pokemon leafgreen type chart: Gen 3 Matchup Guide

Pokémon LeafGreen uses the Generation III type system. Every Pokémon and move has a type, and the interaction between the attacking move and the defending Pokémon determines the damage multiplier. Unlike later games, Fairy does not exist in this version, so the chart contains 17 types.

The fastest way to read a matchup is to identify the defender’s type or types, then select an attack that hits one of those types for super-effective damage. A normal single-type advantage uses a 2× multiplier. If both defensive types share the same weakness, the multipliers stack to 4×.

The move’s type is what matters for the chart, not the Pokémon’s type alone. A Water-type Pokémon using a Water move gains an additional Same Type Attack Bonus, while a Pokémon using a move outside its own type does not receive that bonus.

This condensed Pokémon LeafGreen type chart lists the most important offensive relationships in the game. “Strong against” means the attack deals super-effective damage. “Resisted by” means the defending type reduces damage. Immunities override the normal matchup and reduce damage to zero.

Several Generation III details are easy to miss:

• Ice attacks are neutral against Fire in LeafGreen. Later games changed this interaction.
• Ghost and Dark attacks are not very effective against Steel in this generation.
• Psychic attacks cannot affect Dark Pokémon.
• Ground attacks cannot affect Flying Pokémon unless a special move or ability effect removes the immunity.
• Poison attacks cannot damage Steel Pokémon.
• Fighting attacks cannot damage Ghost Pokémon.
• Normal attacks cannot damage Ghost Pokémon.

Type planning is especially useful during the main story because many Gym Leaders specialize in one type. You do not need a perfectly optimized team, but carrying at least one reliable answer to each upcoming specialization can make battles more manageable.

A strong counter is not always the Pokémon with the highest level. A lower-level Pokémon with the correct move, useful resistance, and reliable accuracy can outperform a stronger but poorly matched attacker.

Type effectiveness is only one part of damage in Pokémon LeafGreen. The most useful additional modifier for ordinary battles is Same Type Attack Bonus, commonly called STAB. When a Pokémon uses a move matching one of its own types, the move receives a 1.5× power bonus.

LeafGreen also uses Generation III’s physical and special split by move type, not by individual move. Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Psychic, Dragon, and Dark are special types. Normal, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Bug, Rock, Ghost, and Steel are physical types.

This distinction changes how you evaluate moves. A Pokémon may have the right type but still deal limited damage if its stronger offensive stat does not match the move category. For example, a physically strong Pokémon may prefer a physical coverage move even when a special alternative appears to have the correct type.

Use this routine whenever you prepare for a rival battle, Gym Leader, or difficult route encounter. The goal is not to memorize every cell immediately. Instead, learn the common weaknesses and use the chart to verify unusual dual-type combinations.

A practical six-Pokémon team does not need every type represented. What matters is having enough move coverage to avoid being stopped by one defensive core. Dual-type Pokémon can provide valuable resistances, but they can also create severe 4× weaknesses. Treat those weaknesses as both a risk and an opportunity.

For example, a Water/Ground Pokémon is immune to Electric attacks and resists several common physical options, but it takes 4× damage from Grass attacks. A Rock/Ground Pokémon may threaten Fire, Electric, Poison, and Steel targets, yet it also carries a serious Water weakness. These combinations reward careful switching and scouting.

For a broader reference on the Pokémon series, visit the official Pokémon website. Use the LeafGreen-era rules in this guide when checking matchups for the Generation III adventure.