Water (type)
The Water type (Japanese: みずタイプ Water type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers who specialize in the Water type include Misty of Cerulean City, Juan of Sootopolis City, Wallace the current Champion of Hoenn, Crasher Wake of Pastoria City, Cress former Gym Leader of Striaton City, Marlon of Humilau City, and Siebold of the Kalos Elite Four. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all Water-type moves were special, but they may now also be physical depending on the attack.
Statistical averages
Overall
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Fully evolved
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Battle properties
Generation I
| Offensive | 
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Defensive | ||
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| Power | Types | Power | Types | |
| 2× |   
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½× | 
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| ½× |  
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2× | 
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| 0× | None | 0× | None | |
Generation II onwards
| Offensive |
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Defensive | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Types | Power | Types | |
| 2× |
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½× | 
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| ½× |
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2× |
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| 0× | None | 0× | None | |
Characteristics
Defense
Defensively, the Water type is very strong when combined with high defensive stats. As every Water type, with the exception of Magikarp (and Rotom in its Wash form), can use Ice-type moves to counter Grass types (although Magikarp can learn one Flying-type move, Bounce, which can also counter Grass types), Electric types are the only true threat to Water types. That is not the case if the Pokémon in question have Abilities or subtypes that neutralize or nullifies this weakness. Quagsire, Swampert, Whiscash, Gastrodon, and Seismitoad are all immune, via their secondary type, Ground. Others, such as the Lanturn evolutionary line (which are also immune if they have the ability Volt Absorb), the Ludicolo evolutionary line, and Palkia have subtypes that are resistant to Electric.
Water types often have the most balanced attributes, usually coming with decent Attack, Special Attack, and Defense stats, but below average Speed.
Offense
The Water type is also useful offensively. Water-type Pokémon can learn Ice Beam or Ice Punch to deal with Dragon and Grass types, which would make their resistance to Water-type attacks irrelevant. It can be extremely useful to be super-effective against Ground and Rock types when traveling through caves, etc. As a result of these advantages, as well as having to get through water routes using Surf, Waterfall, and even Whirlpool or Dive, most Trainers usually have at least one Water type in their party. Also, double weaknesses to Water are fairly common (largely due to the common Rock/Ground typing), while there are only six Pokémon that have a double resistance to Water (Kingdra, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Mega Sceptile, and Palkia), all but one of which are Water types themselves).
Contest properties
In Contests, Water-type moves are typically Beauty moves. But they can be from any other Contest type.
Pokémon
As of Generation VI, there are 124 Water-type Pokémon or 16.8% of all Pokémon (counting forms and Mega Evolutions that change typing as different Pokémon), making it the most common of the eighteen types.
Pure Water-type Pokémon
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Half Water-type Pokémon
Primary Water-type Pokémon
Secondary Water-type Pokémon
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Moves
| Gen | Move | Category | Contest | Power | Accuracy | PP | Range | Description | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | Aqua Jet | Physical | Beauty | 40 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user lunges at the target at a speed that makes it almost invisible. It is sure to strike first. | |||||||||
| IV | Aqua Ring | Status | Beauty | — | —% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user envelops itself in a veil made of water. It regains some HP on every turn. | |||||||||
| IV | Aqua Tail | Physical | Cute | 90 | 90% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks by swinging its tail as if it were a vicious wave in a raging storm. | |||||||||
| IV | Brine | Special | Smart | 65 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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If the target's HP is down to about half, this attack will hit with double the power. | |||||||||
| I | Bubble | Special | Cute | 40 | 100% | 30 (max 48) |
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A spray of countless bubbles is jetted at the opposing team. It may also lower the targets' Speed stats. | |||||||||
| I | Bubble Beam | Special | Beauty | 65 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
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A spray of bubbles is forcefully ejected at the opposing team. It may also lower their Speed stats. | |||||||||
| I | Clamp | Physical | Tough | 35 | 85% | 15 (max 24) |
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The target is clamped and squeezed by the user's very thick and sturdy shell for four to five turns. | |||||||||
| I | Crabhammer | Physical | Tough | 100 | 90% | 10 (max 16) |
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The target is hammered with a large pincer. Critical hits land more easily. | |||||||||
| III | Dive | Physical | Beauty | 80 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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Diving on the first turn, the user floats up and attacks on the second turn. It can be used to dive deep in the ocean. | |||||||||
| III | Hydro Cannon | Special | Beauty | 150 | 90% | 5 (max 8) |
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The target is hit with a watery blast. The user must rest on the next turn, however. | |||||||||
| I | Hydro Pump | Special | Beauty | 110 | 80% | 5 (max 8) |
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The target is blasted by a huge volume of water launched under great pressure. | |||||||||
| III | Muddy Water | Special | Tough | 90 | 85% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks by shooting muddy water at the opposing team. It may also lower the target's accuracy. | |||||||||
| II | Octazooka | Special | Tough | 65 | 85% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks by spraying ink in the target's face or eyes. It may also lower the target's accuracy. | |||||||||
| VI | Origin Pulse | Special | Beauty | 110 | 85% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user attacks opposing Pokémon with countless beams of light that glow a deep and brilliant blue. | |||||||||
| II | Rain Dance | Status | Tough | — | —% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user summons a heavy rain that falls for five turns, powering up Water-type moves. | |||||||||
| V | Razor Shell | Physical | Cool | 75 | 95% | 10 (max 16) |
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The user cuts its target with sharp shells. This attack may also lower the target's Defense stat. | |||||||||
| V | Scald | Special | Tough | 80 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user shoots boiling hot water at its target. It may also leave the target with a burn. | |||||||||
| VI | Steam Eruption | Special | 110 | 95% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user immerses the target in superheated steam. This may also leave the target with a burn. | ||||||||||
| V | Soak | Status | Cute | — | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user shoots a torrent of water at the target and changes the target's type to Water. | |||||||||
| I | Surf | Special | Beauty | 90 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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It swamps the area around the user with a giant wave. It can also be used for crossing water. | |||||||||
| I | Water Gun | Special | Cute | 40 | 100% | 25 (max 40) |
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The target is blasted with a forceful shot of water. | |||||||||
| V | Water Pledge | Special | Beauty | 80 | 100% | 10 (max 16) |
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A column of water strikes the target. When combined with its fire equivalent, the damage increases and a rainbow appears. | |||||||||
| III | Water Pulse | Special | Beauty | 60 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user attacks the target with a pulsing blast of water. It may also confuse the target. | |||||||||
| VI | Water Shuriken | Physical | Cool | 15 | 100% | 20 (max 32) |
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The user hits the target with throwing stars two to five times in a row. This move always goes first. | |||||||||
| III | Water Sport | Status | Cute | — | —% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user soaks itself with water. The move weakens Fire-type moves while the user is in the battle. | |||||||||
| III | Water Spout | Special | Beauty | 150 | 100% | 5 (max 8) |
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The user spouts water to damage the opposing team. The lower the user's HP, the less powerful it becomes. | |||||||||
| I | Waterfall | Physical | Tough | 80 | 100% | 15 (max 24) |
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The user charges at the target and may make it flinch. It can also be used to climb a waterfall. | |||||||||
| II | Whirlpool | Special | Beauty | 35 | 85% | 15 (max 24) |
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Traps foes in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns. | |||||||||
| I | Withdraw | Status | Cute | — | —% | 40 (max 64) |
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The user withdraws its body into its hard shell, raising its Defense stat. | |||||||||
| All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left. | |||||||||||||||||
Abilities
Interacting with Water-type
When it is raining, Forecast will transform the user into Water-type. User of Color Change will be changed into Water-type after it is hit with a Water-type move. Protean will change its user into Water-type when it uses a Water-type move. When a Pokémon with Multitype holds a Splash Plate, it will become a Water-type Pokémon. When a Pokémon with Imposter is sent out and its opposite opponent is Water-type, it will transform into that Pokémon and turn into Water-type.
| Gen | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IV | Dry Skin | Reduces HP if it is hot. Water restores HP. |
| IV | Storm Drain | The Pokémon draws in all Water-type moves to boost its Sp. Atk stat. |
| III | Torrent | Powers up Water-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble. |
| III | Water Absorb | Restores HP if hit by a Water-type move. |
| All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page. | ||
Exclusive Abilities
Only Water-type Pokémon can have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.
| Gen | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| III | Drizzle | The Pokémon makes it rain when it enters a battle. |
| VI | Mega Launcher | Powers up aura and pulse moves. |
| III | Rain Dish | The Pokémon gradually recovers HP in rain. |
| III | Torrent | Powers up Water-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble. |
| III | Water Veil | Prevents the Pokémon from getting a burn. |
| All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page. | ||
Trivia
- Generation I introduced the most Water-type Pokémon of any generation, with 32, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Water-type Pokémon, with eight.
- Generation I introduced the most Water-type moves of any generation, with nine, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Water-type moves, with two.
- Every generation has introduced at least one Water-type Pokémon whose name begins with S.
- Water-type moves are tied with the Dragon type for having the most held items that boost their power: Sea Incense, Wave Incense, Splash Plate, Mystic Water, Water Gem, and the Lustrous Orb.
- The Water type has the most Gym Leaders of its type, with a total of six.
- The Water type is the only main series starter type that does not have a variation of Double-Edge: Fire has Flare Blitz, Grass has Wood Hammer, and Electric has Volt Tackle.
- Conversely, it is the only main series starter type with a variation of Quick Attack (Aqua Jet).
- Water and Flying are the only types that have been paired with every other type at least once.
In other languages
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