Water-type Pokemon are some of the most popular and well-known Pokemon. As one of the original three starter types from the Kanto region, water Pokemon like Squirtle and Blastoise hold a special place in many trainers’ hearts. But just how many water Pokemon are there in total across all generations?
Water Pokemon in Generation 1
In the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow games on the Game Boy, there were 32 different water-type Pokemon. This included:
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Poliwag
- Poliwhirl
- Poliwrath
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Seel
- Dewgong
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Horsea
- Seadra
- Goldeen
- Seaking
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Magikarp
- Gyarados
- Lapras
- Vaporeon
- Omanyte
- Omastar
- Kabuto
- Kabutops
This included all of the water starter evolutions, as well as many iconic water Pokemon like Magikarp/Gyarados, Lapras, and the fossil Pokemon Omanyte/Omastar and Kabuto/Kabutops. The water type was well represented in Gen 1.
Additional Water Pokemon in Generation 2
Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal on Game Boy Color brought 100 new Pokemon, including 14 additional water types. The new water Pokemon in Gen 2 were:
- Totodile
- Croconaw
- Feraligatr
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Politoed
- Quagsire
- Wooper
- Corsola
- Remoraid
- Octillery
- Mantine
- Chinchou
- Lanturn
Notable additions included the new starter Totodile and its evolutions, Marill and its baby evolution Azurill, Politoed as an evolution of Poliwhirl, and some unique new Pokemon like Quagsire, Corsola, and the anglerfish Chinchou and its evolution Lanturn.
Water Pokemon Introduced in Generation 3
Generation 3’s Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald on Game Boy Advance added 135 more Pokemon. 16 of these were new water types:
- Mudkip
- Marshtomp
- Swampert
- Wingull
- Pelipper
- Surskit
- Masquerain
- Lombre
- Ludicolo
- Corphish
- Crawdaunt
- Feebas
- Milotic
- Spheal
- Sealeo
- Walrein
The water starter Mudkip and its evolutions were introduced, along with other Hoenn favorites like Wingull/Pelipper, Surskit/Masquerain, and the elusive Feebas and its beautiful evolution Milotic. Sealeo and Walrein rounded out the Ice/Water type Pokemon.
New Water Types in Generation 4
Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum on Nintendo DS increased the Pokemon ranks by 107, with 17 new water types:
- Piplup
- Prinplup
- Empoleon
- Bidoof
- Bibarel
- Buizel
- Floatzel
- Shellos
- Gastrodon
- Finneon
- Lumineon
- Mantyke
- Phione
- Manaphy
- Palkia
- Gastrodon
- Rotom (Wash Form)
Sinnoh brought the water starter Piplup and its evolutions, the energetic Buizel and Floatzel, and some unique mythical Pokemon like Phione, Manaphy, and the uber-powerful cover Legendary Palkia.
Unova Region Water Pokemon in Generation 5
Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 on Nintendo DS introduced 156 new Pokemon, with 21 additions to the water type:
- Oshawott
- Dewott
- Samurott
- Panpour
- Simipour
- Pansear
- Simisear
- Tympole
- Palpitoad
- Seismitoad
- Tirtouga
- Carracosta
- Basculin
- Alomomola
- Frillish
- Jellicent
- Jellicent
- Keldeo
- Kyurem (White Kyurem)
- Kyurem (Black Kyurem)
Unova added the water starter Oshawott and the monkey-like Panpour/Simipour. It also featured some ancient fossil Pokemon in Tirtouga/Carracosta, the very unique Alomomola, and the ghostly Frillish/Jellicent. The swordsman Legendary Keldeo debuted, along with Kyurem’s alternate White and Black forms.
Kalos Region Additions in Generation 6
Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire on the Nintendo 3DS introduced 72 new Pokemon species, 12 of which were water types:
- Froakie
- Frogadier
- Greninja
- Chespin
- Quilladin
- Chesnaught
- Skrelp
- Dragalge
- Clauncher
- Clawitzer
- Inkay
- Malamar
Kalos brought the bubble-blowing frog starter Froakie and its ninja-like final evolution Greninja. Skrelp and Clauncher offered some unique looks for Water/Poison and Water/Fire type lines. Overall the Kalos region was lighter on new Water Pokemon compared to other generations.
Alola Forms and New Species in Generation 7
The tropical Alola region introduced in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon contained 81 new Pokemon species, along with regional forms of older Pokemon. 10 brand new water types were added:
- Popplio
- Brionne
- Primarina
- Wishiwashi (Solo Form)
- Wishiwashi (School Form)
- Dewpider
- Araquanid
- Mareanie
- Toxapex
- Pyukumuku
The bubble-blowing sea lion starter Popplio debuted, along with the bizarre Wishiwashi and its schooling form. Dewpider, Mareanie and its evolution Toxapex brought some creepy/crawly Water and Poison types. Pyukumuku offered a truly unique sea cucumber Pokemon. There were also Alolan forms of older Pokemon like Sandshrew that gained an Ice/Water typing in the chilly Alolan mountains.
New Water Pokemon in Generation 8
The Galar region introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield for Nintendo Switch brought 89 new Pokemon, including 9 new water types:
- Sobble
- Drizzile
- Inteleon
- Chewtle
- Drednaw
- Arrokuda
- Barraskewda
- Cramorant
- Toxel
- Toxtricity (Amped Form)
The Galar region returned to a more traditional water starter in Sobble and its evolutions. The region also introduced some fun new Pokemon like the snapping turtle Chewtle/Drednaw, the hungry Cramorant that gulps down Pikachu, and the poisonous punk rocker Toxel/Toxtricity.
The Complete List of Water Pokemon
Adding up the totals from each generation, the complete list of Water Pokemon includes:
| Generation | New Water Pokemon | Total Water Pokemon |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Kanto) | 32 | 32 |
| 2 (Johto) | 14 | 46 |
| 3 (Hoenn) | 16 | 62 |
| 4 (Sinnoh) | 17 | 79 |
| 5 (Unova) | 21 | 100 |
| 6 (Kalos) | 12 | 112 |
| 7 (Alola) | 10 | 122 |
| 8 (Galar) | 9 | 131 |
Adding up all the new water Pokemon introduced in each generation, the total number of Water Pokemon comes to 131!
Analysis of Water Pokemon
A few interesting things stand out looking at the complete list of Water Pokemon:
- Generation 1 introduced the most with 32, which makes sense as it was establishing the first Pokemon.
- Generations 2-5 introduced between 14-21 new Water Pokemon in each, a pretty consistent addition.
- Later generations 6-8 only added between 9-12 new Water types, showing a slowdown.
- Water is the most common type, with 131 Pokemon compared to 98 Grass types and 109 Fire types.
While the Water type started off very strong, later generations have slowed down in introducing new Water Pokemon compared to other types. Still, Water remains the most prolific type in the Pokemon universe.
Most Popular Water Pokemon
While there are over 130 Water Pokemon, some of the most popular and recognizable include:
- Squirtle/Wartortle/Blastoise – The original water starter and a fan favorite for its cute and tough evolutions.
- Lapras – This gentle transport Pokemon is beloved for its kind nature.
- Vaporeon – The bubble jet Pokemon Eeveelution with a mermaid-like fish tail.
- Totodile/Croconaw/Feraligatr – A energetic starter able to crush with powerful jaws.
- Mudkip/Marshtomp/Swampert – An amphibious Pokemon based on mudskippers.
- Piplup/Prinplup/Empoleon – The cute penguin Pokemon starter line.
- Oshawott/Dewott/Samurott – A sea otter warrior wielding a scalchop blade.
- Froakie/Frogadier/Greninja – A sneaky ninja frog that conceals itself in bubbles.
- Psyduck/Golduck – The perpetually confused duck Pokemon.
- Gyarados – Evolves from the useless Magikarp into a raging sea monster.
Water Pokemon run the gamut from cute to ferocious, weighing in as some of the most well-known and iconic Pokemon alongside the likes of Pikachu. There is a water Pokemon beloved by almost every trainer!
Strongest Water Pokemon for Battle
While Water Pokemon are abundant, which ones are the strongest you can take into competitive battles? Here are some top contenders:
- Gyarados – After evolving from Magikarp, Gyarados hits fast and hard with excellent Attack and Speed stats.
- Kingdra – Receiving a Dragon secondary type makes Kingdra only weak to Fairy attacks.
- Swampert – This Hoenn starter has one weakness and excellent well-rounded stats.
- Greninja – A speedy ninja Pokemon that can hit with Water Shurikens and Dark Pulses.
- Azumarill – Deceptively strong with a good movepool and the Fairy type added in Gen 6.
- Rotom Wash – A strong special attacker with the Electric/Water typing.
- Dracovish – This fossil Pokemon has the rare Strong Jaw ability and Fishious Rend attack.
- Urshifu (Rapid Strike) – One of the Legendary Isle of Armor Pokemon, very versatile and powerful.
Water Pokemon like these offer balanced or more specialized offensive stats to take on almost any opponent. They can dish out damage and also check common Fire, Rock, and Ground types with their water attacks.
Conclusion
Water Pokemon have been plentiful since the original games, with over 130 total across 8 generations so far. They come in many shapes and sizes, from cute squirrels to ferocious sea monsters. While later generations have slowed down in introducing as many new Water types compared to the earlier gens, they remain the most common type overall. Every trainer is likely to have some favorite Water Pokemon in their party or PC box, ready to make a splash in battle!