Blissey (though it's Normal, it often runs Fairy moves) or Florges. Their Special Defense is a fortress.
If you hit them with a physical move—even if it's just a neutral hit like Return or Earthquake—you’ll often do more damage than a resisted Special move. This is the "brute force" method. It’s not elegant, but it works. A strong Golem or a Snorlax using Heavy Slam (which scales with weight) can absolutely crush smaller, lighter Fairy types regardless of the type chart.
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Tera Types: The 2026 Game Changer
We have to talk about Terastallization. In the current competitive landscape, the "type" of a Pokemon is fluid. You might think you’re facing a pure Water type like Primarina, but suddenly it Teras into a Steel type to resist your own Poison attack. It’s a mind game.
When considering what type is good against fairy, you have to think about your own Tera options. Turning a Dragon type into a Steel type mid-turn is one of the most satisfying "gotcha" moments in the game. It completely flips the script. You go from being 4x weak to a move to resisting it and being able to strike back with a boosted STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move.
Real-World Examples from the Meta
Let's look at Gholdengo. This thing is a monster in the current circuit. Its Steel/Ghost typing is a nightmare for Fairy types. Not only does it hit like a truck with Make It Rain, but its ability, Good as Gold, prevents it from being hit by status moves. No Thunder Wave, no Willow-Wisp, no Leech Seed. It’s the ultimate Fairy hunter.
Then there's Iron Valiant. It's actually a Fairy type itself (Fairy/Fighting), but it gets access to Poison Jab. This is a classic example of using "coverage" moves. You don't always need to switch characters; you just need the right movepool.
- Check your speed tiers: Most Fairies are slow (except Zacian and Iron Valiant).
- Look for "Heavy Slam" on your big physical attackers.
- Don't forget that Electric types aren't resisted by Fairy, making them great neutral attackers.
- Beware of the secondary types—a Tinkaton is Steel/Fairy, meaning it loses that Poison weakness!
Handling the "Bulky Fairy" Stall
Clefable and Corviknight (though Corviknight is Steel/Flying) are the kings of stalling. If you're stuck against a Clefable with Unaware, your stat boosts don't mean anything. This is where Poison shines. Toxic or Toxic Spikes can put a timer on these Fairies. Even though they have Magic Guard sometimes, getting a solid Poison-type hit in is often the only way to break through their recovery cycle.
Honestly, the "best" type is whatever fits your team's holes. If you're already weak to Ground, adding a Steel type might make things worse because Ground beats Steel. In that case, maybe a fast Poison type or a Fire type with Steel-type coverage (like Heatran with Flash Cannon) is the smarter play.
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Actionable Strategy for Your Next Battle
Stop treating Fairy types like they're invincible. They were designed to balance the game, but they created their own imbalance. To beat them consistently, you need to stop reacting and start predicting.
First, look at your team and identify who has "dead" moves against Fairies. If you have a Dark type, they are bait. Use them to lure the Fairy in, then switch immediately to a Steel or Poison type on the predicted Moonblast or Play Rough.
Second, prioritize Physical moves. Most Fairy types are designed as special walls. Even a non-super-effective Brave Bird from a Staraptor can often do more work than a resisted special attack.
Finally, keep an eye on the weight of your Pokemon. Moves like Heavy Slam and Heat Crash are calculated based on the weight difference between the attacker and the defender. Since many Fairies are tiny (think Ribombee or Flabébé), a heavy Steel type will hit them with the maximum possible power nearly every time.
Go into your next match with a dedicated Steel-type physical attacker or a fast Poison-type special sweeper. Make sure you have at least two Fairy resists on your team. If you do that, you'll stop asking what type is good against fairy and start asking why your opponents keep quitting the match early.
Check your movepool for Iron Head, Poison Jab, or Sludge Bomb right now. If your main team doesn't have at least one of those, you're essentially walking into a trap. Fix that coverage, and the pink menace won't be a problem anymore.