Summary
Water-type Pokemonare just an absolute joy. With their usual blue color schemes or aquatic tendencies, the Water types tip the scales and stand apart as more than “just some fish.“Since there are so many out there, a full ocean of options, boiling it down to just a few is a hard feat.
That said, certain Pokemon naturally float to the top, rising so far above the competition that they make their rivals almost obsolete in the process. Countless Water-types are worthy of recognition but are arguably more deserving than others for a variety of different reasons.
Updated on June 10, 2025, by Ben Painter:Gamers are very familiar with Water Pokemon, as they can use one right from the start. But if players pick another type, there are still 177 different watery Pokemon to add to the roster in a playthrough of aPokemongame. Pokemon gamers will know that each creature can have two types, adding a different dynamic and giving them different STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves and unique ways that the creatures can be hit for damage. Having a Water-type Pokemon on the team is always handy, as they can deal super effective damage to Rock, Ground, and Fire types. They also resist Fire, Water, Steel, and Ice moves.Pokemon Scarlet & Violetadded some awesome Water types to the game that have become some real favorites among fans. Since Pokemon features a vast array of Water types, this article has been updated to include even more of the best.
45Golisopod
A Great Design But A Very Poor Ability
The Hard Scale Pokemon has an awesome design and a great typing which counters a lot of each type’s weaknesses. Defensively, this Pokemon is rock solid and is not bad in the attacking department either.
However, what knocks this Pokemondown a few pegs is its ability,Emergency Exit. When its HP drops below half this Pokemon automatically recalls itself from battle, forcing the player to switch to a different one. This can be really annoying considering this ‘mon has 40 Speed. It does make up for it with great Defense, so chances are it can take at least one hit to avoid being returned to its Poke Ball.
Golispod’s Best Learned Moves
Due to its annoying ability, priority moves are the way forward to ensure that gamers can get an attack away before it is forced out. Moves likeFirst ImpressionandSucker Punchare vital here.Razor ShellandSwords Danceshould make up the other moves to make for a well-balanced Pokemon.
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44Poliwrath
Limited Type Coverage
Pokemon fans may know this ‘mon as the signature partner of Red from the Pokemon Adventures manga. As a member of the Original 151, it certainly holds a soft spot among fans.
But, this Pokemon can hold its own in battle too. With fantastic all-around stats and a decent set of potential abilities which make it one of thebest Water-type Pokemon. However, there are a few things that let this one down, it has a lot of weaknesses and its movepool is fairly limited. It can learn some Ice and Ground moves to go along with its two types, but other than that there isn’t much there for coverage.
Poliwrath’s Best Learned Moves
Poliwrath has quite a limited movepool, but gamers can make a decent ‘mon withDynamic Punch, Belly Drum, Rain DanceandHydro Pump. It doesn’t learn a Physical Water move by level-up, but it can be taughtWaterfallorLiquidationby TM or TR, which will be the better option.
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43Tauros Aqua Breed
A Very Rare Pokemon
Tauroswas given a regional variantin Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, and it came in three forms. One of those is the Aqua Breed which, of course, is Fighting/Water-type.
Its signature move,Raging Bull, changes its type depending on which Tauros it is and, in this case, it is Water, as a 90 base-power Physical move, it is perfect for this Pokemon. However, it does have five different weaknesses in the game, which doesn’t make for a good ranking. It can counter this with a few moves that it can learn by TM/TR, such as a wide variety of Ground moves.
Tauros Aqua Breed’s Best Learned Moves
There are a few different ways that gamers could go, but the best option isAqua Jetfor a STAB priority move,Raging BullClose Combatfor STAB attacking moves and eitherRestorSwaggerfor some support. Teaching this PokemonEarthquakecould be a way to go as it will counter a big weakness of Electric Pokemon.
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42Octillery
Great Type Coverage & Decent Stats
As a Pokemon based on a tank, it makes sense that this Pokemon has great attacking stats. Combining this with a huge variety of moves it can learn, including Psychic and Fire moves. Gamers have one of the best Water-type Pokemon when they use the Jet Pokemon.
Being a pure Water-type offers little weaknesses, but doesn’t allow for another STAB option. One of its better abilities isSniper, which increases Critical Hit damage by 50%. When used with Bullet Seed or Rock Blast, Octillery can absolutely decimate opponents in battle.
Octillery’s Best Learned Moves
The combination ofOcktazookaandLock-Onis a must for Octillery along withIce BeamandBullet Seedfor some type coverage. This Pokemon can learn a lot of TM’s also, withFlamethrowerthe pick of the bunch as it will counter the Grass-type weakness.
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41Ludicolo
No Stand Out Stats But A Fan Favorite
Ludicolo is famous for beingused in the Pokemon anime by Brock, showing off his joyful dancing. It also had a significant role in theDetective Pikachumovie, which many fans adored.
In battle, it is a great Pokemon, itsSwift Swimability boosts its speed in the rain. Which will work well with the Rain Dance move. Stats-wise, it is solid with no real weaknesses across the board, but its stand-outs are the Special Attack and Special Defense stats. Its dual Grass typing also neutralizes both of the weaknesses of Water, but it still retains its Grass frailties.
Ludicolo’s Best Learned Moves
The Carefree Pokemon has access to a very good moveset. Gamers should consider:Rain Dance, Fake Out, Hydro PumpandMega Drainfrom the moves that Ludicolo learns naturally.Surf, Thunder Punch, Giga DrainandIce Beamare all options that can be taught by TM for use with Ludicolo.
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40Starmie
The Dual Typing Adds More Weaknesses
A classic, Starmie has been around since the very start, although the starfish Pokemon has always been in the shadow of its contemporaries. Outside of Speed, Starmie doesn’t have any stats that are out of this world impressive, but the Pokemon’s only real weak spot is its low HP.
Starmie offers reliable Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense. More importantly, Starmie’s Water/Psychic dual-type provides it with access to a solid arsenal of attacks.
Starmie’s Best Learned Moves
Starmie has been around from the very beginning, serving as the Ace Pokemon of the Cerulean City gym leader Misty. The starfish reigns as one of the franchise’sbest Water Pokemon. This is predominantly due to its moveset, which includesPsychic,Hydro Pump, andCosmic Power.
Starmie can also pick up Electric and Ice moves through TMs, greatly enhancing the Pokemon’s flexibility.
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39Sharpedo
A Good Physical Attacker But Average In All Other Stats
Sharpedo’s 120 physical attack is great for battle, but its other stats let it down slightly. The Water/Dark shark first appeared inPokemon Ruby & Sapphire, and it is helpful that it is fairly quick as its defense is lackluster.Its design is solidwith the battered shark aesthetic, although some fans may argue that it looks a little stubby.
What it does have going for it, if gamers are playingPokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, is Sharpedo’s Mega Evolution, which offers a slight boost to its stats. However, they remain unbalanced, but despite their flaws, they still earn their place as one of the bestWater-type Pokemon.
Sharpedo’s Best Learned Moves
Sharpedo can make use of its standout physical attack with moves likeCrunch,Aqua Jet,Liquidation, andTake Down. For type coverage, it also learnsPoison FangandIce Fangvia level-up.
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38Tapu Fini
A Solid Pokemon With A Questionable Design
A brick house, Tapu Fini will not go down easily.The Legendary Pokemonexcels in both Defense and Special Defense, having base states of 115 and 130 respectively. Outside of HP, Tapu Fini is not a slouch in any of the other areas either, offering a respectable 95 Special Attack and a decent 85 Speed.
Although not the most beloved Legendary to ever grace the franchise, Tapu Fini should be a solid addition to most teams. The Pokemon’s Water/Fairy typing also helps separate it from the crowd, as that combination is in short supply.
Tapu Fini’s Best Learned Moves
Along with the extremely usefulMisty Surgeability, Tapu Fini learns all the heavy hitters expected from its dual typing.Hydro PumpandMoonblastmake great use of the Pokemon’s Special Attack, whileSoakandMisty Terraincan change the course of a battle if used correctly.
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37Carracosta
A Solid TCG Pokemon But Very Average In The Video Game
A friend of Ferris in thePokemonanime, Carracosta has never been quite as popular as a particularfirst-generation turtle. In 2019, however, a deck featuring Carracosta began to take top placements at tournaments for thePokemon TCG.
A Carracosta-GX deck also held some prominence in 2020, with several Poketubers making videos about it. This Water/Rock fossil may not get all the love it deserves, but there is proof out there that Carracosta is sturdy enough to take hits and bring in wins for Pokemon fans.
Carracosta’s Best Learned Moves
As a Water/Rock dual-type Pokemon, Carracosta picks up a wide range of offensive maneuvers that can be devastating when used correctly.Hydro Pumpis Carracosta’s strongest Water-type move, butAqua TailandBrineare also solid options.Shell SmashandRain Danceshould also be utilized by Trainers.
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36Hisuian Samurott
An Improvement On The Original
Samurott was the final form of the starter Pokemon inBlack & Whiteand its sequels. The original is not highly regarded, as many fans hated the fact it went from being bipedal to quadrupedal. However, inPokemon: Legends Arceus, it received a new form, which gained the Dark typing, earning it some bonus points.
Stats-wise, it is decent across the board, but it thrives as a mixed attacker, using both Physical and Special moves comfortably in battle. The only stat it really lacks is Special Defense, which isn’t bad going. As far as icon status goes, this Pokemon doesn’t have a lot, so it doesn’t receive any marks there.
Hisuian Samurott’s Best Learned Moves
Hisuian Samurott can learn a wide variety of different moves. On evolution, it learns the Dark-type move,Ceaseless Edge, which is its signature move and has an increased chance of landing a Critical Hit. The Normal movesSlashandSwords Dance, the Bug moveMegahornand the FlyingAerial Aceare also among its arsenal. Along with the Water-type moves such asRazor Shell,Water Pulse, andAqua Jet.
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