Including its most recent addition, Pokemon has a massive 18 types to classify different Pokemon. Because Pokemon can have two types at once, there are 171 different unique combinations. In spite of the fact that there are 890 Pokemon, 25 of these type combinations are unique to single Pokemon. What's more, 9 of them have not ever been used by a Pokemon, meaning there are still a lot of possibilities for new Pokemon in future generations to claim spots as Pokemon with unique type combinations.
The Pokemon listed here all are unique because no other Pokemon shares their typing. For the sake of clarity, it should be said that the order of typing doesn't matter, meaning a Fire/Dark Pokemon would be considered the same as a Dark/Fire Pokemon. There are also several Pokemon whose entire evolution chain is of a unique type (Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat are the only Poison/Flying type Pokemon, for example), but these will not be included because there is technically more than one Pokemon with that type. Legendary Pokemon, Mega Evolutions, and Gigantamax forms will also be considered, and these rules leave 25 Pokemon with unique type combinations in the Pokemon franchise.
Updated on August 10, 2023, by Ben Painter: With new Pokemon announced in every new generation, the Pokemon that have unique type combinations grow smaller. This list adds every Pokemon or the same ones in an evolution line with a unique type combination that no other Pokemon shares. There are still 9 combinations that do not have a single Pokemon that has that typing, perhaps one-day fans will have every single typing that could be.
Bibarel (Normal/Water)
Bibarel is an odd case as it evolves from the pure Normal type Bidoof and gains the Water type as a result. Because Bidoof doesn't also have this type, Bibarel is the only one of its kind.
This Pokemon and its predecessor are the butt of many Pokemon jokes so no doubt most are already familiar with them. Its typing makes it immune to Ghost and grants resistance to Steel, Fire, Water, and Ice, but he can still be taken down by Fighting, Grass, and Electric moves with ease.
Crabominable (Fighting/Ice)
Crabominable's typing is a great concept, but results in less than favorable strengths and weaknesses.
This Pokemon is weak to six types (Fighting, Flying, Steel, Fire, Psychic, and Fairy) and only resists 3 (Bug, Ice, and Dark). It seems that for the most part, these two types cancel out each others' strengths rather than complement them.
Galarian Slowking/Slowbro (Poison/Psychic)
Slowbro was released in the original 151 and has been a staple of the franchise for many years now, it has been shown a lot of love in the past, even getting a Mega Evolution. But GameFreak was not done there and in Pokemon Sword & Shield's DLCs both Slowbro and Slowpoke's other evolution received new forms in Galar.
Both Galarian Slowbro and Slowking are Poison and Psychic types, this evolution line is the only Pokemon with this typing making them both rare Pokemon. Comparing the Galar forms to the regular forms which are Psychic and Water the newer 'mons have two fewer weaknesses only being 2x affected by Ghost, Dark, and Ground. An improvement to say the least.
Galarian Weezing (Poison/Fairy)
Aside from having an amazing design, Galarian Weezing stands out for having the Fairy type. This typing is relatively new to Pokemon and sort of acts as a foil to the powerful Dragon type.
Including Fairy in Galarian Weezing's typing is a huge boon, as the only weakness it adds is the relatively uncommon Steel type while it boosts his resistances substantially, even making him immune to Dragon.
Terrakion (Rock/Fighting)
One would think that the Rock and Fighting type wouldn't be uncommon, but surprisingly only Terrakion possesses it. There may be a good reason for that, though, as this type is rife with weaknesses.
Terrakion is weak to Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, Psychic, and Fairy, but has a decent array of resistances to make up for it, including Normal, Poison, Rock, Bug, Fire, and Dark.
Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)
Tyranitar's Dark typing is iconic but accentuates its greatest weakness, the Fighting type. As a sort of trade-off, it also gives the Pokemon an immunity to Psychic which is helpful, but other than that Tyranitar's weaknesses and resistances are completely spread even, with 6 in each category.
Tyranitar is a fan-favorite Pokemon and it is on many trainers' teams throughout all of the generations, the fact that it is the only Rock and Dark type in the franchise only adds bonus points to the Godzilla of the Pokemon universe.
Shedinja (Bug/Ghost)
The Pokedex calls Shedinja a "discarded bug shell that came to life," and if that isn't creepy enough to justify its Ghost-type then nothing is.
While Bug is generally considered a weak type, the Ghost type complements it well. Although it doesn't negate any weaknesses (actually adding Ghost and Dark instead), it does strengthen what the Bug-type was already good at. What makes Shedinja even more unique is that it has 1 HP, but this is backed up by the fact it cannot be hit by any move that isn't super effective against it, in the right circumstances this Pokemon can be completely invincible.
Heatran (Fire/Steel)
The first Legendary Pokemon is Heatran, who is Fire/Steel. Given that Steel types are weak to Fire, the Pokedex entry comment about it melting its own steel makes a lot of sense.
As a type combo, however, the Fire-type negates that weakness and together provides a pretty durable Pokemon. Ground-type moves should be avoided at all costs, however, as it is 4x weak to this type and one Earthquake would mean the end for Heatran.
Volcanion (Fire/Water)
Perhaps even more oxymoronic than the last, Volcanion is the only Fire/Water type Pokemon. As such, Volcanion is weak to Ground, Rock, and Electric attacks but is either neutral or resistant to everything else. This is also the first Mythical Pokemon listed here.
This Pokemon's whole gimmick is steam, which makes sense because fire and water make steam. Volcanion is such a rare find, it cannot be obtained in regular gameplay, only in events, so this unique type is virtually nonexistent.
Empoleon (Water/Steel)
The Generation 4 starters were very unique in their typings, as Empoleon proves with its Water and Steel type. Both of these types are considered very defensive types, so it is no surprise that the combination is as well.
Empoleon has eight resistances, two double resistances, and even one immunity. It is a crying shame that only Empoleon is this type, but that makes the loved Sinnoh starter even more special.
Rotom (Electric/Ghost) (Electric/Fire)
Rotom is an odd case because it has many forms. Technically, Rotom's five main forms are all Ghost and Electric types, but since it is still one Pokemon, it qualifies as unique.
That said, Rotom has one other form that is also unique, Rotom Heat. This 'mon is Rotom taking control of an oven, making it Fire/Electric, shockingly the only Pokemon that has this typing. Rotom Mow was formally a unique typing but this was taken away with the Hisuiian forms of Voltorb and Electrode.
Alolan Raichu (Electric/Psychic)
Alolan Raichu is super adorable, and no one knows what caused it to gain psychic power. The Psychic and Electric types don't do much to complement each other, but they don't drag each other down either, making this mostly a neutral typing. Technically speaking though, it does have one more resistance than it does weakness.
Pikachu gets a lot of love from GameFreak, it is their poster boy after all, so it was nice that its evolved form had some time in the spotlight with an Alolan form.
Morpeko (Electric/Dark)
A Pikachu-like Pokemon Morpeko, whose Electric and Dark typing earns him a spot. Neither type helps out with the weaknesses of the other, but they do work well together to turn neutral typings into resistances.
Its dual nature is interesting, though, as its Dark tendencies come out whenever it is hungry. Anime fans got a taste of Morpeko as Team Rocket's James used one on his team.
Froslass (Ice/Ghost)
Froslass is Ice and Ghost type, and although the Ghost type grants immunity to Normal and Fighting (Fighting being one of Ice's weaknesses), it adds a lot of other weaknesses in their stead.
Froslass is weak to Rock, Ghost, Steel, Fire, and Dark types. This type combination isn't terrible by any means, but there are much better ones. Gamers can choose instead to evolve Snorunt into Glalie as a pure Ice-type if they do not want the weaknesses that the Ghost type gives.
Galarian Darmanitan Zen Mode (Ice/Fire)
Darmanitan makes the list as well, but not regular Darmanitan, Galarian Darmanitan. And not regular Galarian Darmanitan, but Zen Mode Galarian Darmanitan (that's a mouthful).
Similar to Volcanion, this Pokemon is Ice and Fire type, which definitely contradict each other. This results in a very balanced typing. He is neutral to most forms of attack, but resists and is weak to four types each.
Alolan Ninetales (Ice/Fairy)
The Ice and Fairy type belongs solely to the beauty that is Alolan Ninetales and is a pretty solid combination. Though double weak to Steel and weak to Poison, Rock, and Fire, these are mostly uncommon types aside from Fire.
Furthermore, the resistance to Bug, Ice, and Dark, and most importantly the immunity to Dragon, make this a strong type. The design of this Pokemon is perfect and it was a great improvement on the already classic take of Ninetales.
Mega Altaria (Dragon/Fairy)
If Dragon and Fairy are the two strongest types in Pokemon, what happens when combining the two? Mega Altaria set out to answer the question, and the answer is surprisingly not much.
Although the Fairy type removes Dragon's own weakness to itself, it adds weakness to Poison and Steel without removing the Dragon type's weakness to Fairy. Still, it does resist some of the more common types in the game, including Fighting, Bug, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, and Dark.
Hisuian Zorua/Zoroark (Normal/Ghost)
Normal and Ghost are two types that fans thought would never become a Pokemon as they are just complete opposites, Normal represents, well normal looking alive Pokemon, but Ghost is the Pokemon that belong to the world of the dead.
However, in Pokemon Legends: Arceus fans were treated to Hisuiian Zorua and Zororak which have simply stunning designs, they are also amazing in battle having just one weakness to Dark, and three resistances which are Normal, Fighting, and Ghost.
Shroodle/Grafaiai (Poison/Normal)
Normal is a type that GameFreak always seemed to not mix with others but in recent games of the franchise they started to branch out a lot more and this came with Shroodle and Grafaiai which are in the same evolution line and both being Poison/Normal. Generation 9 brought some types that have never been seen before.
This typing has its perks as it is weak to just two types, Ground and Psychic, immune to Ghost and it also resists Poison, Bug, Grass, and Fairy.
Zubat/Golbat/Crobat (Poison/Flying)
The original menace Pokemon, if players were in a cave in the early Pokemon games then expect to be hounded by Zubat with every step. This evolutionary line strangely is the only Poison/Flying type in the entire franchise.
Zubat and Golbat were part of the original 151, and they received an evolution in Pokemon Gold & Silver through Crobat and to this day they all stand out as amazing Pokemon. The Flying type removes the Ground weakness from the Poison type which is great for battle.
Great Tusk (Ground/Fighting)
Introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, the new Paradox Pokemon are ancient or futuristic versions of Pokemon depending on which version of the game the player possess. If Scarlet was the game of choice then gamers will be treated to a unique Pokemon typing in Great Tusk.
The only Ground and Fighting type of the game, and it came in the form of an ancient version of Donphan, it is unusual that this Pokemon is the only one of its kind as both of the individual types are some of the most used in the franchise.
Baltoy/Claydol (Ground/Psychic)
The Baltoy and Claydol line is inspired by the Shakoki-dogu a 'spaceman' figurine from the Jomon period of Japan, they are theorized to be effigies of people that have manifested magic. Meaning the Ground and Psychic typing is perfect for this line.
With the Psychic typing representing the mystic arts and the Ground being very natural it is no surprise that this type combination isn't very common as these two things don't mix well.
Lileep/Cradily (Rock/Grass)
Fossil Pokemon were traditionally always Rock type combined with another type, so with Lileep and Cradily the Grass typing was added. They are based on sea lilies a marine animal common in prehistoric times. The Grass and Rock typing makes complete sense.
Rock and Grass-type should be more common, it helps to neutralize the Grass and Water weakness of the Rock type, why is there not a mossy rock-based Pokemon in the franchise?
Tyrunt/Tyrantrum (Rock/Dragon)
Gamers have been requesting a T-Rex fossil Pokemon ever since 1999 and in Pokemon X & Y gamers were rewarded with Tyrunt and Tyrantrum and even better they came with the distinctive typing of Rock and Dragon.
A huge giant fossilized Lizard? Rock and Dragon is the optimum typing for this fan-favorite 'mon. Tyrantrum may have a lot of weaknesses in the games, but it makes up for it with his 121 attack and 119 defense. Its design is also perfect, not too much going on and it is just straight up a Tyrannasaurus-Rex Pokemon.
Lokix (Bug/Dark)
Another Pokemon that has been added in the latest games, Lokix is the only Bug and Dark type in the game, it is the perfect killer of Psychic types being immune to them and also effective with two kinds of STAB moves.
Lokix's design is flawless, based on a locust but with elements of a ninja and a chainsaw also. Lokix is a beast in Paldea, and it has been a welcome addition to the franchise. Dark types are fairly rare in the games and having one with the Bug typing also is amazing.
Cutiefly/Ribombee (Bug/Fairy)
With the addition of the Fairy type in Generation 6 came with some new type combinations, the only Bug-Type that offers a combination with Fairy is the Cutiefly and Ribombee line.
Fairy types are normally cute-looking Pokemon, but bugs aren't particularly cute looking so this typing being so rare is no shock. However, the design of this line works well, based on a bee fly but also fairies and sprites. The Bug typing isn't great for Fairy as it adds Flying, Rock, and Fire as a weakness. The design is great though.
Gastly/Haunter/Gengar (Ghost/Poison)
An absolutely classic Pokemon evolution line, Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar remain fan favorites despite being almost 25 years old. What is surprising is that they are the only Ghost and Poison Pokemon in the franchise.
A lot of fans seem to forget that they are also Poison type, as the original Ghost Pokemon it was a strange decision to also make them Poison. It also adds Psychic as a weakness which isn't great as Ghosts are a great foil for those tricky Psychic types. The Ground type weakness that Poison offers is neutralized as more often than not this line has the levitate ability.
Varoom/Revavroom (Steel/Poison)
Introduced in Scarlet & Violet, Varoom and Revavroom became the only Steel and Poison type, as an engine Pokemon the Poison comes through the poisonous gases expelled from the various exhausts and pipes.
Thanks to steel's many resistances, this line is only weak to Ground and Fire, it can be tricky to defeat. Especially in those Team Star boss battles across Paldea. Revavroom transforms into a Starmobile, which isn't a form of this Pokemon that can be accessed by the player.
Litleo/Pyroar (Fire/Normal)
Fans were crying out for a Lion Pokemon and gamers got one in X & Y and a very true iteration of the king of the jungle at that. Pyroar and Litleo are pretty much exactly a lion and lion cub which is greatly designed.
This is why they are both Normal types as they are normal-looking lions, the Fire type comes from the fact its mane consists of fiery colors, and it was to make the lion Pokemon a little bit more interesting.
Lotad/Lombre/Ludicolo (Water/Grass)
Fans of Detective Pikachu will love this line of Pokemon thanks to its very amusing appearance in the Ryan Reynolds lead movie. Lotad, Lombre, and of course, Ludicolo are the only Water and Grass 'mons in the franchise.
This is strange as many interesting designs could be used, using these two types. Both of these two types work well together, the Grass removes itself as a weakness from Water and Electric is no longer a weakness thanks to the Grass. Ludicolo is great in battle and there should be more Water/Grass Pokemon in Pokemon.
Scovillain (Grass/Fire)
Scovillain is finally the Grass/Fire type Pokemon that fans were craving, based on a chili pepper the fiery plant is the perfect representation of this unique typing.
One of its Fire types weaknesses is Rock and this is countered beautifully by Scovillain's Grass type, a well powered Seed Bomb should send those Rock types packing. What is interesting about this Pokemon is its first stage Capsakid is pure-Grass type, and it only evolves into Scovillain with a Fire Stone.​​​​​​​
Snover/Abomasnow (Grass/Ice)
Fans of the Sinnoh games will be familiar with Snover and Abomasnow as they are both common additions to many players’ teams. Despite their 4x weakness to Fire Abomasnow performs admirably in battle.
Snow Warning brings out the hail which ensures Blizzard will never miss and with a 92 attack powered Wood Hammer to send enemies straight to the Pokemon Center. It has a lot of weaknesses but against the right opponents, it will cause some real damage.​​​​​​​
Helioptile/Heliolisk (Electric/Normal)
Normal types have been rare in the past, Normal-type Pokemon have strictly just been Normal, but this changed and the Heliolisk line benefited from that.
Based on a basilisk the typing of Electic and Normal does not make much sense, and the Normal typing doesn't offer much STAB moves as the strongest it can learn by level up is Quick Attack. It also just adds another weakness to Fighting, at least it can't be hit by Ghost-type moves.
Toxel/Toxtricity (Electric/Poison)
A great Pokemon introduced in Sword & Shield, Toxel was the first Baby Pokemon brought into the franchise since Generation 4. Both Pokemon in this line are also the only Electric and Poison-type in the game, meaning they are 4x weak to Ground-type attacks.
Toxtricity is interesting as it has two different forms, Amped and Low-key, depending on the Pokemon's nature. The two different forms are yellow and blue respectively, the only difference in battle being a different move learned at level 52, Shift Gear (Amped) and Magnetic Flux (Low-Key).
Swinub/Piloswine/Mamoswine (Ice/Ground)
Swinub and Piloswine came into the world of Pokemon way back in 1999 with the release of Gold and Silver and for a while, they were the only Ice and Ground types until they were given a new evolution in Mamoswine in Diamond & Pearl in 2007.
Mamoswine is a powerful beast of a Pokemon and makes use of both the typings well, the Ground counters the Fire weakness, and the Ice counters the Grass weakness. It is well-balanced and has a stacked moveset complete with Earthquake, Blizzard, Amnesia, and Double-Edge.​​​​​​​
Snom/Frosmoth (Ice/Bug)
The lovable Snom enters this list as the only Ice and Bug-type in the franchise, alongside its evolved form Frosmoth. Bugs generally don't live in cold climates, hence why this type of combination is insanely rare.
Fans are not complaining, however, as it has two 4x weaknesses to Rock and Fire, a Magcargo will destroy Snom. Despite this Snom has a cute design and Frosmoth works well as an icy moth. There is not much GameFreak can do when it comes to icy bugs so expect the Frosmoth line to remain as the sole entry to this typing for a while.​​​​​​​
Alolan Sandshrew/Sandslash (Ice/Steel)
Originally a pure Ground type, the Gen 1 Sandshrew, and Sandslash received an Alolan form, where they got the cold treatment. They became Ice/Steel type, the quills on their back became shards of Ice, and their claws were replaced with sharp steel ones.
The design is perfect, an example of a regional form done well, but just like Snom and Frosmoth these two Pokemon have two 4x weakness, this time to Fighting and Fire.
Pawniard/Bisharp/Kingambit (Dark/Steel)
Kingambit became a fan favorite straight away in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Pawniard and Bisharp are originally Generation 5 Pokemon but got some love in the latest entry with a new evolution.
Its design is perfect as an ancient samurai who is sitting on his 'throne' it truly is the king and the Dark/Steel typing works well for it. But they are the only version of this combination, this is strange as there are surely so many ideas for 'mons that could be Dark and Steel. Regardless this line is the only one, just make sure to look out for Fighting-type Pokemon.​​​​​​​
Impidimp/Morgrem/Grimmsnarl (Dark/Fairy)
Both the Dark and Fairy types are polar opposites of each other, Fairy represents cute, lovely, and pure-hearted Pokemon with Dark types being more evil and sinister. The Dark type is actually referred to as the Evil type in Japanese.
So it makes sense that there are not many versions of this combination, Impidimp, Morgrem, and Grimmsnarl are based on imps and the typing makes complete sense as in folklore imps are essentially evil fairies. The two types work well in battle also, having only 3 weaknesses and two immunities to Dragon and Psychic.
Iron Valiant (Fairy/Fighting)
Another Paradox form makes its way onto this list and this time It's for players of Violet who are treated to Iron Valiant, the only Fairy/Fighting Pokemon in the game. As a futuristic relative of both Gardevoir and Gallade, the two types have been combined to create this new Pokemon. Fairy and Fighting are also very different types as it is hard to imagine being beat up by a cute Pokemon, but it works with this design as a kind of warrior princess.
Each of these Pokemon is unique because of their typings, but some work out much better than others. There are also 9 unused type combinations in the games, so it is interesting to imagine what Pokemon of these types might look like. These typings are Normal/Ice, Normal/Bug, Normal/Rock, Normal/Steel, Fire/Fairy, Ice/Poison, Ground/Fairy, Bug/Dragon, and Rock/Ghost.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.​​​​​​​