Dominating raid bosses and climbing the GO Battle League requires knowing which best water type pokemon in pokemon go actually deserve your hard-earned Stardust and Candy. Water is one of the most versatile and impactful types in mobile battle arenas, handling Fire, Ground, and Rock opponents with ease. Whether you are building an elite raid squad or prepping for the Master League, prioritizing the right catches saves you from wasting resources on mediocre contenders.
Primal Kyogre sits at the absolute pinnacle of raid damage output, followed closely by offensive powerhouses like Mega Greninja and Shadow Swampert. However, raw damage statistics do not tell the whole story if you lack the Candy to power them up or need budget options for the Great League. Let's break down the optimal choices for raids, player-versus-player formats, and everyday team building.
Top Raid Attackers and Mega Evolutions
When you face a five-star raid boss weak to moisture, your primary goal is maximizing damage per second before the timer runs out. Legendary forms and temporary mega evolutions dominate this category.
Primal Kyogre reigns supreme with the optimal moveset of Waterfall and Origin Pulse. Its damage output outclasses almost every other offensive option in the game, and it also boosts the Water-type attacks of all other trainers participating in the raid lobby. If you missed out on Primal Reversion raids, regular Kyogre or Shadow Kyogre still pack an immense punch.
Mega Greninja offers a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative that remains cheap to build compared to legendary counterparts. Equipped with Water Shuriken and Hydro Cannon, it deals blistering damage while double-typing as a Dark attacker. Mega Swampert also shines in this tier, benefiting from its Water and Ground typing to shrug off Electric attacks that normally threaten pure water builds.
- Primal Kyogre: The undisputed king of DPS with unmatched stats.
- Mega Greninja: Fast, affordable to power up, and hits exceptionally hard.
- Mega Swampert: Incredible stats with a fantastic community day move pool.
- Shadow Feraligatr: Outstanding non-legendary shadow option for players with legacy moves.
Best Water Types for the GO Battle League
In player-versus-player combat, raw damage takes a back seat to energy generation, defensive typing, and charge move pressure. Starter species often dominate these restricted brackets because of the sheer speed of Hydro Cannon.
Swampert remains an absolute staple in both the Ultra League and Master League Premier formats. Pairing Mud Shot with Hydro Cannon allows it to pressure shields rapidly, while secondary moves like Earthquake handle steel and electric threats. Similarly, Empoleon brings a unique Water and Steel typing to the Ultra League, giving it valuable resistances to Dragon and Fairy attacks while utilizing Metal Sound or Drill Peck for coverage.
For the Great League, bulky options like Quagsire shine by absorbing hits and returning steady damage with Aqua Tail and Stone Edge. Just keep them far away from Leaf Blade users, as double weaknesses to Grass will spell immediate disaster.
Maximizing Your Water Roster Without Wasting Resources
Building a championship roster requires discipline. Avoid spending elite TMs on non-community day Pokémon unless you are certain of their long-term viability.
Always check your IV spreads before investing Stardust. A 15-attack IV matters significantly more in master league mirrors than it does in routine raids. Furthermore, pay close attention to event windows. Many of the top-tier attackers rely on legacy moves obtainable only during special events or through Elite Fast and Charged TMs. If you don't have Hydro Cannon available on your Feraligatr or Swampert, their performance drops drastically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the absolute strongest Water-type attacker in Pokémon Go?
Primal Kyogre holds the highest effective DPS among all water attackers when utilizing Waterfall and Origin Pulse.
Are starter Pokémon worth investing in for Water types?
Yes. Thanks to the community day move Hydro Cannon, starters like Swampert, Greninja, and Feraligatr rank among the most cost-effective and powerful options for both raids and PvP.
How do I get Hydro Cannon on older Pokémon?
You must either evolve them during specific throwback events or use an Elite Charged TM from your inventory. Regular TMs will not grant community day exclusive moves.
What are the main weaknesses of Water-type Pokémon?
Water types are weak only to Grass and Electric attacks. Dual-typing can introduce additional weaknesses, such as Swampert taking fourfold damage from Grass attacks due to its secondary Ground typing.
