In Pokémon’s beloved first generation, there’s a forgotten type: the Bird type. Likely scrapped in a beta phase of the game’s development, fans only know of the type thanks to Missingno, a notorious glitch Pokémon categorized as a Normal/Bird-type. Instead of Bird, we got the Flying type, and it’s easy to see why. Butterfree is not a bird. Landorus is most certainly not a bird.
Flying-type Pokémon can be a pretty major asset in combat, as well as in the field. With the HM Fly, many of them make excellent taxis. Many Flying-types also have access to the helpful utility move Defog. However, the type’s biggest advantage is that it counters Fighting. Fighting-type Pokémon are everywhere and tend to dominate in battle. Those looking to balance out their team should consider some of these fantastic fliers!
10/10 Pelipper
Pelipper’s claim to fame is its ability Drizzle, which summons rain when it switches in. This, combined with the move U-turn, allows it to set up other Pokémon who greatly benefit from the presence of rain, such as Kingdra. Unfortunately, with the introduction of Sword & Shield, many prominent rain-based Pokémon were removed. This drastically limits Pelipper’s usefulness and the usefulness of all rain-based teams.
Without supporting a decent rain sweeper, Pelipper is primarily useful for its utility as a Defogger. The presence of rain can help it out with water moves like Scald, but its damage will always be limited by its mediocre stats.
9/10 Togekiss
Togekiss is the fully evolved form of Togepi and the only Fairy-type Pokémon on this list. As a Flying/Fairy-type, its secondary typing grants it extra defensive viability against two potent types: Dragon and Fighting.
One of its abilities, Serene Grace, doubles the chance of secondary effects for each of its moves. This means moves that make targets flinch are extra likely to do so. With Thunder Wave, Togekiss can utilize the notorious paraflinch strategy to great effect. Alternatively, it can run Roost and Heal Bell for recovery or focus on buffing its already excellent Special Attack stat. With good bulk and a wide move pool, its main drawbacks are its mediocre Speed and abysmal physical Attack stats.
8/10 Crobat
Like Togekiss, Crobat has an amazingly wide move pool, as well as the stats to back it up. Notably, its base Speed of 130 makes it even faster than Gengar, who’s known for being quick. Its typing, Poison/Flying, gives it a bit of extra protection against Fairy. Crobat is a notable Defogger, a utility Pokémon who clears entry hazards. For this, its Speed, as well as its access to U-turn, are both helpful.
Entry hazards have been a big part of the meta-game for quite a while now. Heavy-Duty Boots have become extremely commonly held items since they protect against Spikes and Stealth Rock. Even so, Spinners and Defoggers remain coveted, and like other Flying types, Crobat is a great one.
7/10 Mandibuzz
Mandibuzz’ Dark/Flying typing is a notable combination. Dark-type Pokémon are normally threatened by Fighting-types, who hit them super effectively. With Flying as a secondary type, Mandibuzz can not only take hits from Fighting-type threats, but it can also answer them with the move Brave Bird.
Like Crobat, Mandibuzz can be used as a Defogger with access to U-turn. Although its lower Speed is a slight detriment, it more than makes up for it with its solid bulk and defensive-type combination. Furthermore, its access to the Dark-type move, Knock Off, gives it some added utility, which is more than welcome. In the end, these factors put Mandibuzz slightly above Crobat.
6/10 Skarmory
Skarmory is a hazard setter, primarily notable for its pseudo-legendary base Defense of 140, as well as its relatively rare Steel typing. A Flying/Steel-type, Skarmory’s secondary typing provides defense against Rock and Ice-type moves, which normally devastate Flying-type Pokémon. It can be a great wall with Iron Defense, Roost, and Spikes (or, alternatively, Defog).
However, despite these advantages, the fact remains that all of Skarmory’s other stats are mediocre. Careful deployment is needed to take full advantage of this bird’s status as a pure physical wall. Note that its sky-high Defense won’t save it from special attacks, including those from its big weakness, the Fire-type.
5/10 Gyarados
With an incredibly respectable base Attack stat of 120, and decent base stats in general, the iconic Gyarados has remained a threatening force since Generation 1. Its ability, Moxie, buffs its attack stat whenever it KOs an opponent, synergizing well with the move Dragon Dance, which also buffs HP. From there, it can devastate foes with the physical Water-type move Waterfall or grab extra coverage from Ice Fang, Power Whip, or even Earthquake.
However, Gyarados does have some notable weaknesses. Its dual typing, Water/Flying, leaves it with a quadruple weakness to Electric-type damage. Also, despite being a Flying-type Pokémon, it lacks access to decent Flying-type moves, leaving it relying on Waterfall for the bulk of its damage.
4/10 Salamence
Salamence is a bulky attacker with a phenomenal move pool and a wide range of potential sets. Its typing, Dragon/Flying, is immediately one of the most notable things about it. Even with Fairy checking it, the legendary Dragon-type remains both versatile and reliable. To this day, it’s one of the best types in the entire game.
Salamence has access to some amazing moves: Earthquake, Outrage, Dragon Dance, Flamethrower, and even Roost. Like Gyarados, Salamence can use a combination of the ability, Moxie, and the move Dragon Dance to set up for a brutal sweep. Alternatively, its other ability, Intimidate, can help it out for defensive sets, including Toxic and/or Defog.
3/10 Hawlucha
We’ve talked a lot of smack about the Fighting type so far. Flying and Fighting are natural enemies. Hawlucha, a dual Flying/Fighting-type Pokémon, proves once and for all that opposites attract. Both types are strong offensively, and Hawlucha has enough power to do both types justice.
One of Hawlucha’s abilities, Unburden, doubles its Speed after it loses a held item. If it uses a single-use item, its base Speed of 118 doubles to 236, making it hands down the fastest Pokémon in the meta. The Flying-type move Acrobatics synergizes well with this, doubling in power if its user has no item. However, despite its immense power and speed, Hawlucha is held back by its relatively low defenses.
2/10 Corviknight
With Skarmory, we discussed the excellent Flying/Steel combination. Game Freak decided to introduce a second Flying/Steel-type in Sword & Shield with Corviknight, and like Skarmory, Corviknight is outstanding. It has more balanced all-around stats compared to Skarmory, making it far more viable as a physical attacker.
With the Steel type covering it defensively, Corviknight shows off all the best moves of the Flying type. Brave Bird and Roost pair remarkably well, and Corviknight has the bulk to use Roost to its fullest extent. Its added defense helps it out further as a Defogger. It even gets U-turn, helping it switch into teammates after clearing the field for them.
1/10 Dragonite
Finally, we have the beloved Dragonite. Like Salamence, Dragonite is a Dragon/Flying-type with great attack, solid bulk, and an amazing move pool. What sets it apart is its ability, Multiscale, which halves damage on the very first hit it takes.
This initial bonus, coupled with Dragonite’s high natural defenses, leaves it in an advantageous position to set up with Dragon Dance. It can also make use of Roost, Earthquake, Ice Punch, Dual Wingbeat (a good physical Flying-type move), and even Heal Bell for utility. Frankly, there isn’t much Dragonite can’t do. Its status as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon is well deserved.
