Summary
Highlights
The video discusses the underrated nature of Flying-type Pokémon, highlighting their immunity to Ground-type attacks and offensive utility. The creator emphasizes the difficulty of ranking the best Flying-types due to their similar levels of success and the prevalence of Flying-types winning World Championships. The ranking focuses exclusively on the official competitive doubles format, explaining why certain popular Pokémon in singles are excluded.
Togekiss, one of two Pokémon on the list not to have won a World Championship, is highlighted for its crucial role as a 'Follow Me' user, protecting frail partners in competitive battles. Its effectiveness was further amplified with the addition of the Fairy typing and during the Dynamax era in Sword and Shield, where it paired well with Excadrill. Togekiss also utilized 'Yawn' to disrupt Dynamax Pokémon and could function offensively with 'Max Airstream'. Its ability, Serene Grace, doubled the flinch chance of 'Air Slash', making it a formidable and annoying support Pokémon.
Celesteela, a Steel/Flying type, is the first World Champion on the list (2017). Its defensive typing with only two weaknesses (Fire and Electric) and an immunity to Ground made it a strong presence. Known for its versatile sets, it could be played as a stall Pokémon with 'Leech Seed' and 'Protect' or as an offensive threat with 'Heavy Slam' and 'Wide Guard'. Its unique 'Beast Boost' ability allowed it to raise various stats upon a KO, making it unpredictable.
Gyarados, a Water/Flying type, is recognized for its longevity and consistent presence in competitive play, though it never reached the same peak dominance as Togekiss or Celesteela. Its Intimidate ability makes it a strong defensive pivot. The video mentions the historical struggle of Flying-type moves, often leading Gyarados to take on a more defensive role. It significantly benefited from Z-moves, Dynamax, and Terastallization, allowing it to utilize Flying-type coverage. The video addresses the inclusion of Mega Gyarados (Water/Dark type) due to its shared identity and pre-evolution utility.
Talonflame won a World Championship in 2014 and is known for its 'Gale Wings' ability. Initially, this ability granted priority to all Flying-type moves without condition, making 'Brave Bird' an incredibly powerful, high-priority attack. This made Talonflame a terrifying offensive threat in Generation 6. However, subsequent nerfs limited 'Gale Wings' to only activate at full HP, relegating Talonflame to a frailer, faster supportive role, primarily using 'Tailwind', 'Will-o-Wisp', and 'Taunt'.
Charizard, despite not winning a World Championship, holds its place due to its consistent performance across multiple forms. The base Fire/Flying form with 'Solar Power' can deal immense damage in the sun. Mega Charizard X (Fire/Dragon) offered a physical attacking option, while Mega Charizard Y (Fire/Flying) set up sun with 'Drought', becoming a dominant special attacker. Gigantamax Charizard was highlighted as arguably the best Dynamax Pokémon, with its signature move 'G-Max Wildfire' dealing significant passive damage and making it incredibly tanky, effectively breaking the game due to its overwhelming power.
Tornadus, the only pure Flying-type on the list, won a World Championship in 2013 and has multiple high-place finishes. Its 'Prankster' ability provides priority to non-damaging moves, making it an exceptional 'Tailwind' setter. It also supports teams with moves like 'Taunt' and 'Rain Dance', synergizing with Water-type attackers and making its 'Hurricane' or 'Bleakwind Storm' (a strong, inaccurate Flying move) perfectly accurate. The video notes a unique World Championship win where a 'Defiant' Tornadus, utilizing 'Flying Gem' and 'Acrobatics', became a powerful offensive threat.
Mega Rayquaza, a Dragon/Flying type, won the World Championships in 2016. Its unique Mega Evolution process (requiring 'Dragon Ascent' instead of a Mega Stone) allowed it to hold other powerful items. With incredible base stats, it functions as both a physical and special attacker. Its signature ability, 'Delta Stream', created a special weather that removed Flying-type weaknesses, making it incredibly bulky and synergizing with other Flying-type Pokémon. Despite its immense power, it wasn't consistently top tier among restricted Pokémon like Xerneas or Primal Groudon/Kyogre due to their broader team utility.
The video briefly discusses other notable Flying-type Pokémon that didn't make the top 10: Zapdos (strong in older gens, 2nd & 3rd place Worlds finishes), Pelipper (rain setter), Murkrow (support), Yanmega, Galarian Moltres (Players Cup winner), Regular Moltres, Mandibuzz (bulky support), Vivillon (sleep inducer), Corviknight (bulky in lower power formats), Flamigo, Crobat (Xerneas counter), Mega Aerodactyl, Articuno (recent Regional win), Dragonite (recent competitive surge), Jumpluff (sun support), Braviary (Dynamax attacker with Defiant), and Drifblim (fast Tailwind setter).
Thundurus, an Electric/Flying type, won World Championships in 2011, 2015, and 2022. It gains priority for non-damaging moves with its 'Prankster' ability, notoriously used with 'Thunder Wave' to paralyze opponents and 'Swagger' to inflict confusion, making it a highly disruptive and 'toxic' support Pokémon. Despite its high offensive stats, it was primarily used for support. The video highlights the extensive nerfs Thundurus received over generations, making it one of the most nerfed Pokémon due to its overwhelming dominance. A more recent World Championship win in 2022 featured a 'Defiant' Thundurus as a powerful Dynamax attacker, capitalizing on Max Airstream and Max Knuckle synergies with Zacian.
Salamence, a Dragon/Flying type, won World Championships in 2009, 2018, and 2019. Its strength primarily comes from its Mega Evolution. Mega Salamence's 'Aerilate' ability turns Normal-type moves into Flying-type moves and boosts their power, making 'Hyper Voice' (a spread move hitting both opponents) and 'Double Edge' incredibly potent. It's lauded as arguably the best Flying-type attacker ever. Mega Salamence also had the versatility to run various sets, including defensive, offensive, and even setup sweeper builds with 'Dragon Dance' and 'Roost'. It's considered a top-tier Mega Evolution, with its future performance in upcoming games like 'Legends: ZA' being a key point of interest.
Landorus, a Ground/Flying type, takes the top spot, including both its Therian and Incarnate forms. It won World Championships in 2013, 2015, and 2023. Landorus-Therian, known for its incredible stats, vast movepool (including 'U-turn', 'Knock Off', 'Rock Slide'), and the 'Intimidate' ability, was once a contender for the best Pokémon of all time. It expertly utilizes the synergy between Ground and Flying types for offensive coverage. Landorus-Incarnate, while less used historically, has seen a resurgence in recent formats, particularly as a special attacker with 'Sheer Force' and 'Life Orb'. The video notes that while both forms are consistently viable, their individual prominence tends to alternate across different competitive seasons.