A Twinkle in Time: Fairy Monotype Across the Generations

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Introduction

The introduction of Fairy-type forever shook up Monotype, knocking down former titans such as Dragon and Fighting. Fairy teams are famous for never quite looking the same in each generation. Since its a relatively new type, it got quite a few new Pokémon in SM, allowing Fairy to become a more offensive and powerful type. That was followed by SS, which is famous for Dexit, once again changing the look of the type again. In this article, we will look at the different structures of Fairy teams through the generations and their impacts on the metagame.

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ORAS

The first generation where Fairy was usable, ORAS did not introduce many new Pokémon as Fairy-types, but mostly added the Fairy typing to existing ones. This showed in the builder, as there were only eight viable Fairy-types: Mega Diancie, Klefki, Azumarill, Togekiss, Clefable, Whimsicott, Gardevoir, and Sylveon. While all Fairy teams ran Klefki with dual screens support, there were very few setup options to pair with it; Belly Drum Azumarill, Calm Mind Clefable, and the rarer Nasty Plot Togekiss were the extent of the viable setup sweepers. Klefki also always ran Foul Play to check Mega Scizor, which otherwise cleaned through the team. Mega Diancie acted as an offensive threat and also doubled as the team's entry hazard control thanks to Magic Bounce. Mega Diancie could also take on the role of Stealth Rock setter, allowing Clefable to run coverage moves such as Flamethrower on its Calm Mind sets. The teams tended to look more bulky than offensive; however, the bulkier Pokémon supported their more offensive teammates quite well, allowing either Azumarill or Mega Diancie to easily clean late-game.

Fairy teams tipped the scales, pushing Dragon and Fighting teams down in viability. However, other types adapted to this, such as Ground running Seismitoad to outspeed Azumarill and KO it with Sludge Wave, which otherwise OHKOed Ground teams with Belly Drum-boosted Aqua Jet. It also forced Flying teams to run tailor-made Skarmory spreads to switch into Mega Diancie and OHKO it with Iron Head. Fairy teams, while not the most common type in tournaments, certainly had their uses, such as taking on a variety of tournament-usable types such as Water and Flying. Fairy teams overall made a decent splash in their introductory generation; however, their impact was much more modest than it would be in later generations.

Standard Fairy by Ridley

USUM

Overnight, Fairy teams gained a whole new level of relevance thanks to the introduction of the Guardian Deities and Mimikyu. This allowed Fairy to cement its place as a top-tier type in the metagame. Magearna was quite a force on Fairy teams, but was quickly banned due to its sheer power. While Tapu Lele was also banned from Monotype and Tapu Fini didn't get a chance to shine, Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu definitely made up for their absences. Once again, Fairy teams relied on Klefki as a staple with its dual screens and Spikes support. However, unlike in ORAS, the team could take full advantage of screens and became a true hyper offensive type. Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu together were a menace to many of the top types in the tier such as Water, Flying, and Ground. Tapu Bulu sets evolved throughout the generation, but it was a menace to types that struggled to field a bulky Grass-resistant wall that could handle Superpower. Tapu Koko ran quite a few sets throughout the generation, but perhaps its most prevalent set was Substitute + 3 Attacks set with Electric, Grass, and Ice coverage to nearly take on Water and Flying teams by itself. Mega Diancie took on the important role of checking the now-relevant Poison teams with Diamond Storm + Psychic, allowing it to 2HKO, if not OHKO, the entire type. Clefable became a devoted support slot, commonly running a Knock Off + Rocky Helmet set to notably take on defensive Celesteela behind Reflect. Mimikyu was also a big reason Fairy teams were successful, acting as a counter against a top-tier type in Psychic. Fairy teams shined in SM Monotype as an offensive type, especially while it was the current generation.

Anyone who played Monotype while SM was the current metagame can tell you the large impact the type had on the tier. The metagame most certainly had to develop around Fairy teams and bring counters in order to stand a chance. For example, on Water teams, Toxapex had to run Sludge Bomb to deny Tapu Bulu from setting Substitute and forcing multiple sacks. 2017-2018 Monotype was the peak of the type for sure; Fairy teams could be built to take on every single type in the metagame, making it an extremely prominent force. Even on Fairy teams, Tapu Koko would even run Hidden Power Poison in order to catch Tapu Bulu off guard. Sufficent to say, Fairy teams certainly were the the dominate team in metagame for a minute, until later in the generation when other types such as Chaitanya's Grass team surpassed them. While Fairy was still an extremely powerful type, it never had quite the same chokehold on the metagame again.

Z-Belly Drum Azumarill Fairy by Mateeus

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SS

While Fairy teams went through multiple phases due to the addition of DLCs to SS, we are going to focus on the metagame since the Crown Tundra DLC. Coming into Gen 8, Dexit had a huge impact on Fairy teams with the departure of Mega Diancie. However, Fairy teams regained access to Tapu Lele, as it was unbanned following the nerf to the damage boost from Terrains. This also unfortunately reduced Mimikyu's effectiveness, as Psychic teams also were able to run Tapu Lele and benefit from its Psychic Terrain. Tapu Koko lost Hidden Power Ice, lessening its ability to tear through Flying teams. This made it take on a more defensive role, most recently being used as a defensive pivot that spreads Toxic and paralysis via Discharge. Clefable went back to using offensive Calm Mind sets, most notably using either Thunderbolt or Flamethrower alongside Moonblast to take on types such as Flying and Water. Tapu Bulu pretty much remained the same, a menace to any type without a proper answer to Grass attacks; it also now has High Horsepower to easily beat Toxapex. Tapu Fini recently became a demon in the metagame and plays a starring role on Fairy teams due to Draining Kiss allowing it to successfully run a bulky Calm Mind + Taunt or Substitute set.

Since the generation is coming to an end, it is safe to say the type won't go another major overhaul. Even though Fairy doesn't play as much of a hyper offensive role as it did in SM, that doesn't mean it is slouching in the offensive department. There have also been new adaptations to handle Fairy teams this generation, such as Dragon teams running Toxic Spikes Dragalge to check Calm Mind Clefable and Tapu Fini. Water teams can run Sludge Wave Volcanion to take on Tapu Fini without having to rely on Toxapex's Haze. Overall, while the type has not always been the most prevalent this generation, the type is starting to reclaim the throne it once held in Gen 7 with the recent rise of Calm Mind Tapu Fini.

Triple CM Fairy by Attribute

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Conclusion

From its introduction in XY to its current state in SS, Fairy seems to completely reinvent itself with each new metagame. Tune into Scarlet & Violet Monotype to see what it looks like in the next generation!

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