Flying

Best Flying attackers

Every Flying-type raid attacker ranked by DPS and total damage output, with the moveset that gets there.

Super effective vs BugFightingGrass
Top DPS
19.4
Shadow Salamence
Top TDO
439
Fire Fang + Fly
Ranked
30
Updated

Editor's notes

Flying offense, where it matters and what to build.

Flying type in Pokemon GO

Flying-type Pokemon GO is rarely a primary attacking type because Flying-only Pokemon are extremely rare — most Flying types are dual-typed (Flying/Normal, Flying/Dragon, Flying/Steel, Flying/Electric). However, Flying moves are super-effective against Grass, Fighting, and Bug, making them niche but valuable raid picks. Top Flying attackers like Mega Rayquaza, Mega Pidgeot, Moltres, and Yveltal use Flying STAB to clean up Bug and Fighting raid bosses. Signature Flying moves include Fly, Hurricane, Sky Attack, Brave Bird, Aeroblast (Lugia exclusive), and Air Slash. Flying types are weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock, with Rock being especially common as a counter type.

Top Flying attackers explained

The top Flying attackers are Mega Rayquaza, Shadow Moltres, Mega Pidgeot, Yveltal, and Therian Tornadus. Mega Rayquaza with Air Slash and Aerial Ace (or signature Hurricane) has the highest Flying DPS in the game, also doubling as the top Dragon attacker. Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack is the best non-Mega Flying attacker. Mega Pidgeot is the cheapest Mega Flying attacker and a great budget pick. Yveltal (Dark/Flying) brings unique Dark-Flying coverage. Mega Salamence and Mega Charizard Y flex between Flying and Dragon/Fire roles. Staraptor, Honchkrow, and Talonflame are Community-Day-tuned budget options.

Flying in GO Battle League

Flying types in PvP rely heavily on dual-type advantages. Talonflame (Fire/Flying) with Incinerate and Brave Bird dominates Great League. Mandibuzz (Dark/Flying) is one of the most-used Ultra League picks ever. Skarmory (Steel/Flying) with Sky Attack remains a Great League legend. Altaria (Dragon/Flying), Charizard, and Mega Pidgeot flex into Master League. Galarian Articuno (Psychic/Flying), Galarian Zapdos (Fighting/Flying), and Galarian Moltres (Dark/Flying) bring Daily Adventure Incense exclusives that disrupt the meta. Yveltal and Mega Rayquaza are Master League fixtures alongside Crowned Zacian and Origin Forme Dialga.

When to field Flying attackers

Flying attackers shine against Grass (Tangrowth, Kartana, Mega Sceptile), Fighting (Conkeldurr, Lucario, Terrakion), and Bug (Genesect, Volcarona, Scizor). They are 1.6× weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock — with Rock being the most common counter type. Mega Pidgeot, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Rayquaza all melt to Tyranitar and Rhyperior in 4× weakness scenarios. Windy weather boosts Flying moves by 1.2× and is the optimal weather for Flying raids. Avoid Flying attackers against Mega Manectric, Therian Thundurus, Galarian Darmanitan, and Mega Diancie. Flying is also one of the best types to use against Genesect (Bug/Steel) due to dual super-effective hits via Aerial Ace.

Community Day picks & notable investments

Flying Community Days have included Pidgey → Pidgeot with Brave Bird, Spearow → Fearow with Drill Run, Hoothoot → Noctowl with Sky Attack, Wingull → Pelipper, Starly → Staraptor with Gust, Pidove → Unfezant, Rufflet → Braviary with Brave Bird, and Fletchling → Talonflame with Incinerate. Mega Pidgeot has the cheapest Flying Mega Energy cost. Moltres Raid Days have unlocked Sky Attack and the legacy Flamethrower. Mega Rayquaza arrived in 2024 and is universally considered the best Flying and Dragon attacker in the game. Yveltal’s 2024 raid debut introduced Dark Pulse and Hurricane as a unique Dark/Flying combination.

FAQ

What is the #1 ranked Flying-type attacker right now?
Based on our DPS simulations, Shadow Salamence currently ranks first among Flying-type attackers in Pokemon GO, followed by Shadow Salamence, Mega Rayquaza, Shadow Tornadus (Therian). The full tier list above shows every viable Flying attacker with its optimal moveset, DPS, TDO, and eDPS values.
Which raid bosses should I use Flying attackers against?
Flying-type attacks deal super-effective damage to Bug, Fighting, Grass-type Pokemon, so use Flying attackers when those types appear in 5-Star, Mega, Elite, or Primal raids. Always weather-check the boss before launching the raid to maximize damage with the appropriate weather boost.
What is the best Flying-type attacker in Pokemon GO?
Mega Rayquaza is the strongest Flying attacker in the game thanks to its 366 Attack stat (the highest of any released Pokemon) and access to Hurricane. Shadow Moltres is the best non-Mega option, and Mega Pidgeot is the cheapest Mega Energy investment for budget Flying raids.
Why is Flying good against Bug and Fighting?
Flying-type moves deal 1.6× damage to Bug and Fighting types, both of which are common raid bosses. Mega Rayquaza and Mega Pidgeot can clear Genesect, Volcarona, Conkeldurr, and Terrakion raids extremely efficiently. Flying is also super-effective against Grass, making it useful against Tangrowth and Mega Sceptile raids.
What are Flying types weak to?
Flying types take 1.6× damage from Electric, Ice, and Rock moves. Pure Rock counters like Tyranitar, Rhyperior, and Rampardos hit most Flying types for 4× damage when paired with Flying/Bug or Flying/Ice secondary typings. Use Rock attackers to counter Flying raid bosses efficiently.
Is Mega Pidgeot worth using in raids?
Yes. Mega Pidgeot has one of the cheapest Mega Energy costs in the game and provides a meaningful Mega boost to Flying-type raids against Bug and Fighting bosses. It is one of the most cost-efficient Megas to keep evolved during Mega Raid grind sessions.

Explore more

Flying Pokedex Every Flying-type Pokemon with stats and moves Raid bosses Counters for every boss in rotation All attacking types Best attackers for the other 17 types