As the "late 2022" release for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet creeps closer, fans continue to turn their attention to a question they're eager to have answered: what Pokémon will be in the new Spain-inspired region?
With a new region comes new Pokémon, as has been the case with each Generation. However, an exciting aspect of awaiting a new Pokédex is prospecting the types that the Pokémon will express. Beyond merely wondering what new Pokémon there will be, what dual types will be included in the new games? There are a few that stand above the rest as rather formidable, and even novel, combinations.
Water & Steel
Water and Steel is a unique dual type exclusive to Empoleon. It's an impressively strong combination, as it currently offers Empoleon 10 Resistances and 1 Immunity while weak to only Fighting, Electric, and Ground. These advantages cement the penguin's place in one of the best Pokémon starting trios of all time.
Characteristically, Water-types are well-rounded with both high Physical and Special Attacks and Defenses, but have slightly lower Speeds. Conversely, Steel-types on average excel in their Physical stats (both Attack and Defense are greater than 110) with great Special Defense. To have another Water/Steel-type Pokémon would not make Empoleon any less special, but rather enhance its impact on the Pokémon world by inspiring another Water/Steel Pokémon into design.
Water & Fairy
Water and Fairy may not be as rare as Water/Steel, but it's proven to be as powerful in some regards. This dual type features 4 Pokémon: Primarina, Tapu Fini, as well as Marill and Azumarill. With Fairy considered to be an overpowered type and Water as one of the best original types, combined, they are consistently strong with 6 Resistances and 1 Immunity to the formerly all-powerful Dragon-type.
Though the stats of these Pokémon vary, both Fairy and Water-types are typically well endowed in both their Special Attack and Special Defense categories, though their Physical stats aren't lacking by any means. A Water/Fairy-type could be the perfect ing Pokémon to those who opt for the Grass or Fire starters in Scarlet & Violet.
Grass & Fire
Grass and Fire are two of the most common types throughout all 8 Generations of the games. However, in all 908 Pokémon, never once have the two types come together to form one. Scarlet & Violet could be the perfect game to introduce the very first Grass/Fire type Pokémon - a new game brings the opportunity to present new species.
The two types often work as opposites - what's super-effective against Fire is often not against Grass (and vice versa), so despite having just 4 Resistances, the combo would only be weak to 3 types: Flying, Rock, and Poison. Not to mention, a Grass/Fire Pokémon could be an incredible Mixed Attacker since both types have great Attack and Special Attack stats. Depending on its Ability, this combination could be able to set up Solarbeam in just one turn. Though speculation, many Reddit threads predict Fuecoco's final form will be the first Fire and Grass Pokémon since the croc reminds fans of a ghost pepper.
Fairy & Steel
If players are familiar with past Generations of games, they will how great Fairy/Steel-types are. Pokémon like Zacian, Mawile, and Klefki likely come to mind from their most recent features in Pokémon Sword & Shield. With 2 Immunities and 9 Resistances, the combination can be both highly defensive and powerfully offensive.
Though not the fastest types, Fairy- and Steel-types excel in their Defenses and Attacks. Even if the newest Fairy/Steel would be a bit slower and had low to respectable HP, the Physical and Special stat combinations could make this next hypothetical Pokémon into something reminiscent of Magearna, able to absorb plenty of damage while also distributing a great deal of its own. Individually, these two Pokémon types are some of the best featured in the games. But together, they prove to be a lethal combination.
Fire & Fairy
Like Grass/Fire, Fire/Fairy is a dual type that has yet to find its way into the Pokémon games. If Game Freak would oblige, this supposed original Pokémon would find itself in a similar throng as Heatran and Torterra as the only one of its kind.
A Fire/Fairy-type Pokémon would likely excel offensively, either as a Physical or Special Attacker or both, while still boasting respectable to high Defenses. Not the fastest, this dual type would still outspeed many of its opponents and could be a well-rounded complement to a team. Its 4 Weaknesses are overshadowed by the potential 7 Resistances and 1 Immunity. Though fans often connect Fuecoco to a ghost pepper, the Fire/Fairy dual type is not out of the picture for the crocodile's final evolution either.
Flying & Steel
Fans were first introduced to a Flying/Steel Pokémon back in Johto when Skarmory made its debut. While unique and exciting, Skarmory left fans wanting more. Those calls were answered with Celesteela and with Corviknight, considered to be the best Route 1 bird amongst the games.
Steel's greatest drawback is its poor Speed. Though Skarmory, Celesteela, and Corviknight fail to enhance that stat, Flying-types typically are some of the fastest. 8 Resistances, 2 Immunities, and just 2 Weaknesses make these metal fliers difficult Pokémon to take down from the battlefield. These three Pokémon surely leave fans wishing this dual type, considered one of the best, would be less of an anomaly by introducing even just one more Pokémon of its kind.
Fairy & Ghost
As the second-rarest type, options are limited for trainers looking for a Fairy-type. Fairy has yet to diversify to the degree of other types - it doesn't quite span the breadth of combinations as some older types do. Yet one of the best mixes is in fact Fairy/Ghost, only found in the creepy but sort of cute Mimikyu.
The Pikachu-donned ghost has a whopping 3 Immunities (only 1 Resistance to Bug). Alongside its Ability and potent stats, this typing combo makes Mimikyu one of the most competitively viable Pokémon from Pokémon Sun & Moon, with its popularity continuing into Sword & Shield. Surely The Pokémon Company could create a Spanish-inspired Fairy/Ghost for fans, one that could compare to the original.
Fighting & Electric
Electric is a popular type for trainers to include in their teams. It provides coverage for common Flying- and Water-type Pokémon. Fighting may be less common, but they still are strong Pokémon. Together, these two types would bolster a given Pokémon with 5 Resistances. Despite 3 Weaknesses, offensively, this dual type is super-effective against 7 types.
The potentially new combination may shape a Pokémon to be a glass cannon; however, the Speed and Attacking stats would be potentially lethal - on average, fully evolved Fighting-types have an Attack of 120 and a Speed of 88 while Electric-types have a Special Attack of 100 and a Speed of 90. The prospect of this dual type is reminiscent of a Speed Boosted Blaziken, making for one swift Thunder Punch.
Water & Fire
Water and Fire combine two of the three starting elements. A rare dual typing, there is only one Pokémon with Water/Fire: Volcanion. A Mythical Pokémon from Kalos, Volcanion's base stats are sturdier than a normal Pokémon's would be, yet it serves as an interesting cross-elemental inspiration.
Together, Fire and Water produce steam, the basis for Volcanion's design. Currently, there are two Water-type moves that may leave a target burned: Volcanion's signature Steam Eruption and Scald. The introduction of another Water/Fire dual type Pokémon could influence Game Freak to design a new Water-based burn move. Besides, a Water/Fire Pokémon - not unlike Volcanion - would probably be a strong Mixed Attacker capable of wielding a diverse move pool.
Steel & Poison
What Poison-types often lack a Steel dual type could provide. Typically frail, Poison-types deficient defenses generally hold them back. On average, both their Physical and Special Defenses are around 70. Conversely, fully evolved Steel-types average a Defense of 122 and Special Defense of 90, so the combination of the two theoretically could even out those stats.
Though there's no Steel/Poison Pokémon in existence yet, this dual type could spice up the battlefield. With 9 Resistances and 1 Immunity to just 2 Weaknesses, a Steel and Poison Pokémon could frustrate opponents with stalling moves like Iron Defense or Shelter while also having the chance to inflict them with poison. Its 4x Weakness to Ground may be one of the only ways to get this Pokémon off the battlefield.
