So here is my Top 10 favorite Flying-Type Pokemon!
Pidgeot is my first Flying-Type Pokemon to ever have in my entire Pokemon life, and for good reason. It has a majestic design (screw Fearow), has a decent move pool, and has balanced stats; too balanced, and that's the problem with Pidgeot. It's stats are so balanced that it leaves some visible flaws. It's HP is quite acceptable yet with the type match-ups, it won't survive for long, both Defense and Special Defense are unreliable, and its not as strong as the many hard-hitting birds present in the metagame like Talonflame and Honchkrow and to make matters worse, its Abilities are all useless in competitive play. Fortunately, it can learn Hurricane, and with an okay Special Attack of 70, Pidgeot can surprise foes with sets dedicated to its Special Attack. All in all, Pidgeot is a Pokemon with tons of potential only barred by its crippling move sets and stats.
TOP 9: Dragonite
OK, you might get confused on what I am going to say, but this list is not just limited to my favorite Bird Pokemon (its not even a type in the first place) but also to other Pokemon that are not entirely birds but can flap their wings around, and Dragonite is simply an example of them. Dragonite is seen to be one of the most powerful Pokemon back in Generation I that is NOT Mewtwo and Mew and that build the tradition of introducing certain pseudo-legendaries in each generation such as Salamence, Metagross, the infamous Garchomp, and Tyranitar. Let's get back to Dragonite. This Pokemon remains an extreme powerhouse in the metagame, capable of learning a massive amount of coverage moves from Ice Punch to Fire Blast, as well as its signature Egg move Extreme Speed and don't forget to slap in a Dragon Dance and its all ready for battle. However, like in the cases of Blaziken and Charizard, Dragonite is simply overrated (especially in most mono-teams) that you can see that thing 95% of the time. Nevertheless, its a Pokemon that you can rely on so many battles.
Everything about this Pokemon screams performance. From the design that reminds me of the Philippine Eagle to the awesome stats that it actually possess. In addition, it has a solid physical move set that suits its awesome Attack stat such as Brave Bird and Superpower; which the latter makes a powerful coverage move against Rock-types. However, unlike most Flying-Types, Braviary only has an average speed that even the most unused of Flying-Types can outspeed the bird because Braviary focuses more on bulk and and its Attack and not being swift enough. That's one major flaw to consider about Braviary, but putting up a good fight with this Pokemon is certainly worth the look. Also, it can learn Defog which is a plus.
TOP 7: Xatu
Creepy yet interesting; that's how I define this creature disguised as Xatu. Flying and Psychic is such an obscure type to begin with (Sigilyph also share this particular typing) and for good reason. Xatu has a respectable amount of Special Attack and Speed, allowing itself to become a potential sweeper with Baton Pass support, Calm Mind, and Cosmic Power. In addition to the already annoying set, it also has a Hidden Ability Magic Guard, allowing Xatu to freely avoid Stealth Rock and status ailments altogether; making it more annoying for certain Pokemon relying on status conditions and Spikes. The problem now with Xatu is that you must actually play smart in order to actually maximize its use, with proper timing and prediction of attacks. Another problem with the creepy bird is that once you focus on a particular set (a Tank build for example), it means you got to sacrifice your offensive move pool to compensate it. However, Xatu, regardless of the build it has, can do well in Double or Triple battles with Slaking or Regigigas. Overall, Xatu can be a great team player and has a lot of potential that lies within it.
TOP 6: Gyarados
Magikarp is, by far, the most hated Pokemon in the entire Generation I due to Splash; the only move it can learn back then. However, do not make it mad or you'll surely regret it, because it will evolve into a Gyarados and it will surely destroy you! Why? Because it is a powerhouse that can literally destroy teams with a monstrous Attack stat (pun intended) as well as some massive movepool and later Dragon Dance in Generation III. Also, with the event Magikarp distributed in Japan years ago in Generation V, it can also learn Bounce; a nifty move that can paralyze foes for a 30% chance, allowing Gyarados to potentially shut down Dragons if they are paralyzed with a boosted Ice Fang. However, the problem of Gyarados is that it suffers from only having four move slots at a given time. Despite the small flaw, however, Gyarados can wreck teams with proper timing and prediction. Now stack up that Moxie and win battles with it!!!
TOP 5: Talonflame
Yes. The same bird that I am seeing every time that I engage in online battles recently. I just can't help but be annoyed to this bird. You want to know why? Simple. Slap in Brave Bird and with Gale Wings, its exclusive Hidden Ability that adds priority to Flying moves, it can wreck teams. Need I say more? No. And don't get me started on Stealth Rock, for its just one Roost away!
Self-explanatory. With the exception of Stealth Rock, which sucks to have around.
TOP 3: Skarmory
After realizing the worth of entry hazards in competitive play, I decided to have a Pokemon that can just do such a meaningful task, and Skarmory takes the cake. It has a respectable Defense which allows it to withstand even the strongest of Flare Blitzes with ease. In addition, its Steel and Flying Type means that Stealth Rock will do him less damage and Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Webs won't cripple its performance at all. Also, with its Ability Sturdy, this Pokemon can no doubt enable to stack an entry hazard 100% of the time. Simply put, it is the best Flying Pokemon to have as your very own tank. Although, there are some other Pokemon who can also definitely fulfill the role pretty well such as Gliscor and Mandibuzz, but Skarmory has the sophistication and the bulkiness to survive even in the most hectic of battles. Just watch out for Electric and Fire attacks that could outright faint the steel bird, though. By the way, speaking of Gliscor and Mandibuzz...
TOP 2: Gliscor and Mandibuzz
These are the only two Pokemon (for me) that can fulfill tanky roles very well that is not Skarmory OR Ferrothorn (I only mentioned the latter because on how bulky this thing can be, both physically and specially). Gliscor and Mandibuzz have their own unique niche: Gliscor is a Ground Flying type Pokemon and one of the most annoying Pokemon to deal with (not unless if you have an Ice-Type with you which deals 4x damage against this pest) due to its Hidden Ability known as Poison Heal; an ability that is so incomprehensible and ridiculous that its actually effective on this particular Pokemon. Plus it can learn Stealth Rock, among other things. Mandibuzz, on the other hand, possesses a decent typing and that there are certain moves that are dedicated to the bird, such as Knock Off and Foul Play; both of which provide reliable STAB damage despite its meager Attack stat and it has access to Defog (take that Stealth Rock nasties). However, they have also their flaws. Gliscor is overly reliant on Protect, allowing it to kick in that Toxic Orb for the poison it needs and without Protect, its pretty much set-up bait from burns and Ice moves. Whereas Mandibuzz is weak to Stealth Rock and despite having a Special Defense rating of 95, you won't be needing this Pokemon to stay for too long, as it has low base Attack to even put up a good fight against fellow tanks like the mentioned Ferrothorn. Nonetheless, these Pokemon have their own strengths and perks to keep the battle interesting.
TOP 1: Swellow and Staraptor
Yes. Another tie, but this time, between two birds. Yes, two winged birds. Of course they are winged birds; what else could you possibly think about winged birds?! Jokes aside, though, these Pokemon have touched my heart for two reasons; creative design (not the course) and raw power. Swellow and Staraptor, although not in the same league as Talonflame, have the same potential as the latter but lacking Gale Wings which makes the fire bird so viable. Well, just like the saying goes "You can't win them all", but it doesn't mean that they are already useless. Swellow and Staraptor have niches that makes them viable in the current meta. Swellow has access to Scrappy (although Guts is a better option in my opinion) that allows the Pokemon to hit Ghost-Types with its Normal Moves; meaning those Hidden Powers, Boombursts, and Returns will actually connect to some irritating threats like Gengar and Sableye, while Staraptor has access to Reckless; a stylistic Ability that simply makes its Brave Birds and Double-Edges (alternatively, just get Return for another STAB move if you don't like too much recoil) hit like a typhoon (and that is no joke); provided you apply a Choice Band or Life Orb on those mentioned attacks. Unfortunately, like most offensive Pokemon, they can only learn four moves at a single time that can be hectic for these Pokemon to come up with effective ways to defeat foes; especially with the prevalence of Steel-Types such as Ferrothorn and the mentioned Skarmory. However, despite these setbacks, Swellow and Staraptor have hidden potential that was only overshadowed by its over-used competitors, and is by far, my favorite Flying Types to have around.
Special Mention: Aerodactyl
Lastly, I would just like to include my supposed Top 6 Pokemon which is a Rock and Flying Type in this list. Seriously, who doesn't want a Prehistoric Pokemon to have in your party? With its high Speed and Rock Head (it needs to learn Head Smash because Take Down simply don't make the cut), Aerodactyl has promise of becoming a potent sweeper and Taunt bait (that is not Prankster). Additionally, its Mega Form has access to Tough Claws; allowing it to become a pseudo-Mega Charizard X without the Dragon Dance. After all, with already enough Speed, it can out-speed most Pokemon that doesn't run Dragon Dance or Agility in their sets. Well, that's all I can say to this mighty Pokemon. No more, no less.
NOTE: All of the images I used for this blog are not a part of my property in every way, but it belongs to their rightful owners.
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