15 best Ice-type Pokemon ranked: Iron Bundle, Kyurem, Weavile & more

There are many Ice-type Pokemon across the franchise but not all of them are equally strong. We’ve ranked the 15 best Ice-type Pokemon of all time that will leave your opponent shivering in fear.

Throughout Pokemon’s nine generations, the franchise has featured 65 different Ice-type Pokemon. This offensively minded type may be less durable than others but they hit hard and can take out even the strongest adversaries.

Even so, they aren’t all built equal so to help you pick the right team members we’ve ranked the best 15 Ice-type Pokemon based on how strong they are in the mainline games. This takes into account their stats, movepool, and abilities, all key factors in determining which Pokemon are the strongest.

Contents

• What is the best and strongest Ice-type Pokemon?
• 15 Best Ice-type Pokemon of all time
  • Avalugg
  • Alolan Sandslash
  • Cloyster
  • Froslass
  • Glastrier
  • Mamoswine
  • Alolan Ninetales
  • Arctozolt
  • Weavile
  • Kyurem
  • Ice Rider Calyrex
  • Galarian Darmanitan
  • Baxcalibur
  • Chien-Pao
  • Iron Bundle
• What are the worst Ice-Type Pokemon?

What is the best and strongest Ice-type Pokemon?

The strongest Ice-Type Pokemon is Iron Bundle, with the Paradox Pokemon not only boasting an impressive 136 Speed and 124 Special Attack but also having one of the most stacked movepools of any Pokemon in the franchise.

15 Best Ice-type Pokemon of all time

15. Avalugg

• Debut: Pokemon X & Y
• Type: Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Steel, Fire

For the longest time, Avalugg was a meme choice. The idea of a Pokemon with 184 Defense and 95 HP seems appealing as a physical tank, but Ice is a notoriously terrible defensive typing so this didn’t make much sense. It’s a less extreme version of what Onix has suffered from for decades.

However, Gen 9’s introduction of Terastallization, Heavy-Duty Boots, and the type-wide buff that makes Ice-types gain 50% Defense during Snow on top of Avalugg’s Ice Body ability finally makes this tank viable. It isn’t top-tier or even meta but Avalugg is no longer a joke and can prove useful if used correctly.

Avalugg base stats:

14. Alolan Sandslash

• Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Type: Ice/Steel
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Fire

A downside to many Ice types is that you often have to rely on Terastallization to cover their obvious weaknesses. However, Alolan Sandslash is part Steel which makes it resist several types despite its primary typing, although you do always have to be aware of its two 4x weaknesses.

Though its offensive stats are nothing crazy, Alolan Sandslash gets access to a wide range of useful support moves including Knock Off, Rapid Spin, Ice Spinner, and Stealth Rock. This makes it a fantastic support Pokemon and one of the few Ice types that excel in this role, especially if you can set up Hail or Snow beforehand to trigger Slush Rush.

Alolan Sandslash base stats:

13. Cloyster

• Debut: Pokemon Red & Blue
• Type: Water/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Grass, Electric

A lot of older Pokemon have suffered from power creep over the years, being phased out by stronger options. Yet Cloyster is an exception with the Kanto Pokemon remaining a great option all these years on for one reason and one reason only, Shell Smash.

Shell Smash is a phenomenal setup move that raises Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by two stages at the cost of Defense and Special Defense. Using this move makes Cloyster very frail but if you can pull it off then the Icicle Spears that follow will take out almost anything your opponent sends out.

Cloyster base stats:

12. Froslass

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Ice/Ghost
• Weaknesses: Rock, Ghost, Steel. Fire, Dark

Froslass is unlikely to be sweeping teams anytime soon but its 110 Speed and access to Spikes, Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, and Destiny Bond make it an absolute menace to play against. This is the definition of a Pokemon that can ruin another trainer’s day if they aren’t prepared for its diverse learnset.

Though Froslass is best used as a lead to set up Spikes, its 80 Special Attack lets it deal some serious damage via either Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, or Hex. The only downside to Froslass is that its stats are spread out evenly and a jack-of-all-trades Ice type isn’t ever going to be truly top-tier.

Froslass base stats:

11. Glastrier

• Debut: Pokemon Sword and Shield
• Type: Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Steel, Fire

With 145 Attack, 100 HP, 130 Defense, and 110 Special Defense, and an incredible ability in Chilling Neigh, you would assume Glastrier would be a top-tier physical attacker. To an extent that is true with Glastrier hitting like a truck and even having access to Swords Dance which can get scary if not dealt with.

However, its crippingly low 30 Speed, lack of recovery, and poor defensive typing make it difficult for Glastrier to stay alive long enough to use its high stats. Plus those defensive stats only mean so much when you have so many common weaknesses. Terastallization can help mitigate this problem but you’re usually better off using it on a different Pokemon.

Glastrier base stats:

10. Mamoswine

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Ice/Ground
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Steel, Fire, Water, Grass

Mamoswine has a lot going for it with 80 Speed typically being enough to stay competitive and 130 Attack definitely being enough to deal some serious damage. Throw in its dual Ground typing and you’re left with a fantastic wall breaker with great offensive coverage.

Though not a staller by any means, Mamoswine’s 110 HP does at least let it outlive most opening attacks, buying time for it to deal more damage using the likes of Icicle Crash and Earthquake which both benefit from STAB.

Mamoswine base stats:

9. Alolan Ninetales

• Debut: Pokemon Sun and Moon
• Type: Ice/Fairy
• Weaknesses: Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire

Alolan Ninetales may not have outstanding offensive stats, but 109 Speed and Snow Warning gives it the potential to set up some fantastic plays. Most notably, Snow Warning calls in Hail which can then be followed up by Aurora Veil to make Alolan Ninetales surprisingly durable.

Its ability to tank incoming damage is massively helped by its dual Fairy typing with Fairy being one of the best defensive types in Pokemon. Though Alolan Ninetales is best known for its defensive utility, access to strong offensive moves like Freeze-Dry and Moonblast prevent opposing trainers from stalling out Aurora Veil as they’ll likely lose multiple Pokemon trying to do so.

Alolan Ninetales base stats:

8. Arctozolt

• Debut: Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Type: Electric/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Rock, Fire

While it’s certainly not as powerful as Dracovish, Arctozolt is another strong fossil Pokemon that debuted in Generation 8. The idea behind Arctozolt is to boost its Speed via Slush Rush and then outspeed the opponent letting Bolt Beak wreak havoc.

With 100 Attack and Bolt Beak’s 85 Base Power, doubled to 170 if Arctozolt attacks first, the result is usually victory. Something that makes Arctozolt even better is that it’s not as though sending in a Ground-type will shut it down, as STAB Blizzard or Freeze-Dry hits hard too.

Arctozolt base stats:

7. Weavile

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Dark/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Bug, Steel, Fire, Fairy

It goes without saying that Weavile’s design is superb, but the Sharp Claw Pokemon doesn’t just look cool, it’s also fantastic in battle. With Ice being such a good offensive typing, 120 Attack and 125 Speed already make Weavile worth using but that’s by no means the end of its strengths.

Weavile has a fantastic movepool learning the likes of Triple Axel, Knock Off, Pursuit, Ice Shard, Ice Spinner, Low Kick, and even Swords Dance. As glass cannons go, Weavile is easily one of the best, but it has become slightly less relevant in Generation 9 due to the introduction of another Ice type further down this list.

Weavile base stats:

6. Kyurem

• Debut: Pokemon Black & White
• Type: Dragon/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Steel, Dragon, Fairy

To be clear, we are talking about regular Kyurem, not its alternative forms. While both Kyurem-Black and Kyurem-White are absolute powerhouses and arguably the best Ice-type Pokemon altogether, this dragon’s base form isn’t quite as powerful.

Even so, once it sets up Kyurem becomes a practically unstoppable force thanks to its 130 Special Attack and access to devastating STAB moves like Draco Meteor and Freeze-Dry. Add Dragon Dance to that equation and the result is a Pokemon that will singlehandedly win you battles if not kept in check.

Kyurem base stats:

5. Ice Rider Calyrex

• Debut: Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Type: Psychic/Ice
• Weaknesses: Rock, Bug, Ghost, Steel, Fire, Dark

Combining the powers of Glastrier and Calyrex, Ice Rider Calyrex is a great Pokemon that not only has an unbelievable 165 Attack but also 150 Defence, 130 Special Defence, and 100 HP, making it a pain for opposing trainers to deal with.

The trade-off? Its 50 Speed isn’t outpacing much at all leaving Ice Rider Calyrex vulnerable, at least somewhat negating its incredible bulk. Even so, its fantastic stats and the potential to gain momentum and sweep courtesy of Chilling Neigh and Glacial Lance make this Pokemon top tier.

Ice Rider Calyrex base stats:

4. Galarian Darmanitan

• Debut: Pokemon Sword and Shield
• Type: Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Steel, Fire

Sadly, Galarian Darmanitan is not yet available in Generation 9 but when it does finally arrive you won’t be disappointed. This regional form of Darmanitan that first appeared in Generation 8 is incredible and it’s mostly due to how outrageous Gorilla Tactics is.

Gorilla Tactics is Galarian Darmanitan’s signature ability, multiplying its Attack by 1.5x on its first move used. This stacks with Choice Scarf on top of Galarian Darmanitan’s already magnificent Attack stat of 140. All of these stats piled on top of each other let STAB attacks like Icicle Crash one hit KO the mass majority of Pokemon.

Galarian Darmanitan base stats:

3. Baxcalibur

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
• Type: Dragon/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Steel, Dragon, Fairy

Pokemon battling isn’t that complicated when you break it down to its basics. If a Pokemon can deal a lot of damage and isn’t too fragile, it will always be worth using. Given this, it’s no surprise Baxcalibur isn’t just worth using, but is one of the best Ice-type Pokemon altogether.

Baxcalibur has fantastic offensive typing as well as 145 Attack which is more than enough to get the job done as either a top-tier sweeper or wall breaker. None of its other stats are outrageous but 115 HP, 92 Defense, 86 Special Defense, and 87 Speed are all solid and make Baxcalibur both bulky and quick enough to shine in its role.

Baxcalibur base stats:

2. Chien-Pao

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
• Type: Dark/Ice
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Bug, Steel, Fire, Fairy

Remember when we mentioned a new Pokemon that has replaced Weavile? Yeah, this is that Pokemon. Chien-Pao is Weavile but better and that is one hell of a recipe for success. Chien-Pao matches Weavile’s 120 Attack but offers a superior 135 Speed giving it the edge as an attacker.

Except that’s not all. Chien-Pao is also considerably bulkier and has access to Swords of Ruin, one of the most insane abilities in all of Pokemon. This ability is effectively a free Life Orb with no downsides. It doesn’t use up the item slot letting you equip either Heavy-Duty Boots to improve survivability or even an actual Life Orb on top of Swords of Ruin to obliterate everything in your way.

Chien-Pao base stats:

1. Iron Bundle

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
• Type: Ice/Water
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Rock, Grass, Electric

Iron Bundle is the best Ice-type Pokemon of all time with its 124 Special Attack and 136 Speed letting the Paradox Pokemon deal a lot of damage. This can be further boosted via Quark Drive which provides a 1.3x boost to Special Attack. However, this requires EV training to be effective or Electric Terrain to be prepared ahead of Iron Bundle switching in.

What really gives Iron Bundle the edge though is its ability to learn both Freeze-Dry and Hydro Pump which provide perfect coverage as they cannot be resisted by any other Pokemon. Even if it does somehow get caught in a bad situation, a STAB-boosted Flip Turn offers an easy escape making Iron Bundle practically unstoppable.

Iron Bundle base stats:

What are the worst Ice-type Pokemon of all time?

Despite Iron Bundle being the strongest Ice type, it’s the Pokemon directly related to it that’s the weakest, Delibird. The Delivery Pokemon may try to carry the Christmas spirit but its complete lack of move variety and abysmal stats make for anything but festive cheer.

Another worthwhile candidate is Dewgong who lacks anything of notability outside of being one of the original 151 Pokemon.  It’s a similar story with Glalie and Glaceon who despite their charm are all completely outclassed these days.

Naturally, a wide range of non-evolved and baby Pokemon aren’t ideal for battle either. This includes Alolan Vulpix, Cubchoo, and Snom. They’re all cute but you won’t be winning many battles using them.

While you’re here, check out some of our other Pokemon lists below:

Fairy-type | Water-type | Grass-type | Fighting-type | Psychic-type | Electric-type | Legendary Pokemon | All cat Pokemon | All dog Pokemon | Creepiest ‘mon | Cutest Pokemon | The rarest and most expensive Pokemon cards | 10 best ROM hacks and fan-made games