Fighting-type Pokemon are the heavy hitters of the Pokemon world. Their attacks can plow through almost any Pokemon regardless of type, and they are the only type that is Super Effective against Normal-types. On the other hand, they are weak to Psychic, Flying, and Fairy-type Pokemon.
In the competitive world, the Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC) often set the standard, and Fighting types are most definitely seen in the meta. Defensively and Offensively, players can get a lot out of their Fighting-type teammates, and certain dual-typings make them even more powerful. The possibilities with them go beyond just Physical attackers, so let's review the best Fighting-type Pokemon for competitive matches.
Updated July 7, 2023 by Taylor Pittman: The Pokemon VGC has seen a meta like no other since the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Not only have there been new moves and abilities, but the dual-type matchups are getting more and more unique with each generation of Pokemon.
Fighting-type Pokemon are stagnant in earlier generations as attack 'Mons, but with the addition of Paradox Pokemon and Terastallizing, they are being stretched to new frontiers. Competitive players love to use the sheer brute force of Fighting-type Pokemon and Generation 9 allows them to make creative choices for their battle strategies. So, this list has been updated to include more of the best Fighting-type Pokemon seen in the current VGC series.
Iron Valiant
HP: 74
Attack: 130
Defense: 90
Sp. Atk: 120
Sp. Def: 60
Speed: 116
Paradox Pokemon are a concept first seen in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. They seem to be past and future relatives of Pokemon, but there isn't much known about them outside their prowess in battles. Iron Valiant is similar to Gardevoir and Gallade but is a one-of-a-kind dual Fairy/Fighting type Pokemon. Iron Valiant makes for great attack Pokemon in competitive matches with high Speed and Attack stats. It also has a resistance to Dragon-types, which are popular on offensive teams.
Iron Valiant has many powerful Fairy and Fighting moves, including Moonblast, Close Combat, and Dazzling Gleam. It can also be a great team player in Double Battles with the move Quick Guard protecting it and allies from priority moves and Wide Guard blocking moves that hit multiple targets. Close Combat is its best Fighting-type option, but players can use Reversal if they find themselves backed against a wall. These moves can be boosted with the combined power of Quark Drive and Electric Terrain, increasing its Attack stat by 30%.
Pawmot
HP: 70
Attack: 115
Defense: 70
Sp. Atk: 70
Sp. Def: 60
Speed: 105
Rodent Pokemon are popular throughout all the generations, and Pawmot manages to set itself aside in Generation 9 with dual Fighting/Electric typing. As a Fighting-type Pokemon, Pawmot has the strength to break down defensive Walls or Tanks without much issue. Its Speed also means that avoiding its powerful punches isn't an easy feat for opponents. Of course, Pokemon VGC players can also use its Electric-type moves to control the field with status conditions.
Perhaps its best gimmick is its signature move, Double Shock. Double Shock is an incredibly powerful move that can only be used by Electric-type Pokemon. The catch is that after the first use, the user loses its Electric-type. So, to work around this, players can use a Pawmot with an Electric Tera-type, which allows them to use the move twice in a row.
Annihilape
HP: 110
Attack: 115
Defense: 80
Sp. Atk: 50
Sp. Def: 90
Speed: 90
Annihilape is a dual Ghost/Fighting-type Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet that expands on the lore behind Primeape. It is said that once Primeape's soul reaches a point of anger, it dies and comes back as Annihilape, a vicious ghost with a penchant for grudges. Players will see this furious strength reflected in its Attack stat and its offensive moveset. Even though Ghost-types typically have good Special stats, Annihilape stays true to its Fighting roots and works best as a physical Pokemon.
Annihilape's signature move Rage Fist, while Ghost-type, is its best physical attack move. Rage Fist will increase power by 50 each time the user is hit with a move that causes direct damage. So, using it as a Tank has several perks since the more damage it takes the more it can dish out. Rage Fist can be followed up by Bulk Up, so there's a constant increase in its offensive and defensive stats while in battle.
Lucario
HP: 70
Attack: 110
Defense: 70
Sp. Atk: 115
Sp. Def: 70
Speed: 90
Lucario is a famous Pokemon introduced in Generation IV, featured many times in both the TV series and the games. It is portrayed as a mighty Pokemon due to its dual Fighting/Steal-typing. Lucario is somewhat of a Sweeper as it has very high Attack stats, and its Speed is not too shabby. In addition, it's got lots of offensive damaging and support moves, including Close Combat, Dragon Pulse, Bulk Up, and Work Up.
Lucario can come onto the field and knock out many opponents, especially considering it's Super Effective against quite a few popular types. Of course, players do have to worry about Fighting, Ground, and Fire-types. But even then, Lucario is such a powerful attacker they might not get the chance to attempt to overpower it.
Bewear
HP: 120
Attack: 125
Defense: 80
Sp. Atk: 55
Sp. Def: 60
Speed: 60
Introduced in Generation VI, Bewear is a dual Normal/Fighting-type Pokemon. None of its stats work against it too severely other than possibly its Sp. Atk. Its Attack and HP stats lessen the blow, and players can put it to work with Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) options like Hammer Arm and Superpower. Use both cautiously, as the recoil damage could be detrimental to a team without thought.
Because it's a Normal-type, it gains a weakness to Fighting, but its ability protects it from that. Fluffy is a defensive ability that halves the damage from contact moves, which Fighting-types use religiously. Other defensive traits are its supportive movepool. Players can use it to set up things like Taunt, Substitute, and Protect. This is handy against Fire-types who deal double damage due to its ability.
Kommo-o
HP: 75
Attack: 110
Defense: 125
Sp. Atk: 100
Sp. Def: 105
Speed: 85
Kommo-o is considered a pseudo-Legendary Pokemon. It's a dual Dragon/Fighting-type introduced in Generation VI. Its Attack and Defense stats work in its favor, so players can use it in more than one role. It's a good hazard setter with Stealth Rock in its movepool. Kommo-o can use Safe Guard to protect it and its allies from non-volatile Status Conditions and Confusion.
It has some solid recovery options from Drain Punch and Rest, and when paired with its Defense stats, it is not leaving the field quickly. Players can boost its offensive stats with Dragon Dance to make it the ultimate attacker. Kommo-o's Fighting-type STAB moves include options like Brick Break, Revenge, Close Combat, and "Aura Sphere. Its Dragon STAB moves, Outrage and Dragon Claw, also deal massive damage.
Urshifu
HP: 120
Attack: 125
Defense: 80
Sp. Atk: 55
Sp. Def: 60
Speed: 60
The Isle of Armor DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield gave us Urshifu. Urshifu is a Fighting-type Legendary who is given the opportunity to gain a dual-typing depending on the player's gameplay. There are two towers - The Tower of Darkness and the Tower of Waters. As named, one will make it Dark/Fighting, and the latter will make it Water/Fighting.
Its Dark-type form is called Single Strike, and the Water is called Rapid Strike. Both types have the same base stats, depending on what kind of advantage players want to use. Its HP is good enough to give it slight bulk so that it can use its offensive movesets. Urshifu has STAB moves such as Focus Punch and Close Combat. Its type coverage stretches with moves like Iron Head, Aerial Ace, and Headbutt available regardless of which form it takes.
Hawlucha
HP: 78
Attack: 92
Defense: 75
Sp. Atk: 74
Sp. Def: 63
Speed: 118
Hawlucha is a dual Fighting/Flying-type Pokemon. It's incredibly fast, so opponents will have trouble outspeeding it. In addition, it's got superb move coverage, including Dark, Psychic, Grass, and even Bug. Hawlucha is unfortunately weak to five types, but it is immune to Ground. It also has the advantage of being resistant to popular Grass and Dark-types.
Players can extend their time on the field with moves like Detect, Roost, and Taunt. While nothing special, its Attack stat gives it something to work with. Especially with moves like Feather Dance and Swords Dance to increase its Attack. You can top both off with the move Hone Claws, and Hawlucha becomes a Sweeper.