Highlights
- There are over 150 combinations of dual types in Pokemon , ranging from common to rare.
- Pokemon tends to favor some classic existing type combos instead of regularly exploring rare ones.
- Some unique type combos, like Dragon/Fairy and Fire/Water, have only been used once and deserve more representation.
The 18 different types currently available in Pokemon open up the possibility of more than 150 combinations of dual types. These type combinations can range from extremely common, like Normal/Flying which appears in nearly every Pokemon generation, to so rare that they aren't even obtainable in the more recent games.
With so many different possible combinations, it's a shame to see Pokemon only add to some of the combos which already have received a number of additions in the past. There are so many options, and hopefully Game Freak will look to some of the rare type combos that have only shown up briefly in the past when considering the Pokemon that will be introduced in Generation 10 and beyond.
Pokemon Type Combos Only Used Once
Dragon/Fairy: This is a particularly unique type combo since it's known that a big reason Fairy was introduced to Pokemon back in X and Y was to balance out the powerful Dragon types with an additional weakness. Putting Dragon and Fairy together is a unique blend that creates the only type of Dragon Pokemon that is actually immune to Dragon-type moves. Sadly, the only Pokemon that has ever utilized this combo is Mega Altaria, and since Mega Evolutions haven't even been available since Gen 6, it's about time Game Freak brought a new Dragon/Fairy into the mix.
Fire/Water: Bringing Fire and Water together is a well of opportunities just from a conceptual perspective, with the two elements commonly playing opposing roles to each other in a lot of fictional media. In Pokemon, this "Yin-Yang" counterpoint exists between Fire and Water as well, but only one Pokemon has ever actually taken on the dual Fire/Water typing before: the mysterious Gen 6 Mythical Volcanion. Unlike Dragon/Fairy, Fire/Water is not a combo that creates a Pokemon which is immune to Water-type moves, but it's still a combo with a unique aesthetic and access to many strong moves that make it worthwhile.
Fighting/Ice: This type combo finally got its debut in Gen 7 after being possible but absent from the series since the beginning. Part of the reason it never made an appearance before Sun and Moon may have been its apparent lack of utility, as the combo has six weaknesses, no immunities, and only three resistances, which makes any Fighting/Ice type feel somewhat vulnerable in the Pokemon competitive scene. It does make for a unique Pokemon through Crabominable, though, so hopefully another Pokemon utilizes the combo at some point in the future.
Pokemon Type Combos Only Used Twice
Ground/Psychic: This combination hasn't been used by any new Pokemon since Generation 3, when the only two Pokemon to ever utilize it, Baltoy and Claydol, were introduced. It's an interesting mix, as it has six weaknesses, but also a surprising amount of resistances and immunities that arguably balance it out. Claydol isn't a particularly popular choice in the Pokemon competitive scene, but it would be interesting to see Game Freak try and introduce a new Ground/Psychic type that could pair the various resistances with good stats to make a formidable opponent.
Flying/Ice: The difference is hilariously striking between the only two Flying/Ice Pokemon currently available in the series, Articuno and Delibird. While it's funny that this is a type combo currently only utilized by one of the franchise's first Legendaries and a Santa penguin that occasionally heals its opponents rather than hurting them, the fact that there hasn't been a new Flying/Ice since Gen 2 begs for a new Pokemon to come in and pick up the slack.