Type Matchups Guide

Master type effectiveness to dominate the Mega Rising meta

Complete weakness, resistance, and counter chart - November 2025

Quick Reference

🔥 Weakness (2x Damage)

When a Pokemon is hit by its weakness type, it takes DOUBLE damage. This can completely swing matchups.

Example: Pikachu EX (Electric) deals 50 damage to Articuno (Water). Articuno's weakness to Electric means it takes 100 damage instead!

🛡️ Resistance (-20 Damage)

When a Pokemon has resistance, it takes 20 less damage from that type. Can survive extra hits!

Example: Mewtwo EX (Psychic) is hit by Pikachu EX for 90 damage. Psychic resists Electric, so it only takes 70 damage!

Complete Type Effectiveness Chart

Weakness Chart (2x Damage)

Find your Pokemon's type on the left, then see what type deals double damage to it.

Pokemon TypeWeak To (Takes 2x Damage)Meta Examples
🌿 Grass🔥 FireExeggutor EX, Venusaur, Lilligant
🔥 Fire💧 WaterCharizard EX, Mega Blaziken EX, Moltres EX
💧 Water⚡ ElectricPalkia EX, Starmie EX, Greninja, Articuno EX
⚡ Electric👊 FightingPikachu EX, Zapdos EX, Electrode, Raichu
🔮 Psychic🌙 DarknessMewtwo EX, Gardevoir, Alakazam, Gengar
👊 Fighting🔮 PsychicMachamp EX, Marowak EX, Primeape, Golem
🌙 Darkness👊 FightingUmbreon, Weavile, Darkrai
⚙️ Metal🔥 FireMelmetal, Scizor, Lucario
🐉 Dragon🐉 DragonDragonite, Garchomp, Rayquaza
⚪ Colorless👊 FightingSnorlax, Wigglytuff, Pidgeot, Farfetch'd

Resistance Chart (-20 Damage)

Some types resist damage from specific types. Less common than weakness but still important!

Pokemon TypeResists (Takes -20 Damage)Strategic Advantage
🔮 Psychic⚡ ElectricMewtwo EX can tank Pikachu EX better than expected
👊 Fighting🌿 GrassFighting types survive longer vs Grass attackers
⚙️ Metal🔮 PsychicMetal types counter Mewtwo EX effectively
🌙 Darkness🔮 PsychicDarkness types resist Psychic attacks well

November 2025 Meta Matchup Guide

💧

Palkia EX (Water)

Current S-Tier Meta Deck

Weak To: Electric (2x)

Bad Matchups:

  • • Pikachu EX (S-Tier) - Very difficult
  • • Zapdos EX - Struggles against it
  • • Electrode - Can be problematic
  • • Raichu - Weakness exploited

Strong Against

Good Matchups:

  • • Mega Blaziken EX (2x Fire weakness)
  • • Charizard EX (2x Fire weakness)
  • • Moltres EX (2x Fire weakness)
  • • Most Fighting types (strong pressure)

Counter Strategy

How to Beat Palkia:

  • • Use Electric types (Pikachu EX ideal)
  • • Tech in Zapdos EX or Electrode
  • • Pressure before Palkia EX evolves
  • • Target Greninja to cut draw power

Pro Tip:

Palkia EX's biggest weakness is its Electric vulnerability. If you're facing lots of Palkia, add Electric Pokemon to your deck even if off-type.

Pikachu EX (Electric)

S-Tier Aggro Powerhouse

Weak To: Fighting (2x)

Bad Matchups:

  • • Machamp EX - 2x weakness hurts
  • • Marowak EX - Can OHKO Pikachu
  • • Primeape - Fast Fighting pressure
  • • Sandslash - Resists and counters

Strong Against

Good Matchups:

  • • Palkia EX (2x Water weakness)
  • • Articuno EX (2x Water weakness)
  • • Starmie EX (2x Water weakness)
  • • Most Water decks (dominates)

Counter Strategy

How to Beat Pikachu:

  • • Fighting types exploit weakness
  • • Psychic types resist Electric (-20)
  • • Target Pikachu before it sets up
  • • Prevent full bench (reduces damage)

Pro Tip:

Psychic types like Mewtwo EX resist Electric damage (-20). While not a hard counter, this resistance helps survive Pikachu EX's Circle Circuit attack.

🔥

Mega Blaziken EX (Fire)

Mega Evolution Glass Cannon

Weak To: Water (2x)

Bad Matchups:

  • • Palkia EX - Dimensional Storm + weakness
  • • Starmie EX - Fast Water pressure
  • • Greninja - Consistent damage
  • • Articuno EX - Can stall evolution

Strong Against

Good Matchups:

  • • Grass types (2x weakness)
  • • Metal types (2x weakness)
  • • Mewtwo EX (neutral, OHKO potential)
  • • Any deck if Mega evolved (200+ dmg)

Counter Strategy

How to Beat Mega Blaziken:

  • • Water types (2x weakness critical)
  • • Rush down before Mega Evolution
  • • Target Torchic/Blaziken EX early
  • • KO Moltres EX (energy acceleration)

Pro Tip:

Mega Blaziken needs 3-4 turns to fully set up (evolve Torchic → Blaziken EX → Mega Blaziken EX). Rush strategies can win before it comes online.

🔮

Mewtwo EX + Gardevoir (Psychic)

A-Tier Control Deck

Weak To: Darkness (2x)

Bad Matchups:

  • • Any Darkness attackers (rare in meta)
  • • Fast aggro before Gardevoir
  • • Disruption decks
  • • Can struggle vs Fighting

Strong Against

Good Matchups:

  • • Fighting types (2x weakness)
  • • Resists Electric (-20 vs Pikachu!)
  • • Machamp EX (2x weakness)
  • • Late game vs most decks

Counter Strategy

How to Beat Mewtwo:

  • • Darkness types if available
  • • Aggro before Gardevoir evolves
  • • Target Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir
  • • Prevent energy acceleration

Pro Tip:

Mewtwo EX resisting Electric damage makes it surprisingly good against Pikachu EX. The resistance (-20) plus Gardevoir energy acceleration creates favorable trades.

Building Type-Advantaged Decks

Mono-Type vs Multi-Type Coverage

Mono-Type Advantages

  • Type-specific support cards (Blaine, Misty, Lt. Surge)
  • Stadium cards benefit entire deck (Thunder Mountain)
  • Energy management is simpler and more consistent
  • Clear strength: dominates favorable matchups completely

Example: Pikachu EX (pure Electric) with Thunder Mountain + Lt. Surge

Multi-Type Advantages

  • Cover multiple weaknesses in meta
  • More flexible responses to opponent's deck
  • Less vulnerable to type-specific counters
  • Can pivot strategy mid-game

Example: Charizard EX (Fire) + Moltres EX + Starmie EX (Water tech)

Meta Call Decision:

In November 2025 meta: Mono-type decks are generally stronger due to Thunder Mountain and Cascading Falls stadiums. However, tech cards (1-2 off-type Pokemon) can swing specific matchups in your favor.

Tech Card Recommendations by Meta

Add 1-2 "tech" cards to counter popular decks you're facing frequently.

If Facing Lots of Palkia EX (Water):

Add: Zapdos EX

Electric type 2x weakness coverage

Add: Electrode

Fast Electric pressure + energy accel

Add: Exeggutor EX

Grass type also hits weakness

If Facing Lots of Pikachu EX (Electric):

Add: Marowak EX

Fighting 2x weakness + high damage

Add: Mewtwo EX

Resists Electric (-20 damage)

Add: Primeape

Budget Fighting counter option

If Facing Lots of Fire Decks (Mega Blaziken/Charizard):

Add: Starmie EX

Fast Water counter, 2x weakness

Add: Greninja

Water pressure + draw power

Add: Articuno EX

Stall evolution, hit weakness

Master Type Matchups!

Use type advantages strategically to dominate the meta and counter popular decks!