Pokémon Legends Arceus: Best Water-Type Pokémon

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, there is a vast array of Water-type Pokémon for you to round out your team, particularly if you chose Cyndaquil as your starter. However, not all Pokémon are the same, and even those with similar stats could have differences in secondary typing.

Below, you will find a list of of the best Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. There are a few important notes to keep in mind when viewing this list. Firstly, this list won’t include Oshawott and its line or any Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Secondly, each Pokémon on this list has at least a Base Stats Total of 500. Thirdly, secondary type (if any) matters when considering any added weaknesses.

1. Gyarados (Base Stats Total: 540)

Sometimes, going with what you know is the best decision. The popular Generation I Pokémon Gyarados is once again available in Hisui. Gyarados seems to make it onto the lists of the strongest Pokémon for every generation and for good reason: it’s just a solid Pokémon.

Gyarados’ best stat is its Attack at 125, making it great for its move set that includes physical attacks such as Bite, Crunch, and the powerful Aqua Tail. Some of the stronger Water-type attacks will be inadequate for Gyarados as they’re special attacks and Gyarados has a (low) 60 in Special Attack.

On the plus side, Gyarados has a 100 in Special Defense and 81 in Speed, which should help it against Electric-type Pokemon. Most Electric-type Pokémon and attacks are special attackers and special attacks and speedy, and with Gyarados removing its Grass-type weakness for a double weakness to Electric-types, this helps mitigate the danger.

Gyarados has an added weakness to Rock-type moves with its secondary Flying-type, but as Rock is weak to Water, Gyarados has a great shot at defeating the opponent before it succumbs to Rock-type attacks. In addition to Rock, Gyarados is effective against Fire, Fighting, Bug, Ground, and is one of a few types (Water) that does normal damage to Steel-type Pokémon. Further, as a Flying-type, Gyarados is immune to Ground-type attacks, which makes its Water attacks that much more powerful.

Magikarp and Gyarados can be found at Obsidian Falls and Lake Verity, as well as Primeval Grotto of Coronet Highlands and Sand’s Reach in Cobalt Coastlands.

2. Basculegion (Base Stats Total: 530)

The first of three Pokémon on this list with a Base Stats Total of 530, Basculegion also serves as a Ride Pokémon later in the game. The Hisuian exclusive is the evolution of Basculin, though you need it to suffer a certain amount of recoil damage (294) before it can evolve (you can heal).

Basculegion’s best stat as a male is its HP at 120, with Attack close behind at 112. However, its Special Attack is 80, Defense 65, and Special Defense 75, so while it has a lot of HP, it doesn’t have the defense of a tank to back it up. Still, its high Attack should mean that it can faint foes before its fainted.

As a female, it has slightly different stats. Female Basculegion has an HP of 120, Special Attack of 100, and Attack of 92. It has a Speed of 78, Special Defense of 75, and Defense of 65. Female Basculegion is a better pure

Basculegion learns mostly physical attacks (going back to Basculin), perfectly suited for its Attack stat. Wave Crash and Double-Edge, though suffering recoil damage, make great use of its 112 Attack. Unfortunately, the only Ghost-type moves it can learn are special attacks, and its stat here is only 80.

Basculegion adds Ghost-type as a secondary. In addition to weaknesses to Grass and Electric, Ghost adds weaknesses to Ghost and Dark while being effective against Ghost and Psychic. Ghost cannot hit nor be affected by Normal and Fighting-type attacks without the assistance of an identifying move.

Basculin can be found in the Cobalt Coastlands, Coronet Highlands, and Alabaster Icelands. To evolve it into Basculegion, you need it to suffer 294 total recoil damage in battle.

3. Empoleon (Base Stats Total: 530)

The final evolution of what will become the Sinnoh starter, Empoleon maintains its strong stat base as a starter.

Empoleon’s highest stats are Special Attack (111) and Special Defense (101). Its Attack and Defense aren’t too far behind at 86 and 88, respectively. It does have a low Speed at 60, but it should be able to land strong attacks while withstanding attacks itself.

Empoleon can make use the many special attack Water-type moves like Water Pulse and Hydro Pump, but also physical attacks such as Wake Crash and Liquidation. It also can learn special attack Steel Type moves like Flash Canon.

Empoleon adds a secondary Steel-type, one of the best defensive types in the series. This adds weaknesses to Fighting-type and Ground-type attacks, though it can learn moves that are super effective against both types. The Steel-type removes its weakness to Grass, instead suffering normal damage. Steel adds an immunity to Poison. Steel is also super effective against Fairy, one of only two types along with Poison.

Empoleon can be found in Islespy Shore. However, it’s probably best to catch a Piplup and then evolve it along the way. You can find Piplup at Spring Path.

4. Walrein (Base Stats Total: 530)

Take out its Speed stat, and Walrein is probably the most well-rounded Pokémon on this list.

It has a high HP of 110 and can serve as your tank with Defense and Special Defense at 90 and 95, respectively. Its Special Attack is 95 and Attack 80, so it can still do some damage. As noted, its Speed is a meager 65.

Its move set includes strong physical and special attacks such as Liquidation, Ice Beam, and Blizzard. It can also learn Rest to help recover some of that massive HP pool, though it will be put to sleep.

Walrein has a secondary Ice-type, meaning that while still weak to Grass, it at least can carry moves (with STAB) to combat this weakness. It also adds weaknesses to Fighting and Rock, though the latter is weak to Water. Ice-type attacks are also good against Ground, Flying, and Dragon-type Pokémon.

Walrein can be found in Gingko Landing and Islespy Shore. If you want to evolve one from a Spheal, Speal are found in Gingko Landing.

5. Vaporeon (Base Stats Total: 525)

Another classic from Generation I, Vaporeon is the first pure Water-type on this list. As such, its only weaknesses are to Grass and Electric-type attacks.

Vaporeon is basically the opposite of Basculegion in that it favors Special Attack, but it also carries better Special Defense. Vaporeon’s best stats are HP at 130, Special Attack at 110, and Special Defense at 95. However, its other three stats are middling at 65 (Attack and Speed) and 60 (Defense).

Still, Vaporeon will be a good counter if you chose Cyndaquil, able to learn moves like Aqua Tail and Water Pulse. It can also learn Swift, a Normal-type attack that doesn’t miss unless other specific circumstances.

Vaporeon can be obtained by evolving Eevee with a Water Stone. Eevee can be found in the Horseshoe Plains. However, it is very skittish and will run away as soon as it notices you!

6. Tentacruel (Base Stats Total: 515)

The Jellyfish Pokémon makes its way to this list, possibly as an unexpected inclusion. However, it can serve you well across Hisui.

Tentacruel’s best stats are Special Defense and Speed at 120 and 100. Its other stats have a 15-point range with Defense at 65, Attack at 70, and HP and Special Attack at 80. It’s a speedy Special Defense tank that has decent offensive capabilities as well.

Its move set is amenable to its balanced attack stats. It can learn Water Pulse, Hex, Poision Jab, and Hydro Pump. An added benefit to having Tentacruel over any other Pokémon on this list is its ability to inflict poison on an opponent.

Being Poison-type does add weaknesses to Ground and Psychic-type moves, though it regresses the Grass weakness to normal. Its high Special Defense should help against Psychic attacks, most of which are special attacks. As a bonus, Poison moves are super effective against Grass and Fairy, the latter of which can wreak havoc on you if not careful.

Tentacruel can be found in Islespy Shore, Lunker’s Lair, and Seagrass Heaven. If you want to evolve one from a Tentacool, those can be found in the same places.

7. Golduck (Base Stats Total: 500)

The tall blue duck makes its way onto this list as the last Water-type to hit the 500 Base Stats Total mark. As another pure Water-type, it’s only weak to Grass and Electric.

Golduck challenges Walrein as the most balanced on this list, though unlike Walrein, Golduck doesn’t necessarily excel in any one stat. Golducks stats have a 17-point range. Its best stat is Special Attack at 95, but its lowest stat, Defense, is 78. Its HP and Defense are 80, Attack 82, and Speed 85.

It learns good Water-type attacks like Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, and Hydro Pump. It also learns three Psychic-type attacks in Confusion, Hypnosis, and Zen Headbutt, making it a good counter for Fighting and Poison-type foes.

Golduck can be found in a slew of places, including Bathes’ Lagoon, Golden Lowlands, Spring Path, and Wayward Wood. If you want a Psyduck first – one of the best early game catches – the earliest place you can find one is The Heartwood, near Kleavor’s shrine.

Honorable mention for best Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Here are some Water-types that didn’t quite make the cut for the above list. They may be worth it to your team construction, or could be sentimental favorites.

• Floatzel (Water, Base Stats Total: 495)
• Mantine (Water-Flying, Base Stats Total: 485)
• Octillery (Water, Base Stats Total: 480)
• Gastrodon (Water-Ground, Base Stats Total: 475)
• Whiscash (Water-Ground, Base Stats Total: 468)
• Lumineon (Water, Base Stats Total: 460)
• Samurott (Water, Bast Stats Total: 528) – not included as it’s a Legends Arceus starter.

Legendary and Mythical Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Should you want to add a Legendary or Mythical Water-type to your team, here are the ones available in Hisui.

• Phione
• Manaphy

The two become available via a Request later in the game.

Now you have the best Water-type Pokémon available to you in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Which one will you add to your team?