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Pokémon mechanic

Weakness & Resistance

Type matchups printed on every Pokémon card.

How it works

Every Pokémon card lists a Weakness and sometimes a Resistance near the bottom. A Weakness means damage from Pokémon of that type is increased. A Resistance means that damage is reduced.

These stats connect the card game to the type chart of the video games. In the original Base Set, for example, Charizard lists Water as its Weakness and Fighting as its Resistance, while Blastoise lists Lightning and Venusaur lists Fire.

The exact numbers have changed through the years, and so have the symbols. When you read an older card, check which edition and era it belongs to before comparing it with a modern one.

In practice

An example in play

Imagine your opponent's Active Pokémon is Charizard from Base Set. Its card lists Water as its Weakness. If you have a Water Pokémon on the Bench, you now have a reason to bring it forward, because that attack will hit harder than usual.

Turn the picture around. If you control Charizard and the other side shows a Water Pokémon, you can see the danger coming. You may decide to retreat, or to knock out something smaller first.

Weakness also helps you plan your Bench. Before a game, glance at the Pokémon you carry and ask which types would trouble them. A mixed Bench gives you more answers when the opponent's Active Pokémon changes after a knockout.

The other starters give a quick lesson. Blastoise lists Lightning as its Weakness, and Venusaur lists Fire. Three starters, three different answers. Reading the bottom of the card before you choose an attack is a habit worth building from your first game.

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the opponent's card. Beginners read their own Pokémon and forget to read the one across the table.
  • Assuming every card has a Resistance. Many cards list only a Weakness. A Resistance is an extra, and a card can have none.
  • Using old numbers on new cards. The size of the change and the symbols have shifted over the years. Judge a card by the rules of its own era.
  • Mixing up the two words. Weakness raises damage. Resistance lowers it.

Questions readers ask

Where do I find it on a card?

Near the bottom. Our guide on how to read a trading card shows the layout.

Does a Weakness make a Pokémon bad?

No. Every Pokémon has some answer to it, and the opponent's side may not have the right type on the table. Weakness is only one part of how a card plays, next to Energy cost and setup time. The turn guide shows where it fits in a full turn.

Can I compare a 1999 card with a modern one?

You can compare the idea, but check each card's era first. The details differ.

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Last reviewed October 29, 2026. This page explains the idea in general terms and is not an official rules reference.