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Pokemon Go: What are Pokemon Types for?
Pokemon in Pokemon Go all fall into one of a few categories types. A Pokemon can have one or two types, and types determine a number of things about that Pokemon. For one it determines where the Pokemon likes to live (more on that under the next heading), but it also determines battle strengths and weaknesses.

Theres 18 different types, and each type is either strong, weak or neutral to other types. At the most basic level with the starter Pokemon this breaks down to Rock, Paper, Scissors Charmander (Fire) beats Bulbasaur (Grass) who beats Squirtle (Water) who in turn beats Charmander.

The way Types and Battles in general work in Pokemon Go is marginally different to the major Pokemon games, but the same core concepts apply.

Pokemon Go: How to find specific Pokemon Types in the Wild
A Pokemons types determine not only its move set, but its natural habitat. Its habitat will in turn determine where in the world this Pokemon lives and thus where you can catch it.

Behind-the-scenes, Pokemon Go is splitting the map of the real world into Biomes. A biome tells the game whats in a particular area. Examples of Biomes behind-the-scenes are Building, Place of Interest, Roads, Park and so on. From this, we can determine what Pokemon will appear where so if youre looking for a particular Pokemon just look for its type or name on this page and read our advice.

How to catch Normal Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Normal Pokemon are your run-of-the-mill beasts, and as such they tend to appear more or less everywhere. This is the easiest type to write about no matter where you are, Ratattas and the like will always be fairly commonly and freely available to you. Even in your house, Normal-type Pokemon should be fairly freely available.

Theres 22 normal-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go. That includes: Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Rattata, Raticate, Spearow, Fearow, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Meowth, Persian, Farfetchd, Doduo, Dodrio, Lickitung, Chansey, Kangaskhan, Tauros, Ditto, Eevee, Porygon and Snorlax. Remember that some Pokemon are only available via evolution.

How to catch Fire Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Given that it probably wouldnt be very wise to go climbing into a volcano in search of Pokemon, matching the original games in terms of Fire-type Pokemons habitat is difficult. Instead in Pokemon Go youll find fire-type Pokemon in residential areas and neighbourhoods, and theyll be more common in warmer places be that places that have a naturally more dry climate or on the sand at the beach.

Theres 12 fire-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go. Thats: Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Vulpix, Ninetales, Growlithe, Arcanine, Ponyta, Rapidash, Magmar, Flareon and Moltres. Some of these will only be available via evolution, and as a legendary how to obtain Moltres remains a mystery.

How to catch Water Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Water Pokemon such as the amazing Slowpoke can predictably be found in places where youll also find water. If you live near a river, stream, lake or the like, youll find lots of them there. Likewise for other water-heavy areas such as harbours or the beach.

Theres 32 water-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go. That includes: Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Tentacool, Tentacruel, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Seel, Dewgong, Shellder, Cloyster, Krabby, Kingler, Horsea, Seadra, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Goldeen, Seaking, Staryu, Starmie, Magikarp, Gyarados, Lapras and Vaporeon though some of these will only be available via evolution.

How to catch Grass Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Grass-type Pokemon like Oddish and its evolutions are just as predictable as their water counterparts, and can primarily be found in grassy areas. That includes the obvious like farms and forests, but if youre in a more residential or built-up area dont forget the smaller and less-obvious options parks are a good option, as are gardens, golf courses and so on.

Theres 14 rock-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go. These are Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebell, Exeggcute, Exeggutor, Tangela, Paras and Parasect. Some can only be obtained via evolving.

How to catch Rock Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Rock-type Pokemon such as Geodude and the like can be found in places where the app figures stone is likely a regular feature. That includes the likes of quarries, towns, parking buildings, train stations, highways, or large buildings such as shopping malls .

Theres 11 rock-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go, including Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Onix, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops and Aerodactyl. As ever, some are only available via evolution.

How to catch Ground Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Ground-type Pokemon like Sandshrew and Diglett can be found anywhere that fits their type muddy locations like ditches and streams, parking garages, playgrounds, railway stations, roads and generally urban areas.

Theres 14 ground-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go. These include Sandshrew, Sandslash, Diglett, Dugtrio, Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Onyx, Cubone, Marowak, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Nidoqueen and Nidoking. Remember that some of these are obtained via evolution and may not be found in the wild!

How to catch Bug Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Bug-type Pokemon like Weedle and Caterpie, which have decent later evolutionary stages, can be found hiding out in similar places to Grass Pokemon. Farmland, woods and forests are the obvious place, but they can also be found in gardens and generally grassy areas like parks, nature reserves, smaller pathways, gold courses and playgrounds.

Theres 12 bug-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go: Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree, Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Paras, Parasect, Venonat, Venomoth, Scyther and Pinsir, but dont forget some can be easiest obtained via evolution.

How to catch Electric Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Electric-type Pokemon like Pikachu can be found in only one particular type of area in Pokemon Go: areas the game regards as industrial. The best place to search for these, then, are industrial parks, schools and college campuses, and other dry places that are largely concreted over.

Theres 9 electric-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go, including: Pikachu, Raichu, Magnemite, Magneton, Voltorb, Electrode, Electabuzz, Jolteon and Legendary Zapdos. Remember that some of these are evolution forms, how to obtain Zapdos as a legendary is another question entirely.

How to catch Dragon Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Dragon-type Pokemon such as Dratini are rare beasts, but theyre not impossible to find! Dragon-type Pokemon are only found at what Pokemon Go defines as places of interest famous places or landmarks anywhere. If a landmark or old place is significant enough to be marked specifically on a map, its probably a good spot to hunt for dragons.

Theres only 3 dragon-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go: Dratini, Dragonair and Dragonite. Its unclear if the latter two can be found in the wild, but they can definitely be evolved from Dratini who has been found in a variety of places.

How to catch Fairy Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Fairy-type Pokemon such as Clefairy are curious creatures, and can also be found at Places of Interest like Dragon-type Pokemon, so check your local landmarks. They can also be found in numbers at churches or the cemetery.

Theres just 5 fairy-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go. Theyre Clefairy, Clefable, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff and the ever-off-putting Mr. Mime. Dont forget that Clefable and Wigglytuff can be obtained via evolution.

How to catch Fighting Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Fighting-type Pokemon like Machop and Mankey tend to absolutely love competition, so where theyre found in Pokemon Go should come as no surprise. Youll find fighting-types lurking around sports centers and stadiums, and theyll also congregate around larger gyms.

Theres 8 fighting-type Pokemon in the original 151 that are in Pokemon Go: Mankey, Primeape, Machop, Machoke, Machamp, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan and Poliwrath, who is also a water-type. Dont forget a few of these can be obtained via evolution.

How to catch Poison Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Thankfully Pokemon Go doesnt require you to actually venture anywhere poisonous to find Poison-type Pokemon, but you might have to get a little wet: they appear in areas the game defines as wetland, which includes ponds, marches, lakes and so on. For some reason they may also occasionally pop up in more industrial areas of cities and in large buildings, though this seems less common.

Theres a whopping 33 poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon Gos 151 creatures, though there is lots of overlap with other types: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Venonat, Venomoth, Bellsprout, Weepinbel, Victreebel, Ekans, Arbok, Nidoran (Female), Nidoran (Male), Nidorina, Nidoqueen, Nidorino, Nidoking, Zubat, Golbat, Grimer, Muk, Koffing, Weezing, Tentacool, Tentacruel, Gastly, Haunter and Gengar.

How to catch Ghost Pokemon in Pokemon Go

There arent many Ghost type Pokemon in Pokemon Go, but those there are like Ghastly are damn cool. Ghost-types show up in cemeteries and occasionally churches all-day round, but theyve also been reported to show up in areas such as parking lots at night.

Theres only 3 ghost types in Pokemon Gos 151 initial Pokemon, and theyre all in the same evolutionary line: Gastly, Haunter and Gengar. If you manage to catch a Gastly, itll be possible to get all three Ghost-type Pokemon simply through evolution though more are likely to come soon.

How to catch Ice Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Much as with Fire Pokemon, the need to actually go somwehere icy to catch Ice-type Pokemon has thankfully been left out of Pokemon Go. Instead youll find ice-types in grassy areas occasionally and near bodies of water more often than that. Youll of course also find them anywhere theres actual snow and ice if you happen to live close to anywhere that fits the bill.

Theres 5 ice-type Pokemon in the original 151 that are in Pokemon Go: Jynx, Dewgong, Cloyster, Lapras and Articuno. Legendary Articuno is unlikely to be found out in the wild.

How to catch Psychic Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Psychic-type Pokemon such as Abra can sometimes be found in grassy areas, but thats pretty uncommon in general. Some also show up in residential areas but seemingly only at night. A better place to more reliably find them is in and around hospitals the equipment there seems to attract them or something.

Theres 14 psychic-type Pokemon in the original 151 Pokemon that feature in Pokemon Go, including Abra, Kadabra, Alakazam, Drowzee, Hypno, Exeggcute, Exeggutor, Slowpoke, Slowbrow Jynx, Mr. Mime, Mewtwo and Mew. Some of these can be obtained by evolution, and its unlikely Mewtwo or Mew will ever simply be found out in the wild, since theyre Legendary Pokemon.

How to catch Flying Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Flying-type Pokemon are typically a sub-type and have another type attached to them first (which youll find above), but their flying attribute still impacts where in the wild theyre found. Flying types are quite common, and can be found on farmland, forests, woods and grassy areas such as nature reserves, playgrounds, parks and gardens.

Theres 19 flying-type Pokemon in the 151 that are in Pokemon Go: Charizard, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Spearow, Fearow, Farfetchd, Doduo, Dodrio, Butterfree, Zubat, Golbat, Scyther, Aerodactyl, Gyarados, Dragonite and the three legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. How the legendary birds are caught is unclear, and some of these can be caught via evolution.

How to catch Steel Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Steel is a Pokemon sub-type that makes certain Pokemon of other types a little easier to catch. Steel-type Pokemon can be found where steel is most common: inside or around larger building structures. They can also be found near railway stations and tracks, but be careful if hunting there.

Theres only 2 steel-type Pokemon in Pokemon Gos original 151: Magnemite and Magneton.

How to catch Dark Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Now heres an interesting sign of things to come: as of the time of writing, Pokemon Gos launch week, there are no Dark-type Pokemon in the game but the hook is there, in the game code. Dark Type Pokemon will be found in places such as cemeteries but also in theatres and cinemas but not yet. Well update this page as more Pokemon emerge.