Fairy-Types have changed the competitive Pokémon scene since they were introduced in Pokémon X and Y. Their designs are all pretty well-received since they are (for the most part), very cute.
They are also powerful. They are known to be dragon killers, and Dragon-Types were known to be the best until the Fairy-Types came. But what are the best? Well, it mostly depends on how you use them and what moves you teach. So here is a ranking, along with some advice about how to use these Fairy-Types competitively.
Updated by Madison Lennon on February 4, 2020: With all the new Pokémon news coming out like the DLC and Mystery Dungeon, we thought now would be a good time to revisit our ranking of the strongest Fairy-type Pokemon in the franchise.
Fairy Pokémon are among the best types thanks to their beauty, poise, and general cuteness. Pokémon Sword and Shield helped make Fairy Pokémon even more popular thanks to several awesome new additions and even the inclusion of a Fairy-type gym. Now it seems like players can't get enough of them.
15 Primarina
Primarina is special as it is the only starter so far that is a Fairy-Type (once it fully evolves, at least). It has a high Special Attack stat. However, it does have a low Speed and Defense stat. That is not a good combination of weaknesses because that means it has to take a hit before it can use its high Special Attack moves. Hydro Pump is its good stab move, but that can also be tricky because its Accuracy stat is also not the best.
Other moves worth teaching a competitive Primarina are Scald, Rest, Sleeptalk, Moonblast, Sparkling Aria, and Psychic.
14 Gardevoir
This Psychic and Fairy-Type has good offensive stats but can be difficult to use on the defensive side, especially against Steel-Types. Besides attacks though, it has good supporting moves like Healing Wish. Its ability, Trace, is also great because it allows you to copy your foe's ability, which can be very useful and even a game-changer. However, its Defense stat is poor and its Speed is not the best.
Good moves to teach it include Moonblast, Shadow Ball, Healing Wish, Trick, and Will-O-Wisp.
13 Grimmsnarl
This new Pokémon from Sword and Shield is Dark and Fairy-Type. Its ability, Prankster, is useful since it gives priority to status moves. It has only two weaknesses: Steel and other Fairy-Types. It has a decent Attack stat that can be bulked up, as it has a lot of physical moves.
It does have weaknesses too though, such as a low Speed stat. It also is hindered by only getting four move slots. Choosing which four moves to have can be difficult.
12 Hatterene
Hatterene is yet another new Fairy-Type introduced this year. It is Psychic and Fairy-Type, which is not an unusual combination. Its strengths are that it has a good Special Attack stat. The move, Mystical Fire, is good for hitting Steel-Types. It also have a nice movepool with a lot of types to choose from.
Good moves to teach Hatterene include Dark Pulse, Nuzzle, Giga Drain, Trick Room, Light Screen, Thunder Wave, Calm Mind, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Baton Pass, and Dazzling Dream.
However, Hatterene does suffer from low Speed and HP stats. It also does not get Moonblast, which is one of the strongest Fairy-Type moves.
11 Whimsicott
Whimsicott is Grass and Fairy-Type. It has great defensive utilities and it best suited for an offensive team. It can use U-Turn along with its defensive abilities to tire out opponents and then switch out with heavy hitters easily. It does have to watch out for Poison, Steel, and Fire-Types though.
Moves best suited for Whimsicott include Moonblast, U-Turn, Hurricane, Psychic, Energy Ball, Toxic, Double Team, Attract, Encore, Substitute, Taunt, and Leech Seed.
10 Alolan Ninetails
This gorgeous Ice and Fairy-Type was introduced in the Sun and Moon generation. Its hidden ability, Snow Warning, is perfect for competitive battle as it makes it hail (though you should hope the rest of your team won't be hurt by that). Along with Snow Warning, the move Aurora Veil reduces damage done to the user by half for five turns.
Despite the cool strategy, Alolan Ninetails is still threatened by Fire and Steel-Types. You will also need to watch out for foes who also can control the weather, as that would ruin the Snow Warning strategy.
9 Mawile
Mawile is loved by competitive trainers. It has great move sets that bulk it up and throw strong attacks at its opponents. It can also Mega-Evolve, which makes it all the more powerful. It does have low-Speed stats but can make up for that with the move Sucker Punch. Unfortunately, though, it is very weak to Ground and Fire-Types, which can be common.
Good attacks to teach Mawile include Play Rough, Knock Off, Thunder Punch, Sucker Punch, Swords Dance, Fire Fang, Ice Punch, Brick Break, Focus Punch, and Substitute.
8 Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime is a Psychic/Fairy Pokémon that evolves from Mime Jr. There is an alternate version of Mr. Mime introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield, too. The Galarian version of Mr. Mime is an Ice/Fairy Pokémon and it can be a powerful addition to your team if you're in need of both a Fairy and Ice-type Pokémon.
One of the best things about Mr. Mime is its high Sp. Defense stat. While its attack power isn't as high as some of the others on this list, if you train it up as a defensive Pokémon it can be quite beneficial to rounding out your team.
7 Togekiss
Togepi is a very popular Fairy Pokémon with several different evolutionary options. If you want to get a Togekiss you'll need to evolve a Togetic with a Shiny Stone. Togekiss is a Fairy/Flying Pokémon which is a pretty rare combination. It's an adorable and underrated Fairy Pokémon that can be a great addition to any team.
It has high Sp. Attack and Sp. Defense stats. It's not the most powerful Pokémon but if you train it correctly and ensure that it has moves like Charm and Dazzling Gleam, it can hold its own against many types of Pokémon.
6 Galarian Rapidash
Galarian Rapidash is another new type of Pokémon introduced and exclusive to Pokémon Shield. The new and updated version of the Pokémon became an instant favorite thanks to its gorgeous coloring and the fact that it's basically the perfect unicorn Pokemon. It makes for an excellent addition to any Fairy team.
It has a very high Speed stat which is great if you're trying to hit another Pokémon with a super-effective Fairy move fast. It evolves from Ponyta at level 40. It is a Psychic and Fairy Pokémon.
5 Mimikyu
This Ghost and Fairy-Type became one of the most popular new Pokémon to come out of the Sun and Moon generation. It is creepy and cute all at once. It also makes a pretty good member of a competitive team. It can do well against Dark-types and won't be killed off by Pursuit like most Ghost-Types.
What makes it one of the best though is its Disguise ability. It allows a free turn without taking any damage. That is a big deal.
4 Galarian Weezing
This other new addition to Pokémon is powerful due to its diverse immunity. Its typing of being both Poison and Fairy makes it immune to being poisoned and Dragon-Type attacks. Also, it is immune to a lot of Ground-Type attacks due to Levitate.
This Pokémon also has the ability of Neutralizing Gas, which suppresses the effects of abilities in battle. It also as access to great moves like Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, Haze, Toxic Spikes, Defog, and more.
3 *Clefable
Depending on what type of team you're trying to assemble, Clefable can be an excellent defensive type to put in your team. It also has at least two great abilities with Unaware and Magic Guard. If you have a Clefable with Unaware, it's a great idea to add Calm Mind to its moveset.
It's also helpful to add Fire Punch and Cosmic Power if you get the chance. Clefable has a variety of moves it can learn and it allows you to have a varied amount, so that you're better prepared for whatever your opponent throws at you.
2 Sylveon
This pure Fairy-Type is incredibly popular for many reasons. Its design is adorable, it's strong, and it's an Eevee evolution.
Many competitive trainers use Sylveon as a Cleric sort of role for their team. Being only Fairy-Type makes it very strong against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-Types. It can learn Wish and Heal Bell to keep itself and the rest of the team healed up. Its ability Cute Charm and hidden ability, Pixilate, are both very good as well.
1 Xerneas
Xerneas is one of the few legendary Pokémon that is also a Fairy type. It was the mascot for Pokémon X. It has a special ability known as Fairy Aura which powers up all of its Fairy moves, this can make it a deadly opponent to any Pokémon with a weakness to Fairy-type moves, like Steel Pokémon.
It has a very high Attack and Sp. Attack stat. Aside from Pokémon X and Y, it is also available in Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Fairy Pokémon stronger than Xerneas.