Best Ice Type Pokemon

Picking the best Ice type Pokemon means weighing a strong attack against a weak defense. Ice type Pokemon hit Flying, Ground, Grass and Dragon for double damage, but the only type they resist is Ice itself.

The type also holds more marine mammals than you might expect. Three of the 15 below are based on seals or a walrus, and one of those is mostly a ball. (We feel seen by the ball.)

This list ranks 15 of the 48 Ice type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Ice type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Ice Type Pokemon

#15

Vanilluxe

Vanilluxe is based on a soft serve ice cream in a cone, with snow for the scoops and ice for the waffle cone. Its double-scoop look and head appendage resemble a double 99 Flake, with the chocolate bar swapped for a rolled wafer. It may also be a visual pun on cold-hearted, since its silhouette resembles a frozen cartoon heart. Its Pokedex entry says people believe it formed when two Vanillish stuck together, and its body temperature is roughly 21 degrees Fahrenheit. (We have also become one larger thing by merging with a second dessert.)

Vanillish evolves into it at level 47. Its Special Attack, which powers special moves like Ice Beam, is 110. Every Pokemon has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Vanilluxe's Snow Warning summons hail the moment it enters battle (hail is a weather that chips at any Pokemon that is not Ice type). Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Weak Armor, raises its Speed and lowers its Defense one stage each time a physical move hits it.

Its fans are loyal, and at least one is tired of seeing its design called uncreative.

#14

Spheal

Spheal appears to be based on an eared seal and a ball. Sealeo, its evolution, balances and rolls Spheal on its nose, which may be a reference to the common trick sea lions perform with balls. Its category is Clap Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it prefers living on drift ice, where fewer predators lurk, and that its fur retains heat superbly. (Being used as a ball by your own evolution is a family dynamic we will not be unpacking here.)

It evolves into Sealeo at level 32. Its base stat total of 290 is the second lowest on this list, and its Speed is 25 (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn). Its ability Thick Fat halves the damage it takes from Fire and Ice moves, and its hidden ability, Oblivious, makes it immune to infatuation (a status that can stop it from attacking).

#13

Dewgong

Dewgong may be based on earless seals, particularly harp seal pups, given its white fur and icy home. Its long white body is similar to a beluga whale, its horn may be inspired by a narwhal and its tusks by a walrus. Its category is Sea Lion Pokemon all the same. Its Pokedex entry says its entire body is a snowy white and that even intense cold leaves it unharmed. (Three Arctic animals in one body and they still named it after a fourth.)

Seel evolves into it at level 34. Its HP is 90 and its Special Defense, which blunts special attacks, is 95. Its abilities are Thick Fat and Hydration, which cures a major status ailment such as a burn or poison at the end of each turn in rain. Its hidden ability is Ice Body, which heals it a little each turn during hail.

#12

Sneasel

Sneasel appears to be based on a cross between a kamaitachi and a cat. Its feline side may come from the cat-sìth, a black cat fae often drawn in swashbuckling Puss in Boots fashion in Japanese media. Its Pokedex entry says its curved claws are ideal for climbing steep cliffs, and from their tips drips a venom that gets into the nerves of any prey it catches. (Nature built a cat that climbs cliffs and carries poison. We have notes.)

It evolves into Weavile when it levels up at night while holding a Razor Claw. Its Speed of 115 is second only to Weavile on this list, and its Attack is 95. Its ability Inner Focus stops it from flinching, and its hidden ability, Pickpocket, steals the held item of any Pokemon that touches it.

For a first-stage Pokemon it gets plenty of love, with a few players naming it their favorite Ice type.

#11

Snom

Snom may be based on a jewel caterpillar, and it may also draw on the larvae of Arctic moths in the Gynaephora genus. Its Pokedex entry says it eats snow that piles up on the ground, and the more snow it eats, the bigger and more impressive the spikes on its back grow. It stands 0.3 m tall and weighs 3.8 kg. (We eat snow too. Nothing grows. We have checked.)

It evolves into Frosmoth when it levels up at night with high friendship. Its base stat total of 185 is the lowest on this list by more than 100, which makes it the only Pokemon here whose case rests on charm. Its ability, Shield Dust, protects it from the extra effects of incoming moves. Its hidden ability, Ice Scales, halves the damage it takes from special moves.

#10

Cloyster

Cloyster appears to be based on a bivalve of the genus Spondylus, with a black pearl as its head. Its Pokedex entry says that once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength. (We approach Monday mornings with the same policy.)

Shellder evolves into it with a Water Stone, an evolution item. Its Defense of 180 is the highest on this list by a wide margin, though its Special Defense is 45. Its ability Skill Link makes moves that strike two to five times always land all five hits. Its other ability, Shell Armor, protects it from critical hits (hits that deal extra damage), and its hidden ability, Overcoat, keeps weather from damaging it.

It rarely gets named alone and usually turns up in the same breath as Lapras.

Kyurem

Kyurem and its counterparts, Reshiram and Zekrom, are based on yin and yang in Taoism, and Kyurem stands for wuji, the absence of both. Its Ice type may allude to the absence of energy and the idea of absolute zero, while its rock-like body and its arrival on Earth like a meteor point to comets, which are largely made of ice. Its Pokedex entry says it uses its powers over ice to freeze its own body in order to stabilize its cellular structure. (We also freeze up to hold ourselves together. Mostly at parties.)

It is one of two legendary Pokemon on this list, and its base stat total of 660 is the highest of the 15. Its HP is 125, and its Attack and Special Attack are both 130. Its only ability, Pressure, makes any move that targets it cost one extra PP (PP is how many times a move can be used).

Glalie

Glalie appears to be based on human features, like the face of a cold, distant person, and it also looks somewhat like an ice hockey mask. Its horns and teeth suggest an oni, and its Japanese name points to onigiri, a rice ball. It also resembles a hailstone. Its Pokedex entry says it covers its body with an armor of ice harder than steel and devours frozen prey as if they were frozen desserts. (A floating head that treats lunch as ice cream. We respect the commitment.)

Snorunt evolves into it at level 42. All six of its stats are 80. Its hidden ability, Moody, raises a random stat two stages and lowers another one stage after each turn (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle).

Glalie gets named as a favorite or even the best Ice type, and one player has loved it since Ash's Snorunt evolved in the anime.

Walrein

Walrein appears to be based on a walrus. Its body shape, blue coloring and fluffy white fur are reminiscent of a breaking wave, and the rings around its neck may come from the ribbon seal. Its Pokedex entry says its thick tusks are strong enough to shatter drift ice, and that when they break, they grow back by the next year. (Our teeth do not offer this service. We have asked.)

Sealeo evolves into it at level 44. Its HP is 110 and its Special Attack is 95. Its abilities are Thick Fat and Ice Body, and its hidden ability is Oblivious. It is the final form of Spheal, which also makes this list at number 14.

It gets picked as a favorite Ice type in its own right, and sometimes as the whole Spheal line at once.

Froslass

Froslass is most likely based on Yuki-onna, a female ice spirit of Japanese folklore. Its body shape resembles a kokeshi doll, and its red sash makes it look as if it wears a kimono. Its Pokedex entry says it is inhabited by the soul of a woman who died bearing a grudge in the snowy mountains, and that legends tell of it placing deathly curses on misbehaving men. (We have no comment. We have never misbehaved in the mountains.)

Snorunt evolves into it with a Dawn Stone, which makes it and Glalie two branches of the same family. Its Speed is 110. Its ability, Snow Cloak, raises its evasion (how hard it is to hit) in hail, and its hidden ability, Cursed Body, has a 30% chance of disabling any move that hits it.

Mamoswine

Mamoswine appears to be a combination of a woolly mammoth and a wild boar, which matches the mangalica, a pig breed known for its woolly hide. The white and blue mask around its eyes resembles ski goggles. Its Ground type may come from the word mammoth itself, which traces back to Mansi words for earth and horn. Its Pokedex entry says the species reached its zenith during the period known as the ice age. (We also peaked a long time ago, though with less fur.)

Piloswine evolves into it when it levels up knowing Ancient Power. Its Attack of 130 ties Kyurem for the best on this list, and its HP is 110. Its abilities are Oblivious and Snow Cloak, and its hidden ability, Thick Fat, halves the damage it takes from Fire and Ice moves. It weighs 291 kg, second only to Kyurem on this list.

Articuno

Articuno seems to take inspiration from mythical birds such as the Persian Simurgh, the Huma and the Roc, or the Chinese Fenghuang. Many of these rare birds were said to live on high mountain peaks, and tales of their kindness might explain Articuno's reputation for rescuing people. The three legendary birds appear to embody seasons, and Articuno represents winter. Its Pokedex entry says it can control ice at will and is said to live in snowy mountains riddled with permafrost. (Winter got a majestic bird. Autumn got nothing. We are filing a complaint on autumn's behalf.)

It is the other legendary Pokemon on this list, and its Special Defense of 125 is the best of the 15. Its ability is Pressure, and its hidden ability is Snow Cloak.

Most of the praise is for its looks, and for at least one player it anchored a whole Pokemon Red team.

Weavile

Weavile may be based on the kamaitachi, a type of yōkai often shown as weasel demons with sickles on their front legs, sometimes blamed for mysterious cuts on the skin in cold weather. It also shares traits with stoats and wolverines, which live in cold climates and hunt larger prey. Its headdress, collar and earrings look like what Egyptian deities wear. Its Pokedex entry says the species corners prey as a pack under the guidance of a leader. (We cannot get four friends to agree on a restaurant.)

Sneasel evolves into it, so the two make the list as one family. Its Speed of 125 is the highest on this list, and its Attack is 120. Its ability is Pressure, the same one Kyurem and Articuno have, and its hidden ability is Pickpocket, the same one Sneasel has.

Glaceon

Glaceon shares traits with foxes, dogs and cats like many Eeveelutions, and its home in cold areas suggests the arctic fox in particular. Its "hair" resembles an ushanka or a scarf hat. Its Pokedex entry says it can lower its body temperature very quickly, freezing the air into diamond dust that glitters like gems while it flutters and dances around. (We also produce weather when we dance. It is mostly sweat.)

Eevee evolves into it with an Ice Stone. Its Special Attack of 130 ties Kyurem for the best on this list, and its Defense is 110. Its ability, Snow Cloak, raises its evasion in hail, and its hidden ability, Ice Body, heals it a little each turn in hail.

Several players name it their favorite Ice type, and for at least one it is the favorite Eeveelution as well.

Lapras

Lapras appears to be based on plesiosaurs, an extinct order of marine reptiles, and through them it may also draw on the Loch Ness Monster. Its long neck and sturdy body may also come from the mastheads and hulls of Viking ships, and it could be the turtle ridden by the folk hero Taro Urashima, which fits its use as a ride across the water. Its category is Transport Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says crossing icy seas is no issue for it, and its smooth skin is a little cool to the touch. (A boat that is also a friend. We would never walk again.)

Its HP of 130 is the highest on this list. It stands 2.5 m tall and weighs 220 kg. Its abilities are Water Absorb, which heals it when a Water move hits it, and Shell Armor. Its hidden ability is Hydration.

More players named it as their favorite Ice type than any other, and it turns up in plenty of lists that put something else first.

Conclusion

Ice type Pokemon take double damage from Fighting, Rock, Steel and Fire attacks, and the Water types on this list cut that down. Water takes half damage from Fire and Steel, so Lapras, Cloyster, Dewgong, Walrein and Spheal take normal damage from both, a third of the list in all. Dewgong, Walrein and Spheal also carry Thick Fat, which halves Fire damage again.

Kyurem and Mamoswine took the other road, with an Attack of 130 each, enough to make the weak spots matter less. (We relate most to Snom. Lowest stats here, still invited.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Ice type Pokemon has all 48, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Ice Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Ice type Pokemon?

Lapras. More players name it as their favorite Ice type than any other.

How many Ice type Pokemon are there?

There are 48 Ice type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Is Lapras a legendary Pokemon?

No. Lapras is not a legendary Pokemon. Its Pokedex category is Transport Pokemon.

Best Ice Type Pokemon

Best Ice Type Pokemon

Vanilluxe

Spheal

Dewgong

Sneasel

Snom

Cloyster

Kyurem

Glalie

Walrein

Froslass

Mamoswine

Articuno

Weavile

Glaceon

Lapras

Conclusion

Ice Type Pokemon FAQ

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