Water-type Pokémon are one of the most varied groups in the Pokémon series, ranging from powerful attackers to defensive team members and fast support Pokémon. They are especially effective against Fire, Ground and Rock-type opponents, while Grass and Electric-type attacks are their main weaknesses.
Use the complete Water-type Pokémon profile below to explore Water-type strengths, weaknesses, resistances and the full list of Pokémon that belong to this type.
Water-Type Pokémon Profile
Water type
WATERSuper effective against
Not very effective against
Weak to
Resists
Pokémon of this type
192 imported Pokémon and 49 imported moves reference this type.
What Are Water-Type Pokémon Weak Against?
Pure Water-type Pokémon are weak against two attacking types:
- Grass
- Electric
Moves belonging to these types are normally super effective against Water-type Pokémon and deal increased damage.
Electric-type attacks are a particularly common threat because moves such as Thunderbolt and Volt Switch are frequently used for battle coverage. Grass-type attacks can also be dangerous, especially when facing Water and Ground-type Pokémon that may have a 4× weakness to Grass.
A Water Pokémon with a second type may have different weaknesses. Its additional type can remove one of the standard Water weaknesses, introduce new weaknesses or cause it to take even more damage from a particular type.
What Are Water-Type Pokémon Strong Against?
Water-type moves are super effective against:
- Fire-type Pokémon
- Ground-type Pokémon
- Rock-type Pokémon
This makes Water-type attacks valuable against several common and powerful opponents.
Water is particularly useful against Pokémon that combine two of these weaknesses. A Pokémon that is both Ground and Rock-type, for example, may take 4× type-effectiveness damage from a Water-type move.
However, the defending Pokémon’s complete typing must always be checked. Its second type may resist Water and reduce a normally super-effective matchup to neutral damage.
What Types Resist Water-Type Moves?
Water-type moves are not very effective against:
- Water
- Grass
- Dragon
These types resist Water-type damage, meaning Water attacks will normally deal less damage than usual.
Grass-type Pokémon can be especially troublesome for Water Pokémon because they resist Water moves while also being able to attack Water types for super-effective damage.
Coverage moves can help a Water-type Pokémon deal with resistant opponents. Ice-type moves are commonly used against Grass and Dragon Pokémon, while Poison, Flying or Bug-type attacks can also help against certain Grass-type opponents.
What Types Do Water Pokémon Resist?
Pure Water-type Pokémon resist attacks from:
- Fire
- Water
- Ice
- Steel
These resistances give Water Pokémon useful opportunities to enter battle against attacks that might threaten other members of the team.
Resistance to Fire and Ice can be particularly valuable because both are commonly used attacking types. Water Pokémon can also provide a defensive answer to Steel-type moves.
The usefulness of these resistances depends on the Pokémon’s defensive stats, Ability and secondary type. Not every Water Pokémon is designed to absorb attacks, even when it resists the move being used.
Are Water-Type Pokémon Good?
Water-type Pokémon are often considered dependable team members because they have relatively few weaknesses and access to a wide selection of moves.
Their main advantages include:
- Only two standard weaknesses
- Super-effective damage against Fire, Ground and Rock
- Resistance to four attacking types
- A large and varied selection of Pokémon
- Access to physical and special Water-type attacks
- Useful coverage moves
- Strong performance during rain
- Access to healing, support and status moves
Water-type Pokémon can fill almost every role on a team. Some are fast offensive attackers, while others specialise in defence, recovery, weather support or disrupting opponents.
Their Grass and Electric weaknesses still need to be considered. A balanced team should include Pokémon capable of safely handling these attacks.
Water-Type Pokémon in Battle
Water-type Pokémon can be used as attackers, defensive walls, setup sweepers or support Pokémon.
Many Water Pokémon have access to moves from several other types, giving them good coverage against opponents that resist Water. Ice-type coverage is especially common and can help threaten Grass and Dragon-type Pokémon.
When choosing a Water-type Pokémon, consider:
- Its physical and special attacking stats
- Its defensive stats
- Its Speed
- Its secondary type
- Its Ability
- Its available coverage moves
- Whether it benefits from rain
- How the rest of the team handles Grass and Electric attacks
Grass, Dragon and Electric-type teammates may help resist Electric attacks, while Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug and Steel Pokémon can provide answers to opposing Grass types.
Ground-type Pokémon are also useful partners because they are immune to standard Electric-type attacks.
Pure Water-Type and Dual-Type Pokémon
Pure Water-type Pokémon follow the standard Water strengths, weaknesses and resistances.
Dual-type Water Pokémon combine Water with another type, which can significantly alter their defensive matchups.
For example, Water and Ground-type Pokémon are immune to Electric-type attacks because of their Ground typing. However, both Water and Ground are weak to Grass, giving the Pokémon a 4× weakness to Grass-type moves.
Water and Flying-type Pokémon gain an immunity to Ground attacks, but become especially vulnerable to Electric-type moves.
A second type can therefore remove a weakness while strengthening another. Always check both types before deciding which attack will be most effective.
Best Moves for Water-Type Pokémon
The best Water-type move depends on the Pokémon’s stats, Ability and the battle format.
Common Water-type attacks include:
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Liquidation
- Scald
- Water Pulse
- Aqua Tail
- Wave Crash
- Hydro Cannon
Special attackers may prefer moves such as Surf or Hydro Pump, while physical attackers can make better use of Waterfall, Liquidation or Wave Crash.
Hydro Pump offers high power but lower accuracy, while Surf is generally a more reliable option. Aqua Jet has lower power but increased priority, allowing its user to attack before many faster opponents.
Some Water-type moves also provide additional effects. Depending on the move and game, these may include lowering stats, causing confusion or inflicting a status condition.
Water-Type Pokémon and Rain
Rain increases the power of Water-type moves and reduces the power of Fire-type attacks.
This makes Water Pokémon more threatening on teams built around rainy weather. Certain Water-type Pokémon also have Abilities that increase their Speed, restore health or activate another benefit while rain is active.
Rain teams may use powerful Water attacks to overwhelm opponents, particularly when the attacking Pokémon also receives Same-Type Attack Bonus.
Harsh sunlight normally has the opposite effect, reducing the power of Water-type moves while strengthening Fire-type attacks.
Weather mechanics and exact damage modifiers can vary between Pokémon games, so players should check the rules of the game or battle format they are using.
Special Water-Type Matchups
Although Water Pokémon are normally weak only to Grass and Electric attacks, certain moves and Abilities can change the expected matchup.
Freeze-Dry is an Ice-type move with a special property that allows it to deal super-effective damage against Water-type Pokémon. This means a Water Pokémon may be weak to Freeze-Dry even though Water normally resists Ice-type attacks.
Abilities can also change how Water moves behave. Some Pokémon may absorb Water-type attacks, restore health when hit by them or receive a stat increase instead of taking damage.
These special cases are not represented by the standard type chart because they depend on the particular move, Ability or battle effect involved.
Water-Type Pokémon FAQ
What is Water-type weak against?
Pure Water-type Pokémon are weak against Grass and Electric-type attacks.
What is super effective against Water Pokémon?
Grass and Electric-type moves are super effective against pure Water-type Pokémon.
What are Water-type moves super effective against?
Water-type moves are super effective against Fire, Ground and Rock-type Pokémon.
What types resist Water-type moves?
Water, Grass and Dragon-type Pokémon resist standard Water-type attacks.
What types do Water Pokémon resist?
Pure Water-type Pokémon resist Fire, Water, Ice and Steel-type moves.
Are Water Pokémon weak to Ice?
No. Pure Water-type Pokémon resist Ice-type moves. However, the move Freeze-Dry is a special exception and is super effective against Water-type Pokémon.
Are Water Pokémon weak to Poison?
No. Poison-type moves deal neutral damage to a pure Water-type Pokémon. A secondary type may change the final matchup.
Are Water Pokémon weak to Fire?
No. Water-type Pokémon resist Fire-type moves, while Water-type attacks are super effective against Fire Pokémon.
Does every Water-type Pokémon have the same weaknesses?
No. Pure Water Pokémon share the standard Grass and Electric weaknesses, but a second type can add, remove or intensify weaknesses and resistances.
Is Water a good defensive type?
Water can be a strong defensive type because it has only two standard weaknesses and four resistances. However, a Pokémon’s stats, Ability, secondary type and available recovery moves determine how defensively reliable it actually is.
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