Highlights
- Flying Pokemon are versatile and can be a valuable addition to any team due to their immunity to Ground-type moves and the healing capabilities of moves like Roost.
- Electric, Rock, and Ice-type moves are weaknesses for Flying-types, so they need to be cautious of those attacks.
- Some of the strongest Flying-type Pokemon include Noivern, Hawlucha, Talonflame, Staraptor, Altaria, Aerodactyl, Togekiss, Pelipper, Charizard, and Corviknight.
Flying mixes with a lot of different other types, so it can be very versatile for those who want to make an all-Flying-type team. Flying Pokemon are great because they are immune to Ground-type moves. That means Earthquake, a very common competitive move, does not touch them. Many of them can also learn Roost, which is great for healing. However, they have to be careful of their weaknesses: Electric, Rock, and Ice-type moves are super effective on Flying-types.
Here are some of the strongest and best Flying-type Pokemon around, ranked down from least strong to strongest. Although most of this list does not include legendaries, we’ve decided to include a few of the strongest to represent them.
Updated on October 12, 2023 by Doruk Kaptan: Pokemon is like an ever-evolving biosphere by now. With each new generation, many Pokemon are added, many gain new forms, and many are updated in some ways. Which is great, as it keeps the franchise fresh. Flying-type Pokemon have been around since the inception of the franchise and used to be given more basic designs, a bird here and a bat there. However, as the years went on, the Flying-type also gained many strong Pokemon as well, with unique and intriguing designs. Here are the best of the best.
25 Noivern
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Highest Stats:
123 Speed, 97 Special Attack -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Noibat at level 48. -
Abilities:
Frisk or Infiltrator (Hidden Ability is Telepathy) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Fire or Steel
Introduced in Pokemon X&Y, Noivern is a wicked-fast bat with a lot of different moves in its arsenal. Looking for utility? Noivern delivers Taunt or Defog along with Roost, making it a solid support.
Need something that can hit hard with powerful special attacks? Noivern can do that as well, providing a wide variety of extremely potent moves. Looking to scream it out at this uncaring world? Noivern can do that as well with its access to Boomburst. Whatever the case, Noivern can deliver some impressive coverage for any team.
24 Hawlucha
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Highest Stats:
118 Speed, 92 Attack -
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Limber or Unburden (Hidden Ability is Unburden) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Fighting or Flying
Hawlucha is a deceptive bird Pokemon with how good it can be due to just being a single-stage Fighting/Flying-type Pokemon. However, it has been overused since its addition for a reason. It boasts incredible speed that is nearly unmatched after Unburden and a solid attack stat that gives it plenty of room to flex its muscles.
Hawlucha can restore its own health as well using Roost, making sure the sweep can’t be stopped so easily once it is set up. It isn’t able to break down the toughest walls without any boosts, but with them, it really is incredible. With a well-timed Terastalization, Hawlucha can become the luchador it yearns to be.
23 Talonflame
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Highest Stats:
126 Speed, 81 Attack -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Fletchinder at level 35 -
Abilities:
Flame Body (Hidden Ability is Gale Wings) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Ghost or Steel
The Pokemon, formerly known as “Smogonbird,” Talonflame has had both crushing dominance and a period of middling success. It was untouchable in X&Y, where it cleaned house using incredible priority moves through Gale Wings. However, with plenty of checks to priority and a Gale Wings nerf in Sun and Moon, the Fire-type bird Pokemon couldn’t quite get going like it used to.
Fortunately, with its visit to Galar and a pair of Heavy-Duty Boots, Talonflame is coming for the throne once again. Time will tell just how strong Talonflame will be remembered, but its incredible power has shown that it was unstoppable once and may be unstoppable again, especially with an unexpected Terastalization.
22 Staraptor
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Highest Stats:
120 Attack, 100 Speed -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Staravia at level 34 -
Abilities:
Intimidate (Hidden Ability is Reckless) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Normal or Fighting
Staraptor is a well-loved bird Pokemon, but it is often outclassed as new Pokemon have become part of the competitive scene. However, it can take out certain threats with powerful moves like Brave Bird, U-Turn, Double-Edge, Close Combat, and more.
Staraptor is best used as a glass cannon, aiming to take out weakened Pokemon in a late-game scenario. Luckily, Terastalization and items like Choice Band make that a very real possibility. Many fans have asked for Staraptor to gain a Fighting-type form; now you can make your own.
21 Altaria
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Highest Stats:
105 Special Defense, 90 Defense- 110 Attack, Defense, and Special Attack, 105 Special Defense as Mega Altaria
-
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Swablu at level 35 -
Abilities:
Natural Cure (Hidden Ability is Cloud Nine). -
Recommended Tera Type:
Steel or Fairy
Who doesn’t love this fluffy bird’s design? This Dragon and Flying-Type can Mega-Evolve, but that makes it lose its Flying-Type, and it gets replaced with Fairy-Type. So we are not going to discuss its Mega Evolution. However, we have to say that it has become a much bigger competitor on trainer teams due to its Mega Evolution. On its own, though, it already has great defenses.
Altaria can be quite the annoying utility Pokemon, thanks to moves like Heal Bell, Roost, Haze, and Cotton Guard. It can also be full throttle with a Dragon Dance set. Make sure to use your Terastalization at the right moment to get a free turn as Altaria will likely tank a resisted hit.
20 Aerodactyl
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Highest Stats:
130 Speed, 105 Attack- 150 Speed, 135 Attack, 95 Special Defense as Mega Aerodactyl
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Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Rock Head or Pressure (Hidden Ability is Unnerve)- Tough Claws as Mega Aerodactyl
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Grass or Ground
Aerodactyl is another Flying-type that can Mega Evolve. While regular Aerodactyl was never a rockstar (pun intended), with its Mega-Evolution, Aerodactyl has a ton of speed and power and is actually very powerful.
Mega Aerodactyl can dish out a ton of damage thanks to its ability Tough Claws. With moves like Earthquake, Stone Edge, Dragon Dance, and Dual Wingbeat, Aerodactyl has respectable coverage too. Just beware of priority moves and Terastalize accordingly, as Aerodactyl has paper-thin defenses.
19 Togekiss
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Highest Stats:
120 Special Attack, 115 Special Defense -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Togetic via Shiny Stone -
Abilities:
Hustle or Serene Grace (Hidden Ability is Super Luck) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Steel or Fire
This evolution of the fan-favorite egg Togepi is a Pokemon for the ultimate gambler, rolling the dice with every single move. Its two main abilities, Serene Grace and Super Luck are all about playing to every battler’s least favorite element: luck.
It isn’t enough that this Pokemon has access to Nasty Plot, Roost, and a number of solid special attack options to utilize its huge special attack stat; it also needs to be a slot machine in bird form. It borderline feels like hacking when using Serene Grace Togekiss, as every Air Slash seems to flinch. If Togekiss gets rolling, it can feel impossible to stop.
18 Pelipper
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Highest Stats:
100 Defense, 95 Special Attack -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Wingull at level 25 -
Abilities:
Keen Eye or Drizzle (Hidden Ability is Rain Dish) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Water or Ground
Pelipper, for the longest time, suffered as just another Route One bird Pokemon. It has underwhelming stats and a typing that isn’t too great, meaning it has little punch to pack. However, its strength doesn’t come from itself but from how it enables its team.
Game Freak blessed the old pelican with Drizzle in Sun & Moon, making it the definitive rain-setter for any rain team. It provides Defog for entry hazards, Roost to keep itself healthy, and can quickly pivot out to a sweeper with U-turn. Pelipper will never be a prime sweeper, but its ability to set up for them is second to none.
17 Charizard
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Highest Stats:
109 Special Attack, 100 Speed- 130 Attack and Special Attack, 111 Defense, 100 Speed as Mega Charizard X
- 159 Special Attack, 115 Special Defense, 104 Attack, 100 Speed as Mega Charizard Y
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Evolution Line:
Evolves from Charmeleon at level 36 -
Abilities:
Blaze (Hidden Ability is Solar Power)- Tough Claws as Mega Charizard X
- Drought as Mega Charizard Y
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Fire, Dragon or Ground
This Fire and Flying-Type is very popular due to being a starter from the very first generation. Since it could Mega-Evolve, it has become as powerful as it’s popular. It can quickly eliminate opposing Pokemon with ease. Due to being Flying-Type, it can learn Roost to keep itself in the game while boosting itself up with Dragon Dance.
Both Mega Charizard Y and Mega Charizard X are extremely powerful. Charizard Y used to be a prime sun setter and special sweeper, whereas Charizard X was one of the strongest setup sweepers. While its original form is more beloved than strong, Charizard surely made a splash in the competitive scene for a few years.
16 Corviknight
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Highest Stats:
105 Defense, 98 HP -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Corvisquire at level 38 -
Abilities:
Pressure or Unnerve (Hidden Ability is Mirror Armor) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Water or Fighting
The knightly bird out of Sword & Shield, Croviknight, is well-received by fans, both for its cool design and its power. Like Skarmory, it is a Flying/Steel-Type. It has a cool ability called Mirror Armor that can bounce back any stat-lowering effects.
Great moves it can learn include U-Turn, Substitute, Bulk Up, Body Press, Roost, Taunt, Defog, and Brave Bird. Some of the best items to put on this bird would be Leftovers for healing or a Rocky Helmet for passive damage.
15 Gyarados
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Highest Stats:
125 Attack, 100 Special Defense, 95 HP- 155 Attack, 130 Special Defense, 109 Defense as Mega Gyarados
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Evolution Line:
Evolves from Magikarp at level 20 -
Abilities:
Intimidate (Hidden Ability is Moxie)- Mold Breaker as Mega Gyarados
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Ground or Flying
Yeah, Gyarados is actually a Flying-type. Water and Flying, to be exact. When it Mega Evolves, it becomes Water and Dark-type. Despite feeling like a dragon, it shares the head cannon dragon typing with Charizard.
It can have the ability, Moxie, which boosts its attack every time it knocks out an opponent. With that ability and its stats, it is a great offensive member of a team, especially when you consider Dragon Dance. While Electric-types used to terrorize Gyarados, Terastalization has come to its aid, as it can turn into a Ground-type on a whim, even boosting its Earthquake.
14 Skarmory
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Highest Stats:
140 Defense, 80 Attack -
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Keen Eye or Sturdy (Hidden Ability is Weak Armor) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Dragon or Fighting
With Skarmory being both Steel and Flying-Type, it is a highly defensive Pokemon. However, it can competitively struggle due to its low HP and Special Defense stat. Also, Magnezone and its pre-evolutions have always been a thorn on Skarmory’s side.
Recommended moves to teach it include Toxic, Spikes, Roost, Whirlwind, Stealth Rock, and Protect. Good items to give it would be a Leftovers or Rocky Helmet. Luckily, Skarmory gets to Tera into a non-steel bird to avoid Magnet Pull and live longer, giving it time to annoy opponents further.
13 Salamence
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Highest Stats:
135 Attack, 110 Special Attack, 100 Speed- 145 Attack, 130 Defense, 120 Special Attack, and Speed as Mega Salamence
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Evolution Line:
Evolves from Shelgon at level 50 -
Abilities:
Intimidate (Hidden Ability is Moxie)- Aerilate as Mega Salamence
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Water, Steel or Dragon
Salamence is both a Flying and a Dragon-Type. That makes it super weak against Ice-Types. However, it is favored among competitors for being a dragon that can use Roost. It can also Mega Evolve, which turns it into an absolute beast of a wallbreaker.
Even without Mega Evolution, though, Salamence is absolutely amazing. With great abilities in both Intimidate and Moxie and amazing coverage moves, Salamence is among the best attackers you could ask for. Terastalizing into a Water-type as you Dragon Dance can fully change the tides of a battle.
12 Gliscor
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Highest Stats:
125 Defense, 95 Attack and Speed -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Gligar via holding Razor Fang and leveling up at night -
Abilities:
Hyper Cutter or Sand Veil (Hidden Ability is Poison Heal) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Fairy or Water
Gliscor is loved for its versatility. Unpredictability is good when you’re playing competitive Pokemon. It also has quite the defensive typing: Ground and Flying-Type. That makes one of Flying-type’s biggest weaknesses, Electric, irrelevant. It also has a great healing option as it can use Roost and has the ability of Poison Heal.
That means you want this guy to hold a Toxic Orb. That way, its Poison Heal will immediately be in effect, even if your opponent does not poison you. Great moves for Gliscor include Facade, Roost, Earthquake, Toxic, Stealth Rock, and Knock Off. You can also Tera into a Water-type to make your opponents four times effective Ice-type attacks trivial.
11 Dragonite
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Highest Stats:
134 Attack, 100 Special Attack, and Special Defense -
Evolution Line:
Evolves from Dragonair at level 55 -
Abilities:
Inner Focus (Hidden Ability is Multiscale) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Normal or Flying
Like Salamence, Dragonite is Dragon and Flying-Type. It has a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses going for it. However, its Multiscale ability makes it even better than Salamence for taking hits, as the ability makes it so that attacks that hit Dragonite while it is at full health have their damage halved.
This means that finding the time to set up Dragon Dances is even easier for Dragonite. You could even opt for Swords Dance, as Extreme Speed has priority already. Throw a Normal-type Terastalization on top of that, and you’ll be taking out many Pokemon before they even get to move.
10 Tornadus
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Highest Stats:
125 Special Attack, 115 Attack, 111 Speed- 121 Speed, 110 Special Attack, 100 Attack as Tornadus-Therian
-
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Prankster (Hidden Ability is Defiant)- Regenerator as Tornadus-Therian
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Ghost or Steel- Steel, Electric or Ground for Tornadus-Therian
Tornadus is one of the few pure Flying-type Pokemon and is as good as its contemporaries in the weather quartet, such as Thundurus, Enamorus, and Landorus, if not better. Tornadus, like the others, also has two forms, an Incarnate Forme and a Therian Forme, both of which are amazing options.
In its Incarnate Forme, Tornadus is a fast special sweeper, with impressive utility options, especially on top of its ability Prankster. On the flip side, Tornadus-Therian can be a very annoying tank due to its ability Regenerator and moves like Knock Off and Roost. Regardless of its form, Tornadus is an amazing example of what Flying-types can achieve.
9 Kantonian And Galarian Moltres
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Highest Stats:
125 Special Attack, 100 Attack- 125 Special Defense, 100 Special Attack as Galarian Moltres
-
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Pressure (Hidden Ability is Flame Body)- Berserk as Galarian Moltres
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Fairy or Water- Dark, Steel, or Fighting for Galarian Moltres
Moltres, similar to Ho-Oh, has hugely appreciated both Heavy-Duty Boots and Terastalization to mitigate its glaring weakness to Rock-types. On top of that, Moltres got a regional form in Galarian Moltres, a Dark/Flying type counterpart to the iconic classic.
Both forms of Moltres are quite strong in their own way, Kantonian being more offensive and Galarian focusing more on defenses. While not as strong as some other entries on this list, Moltres can finally hang out with the cool birds, thanks to the buffs it got in the last two generations.
8 Enamorus
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Highest Stats:
135 Special Attack, 115 Attack, 106 Speed- 135 Special Attack, 115 Attack, 110 Defense as Enamorus-Therian
-
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Cute Charm (Hidden Ability is Contrary)- Overcoat as Enamorus-Therian
-
Recommended Tera Type:
Fairy, Ground or Steel- Water or Fairy for Enamorus-Therian
Enamorus is the late addition to the weather trio, turning into a quartet. While Enamorus is likely not the most powerful of the group currently, it’s far from weak. Both it’s base form and Therian form are great at what they do, and they have the Fairy-type, which is one of the best offensive types in the game.
Base Enamorus is all about hitting fast and hard, firing off moves like Moonblast, Mystical Fire, and Psychic. Contrarily, Enamorus-Therian is best used as a tank, utilizing moves such as Calm Mind and Iron Defense. No matter the build, Enamorus cements itself as a deserving member of the weather genies.
7 Kantonian Zapdos
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Highest Stats:
125 Special Attack, 100 Speed, 90 HP, Attack and Special Defense -
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Pressure (Hidden Ability is Static) -
Recommended Tera Type:
Electric or Steel
The Legendary Bird Trio from Pokemon Red and Blue has had a tough life. Since the introduction of Stealth Rocks, Moltres and Articuno have been forced into hiding, living in fear of losing half their health upon switching in. With the Heavy-Duty Boots, they’re finally allowed to at least compete with the rest. Zapdos, on the other hand, just got stronger.
While Galarian Zapdos is cool and unique, it’s not a Flying-type, and thus will not be discussed here. Kantonian Zapdos has Static, which is quite powerful as a hidden ability, and Pressure is always useful as well. Plus, with great speed and special attacks, it’s a serious offensive electric threat with great defensive typing too.
6 Shaymin-Sky
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Highest Stats:
127 Speed, 120 Special Attack -
Evolution Line:
No pre-evolution -
Abilities:
Serene Grace -
Recommended Tera Type:
Fairy or Steel
Shaymin is one of the more loveable mythical Pokemon out there, especially due to having both a generically cute regular form and a badass sky form. This Grass/Flying-type has the stats of a prime special sweeper and has the move pool to back it up.
With great moves like Air Slash, Seed Flare, Earth Power, and Dazzling Gleam, few Pokemon can tank Shaymin’s onslaught. On top of a purely offensive set, you can opt for a support Shaymin too, via Tailwind, Leech Seed, and Baton Pass. You can even mitigate its four times Ice-type weakness with a well-timed Terastalization now in Scarlet and Violet.