Dual-types better than Mono-types?

[winstein]

OK, this is a question that was bothering me once in a while, so I need to see what everyone thinks about it. The question in question is whether dual-typed Pokemon are more blessed than the mono-typed ones.

Offensively, dual-typed Pokemon gets two types with enhanced power thanks to STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus for those who don't know) for both of them, but mono-types only have one type with enhanced power. Defensively, when it comes to resistances, dual-types have more of them, thanks to having the resistances of two types, and if lucky, have lost certain weaknesses (Ghost/Dark comes to mind). Let's not forget that certain moves are privileged to certain types (like Flamethrower on Fire and Taunt on Dark)

One instance I can think of that the dual-type is better is Heracross over Pinsir. I draw this comparison because their Attack and Speed are the same. Here, it's clear that Heracross is the better Pokemon offensively since he gets Fighting STAB in addition to Bug STAB (with strong moves to boot), but Pinsir only has Bug STAB, which is not the best attacking type. Because Heracross is a Fighting-type, he also gets Stone Edge, which can help him overcome Flying Pokemon who might resist him/her.

Let's not forget that many of us fans are more interested in dual-types than mono-types (except maybe pure Flying) as there are more combination needed to explore. Now, even though I am saying this, I don't actually prefer mono-types over dual-types, but I am actually neutral about this.

If you forgot the question, do you think dual-type Pokemon are far better than mono-type Pokemon?

 

[Shiny Staraptor]

I like dual types better.

Shouldn't this be a poll?

 

[winstein]

I like dual types better.

Shouldn't this be a poll?

I don't see a need for a poll, because in my mind, the topic in hand is about a discussion on finding out the qualities of dual types that makes it better than the mono types (and the possible drawbacks of dual types), and besides, I don't find having a poll that useful since it is almost certain that dual types are going to win this one, because combinations are more interesting than no combination when it comes to types.

 

[Azure Butterfly]

Dual types are better in PMD when it comes to Gummies - they get IQ points for both of their types instead of just one.

Sometimes, mono-types are better though. Ground/Rock and Flying/Dragon have 4x weaknesses that are a huge pain. Even with dual STAB, it's still annoying to have them take a 4x effective move to the face.

However, mono-Electric and mono-Water are actually really good because of the low number of weaknesses. Mono-Dragon too, but there aren't many mono-Dragon-types.

 

[flashkickass]

ya i think it really depends on the pokemon. some mono types are great because of hte few weaknesses and no double weaknesses(pain). but duel types can get more stab options. it really depends on the player, the pokemon, and the type

 

[Neon_Seadra No. 10]

ya i think it really depends on the pokemon. some mono types are great because of hte few weaknesses and no double weaknesses(pain). but duel types can get more stab options. it really depends on the player, the pokemon, and the type

^Pretty much what he said, minus the player part. Some double types, like Ghost/Dark are great dual-types, whereas some like Rock/Ground suck due to their 4x weaknesses to both Water and Grass. Water and Electric are great single types due to only having few weaknesses. Really, when it comes to Dual or Mono-types, one is not better than the other.

 

[pikachu200]

In PMD yes, but in trainer games not so much, unless it doesnt have a 4X weakness to Ice pokemon or something

 

[Kakuna Matata]

I'm neutral about it. Like flashkickass and SeadraLover10 already said, it depends on the type combination.

 

[~ Z ~]

Neutral here too, though I do use more dual types.
But that's only because the pokes I like happen to be dual types, like weavile and infernape.

Like peaople above me allready said, it really depends on what pokemon and what type.
For example I HATE using Rhyperior (though I like it) since it has weaknes's to so many types.
But then again, you can never say no to pokemons like Kingdra and Scizor.

Being mono type, like feraligatr makes things easier though.
Just give it Ice Punch and Earthquake and it's all set up.
Then again, getting only one STAB is allways a minus of some sort...

So to sum my post up, it all depends on what dual types would be.
Water/Dragon? Ok! Ground/Rock? ...ok, but nothing I'd use 24/7.

 

[NiiKo]

It is not better per se...it's just part of the strategy that involves the game. Many times the second type neutralizes or nullifies a weakness but strengthens another one, for example, Charizard gets immunity to the oh so common Earthquake and that is cool but beware of Rock Tomb and Stealth Rock, so nowadays I think Charizard has a worse time being Fire/Flying than just being pure Fire, Swampert gains immunity to electricity and we know everyone is always prepared with Thunderbolt, on the other hand Grass Knot or Leaf Blade rapes the poor thing, but, grass moves (I think) are not as common as Thunderbolt (or Thunderpunch) so I think he ends up with an advantage having the two types.
We all know also that Gyarados biggest drawback is being Flying type, otherwise he would, without a doubt, be the beast he was supposed to. Blaziken and Infernape neutralize Rock attacks thanks to the Fight type, but, they don't have superb defense so it still dooesn't help them that much, also, they're still weak to Water(Surf) and Ground(Earthquake) and now they get weakness to Psychic (ugly against an Alakazam or Gardevoir using Psychic) and Flying (Hello Perfect Accuracy Aerial Ace), so they would've been better off with being only Fire, even without STABing Fight moves. Empoleon as another example has much better defenses, the Steel typing helps giving it a lot of Resistances and his SpDef is good enough to take a neutralized Flamethrower.

What you need to think is if the second type helps that particular Pokémon or not, I don't think there could be a general agreement in that dual types are better or worse than mono types, some like being dual types others are cursed by being it.

 

[winstein]

While it's true that dual-types have more weaknesses to worry about, the game had revolved into a state where having more resistances are more important than having as few weaknesses as possible. So for example, Heracross more useful defensively than Pinsir even though the former has more weaknesses, thanks to more resistances.

I read in some other forum that people actually wanted the starters (the water and the grass one) to acquire the dual-type than a monotype because they think it's boring and not as useful, so my point is we prefer dual-types more than monotypes, and dual-types have the inherent advantage I explained before.

 

[Ghost]

Dual typing is better if it removes type weaknesses.

 

[BlueJirachi]

It depends on what types are used in a dual-type Pokemon.

For instance, a good dual type is Steel-Psychic. Steel reduces damage from Dark and Ghost types.

A bad dual type would be Water-Ground. Though immune to Ground attacks, it takes double damage from Grass (coughWhiscashcough)

 

[Troggy]

A bad dual type would be Water-Ground.

It's hard to make a blanket statement one way or the other on this topic, but since dual types tend to offer much more in terms of resistances and type coverage than single types do, more often than not dual types will be used.

 

[Like_Fahrenheit]

depends on the typing

 

[~ Z ~]

A bad dual type would be Grass - Ice and Grass - Psychic.

Fixed.

 

[Lt.]

good bad
A pure dragon would be better than most type combonations, save maby Dragon/Steel.
but, Pure Ice is VERY bad. 1 resistance, weaknesses

Steel/Psychic is brilliant
Rock/Ground is utter shit


it's a nice balance. that is awsome

a duel type can be a hinderance or a lifesaver. The main thing is that
A pure fighting pokemon will have A fighting move,because STAB is a major boost,and 3 other moves.
a Dark/Fighting pokemon Would have 2 powerfull, STAB attacks, so, it's a boost offensivly,

 

[Falconwing]

it depends. Some pokemon, when becoming dual types, trade multiple STABs for more weaknesses, while some get more resistances. Sometimes a mono type is just better. It really depends on what types you are trying to piece together.

 

[Magmortar123]

I usually prefer dual-types, but some single types are good too ^^

 

[Buizelfan!]

Dual types are generally better, better type coverage, better movesets etc.