The best water type Pokémon in Pokémon Go

The best water type Pokémon in Pokémon Go such as Lapras, Blastoise, Starmie, and Seaking
(Image credit: Niantic)

Ensure you're using the best water type Pokémon and make them a staple of your Pokémon squad. Let’s run through their strengths and weaknesses as well as discuss which are the best for battling in Pokémon Go.

The wait for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is almost over, but there’s still lots to do in the mobile version of the popular video game franchise.

There are hundreds of Pokémon in Pokémon Go, all with different types and classifications that give them either a leg-up or hindrance over others. Each type possesses a particular set of strengths and vulnerabilities that you should be aware of when taking them into battle – so be sure to study our Pokémon Go type chart before going up against a gym, Team Rocket member, or heading into PvP to gain victory over your friends.

This guide will help you narrow down your search for the best water type Pokémon in the game. From pure water types such as the classic Squirtle squad to the legendary likes of Palkia, unique creatures have unique skillsets. Knowing these type matchups will be crucial to getting the jump on your foes out there in battles.

Keep reading to find out what those are, and how to most effectively use water types to your advantage. By finding out which are the best water type Pokémon, you can make sure you’re catching and training the right creatures to guarantee yourself a victory - we’ll tell you exactly where you can find these elusive Pokémon.

The best water type Pokémon in Pokémon Go

The best water type Pokémon: Strengths and weaknesses

Pokémon Go pokémon surround the words 'Pokémon Go'

(Image credit: Niantic)

Water type Pokémon are resistant to attacks from the following damage classes:

  • Fire
  • Water
  • Ice
  • Steel

Water type attacks are also super effective against fire, ground, and rock type Pokémon.

Water type Pokémon are vulnerable to the following damage classes:

  • Grass
  • Electric

Water type attacks are also not very effective against fellow water types, as well as grass and dragon type Pokémon.

The best water type Pokémon: Palkia

Palkia from Pokemon

(Image credit: Niantic)

Palkia is a powerful legendary Pokémon. Like most legendaries, it has high stats, making it great for battle.

However, legendary pokémon are only available through raid battles, and not all of them are available at all times. Be sure to check whether Palkia is available when you’re searching for it, and if it is, raise your chances of success by grouping up with some friends in order to take on the raid battle.

Palkia is a double whammy, being one of the best dragon type Pokémon too, so it is resistant to steel and extra resistant to fire and water-type attacks. 

However, it is vulnerable to dragon and fairy-type attacks. 

The best water type Pokémon: Blastoise

Blastoise from Pokemon Go

(Image credit: Niantic)

Blastoise is an accessible, powerful water type, making it great for newer players. It also has a Mega Evolution which takes its strength even higher, so collect Mega Energy and use it when you want to pack an extra punch.

Blastoise can be evolved from Squirtle and Wartortle using candies, so catch as many as you can, walk with it as your buddy, and feed it berries when it is defending a gym.

Blastoise is a pure water type Pokémon so it is resistant not only to the best steel type Pokémon but fire, water, and ice-type attacks as well. 

However, it is vulnerable to grass and electric type attacks. 

The best water type Pokémon: Swampert

Swampert from Pokemon

(Image credit: Niantic)

The last evolution of the humble Mudkip, Swampert is a popular choice in Pokémon Go’s PvP mode thanks to its availability and powerful attacks like Hydro Cannon.

It also has a shadow form, which you can obtain by defeating members of Team Rocket, which gives it additional attack in exchange for reduced defense.

As a dual water and ground type Pokémon, Swampert only has one weakness: grass-type attacks from some of the best grass type Pokémon on the battlefield.

Despite the singular weakness, it is extremely incapacitating for your Swampert. Therefore, try to keep it away from grass types as much as possible. On the other hand, it is resistant to electric, poison, rock, steel, and fire-type attacks. 

The best water type Pokémon: Vaporeon

Vaporeon from Pokemon Go

(Image credit: Niantic)

Vaporeon is also a fairly good choice for PvP mode thanks to its high defense score and HP.

It can be obtained by evolving an Eevee. Usually, the evolution from an Eevee is based on chance, however, once per account, you can name an Eevee “Rainer” for a 100% chance of getting a Vaporeon. 

If you’ve already used this trick, you’ll just need to keep evolving Eevees until you get the right kind. 

Like Blastoise, Vaporeon is a pure water type Pokémon so it is resistant to steel, fire, water, and ice type attacks from the best ice type Pokémon out there. 

However, it is vulnerable to grass and electric-type attacks. 

The best water type Pokémon: Slowking

Slowking from Pokemon Go

(Image credit: Niantic)

Slowking has a rare combination of types, making it a good choice for certain matchups, especially if you’re playing PvP and want to surprise your opponent.

Slowking is a bit complicated to obtain in Pokémon Go. You will need 50 candies, however, you will also need the kings rock item which can only be obtained at certain times through special research tasks or by luck by spinning Pokéstops. 

Slowking is a water and psychic type Pokémon, giving it resistances to fighting, steel, fire, water, psychic, and ice types. 

However, it is vulnerable not only to the best ghost type Pokémon, but grass, electric, and dark types too.


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