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Water Pokemon are the most numerous type in the franchise, so many in fact that a high percentage of them hardly get noticed for their true worth by most people. This is especially the case in the competitive battling scene. However, going unnoticed does not translate to weak or useless. There are quite a few hidden gems among the depths when it comes to water Pokemon.
10 Araquanid
Bug Pokemon are usually good leads because of their access to U-Turn and high average speed, among other traits, but Araquanid is a bit odd for this type. It has stats more like other Water-types, though with access to tricky and versatile Bug-type moves that make it a difficult challenge for opponents.
Sticky Web can give trainers an early advantage. With Liquidation, Araquanid can then crack the armor of the opposing Pokemon and siphon their health with Leech Life. With decent defensive stats and passable attack, this spider is one whose web trainers don’t want to step in.
9 Cloyster
This bivalve’s most visually significant trait is its shell, and for good reason. Cloyster boasts one of the highest physical defense stats of any in the series. That is until they demonstrate how monstrous they can be as a sweeper.
If an opponent is foolish enough to let a Cloyster use Shell Smash to buff their attack and speed stats, it could lead to many knockouts. This stat shift in addition to Skill Link allows Cloyster to be an ever-present threat who makes great use of their niche.
8 Crawdaunt
In regards to offensive and defensive effectiveness, Water-types are in the middle of the road. They are only weak to grass and electric attacks, though do middling damage against most other times. Crawdaunt is one Pokemon that takes advantage of this average damage output across the board.
Crawdaunt’s ability, Adaptability, allow it to do even more damage with its water attacks, stacking with the same-type attack bonus. Since there are only a few Pokemon that are immune to water attacks, this assures decent damage against almost any foe. If Crawdaunt unleashes a lucky Crabhammer, it could KO nearly any opponent with a critical hit.
7 Rotom-Wash
In the right hands, a seemingly possessed washing machine can turn into a poltergeist of an opponent. With great defenses and a high special attack stat, Rotom-Wash is a versatile part of any team. The only form of attack that can hurt this Pokemon is a grass move, though even then they have the bulk to tank a hit or two.
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Rotom-Wash has Will-O-Wisp to cripple foes and Pain Split to increase its longevity. Furthermore, Volt Switch makes Rotom-Wash one of the best pivots.
6 Sharpedo
This swift demon of the seas can rend foes asunder before they have a chance to blink. Speed Boost combined with Protect can grant Sharpedo an undeniable edge in beating the foe to the punch.
A high attack stat paired with water and dark attacks can fell most enemy Pokemon in one or two turns. If things are getting dicey and they begin to run low on HP, Sharpedo can always use Flip-Turn for an almost guaranteed escape.
5 Suicune
One would not expect this majestic and beautiful creature to be a veritable wall, but that’s usually the last thing someone thinks before realizing that they have no way to crack this nut and it keeps getting stronger with each passing turn.
With huge defensive stats and a massive pool of HP, Suicune can take any and all blows that are thrown its way. This allows Suicune’s Calm Mind to buff its special defense and special attack with impunity before boiling foes with Scald.
4 Tentacruel
Usually, Water-type Pokemon would be hard-countered by a Grass-type, but Tentacruel flips this notion on its head. Being part Poison-type, it can soak up a grass attack or two while dealing super effective damage in return.
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If an opponent tries to widdle Tentacruel down with a Leech Seed, this cephalopod’s Liquid Ooze ability will make its foe regret it with lost HP instead of healing.
3 Kingdra
This dragon of the deep has decent all-around stats, which makes Kingdra quite versatile. Rain Dance will not only boost its water power but activate it Swift Swim ability for high damage attacks that approach before the foe expects them to.
Alternatively, if one chooses to use a Kindra with Sniper as an ability, a trainer can give them an item and moves that boost the chance of landing a critical hit. When stacked, they can give this wyrm of the waves guaranteed critical attacks.
2 Mantine
This cheerful-looking aquatic fellow is not very threatening when compared to other Water/Flying dual-types like Gyarados. Though, Mantine doesn’t have to be because it has incredible longevity against all foes save for Electric and Rock-types.
They can stay in battle for a while because they have a few healing moves like Aqua Ring and Roost, plus great utility moves like Haze. With counter-attack options involving status moves such as Toxic and Confuse Ray, Mantine can widdle down unprepared foes.
1 Quagsire
With a permanently dopey expression, Quagsire does not seem like the fiercest of foes; however, this is exactly what makes it so strong. Quagsire’s ability, the appropriately named Unaware, allows it to ignore a foe’s offensive buffs.
With immunity to the usually fatal electric attacks due to Quagsire’s partial Ground-typing, only a powerful grass attack can harm this Pokemon. Though, due to being so tanky, Quagsire can live through many attacks long enough to use Recover for increased longevity or even earn a free heal if it knows Water Absorb.
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