Gen 2 of Pokemon (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) was filled with great Water-type Pokemon; so many that there will be many fan favorites left out – like Tentacruel for instance. Many of the Pokemon on this list were chosen because they either have great stats, move-sets, and work well against numerous other Pokemon types.
We did not include any Pokemon that require the Time Capsule feature to be used in Gen 2, but every other Water-type included in the games is eligible. We will also only take into account the move-lists of these Pokemon in the Gen 2 games, but will also discuss how their move-sets have changed in Pokemon: Sword and Shield.
Updated on May 16th, 2022, by Jeff Drake: It's amazing how much better some of the Water-type Pokemon have gotten over the generations. It is beyond an understatement to say the move-lists of the Pokemon in Gen 2, compared to their versions in Pokemon: Sword and Shield, is extremely spartan. The middle-tier Pokemon from the early generations of the main game were all given a huge boost with the introduction of Pokemon abilities in Gen 3. This update will make the list more comprehensive by adding what's left of the Water-type Pokemon in Gen 2 worth training. In Gen 8 almost any Pokemon can be turned into a capable fighter. Gen 2 Water Pokemon not on this list should only be caught for completeness sake.
15 Kabutops
In Gen 2 Kabutops was a solid combatant - not the best, but good enough to take on Legendary Pokemon. In Gen 8, Kabutops is an absolute beast. This Pokemon's list of possible moves didn't include a single Water-type move; which was pretty surprising since it's a Water-type Pokemon.
Kabutops' abilities, Swift Swim and Battle Armor, are both extermely useful. Swift Swim improves Kabutops' speed when it's raining; so be sure to use the Rain Dance TM on Kabutops. Battle Armor prevents against critical hits. Among the notable additions to Kabutops' move-list are Leach Life, Liquidation, and Stone Edge.
14 Slowking
Slowpoke and Slowbro are not many player's favorite Pokemon. For starters, they are painfully slow in battle. The third evolved form, Slowking, isn't much faster; however, it is at least strong enough to survive against higher tier Pokemon. In terms of damage potential the Slowking from Gen 2 isn't that much improved in Gen 8, even with a larger move-list from which to choose.
The biggest change to the Slowking is the addition of the Galarian Form Slowking. This new form was introduced in the Pokemon: Sword and Shield Expansion Pass. This form is more of a cosmetic change. Both forms share the same move-list and have similar stats.
13 Mantine
Its stout defensive capabilities are the best reason to train Mantine. This is a Water-Flying-type Pokemon; this give Mantine resitances to a wide array of types. Just keep it away from Pikachu, or any other Electric-types. One of Mantine's abilities is Swift Swim, but like Kabutops it does not learn (via leveling-up) a move that causes it to rain.
Mantine has one of the most improved move-lists from Gen 2 to Gen 8. In Gen 2, Mantine only had eight moves from which to choose - in Gen 8, it has 17. The damage potential was also given a huge boost thanks to move like Hydro Pump, Air Slash, and Headbutt.
12 Quagsire
The problem with Quagsire in Gen 2, like many of the Pokemon on this list, is that it's move-list was way too small to give it much flexibility in battle. This Pokemon at least had some effective attack moves in Gen 2 to make up for this. It also has a lot of hit points; the rest of Quagsire's stats are about average.
Quagsire had one good attack, one average attack, and one weak attack in Gen 2. In Gen 8, Quagsire has several powerful attack moves it can add to its move-set. Players who hate the Self Destruct and Explosion moves can use this Pokemon without fear in Gen 8 thanks to its Damp ability.
11 Octillery
Octillery was an strong combatant in Gen 2. It had two Ice-type moves; this made it effective against Grass-type Pokemon. Hyper Beam was also part of its move-list in Gen 2. Octillery has a high Attack and Special Attack to go along with these powerful attack moves.
In Gen 8, Octillery was given the Gunk Shot move. This move does an impressive amount of damage and can poison the target. One ofOctillery's abilities is Sniper; this increases the damage of critical hits. Having this ability makes moves like Bullet Seed much more effective. Hyper Beam is still part of Octillery's move-list in Gen 8.
10 Golduck
On its own, Golduck is a middling to good Pokemon. Its stats aren’t bad. They are right on the borderline between average and high. This bipedal blue duck has a decent move-set that includes a few Psychic moves. This allows it to be useful against more than just Pokemon that are weak against Water-type moves.
In Sword and Shield, Golduck is quite a bit more useful. Its current move-set includes moves, like Soak, that are excellent for multi-Pokemon battles. It also received better Psychic attack in later Pokemon games, like Zen Headbutt.
9 Vaporeon
Vaporeon is the product of evolving Eevee using a Water Stone. Vaporeon has excellent stats; its maximum hit points, Special Attack, and Special Defense are all on par with some of the legendary Pokemon. This Pokemon has a list of strong attack moves to choose from; a list that also includes a wide variety of move-types. Hydro Pump, Aurora Beam, Bite, Haze, and Acid Armor are among the choices in moves for Vaporeon. This allows for favorable match-ups versus more than just Fire and Ground types.
Vaporeon was given some stronger attacks in Sword and Shield , like Last Resort, as well as some more useful support moves, like Aqua Ring.
8 Poliwrath And Politoed
Poliwrath and Politoed are both possible evolutions for Poliwhirl. Which one you wish Poliwhirl to evolve into depends more on what you want it to do in battle. Players wanting a more straightforward physical damage dealer should choose Poliwrath; while players looking more for damage via special moves like Hydro Pump should pick Politoed. Poliwrath has better attack, HP, and defense. Politoed has better special attack and special defense ratings.
In Gen 8 these Pokemon have a vastly improved list of moves to choose from. Poliwrath, in particular, gains access to some really powerful Fighting-type moves in Sword and Shield, like Dynamic Punch.
7 Gyarados
Surprise! Gyarados made this list as one of the best Pokemon in Gen 2. Okay, that’s not much of a surprise considering Gyarados is consistently one of the strongest Pokemon in every game of the series. This intimidating creature has phenomenal Attack and Special Defense ratings; its maximum hit point total is also incredibly good.
Gyarados can learn some very powerful moves in Gen 2. The two most notable attack moves it can learn are Hydro Pump and Hyper Beam. Twister is a Dragon-type move Gyarados can learn in Gen 2; it’s not very powerful, but can cause flinching and hits Pokemon out of battle due to the Fly move. In Gen 8, Gyarados has access to even more powerful attacks, giving it an unfair advantage against most Pokemon.
6 Dewgong
Dewgong is one of those Pokemon (and this type isn’t rare) that has some so-so stats, but a great list of moves to choose from. Most importantly, Dewgong has access to Ice-type moves – which was a lot more uncommon in Gen 2 than it is in Sword and Shield. Dewgong’s ability to learn the move Rest is another reason it made this list. Rest puts the user to sleep for two turns, but also fully heals the user.
In Sword and Shield the sleep from using Rest can be negated using Dewgong’s Hydration ability. This Pokemon gains access to better normal moves in Sword & Shield; however, its choice in Ice-type moves is pretty much the same.
5 Lapras
Lapras is one of those rare Pokemon that can go through an opposing trainer’s party in a matter of minutes all by itself. It first appeared in Gen 1 and has been in nearly every game in the main series.
Lapras also has a great selection of moves to choose from in Gen 2. Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, and Slam are all very powerful attacks. It also gets great utility moves like Rain Dance, Mist, Confuse Ray, and Perish Song. In Sword and Shield Lapras can learn Sheer Cold. This move instantly causes the opposing Pokemon to faint - if it hits.
4 Starmie
Starmie is a Gen 2 Pokemon often overlooked by players. This is a shame, because this starfish Pokemon has two aspects that make it reliable in battle - it’s fast, and special attacks (non-physical attacks) from it pack a punch. Any Pokemon that has a high speed and a high attack or special attack combined with a move-set populated with strong attacks is worth leveling-up.
Starmie is a bit lacking when choosing a mid-range attack, but it does at least get Hydro Pump. In Sword & Shield Starmie has access to some very powerful attacks; like Pyschic and Power Gem.
3 Suicune
Suicune is not a Pokemon with which many fans of the series are familiar. The reason for this is simple – Suicune has only appeared in Pokemon: Gold, Silver, Crystal, and the remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver. Many were hoping this giant, mystical, dog-like Pokemon would be included in Pokemon: Sword and Shield.
Besides looking really, really cool, this Pokemon boasts some very high stats; especially its maximum hit points, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense. Suicune doesn’t have a very long list of available moves, but the moves it does get are potent. It can learn Hydro Pump (of course), Bubble Beam, Mist, and Mirror Coat. Suicune has a wider array of Ice-type moves to choose from in Gen 8, including Blizzard.
2 Kingdra
In the early days of Pokemon any Dragon-type was worth training and occupying a spot in your travelling party. Kingdra was one of only two Dragon-types in Gen 2 – the other being Dragonite. This is a great Pokemon for many reasons. First, Kingdra has great all-around stats. Second, even in Gen 2 Kingdra had some powerful attacks – notably Twister and Hydro Pump.
In Sword and Shield the list of available moves is more fitting for a Dragon-type. It can learn attacks like Dragon Pulse, as well as useful support moves like Laser Focus and Rain Dance.
1 Feraligatr
Feraligatr is the final evolution of one of the three starter Pokemon – Totodile. It has great Attack and Defense ratings, while the rest of its stats are slightly above average. Feraligatr’s ability, Torrent, increases the damage of Water-type moves by 50% when its hit points drop below 33% (also known as “in a pinch”).
This ability helps a lot due to the fact that Feraligatr doesn’t learn many high-power attack moves. This does allow Feraligatr’s Hydro Pump to hit with a whopping 165 power. A player can expect to have a lot of come-from-behind victories when using Feraligatr. In Sword & Shield Feraligatr's weak move-set was addressed. It can now learn overpowered moves like Thrash and Superpower.