Bronzong, the mysterious floating bell Pokémon, has long been a formidable opponent in both competitive battles and in-game encounters. With its unique typing and impressive defensive capabilities, many trainers find themselves struggling when facing this ancient Pokémon. Understanding bronzong weakness is essential if you want to defeat it quickly and efficiently.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about bronzong weakness, from its typing vulnerabilities to the best counters and strategies. Whether you're a competitive battler or a casual player working through the main story, these insights will help you overcome one of the Pokémon world's most resilient defenders.
Understanding Bronzong's Type and Abilities
Before diving into bronzong weakness, it's important to understand what makes this Pokémon so resilient in the first place. Bronzong is a dual Steel/Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in Generation 4 (Diamond and Pearl). This unusual typing provides it with numerous resistances, making it a defensive powerhouse.
Bronzong can come with one of three different abilities:
- Levitate: This ability makes Bronzong immune to Ground-type moves, which would normally be super effective against its Steel typing.
- Heatproof: Reduces the damage taken from Fire-type moves, which are one of Bronzong's primary weaknesses.
- Heavy Metal (Hidden Ability): Doubles Bronzong's weight, which doesn't directly affect its weaknesses but changes how it interacts with weight-based moves.
Understanding which ability your opponent's Bronzong has is crucial for exploiting its bronzong weakness effectively. A Levitate Bronzong has different vulnerabilities than one with Heatproof, significantly altering your battle strategy.
Primary Bronzong Weakness: Type Disadvantages
When targeting bronzong weakness, you need to focus on its type disadvantages. As a Steel/Psychic type, Bronzong has specific vulnerabilities that can be exploited:
Fire-type Weakness
Fire is Bronzong's most consistent bronzong weakness. As a Steel-type, Bronzong takes 2x damage from Fire moves regardless of its ability. However, if the Bronzong has the Heatproof ability, this damage reduction mitigates some of this weakness.
Strong Fire-type moves to consider:
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
- Heat Wave
- Flare Blitz
- Overheat
Ground-type Weakness (Conditional)
Ground is a significant bronzong weakness, but only if the Bronzong doesn't have the Levitate ability. A Bronzong with Heatproof or Heavy Metal will take 2x damage from Ground moves.
Powerful Ground moves include:
- Earthquake
- Earth Power
- High Horsepower
- Bulldoze
- Stomping Tantrum
Dark-type Weakness
Dark moves deal super-effective damage to Bronzong because of its Psychic typing. This bronzong weakness is consistent regardless of which ability it has.
Effective Dark moves include:
- Dark Pulse
- Crunch
- Foul Play
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
Ghost-type Weakness
Like Dark-type moves, Ghost moves are super effective against Bronzong because of its Psychic typing. This bronzong weakness is consistent across all Bronzongs regardless of ability.
Strong Ghost moves to use:
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Claw
- Phantom Force
- Poltergeist
- Spectral Thief
Bronzong's Defensive Stats and How They Affect Weakness
When exploiting bronzong weakness, it's essential to understand its defensive stats. Bronzong has higher physical defense (116) than special defense (82), making it more vulnerable to special attacks in general.
Bronzong's base stats:
- HP: 67
- Attack: 89
- Defense: 116
- Special Attack: 79
- Special Defense: 82
- Speed: 33
Based on these stats, special Dark, Ghost, Fire, and Ground moves will generally be more effective at taking advantage of bronzong weakness than physical moves of the same types. This is particularly important when choosing which moves to use against Bronzong.
Best Pokémon Types to Counter Bronzong Weakness
When building a team to exploit bronzong weakness, certain Pokémon types stand out as particularly effective:
Fire-type Counters
Fire-type Pokémon are excellent at exploiting bronzong weakness and many resist Bronzong's Psychic moves. Some strong Fire-type counters include:
- Chandelure (Fire/Ghost)
- Heatran (Fire/Steel)
- Arcanine (Fire)
- Volcarona (Bug/Fire)
- Darmanitan (Fire)
The dual Fire/Ghost typing of Chandelure is particularly effective since it hits both of Bronzong's weaknesses.
Dark-type Counters
Dark-type Pokémon are immune to Bronzong's Psychic moves and can hit its bronzong weakness. Strong options include:
- Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)
- Hydreigon (Dark/Dragon)
- Grimmsnarl (Dark/Fairy)
- Weavile (Dark/Ice)
- Bisharp (Dark/Steel)
Ghost-type Counters
Ghost-type Pokémon can exploit bronzong weakness and many have access to other super-effective moves. Good choices include:
- Gengar (Ghost/Poison)
- Dragapult (Dragon/Ghost)
- Mimikyu (Ghost/Fairy)
- Chandelure (Ghost/Fire)
- Giratina (Ghost/Dragon)
gmru has great resources for team building if you're looking to create a balanced team that can handle Bronzong and other defensive threats.
Ground-type Counters (If Bronzong lacks Levitate)
If you confirm that Bronzong doesn't have Levitate, Ground-type Pokémon can be effective at exploiting this bronzong weakness:
- Garchomp (Dragon/Ground)
- Landorus (Ground/Flying)
- Excadrill (Ground/Steel)
- Mamoswine (Ice/Ground)
- Krookodile (Ground/Dark)
Bronzong Weakness in Different Game Generations
The bronzong weakness profile has slightly changed across different Pokémon game generations due to type effectiveness changes and mechanical updates.
Gen 4-5 Bronzong Weakness
In Generations 4 and 5, Bronzong's Steel typing gave it resistances to Ghost and Dark moves, partially offsetting its Psychic-type bronzong weakness. During this period:
- Fire and Ground (without Levitate) were 2x effective
- Ghost and Dark were neutral due to Steel's resistance to these types
Gen 6+ Bronzong Weakness
Starting in Generation 6, Steel-type no longer resists Ghost and Dark moves, making Bronzong more vulnerable:
- Fire is 2x effective
- Ground is 2x effective (without Levitate)
- Ghost is 2x effective
- Dark is 2x effective
This change significantly increased the number of viable options for exploiting bronzong weakness in modern games.
Competitive Strategies to Exploit Bronzong Weakness
In competitive Pokémon battles, properly exploiting bronzong weakness requires strategy beyond just type matchups.
Ability Scouting
Before committing to a Ground-type move, it's crucial to identify whether Bronzong has Levitate. You can:
- Use a weak Ground move first to test for Levitate
- Look for telltale signs like the "Levitate" message when Bronzong enters battle
- Use moves like Skill Swap or Worry Seed to identify Bronzong's ability
Super-effective Coverage Moves
Many Pokémon can learn moves that exploit bronzong weakness even if they aren't Fire, Ground, Dark, or Ghost types. Some useful coverage moves include:
- Flamethrower/Fire Blast (learned by many Special attackers)
- Earth Power/Earthquake (common coverage moves)
- Dark Pulse/Crunch (widely distributed)
- Shadow Ball (a common Special move)
Status Conditions and Entry Hazards
Since Bronzong is slow, applying status conditions can help neutralize it:
- Toxic can wear down Bronzong's HP over time
- Will-O-Wisp reduces its physical attack power
- Taunt prevents Bronzong from setting up or using recovery moves
Setting up Stealth Rock or Spikes can also damage Bronzong when it switches in, making it easier to exploit its bronzong weakness afterward.
Most Common Bronzong Movesets and How to Counter Them
Understanding common Bronzong movesets can help you better exploit its bronzong weakness:
Support Bronzong
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake/Psychic
This support-oriented set aims to wear down opponents and provide utility. Counter it by using Taunt to prevent setup moves and hitting its bronzong weakness with special attacks.
Trick Room Bronzong
- Trick Room
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake/Zen Headbutt
- Explosion/Rock Slide
This set uses Bronzong's low speed to advantage in Trick Room. Counter by stalling out Trick Room and then exploiting bronzong weakness with faster Pokémon.
Offensive Bronzong
- Iron Head/Gyro Ball
- Zen Headbutt/Psychic
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide/Explosion
This more aggressive set tries to deal damage with Bronzong's decent Attack stat. Counter it with special attackers that can exploit bronzong weakness while taking minimal damage from its attacks.
Bronzong's Competitive History and Weakness Exploitation
Throughout competitive Pokémon history, bronzong weakness exploitation strategies have evolved:
Generation 4 (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum)
In its debut generation, Bronzong was incredibly popular due to having only one consistent weakness (Fire) when using Levitate. Players often had to specifically tech in Fire moves to handle it.
Generation 5 (Black/White)
Bronzong remained strong, though the metagame had evolved to better handle it. More Pokémon carrying Fire coverage became common specifically to exploit this bronzong weakness.
Generation 6+ (X/Y and beyond)
After Steel lost resistances to Ghost and Dark, Bronzong's viability decreased as its bronzong weakness list expanded. It remained useful but was no longer as dominant defensively.
Bronzong Weakness in In-Game Playthroughs
When encountering Bronzong during story playthroughs, exploiting its bronzong weakness can help you defeat it quickly:
Sinnoh Games (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/BDSP)
Bronzong appears in several important battles, including:
- Lucian (Elite Four)
- Buck (Battle Tower/Battle Frontier partner)
- Various Galactic Commanders
Having Fire-types like Infernape, Rapidash, or Houndoom on your team helps exploit its bronzong weakness effectively.
Other Regional Appearances
Bronzong appears in:
- Unova (Black 2/White 2)
- Kalos (X/Y)
- Galar (Sword/Shield)
In each region, the same bronzong weakness principles apply—Fire moves are consistently effective, while Ground, Ghost, and Dark moves depend on ability and generation.
Key Takeaways on Bronzong Weakness
When facing Bronzong, remember these essential points about bronzong weakness:
- Primary Weaknesses: Fire, Ground (without Levitate), Dark, and Ghost
- Ability Matters: Levitate removes Ground weakness; Heatproof reduces Fire damage
- Special vs. Physical: Target Bronzong's lower Special Defense when possible
- Generation Differences: In Gen 6+, Dark and Ghost became more effective against Bronzong
- Coverage Moves: Many Pokémon can learn moves that exploit bronzong weakness even if they don't match those types
- Team Building: Include at least one Pokémon with a reliable Fire, Dark, or Ghost move on your team
Conclusion: Mastering Bronzong Weakness for Victory
Understanding bronzong weakness is key to defeating this defensive powerhouse. By exploiting its type disadvantages against Fire, Dark, Ghost, and potentially Ground, you can overcome its impressive defenses. Remember to consider its ability, as this can significantly change your optimal strategy.
Whether you're battling through the Sinnoh region, competing in online matches, or facing Bronzong in Pokémon GO, the principles of bronzong weakness remain consistent. With the right moves, Pokémon, and strategy, even this formidable Bronze Bell can be defeated.
For best results, combine type advantage with strategic play—exploit status conditions, set up before attacking, and use Bronzong's low Speed against it. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to handle Bronzong whenever you encounter it in your Pokémon journey.
FAQ About Bronzong Weakness
What is Bronzong's biggest weakness?
Fire-type moves are Bronzong's most consistent bronzong weakness, as they're super effective regardless of ability. However, the Heatproof ability can reduce this damage.
Does Bronzong have a weakness to Ground moves?
Yes, Ground is a bronzong weakness, but only if the Bronzong doesn't have the Levitate ability. Bronzong with Heatproof or Heavy Metal will take super-effective damage from Ground moves.
What are the best Pokémon to counter Bronzong?
The best counters to exploit bronzong weakness include Fire types like Chandelure and Heatran, Dark types like Tyranitar and Bisharp, and Ghost types like Gengar and Dragapult.
How has Bronzong's weakness changed across generations?
The biggest change to bronzong weakness came in Generation 6, when Steel types lost their resistance to Ghost and Dark moves. This made Bronzong significantly more vulnerable to these types.
What moves are most effective against Bronzong?
Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, and Earthquake (against non-Levitate Bronzong) are all excellent moves to exploit bronzong weakness.
Can Bronzong be defeated without using its weaknesses?
Yes, though it's more difficult. Strong neutral damage from powerful attackers, status conditions like Toxic, or stat-lowering moves can help defeat Bronzong without directly exploiting bronzong weakness.
How can I tell if Bronzong has Levitate or Heatproof?
You can identify Bronzong's ability by testing it with a weak Ground move (if it has no effect, it has Levitate) or by using moves like Skill Swap, Worry Seed, or Entrainment to reveal or change its ability.