How the Flying type Meta can Improve in Pokémon GO

Look up in the sky! Is that a bird? A plane? No, it’s a Flying type Pokémon that’s feeling awkward and frustrated. But why? Let’s ask the Pokémon itself!

Me: Hello, winged warrior. How are you feeling in the current Pokémon GO meta?

Flying type: I don’t feel so good mister…

Me: Why though?

Flying type: Mega Rauquaza.

Me: Oh

Flying type: And also my moveset 🙁 

Me: Well, Mega Ray is too powerful. Perhaps you aren’t… umm… that strong?

Flying type: But I have a 300+ ATK stat!

Okay, okay. What’s happening here? Let’s take a look at the problem with Flying types in Pokémon GO.

The Flying type problem

The state of Flying types in Pokémon GO is weird. On one hand, we have arguably the strongest Pokémon in the meta included in this typing, the one-and-only Mega Rayquaza. With Air Slash and Dragon Ascent, this Legendary beast slays Bug, Fighting, and Grass types like they’re nothing, while also boasting unreal neutral damage. 

On the other hand, the other top-notch Flying Pokémon include Mega Pidgeot, Yveltal, and the Shadows of Staraptor, Honchkrow, Unfezant, and Moltres.

So, let’s get this straight… Mega Rayquaza, which has an ATK stat of 377, is followed by Mega Pidgeot (280), Yveltal (250), and Shadows riding along the 200-something ATK stat.

There’s nearly a 100-point difference between Mega Ray and its peers in ATK! 😯 Except Mega Pidgeot, the rest don’t even cross 251 (Moltres) in ATK!

So aren’t there any Flying Pokémon that are at least somewhat closer to Mega Rayquaza? Well, there sure are. Our Flying type from earlier claimed to have 300+ ATK, right?

The surprising revelation here is the fact that some Flying Pokémon have high ATK as well as great stats overall, but are tainted by lack of a Flying type Fast or Charge move. As such, these mons are unable to reach the heights they’re capable of and are currently held back.

So, there’s a huge gap between Mega Rayquaza and the others in the Flying type meta. This is a problem for the overall state of the game when there’s only one true powerhouse and others who are capable of more, but are chained due to no moves to bank upon.

In the Ground type department, Primal Groudon is the undisputed best but Mega Garchomp and Landorus Therian are competitive. Similarly, Primal Kyogre rules Water types but peers like Mega Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and the possible Ash Greninja can also compete.

With that being said, we’ll explore a couple of Flying type Pokémon who boast high stats (upwards of 300) but are unable to leave a huge impact in the flying meta due to a missing Flying Fast or Charged move.

Note that this list won’t be as per their ATK stats, but their potential based on their current moveset.

Top Flying Pokémon that desperately need a new Fast or Charged move

Mega Salamence (310 ATK)

Salamence (Mega)

The very theme of Bagon’s evolution to Salamence is its desire to fly and six years after its debut in the game in 2018, Salamence finally got access to a Flying type move in June 2024. 

Salamence gained access to arguably the best Flying type Charged move, Fly. It is cheaper than Outrage and has now become the go-to Charged attack in neutral situations for Mega Salamence and Shadow Salamence. In fact, Dragon Tail and Fly are so strong that in Windy weather, these two dragons are top-notch counters to Fighting type Raid bosses. 

Now, imagine Mega and Shadow Salamence gaining access to Air Slash! It’s the right thing to do and doubles up the Salamence entourage as premier Dragon as well as Flying type attackers.

Mega Charizard Y (319 ATK)

Charizard (Mega Y)

The underrated Mega Y Evolution of the classic Charizard is the better one in Pokémon GO, and it already has Air Slash and Wing Attack in its arsenal. It’s already a super strong Fire type attacker and with Fly added to the mix, it can reach the upper echelon of Flying type attackers.

DPS & TDO figures for Rayquaza, Salamence & Charizard

Using GO Hub’s Pokémon DPS and TDO Comparer tool, let’s check out the DPS and TDO values for the different variants of Rayquaza, Salamence, and Charizard in terms of a pure Flying type moveset.

Note that Wing Attack is a better Fast Move than Air Slash, and Mega Charizard Y has a higher ATK (319) than Mega Salamence (310) in Pokémon GO. The reason I stated the Pseudo Legendary first in the explanation is because of the overall impact.

Both Shadow and regular Salamence with Air Slash and Fly are far better than Shadow and regular Charizard with Wing Attack and Fly.

Also, while Mega Charizard Y with its Flying moveset has a little higher DPS than Mega Salamence, the latter has way better TDO and can keep the Mega boost to Flying damage running for longer during the Raid battle.

So ultimately, Mega Salamence is the most impactful recipient of a complete Flying type moveset, but why not both? 

Salamence and Charizard become more resourceful with these move additions and can be worthy choices against future and existing Pokémon such as:

• Koraidon
• Slither Wing
• Hydrapple, Flapple, and Appletun
• Mega Sceptile
• Alolan Exeggutor
• Virizion
• Hisuian Decidueye

And more!

Mega Salamence and Mega Charizard Y should gain their well-deserved complete Flying moveset. While Mega Rayquaza’s lofty heights would remain untouched, trainers would have two new fan-favorite Megas to uplift the Flying type meta to the skies, literally!