The sky is their domain, and they often use their speed to gain an advantage over their enemies.
Inspired by real-life species of birds, as well as winged dragons from mythology, the Flying type is filled with unique and powerful Pokemon that can be captured and trained for battles.
So far, there are a total of 132 Flying-type Pokemon from Generations 1-9. But for this article, we’re going to cover 15 of the toughest and best Flying type Pokemon around!
Table of Contents
15. Charizard (Base Stat Total: 534)
As one of the most popular Pokemon since Generation 1, it is hard not to include Charizard in this list of Flying powerhouses.
This Fire/Flying Pokemon came out as a starter for Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow and ended up being a dark horse in modern competitive battles due to its variety of forms.
Charizard produces a fire that melts boulders, and its wings are strong enough to reach an altitude of 4,600 feet. The more combat experience it gains, the hotter its fire becomes.
Charizard also has two mega-evolution forms, and a sick-looking Gigantamax form, which are testaments to its power (and popularity).
14. Celesteela (Base Stat Total: 570)
Apart from the tropical vibes, Pokemon Sun and Moon gave us a lot of truly memorable things. One notable example is the Ultra Beasts, a species of alien-like Pokemon from Ultra Space.
Apparently, joining the ranks of Ultra Beasts is Celesteela, a Pokemon that you will never expect to become a Flying-type at first glance.
Celesteela is a Steel/Flying-type Pokemon that travels the sky at high speed. Its huge arms are capable of expelling gas that burns down an entire forest in an instant.
All of its base stats are well-balanced, and despite being a Flying type, it can’t learn any Flying-type moves by leveling up. However, you can teach it TMs, like Acrobatics and Air Slash.
13. Iron Jugulis (Base Stat Total: 570)
Believe it or not, this Pokemon is not a Hydreigon, but a Dark/Flying-type Pokemon from Generation 9.
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Iron Jugulis came from a group of Pokemon called the Paradox Pokemon. These strange Pokemon resemble actual species of Pokemon and are named in ways different from what we are used to.
In a paranormal magazine, according to one of Iron Jugulis’ Pokedex entries, it was associated with a Pokemon described as an “offspring of a Hydreigon that fell in love with a robot.”
Yup, you read it right, and we also thought it sounds weird and funny as well.
While Iron Jugulis is not as strong as its pseudo-legendary counterpart Hydreigon, it can still pack a real punch through its Speed (108) and Sp. Attack (122). Iron Jugulis can also dish out some high-damaging Special moves like Hyper Beam, Dragon Pulse, and Dark Pulse.
12. Articuno (Base Stat Total: 580)
This legendary bird Pokemon is named after the Arctic, an icy region at the North Pole, and uno, a Spanish word for one. Articuno is a member of three avian Pokemon with names bearing Spanish numbers, the other two being Zapdos and Moltres.
Capable of controlling ice, Articuno inhabits snowy mountains where it creates blizzards by freezing moisture in the air. In the Galar region, there is a different variant of Articuno that utilizes psychic energy instead of ice to immobilize its opponents.
In combat, Articuno is an ideal staller Pokemon that becomes a bigger threat the more it stays alive in the field. Some of the common movesets for a staller Articuno are Toxic, Protect, Roost, and Fly, paired with the hidden ability Snow Cloak.
11. Moltres (Base Stat Total: 580)
Just like Articuno, Moltres currently has two forms. The first is the form native to the Kanto region, and the other one hails from the Galar region.
Kantonian Moltres is a Fire/Flying type, while the Galarian Moltres is a Dark/Flying type. Regardless of its regional variants, it remains a well-known Flying-type Pokemon.
It is said that seeing Moltres in the sky is an indicator of an upcoming spring. If a person is lost in a mountain, Moltres may help them by using the light from its flame-cloaked wings to guide that person to the right path.
Moltres excels in Special Attack moves like Overheat and Hurricane, while it can enhance its survivability with Roost, a move that recovers half of its max HP.
10. Zapdos (Base Stat Total: 580)
Zapdos is another legendary bird Pokemon that can be seen in Kanto and Galar regions. Its feathers are said to produce a crackling sound similar to the zapping of electricity.
While the Kantonian Zapdos has the familiar yellow-colored spiky feathers, the Galarian Zapdos possessed a more intimidating appearance with its orange-colored feathers and larger legs.
Out of the three legendary birds, Moltres is arguably the most ideal for PvP matches in terms of typing, stats, and movesets.
Kantonian Zapdos’ Electric typing is good against fellow Flying types and its Galarian variant can get rid of most Fighting-type sweepers in the game.
Zapdos is also faster than Articuno and Moltres, making it hard to deal with considering it has a whopping 125 base stat points either on Sp. Attack (for Kantonian Zapdos) or Attack (for Galarian Zapdos).
9. Tornadus (Base Stat Total: 580)
A folktale in Unova region tells a story of two powerful Pokemon that rampaged across the lands since the beginning of time – Tornadus and Thundurus.
Known as the Cyclone Pokemon, Tornadus looks similar to a genie with its lower body wrapped in a cloud of energy. Its tail has the power to cause severe storms that blow houses away.
Even though its base stat total is not that impressive compared to other legendary Pokemon, Tornadus belongs to a group of Pokemon called the Forces of Nature, which have the ability to switch between two forms: Incarnate Forme and Therian Forme.
In its Therian Forme, Tornadus becomes quicker with its 121 base stats in Speed and can utilize a variety of moves like Hammer Arm, U-turn, and Tailwind, which further buffs the speed of itself and its ally Pokemon for 4 turns.
8. Thundurus (Base Stat Total: 580)
People in ancient times fear for their safety every time they see Thundurus. This Bolt Strike Pokemon brings nothing but destruction to everything it passes through.
As Thundurus moves around the atmosphere, it calls forth bolts of lightning that hits the earth, causing massive forest fires. The bolts can become more dangerous when Thundurus engages Tornadus in combat.
Prankster is the ability that turns Thundurus into an annoyer/sweeper hybrid. Despite its decent speed, its ability provides assurance that Thundurus can inflict status conditions before the enemy team fights back.
Additionally, Thundurus’ Flying typing negates attacks from Ground-type moves, as well as resists the damage of Grass, Flying, Steel, Fighting, and Steel-type moves.
7. Dragonite (Base Stat Total: 600)
Dragonite is the first pseudo-legendary Pokemon introduced in the entire series. Pseudo-legendary refers to a Pokemon from a three-stage evolution line with a base stat total of 600. These Pokemon are called pseudo-legendary since they are stronger than most non-legendary Pokemon.
Finding a wild Dragonite is an extremely difficult task, because this Pokemon is quite rare, and it lives in an unidentified area of sea. Its large body never became a hindrance to its ability to fly at a speed that’s enough to circle the globe in just sixteen hours.
With a base attack stat of 134, Dragonite is a dominant sweeper that deletes the enemy team with physical attacks after using Dragon Dance. Some of its common moves include Outrage, Extreme Speed, and Earthquake.
6. Salamence (Base Stat Total: 600)
Among the pseudo-legendary Pokemon, only Dragonite and Salamence share the same type combination. As a fellow Dragon/Flying-type, Salamence also loved flying around, albeit in a fearsome and destructive way.
This Pokemon has a habit of scorching fields and mountains when enraged. Its mega-evolution form changes the shape of its wings and becomes so sharp that it slices everything that stands in its path.
Salamence outspeeds Dragonite with its base speed stat of 100, and aside from its offensive prowess, it is also a highly-sought after Pokemon in double battles due to its ability Intimidate.
Intimidate reduces the Attack stat of the opposing Pokemon by one stage once Salamence enters the field. It may even become a greater threat with Moxie, a hidden ability that increases Salamence’s Attack each time it knocks out an enemy Pokemon.
5. Landorus (Base Stat Total: 600)
Frequent clashes between Thundurus and Tornadus resulted in the intervention of another Force of Nature, Landorus. To protect the people of the lands affected by gales and thunderstorms, this Pokemon punished the other two Pokemon, stopping them from wreaking havoc indefinitely.
In the present day, Thundurus and Tornadus avoid each other to prevent the wrath of Landorus.
Even though Landorus was a feared combatant among its kin, it was well-liked by humans because the energy from its tail provides nutrition in the soil, keeping the lands fertile. As a result, it earned the title “The Guardian of the Fields.”
The lore of Landorus might have some connection with its stats, considering that it has a higher base stat total than Thundurus and Tornadus.
Moreover, its type combination is quite uncommon, being a Ground/Flying type. This gives Landorus immunity from Ground and Electric-type attacks, while its weaknesses are only Water and Ice-type moves.
4. Ho-oh (Base Stat Total: 680)
Aside from being one of the most iconic Pokemon of Generation 2, Ho-oh is also recognized as the first legendary Pokemon to appear in the anime series.
Its feathers can glow in seven colors, and since it leaves behind a beautiful rainbow in its path, it became known as the Rainbow Pokemon.
According to a legend, anyone seeing this magnificent Fire/Flying-type Pokemon will be blessed with eternal happiness.
Ho-oh’s high base stats in Special Defense (154) and Attack (130) makes it a highly durable wallbreaker. Paired with its hidden ability Regenerator, Ho-oh can survive a tremendous amount of damage brought by Water and Electric-type moves, which are mostly Special attacks.
3. Lugia (Base Stat Total: 680)
The mere flapping of its wings produces vicious storms that can last up to 40 days. Lugia was seemingly aware of its immense power that it prefers to live underwater.
Sightings of Lugia are usually reported during storms, and people believed that this Pokemon is the guardian of the seas.
It is no doubt that Lugia is by far the bulkiest flying-type Pokemon of all generations. It excels both in Defense (130) and Special Defense (154), enabling Lugia to absorb damage from foes that don’t have enough offensive power to take it down.
Lugia can also wear down the enemy team by exhausting their PPs with its ability Pressure. When used together with the move Recover, Lugia can replenish its HP, giving the opposing party a headache and enabling its partner Pokemon to set up high-damaging attacks.
2. Yveltal (Base Stat Total: 680)
Yveltal, the Dark/Flying legendary Pokemon of Generation 6 is heavily associated with the concept of destruction. Once it spreads its wings, it brings forth utter destruction in a subtle way by absorbing the life force of living creatures.
This Destruction Pokemon is a top-tier Flying type ‘mon. It has impressive base stat points in HP (126), Attack (131), and Sp. Attack (131). With these strong points in mind, a trainer with Yveltal can have access to a wide range of powerful moves regardless of its category.
Complementing Yveltal’s base stats are its exclusive ability and signature move. Yveltal’s ability Dark Aura boosts the power of Dark-type moves used in the field, while its move Oblivion Wing can inflict damage and use it to restore some of Yveltal’s HP as well.
1. Rayquaza (Base Stat Total: 680)
Nesting in the Earth’s ozone layer is a creature worthy to be called the strongest Flying-type Pokemon to ever exist.
Rayquaza, the Sky High Pokemon is considered the epitome of a flying Pokemon since it is capable of staying airborne for millions of years. However, it may descend to the ground once Kyogre and Groudon were to fight, as Rayquaza acts as the peacemaker between the two.
Having a base stat total of 680 makes Rayquaza stand on equal footing with the likes of Ho-oh, Lugia, and Yveltal. But once it reaches its Mega Evolution Form, Mega Rayquaza easily takes the throne not only for the best Flying-type Pokemon but also among all other Pokemon in the franchise.
Rayquaza’s base stat points in Attack (150) and Special Attack (150) enable this monstrosity to use Physical and Special Attack moves in battle, similar to Yveltal.
Teams that rely on weather effects will have a hard time dealing with Rayquaza through its ability Airlock. Moreover, its movepool is so wide that it’s hard to predict the type of damage it will dish out in every fight, giving more trouble to the enemy team.
Soar High with the Best Flying Type Pokemon!
As you see in our list, most Flying-type Pokemon have Flying as their secondary type, giving them the versatility they need to win in combat.
Flying-type Pokemon are weak against Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves. However, those that possess an additional type can either provide cover or immunity to these weaknesses.
Teams that use Earthquake as their main weapon can be countered by Flying-type Pokemon since it nullifies the effects of Ground-type moves. Use it to your advantage when building a team for competitive battling.
We hope you like our list of the best Flying-type Pokemon! If you want more content like this, be sure to check out our other articles here at Pokemoncoders:
- Best Fire Type Pokemon of All Generations, Ranked
- 10 Best Water Type Pokemon in the Series
- 15 Best Fighting Type Pokemon of All Generations, Ranked
