When you first meet Tinkaton in the world of Pokémon, you can’t help but be intrigued. A small but daring creature, swinging around a giant hammer almost bigger than itself—it’s like David holding Thor’s hammer! But no matter how strong or clever a Pokémon looks, every one of them has some strengths and weaknesses. That’s where the fun of battles really begins.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Tinkaton weaknesses, resistances, counters, battle strategies, and even its role in different Pokémon games. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been battling for years, this guide will help you understand how to both use and defeat Tinkaton effectively.
What Type is Tinkaton?
Tinkaton is a dual-type Pokémon—specifically Fairy and Steel. This combination is not very common in the Pokémon world, which makes it stand out right away.
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Fairy typing gives it advantages against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types.
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Steel typing boosts its defense and makes it resistant to many types of moves.
But combining these two also creates very specific vulnerabilities. Just like mixing two different metals can make an alloy stronger but also prone to rust in certain conditions, Tinkaton’s type combo is powerful but not invincible.
Tinkaton’s Weaknesses
Every Pokémon trainer asks the same question before a battle: “What is this Pokémon weak against?” For Tinkaton, the answer is surprisingly simple—Fire and Ground moves.
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Fire Attacks (2x damage): Fire melts steel, and that logic carries into Pokémon battles. Moves like Flamethrower, Fire Blast, or Flare Blitz hit it hard.
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Ground Attacks (2x damage): Steel types don’t do well when buried or shaken by the earth. Earthquake, Bulldoze, or High Horsepower are strong counters.
That’s it—just two weaknesses. On paper, it sounds like Tinkaton doesn’t have much to worry about. But in actual battles, those two weaknesses can be devastating if you’re not prepared.
Tinkaton’s Resistances and Immunities
Now let’s look at the flip side: what Tinkaton can easily shrug off. Thanks to its Fairy/Steel typing, it resists a wide range of attacks and is even completely immune to some.
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Immunities:
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Poison moves (because Steel nullifies Poison).
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Dragon moves (because Fairy is immune to Dragon).
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That means Dragonite’s mighty Dragon Claw or Gengar’s Sludge Bomb won’t do a thing.
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Strong Resistances:
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Bug (¼ damage)
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Rock (½ damage)
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Grass (½ damage)
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Dark (½ damage)
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Flying (½ damage)
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Ice (½ damage)
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Fairy (½ damage)
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Psychic (½ damage)
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With so many resistances, Tinkaton is like wearing armor that deflects most arrows. Only specific kinds of attacks can pierce through.
Best Counters Against Tinkaton
Knowing its weaknesses is only half the battle. You need to figure out which Pokémon can exploit those weaknesses.
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Fire-Type Counters:
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Charizard with Flamethrower.
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Skeledirge with Torch Song.
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Arcanine with Flare Blitz.
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Ground-Type Counters:
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Garchomp with Earthquake.
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Excadrill with Drill Run.
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Great Tusk with Stomping Tantrum.
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These Pokémon not only have type advantage but also usually have the speed or power to knock Tinkaton out before it causes too much trouble.
Tinkaton in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Tinkaton makes its debut in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Trainers immediately noticed its unusual hammer and its signature move: Gigaton Hammer.
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Gigaton Hammer: A Steel-type move with huge power, but it can’t be used twice in a row. It’s like swinging a sledgehammer—massive impact, but you need a second to catch your breath.
In the competitive scene, Tinkaton is often used as a support attacker. It can scare off Dragon-types while also holding its ground against many opponents. However, one badly timed Fire or Ground move can ruin its chances.
Tinkaton Weakness in Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, the typing rules stay the same. Tinkaton still struggles against Fire and Ground moves.
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Best Moveset in GO: Fairy Wind + Play Rough for offense.
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Max CP: Around 2,544, making it a mid-tier battler.
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Counters in GO: Strong Ground or Fire Pokémon like Garchomp, Reshiram, or Excadrill can quickly take it down.
So while Tinkaton looks intimidating, it’s not the hardest Pokémon to beat in GO if you bring the right counters.
How to Beat Tinkaton in Competitive Battles
When it comes to competitive play, the strategy is more nuanced. Here’s how you can approach it:
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Exploit its predictability: Most trainers rely on Gigaton Hammer. Expect it and plan a switch.
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Use special attackers: Fire and Ground special moves bypass its decent physical defenses.
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Force switches: If you bring a strong Fire-type, most trainers will retreat, giving you momentum.
Think of it like a game of chess—Tinkaton is the knight, tricky but not unstoppable if you know where it can move.
Tinkaton Evolution Line
Tinkaton is the final evolution in its family.
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Tinkatink (#957): The small pink Pokémon that starts the line.
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Tinkatuff (#958): The middle evolution, a bit tougher but still developing.
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Tinkaton (#959): The fully evolved form, carrying its massive hammer.
As it evolves, its resistances and weaknesses remain the same, but its stats and move pool grow, making it more dangerous in battles.
Why Does Tinkaton Target Corviknight?
One fun fact about Tinkaton is its rivalry with Corviknight. In its Pokédex entries, it’s said that Tinkaton uses its hammer to knock rocks into the sky, aiming at Corviknight as they fly.
Why? Theories vary, but many believe it’s instinctual—Corviknight’s steel armor makes it a natural rival. This quirk adds a bit of personality and lore to the Pokémon.
FAQs About Tinkaton Weakness
1. What is Tinkaton weak to?
Tinkaton is weak to only two types: Fire and Ground. Both deal double damage to it.
2. Can Tinkaton resist Dragon-type attacks?
Yes! In fact, it is completely immune to Dragon moves thanks to its Fairy typing.
3. Is Tinkaton always female?
Yes, Tinkaton and its entire evolutionary line are 100% female, making it one of the few Pokémon with a fixed gender.
4. Why does Tinkaton hate Corviknight?
According to Pokédex lore, Tinkaton loves targeting flying Corviknight by launching rocks with its hammer. It’s more playful mischief than true hatred.
5. Is Tinkaton good in competitive play?
Yes, but with limits. Its unique typing gives it many resistances, but skilled opponents can easily counter it with Fire or Ground strategies.
Conclusion
Tinkaton may look like a mischievous little hammer-wielder, but in the world of Pokémon battles, it’s a powerhouse with plenty of defensive tricks. Thanks to its Fairy and Steel typing, it enjoys many resistances and immunities, making it a frustrating wall for some opponents.
Still, like every Pokémon, it has an Achilles’ heel—and in Tinkaton’s case, that heel is weak to Fire and Ground moves.
So whether you’re training a Tinkaton for your team or preparing to face one in battle, remember: it’s all about knowing when to swing the hammer and when to dodge it.
