Water Pokemon 101: All Strengths, Weaknesses & Counters

From shooting boiling hot water to performing rain dances, Water Pokémon have been a series staple since their Pokémon Red & Green introduction in 1996. Water types are seen in every game as one of the three starter partners, including the iconic Squirtle. 

Water-types are one of eighteen different types in the Pokémon franchise, ranging from unassuming pacifist Magikarp to the mighty Gyarados. Over the years, they have proven they can come in many different shapes and sizes. With their tranquil and fluid nature, a Water-type Pokemon makes a splash on any Pokemon team!

In capable hands, Water-types can turn the tide of any battle, but just like any other Pokémon type, you must be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Let's deep dive into everything you need to know about Water-types.

What are Water-type Pokemon?

Water Pokemon are the masters of H2O in the Pokemon world! As an essential and fundamental element, they are common, alongside Grass or Fire types, as a series staple since Gen I. 

Water-type Pokemon are typically characterized by colorings of sea green or blue, usually resembling aquatic creatures or other marine life like sharks, seagulls, or starfish. As such, Water-types thrive in and around water, using aquatic abilities to bring a splash of mischief wherever they go. 

The most iconic Water Pokemon are those seen in Gen I and the OG anime, like the Squirtle Squad, Lapras, and Gyarados, the latter of which evolves from Magikarp.

Water-type Pokémon: Strengths

Water-type Pokemon are one of the most versatile and well-rounded critters you can have in your squad. They are strong against four Pokemon types: Fire, Steel, Ice, and other Water Pokémon.

Your Water-types should have no problems melting through the competition! As in real life, Water-type attacks will triumph over Fire-type attacks, dampening their flames once and for all. 

Water-type Pokémon: Weaknesses

Like all other Pokemon, Water-types would be OP if they didn't have any weaknesses. Water-type Pokemon fare well defensively with only two primary weaknesses: Electric-types and Grass-types. This is true for both moves of these elements and specific Pokemon types. 

Both Electric and Grass-type moves will deal double the damage against a Water-type, so plan your party ahead if you know you'll come across either of these adversaries. 

Dragon-types also resist all Water-type moves, making them a soft check against any Water Pokemon.  

These Water-type Pokemon weaknesses are universal across all games, movies, and TV series, including the newest titles like Pokémon Go, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

To mitigate these weaknesses, consider pairing Water-types with Pokémon that can handle Electric and Grass threats, such as Ground or Flying types to create a more well-rounded squad.

Water-type Pokémon: Counters

You may be asking yourself: what beats Water Pokémon? The best Pokemon additions in your squad to counter Water-types' versatility are pure-blood Electrics, like Pikachu, Luxio, and any of their evolutions. 

Just as electricity travels through bodies of water irl, Electric-types will literally shock any Water-types straight out of the fight, rendering them useless. 

As mentioned, Grass-types are also strong against Water-type Pokemon and their moves. Notable Grass-type Pokemon include Venusaur, Sceptile, or Leafeon.

Whenever you're selecting opponents to go up against a Water-type, you should always pay attention to their secondary typing, if they have one. While they may be a Water-type first and foremost, the opposing Pokemon may have resistances or strengths based on their secondary type. 

Water-type Pokémon: Movesets

The weather can affect Water-type moves, with rain boosting their power and harsh sunlight reducing them. Extremely harsh sunlight can also cause Water-type moves to fail completely.

Here are some descriptions of the franchise's most iconic Water-Type Pokemon moves. 

• Aqua Cutter: The user expels pressurized water to cut the target like a blade. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit.
• Aqua Step: The user toys with the target and attacks it using light and fluid dance steps. This boosts the user's Speed stat.
• Bubble Beam: A spray of bubbles is forcefully ejected at the target, which may lower the target's Speed stat.
• Chilling Water: The user attacks the target by showering it with water that's so cold it saps the target's power. This also lowers the target's Attack stat.
• Hydro Cannon: The target is hit with a watery blast and cannot move on their next turn.
• Hydro Pump: The target is blasted by a huge volume of water launched under great pressure.
• Life Dew: The user scatters mysterious water around and restores the HP of itself and ally Pokémon currently in the battle.
• Origin Pulse: The user attacks opposing Pokémon with countless beams of light that glow a deep and brilliant blue.
• Rain Dance: The user summons a heavy rain that falls for five turns, powering up other Water-type moves.
• Razor Shell: The user cuts the target with sharp shells to inflict damage. This may also lower the target's Defense stat.
• Scald: The user attacks by shooting boiling hot water at the target. This may leave the target with a burn.
• Sparkling Aria: The user bursts into song, emitting many bubbles. Any ally suffering from a burn will be cured by the touch of these bubbles.
• Steam Eruption: The user immerses the target in superheated steam. This move may leave the target with a burn.
• Triple Dive: The user performs a perfectly-timed triple dive, hitting the target with splashes of water three times in a row.
• Waterfall: The user charges at the target and may make them flinch.
• Water Gun: The user creates a forceful shot of water to blast the opponent.
• Water Shuriken: The user hits the target with throwing stars two to five times in a row. This move always goes first.
• Water Sport: The user soaks itself and the battlefield with water. This weakens Fire-type moves for five turns.
• Water Spout: The user spouts water to damage opposing Pokémon. The lower the user's HP, the lower the move's power.
• Whirlpool: The user traps the target inside a violent, swirling whirlpool that inflicts damage for four to five turns.

All Water-Type Pokémon

The ever-evolving world of Pokemon continues to expand, as there are currently 159 different Water-type Pokémon in the franchise, not including Gigantaxmax or Mega evolutions.

Some Water-types are pure, while others are hybrids with dual-typing, wielding Water as their primary or secondary type. 

Gotta catch 'em all! Here is a complete list of all Water-type Pokémon seen in the games and anime. 

Pure Water-type Pokémon

• Squirtle
• Wartortle
• Blastoise
• Psyduck
• Golduck
• Poliwag
• Poliwhirl
• Seel
• Shellder
• Krabby
• Kingler
• Horsea
• Seadra
• Goldeen
• Seaking
• Staryu
• Magikarp
• Vaporeon
• Totodile
• Croconaw
• Feraligatr
• Politoed
• Remoraid
• Octillery
• Suicine
• Mudkip
• Wailmer
• Wailord
• Corphish
• Feebas
• Milotic
• Castford (Rain)
• Clamperl
• Huntail
• Gorebyss
• Luvdisc
• Kyogre
• Piplup
• Prinplup
• Buizel
• Floatzel
• Shellos
• Finneon
• Lumineon
• Phione
• Manaphy
• Oshawott
• Dewott
• Samurott
• Panpour
• Simipour
• Tympole
• Basculin
• Forakie
• Frogadier
• Clauncher
• Clawitzer
• Poppolio
• Brionne
• Wishiwashi
• Pyukumuku
• Sobble
• Drizzile
• Inteleon
• Chewtle
• Arrokuda
• Barrasweda
• Quaxly
• Quaxwell
• Wiglett
• Wugtrio
• Finizen
• Palafin
• Dondozo

Primary Water-type Pokémon

• Poliwrath - Water/Fighting
• Tentacool - Water/Poison
• Tentacruel - Water/Poison
• Slowpoke - Water/Psychic
• Slowbro - Water/Psychic
• Dewgong - Water/Ice
• Cloyster - Water/Ice
• Starmie - Water/Psychic
• Gyarados - Water/Flying
• Lapras - Water/Ice
• Chinchou - Water/Electric
• Lanturn - Water/Electric
• Marill - Water/Fairy
• Azumarill - Water/Fairy
• Wooper - Water/Ground
• Quagsire - Water/Ground
• Slowking - Water/Psychic
• Qwilfish - Water/Poison
• Corsola - Water/Rock
• Mantine - Water/Flying
• Kingdra - Water/Dragon
• Marshtomp - Water/Ground
• Swampert - Water/Ground
• Lotad - Water/Grass
• Lombre - Water/Grass
• Ludicolo - Water/Grass
• Wingull - Water/Flying
• Pelipper - Water/Flying
• Carvanha - Water/Dark
• Sharpedo - Water/Dark
• Barboach - Water/Ground
• Whiscash - Water/Ground
• Crawdaunt - Water/Dark
• Relicanth - Water/Rock
• Empoleon - Water/Steel
• Gastrodon - Water/Ground
• Mantyke - Water/Flying
• Palkia - Water/Dragon
• Samurott - Water/Dark
• Palpitoad - Water/Ground
• Seismitoad - Water/Ground
• Tirtouga - Water/Rock
• Carracosta - Water/Rock
• Ducklett - Water/Flying
• Swanna - Water/Flying
• Frillish - Water/Ghost
• Jellicent - Water/Ghost
• Keledo - Water/Fighting
• Greninja - Water/Dark
• Primarina - Water/Fairy
• Dewpider - Water/Bug
• Araquanid - Water/Bug
• Bruxish - Water/Psychic
• Tapu Fini - Water/Fairy
• Drednaw - Water/Rock
• Dracovish - Water/Dragon
• Arctovish - Water/Ice
• Basculegion - Water/Ghost
• Quaquaval - Water/Fighting
• Veluza - Water/Psychic
• Walking Wake - Water/Dragon

Secondary Water-type Pokémon

• Tauros - Fighting/Water
• Omanyte - Rock/Water
• Omastar - Rock/Water
• Kabuto - Rock/Water
• Kabutops - Rock/Water
• Surskit - Bug/Water
• Spheal - Ice/Water
• Sealeo - Ice/Water
• Walrein - Ice/Water
• Bibarel - Normal/Water
• Rotom - Electric/Water
• Binacle - Rock/Water
• Barbaracle - Rock/Water
• Skrelp - Poison/Water
• Volcanion - Fire/Water
• Mareanie - Poison/Water
• Toxapex - Poison/Water
• Wimpod - Bug/Water
• Golisopod - Bug/Water
• Cramorant - Flying/Water
• Urshifu - Fighting/Water
• Tatsugiri - Dragon/Water
• Iron Bundle - Ice/Water
• Orgerpon - Grass/Water

Final Thoughts

All in all, Water-types definitely make waves in the Pokemon world. From their diverse character designs and punny names to their versatile movesets, they add a refreshing twist to any Pokemon squad whether you're battling casually or competitively.

Hopefully, this guide has given you an idea of Water-type weaknesses, strengths, and their counters. GL HF with your future Pokemon battle with your Water-types, and may the currents of victory carry you to shore!

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FAQs about Water-type Pokémon

How many Water Pokemon are there? 

Since Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, the most recent game in the franchise, there are currently 177 different Water Pokemon. This includes all unique forms, (like East/West Sea Shellos), Mega Evolutions and Gigantaxmax. 

What's good against Water Pokemon? 

Pure Electric-type Pokémon are super strong against all Water-types, dealing double damage against them. This means Pokémon picks like Pikachu, Jolteon, Luxio, and Electabuzz are good against Water Pokemon. Grass-types also fare well and are robust against any Water-types. 

Who is the best Water-type Pokémon? 

Gyarados, evolving from the unassuming Magikarp, is by far the strongest and best Water-type in the entire franchise. It can be an absolute powerhouse with its dual-typing of Water and Flying, with a solid moveset to boot. It has Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Dragon Dance, Waterfall, Aqua Tail, and Hyper Beam, to name a few solid moves. 

What is the weakest Water-type Pokémon? 

While Magikarp is the evolutionary stepping stone towards the greatest Water Pokemon of all time, it is a useless member to have on your squad. All it can do until Level 20 is Splash an opponent, which deals no damage. Magikarp also has the lowest base stats of all Water-types, making it the weakest Pokémon overall. 

What are Water-types resistant to? 

Water-types are super strong against Fire, Ice, Grass, and other Water-types. This means they are also resistant to attacks of this kind from the target's type. 

What is the best Water-type attack? 

The best Water-type move is Water Spout, as its power depends on the user's current health. When the user is at full health, Water Spout has 150 base power. It is best used before a battle with a Speed stat item to guarantee that Water Spout will be used first.