Water-type Pokémon are a foundational element in Pokémon Go, offering a versatile range of strengths and resistances crucial for both Raids and the Go Battle League. As one of the initial starter types, Water Pokémon possess a diverse pool of powerful options, including exceptional non-Legendary choices that can rival even the most formidable Legendaries.
Water-types are effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock Pokémon, while resisting Ice, Fire, Steel, and other Water-types. Rainy weather boosts their power, making them a reliable choice in many combat scenarios.
Best Legendary Water-Type Pokémon
While Legendary Pokémon often boast superior stats, the true strength in Pokémon Go's Water-type roster lies heavily within its non-Legendary ranks. Nevertheless, some Legendary Water-types remain vital for specific roles.
Kyogre
Kyogre stands as the most potent Water-type Legendary available. Its raw power makes it a staple for Master League and a formidable attacker in raids. The moveset of Waterfall (Fast), Origin Pulse (Legacy Charged), and Avalanche (Charged) provides excellent offensive pressure and utility against Dragon and Fairy types.
Volcanion
Volcanion, a Fire/Water-type Mythical Pokémon, serves as a reasonable Water-type attacker, though it excels more as a Fire-type. Its high cost to max out makes it a less accessible choice, and its effectiveness as a Water-type is surpassed by many non-Legendary options.
Origin Forme Palkia
Origin Forme Palkia offers a unique advantage with its Adventure Effect, Spacial Rend, which increases the encounter distance. While its primary moveset leans towards Dragon-type attacks (Dragon Breath and Spacial Rend), making it less ideal as a pure Water-type raid attacker, it dominates the Master League meta due to its exceptional stats and powerful Dragon-type moveset, with only Dragon and Fairy types posing a significant threat.
It is important to note that this guide focuses on standard forms of Pokémon and does not include Shadow or Mega evolutions, which would significantly alter the rankings.
Best Non-Legendary Water-Type Pokémon
When excluding Mega Evolutions and Shadow Pokémon, the landscape of top-tier Water-types is dominated by non-Legendary creatures. These Pokémon often provide remarkable damage output and strategic advantages at a more accessible cost.
Greninja
Greninja is a standout Water/Dark-type Pokémon. Its regular form boasts an incredibly fast-charging move, Water Shuriken, paired with the powerful Hydro Cannon (Legacy Charged). This rapid move generation makes it viable even in the Great League, despite its lower bulk. With Brutal Swing as a secondary charged move, Greninja can effectively counter Pokémon like Sableye, Mimikyu, Corviknight, and Melmetal. Its accessibility as a starter Pokémon makes it an easy and cost-effective choice to power up.
Swampert
Swampert, a Water/Ground-type, remains a powerful force, especially in PvP, largely due to its single, albeit double-effective, weakness to Grass. It is capable of performing well across all three Go Battle League formats. For raids, switching its fast move to Water Gun transforms Swampert into a durable attacker. Its unique typing also makes it an excellent gym defender, as few attackers lead with Grass-type Pokémon.
Primarina
Primarina, a Water/Fairy-type, shines particularly in the Ultra League and Master League. While its defensive stats may be a concern, its typing provides valuable advantages against threats like Zygarde, Skeledirge, and Giratina Altered in Ultra League. In Master League, its Waterfall/Hydro Cannon combination is potent, and Moonblast offers a crucial tool against Dragon-type opponents.
Quagsire
Similar to Swampert but optimized for PvP, Quagsire is a Water/Ground-type Pokémon. Its effectiveness hinges on the legacy move Aqua Tail, combined with coverage moves like Stone Edge. Quagsire can deal significant damage to meta-relevant Pokémon such as Melmetal, Tinkaton, and Vigoroth, though it remains highly vulnerable to Grass-type attacks.
Empoleon
Empoleon, another starter Pokémon, secures its place as a top Water-type in the Ultra League. Its fast-charging Metal Sound move, combined with Hydro Cannon, allows for rapid use of charged attacks. Drill Peck provides additional coverage. Empoleon is effective against numerous top-tier Pokémon in Ultra League, including Tinkaton, Florges, and Corviknight.
Understanding Water-Type Pokémon
Water-type Pokémon possess the following characteristics:
- Type: Water
- Weaknesses: Electric, Grass
- Resistances: Ice, Fire, Steel, Water
- Super Effective Against: Fire, Ground, Rock
- Not Very Effective Against: Water, Grass, Dragon
- Weather Boost: Rainy