Best Water-type attackers in Pokémon Go

Water-type Pokémon are just one of 18 different types in the world of Pokémon Go. Each has its own strengths, weaknesses and best Pokémon. Water is mostly known for having the largest and deepest pool. It's also one of the three starter elements that you start each game with, meaning there are some exceptional options to choose from when it comes to non-Legendary Pokémon.

As such, it's important to know the best Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go. Given that they are resistant to other Water-type Pokémon, as well as Ice, Fire and Steel, but super-effective against Fire, Ground and Rock-type Pokémon, this is a type you should keep an eye on. As always, some are worthy of your time, Candy and Stardust, and others are not.

So, to make life easy for everyone, I've split this page into multiple sections, including an overview of what Water-type Pokémon are, the best Legendary Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go and the best non-Legendary Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go, including a brief analysis of each.

On this page:

• Best Legendary Water-type Pokémon
• Best non-Legendary Water-type Pokémon
• What are Water-type Pokémon?

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Best Water-type Legendary Pokémon

With so many different Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go, it is getting incredibly difficult to know which ones you can rely on. Level for level, is a perfect Kyogre better than a perfect Palkia? How do the budget Starter options Greninja and Blastoise compare? Who is the best Water-type in Master League? As always, the strongest Pokémon depends on the situation, which is why our lists below come with a brief note for each Pokémon, telling you where and how it is useful.

It's worth noting at this point that this section is shorter than you'd normally see on these Best Pokémon pages. Water-types are so stacked that the real juice sits actually with the non-Legendaries...

As with our list of best Pokémon in Pokémon Go, we’re going to avoid focusing on Shadow Pokémon and Mega Pokémon. Including them would pretty much knock everything else out of this list. If you want to read more about either of those, you can check out our best Shadow Pokémon and best Mega Pokémon in Pokémon Go guides.

And finally, it's also worth adding that this is an editorialised list of Pokémon - it's not strictly the Pokémon that throw the biggest punches.

Here’s a breakdown of the best Water-type Legendary Pokémon:

Kyogre

• Kyogre types: Water
• Kyogre weaknesses: Electric and Grass
• Main use: Master League, Raids

Kyogre is the strongest Water-type Legendary in the game. As the deity of the sea, this should come as little surprise.

Its primal form was long the strongest in class, too, though this has recently been overtaken by Mega Greninja. Still, a raid can't be all Megas, and a good ol' fashioned Kyogre rounding out your team means you're going to pack a punch.

As far as Master League goes, Kyogre remains a staple of the format. Waterfall is excellent and Origin Pulse is a very strong move. Avalanche is there as anti-Dragon, anti-Fairy tech.

You can't really go wrong with Kyogre.

Volcanion

• Volcanion types: Fire/Water
• Volcanion weaknesses: Electric, Ground, and Rock
• Main use: Raids

Volcanion is one of those Mythics we forget has a second typing. While it is strictly better as a Fire-type, it is reasonable as a Water-type attacker.

But the point here really is that the second-best Legendary/mythic option by damage is simply ok, while being phenomenally expensive to max out. This speaks volumes as to why our next section, the best non-Legendary Water types, is so important. It's basically Feraligatr but without a weakness to Grass.

Origin Forme Palkia

• Origin Forme Palkia types: Water/Dragon
• Origin Forme Palkia weaknesses: Dragon and Fairy
• Main use: Master League, Raids, Adventure Effect

Palkia Origin is the final Water-type Legendary we want to talk about. First, it has the Adventure Effect Spacial Rend, which increases the distance at which you can encounter Pokémon. This is very helpful if you're really hunting a specific shiny during an event and want to maximise the amount of Pokémon on your screen.

On top of that, it's just an excellent attack. However, you'll likely note that it, alongside Dragon Breath, is a Dragon-type move. This flavour of Palkia has no Water-type Fast moves, reducing its effectiveness as a Water-type Raid attacker.

Which brings us to Master League, where Dragons roam. This Pokémon sits at the top of the meta, stomping a huge part of the meta. Its stats are gross, its moves are gross and it only has two weaknesses. At time of writing, it is the number-one Pokémon in the Master League.

The ever first Minior Shower is occuring this week! Want to know what's happening this month? Then take a look at the October schedule if you're already looking ahead. Don't forget to keep an eye out for both the rarest Pokémon and the best Pokémon in your travels.

Best Water-type non-Legendary Pokémon

As a rule of thumb, Legendary Pokémon are typically stronger than non-Legendary Pokémon. However, if things were that simple you wouldn’t be here.

Some pseudo-Legendries and even the odd regular Pokémon can go toe-to-toe with even the most famous Pokémon. Greninja is a fantastic example of this, with Mega Greninja outperforming an almost God-like titan, Primal Kyogre. When you take out the Megas and Shadows, only two of the top 10 strongest Water-types by damage alone are Legendary - Kyogre and Volcanion (which we know from above is much better as a Fire-type).

This speaks volumes as to how excellent the budget Water-type Pokémon are.

Again, this is an editorialised list of Pokémon, not simply those who have the biggest attack stats.

Here's a breakdown of the best Water-type non-Legendary Pokémon:

Greninja

• Greninja types: Water/Dark
• Greninja weaknesses: Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting and Grass
• Main use: Raid attacker, Mega Evolution

Mega Greninja is the strongest Water-type in the game, but its regular version is also worth a look, thanks to its excellent moveset. Water Shuriken is incredibly fast-charging and Hydro Cannon is, well, Hydro Cannon.

While this Pokémon lacks the bulk you'd need for it to excel in PVP, this combo is so fast it's actually worth considering in Great League, where low-bulk matters least. If you fancy taking it for a swing, add Brutal Swing as a second charged move and go to town. It'll help you with the likes of Sableye, Mimikyu, Corviknight and even the king of the meta, Melmetal.

Considering this is the final evolution of a start Pokémon, it's super easy to get and very cheap to max out. We're a big fan.

Swampert

• Swampert types: Water/Ground
• Swampert weaknesses: Grass (2x)
• Main use: Ultra League (but really PVP in general), Raids, Mega Evolution

There was a time when Swampert was the bane of PVP. It has fallen down the rankings in the intervening years, but it is still a phenomenal Pokémon. A single (albeit double) weakness to Grass makes this an extremely tough Pokémon. Interestingly, it's one of the few Pokémon you could seriously run in all three leagues and still command respect.

As far as Raids go, swapping to Water Gun with a Fast TM is enough to make Swampert a tank that hits like a truck. Is it the strongest option? No. Is it a strong option that doesn't fold like wet paper, like a bunch of the other Water starters? Absolutely.

To which, it's worth mentioning that Swampert is excellent at Gym defense. When was the last time you attacked a Gym using a Grass-type Pokémon? Exactly.

Primarina

• Primarina types: Water/Fairy
• Primarina weaknesses: Electric, Grass and Poison
• Main use: Ultra League, Master League

Fairy-type Pokémon are always worth noting. Fairy-type Starters are always worth considering. While Primarina looks terrible, it's actually very strong in the big leagues.

In Ultra League, this helps against the likes of Zygarde, Skeledirge and Giratina Altered, which are great to take down. But it's Master League where this really has an impact. Its lack of defense is a bit of a problem, so pair it with something that can take a hit if need be. Waterfall/Hydro Cannon will take down anything that doesn't like being wet, while Moonblast will give the Dragons a good scare.

Quagsire

• Quagsire types: Water/Ground
• Quagsire weaknesses: Grass (2x)
• Main use: Great League

Quagsire is like Swampert but with better stats for PVP. The Lagacy move Aqua Tail is key to your success though, so bear that in mind.

It hits hard and fast with good coverage moves, allowing it to hit almost everything in the meta for at least neutral damage. Melmetal and Tinkaton, which are both pretty scary in PVP, both take a beating here, as does Vigoroth. Just be aware that anything vaguely leafy will wreck your day!

Empoleon

• Empoleon types: Water/Steel
• Empoleon weaknesses: Electric, Fighting and Ground
• Main use: Ultra League

Oh look, another starter Pokémon with Hydro Cannon! You do surprise me...

Jokes aside, that is part of the reason Empoleon is the top Water-type in Ultra League. The other part is Metal Sound, which is very fast-charging, meaning you can spam the big moves quicker. Drill Peck is there for coverage. All in all, this Pokémon can take down the likes of Tinkaton, Florges, Corviknight, Mimikyu and a few other top-tier meta Pokémon.

What are Water-type Pokémon?

In order to save you from having to remember it, here's a breakdown of the Water-typing in Pokémon Go.

Water-type explained

• Type: Water
• Weak to: Electric and Grass
• Resistant to: Ice, Fire, Steel and Water
• Super effective against: Fire, Ground and Rock
• Not very effective against: Water, Grass, and Dragon
• Boosted by: Rainy weather

Good luck finding the most powerful Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go!