While Fairy-type creatures were introduced to Pokémon to help stabilize the games, they may have become way too powerful.
In the mainline Pokémon games, there are a total of 18 types, and Game Freak has added three since the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue Versions. Fairy is the most recent addition to the series, having debuted in Generation VI. While the Fairy-type was created to counteract the Dragon-type and help balance the games, it has now exceeded Dragon in strength and become the most overpowered type in the entire franchise.
The key strength of the Fairy-type is against Dragon-types, which is particularly important given that Dragon-types are often among the most powerful Pokémon in the games. Fairy-type Pokémon is not only very powerful against Dragons, but they also bear no damage from Dragon-type moves. In Pokémon, complete invincibility of a type is uncommon, and possessing such an important one gives Fairy-type a significant advantage.
Fairy-type Pokémon are effective against Dark and Fighting-type Pokémon in addition to Dragon-type Pokémon. Dark-type Pokémon was deemed overpowered at times due to the fact that they only had two resistances before Generation VI, one of which was the underwhelming Bug-type. In recent generations, Fairy-types have been the go-to alternative for facing Dark-types, rendering them essential for both playthroughs and competitive Pokémon battles. Having an edge over Fighting-type Pokémon adds to the versatility of Fairy-type Pokémon.
Why Is It So Difficult To Beat Fairy-Type Pokémon?
While Fairy Pokémon have a significant advantage over three different types, this does not mean they are overpowered. Steel and Poison are two types that both withstand them and are extremely powerful against them, and they are supposed to keep Fairy-types in check. However, not only is being vulnerable to only two types uncommon, but both types have flaws that cause Fairy Pokémon to maintain their dominance.
Poison has historically been a typing that emphasizes status effects, so most Poison-type Pokémon and their move sets are ineffective against a Fairy-type attack. Steel-type Pokémon, likewise, are typically more offensively focused, and the typing lacks offensive moves. Despite recent updates to their move pools, such as the inclusion of Steel Beam in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, both types still fall short when compared to other types.
Despite the fact that Fairy-types are probably the most powerful in all of Pokémon, the games are mostly well-balanced in terms of typing. Fairy-type still pales in contrast to how dysfunctional Dragon-typing was prior to Generation 6, and its inclusion in the game was a significant step forward.
