Is Togekiss a Good Flying Type? Examining the Dual-Type Star
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The short answer is: Togekiss is a decent, but not exceptional, Flying-type Pokemon. While it possesses the Flying typing, its true strengths and niche lie elsewhere. Togekiss shines as a bulky special attacker with access to powerful Fairy-type moves, supported by the disruptive potential of its ability, Serene Grace. It’s important to understand that Togekiss is more than just a Flying-type; it’s a complex hybrid whose strategic value derives from its unique combination of attributes. Its Flying type is often overshadowed by its Fairy capabilities. This analysis delves into the intricacies of Togekiss’ Flying type designation, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal usage, setting it in the context of other flying type pokemon.
Togekiss as a Flying-Type: A Deeper Dive
When considering Togekiss’ viability as a Flying-type, it is crucial to look at the type’s inherent characteristics. Flying-type Pokemon typically excel with physical attack moves, have good speed, and have a weakness against Electric, Ice, and Rock attacks. Togekiss, while having the flying typing, struggles in these areas.
Movepool and Offensive Capabilities
Togekiss’s Flying-type movepool is generally lackluster. It has access to Air Slash and Aerial Ace, but neither are particularly stellar for a special attacker. Air Slash is usually the preferred Flying-type move because it is a special attack (which Togekiss has a higher base stat for) and its flinch rate is improved with Serene Grace. Togekiss’s attack stat is relatively low, rendering physical Flying-type moves like Fly or Brave Bird far less effective than other Flying-types. Using moves like Fly is sub-optimal in general due to the turn usage.
Furthermore, there are several more potent Flying-type attackers available, such as Staraptor, Talonflame, and Noivern, who boast higher attack stats and a more diverse and powerful arsenal of Flying-type moves. These Pokemon often utilize moves like Brave Bird and Acrobatics to their full potential.
The Flying-Type Weaknesses
As a Flying-type, Togekiss is susceptible to common weaknesses including Electric, Ice, and Rock attacks. These weaknesses can be problematic, especially when considering that Rock is a common offensive type used by many Pokemon. While Togekiss has good defensive stats, it cannot reliably absorb super-effective hits.
The Fairy-Type Advantage
Togekiss’s primary strength is its Fairy-typing. This gives it key advantages over other Flying-types. Togekiss can effectively use powerful Fairy moves like Dazzling Gleam and Charm. These moves allow it to exert significant offensive pressure on Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type Pokemon, which would often be a threat to other flying pokemon. Furthermore, it can be a disruptive force with the support move Follow Me, and can heal via Roost. In this sense, the Flying typing it possesses is an accessory, rather than a primary strength.
Strategic Use of Togekiss
Togekiss is best used as a special wallbreaker or a support Pokemon that benefits from its Serene Grace ability. The ability, paired with the special move Air Slash, results in a 60% chance to flinch opposing Pokemon, an incredibly strong tool for forcing offensive pressure. Using it as a pure Flying-type attacker would be a waste of its full potential. This approach highlights its Fairy capabilities, which are where it truly stands out from the crowd.
Focusing on special attack moves, paired with its decent bulk and support options, helps Togekiss excel in a supportive or disruptive role in battle.
Conclusion: Not a Primary Flying-Type Threat
In conclusion, while Togekiss technically carries the Flying-type, it is not its defining characteristic, nor is it where it excels. Its strengths and strategic value lie in its Fairy-type offense, Serene Grace, and support options. Therefore, to fully harness its potential, it should be considered primarily as a Fairy-type special attacker first and foremost, with a secondary flying component. It is by far a more effective Fairy-type than it is a Flying-type. The Flying type is an added benefit, rather than a core strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Togekiss and Flying Types
1. Is Togekiss a pure Flying-type Pokemon?
No, Togekiss is a dual-type Fairy/Flying Pokemon. Prior to Generation VI, it was a Normal/Flying type. It is not a pure Flying-type.
2. What are the best moves for Togekiss?
For an offensive set, Charm and Dazzling Gleam make for a strong Fairy-type attacking option. Air Slash is the best Flying move thanks to Serene Grace. Aura Sphere can be useful as well for type coverage. On a support set, Follow Me and Roost are great options.
3. What is Togekiss’ best ability?
Serene Grace is the best ability for Togekiss because it doubles the chances of secondary effects, such as increasing the flinch chance of Air Slash to a massive 60%.
4. Why is Togekiss so powerful?
Togekiss is considered powerful due to its high base stats, bulk, and the Serene Grace ability, which makes its Air Slash a potent flinch threat.
5. What is the fastest Flying-type Pokemon?
Ninjask is the fastest Flying-type Pokemon, boasting a base speed stat of 160.
6. Who are some of the strongest Flying-type Pokemon?
Some strong Flying-type Pokemon include Noivern, Hawlucha, Talonflame, Staraptor, Altaria, Aerodactyl, Pelipper, Charizard, and Corviknight.
7. What is the weakest Flying-type Pokemon?
Several early-game Flying-types are considered weak, including Zubat, Hoppip, Taillow, Starly, Vullaby, Fletchling, Pikipek and Rookidee (before evolution).
8. What is the only pure Flying-type Pokemon?
There are only four pure Flying-type Pokemon: Rookidee, Corvisquire, and the Incarnate and Therian forms of Tornadus.
9. Who is the god of Flying-type Pokemon?
While not explicitly stated in lore, Rayquaza is often considered the “god” of Flying-type Pokemon due to its power, legendary status, and role in the lore.
10. What are some Pokemon that can beat Togekiss?
Strong Togekiss counters include Shadow Metagross, Mega Diancie, Shadow Rampardos, Shadow Rhyperior, Mega Gengar, and Shadow Raikou. These Pokemon have type advantage and can deal heavy damage to Togekiss.
11. What are Flying-type Pokemon weak against?
Flying-type Pokemon are weak against Electric, Ice, and Rock attacks.
12. What are Fairy-type Pokemon weak against?
Fairy-type Pokemon are weak against Poison-type and Steel-type Pokemon, and also sometimes Fire type.
13. Is Togekiss better than Gardevoir?
Togekiss is often considered better than Gardevoir due to its better typing, its ability, and the fact that it doesn’t take up a mega slot. Togekiss can also take a physical hit better than Gardevoir, and can recover with Roost.
14. Is Togekiss a good Fairy-type?
Yes, Togekiss is a very good Fairy-type attacker. It possesses good offensive stats, bulk, and support moves, making it a valuable addition to any team seeking a Fairy-type presence.
15. Is Togekiss better than Sylveon?
It depends on the specific use case. Sylveon is generally considered a stronger special attacker, while Togekiss is bulkier and more disruptive thanks to Serene Grace. Togekiss lost Roost, however it can still get it via certain game mechanics. Sylveon’s better offensive power makes it a better direct offensive presence.