The 10 Best Water Types in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

As a long-time Pokémon trainer focused on water types, I‘ve explored Paldea extensively to uncover the strongest aquatic combatants in Scarlet and Violet.

Water types have always dominated the metagame with remarkable offense and defense. I‘ve battled and trained dozens of them in the new Gen 9 games. Now I present my definitive guide to the top 10 water types you can catch.

But first, how did I select and rank them?

My Evaluation Criteria for Ranking the Water Types

Choosing the #1 water type is highly subjective, as many can sweep teams when used strategically. Still, I developed an impartial assessment system to differentiate their battling capabilities:

Total Base Stats: This indicates overall potential across all attributes. Higher is generally better.

Offensive Presence: Includes attack power, move pools and setup options to boost damage.

Defensive Durability: Vital for withstanding opponents‘ attacks during battle.

Useful Abilities and Typing: Factors that influence type matchups and battle dynamics.

Ease of Obtainment: How easy or challenging it is to catch and evolve to their final form.

I compiled key metrics across these areas for all Water types in Scarlet/Violet. By comparing strengths and shortcomings side-by-side, definitive rankings emerged.

Now let‘s dive into the top 10!

1. Palafin

Type: Water
Abilities: Zero to Hero
Base Stats: 457 / 650
Catch Difficulty: Challenging

Claiming the #1 spot as the strongest Water type is the brand new Palafin. With phenomenal flexibility through its Zero and Hero forms, Palafin adapts to battle situations using offense or defense.

In its Zero Form, Palafin favors Speed (Base 136) and HP (Base 150) to outpace opponents. It knows varied attacks like Flip Turn, Surf and Icy Wind to lower their Speed in return.

But upon switching out, Palafin morphs into its bulky Hero Form. All its stats skyrocket to apex levels, hitting the HP (Base 150), Attack (Base 160), Defense (Base 160) and Special Attack (Base 160) caps. With doubled HP and quadrupled Defense compared to Zero Form, Palafin becomes an impregnable tank.

It unleashes devastating special attacks through Hydro Pump, Muddy Water and even Hyper Beam! Or it uses Calm Mind to further boost damage. Very few Pokémon can overcome Palafin‘s extreme versatility and potency in both forms.

Catching Palafin is challenging since it evolves from Finizen only when leveled up to 38 in battle with a Union Circle active. So coordinate with friends, catch Finizens along Paldea‘s coasts and evolve them together!

2. Gyarados

Type: Water / Flying
Abilities: Intimidate / Moxie
Base Stats: 540
Catch Difficulty: Moderate

The classic serpentine beast Gyarados makes a Triumphant return in Gen 9. With Water/Flying typing, incredible Attack and bulk to tank hits, Gyarados devastates unprepared teams.

Its phenomenal offense stems from Base 125 Attack, boosted moves like Power Whip and a frustration-inducing Ability in Intimidate. By slashing opponents‘ Attack, Gyarados forces switches and inflicts heavy damage.

It also flaunts considerable Speed (81) and bulk (95/79/109 defenses) enabling it to withstand attacks before retaliating fiercely. Using Dragon Dance raises its capabilities even higher.

Finally, its unique typing removes all Ground weaknesses associated with pure Water. This gives Gyarados neutral coverage against 9 types – invaluable flexibility!

You can readily catch Magikarp along Paldea‘s coasts and evolve it into a ferocious Gyarados by level 20. Or rarely encounter one roaming beaches itself.

3. Gastrodon

Type: Water / Ground
Abilities: Sticky Hold / Storm Drain / Sand Force
Base Stats: 475
Catch Difficulty: Easy

The slug Pokémon Gastrodon possesses phenomenal qualities that make opponents struggle against it. Its Water/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable only to Grass moves. But even that sole weakness gets nullified by its Storm Drain Ability!

By absorbing Water attacks, Storm Drain lets Gastrodon completely shut down rain teams relying on Surf or other liquid strikes. It also receives a Special Attack boost with every absorption, enabling it to return heavy damage.

While Gastrodon lacks raw power, its huge defenses (Base 109/83) let it withstand even super effective moves. It also employs reliable recovery through Recover.

Together with Toxic poisoning, Drain Punch for sustenance and Stone Wall to raise defense, Gastrodon is excruciatingly hard to defeat by unprepared teams.

You can catch and evolve the fairly common Shellos all over Paldea to obtain a Gastrodon quite easily. Just level it to 30!

4. Azumarill

Type: Water / Fairy
Abilities: Huge Power / Sap Sipper / Thick Fat
Base Stats: 420
Catch Difficulty: Moderate

Despite middling defenses, Azumarill enters ScarVio capable of overwhelming opponents through sheer force. Its remarkable Attributes enable impressive sweeps once boosted.

Azumarill‘s standout capability comes from Huge Power, which doubles its already high Attack. After just one Swords Dance, it reaches a momentous 592 Attack stat, enabling devastating blows.

It also learns priority Aqua Jet always striking first. With STAB and same-type Ability, Power-Up Punch gets STAB-boosted to hit neutrally resistant foes. Even Play Rough packs immense power.

Azumarill‘s typing also provides handy resistances to counter prominent Dragon, Dark and Fighting threats. It works well late-game against weakened teams.

Evolving Marill found abundantly near water bodies gives you access to this heavy hitter. Level it up starting 18 onwards.

5. Cloyster

Type: Water / Ice
Abilities: Skill Link / Shell Armor / Overcoat
Base Stats: 525
Catch Difficulty: Moderate

Though specially frail, Cloyster‘s astronomical physical Defense empowers it to set up freely behind layers of Spikes, Substitutes and Barrier. This perfectly complements its high Attack.

After just one Shell Smash, Cloyster‘s Attack and Speed reach terrifying levels. Skill Link also enables it to devastate with flurries of 5-hit moves like Icicle Spear, Rock Blast and Poison Jab.

Cloyster checks prominent Dragon, Ground and Grass types with super effective STAB attacks. It works flawlessly late-game against depleted teams, capable of sweeping unprepared squads by itself.

By hunting Shellder along coastlines and exposing them to a Water Stone, you gain access to the enduring ice beast that is Cloyster. Welcome it to your team!

6. Empoleon

Type: Water / Steel
Abilities: Torrent / Defiant
Base Stats: 530
Catch Difficulty: Difficult

The Emperor Penguin Pokémon Empoleon claims authority through an impenetrable Water/Steel type combo. With 10 resistances and just 3 weaknesses, it reliably walls special attackers while unleashing fiery attacks itself.

Empoleon boasts well-rounded offenses including STAB Surf and Flash Cannon. Its Special Attack reaches respectable 111 while Torrent Ability powers up water moves at low HP for extra oomph!

It also employs setup moves like Agility, Swords Dance and Rock Polish to sharpen its capabilities. While specially bulky (Base 99), Empoleon has only average Defense and mediocre Speed.

So utilize Empoleon as a formidable special wall ferociously striking back with boosted water and steel moves!

As a fully evolved starter, obtaining Piplup or its family proves challenging. You‘ll need to trade to acquire this emperor.

7. Quaquaval

Type: Water / Fighting
Abilities: Torrent / Moxie
Base Stats: 530
Catch Difficulty: Difficult

Selecting Quaxly gifts you the formidable amphibious fighter Quaquaval. With top-class Attack, Speed and access to Swords Dance, it dominates opponents through brute physical force.

Its phenomenal movepool includes Liquidation striking with tidal waves and the unmitigated type coverage of Close Combat. Aqua Tail also inflicts hefty water STAB damage.

Quaquaval outspeeds slower foes while punching holes through teams weak to Water and Fighting attacks. Priority Aqua Jet bypasses its average bulk enabling fierce late-game sweeps.

As a fully-evolved starter, obtaining Quaxly or its family through trading is quite challenging. But the payoff proves worthwhile if you manage to get this exclusive frog knight!

8. Barraskewda

Type: Water
Abilities: Swift Swim / Propeller Tail
Base Stats: 490
Catch Difficulty: Easy

With staggering Base 136 Speed enabling it to outpace virtually all opponents, Barraskewda storms into action drowning adversaries through liquid blades.

It depends on priority Aqua Jet to bypass opposing Swift Swimmers in rain. With high Attack (Base 123), moves like Drill Run, Liquidation and even Close Combat inflict overwhelming STAB damage.

Though Barraskewda lacks bulk (Base 60 Defenses), it aims through blistering Speed to defeat foes before they can react. Late-game against weakened teams, it sweeps easily.

Barraskewda is readily accessible by evolving the common Arrokuda in lakes and coasts once it reaches level 26. Welcome its blades!

9. Vaporeon

Type: Water
Abilities: Water Absorb / Hydration
Base Stats: 525
Catch Difficulty: Challenging

The beloved mermaid Pokémon Vaporeon enters ScarVio boasting enormous HP (130) with considerable Special bulk too. By absorbing Water attacks with its Ability, it gains immunity and recovery.

Vaporeon unleashes powerful Surf while using Wish + Protect to sustain itself and teammates. Acid Armor also sharply boosts its physical defense, enabling it to counter prominent physical attackers.

It sports unique utility moves like Baby-Doll Eyes lowering targets‘ Attack and Yawn forcing switches. Vaporeon fits perfectly onto bulky team cores helping allies through support and Wish healing.

You must evolve rare Eevee using a Water Stone to obtain one. Search near forests and mountains early on to have this mermaid supporting your squad!

10. Drednaw

Type: Water / Rock
Abilities: Strong Jaw / Shell Armor / Swift Swim
Base Stats: 500
Catch Difficulty: Easy

Drednaw enters battle intent on crushing opponents within its sharp jaws. It possesses sheer power through Same Type Attack Bonus Liquidations and Jaw Locks, striking Water and Rock types for double damage.

With 105 base Attack and the Ability Strong Jaw enhancing biting moves, Drednaw‘s damage output reaches fearsome levels one-shotting frail threats. It also learns Rock Tomb for coverage.

Though slow, its considerate bulk (Base 90 HP / 115 Defense) lets it set up Rock Polish or Swords Dance boosts. Beware Switching into this snapping beast!

Chewtle is commonly encountered early game on Paldea‘s beaches and lakes. Evolving it into Drednaw at level 22 gifts you this heavy-hitting juggernaut.

Catch the Strongest Water Forces!

And there you have it – the top 10 water type Pokémon you can add to your team in Scarlet and Violet for dominating both Adventure and Competitive Battles!

For unleashing overwhelming liquid offense backed by resolute defense, Palafin, Gyarados and Gastrodon edge out as primary winners. But Barraskewda and Azumarill work fantastically as late-game cleaner picks too.

Each Water Pokémon proves formidable within specific team roles. I suggest training different ones and strategically switching them in battle to overwhelm your hapless opponents!

Now get out there hunting along beaches, lakes and oceans to catch and train up these phenomenal aquatic beasts. All the best on your journey to become Champion!

Your friend and guide,
Rajan