The 20 Most Powerful Water-Type Pokemon

Aside from being one of the common starter types in almost every generation of the franchise, Water-Type Pokemon have incredible growth potential and power as mid-to-late game combatants. In addition to their few weaknesses (primarily Grass and Electric-Type moves), Water-Type Pokemon are extremely effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock-Type Pokemon, making them an essential part of any bench when facing off against those types. The versatility and utility of Water-Type Pokemon help to justify their inclusion as a starter in each new Pokemon game, and Game Freak continues to iterate on their power with each new generation to make them more effective as a result of new evolutions and mechanics. The best Water-Type Pokemon embody the strengths inherent across the type while standing out as highlights of their respective games’ rosters.

20. Inteleon

• Debut Game — Pokemon Sword and Shield
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Snipe Shot, Water Pulse, Liquidation, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass

The final evolution of the unassuming lizard Pokemon Sobble, Inteleon is an excellent Water-Type Pokemon that only improves in its ultra-powerful Gigantamax form. The best part about this particular Water-Type is that most of its best moves can be learned prior to level 50, and the remaining two arrive not long after. Like many other Pokemon on this list, Inteleon’s Special Attack bonus and stat bonuses to the powerful Hydro Pump move make it one of the better Water-Type Pokemon available.

19. Iron Bundle

• Debut Game — Pokemon Violet
• Best Moves — Powder Snow, Whirlpool, Freeze Dry, Flip Turn, Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Blizzard
• Weaknesses — Electric, Fighting, Grass, Rock

Iron Bundle is one of the few Pokemon exclusive to Pokemon Violet, and its presence as a versatile dual-type Pokemon (both Ice and Water) makes it a dual threat in combat. While its starting stats aren’t anything to write home about, Iron Bundle truly begins to shine at Level 100 thanks to some impressive figures in Defense, Speed, and Special Attack. Further, the Stat Bonuses that these attributes provide to some of Iron Bundle’s best moves make it one of the best (if not the best) Water-Type Pokemon to have on your bench in the latter half of Pokemon Violet.

18. Lapras

• Debut Game — Pokemon Red and Blue
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Ice Shard, Water Pulse, Brine, Ice Beam, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Electric, Fighting, Grass, Rock

The plesiosaur-resembling Lapras appeared in every single mainline Pokemon game since its introduction in Red and Blue. And, as dual-type Ice and Water Pokemon go, few are as dependable and powerful as Lapras, especially after it transforms into its Gigantamax form in Sword and Shield. While it might have fairly average stats as far as Attack and Special Attack are concerned, Lapras shines as one of the few Water-Type “tank”-style Pokemon, utilizing its decent defense and incredibly high HP pool to withstand most attacks and come through on the other side. Thanks to its survivability, Lapras continues to be a staple in competitive Pokemon battling.

17. Vaporeon

• Debut Game — Pokemon Red and Blue
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Water Pulse, Muddy Water, Hydro Pump, Surf
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass

Vaporeon is the Water-Type evolution of the adorable Eevee, and it just so happens to be one of the better evolution paths to take Eevee down thanks to its excellent stats and great roster of Water-Type moves. In addition to all the staples that fans of Water-Type Pokemon are familiar with (Water Gun, Water Pulse, Hydro Pump), Vaporeon’s Terastallize form can use the powerful Surf move to turn the tide of battles. Further, Vaporeon has access to the excellent Last Resort move that inflicts Normal-Type damage only after all other moves have been used once, making a single turn with this Water-Type Pokemon capable of defeating even the strongest opponents.

16. Wailord

• Debut Game — Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Water Pulse, Brine, Whirlpool, Dive, Hydro Pump, Water Spout
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass

Wailord gets recognition for being one of the largest Pokemon in existence, but it’s a fairly powerful Water-Type combatant as well. Aside from learning two of the most powerful Water-Type moves right around Level 50, Wailord has access to the game-changing Heavy Slam move. Heavy Slam increases in damage the greater discrepancy there is between Wailord’s size and an opponent’s, making great use of the diminutive status most other Pokemon have in comparison to this gigantic Water-Type behemoth.

15. Suicune

• Debut Game — Pokemon Gold and Silver
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Water Pulse, Surf, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Auicune is both the Electric, Grass

Suicune is both the first Water-Typ Legendary Pokemon and one of the only Monotype Water-Type Pokemon to have access to Ice-Type moves. Additionally, Suicune also happens to have one of the better designs of any Water-Type Pokemon, which would prove to be so popular that it influenced Walking Wake several generations later. Regardless of its captivating appearance and importance to Generation II, Suicune has some truly impressive base-level stats that improve dramatically as it gets closer to Level 100 and access to two of the most powerful Water and Ice-Type attacks, Hydro Pump and Blizzard.

14. Primarina

• Debut Game — Pokemon Sun and Moon
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Sparkling Aria, Aqua Jet, Bubble Beam, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass, Poison

Primarina is the final evolution ofPopplio, one of the now-iconic starter Pokemon from Pokemon Sun and Moon. Though Popplio isn’t all that impressive as a starter in terms of both its power and design, sticking with it through its final evolution into Primarina is definitely worth the necessary patience and dedication. As a dual Water and Fairy-Type Pokemon, Primarina is effective against a wide range of opponents and even has access to two of the most powerful moves for each of its dual types — Hydro Pump and Moonblast.

13. Urshifu (Rapid Strike)

• Debut Game — Pokemon Sword and Shield
• Best Moves — Aqua Jet, Surging Strikes
• Weaknesses — Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, Psychic

While Single Strike Urshifu might be more popular as a final evolution for Kubfu, the Water-Type Rapid Strike version of Urshifu packs quite the punch in combat. Its signature move, Surging Strikes, can be followed up with Close Combat to deal massive amounts of damage to just about every type of Pokemon, and this combo is only made all the more potent thanks to Rapid Strike Urshifu’s impressive Attack stat and the stat bonuses to Surging Strikes. Additionally, Rapid Strike Urshifu also has a Gigantamax form that makes it even more valuable as part of any Gen VIII bench.

12. Volcanion

• Debut Game — Pokemon X and Y
• Best Moves — Steam Eruption, Water Gun, Water Pulse, Scald, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Electric, Ground, Rock

Volcanion is the only Pokemon to dual-type both Water and Fire, making it a master of elements that are typically opposed to one another. This duality makes it quite formidable in combat, with some of Volcanion’s best moves being effective against a wide variety of Pokemon types. Further, Volcanion’s Attack and Defense stats are incredibly impressive, turning it into one of the many Mythical Pokemon powerhouses across the series. Even better, Volcanion has the Water Absorb ability, which allows it to heal half of its HP every time it’s hit with a Water-Type attack that would normally be super effective against other Fire-Type Pokemon.

11. Tapu Fini

• Debut Game — Pokemon Sun and Moon
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Water Pulse, Surf, Brine, Muddy Water, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass, Poison

Aside from being a Legendary Water-Type Pokemon, Tapu Fini stands out thanks to its excellent base stats in both Defense and Special Defense. Accordingly, attacks that would normally wipe out other Water-Type Pokemon prove to only be a minor setback for Tapu Fini, allowing it to follow up with one of many powerful attacks of its own, including access to Fairy-Type abilities that few Pokemon have resistances to. Though Tapu Fini doesn’t have any reliable recovery skills, the Misty Surge ability protects it from debilitating status effects and halves damage from Dragon-Type Pokemon.

10. Swampert

• Debut Game — Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Surf, Water Pulse, Muddy Water, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Grass

Now we’re getting into the big leagues with Swampert, one of the all-time great Water-Type Pokemon. The final evolution of the Gen III starter Mudkip, Swampert is the poster child for the Starter evolution glow-up. In addition to having some of the best base stats of any starter Pokemon throughout the series, Swampert’s dual Water and Ground Typing makes it immune to one of the common weaknesses of most Water-Type Pokemon: Electricity. And though Swampert truly shines with its offensive Ground-Type abilities, it also has access to some of the best Water-Type moves like Muddy Water and Hydro Pump.

9. Empoleon

• Debut Game — Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Aqua Jet, Bubble Beam, Brine, Whirlpool, Hydro Pump, Wave Crash
• Weaknesses — Electric, Fighting, Ground

Similar to Swampert, Empoleon is the final evolution of one of the starter Pokemon from Gen IV, Prinplup, and its dual-type makes it unique among other Water-Type Pokemon in the series. Empoleon is the only Pokemon to be both Water and Steel-Type, resulting in it having some of the best base-level stats in Defense, Special Defense, and Special Attack. Immune to Poison and resistant to most other elements, Empoleon is a defensive powerhouse that also can deal significant damage to opponents through access to some of the best Water and Steel-Type abilities.

8. Dracovish

• Debut Game — Pokemon Sword and Shield
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Fishious Rend
• Weaknesses — Dragon, Fairy

Dracovish ends up being one of the best Water-Type Pokemon in the series despite all the factors working against it. For starters, Dracovish’s stats aren’t all that impressive and don’t improve that much even at max level. Further, Dracovish’s design is strange at best and downright horrific at worst. Despite this, Dracovish earns a place on the list of best Water-Type Pokemon solely for the Fishious Rend move. Fishious Rend is one of the most powerful moves in the Pokemon series, Water-Type or otherwise, and Dracovish’s support and buff abilities only serve to make it even more potent.

7. Toxapex

• Debut Game — Pokemon Sun and Moon
• Best Moves — Liquidation
• Weaknesses — Electric, Ground, Psychic

Mareanie more than justifies the difficulty in simply catching it by evolving into the ultra-effective Toxapex. In terms of defensive Pokemon, few are as steadfast as Toxapex, which can not only withstand most attacks but also quickly drain opponents’ health using its Poison-Type moves, cutting them off at the knee and easily recovering health to negate any offensive gains made by other Pokemon. Simply put, Toxapex is a Poison and Water-Type wall that can withstand whatever the AI throws at it and act as a frustrating skill check to even the most experienced competitive battlers.

6. Greninja

• Debut Game — Pokemon X and Y
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Water Shuriken, Water Pulse, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Grass

One of the best additions to the Pokemon roster courtesy of Gen VI and continually ranking as a fan-favorite in the series (thanks in no small part to its excellent design) is Greninja. This Water-Type Pokemon is an absolute powerhouse. Thanks to some impressive base-level stats in Speed, Greninja will almost always get the chance to attack first, and its dual Water and Dark-Type abilities make it an opponent to be feared in just about every scenario. The Ash Greninja special form of the Pokemon gains an extra 50 points to its Special Attack stat, making its signature Water Shuriken attack hit even harder.

5. Walking Wake

• Debut Game — Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
• Best Moves — Aqua Jet, Water Pulse, Hydro Steam, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Dragon, Fairy

An obvious homage to Suicune, Walking Wake is essentially an improved version of the first legendary Water-Type Pokemon thanks to its dual Water and Dragon-Type nature and move set. Outside having access to some of the most powerful and useful Water-Type moves in the series, Walking Wake boosts the effectiveness of each of its attacks thanks to stat bonuses provided by its impressive Special Attack stat, which starts at an impressive 125 and only improves from there. Even better, Noble Claws and Hone Roar boost Walking Wake’s attacks to be more effective than they already are.

4. Blastoise

• Debut Game — Pokemon Red and Blue
• Best Moves — Water Gun, Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, Hydro Pump, Wave Crash
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass

The final evolution of one of the Pokemon series’ first starters, Blastoise is both dependable and powerful. Blastoise appears time and again as one of the Pokemon series’ best all-around Water-Type Pokemon. Its impressive stats and an excellent list of available moves, along with its iconic design, make it a fan-favorite Water-Type Pokemon. As of Gen VIII, Blastoise now also has access to the Shell Smash move. This powerful buff trades off Defense and Special Defense to dramatically boost Attack and Special Attack. As a result, Blastoise’s traditionally effective offensive capabilities are now better than they ever have been.

3. Gyarados

• Debut Game — Pokemon Red and Blue
• Best Moves — Whirlpool, Brine, Waterfall, Aqua Tail, Hydro Pump, Hurricane
• Weaknesses — Electric, Rock

Magikarp may be one of the most notoriously useless Pokemon in the series, but its evolution into Gyarados changes that entirely. One of the earliest examples of the value of sticking with a seemingly dull Pokemon, Magikarp’s evolution into Gyarados would shock Pokemon Red and Blue players, transforming a Pokemon with no utility into one of the best Water-Type Pokemon in the game. Since that initial appearance, Gyarados appears time and again to remain one of the franchise’s best Water-Type monsters. Gyarados is a dependable and powerful Gen I Water-Type that has some excellent stats and a great roster of moves. The Hyper Beam attack (Gyarados’ final learned move) is worth keeping Magikarp around for.

2. Palkia

• Debut Game — Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
• Best Moves — Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, Hydro Pump
• Weaknesses — Dragon, Fairy

If it were not for the impressive stats of the Primal Kyogre, Palkia would be the best Water-Type in the series. This Pokemon has the highest stats of any standard Water-Type Pokemon and a slew of powerful attacks to make use of them. The Legendary Palkia comes in handy thanks to its impressive offensive and defensive capabilities. Not only can Palkia withstand most hits and keep fighting, but its incredibly high Attack and Special Attack stats make it a dependable choice to smash through opponent’s walls. If that weren’t enough, Palkia’s access to the Pressure ability allows it to render most opponents useless by draining their PP.

1. Primal Kyogre

• Debut Game — Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
• Best Moves — Origin Pulse, Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, Muddy Water, Hydro Pump, Water Spout
• Weaknesses — Electric, Grass

The most powerful Water-Type Pokemon in the franchise is, without a doubt, Primal Kyogre. Primal Kyogre ticks all the boxes, with a large roster of powerful moves and the best stats of any Water-Type. In its standard form, Kyogre has an impressive stat total of 670, but this only improves in its Primal form. As Primal Kyogre, that 670 increases to a whopping 770, giving it some of the best stats of any Pokemon in the franchise. Aside from having staggering Attack and Special Attack stats (150 and 180, respectively), Primal Kyogre also has the Drizzle move at its command. This buff ability improves all Water-Type moves by 50%, making it capable of one-shotting most opponents.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Pokemon character artwork.