Types have been a staple of thePokemonfranchise ever since the first generation games, which debuted in Japan withPokemon Red & Greenin 1996. The original games contained a total of 15 types represented among 151 Pokemon, but generation 2 introduced players to Dark and Steel Pokemon, whilePokemon X& Ysaw the debut of Fairy-type Pokemon.
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The typing of each individual Pokemon is a foundational aspect of the franchise’s gameplay, determining which moves are most effective to use and which moves they’re susceptible to. While most Pokemon only have one or two types, there areseveral species in the series whose design and lore could warrant up to three types, such as these examples.
10Ninetales
Ninetales is the evolution of Vulpix, a Fire-type Pokemon who first appeared as a version exclusive inPokemon Blue. They were among the most popular Fire-type Pokemon in the series, untilPokemon Sun& Moon, whichintroduced the concept of regional variants. Vulpix and Ninetales appeared in the Alola region, with variant forms that were Ice/Fairy-typed.
Given this specific typing, it would make sense for Ninetales to be upgraded to Fire/Fairy in the current series of games. However, the Pokemon’s Pokedex entries could also allude to a third type being added: Psychic. Allegedly, each of its nine tails are imbued with magical powers, which already grant it access to Psychic moves like Extrasensory and Psyshock.
9Tyranitar
Tyranitar, the fully-evolved form of Larvitar, is the pseudo-legendary Pokemon of the second generation games. It has a unique type combination of Rock/Dark, which it doesn’t share with any other species out of the now 1000+ available Pokemon in the franchise. However, this type combination varies greatly from Tyranitar’s two pre-evolved forms.
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Strangely, Larvitar and its middle-stage evolution, Pupitar, are both Rock/Ground-type Pokemon. Its Dark-typing makes sense considering the typing’s original intention of representing evil or mischievous Pokemon. However, keeping the Ground-typing would’ve been beneficial, making Tyranitar even more unique as a Rock/Ground/Dark-type Pokemon.
8Flygon
Speaking of Ground-types, Flygon has been the subject of one of the more controversial typings in the series' history. Although it excels with Ground/Dragon-typing, which it shares with Garchomp and Zygarde, many fans have noted that the Pokemon’s design, based on a dragonfly, would cater more towards a Bug-typing alongside both Ground and Dragon.
Furthermore, Flygon evolves from the extremely Bug-reminiscent Pokemon Trapinch and Vibrava. However, being additionally Bug-type would also make it one of the better Bug-types in the series, asits Dragon-typing would make it resistant to Fire-type attacksthat would normally be super-effective against it.
7Lucario
Lucario is one of the most popular Pokemon in the entire franchise, mostly due to its role in the anime and appearance asa playable character inSuper Smash BrosandPokken Tournament. Lucario’s main quirk is its possession of aura-sensing, which it uses to power up its moves in combat, although its typing seems to suggest a different story.
To the surprise of many fans, Lucario is Fighting/Steel-typed. While the Fighting-type makes sense, Steel-typing seems somewhat random, unless it has to do with Lucario’s chest and hand spikes. Still, potentially throwing in the Psychic-type would fit better with the Pokemon’s ability to read minds and communicate with humans.
6Meloetta
This Mythical Pokemon first appeared via an Event inPokemon Black& White, the fifth generation games. The Pokemon incorporates aspects of musical notation in its design, and its Pokedex entries describe it controlling the feelings of other Pokemon with its voice. It also has two forms: the Normal/Psychic Aria form and the Normal/Fighting Pirouette form.
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However, Meloetta predated the introduction of the Fairy-type in the games, which would fit very well alongside both of its forms. With the absence of any type of Sound-typing, Meloetta’s Fairy-typing could connect it to other Fairy-types like Jigglypuff, who infamously utilizes its singing to put Pokemon and humans to sleep in the anime.
5Goodra
Goodra was introduced as the pseudo-legendary ofPokemon X & Y, the sixth generation games. As a pure Dragon-type Pokemon, it had an interesting design for a Dragon-type consisting of mostly slime. Since its pre-evolved forms only appearing during rain, as well as its wide pool of Water-type moves, many fans questioned why it wasn’t Dragon/Water.
Goodra’s appearance in 2022’sPokemon Legends: Arceusonly further complicated this idea. In the ancient Hisui region, Goodra and its pre-evolution Sliggoo both have larger metallic shells, making them both Steel-type. However, if the Pokemon were Dragon/Water to begin with, Hisuian Goodra could’ve been the diverse Dragon/Water/Steel-typed.
4Decidueye
Rowlet is a rare exception among starter Pokemon, being Grass/Flying-type from the get-gorather than just pure Grass. However, fans were surprised when Rowlet’s final evolution was revealed as not Grass/Flying like its two previous forms, but Grass/Ghost. Furthermore, its Hisuian counterpart is surprisingly Grass/Fighting-type.
Despite being Ghost-type, there are no canonical explanations for it in Decidueye’s available Pokedex entries. It does, however, have access to the signature Ghost-type move Spirit Shackle, which has great use in battle. Perhaps it would be more accepting to fans if Decidueye was Grass/Flying/Ghost-typed, or possibly just Grass/Flying/Dark-typed.
3Grapploct
Grapploct is the fully-evolved form of Clobbopus, who appear inPokemon Sword& Shield, the ninth generation games and first on the Nintendo Switch. They’re both pure Fighting-type, which makes sense considering their wrestler appearances similar to gen 6’s Hawlucha. However, as both of them are octopi, it’s strange that they aren’t Fighting/Water-types.
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Grapploct’s Pokedex entry mentions it living in the sea, and it can be found in the game wandering aquatic areas such as Route 9 and the Lake of Outrage. Additionally, generation 9 reserved the Fighting/Water-typing for the Rapid Strike form of Urshifu, a Legendary Pokemon who appears in theSword & ShieldDLC expansion Isle of Armor.
2Dudunsparce
WithPokemon Scarlet & Violet, something unheard of has happened in thePokemonfranchise. After over 20 years, the second gen’s Dunsparce has finally received an evolution with Dudunsparce. Dunsparce is one of the most infamously mistyped Pokemon, only being Normal-typed as opposed to Ground or even Flying (due to its wings).
Nevertheless, fans were quite disappointed when it turned out atDunsparce’s long-awaited evolution was still Normal-typed. This could’ve been the perfect opportunity to flesh out the Pokemon by making it Normal/Ground, at least. Considering its longer, more serpentine shape, Dudunsparce being Normal/Ground/Dragon would’ve been an exciting addition.
1Iron Valiant
Pokemon Scarlet & Violethave also introduced Paradox Pokemon, who appear to be Pokemon from the past (inScarlet)and future (inViolet) that resemble known Pokemon. Iron Valiant, as its called, is the exception in that it resembles two Pokemon: Gardevoir and Gallade, who are both split evolutions from Gen 3’s Psychic/Fairy-type Ralts and Kirlia.
As a combination of Psychic/Fairy-type Gardevoir and Psychic/Fighting-type Gallade, Iron Valiant is Fairy/Fighting,a unique and useful typing in the competitive meta. However, losing Gardevoir and Gallade’s shared Psychic-typing feels like quite the blow. Perhaps Iron Valiant could’ve been the first triple-typed Pokemon as Psychic/Fairy/Fighting-typed.
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