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Many players haven’t kept up with Pokemon since the early generations, but have recently gotten back into the franchise with Sword and Shield.
These players, unfortunately, have missed many generations of awesome Water-type Pokemon. That’s why I decided to put together this article detailing the best Water-type Pokemon of every generation from 1 to 8.
How Many Water Type Pokémon are there?
Currently, there are 146 Water Type Pokemon, going up to Generation 8 (Sword & Shield). However, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are released in late 2022 so this number will change very soon.
Gen 1 WaterType Pokémon: Red, Blue, Yellow
1. Gyarados
Gyarados is iconic, and one of the scariest-looking of all Water-type Pokemon. My personal favorite aspect of Gyarados is that it evolves from Magikarp. For me, this evolution line is the epitome of what Pokemon evolutions are supposed to be.
2. Lapras
Lapras is another fan favorite. Everybody remembers Ash riding on Lapras during the anime and if you’re like me you always imagined you were riding on one during the games.
3. Vaporeon
If I didn’t put the Water-type Eeveelution on here, I’m sure it would’ve ruffled more than a few feathers. Vaporeon looks awesome and is always a great addition to a team lacking a Water-type Pokemon.
4. Blastoise
I tried not to overload this list with Starter Pokemon and even considered excluding them altogether. However, how am I supposed to keep Blastoise off of a list of great Water-type Pokemon?
Blastoise maybe my favorite Water-type of all time. He looks absolutely BA and is extremely powerful, as far as competitive Pokemon goes, so he tops the Gen 1 list.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 2): Gold, Silver, Crystal
1. Azumarill
Gen 2 didn’t have many new Water-type Pokemon, but at least we got Azumarill. Azumarill is, quite frankly, adorable.
Known as the Aqua Rabbit, Azumarill isn’t the kind of Pokemon I’d keep on my team, but it is the kind that I would train for a Poke Contest in Gen 3.
2. Feraligatr
Feraligatr has the same strength as Blastoise. It starts out as a cute, squishy little Totodile and evolves into a fierce monster that looks like it could eat us in one bite.
Every time I play through Heart Gold I have an internal struggle between Totodile and Cyndaquil because I love both of their final evolutions.
I hope to see Feraligatr utilized more in our modern games, like how Cyndaquil made it to Arceus.
3. Suicune
Suicune is the first legendary Water Type Pokemon and a prominent member of the Legendary Beast Trio along with Entei and Raikou.
The beast trio doesn’t get enough love, as is, but Suicune specifically is criminally underrated.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 3): Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
1. Wailord
Wailord was the reigning heavy-weight Champion in all of Pokemon up until Generation 8. Now it sits as the 2nd largest Pokemon in the franchise.
I like Wailord because it’s a simple Pokemon and a fantastic example of how less is more. It’s also one of the most fun Pokemon to take pictures of in New Pokemon Snap.
2. Milotic
Milotic is very pretty, and I do not need to justify its position on the list! I like having parties full of diverse-looking Pokemon, so Milotic almost always has a spot when I can get my hands on a Feebas.
I also really enjoy the lore of evolving an ugly Feebas into a Milotic by raising its Beautiful condition high enough.
3. Kyogre
I’ve always played Ruby, so I haven’t had much experience capturing or using Kyogre. However, Kyogre’s shiny form is sick, and its Amazing Rare Pokemon Card is also top-notch so this legendary is cool with me.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 4): Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1. Bibarel
One thing I love about Bibarel is how Bidoof is a plain old Normal type Pokemon. Then it evolves into a big boofy Bibarel, which is a Normal / Water-type Pokemon.
I was never a fan of Bibarel, but Arceus has made it one of my favorite Gen 4 Water types. It’s just so tanky and derpy looking, I couldn’t help but keep it on my team throughout the entire game.
2. Empoleon
There are not enough Penguin Pokemon and everyone hates Delibird, so I needed to put Empoleon on the list.
As far as Gen 4 Water-types go, Empoleon is not only one of the best designed, but one of the most powerful.
3. Palkia
I’ll be honest and say that I love Pokemon Diamond since that’s the one I played when I was a kid. However, I will submit that Palkia is the cooler of the two Legendaries.
I was actually pleasantly surprised to find out that Palkia is a Water-type Pokemon.
While you likely won’t be using Palkia if you’re not playing the Gen 4 remakes, if you need a Water Type legendary, Palkia is the way to go.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 5): Black & White
1. Seismitoad
Gen 5 is around when I stopped playing, so I’ve never gotten the chance to try out Sesmitoad. However, its appearance caught my attention immediately.
Seismitoad is a Ground / Water-type Pokemon, with pretty cool lore since it’s the Vibration Pokemon.
2. Carracosta
Carracosta is another beefy Pokemon. I’m a sucker for Turtle Pokemon like Carracosta so I was pretty excited when I saw it on the Gen 5 Water-type Pokemon list.
Carracosta is a Rock / Water-type Pokemon, which makes it a strong contender against Seismitoad.
3. Ducklett
Gen 5 started off with two big beefy Water Type Pokemon, but it’s going to end with this adorable Duck Pokemon.
Ducklett is just a little cutie and deserves to top this list. Not because of the size of its arms, but because of the size of its heart.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 6): X & Y
1. Volcanion
Volcanion is the only Fire and Water-type Pokemon in existence. This means Volcanion has one of the coolest combinations of all Water Type Pokemon.
Volcanion is a Mythical Pokemon as well, adding another layer to its awesomeness.
2. Greninja
I didn’t play Gen 6 either, however, I fell in love with Greninja through Pokemon Unite. I’ve also seen Greninja listed as one of the best Starter Pokemon in many tier list videos and I have to agree.
Ninjas are awesome, so why wouldn’t a Ninja Pokemon be awesome? Greninja also has a sick Shiny Form which makes it completely black, playing into its ninja roots.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 7): Sun & Moon
1. Popplio
I’m not the biggest fan of Popplio’s final evolution. However, its first evolution is one of my favorite Water starters of all time.
Rowlet is still my favorite Gen 7 starter, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Gamefreak utilize Popplio a little more.
2. Bruxish
Bruxish is one of my favorite Fish Pokemon. Bruxish may seem a bit ugly but I think it looks fierce and love its colors.
I’m not sure how competitively viable Bruxish is, and I’m not the biggest fan of Fish Pokemon. But if I had to take one, Bruxish is probably the one I’d choose.
3. Golisopod
Out of All Water-type Pokemon, Golisopod may look the least like a Water Type. Golisopod looks sort of like a mini Palkia, which is cool in and of itself.
Golisopod is also a Bug-type Pokemon, giving it an incredibly unique typing.
There are not many Bug Type Pokemon I’d consider taking in my party, but I’d go out of my way to use a Golisopod.
Water Type Pokémon (Gen 8): Sword & Shield
1. Cramorant
Cramorant is an internet favorite. It has the derpiest eyes of all Water-type Pokemon. It also gorges itself on occasionally, which I find absolutely hilarious.
I haven’t used Cramorant in Sword and Shield yet, but I’ve played it quite a bit in Pokemon Unite and have fallen in love.
I’ve been thinking about restarting S&S sometime, and when I do I’m going to catch a Cramorant ASAP.
2. Drednaw
It’s nice to see Pokemon return to its beefy Water-type roots. Drednaw looks a lot like a water-type Torterra, which makes me want to create a team using both.
I also really like Chewtle and think that this evolution line is one of the most well-designed in all of Pokemon.
3. Inteleon
It’s hard to like Greninja without liking Inteleon. Inteleon’s whole theme is being a secret agent, James Bond-esque Pokemon.
My one complaint with Inteleon is that its shiny form is pink instead of black, like Greninja.
However it still might be my favorite starter of Gen 8, and a fantastic way to finish this list of Water-type Pokemon.
And that concludes our list of the best Water-type pokemon of every generation.
Meanwhile, you’ll find our list of the best shiny pokemon of every generation and the 10 best fish pokemon that don’t suck very interesting. Do check them out.
Also, check the pokemon memes that we have curated here in this guide.
