Fairy-types can be offensive, but many are equipped with strong support moves, including recovery, stat boosts, and Status Conditions; they thrive in Double Battles. Their Sp. Def. stats are also the highest among all the types in Pokemon. Offensively, they have some key moves that can put dents in any team, and some make solid Sweeper Pokemon. The below Fairy-type Pokemon are the best for competitive play.
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Sylveon
HP: 95
Attack: 65
Defense: 65
Sp. Atk: 110
Sp. Def: 130
Speed: 60
Sylveon is a Gen VI Eeveelution and Fairy-type Pokemon. Its Special stats are very high, and its other stats are decently balanced. However, Sylveon is best used as a support Pokemon in Double Battles. Moves like Baby-Doll Eyes, Light Screen, Helping-Hand, Baton Pass are all great support moves. In addition, Sylveon’s ability Cute Charm is another stall tactic players can take advantage of.
Of course, Sylveon can still dish out some damage with its main Same Type Attack Bonus moves, Moonblast, and Dazzling Gleam. Also, moves such as Hyper Voice, Shadow Ball, and Iron Tail give it good type coverage. Its Hidden Ability, Pixelate, changes Hyper Voice into a Fairy-type move and grants it a 20% power boost making it even more formidable.
Clefable
HP: 95
Attack: 70
Defense: 73
Sp. Atk: 85
Sp. Def: 90
Speed: 60
Clefable is another excellent support Fairy-type Pokemon. It was introduced in Generation I as a Normal-type, but post-Generation VI, it became a Fairy-type staple. Its ability Magic Guard protects it from many passive damage-dealing moves, entry hazards, and weather conditions. It also has many recovery moves for itself or its team.
Arguably its access to the move Healing Wish is its best strategy in the field. Healing Wish immediately makes the user faint; however, a party member will switch in with full HP. Clefable is perfect for setting up offensive allies and sneak-attacking opponents. Its Speed doesn’t make it the first choice as an attacker, but it does have STAB options like Play Rough and Dazzling Gleam should players get the chance.
Togekiss
HP: 85
Attack: 50
Defense: 95
Sp. Atk: 120
Sp. Def: 115
Speed: 80
Togekiss is a more offensive Fairy-type from Generation I who, just like Clefable, started as a Normal-type until Generation VI. Players can only get it by evolving Togetic with a Shiny Stone. Its dual Fairy/Flying typing leaves it more vulnerable to more types, but it has a fantastic choice of STAB moves to make up for it. Air Slash and Fairy Wind hit even harder than usual due to Togekiss’s high Special stats, so players can get serious damage from it.
Nevertheless, it’s more likely to catch this Pokemon playing a support role as with most Fairy-types. Players can use Follow Me and Wish to protect Glass Cannons like Regieleki or Alakazam from opposing Pokemon. If players want to give Togekiss some support, then a Ground-type Pokemon would be best to account for its Electric-type weakness.
Grimmsnarl
HP: 95
Attack: 120
Defense: 65
Sp. Atk: 95
Sp. Def: 75
Speed: 60
Grimmsnarl is a ferocious Fairy/Dark-type with an Attack stat of 120. Its notable STAB moves include Darkest Lariat, Play Rough, and False Surrender, which cut through the competition when type-matchups allow it. Be wary of other offensive Fairy-types, as it lacks in Defense and Speed. Players should consider a Sitrus Berry as a recovery tactic to extend its life on the field.
Alternatively, Grimmsnarl can 100% be used as a Screen Setter. Light Screen and Reflect will protect the user and allies from physical and Special attacks. Screening gives more fragile Pokemon a chance to shine and Grimmsnarl time to use its damaging movepool. Its ability, Prankster, also accomplishes this by prioritizing non-damaging moves from foes and grants Grimmsnarl immunity to them.
Zacian
HP: 90
Attack: 130
Defense: 115
Sp. Atk: 80
Sp. Def: 115
Speed: 138
As far as Fairy-type Pokemon go, Zacian is the most powerful in the entire Pokemon franchise. It is the mascot of Pokemon Sword and is the sibling of sorts of Zamazenta. It moves incredibly fast and hits even harder on the field with its ability Intrepid Sword boosting its Attack stat. Its STAB moves include Close Combat, Play Rough, and Moonblast.
If Zacian is given the Rusted Sword, it takes on the Crowned Sword form. Crowned Form has a few different effects on it. First, its Speed and Attack stats are increased. Additionally, it gains Steel-typing. Steel maintains very few weaknesses, so opponents will have difficulty getting it off the field once it’s there. Typically, targets do not survive more than one of its hits in this form unless they are Poison or Steel. Zacian’s signature move in Crowned Sword form is Behemoth Blade, and it is almost always an OHKO and can even give Dynamaxed foes substantial damage. The STAB move eases the blow of Zacian being unable to Dynamax itself.
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