Pokémon‘s Ice typing has always been in a complicated position. It is super-effective against four types, but starting in Generation II, it is not very effective against four types too. Defensively, Ice is vulnerable to four types while only resisting itself. Despite the drawbacks, Ice-type Pokémon can be incredible in a playthrough.
While many of these creatures have a second type, some of them are pure Ice-types. Pokémon of this variety are not plentiful in the series, but they range in power from mediocre to exceptional. If players can find some strong Ice-types, they can gain the upper hand when facing challenging NPCs.
11 Castform (Snowy Form)
Castform is one of the most underrated Pokémon from the Hoenn region, mainly because of its unique Ability, Forecast, which changes its appearance and typing with the weather. During hail, Castform becomes a pure Ice-type. While the Pokémon is fascinating and worthy of recognition, its stats, unfortunately, make it underwhelming.
Every one of its stats shares the same value, and this value is mediocre. It can out-speed and beat opponents at lower levels, but once trainers arrive at late-game battles, it becomes much harder to come out on top with Snowy Form Castform.
10 Avalugg
Under the proper circumstances, Avalugg is an unbreakable wall. Its Defense stat is monstrously high, and its HP is above average as well. As such, Avalugg cannot easily be defeated in matchups with Physical attackers. In addition, its Attack stat is great, giving it the strength to take down many opponents if it has the chance to strike.
An issue arises, however, when Avalugg faces Special attackers. Its Special Defense stat is almost nonexistent, and though its HP is more than decent, it is not high enough to make up for this minuscule defensive stat. Its Speed is also terribly low, which is not a problem against Physical attackers but can be disastrous against Special ones.
9 Cryogonal
Cryogonal’s uneven stat distribution puts it in a similar position to Avalugg, but with a much higher Speed stat, Cryogonal is able to do more damage with the time it is in the battle. Its Special Attack stat is also high enough to allow Cryogonal to properly capitalize on the opportunities it has.
Its move pool is a bit of a mixed bag. While Cryogonal has access to some great coverage moves, such as Night Slash, one of the most powerful Dark moves in the series, this attack uses the Physical stat, and Cryogonal’s is terrible. Several of its available moves are like this, but it also has some attacks that utilize its much higher Special Attack stat.
8 Eiscue
Stat-wise, Eiscue is decent but not great. When it starts the battle, its Speed keeps it from consistently moving first, and while its defensive stats are high enough to usually keep Eiscue in the battle for a decent chunk of time, its offensive stats are not high enough to capitalize in a devastating way. Eiscue’s best feature, however, comes with its gimmick.
When Eiscue is hit with a Physical move, it nullifies the damage and changes to its Noice Face form. In this variation, Eiscue’s defensive stats drop but its Speed rises significantly. Setting up hail then changes Eiscue back to its Ice Face form. The temporary immunity to Physical damage is helpful, but Special damage is still an issue, and if trainers do not take the proper steps, Noice Face Eiscue can be taken out fairly easily.
7 Glaceon
Glaceon does not rank the highest when compared to every Eeveelution in Pokémon. It still has its strengths, though. While its HP is not great, Glaceon’s Special Defense is above average, and its Defense is fairly high. Its only passable HP stat keeps it from having excellent bulk, but it can take damage decently well.
Glaceon’s strongest attribute, however, is its Special Attack. When it has the opportunity to strike, Glaceon can do exceptional damage using this stat. Its Speed holds it back though, making it rely on its bulk, which could be better.
6 Beartic
Though Beartic rarely moves first in a matchup, both its Defense and Special Defense share the same decent value. Paired with its above-average HP, Beartic can usually survive a blow or two. With the strike that follows, this Pokémon can wipe out a variety of enemies in a single hit due to its great Attack stat.
If Beartic has Slush Rush as its Ability, its Speed doubles, which usually solves some of its problems, but this is only situationally helpful. Beartic also has access to some excellent Physical attacks, further solidifying its place as a great attacker.
5 Galarian Darmanitan (Standard Mode)
Galarian Darmanitan is much stronger in its Zen Mode form, but since this variation is an Ice/Fire-type, it does not qualify as a pure Ice-type. Its Standard Mode, while weaker, is still very capable. Its Speed is fairly high, and its Attack stat is fantastic. As such, Darmanitan relies on quick but decisive hits that knock out opponents in very few strikes.
If Darmanitan needs to defend, it can do so only decently. Its defensive stats are low, but its HP compensates for this a bit. Darmanitan’s low Special Attack stat makes strikes of this kind essentially useless, but the power of its Physical strikes is such that it can defeat many Pokémon, even if they excel at Physical Defense. Additionally, if Galarian Darmanitan has Gorilla Tactics as its Ability, it gains a huge boost to its Attack, but this limits it to only using one move.
4 Vanilluxe
A relatively even stat spread, with more focus put into offensive stats, works to Vanilluxe’s benefit. Its Speed is not exceptional, but with reasonable bulk, the Pokémon can withstand a decent amount of damage. Vanilluxe’s offensive stats are not incredible, but they are both capable, especially its Special Attack.
Additionally, if Vanilluxe has Snow Warning, an Ability option it gained in Generation VII, hail activates when it enters the battle. Vanilluxe can then use Blizzard, which bypasses the accuracy check in a hailstorm. It may be one of the most divisive Pokémon in the series, but it is nevertheless a strong competitor.
3 Regice
When it comes to the strongest Hoenn Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, Regice is not among the best. However, when it comes to pure Ice-types, this Legendary can more than hold its own. It is not very fast, but with a high Defense stat and incredible Special Defense stat, Regice rarely goes down with one strike.
Its Special Attack shares the same stat value with its Defense, giving Regice a reliable source of damage. If it faces opponents with a high Special Defense it can be in trouble though, because Regice’s Attack stat is low, leaving it with no better options. However, in many matchups, Regice is a great pick.
2 Mega Glalie
In its base form, Glalie is not fantastic. Each of its stats is only slightly higher than each of Castform’s. With its Mega Evolution, however, it becomes much more powerful. Its HP, Defense, and Special Defense stay the same, but its Attack and Special Attack both gain a significant boost. Mega Glalie also has a higher Speed stat.
Mega Glalie’s Ability, Refrigerate, turns all its Normal-type moves into the Ice-type and gives them a power boost. As a result, Mega Glalie can deal extensive damage to opponents, even if they specialize in either Physical or Special Defense.
1 Glastrier
Glastrier almost never moves before an opponent, but this is of no concern to it. Its solid HP paired with its great Special Defense and fantastic Defense allow it to withstand multiple attacks without much trouble. After the Legendary brushes this damage off, it strikes back with great force, utilizing its exceptional Attack stat.
When it knocks out a Pokémon, Glastrier’s Ability, Chilling Neigh, activates, raising its Attack stat. Glastrier is mostly limited to Physical strikes, but with its sheer strength, it can overpower most defenders with ease.
