If you want your team of six Pokémon to be able to conquer any opponents in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, then you’ll need a diverse team of representing a variety of types. Type match-ups are the bread and butter of the Pokémon franchise – knowing which attack will be Super Effective against which Pokémon is essential to making it through the game.
To ensure you have all the types you need available to you, you’ll need a team that can use a variety of attacks. To make the best team possible in Scarlet & Violet, we’re listing the best Pokémon of each type in the game. With some smart trades and some essential Pokémon breeding, you’ll be able to build a team that can take on any foe.
Normal – Dudunsparce
Dudunsparce is a fun evolution of second-generation favorite Dunsparce, and a surprisingly strong fighter too. Make sure to pick up Dunsparce if you see it roaming Paldea, and evolve it with our guide.
Grass – Meowscarada
Sprigatito’s final evolution is Meowscardada, and is a strong Grass/Dark-type monster. Flower Trick is a guaranteed critical hit, which makes this creature extremely threatening in an advantageous type match-up.
Fire – Armarouge/Ceruledge
Pick up a Charcadet near the beginning of the game, because regardless of whether you’re playing Scarlet or Violet, you will adore the duo of Armarouge and Ceruledge. These two are exclusive to their respective versions of the game, and they both have powerful signature moves. Definitely worth having in your squad.
Water – Dondozo
Dondozo is slow, but if you want a Water-type powerhouse, there’s no better choice. Great stats mean Dondozo won’t go down easily.
Electric – Luxray
Luxray is a beloved electric type, and just as capable in this game. But Paldea is pretty diverse, and Raichu is another great choice, in addition to new Pokémon Kilowattrel.
Flying – Talonflame
Talonflame is a tough flying type that dabbles in Fire-type attacks too. Talonflame’s stats and attacks are great, in addition to looking very cool.
Fighting – Lucario
Koraidon is a good choice, but since you won’t be using a Legendary Pokémon for most of your adventure, Lucario is a more solid choice. This tough Fighter also has the Steel-type, while having high Attack and Special Attack stats.
Poison – Glimmora
Glimmora has the interesting Rock/Poison dual type, and that makes it much more capable than your average Poison-type creature. With TMs, Glimmora can even learn a few Ground, Psychic, and even Ghost-type attacks.
Ground – Krookodile
For a tough Ground-type, you rarely need to look further than Krookodile. Ground/Dark is a decent enough typing, if only because it’ll give you access to attacks that make foes flinch.
Rock – Tyranitar
Big strong dinosaur.
Psychic – Hatterene
A controversial choice perhaps, but Hatterene makes for a refreshing change of pace after several generations of the same creatures being the top Psychic-types.
Ice - Baxcalibur
Baxcalibur is one of the series’ famous pseudo-legendaries, and is easily the best choice for a tough Ice-type to add to your party.
Bug - Volcarona
Bug-types tend to be fragile, but Volcarona definitely bucks that trend. This monster also has the Fire-type on its side, protecting it from that key weakness, and giving it access to a variety of devastating attacks.
Ghost - Annihilape
Primeape has a brand new evolved form, and it takes on the Ghost-type. A shock to everyone, especially since Annihilape is still a physical attacker, but attacks like Rage Fist and Stomping Tantrum make this Pokémon work, and it works well.
Steel - Kingambit
Bisharp was cool, but Kingambit is cooler. This tough Dark/Steel-type has nine total type resistances, two immunities, and only three weaknesses. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Dark - Hydriegon
Hyrdiegon is just that good. The stats hold up what looks like a fearsome creature on the surface, and you can catch the base form of this creature early on, ready to raise into a real monster.
Dragon - Garchomp
Garchomp isn’t a kind and friendly dragon like Dragonite, it’s a killer. A ferocious slayer on other Pokémon. And it looks cool.
Fairy - Mimikyu
There might be stronger Fairy-type Pokémon in the game, but none of them capture our hearts quite like Mimikyu. It can juggle Fairy, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks, while also boasting decent Speed.
Written by Dave Aubrey and Ryan Woodrow on behalf of GLHF.
