Water-type is not the most popular choice when it comes to favorite Pokémon. However there are some particularly powerful ones out there, you just have to pick the right movesets. Pokémon Go is all about battles, be that PVP or in raids. Even though you want to catch them all and have a mighty Pokédex, it is still vital to choose the strongest companions to battle by your side.
Although there aren’t many legendary water-type Pokémon, you are still spoilt for choice when it comes to doing some extreme amounts of water damage. However, these powerful Pokémon can sometimes slip under the radar and you can miss out on some particularly effective attackers and defenders.
Updated September 24th, 2020 by Tanner Kinney: As Niantic begins to roll out Mega Evolution and eventually Kalosian Pokémon, the meta of the game continues to evolve. This includes the addition of most of the Unovan Pokémon, although they are still being added over time. This even includes some Mythical Pokémon, but we’re still waiting on Keldeo to show up.
Water-Types still serve as a solid defensive line for any composition. High HP pools and fast attacks mean that surprisingly high damage can be dealt by Pokémon that would be unexpectedly powerful. There are also some more aggressive water-types, aiming to finish off the bulkiest of rock-types. For the Gen 5 enthusiasts, these movesets will provide some extra “oomph” to help turn the tides of battle.
15 Samurott: Waterfall & Hydro Pump
Samurott, the final evolution of the beloved Oshawott, is a majestic and regal warrior. It proudly stands tall and challenges its foes to glorious combat. And in this combat, Waterfall and Hydro Pump give it a strong offensive power.
While it is interesting that Samurott is currently unable to learn Hydro Cannon, it still has a solid moveset. Waterfall is a relatively quick STAB move that deals solid damage. Hydro Pump is an incredibly powerful Water-type attack that drains energy, but is well worth it. Megahorn isn’t a terrible move in terms of raw DPS, but with how many Pokémon resist Bug-type attacks, it just doesn’t cut it.
14 Simipour: Water Gun & Surf
Simipour, the Geyser Pokémon, is far from the strongest of water-types. Like its siblings Simisear and Simisage, Simipour is mostly just underwhelming. Its location is also limited but for those that can find it, its moves are at least not terrible.
Water Gun is a move that’s wonderful at generating energy, which would pair well with a move like Hydro Pump. For Simipour, however, Surf manages to be better for overall DPS. Simipour isn’t going to land powerful hits occasionally, but it’s good at softening up a Pokémon over a long battle.
13 Carracosta: Rock Throw and Surf
Carracosta is one of the two fossil Pokémon available from Unova, and it is similarly unique. Its rock-typing may be shared with a few other water Pokémon, but it does have a cool design as a big, wise turtle. It’s a defensive Pokémon and it has a better moveset for defense, but this one will be more all-purpose.
Rock Throw is better than Water Gun across the board, meaning it should be included with any set. However, Surf and Ancient Power both provide a different use. Ancient Power is great for defending gyms, but Surf is just solid in terms of DPS. Surf is the pick here, but think about how to use Carracosta before you dive in with it.
12 Seismitoad: Bubble & Earth Power
Seimitoad, the Vibration Pokémon, has incredible defensive typing and stats. Water/Ground is a combination that, while very weak to grass, can tank hits from many other types like a champ. As a defensive lead, Seismitoad isn’t a terrible option. Its best moveset utilizes both of its types with Bubble and Earth Power.
While Mud Shot is a faster attack, the energy gained by the two moves evens out and the extra type-coverage makes the difference in picking Bubble. Earth Power is a great attack that covers a number of types, including ones water can’t bust through. These two attacks combined make Seismitoad a force to be reckoned with.
11 Alomomola: Waterfall & Blizzard
Alomomola, the Caring Pokémon, doesn’t actually care about any of the attacks that hit it. Alomomola has a disgustingly high HP stat, rivaling even Wailord in terms of bulk. This makes it an excellent choice for a defensive Pokémon, although its movepool is somewhat limited.
Waterfall and Hydro Pump are clearly a solid combination, as stated before. For other options, though, Alomomola is also capable of using Psychic, which is an incredibly efficient move in terms of energy consumption. Blizzard isn’t terrible either and gives Alomomola the ability to break dragon-types. It really comes down to preference, but Blizzard’s coverage is too good to pass up.
10 Empoleon: Metal Claw & Hydro Cannon
Although Metal Claw isn’t exactly a water type move, it sets up Emp0leon’s main attack to become particularly powerful, if you can get an Elite TM.
With Metal Claw doing 13.7 DPS and Hydro Cannon doing a mega 56.8 DPS, you can become a force to be reckoned with. Both are wonderful attacks and compliment each other so well, with Metal Claw building up the energy for Hydro Cannon quickly so you can do mass damage a little more regularly.
9 Starmie: Water Gun & Psychic
Water Gun isn’t as powerful as Metal Claw but it is undeniable that Psychic attacks can cause some serious damage to almost any Pokémon.
Surprisingly, Water Gun is much better than the event move or the Elite TM that comes with Starmie. Nevertheless, 12 DPS is the best it can get. However, this all builds up to Psychic that does 38.6 DPS. Although that doesn’t sound as good as Empoleon’s main attack, it only uses up 17.9 energy per second, meaning you can use it more often and cause some havoc on the battleground.
8 Floatzel: Waterfall & Hydro Pump
What puts Floatzel above others is how powerful both of these moves can be. Especially when taking into consideration the 20% bonus you get by having the same move types.
Waterfall does 16 DPS and can quickly prepare for its main attack, Hydro Pump which can deal 47.2 DPS. Although this isn’t as strong as Hydro Cannon, it firstly isn’t an Elite TM, and secondly, its refresh rate means it ultimately does more damage to enemies.
7 Feraligatr: Ice Fang & Hydro Cannon
It should be mentioned that Ice Fang is not a water type move but it still compliments Hydro Cannon greatly.
With Ice Fang doing only 8 DPS, its main reason for being there is the amount of energy it builds up, 13.3 EPS. In building this up and getting an Elite TM, Hydro Cannon will do the work damage wise.
6 Gyarados: Waterfall & Hydro Pump
What sets Gyarados above Floatzel is the max CP and just the power of the Pokémon in general.
His max CP is 3,391 and as previously mentioned, Waterfall has a DPS of 16, which is better than Gyarados’ Elite TM or even moves. Hydro Pump is just a great move that can refresh quickly and do a lot of damage.
5 Swampert: Mud Shot & Hydro Cannon
Hydro Cannon has to be one, if not the most powerful water type main moves in Pokémon Go.
Mud Shot has a small 10 DPS but builds up to Hydro Cannons wonderful 56.8 DPS. It provides an average attack that will work against most opponents, ready for that Elite TM that will sweep them off the battleground.
4 Sharpedo: Waterfall & Hydro Pump
With a Max CP of only 2,181, it is difficult to see how this Pokémon can be effective, however with the same time attack bonus, he becomes a deadly fighter.
Waterfall has a DPS of 12 and Hydro Pump does 47.3 DPS. Surprisingly, these are his best attacks and do some impressive damage, although it is worth noting that the low CP can mean he’s pretty short-lived, despite doing some great damage.
3 Kyogre: Waterfall & Hydro Pump
It is rather surprising to see a legendary Pokémon that isn’t the most powerful. However, his slow moves and simplistic attacks put him lower than he should be, even with a max CP of 4,115.
Kyogre’s attacks fo the same DPS as Sharpedo and Gyarados but his wonderful CP and equally hard-hitting attacks make him a wonderfully varied Pokémon to work with, being great at attacks as well a defense.
2 Crawdaunt: Snarl & Crabhammer
Although Snarl is a dark-type move and does less damage than Crawdaunt’s other quick attack, Waterfall, the EPS just makes it ideal.
With Snarl doing 13.1 DPS, it builds up an EPS of 12.7, allowing the player to prepare Crawdaunt for Crabhammer. This main attack does a whopping 53.7 DPS. Meaning that if you want to destroy some fire-types, this is the Pokémon to do it. It can cause havoc.
1 Kingler: Bubble & Crabhammer
Bubble sounds like a tiny quick attack that does minimal damage, however, don’t be fooled by the nice-sounding name, this attack still does some good damage.
Bubble has a DPS of 12, as opposed to Crawdaunt’s 13.1, however it’s undeniable that Crabhammer is just an amazing water-type move. What puts Kingler above Crawdaunt is its max CP. With Kinglers reaching 2,829, as opposed to Crawdaunt’s 2,474. It may seem small but health and CP can make all the difference in a raid or battle.
NEXT: Pokémon: 10 Water-Types That Would Be Illegal In Real Life
