Pokemon: Every Water-Type Starter, Ranked  (2024)

When it comes to choosing a starter Pokemon, every trainer is different in how they like to approach things. Some base the decision on typing; others like to choose based on design. Some just choose at random and take things from there. Regardless of how and why, a choice is made all the same.

There have been some pretty solid Water-type starters over the years, and some are among the most iconic Pokemon in the series. As with anything else, it's possible to rank these Pokemon to get an idea of how good they are individually. So, here it is: every Water-type starter, ranked.

Updated August 4, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: Every Generation's Water Starter Pokemon has a unique design or niche that makes it special, but not all are equal. The crown of the best Water Starter Pokemon is hotly contested with every new title, but unique gimmicks and evolutions create an uneven playing field that gives certain starters an edge. With Scarlet & Violet's DLC now finished, let's take a look back at the best Water Starters.

9 Sobble

Evolutions: Drizzile & Inteleon

When the Galarian starters were first introduced, Sobble grabbed everyone's attention with its adorably sad design. However, its final evolution leaves a bit to be desired. It's fairly standard in-game with the same advantages and disadvantages as the other starters. What makes it interesting is its ability Sniper.

Combined with its powerful signature move Snipe Shot, Inteleon is a critical hit machine. If you use Focus Energy and equip it with a Scope Lens, that guarantees a critical hit every turn. But this takes a lot of setup, and Inteleon is incredibly frail, with 65 in both Defense and Special Defense. Even with this, there's no way Inteleon can hit as hard as Dracovish and Rapid Strike Urshifu.

8 Oshawott

Evolutions: Dewott & Samurott/Hisuian Samurott

Oshawott is the Unova Water-type starter and boasts adorable features, but it may not be the best choice for your party. Oshawott eventually evolves into the fearsome-looking Samurott. It's a pure Water-type, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's overshadowed by the other Unova starters.

You can get a better starter and a perfectly usable Water-type if you simply choose not to start your adventure off with Oshawott. And while the Hisuian form may be decent in Pokemon Legends: Arceus with an additional Dark-typing, there are still better options for strong Water types.

7 Totodile

Evolutions: Croconaw & Feraligatr

While Totodile became a fan favorite due to the anime, it wasn't that effective in the games. It didn't have an advantage over any specific trainer, and it functioned as a worse Gyarados. It had high Attack, decent Defense, and mediocre everything else, so it was never bad, just not great.

But time went on, and Feraligatr kept getting better and better. In Generation Five, Feraligatr got the awesome ability Sheer Force. On top of that, it got even better in Generation Six when it got Dragon Dance as an egg move. All of a sudden, Feraligatr became a vicious physical attacker.

6 Popplio

Evolutions: Brionne & Primarina

Next up is Popplio – another adorable-looking Water starter. This cute seal evolves into Primarina and gains another type: Fairy. It's a great pairing, as Fairy-typing is among the games' strongest types, and it perfectly matches Primarina's mermaid-like design. It helps when combined with its great Special Attack and Special Defense.

Among the nine different Kahunas and Elite Four members in generation seven, Primarina has an advantage against six of them. That's incredible. Add on Sparkling Aria, a Water-type move that can bypass Substitute, and you have a surprisingly dangerous Pokemon that'll catch your opponents unaware.

5 Squirtle

Evolutions: Wartortle & Blastoise

Just like every starter from the original games, Blastoise has gotten a lot of support over the years. Not only did it get an awesome Mega Evolution, but it also received a Gigantamax form. Both of these can be incredibly dangerous. While these are great, Blastoise has unfortunately been outshone by Venusaur and Charizard.

But there is a silver lining. Sword and Shield didn't just bring along that Gigantamax form. It also gave Blastoise Shell Smash, one of the best stat-boosting moves in the game. It works perfectly with Blastoise's stat distribution, focusing mostly on Defense and Special Defense. While Blastoise may still be in a Charizard-shaped shadow, it can more than hold its own.

4 Froakie

Evolutions: Frogadier & Greninja

When people think of overpowered starters, they think of Greninja. Not only is it fast and hits hard, but it also has two incredible hidden abilities. However, both of these were weakened in Scarlet & Violet. Instead of changing type with every attack, Protean now only does that once per switch-in.

And that's not the end of Greninja's woes. If you choose Froakie in either X or Y, you're going to have a very tough time. While Greninja has an advantage over three Gym Leaders and the Elite Four, there's an equal amount of Gym Leaders who can easily handle Greninja. That being said, Greninja is still an incredible sweeper you do not want to

underestimate.

3 Quaxly

Evolutions: Quaxwell & Quaquaval

Upon the introduction of Scarlet & Violet, fans immediately fell in love with the starters. While Sprigatito and Fuecoco became loved for their meme-worthy reasons, Quaxly took center stage with its pompadour haircut and resemblance to a certain Disney duck. What no one could suspect was its evolution into a brilliant dancer in Quaquaval.

Contrary to its avian appearance, Quaquaval is a Water/Fighting-type with decent Speed and a colossal Attack stat that only gets boosted by its hidden ability Moxie. On top of this, it can learn Flying-type moves so it can neutrally damage any Pokemon in the game. But what makes the Quaxly line great is its advantage over most of the main trainers you'll battle throughout the game. With all these benefits, it looks like the Quaxly line is doing Quax-well for itself.

2 Piplup

Evolutions: Prinplup & Empoleon

Coming surprisingly high on this list is Gen Four's Piplup. As always, most trainers are looking for just how useful its final evolution can be here. In the case of Empoleon, it's undoubtedly one of the best defensive Water-types out there.

Empoleon features the fantastic Water/Steel-type combination, which gives it a whopping ten resistances and an immunity making it an incredible support Pokemon in competitive play. While it has three weaknesses, it can easily handle any Ground-type Pokemon with its water attacks. And even though all three weaknesses are represented in the Sinnoh region, Empoleon is still bulky enough to hold its own. Empoleon is also a great fighter in Pokken Tournament. It's appropriate that Empoleon's a penguin because it's a king in its own right.

1 Mudkip

Evolutions: Marshtomp & Swampert

None of the Pokemon on this list are as consistent as Swampert. Mostly known for its bulk and incredible dual-typing that gives it only a single weakness, the Mudkip line is one of the best starters you can choose. It has an advantage over three Gyms and even more if you teach it an Ice-type move.

Swampert is slow, but its Speed is its only subpar stat, boasting high HP and Attack, with the rest of its stats being pretty solid. Its Mega Evolution puts it over the edge, though, and while it doesn't improve its Speed all too much, Swift Swim notwithstanding, everything else ends up being fantastic.