Analysis of Types: Chapter 18: Fairy-type: Part 2: The Design Philosophies and Archetypes

So, what are Fairy-types, really?

The Purpose of the Fairy Type:

Fairy-type was designed to be the girly type of Pokémon, and serving a generic cleric role. To this end, Fairy-type was granted a large Special Defense, and lots of nice resistances to the physically offensive types. Fairy-types was also designed to push back against Dragon-types, and also Dark and Fighting-types, and allow Psychic and Grass-types some resistance to Bugs, while giving Poison and Steel more offensive breach.

Fairy-type also served as a major coverage type for both physical and special species, particularly those species who couldn't get other type coverage besides paranormal moves or animalistic moves.

The Aesthetic Archetypes of Fairy Types:

Most Fairy-types are White or Pink, though in general they have pastel coloring. Archetypically, Fairies can be divided into following groups:

Mythical Beasts:

These are species based off either myths, or are animals and plants with some magical power. They are generally in variety of Egg Groups.

Pixies:

These are species based off common fairies and other vague species with fairy characteristics. They are generally in Fairy Egg Group.

Enchanted Item:

These are species that mimic existing objects, or are existing objects animated by magic. They are generally in Mineral or Amorphous Egg Groups.

The In-game Archetypes of Fairy Types:

Early game Fairy-type: These are the most common group of Fairies. They can be powerful but hard to raise, or weak but easy to raise.

Cleric: These are species that are based off clerics. They are often nurses of their region.

The Stat Archetypes for Fairy Types:

Special Wall: The dominant archetype for Fairy-types. These are species with huge Special Defense and okay HP.

Balanced: These are species without much orientation towards anything. They tend to have nice stat boosting moves.

Bulky Offense: These are species generally oriented towards Special Defense and Attack.

Annoyer: These are species that are focused on abusing their speed to use status moves.

Cleric: These are species that use their defenses to support their party.