There are a bunch of different Flying-types that players can encounter in Pokemon Sword And Shield. Most of them are extremely powerful, and this list will show off ten of the best that players can capture. Although a lot of creatures from the franchise were cut in the new games, there are still a bunch of new and returning Flying-types that are absolutely amazing.
This list will rank the ten best Flying-types that players can capture in this modern Pokemon game. From Celesteela to Charizard, there are several absurdly powerful Flying-type Pokemon with strong moves, high stats, and unique abilities that set them apart from the many birds and dragons found throughout Galar.
Updated May 29, 2022 by Michael Caruso: There are so many different types of Pokemon to raise that it can be hard to choose between them. Flying types offer the unique advantage of flight as well as speed since birds are generally incredibly quick animals in real life. There are some very powerful Flying-type Pokemon that we originally left out, so here are a few more that you should know about if you want to become the strongest Flying-type trainer in the Galar region.
15 Togekiss
Togekiss excels when it comes to its Special Attack and Special Defense stats. The rest of its stats are just about equal, while its Special stats sit at 120 for the former and 115 for the latter. There are so many powerful Special Attacks that appear in the Pokemon franchise, so both of these stats play an important role for Togekiss.
Additionally, Togekiss is a Fairy-type as well as a Flying-type, granting it access to a plethora of Special Attack moves. Its type diversity and high Special stats make Togekiss worth using in battle, especially if you're already a fan of its evolutionary line.
14 Gyarados
Gyarados is one of the most well-known Water-type Pokemon in the franchise; however, many fans miss out on the fact that it's also a Flying-type and, therefore, has many powerful Flying-type attacks in its arsenal. One of Gyarados' best features is the fact that its stats are well-balanced; however, its Attack stat still has an advantage over the others.
The Attack stat is important for Gyarados since it has many great physical attacks in its moveset, which makes sense considering that it's a Water-type and Flying-type. If you want to capture a Flying-type that doesn't exactly look like it can fly, then Gyarados is probably your best option in the Galar region.
13 Fan Rotom
Fan Rotom is perhaps the most unique Flying-type Pokemon you can encounter in Galar in that it's not even a Flying-type in its original form. Instead, it can take the form of a fan to gain the Flying-type for a time, but it's still useful considering that it has an additional Electric-typing, which is hard to come by in the Pokemon franchise.
Fan Rotom has incredibly high defensive stats, so you won't have to worry about it going down without a fight. Additionally, its Special Attack is quite high, so it can make use of its dual-type moveset very easily.
12 Mandibuzz
Mandibuzz is a bird like no other, not only does it have a rare dual typing of Dark and Flying, but it's also very rare in the Pokemon world, so many trainers don't even use it. Mandibuzz has a high HP stat, so it can take a hit, but its offensive stats aren't so great, so you have to plan around its somewhat low damage.
Mandibuzz is a great choice if you want a Pokemon with a unique typing by your side or even just want to have access to tons of different attacks. If you're planning for high damage, then Mandibuzz may not be for you, but if you like defensive Pokemon, then it's definitely a keeper.
11 Braviary
Although the previous entry may have been more about defense than attack, Braviary is the exact opposite. Braviary's attack stat is 123, which is very high for a non-legendary Pokemon. Its defensive stats are average, but its HP is quite high - so although it's not a tank, it's not necessarily a glass cannon either.
Braviary offers a secondary Normal-type, so it can learn a few extra moves, although nothing particularly unique for a Flying-type considering that so many Flying-types offer a secondary Normal-typing. Braviary is a simple bird, but it's loyal and very powerful, so it's worth adding to your team.
10 Celesteela
The Ultra Beasts from Pokemon Sun & Moon remain some of the most absurd Pokemon to have ever arrived in the series. Many have rare type combinations and have pushed stats that are rarely found on standard Pokemon and really push the boundary between a normal and a legendary species.
Celesteela is the prime example of this, being both a Flying and Steel-type with defensive stats rivaling its peers Corvinight and Skarmory. These great stats come at no loss to its offensive either, as this space-rocket Pokemon can hit hard both with physical and special attacks.
9 Talonflame
Talonflame may have been nerfed after its original release, but it’s still a competitive staple as both a speedy Flying and Fire-type attacker and a solid support player. Its Hidden Ability, Gale Wings, allows it to use Flying-type moves at the speed of Quick Attack if it’s at full health, meaning it’ll almost always hit first each battle.
Even without the ability to boost your entire team’s Speed with Tailwind faster than any other Pokemon, it also can just hit opponents hard with Brave Bird and Flare Blitz. Alternately, it can even get increasingly fast with Flame Charge, a former common move that’s now nearly exclusive to Talonflame.
8 Landorus
Unova’s Forces of Nature are another set of exceptionally powerful legendaries. All three of these have some of the highest stat totals of unbanned legendaries, making them incredibly deadly in nearly any role or stat build. Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus are all quite threatening members of any competitive team they’re in.
Landorus is pushed above the others mostly due to its Therian forme, which gives additional offensive stats as well as the powerful Intimidate ability to lower an opponent’s Attack stat. It’s massively efficient, and without Gliscor and Gligar, Landorus is a fully unique and irreplaceable teammate as there are no other combined Ground and Flying-type Pokemon in the game.
7 Corviknight
Corviknight may not be legendary itself, but it can put up a surprisingly good fight against the overpowered additions from the Crown Tundra. With great defensive stats and the ability to learn both Body Press and Iron Defense, it can max out its defenses further while raising its damage at no cost.
Corviknight is especially noteworthy for its Gigantamax Form, which gains a Flying-type Max Move that can eliminate walls like Reflect and Light Screen on impact. Most Flying-types thrive off of gaining Speed from Max Airstream, but this alternate utility gives this royal bird a huge edge over its opponents in competitive play.
6 Galarian Moltres
There have been a few recent overwhelming forces in online competitive play, but few have had as wide reach as Galarian Moltres. On the surface, it’s relatively simple, being a great Special Attacker with solid speed and great defenses, as well as an ability that can raise its damage further when it loses half its health.
This is made even better through Dynamax, as its ability can trigger on nearly any strong attack and it gains enough health to survive most Super Effective attacks. Thanks to this mechanic, having a Galarian Moltres with a Weakness Policy to take a strong hit and raise its stats can be a monstrous force that fits almost every strategy.
5 Pelipper
This seagull-based creature is one of the most interesting Pokemon from Hoenn in the franchise. Lots of fans love this bird because of its unique design, but also the dual Water and Flying-typing body it has can lend itself to learning many unique movesets to surprise opponents.
Pelipper can learn a host of different types of moves, and it is a powerful creature to use in competitive battling and a strong hidden ability that can create heavy rain without wasting a move. It's definitely one of the best in the Galar games for both power and utility.
4 Hawlucha
This flying wrestler has one of the most unique typings in any generation, and, although it's not new in Galar, it was one of the Flying-type creatures that the developers were clever to add into the game. This Pokemon sticks out massively for its physical movepool and high Attack stat, as well as its unique Flying Press, move that's simultaneously a Flying and Fighting-type move.
Players have been using it on their teams in the new games, and it's no surprise because it's one of the most unique creatures out there. Hopefully, it will get evolution in the future, but fans shouldn't hold their breath because it's not very likely since its original form is already powerful.
3 Drifblim
Drifblim is funny-looking, but it's also extremely powerful. It's an incredibly rare Ghost and Flying-type combo, creating a unique dynamic in battle, and it can use a plethora of different attacks to defeat its opponent, including unusual Special Attacks like Icy Wind and Thunderbolt that few Ghost or Flying-types can pick up.
It's a fan-favorite flying creature, and there are few others in any of the games that rival this one in unique appearances and movepools. Its looks, along with its powerful dual typing, make Drifblim an underrated option that way more people should consider for their teams.
2 Noivern
Noivern is one of the Dragon-type Pokemon that made its way into Galar, and it's an extremely powerful inclusion with astonishing speed and power for a non-legendary Pokemon. It has a secondary typing of flying like so many other Dragons in the series, but this one learns far more Flying-type moves and many sound-based attacks like Boomburst that make it utterly unique among its peers.
Ash had a Noivern in the anime, and fans that want to replicate his team can do so by having one of these in their party. It evolves quite late, so it might not be great to pick up early in your playthrough, but is still an extremely powerful option if you need a speedy sweeper or have room for a new Dragon-type in your sky-based teams.
1 Charizard
This fan-favorite starter has been iconic ever since the original Kanto games. It made an appearance in Sword and Shield and is easily obtainable at Leon's house after beating the game, but events and Pokemon Home transfers make it incredibly easy to get this historic staple of competitive Pokemon.
Players can also transfer Charizard from another game and fans are glad that it's possible because a lot of players want to be able to use it during their new adventure. This is one of the best Flying-types in the game, if not the best, and because it's such a traditional favorite it deserves the top spot on this list.