Pokémon Go: The 15 Best Fighting Type Pokémon

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Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

Fighting-types are the go-to offensive type in Pokémon. Generally speaking, these Pokémon lack utility but have great stats overall. They bring a balance of strength and defense, capable of dealing crazy damage and taking a few hits. We here at High Ground Gaming have put together a list of the best Fighting-types available in Pokémon GO. 

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Fighting Type Pokémon Overview

Fighting-types deal super-effective damage to five types: Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel.

Fighting moves are not very effective against Poison, Flying, Psychic, Bug, and Fairy-types.

Offensively, a Fighting-type will hit most of the relevant types in Pokémon GO for either super-effective or neutral damage, making them a great pick for all-around coverage.

Top 15 Best Fighting-Types in Pokémon Go, Ranked Good to Best

If you’re on a quest to assemble the ultimate Pokémon GO squad, it’s not all about the brawns – it’s also about the brains. The best Fighting-type Pokémon will have a solid list of type resistances, so keep an eye on those dual-type Pokémon, and find one that will synergize well with the rest of your team.

This ranking of the top 15 will break down each pick and help you decide which Fighting types are right for you.

Primape

Primeape is a classic Generation One Fighting-type. Its strengths lie in its Attack with its other stats simply being ok. Its best Charge Moves are Close Combat and Night Slash, but it can also learn Ice Punch.

Primeape will get a lot better whenever its Paldean evolution (Annihilape) gets added to the game, as it becomes a Fighting/Ghost-type with a really powerful signature move. The stat increase would also be a nice touch to bring the Primeape line more in-line with the other top tier Fighting-types.

Bewear

Bewear took a fairly significant hit in the transition from main series games to Pokémon GO. This is due to it losing access to its really good abilities. Fortunately, not all is lost for Bewear fans as its attack stat is still stupidly high only exceeded by its stamina stat. When it comes to Charge Moves Superpower and Payback are your two best options.

The normal typing actually holds Bewear back in most situations. It would be a better Pokémon if it was pure Fighting since it would have fewer weaknesses. Ghost types aren’t actually that common, so its added Ghost resistance feels a bit underwhelming most of the time.

Poliwrath

Another Generation One classic is Poliwrath. Poliwrath is actually stronger in Pokémon Go than it is in the main series due to there being no physical and special moves. This means Poliwrath can always make the most out of its high-attack stat.

We recommend Ice Punch and Power-up Punch as Poliwrath’s two Charge Moves. Ice Punch has great coverage against Grass-types, and Power-up Punch increases the Attack stat by one stage. Poliwrath may have a lot of resistances, but it also has several weaknesses to many of the game’s most popular types, so it will require a talented trainer to get the most out of it.

Breloom

Breloom’s typing is one of the more unique ones on this list. It provides a good balance of six weaknesses and six resistances, so this Pokémon definitely isn’t going to be a perfect fit for every team or even every match-up. However, when the matchup favors Breloom your opponent will be in for a world of hurt.

Unfortunately, Breloom doesn’t have its signature Spore move, which was a 100% accuracy Grass move that put opponents to sleep, but it can make great use of its high attack with Dynamic Punch and Sludge Bomb.

Heracross (Mega)

Heracross has one of the highest attack stats out of any base form Fighting-type, but its mega evolution pushes that to absurd heights. This is to be expected from a mega-evolution, but that sadly isn’t enough to make Heracross break the top ten of this list.

Heracross’s biggest weakness is its secondary typing, Bug. This type really doesn’t do anything for Heracross, in fact, it makes some of the base weaknesses found in pure Fighting-types even worse. Bug-type moves like Mega Horn do help in the Psychic-type match ups but that’s about it. We recommend Rock Blast and Close Combat as your Charge Moves of choice.

Machamp

Machamp is the staple Fighting-type Pokémon for many trainers. It’s got no gimmicks or secondary typings, just high Attack and stamina and great moves. Sometimes that is all you need to get the job done and Machamp gets the job done right.

Dynamic Punch and Rock Slide are your go-to Charge Moves for Machamp. One deals big damage without the downsides of Close Combat, and the other deals with those pesky Flying-types in a pinch.

Pangoro

Introduced in Generation 6, Pangoro is an absolute offensive monster. Its stats provide it with a strong balance between offense and bulk, so it’s bound to stay on the field dealing damage for a decent amount of time.

It’s Dark-typing can be a bit of a mix-up from the weaknesses and resistance a usual Fighting-type has. Having resistance to Psychic is always good given the types popularity. Close Combat and Rock Slide are Pangoro’s best Charge Moves.

Scrafty

Scrafty definitely doesn’t benefit from Pokémon GO‘s removal of abilities. In the original games, Scrafty’s best trait is its Moxie ability. Moxie boosted Scrafty’s attack stat by one stage after it got a K.O. Without this ability Scrafty is definitely a weaker pick.

Still, all is not lost. Scrafty has pretty good stats, with its defense being the highlight. Power-Up Punch is a must-run Charge Move for its set-up potential, and its second Charge Move can be either Acid Spray or Foul Play. Acid Spray is a great choice for dealing with Fairy-types, which Scrafty is extremely weak to. It’s best not to match it up with that type, but this will still help in a pinch.

Mienshao

Despite Mienshao’s high CP, its stat line is fairly one-sided, focusing more on its Attack stat than any other. As a result, this Pokémon hits really hard but won’t be able to take too much damage itself before fainting. Thankfully, its pure fighting type means you only have the standard three weaknesses to watch out for.

Mienshao’s Charge Moves provide plenty of coverage options. Its mainstay move should be Brick Break, Stone Edge, or Blaze Kick. Stone Edge is definitely worth considering for its super-effective damage against Flying-types.

Medicham (Mega)

Medicham is known as a pretty strong Pokémon in the main series games thanks to its ability Pure Power ability. Unfortunately, this Pokémon loses that ability in Pokémon GO, hence its number 7 spot. Still, all is not lost because Medicham has a mega evolution that in a way can function as its Pure Power boost.

Mega Medicham has pretty well-balanced stats, with its Attack being slightly higher than its Stamina and Defense. Medicham’s highlight moves are its Charge Moves, specifically Power-Up Punch and Ice Punch. Ice Punch is your go-to option for dealing with Flying and Grass-types.

Toxicroak

One of the cooler-looking Pokémon on this list, Toxicroak is just a solid all-around attacker. Its highest stat is its Attack stat followed by its Stamina and then Defense stats. It’s a good all-around Pokémon thanks to its multiple resistances and relatively high stats.

When it comes to Charge Moves, Sludge Bomb and Dynamic Punch are probably the two best options. If Toxicroak has higher stats or a third stage evolution, it would easily be even higher on this list.

Infernape

Infernape is a classic Fighting-type that many long-time fans adore. Its stats are very good all around with the stand out being its high Attack stat. Infernape’s typing is one of its biggest strengths. Fire has always been a really strong offensive type because it can hit most of the cast for high neutral damage.

Fighting has the same benefit, so the combination of the two is always beneficial. There’s a reason why three generations in a row did Fire/Fighting as their starter typing. Close Combat and Flamethrower are your go-to charge moves for this Pokémon.

Gallade (Mega)

Gallade is a side evolution of the ever-popular Gardevour. Both its Attack and Defense stats are quite high, and its Stamina isn’t far behind. While it doesn’t have as many resistances as the other entries on this list, it doesn’t really need them.

If you’re running Gallade, you’re running it with its mega stone for maximum damage. Gallade’s Charge moves are all about Damage, and you only need two – Close Combat and Psychic.

Blaziken (Mega)

Blaziken is packing some serious firepower, especially when it mega-evolves. It is the definition of a glass cannon, but when this cannon fires, man does it hurt! Its moves are Fire Spin and Counter. Counter for fast energy generation and Fire Spin for bigger damage.

When it comes to Charge Moves, Blaziken has plenty of options to choose from. The two we recommend most are Focus Blast and Overheat.

Lucario (Mega)

If you couldn’t tell by now, all of the best Fighting-types on this list have mega evolutions and that isn’t a coincidence. Mega evolution can take an already great Pokémon (like Lucario) and push them to even greater heights.

Lucario’s move pool is fairly large, having access to Flash Canon, Shadow Ball, Close Combat, Blaze Kick, Power-Up Punch, and Aura Sphere. We recommend a combination of Power-Up Punch and Flash Canon. Both get STAB, and Power-Up Punch is a damaging set-up move.

Thanks to its high stats, powerful moves, and ridiculous typing, Lucario takes our number one spot as the best Fighting-type in Pokémon GO without contest. If it’s good enough for Cynthia’s team, it’s probably a pretty strong pick.

Join the High Ground

That wraps up our list of the best Fighting-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Keep in mind that the viability of each Pokémon on this list can change based on balance patches and the trainer’s own team/playstyle.

What are your picks for best/favorite Fighting-types? Are you looking for more Pokémon guides? Consider signing up for our newsletter today and join the High Ground!

Happy gaming!