Ever since they first appeared in the world of Pokémon, Fairy-types have been a major point of contention among fans. In a way, their introduction in Gen 6 was crucial to reinvigorating the Pokémon formula, which had become a little predictable, at least in the competitive circuit. Making these ‘mons hit Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-types super-effectively though? Arguably a bit much.
Still, it’s difficult to refute just how important Fairy Pokémon have become to the series now, propelling Steel-types into the upper echelon of competitively viable Pokémon while simultaneously lifting an underused type like Poison out of obscurity. That’s not to mention how great some of the best Fairy-type Pokémon are in general, including both newer ‘mons designed with Fairy in mind and existing fan-favourites who retroactively had their typing changed to include Fairy as a hybrid part of them.
Because of this, we’ve decided to pick out the top ten Fairy Pokémon and rank them in order of how good they are. As with our lists of the best Fire Pokémon, best Dragon Pokémon, and so on, every evolutionary family is only allowed to be represented by one Pokémon from it. If Azumarill makes the cut, then Azurill and Marill are out. Not that any of those ‘mons made the top ten anyway.
They did make the honourable mentions though, which are as follows:
- Azumarill
- Zacian
- Diancie
- Jigglypuff
- Galarian Rapidash
- Grimmsnarl
- Hatterene
Some decent Fairies there for sure, but unfortunately none fit to enlist with the Ballonlea elite. Here are the best Fairy Pokémon of all time, ranked from worst to best.
10
Tinkaton
While it’s pre-evoltions are better left unmentioned, Tinkaton is incredibly powerful and surprisingly cute.
Weilding a massive hammer is an easy way into most hearts, especially when it’s so small and adorable to start out with. Fairy/Steel-type is a brilliant combination and Tinkaton makes fantastic use of it. It even gets its own signature move, with Gigaton Hammer being a 150 base power move.
You’ll likely encounter one of the pre-evolutions quite early in your journey in Scarlet and Violet, so we seriously reccomend getting one on-side.
9
Tapu Fini
While all of the Tapus are pretty good – especially given how predominantly weak post-Rayquaza Legendary design has been – Tapu Fini is the best of the bunch. Water/Fairy may have some pretty commonly encountered weaknesses, but it’s still an incredible defensive typing that combines two of the three best types in the entire game. The fact Tapu Fini also has Defense and Special Defense stats of 115 and 130, respectively, basically means this fairy-fish has scales made of pure Kevlar.
In general, Sun & Moon’s Legendary Fairies are properly well-designed Pokémon that deserve way more praise than they’re usually afforded. It’s astonishing to me that so many people ignore them in competitive singles, and even more astonishing that loads of you go “Tapu who?” every time they’re brought up. Tapu Fini – put some respect on its name.
8
Alolan Ninetales
We’re starting to wonder whether it’s even possible for Ninetales to do any wrong. Originally appearing as a Fire-type Pokémon way back in Gen 1, Sun & Moon saw the introduction of an Ice-/Fairy-type regional variant of this fan-favourite fox. It’s been around for 26 years and it’s still as graceful as ever.
It’s been available in every generation in Pokémon history, is a major part of several Pokémon spin-offs, and just looks like everything a Pokémon should strive to be. Technically speaking, Alolan Vulpix is even better, although Gen 7’s baby fox is a pure Ice-type and only gains its Fairy half post-evolution. Don’t worry, Vulpix. When we inevitably get to our ranking of the best Ice-type Pokémon, you’ll be near the top of the list.
7
Mawile
Funnily enough, Mawile also came in sixth place in our list of the best Steel Pokémon. Hoenn’s metal fairy is often forgotten about in conversations pertaining to both Steel and Fairy Pokémon, which is probably because it doesn’t really look like either. Its earthy colouration and weird snout with too many teeth could easily mark it as a Ground/Dark Pokémon instead.
But it’s not a Ground/Dark Pokémon – it’s a Steel/Fairy Pokémon with one of the best Mega Evolutions to come out of Kalos, some fascinatingly niche strategic values, and one of those precious few lore design gimmicks that make you think, “Yes, these little monsters actually could exist in the real world.” More of you should be Team Mawile.
6
Dachsbun
Bread dog is best dog. Simple as that.
It was love at first sight for us when we saw Fidough, and thankfully we were not disappointed by its evolution. I can imagine a few of these running around a bakery first thing in the morning, filling the place with the most pleasant of aromas.
Not to mention, it packs quite the powerful bite, adding another strong Pokémon to Fairy’s lineup.
5
Gardevoir
Another ‘mon from a previous list, Gardevoir fares two places better here than it did on our list of the best Psychic Pokémon, despite the latter being its original type when it was introduced to the series back in Gen 3. While it’s admittedly easy to still see Gardevoir as primarily a Psychic Pokémon, it channels the exact kind of mysterious energy that all Fairies should. It also makes excellent use of Fairy’s status as one of the three best offensive types in the entire game.
Gardevoir is similar to Ninetales in that it’s one of a select few Pokémon that is pretty much guaranteed to show up in anything Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company ever decide to do. It’s immensely popular and a great pick for both PvE and online competitive play. As we mentioned in our Psychic ranking, just make sure you never Google its name. You’ve been warned.
4
Sylveon
Let’s be real – it’s tough to collect the best Pokémon of any given type without including its corresponding Eeveelution if it has one. While Flareon only made the honourable mentions section on our list of the best Fire Pokémon, Vaporeon was ranked as the second-best Water Pokémon and Espeon clocked in as the fifth-best Psychic-type. Even the less impressive Eevee evos – ahem, Glaceon and Leafeon – are still pretty decent relative to the rest of Pokémon.
Sylveon is special though. Introduced to the series as one of the first, flagship Fairy-types back in Kalos, it has a brilliant design – particularly for a new Eeveelution – as well as a fantastic movepool and a great ability in Pixilate. It may be the bane of any committed Fairy-hater’s existence, but that actually just makes it even better, so. Yeah.
3
Clefable
We’re heading all the way back to Kanto to hand out our bronze medal. Despite initially being a Normal-type prior to the creation of Fairy for Gen 6, Clefable is now a pure Fairy-type Pokémon that is quite literally listed as the “Fairy Pokémon” in the Pokédex. How could we not show it some love here?
In all seriousness, on top of being a pretty cool Pokémon in general – we’ve all seen those theories about its design as an inverted version of Gengar, the best Ghost Pokémon of all time – Clefable is a proper tank. It brushes off inordinate amounts of damage and can shock opponents in between healing itself and poisoning them by executing impressive techniques like Flamethrower and Thunderbolt. It’s almost as if this weird creature from the moon capable of accidentally using any Pokémon move known to man is a bit unpredictable at times.
2
Primarina
After just missing a podium position at fourth place in our list of the best Water Pokémon, Primarina saves face in spectacular fashion by winding up with a silver medal here. Alola’s beloved mermaid ‘mon shares its Water/Fairy typing with the aforementioned Tapu Fini, although despite being quite a bit weaker than its Legendary counterpart, its brilliantly inspired design allows it to achieve a much higher place on this list.
As the final evolution of a starter Pokémon – the third-best starter Pokémon ever, no less – Primarina definitely has a bit of an advantage when it comes to making a lasting impression on people. Its reason for being included here drastically supersedes that though. Primarina wins silver because it deserves to. You know for a fact it’s probably doing 17 consecutive backflips into the maritime version of the baby freeze. When it comes to evoking a Dazzling Gleam, this Fairy’s a natural. In fact, it would be the best Fairy Pokemon of all time if not for…
1
Mimikyu
Yes! After coming in second place in our list of the best Ghost Pokémon – obviously nothing is ever going to top Gengar – Mimikyu has finally received the attention it’s always craved as the best Fairy Pokémon of all time. It’s got everything a Fairy needs – it’s benevolent, mysterious, and magical in the most confusing way possible – and has some of the best lore in all of Pokémon.
Mimikyu is also interesting because of the fact it’s a Ghost/Fairy-type based on Attack instead of Special Attack. What’s more, it has a totally unique ability, three(!) immunities, and one of the single best designs the artists at Game Freak have ever come up with.
It may only be the second-best Ghost-type of all time, but it’s irrefutably the number one Fairy Pokémon. Just make sure you don’t talk to it about its disguise. It’s a bit… sensitive. Definitely more of a Fairy when you leave it be, more of a Ghost when you don’t.
Written by Cian Maher and Ryan Woodrow on behalf of GLHF.
