Best Pokemon For Water-Type Runs In Sword & Shield

Since the release of Sword & Shield’s first expansion, the Isle of Armor DLC, many players may be thinking “What else is there to do?” For these bored trainers, starting a new file with a mono-type team will add the spice they desperately crave.

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Mono-type runs have always appealed to the series' fans, as solo typing adds a new layer of difficulty. Add that to the optional rulesets of no switching out after defeating a Pokemon, and the relative ease of Sword & Shield can pose quite the challenge. For any player considering an all-Water-type run, it is crucial to know the Pokemon they should have going into the game so that they don’t waste spots on their limited six Pokemon team.

Updated December 13, 2024 by Ben Painter: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, its DLC The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero, and its two parts, The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk, have been out for some time now. So, it makes sense for players to return to a previous entry and give that game another playthrough while they patiently await the release of the next main entry in the franchise, Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Gamers can also switch things up and add a twist to their playthrough. An example of this could be a monotype run, and because of the abundance of Water types, the aqua 'mons are a perfect example. Even if this is not the case, every team needs a Water-type Pokemon, so here are the best ones that gamers can use in Pokemon Sword & Shield.

1 Poliwrath

Base Stat Total: 510

• Abilities:
  • Water Absorb
  • Damp
  • Swift Swim

• Weaknesses:
  • Flying (2x)
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)
  • Psychic (2x)
  • Fairy (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Brawlers' Cave (Wanderer)
  • Fields of Honor
  • Soothing Wetlands
  • Courageous Cavern (Max Raid Battle)
  • Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)

The Tadpole Pokemon was one of the original 151, and it made the jump from the Game Boy to the Switch for Pokemon Sword & Shield. It is a great option for mono-Water runs due to its dual Fighting type. Normal Pokemon are common and are only weak to Fighting, so having a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) option to deal Super Effective damage will be key.

The Damp ability will be useful for Nuzlocke runs as it prevents moves like Self-Destruct and Explosion from being effective, a potential run-ender. A moveset of Belly Drum, Rain Dance, Liquidation, and Dynamic Punch will be lethal with Poliwrath's high attack stat.

Poliwrath's Base Stats:

2 Azumarill

Base Stat Total: 420

• Abilities:
  • Thick Fat
  • Huge Power
  • Sap Sipper

• Weaknesses:
  • Poison (2x)
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Soothing Wetlands
  • Training Lowlands (Wanderer)
  • Fields of Honor (Max Raid Battle)
  • Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)

Fairy types are always useful to have in a Pokemon team, and there aren't too many to choose from when it comes to them also being a Water-type. This is where Azumarill comes in clutch to have neutrality to Dragon-type attacks, perfect for the final Gym and Elite Four battle.

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Its shining stat is its 100 HP. It will take a lot to rock the Aqua Rabbit, but with the Huge Power ability, it can gain a massive boost to its attack, making moves like Waterfall and Play Rough a force to be reckoned with. It also can learn a wide variety of Ice-type moves, a perfect counter to the weakness of Grass types.

Azumarill's Base Stats:

3 Lanturn

Base Stat Total: 460

• Abilities:
  • Volt Absorb
  • Illuminate
  • Water Absorb

• Weaknesses:
  • Ground (2x)
  • Grass (2×)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Bridge Field
  • Dusty Bowl
  • Lake of Outrage
  • East Lake Axewell (Wanderer)
  • East Lake Axewell
  • Giant's Cap
  • Giant's Mirror
  • Lake of Outrage
  • Motostoke Riverbank
  • North Lake Miloch
  • South Lake Miloch
  • West Lake Axewell (Max Raid Battle)
  • Workout Sea
  • Stepping-Stone Sea
  • Insular Sea
  • Honeycalm Island
  • Honeycalm Sea
  • Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)

One of Water's biggest weaknesses in the game is Electric, so countering this with a Water/Electric type in Lanturn could be a way to go, especially with its Volt Absorb ability, which renders it completely useless.

With a staggering 125 HP stat, Lanturn can be used as an effective wall, absorbing attacks and even healing some HP back with Aqua Ring or a Stockpile and Swallow combination. The Light Pokemon has a decent Special Attack stat, too, so Hydro Pump and Thunderbolt will do some serious damage against the enemy Pokemon.

Lanturn's Base Stats:

4 Arctovish

Base Stat Total: 505

• Abilities:
  • Water Absorb
  • Ice Body
  • Slush Rush

• Weaknesses:
  • Fighting (2x)
  • Rock (2x)
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Revive from Fossilized Fish and Fossilized Dino by Cara Liss on Route 6

A weird Pokemon here, Arctovish, is one of the four fossil Pokemon of Sword & Shield, which switched things up and had the fossils mixed up. This leads to some interesting designs, and this Water/Ice-type is no different.

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Regardless of its appearance, the Fossil Pokemon is potent to use in the game, with a base stat total of 505. Its only weakness is Speed. With the Slush Rush ability, this is an easy fix when in a Hailstorm, as it will gain a boost. Teaching it Hail by TM is a must if this ability is present. Other moves Arctovish should have are the Physical Fishious Rend and Icicle Crash to make use of its massive 90-attack stat. One of the best options for a Water-type in Sword & Shield.

Arctovish's Base Stats:

5 Kingler

Base Stat Total: 475

• Abilities:
  • Hyper Cutter
  • Shell Armor
  • Sheer Force

• Weaknesses:
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Route 9
  • Axew's Eye
  • South Lake Miloch
  • West Lake Axewell (Wanderer)
  • Dusty Bowl
  • Giant's Cap
  • Giant's Mirror
  • North Lake Miloch
  • South Lake Miloch
  • West Lake Axewell (Max Raid Battle)
  • South Lake Miloch
  • West Lake Axewell (Max Raid Battle) (Gigantamax Factor)
  • Fields of Honor
  • Training Lowlands (Wanderer)
  • Fields of Honor
  • Challenge Beach
  • Loop Lagoon
  • Insular Sea
  • Giant's Bed
  • Giant's Foot
  • Ballimere Lake
  • Frigid Sea (Max Raid Battle)
  • Giant's Bed
  • Giant's Foot
  • Ballimere Lake
  • Frigid Sea (Max Raid Battle) (Gigantamax Factor)
  • Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure) (Gigantamax Factor)

Kingler is another Pokemon that was part of that illustrious original 151 of Pokemon Red & Blue and is famed among fans for its use by Ash Ketchum in the anime in his Indigo League battles. When it comes to the games, it is a superb choice. 130 Attack will be deadly in moves such as Crabhammer and Hammer Arm.

The Pincer Pokemon has access to Guillotine, a one-hit KO, although it only has a 30% accuracy. Kingler also has the fact that it can Gigantamax. Becoming the bearded giant, which can deal more damage during Dynamax battles that are present a lot in Sword & Shield.

Kingler's Base Stats:

6 Drednaw

Base Stat Total: 485

• Abilities:
  • Strong Jaw
  • Shell Armor
  • Swift Swim

• Weaknesses:
  • Fighting (2x)
  • Ground (2x)
  • Grass (4×)
  • Electric (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Route 6
  • Bridge Field
  • Dusty Bowl
  • Giant's Cap
  • Giant's Mirror
  • Lake of Outrage
  • Route 2
  • Galar Mine No. 2 (Wanderer)
  • West Lake Axewell
  • South Lake Miloch
  • Bridge Field

Drednaw was a brand-new Pokemon for Sword & Shield, and it is a decent option to use in the game, being able to be found early on as it’s pre-evolved form Chewtle. It has a fantastic Attack stat, so it will benefit from physical Water-type moves such as Razor Shell, Liquidation, or Waterfall. It can also benefit from STAB Rock-type attacks, which will help to deal with any Ice, Flying, Fire, or Bug enemies.

This Pokemon does have a 4x weakness to Grass, so it is best to avoid the type at all costs, although it can learn Ice-type moves by TM or Poison Jab. Ability-wise, this 'mon has three great ones. Strong Jaw increases the attack of its biting moves (Bite, Crunch, Ice Fang, & Jaw Lock). Shell Armor protects it from Critical Hits (vital for a nuzlocke), and Swift Swim will make it faster in the rain.

Drednaw's Base Stats:

7 Barraskewda

Base Stat Total: 490

• Abilities:
  • Swift Swim
  • Propeller Tail

• Weaknesses:
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Route 2
  • Motostoke Riverbank
  • Dusty Bowl
  • Lake of Outrage
  • South Lake Miloch
  • North Lake Miloch
  • Bridge Field
  • Lake of Outrage (Max Raid Battle)
  • Training Lowlands (Wanderer)
  • Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)

Another Pokemon that is new for Generation 8, Barraskewda, is the evolved form of Arrokuda, and it is another Pokemon that is a star Water-type in the game. With breathtaking Speed and Attack, this Pokemon can hit hard and fast, leaving any opposing Ground, Rock, or Fire types in ruins.

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Its hidden ability is the signature ability of this evolution line, and Propeller Tail will ignore the effects of abilities and moves that draw in the target, such as Follow Me or Storm Drain. It is lacking in the defensive department, but if the Pokemon it is facing is weak enough, it won't get a chance to attack.

Barraskewda's Base Stats:

8 Wailord

Base Stat Total: 500

• Abilities:
  • Water Veil
  • Oblivious
  • Pressure

• Weaknesses:
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Route 9 (fishing)
  • Bridge Field
  • East Lake Axewell
  • Lake of Outrage
  • North Lake Miloch
  • South Lake Miloch
  • West Lake Axewell (Max Raid Battle)
  • Workout Sea (Wanderer)

The behemoth of a Pokemon that is known as Wailord was introduced in Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire in Generation 3 and later made the jump up to Pokemon Sword & Shield. Where this whale excels is being an effective wall. Its staggering 170 HP stat means that it will take a lot to get this 'mon down.

Its Attack and Special Attack are also pretty decent, but a move that should be taught to this Pokemon is Rest, which will allow it to gain its HP back fully. This is an awesome strategy for Pokemon with high HP. It will take a lot to chip that HP down, and it will be so annoying for opponents to get their HP back up.

Wailord's Base Stats:

9 Dracovish

Base Stat Total: 505

• Abilities:
  • Water Absorb
  • Strong Jaw
  • Sand Rush

• Weaknesses:
  • Dragon (2×)
  • Fairy (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Revive from Fossilized Fish and Fossilized Drake by Cara Liss on Route 6
  • Snowslide Slope (Max Raid Battle)

Known for its exploits in the anime as part of Ash's final Pokemon team, which won him the Master's Eight Tournament, Dracovish is still an awesome Pokemon to use in-game. It comes with all-around decent stats and an emphasis on Defense, HP, and Attack.

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As a Water/Dragon-type Pokemon, it has both of Water's weaknesses countered by the Dragon typing, but it does leave it with a weakness to Dragon and Fairy. Its signature move, Fishious Rend, can be boosted by the Strong Jaw ability, which will make for a powerful move to use in battle. Gamers will have to get past the hideous design (although it is intentional) and be prepared to use a very solid Water-type Pokemon in Sword & Shield.

Dracovish's Base Stats:

10 Starmie

Base Stat Total: 520

• Abilities:
  • Illuminate
  • Natural Cure
  • Analytic

• Weaknesses:
  • Bug (2x)
  • Ghost (2x)
  • Grass (2×)
  • Electric (2x)
  • Dark (2x)

• In-Game Locations:
  • Fields of Honor
  • Challenge Beach (Wanderer)
  • Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)

Starmie was a Pokemon that was introduced in the Expansion Pass for Pokemon Sword & Shield, so gamers will have to head over to the Isle of Armor to pick up a Starmie (or its pre-evolution, Staryu) to use in a playthrough of Galar. It will be worth the extra work, as it is one of the best Water-type Pokemon.

The Water/Psychic type has an amazing and diverse movepool, capable of learning Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam, and Grass Knot, moves not normally found on Water types. With STAB, Psychic-type moves, like Psychic and Psycho Cut, also in its arsenal, it is an offensive beast and definitely one to try out in a playthrough.

Starmie's Base Stats: