Water-types are by far the most numerous and varied species in the entire Pokemon series. The sprawling oceans of Kanto and Hoenn are full of them, but even in Pokemon Sword & Shield, there’s a massive diversity of aquatic creatures to choose from, each with different secondary types and styles.

RELATED: Pokemon Sword & Shield: Every Water-type In The Game

When going into online ranked battles through the Battle Stadium, it can be hard to know just which ones are competitively viable. Many of these Pokemon have poor stats and weaknesses that keep them from fighting against the top Pokemon in the game, while others have some nearly unbeatable strategies to help them dominate your opponents.

Updated December 16, 2021, by Belle Huston: The Water type includes some of players' favourite Pokemon, but it's not all nostalgia. Water-type Pokemon are incredibly versatile in combat and here, we detail some of the very best.

15 Lapras - Boosted By Gigantamax

Lapras as it appears in a river from the Pokemon anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

130

370

464

Attack

85

157

295

Defense

80

148

284

Special Attack

85

157

295

Special Defense

95

175

317

Speed

60

112

240

  • Types: Water, Ice
  • Abilities: Water Absorb, Shell Armor, Hydration (hidden)

Lapras has been a somewhat underrated member of the competitive world of Pokemon. It's certainly glamorous and beloved for its design, but it's hardly had the fame or power of other Water and Ice-types in the series. Thankfully, its Gigantamax Form has changed all that and made Lapras one of the most ideal Water-type choices for any team.

Not only does it hold items like the Weakness Policy great as its health is doubled by Dynamax, but its G-Max move will also create a reflective wall that halves all damage dealt by your opponent's moves for several turns. This is a rare effect to be attached to such high damage, meaning you can have an immense advantage on your opponent if you get it out early.

14 Golisopod - Better Than You Expect

Golisopod prepping to attack

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

75

260

354

Attack

125

229

383

Defense

140

256

416

Special Attack

60

112

240

Special Defense

90

166

306

Speed

40

76

196

  • Types: Bug, Water
  • Ability: Emergency Exit

Golisopod is an absolute beast in terms of both Water and Bug-type Pokemon. It might seem fragile or nerve-wracking with its Emergency Exit ability, which causes it to retreat when it loses half health, but this more often just means you can get a single attack in before it faints and have another shot at a priority move later in the battle.

These moves would primarily be Aqua Jet for foes weak to Water-type moves, but also the powerful Bug-type move First Impression which only works on Golisopod's first turn in battle anyway. It's a spectacular list of tools that fit onto a surprisingly bulky Pokemon with fewer weaknesses than you'd expect from its unusual type combination.

13 Rotom-W - Status Effecter

Rotom-W as it appears in the Pokemon anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

50

210

304

Attack

65

121

251

Defense

107

197

344

Special Attack

105

193

339

Special Defense

107

197

344

Speed

86

159

298

  • Types: Electric, Water
  • Ability: Levitate

It's hard to escape Rotom in its many appliance forms, particularly the Fire-type Rotom-H. These Electric-types swap their Ghost-type form for a new one based on the haunted machine they choose to become, and the Water-type Rotom-W is absolutely one of the strongest choices you can make.

RELATED: Pokemon Sword & Shield: Ranking Every Rotom Appliance Form

This washing machine cleans up the battlefield with no problem, learning Hydro Pump as its only Water-type move to make room for other Electric and Ghost-type moves. Even better is its range of status moves like Confuse Ray and Thunder Wave, which can make your Rotom-W into a tanky support as well as an aggressive special attacker.

12 Kingdra - Hard Hitter Last Resort

Pokemon Anime Kingdra Breaking Through Smokescreen

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

75

260

354

Attack

95

175

317

Defense

95

175

317

Special Attack

95

175

317

Special Defense

95

175

317

Speed

85

157

295

  • Types: Water, Dragon
  • Abilities: Swift Swim, Sniper, Damp (hidden)

Not only was Kingdra a menace in the early days of Pokemon as one of the first new Dragon-types of the series, but it's also just as powerful today as it was before. The combination of Dragon and Water-type traits makes it only weak to Fairy and Dragon-type moves, but when under Dynamax it'll rarely even feel the impact of those attacks in most cases.

Kindra has a surprisingly wide set of offensive strategies, whether you like something steadier or something to go all-in with. A great strategy is to teach it high-risk moves like Hydro Pump and Draco Meteor to use it as a last resort, or to deny the negative risks by immediately using Dynamax to give it some exceptionally powerful Max Moves instead.

11 Barraskewda - Jack Of All Trades

Barraskewda from the Pokemon Sword & Shield Pokedex

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

61

232

326

Attack

123

225

379

Defense

60

112

240

Special Attack

60

112

240

Special Defense

50

94

218

Speed

136

249

408

  • Type: Water
  • Abilities: Swift Swim, Propeller Tail (hidden)

As ugly and unappealing as this piranha might seem, Barraskewda might have one of the most pushed sets of stats of any common Water-type of the entire series. It has some ludicrous Speed and Attack stats with a surprisingly wide range of move types, and it only gets faster in the rain with the Swift Swim ability to boost it further.

That said, it's even better if you can get its unique Hidden Ability, Propeller Tail, which negates any abilities and moves that redirect its attacks. This means it can work as a great speedy shot in Double Battles against opponents using moves like Follow Me and can also let Barraskewda freely hit foes when there's an opponent with the ability Storm Drain in play.

10 Dracovish - Uniquely Non-Legendary

Ash with his Dracovish, the Fossil Pokemon from the Pokemon Journeys Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

90

290

384

Attack

90

166

306

Defense

100

184

328

Special Attack

70

130

262

Special Defense

80

148

284

Speed

75

139

273

  • Types: Water, Dragon
  • Abilities: Water Absorb, Strong Jaw, Sand Rush (hidden)

Of all Galar’s Fossil Pokemon, few have proven themselves as powerful as Dracovish. This Water and Dragon-type is utterly unique among non-legendary Pokemon, and its secondary typing helps it survive hits from common Water-type weaknesses like Grass and Electric-type moves.

Its primary weakness is its Speed stat, which is disappointingly average compared to its massive Attack stat and pleasantly wide move pool. The best way to deal with this is a Choice Scarf, which restricts its attacks to grant a huge speed boost, but other tools like a partner using Tailwind can help it easily run over most foes.

9 Sharpedo - Relentless Hitter

Sharpedo jumping high in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

70

250

344

Attack

120

220

372

Defense

40

76

196

Special Attack

95

175

317

Special Defense

40

76

196

Speed

95

175

317

  • Types: Water, Dark
  • Abilities: Rough Skin, Speed Boost (hidden)

For something more naturally speedy, Sharpedo is as powerful as it is easy-to-find. Sharpedos follow you all across the Isle of Armor’s oceans, and a standard one will have spectacular speed and physical attack. Its Water and Dark-type combination does make it vulnerable, but this is hardly a problem if it reliably hits your opponent first.

RELATED: Pokemon Abilities That Are Overpowered

It only gets stronger with the addition of its Hidden Ability, which you can get from rare and high-star Max Raid Battles. This would be Speed Boost, which raises its Speed stat by fifty percent at the end of each turn, and only one turn’s worth is usually enough to outrun nearly any other Pokemon in the game.

8 Suicune - Speedy Legendary

Suicune looking up from a burnt forest in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

100

310

404

Attack

75

139

273

Defense

115

211

361

Special Attack

90

166

306

Special Defense

115

211

361

Speed

85

157

295

  • Type: Water
  • Abilities: Pressure, Inner Focus (hidden)

The Crown Tundra brought tons of new Legendary Pokemon back to the series, and one of the first you’ll receive is right in your first Dynamax Adventure. This would be Suicune, one of Johto’s Legendary Beasts and one of the most defensive Water-types for Pokemon of such high Speed.

Suicune works great as a support player, using moves like Tailwind to boost your team or Snarl to decrease Special Attack. However, its ability to sustain damage and still outrun other slow foes means it can function just as well as a tanky fighter when given damage-boosting items like the Weakness Policy or Life Orb.

7 Politoed - Efficient And Supportive

Politoed looking up curiously from the tall grass in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

90

290

384

Attack

75

139

273

Defense

75

139

273

Special Attack

90

166

306

Special Defense

100

184

328

Speed

70

130

262

  • Type: Water
  • Abilities: Water Absorb, Damp, Drizzle (hidden)

Speaking of supportive Pokemon, Politoed is another addition from the Isle of Armor expansion that’s known among competitive Pokemon circles for its remarkable efficiency. This Pokemon’s Hidden Ability is Drizzle, originally exclusive to the legendary Kyogre for its ability to create an instant rainstorm.

This not only boosts its own Water-type attacks, but it can potentially support your entire team when given items like a Damp Rock to increase the length of the weather. Pairing it with a Steel-type means the rain will prevent Fire-type attacks from immediately annihilating you, and other Water-types with abilities like Swift Swim will quickly become unstoppable.

6 Seismitoad - Only Vulnerable To Grass-Types

Seismitoad taking a nervous step back in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

105

320

414

Attack

95

175

317

Defense

75

139

273

Special Attack

85

157

295

Special Defense

75

139

273

Speed

74

137

271

  • Types: Water, Ground
  • Abilities: Swift Swim, Poison Touch, Water Absorb (hidden)

If you happen to have a rainstorm going, Seismitoad is one of the best Pokemon you can have by your side. This combination of Water and Ground-type is only vulnerable to Grass-type moves, and while foes with priority moves like Grassy Glide are a threat, Seismitoad can usually kill most foes in one hit when it has a speed boost from its Swift Swim ability.

RELATED: Pokemon: The Fastest Water-Type Pokemon Of Every Generation, Ranked

If you don’t have any way to create rain among the rest of your team, Seismitoad can still be quite effective. Simply use a Water-type move during Dynamax to hit with Max Geyser, and you’ll have rain for the next few turns so long as an opponent doesn’t change the weather before your next attack.

5 Azumarill - Artificially Inflated Attacks

Azumarill smiling from a pile of rocks in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

100

310

404

Attack

50

94

218

Defense

80

148

284

Special Attack

60

112

240

Special Defense

80

148

284

Speed

50

94

218

  • Types: Water, Fairy
  • Abilities: Thick Fat, Huge Power, Sap Sipper (hidden)

There are exceptionally few physical attackers who can use Fairy-type moves well, but Azumarill fills an exceptionally small niche that can be a boon to any Water-type team. This bulky blue orb is fortunate enough to have the ability Huge Power, which doubles its Attack stat to give it an artificially-boosted stat.

Using its strength can be hard, but maximizing its Attack further through moves like Belly Drum can help it reach one of the highest damage stats in the entire game. Alternately, priority moves like Aqua Jet can help it hit hard and abnormally fast without taking a turn-off to boost its great stats further.

4 Milotic - Quick And Sturdy

Tower Tycoon Palmer using his Milotic in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

95

300

394

Attack

60

112

240

Defense

79

146

282

Special Attack

100

184

328

Special Defense

125

229

383

Speed

81

150

287

  • Type: Water
  • Abilities: Marvel Scale, Competitive, Cute Charm (hidden)

Many Water-type Pokemon can deal lots of damage, but even more impressive is how sturdy they can typically be. Since the days of Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire, one of the best examples of this is Milotic, a pure Water-type with an incredible combination of speed and defense, as well as several moves like Recover to keep its health as high as possible.

The key is to make sure you deal more damage than them, which you can usually do through Milotic's efficient stat-changing moves. Skitter Smack and Breaking Swipe can lower offensive stats until their damage fully fades away, while egg moves like Hypnosis can combo with the rare Coil to raise its defense and put foes to sleep with perfect accuracy.

3 Tapu-Fini - Unbelievable Tank

Tapu-Fini diving through the sky in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

70

250

344

Attack

75

139

273

Defense

115

211

361

Special Attack

95

175

317

Special Defense

130

238

394

Speed

85

157

295

  • Types: Water, Fairy
  • Abilities: Misty Surge, Telepathy (hidden)

Another Pokemon that’s nearly impossible to take down is Tapu-Fini, one of Alola’s Guardian Deities and a powerful addition from the Crown Tundra. Much of its bulkiness comes from a massive Special Defense, which helps it counter Super Effective moves from Electric and Grass-type opponents.

RELATED: Pokemon: Every Gen 7 Legendary, Ranked

Perhaps more powerful, though, is its ability Misty Surge. This creates Misty Terrain when in play, which prevents status ailments from affecting any Pokemon on the ground, meaning your risks of falling asleep or becoming paralyzed are uniquely neutralized while Tapu-Fini is in play.

2 Starmie - Special Attacker With Unique Abilities

Starmie being grabbed by robotic arms underwater in the Pokemon Anime

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

60

230

324

Attack

75

139

273

Defense

85

157

295

Special Attack

100

184

328

Special Defense

85

157

295

Speed

115

211

361

  • Types: Water, Psychic
  • Abilities: Illuminate, Natural Cure, Analytic (hidden)

While Galar has an especially high density of defensive tanks and physical attackers, Water-type Pokemon will always dominate as special attackers with powerful ranged attacks. This couldn’t be more true of Starmie, a classically overpowered starfish from Pokemon Red & Blue that came in the Isle of Armor update.

This Pokemon’s stats are impressive, but even more unusual is its ability to learn unusually-typed moves for Water-types. This includes Electric-type moves like Thunderbolt, but getting Meteor Beam from the Isle of Armor move tutor can give it an extra boost to its impressive Special Attack stat while easily dealing with Flying-types.

1 Inteleon - Critical Hitter

Inteleon uses Snipe Shot in a snowy Galar river in Pokémon Sword & Shield

Stats

Base

Minimum at Level 100

Maximum at Level 100

HP

70

250

344

Attack

85

157

295

Defense

65

121

251

Special Attack

125

229

383

Special Defense

65

121

251

Speed

120

220

372

  • Type: Water
  • Abilities: Torrent, Sniper (hidden)

If you truly want the most powerful Water-type in Galar, you don’t need to look any further than your Starter Pokemon. On its surface, Sobble’s evolution Inteleon might seem like a typical Special Attacker, but its key powers come with its Hidden Ability, Sniper, which boosts the power of Critical Hits.

Critical Hits are incredibly rare in Pokemon, but Inteleon’s signature move has secretly higher odds of it occurring more often than usual. This can be combined with a Scope Lens item or one use of Focus Energy to reliably get one with each hit, meaning it’ll deal ludicrous amounts of damage while ignoring any of the target’s defensive stat boosts.

Next: Pokemon: The Best Types (& The Ones That Are Overrated)