Why Water-Type Pokemon Keep Making A Splash
Whether you fell in love with Squirtle in an early Pokémon game, or simply preferred the water abilities and fighting style, we're here to show you why water-type Pokémon are some of the best around. Whether you're building a competitive team, playing through a mainline game, or just picking favorites, water-types give you plenty of reliable choices. These 20 Pokémon prove that when it comes to strength, usefulness, and lasting appeal, water really does deserve respect.
1. Blastoise
A favorite since the very beginning, Blastoise has been proving to fans that water-types are the best for years. The creature's heavy shell, cannon-based design, and dependable battle presence all make it feel like a true and worthy final evolution. Blastoise simply reminds you why the original starters still matter.
2. Gyarados
Gyarados might start off with an incredibly weak starter, but it's the perfect dramatic example of sticking with it until the end. Once Magikarp evolves into this powerful beast, you end up with a fierce water-type that has great offensive potential and a seriously intimidating presence.
Michael Ocampo from United States on Wikimedia
3. Lapras
Lapras might come across as calm and gentle, but in a battle, it's not a Pokemon you should doubt. Its water and ice type label gives it impressive coverage, allowing it to threaten dragon, ground, flying, and grass-type opponents. Turns out, you don't need to look aggressive to be strong!
4. Vaporeon
An evolution from the beloved Eevee, many fans love choosing this path because Vaporeon proves water-type Pokemon can be sturdy, elegant, and practical all at once. Its high HP makes it difficult to wear down, making it a reliable choice when you want someone that can absorb hits and keep contributing.
5. Suicune
Suicune brings a legendary level of poise to the water-type category. It’s known for its impressive defenses, which make it frustrating for opponents who expect an easy knockout. It's not the most fun of gameplay styles, but in many battles, Suicune can patiently outlast enemies.
Douglas Muth from Ardmore, PA, USA on Wikimedia
6. Swampert
A fantastic example of a strong water-type starter, Swampert's water and ground typing gives it only one major weakness, which is incredibly useful for the majority of gameplay. This is one Pokemon that knows how to hit hard, takes damage well, and handles electric-types in an extremely impressive way.
7. Milotic
For such a beautiful Pokemon, it's amazing that Milotic carries as much battle strength as it does. It has excellent special bulk, useful recovery options, and the staying power to frustrate opponents over several turns. The best part is, its calm appearance can make people underestimate how difficult it is to defeat.
8. Kyogre
Kyogre is one of the strongest water-type Pokemon ever created, and it doesn’t need much explanation to prove it. As a Legendary Pokemon, it brings enormous power, rain-based abilities, and devastating water-type attacks. It can shape the entire pace of a battle just by showing up, and that says a lot.
9. Empoleon
Carrying the energy of an Emperor penguin, Empoleon brings a regal touch to the standard water-type starter formula. Its water and steel typing gives it a long list of resistances, which makes it far more durable than many players expect, and it can also fight back with strong special attacks and useful coverage moves.
Pikawil from Laval, Canada on Wikimedia
10. Palkia
Bringing together cosmic levels of power with water-type abilities, Palkia's water and dragon typing makes it a difficult Pokemon to stop. It has incredible offensive reach and a commanding presence in battle that reflects its strong stats and special attacks.
11. Greninja
Greninja quickly became a fan favorite because it’s fast, has a stylish design, and is extremely dangerous in the right hands. Its speed allows it to strike before many opponents have a chance to move, which appeals to a lot of players.
Pikawil from Laval, Canada on Wikimedia
12. Primarina
For a Pokemon that elegant and beautiful-looking, Primarina sure brings serious special attacking power to the table. As both a water and fairy-type, it allows Primarina to hold its ground against tough opponents, including the all-intimidating dragon-types. With the right moves, it can hit incredibly hard, but also has the ability to defend well, too.
13. Toxapex
Toxapex might not look like the flashiest Pokemon out there, but it is one of the most frustrating water-types to face, which is no small title to have. Its defenses are excellent, and its poison typing helps it play a very different role from many other water Pokemon. It can stall and slowly drain an opponent’s options in a calculated way.
14. Tapu Fini
Giving water types a fun and mystical presence, Tapu Fini has an excellent defensive profile that keeps it sturdy against dangerous attackers. It also brings useful support options that can really shape the flow of a match if you use them well.
15. Dracovish
Dracovish became famous for one main reason: it can hit unbelievably hard. Its signature attack potential made it one of the most feared water-types in competitive discussions, and even though it has an odd design, there’s nothing silly about the damage it can deal.
16. Urshifu Rapid Strike Style
This legendary Pokemon gives water-types a unique martial arts edge that feels distinct and especially powerful. Urshifu Rapid Strike Style attacks from an aggressive angle while pressuring many common threats. It’s especially dangerous because it can break through defensive strategies more effectively than many opponents expect.
17. Dondozo
Sometimes, sheer bulk is enough to make a water-type stand out. Dondozo is beloved because it can take hits incredibly well, proving to be a thorn in many opponents' sides. Its simple design might be basic to some, but for others, they appreciate how clear this Pokemon's role is: stay on the field and make life difficult.
18. Walking Wake
Walking Wake gives water-type fans a powerful Pokemon with a bold prehistoric feel. Its water and dragon typing allows it to threaten a wide range of opponents with strong special attacks, and that's before even mentioning it also has the speed and pressure needed to keep battles moving in its favor.
19. Quaquaval
Bringing energy, confidence, and strong physical offense to the table, Quaquaval isn't just a mouthful to say, it's a lot to deal with on the fighting field, too. Its water and fighting typing lets it push through many opponents while keeping a lively battle style, and though it may be theatrical, it backs that personality up with real strength.
20. Iron Bundle
Iron Bundle may look unusual, but it’s one of the most threatening water-type Pokemon from recent games. Its water and ice typing gives it excellent offensive coverage, and its speed makes it difficult to handle. Once you see what Iron Bundle can do, you'll realize it's a water-type worth having on your roster.
