There are really powerful Fighting-type Pokémon that you can use in your team. Any of them would make Larry cry after you pass Medali’s gym challenge.
Although there are many powerful Fighting-type Pokémon, keep in mind that some of them are version-exclusive.
Still, there is a good chance you can use a Fighting-type ally that perfectly fits your party.
Also, things will be much easier if you have the Scarlet version of this game. Below, you will find our list of the best Fighting-type Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
Iron Hands Hariyama
One of my favorite fighting types, Iron Hands Hariyama is a Fighting- and Electric-type Paradox Pokémon.
It has 570 total base stats, which makes it an S-Tier Pokémon, and it can come with Guard Dog and Quark Drive as an Ability.
This combination of types is pretty good defense-wise since it makes Iron Hands Hariyama weak to only three move types. It takes twice as much damage from Psychic, Fairy, and Ground moves.
On the other hand, it takes half damage from Rock-, Bug-, Dark-, Steel-, and Electric-type moves.
Iron Hands Hariyama is a beefy Pokemon. Its high HP can help it stay alive when caught by a move it’s weak to. At its turn, Iron Hands Hariyama can probably one-shot many Pokémon due to its insanely high 140 attack stat.
It is one of the highest IV stats you can get in Scarlet and Violet. It becomes even higher if it has the Brave nature. You will get 10% more Attack for 10% less Speed.
That said, Speed is already Iron Hands Hariyama’s weakest stat, and you don’t really lose much by having 10% less of it.
However, this Pokémon won’t be able to do much if it gets knocked out before attacking, so be mindful of that when using it against opponents that might have Psychic-, Fairy-, or Ground-type moves.
Iron Hands Hariyama has access to Focus Punch. This S-Tier move has 150 Power, 100 Accuracy, and 20 PP. Unfortunately, this move only works if you are not hit before using it. This is a challenging task considering this Pokémon’s low IV Speed.
So, alternatively, you can use Close Combat. An A-Tier Fighting-type move that has 120 Power and 100 Accuracy. Unfortunately, its PP is 5.
On the other hand, this is another highly damaging Physical attack. This move also lowers the target’s Defense and Special Defense stats, making it really hard for the enemy Pokémon to survive consecutive blows.
Great Tusk Donphan
Great Tusk Donphan is a Ground- and Fighting-type Pokémon. This is actually a Paradox Pokémon exclusive to the Scarlet version of the game.
Each Donphan has a chance of coming with Guard Dog and Protosynthesis as an Ability.
This Pokémon’s IV stats can be insanely high to a combined total of up to 570 stats points, which makes Great Tusk Donphan an S-Tier Pokémon.
There’s more. Although its Special Attack stat is pretty low, up to 53, its Attack can be as high as 131. This is one of the highest IV stats you can find in this title.
If you combine that with the Adamant Nature, its Attack stat will be even higher. Adamant does diminish the Pokémon’s Special Attack. Still, Great Tusk Donphan’s Special Attack stat is very low, and you should not be counting on it for much.
Great Tusk Donphan’s Defense can also be significantly high, also reaching up to 131, which, combined with its decent HP, makes this Pokémon reasonably tanky.
Unfortunately, all that power comes with a price. Great Tusk Donphan is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Flying, Psychic, and Fairy type moves. It is a total of six move types to which this Pokémon is vulnerable.
On the other hand, it takes half damage from Poison, Bug, and Dark moves. It also takes only a quarter of Rock-type moves and is weak to Electric attacks.
So, although it has more weaknesses than strengths, you can still make it work tremendously well by using its strengths correctly.
Koraidon
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet does not disappoint when it comes to all possible team compositions.
There are many cool type combinations, and we get one from a Legendary in Pokémon Scarlet.
This Dragon- and Fighting-type Pokémon has good Attack, decent HP, and High Speed. Its Attack IV of 135 combined with its Speed IV of 135 makes Koraidon a force to be reckoned with.
Koraidon is seriously powerful. It is a Scarlet-exclusive legendary Pokémon, so you shouldn’t expect any less.
Its IVs are insane, with 670 total base stats. Obviously, Koraidon is an S-Tier Pokémon.
With the Adamant Nature, Koraidon loses a bit of Special Attack, which is its lowest IV, and gets 10% more Attack. This Nature makes Koraidon’s one-shot potential even scarier.
Koraidon is weak to Flying-, Psychic-, Ice-, and Dragon-type attacks. It also takes four times as much damage from Fairy-type attacks.
On the other hand, it takes half damage from Rock-, Bug-, Dark-, Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves. Its combined types make for an interesting move list as well.
Some of my favorite moves for Koraidon are Outrage, Giga Impact, and Focus Blast.
Close Combat has 120 Power and 100 Accuracy. Unfortunately, it only has 5 PP, but as mentioned before, it lowers the target’s Defense and Special Defense.
Focus Blast has 120 Power and 70 Accuracy. The user heightens its mental focus and unleashes its power. This may also lower the target’s Sp. Def stat.
Outrage is a Physical Dragon-type move that has 10 PP, 120 Power, and 100 Accuracy. The user rampages and attacks for two to three turns. The user then becomes confused.
If you find those moves risky, you can always go for Giga Impact. It has 150 Power, 90 Accuracy, and 5 PP.
Giga Impact is a Physical Normal-type move, which is good to have in case your adversary is trying to counter your Legendary Pokémon.
What to Do Next
After you’ve picked which Fighting Pokemon you want to add to your team, spend a while looking at which TMs are the best in the game and teach your Pokemon some new moves to help prepare them for any future challenges.
Make sure to look up how to level your Pokemon quickly and efficiently, too, especially if you want to use your new Fighting Pokemon in your next gym battle or challenge.
