The Pokémon franchise has provided fans with emotional moments, as well as comedic ones featuring ice-cold moments of savagery that are often turned into memes. Those jokes aren’t the only ice-cold things in the series, as there’s an entire typing of Pokémon who embrace the low temps. These Ice-type Pokémon can come in handy given the right situation and can warm a trainer’s heart despite their connection to the chilly elements of nature. Let’s now take a look at and rank the best Ice-type Pokémon of every generation through Pokémon Sword & Shield.
8 Frosmoth (Gen 8)
The Pokémon franchise has seen its fair share of moths and butterflies, but Frosmoth manages to be unique enough to stand out on its own. When battling it focuses on the world of special attacks and defense as that’s where its strength lays. On top of its special defense stat being high, its hidden ability Ice Scales halves damage from all special attacks. It also happens to get a ton of bonus points since its base form Snom has quickly become a fan favorite. Frosmoth is simply elegant and frosty in the best of ways.
7 Crabominable (Gen 7)
Crabominable immediately makes its mark for a couple of reasons. First, the combination of Fighting and Ice-types is uncommon enough to catch trainers off guard. On top of that, most people wouldn’t expect an Ice-type Pokémon to call the paradise known as the Alolan Islands home.
When most think about islands they think tropical, but thanks to large mountains, cold environments exist on the Alolan Islands. Pairing its strong physical attack with the ability Iron Fist that powers punching moves, trainers can have an ice-cold fighter on their hands.
6 Avalugg (Gen 6)
The most commonly asked question about Avalugg isn’t if it’s good or not, it’s whether or not the Iceberg Pokémon is a turtle. This thing also happens to be a defensive powerhouse as it boasts one of the highest physical defense stats in the entire franchise. Everything has to be balanced though, so it also comes with a speed stat evoking the very icebergs it’s meant to be mimicking. Avalugg also seems like the perfect replacement table for people making ice cream working at Coldstone Creamery.
5 Bearctic (Gen 5)
Bearctic is an interesting case study in how a Pokémon can be super interesting and valuable or a complete miss depending on the type of Pokémon trainer you’re talking to. If you’re the type of trainer who loves setting up the battle arena with weather-inflicting moves and such, Bearctic is a dream come true.
For those who find that stuff frivolous and unnecessary, you might want to look for other Ice-types to round out your team. At the end of the day, it’s a polar bear Pokémon which is pretty cool in and of itself.
4 Mamoswine (Gen 4)
Evolutions added for Pokémon in a following or later generation are made to draw new interest into Pokémon with middling fandoms. By no means are Swinub and Piloswine bad Pokémon, but the addition of Mamoswine made the line way more desirable. What’s not to love about a giant pig mammoth Pokémon with a blue robber’s mask? The Twin Tusk Pokémon backs a mean wallop via its physical attack power and has a sturdy base of health. Its hidden ability Thick Fat also helps reduce its weakness to Fire-type moves.
3 Walrein (Gen 3)
Walrein is sadly an example of how a solid Pokémon can be overlooked partly due to retreaded typing, as well as retreaded design inspiration. Looking at its base stats reveals little to no weaknesses, with even its speed being passable for a creature weighing well over 300 pounds. You may be thinking about stacking a Walrein with powerful Ice and Water-type moves, but the best trainers will also give it the move Toxic. A vile attack that will come out of nowhere when attached to a giant icy walrus.
2 Sneasel (Gen 2)
Sneasel and Delibird are the only two Ice-types native to the Johto region, but thankfully Sneasel’s pretty enticing. The Sharp Claw Pokémon is extremely fast and uses this speed to overcome the lack of health and special attack it encompasses.
Its Inner Focus ability also makes it so Sneasel can’t flinch which can come in quite handy. Having access to both Ice and Dark-type moves allows it to acquire a solid move set. Just don’t send this thing in against a Fighting-type as it will be annihilated in mere seconds.
1 Lapras (Gen 1)
Lapras has always fallen into a weird place with fans as it’s always been a Pokémon people forget about, but the moment its brought up and refreshed in their brain they describe their fondness of it. Lapras managed to hit the holy trinity of usefulness in the original games as it was a dual-type, could learn numerous Hidden Machines, and was visually pleasing. It was one of the go-to Water-types for all of the kids who didn’t choose Squirtle as their starting Pokémon when they embarked on their journey.
NEXT: Pokémon: The Best Dragon-Type Pokémon Of Every Generation, Ranked
