Ice-type Pokemon can be tough to take down without the right knowledge. So, if you come across one or want to add one to your team, here’s everything you need to know about their strengths, weaknesses, counters, and more.
Mastering their cold abilities, Ice-type Pokemon can certainly pack a punch in battle. They are known for their powerful moves and solid defense, allowing them to give as good as they get.
However, as it goes with all Pokemon, Ice-types have their weaknesses and can be taken down. So, to help you do so, here’s everything you need to know to survive an encounter or battle effectively with your very own Ice-type.
What are Ice-Types weak to?
Ice-type Pokemon have four primary weaknesses when it comes to moves and opposing Pokemon types.
Ice-Type Weaknesses
Fire-type Pokemon are a fantastic choice to put against Ice-type Pokemon thanks to their Burn abilities. However, Ice-types often have access to super effective Water-type moves, so be sure to assess their types before heading in or you could only do neutral damage.
Rock and Steel-type Pokemon are also a great shout for battle, as they’re not weak to Ice-Types, meaning you’ll get a little more protection. However, Fighting types are ideal for this scenario, as they are fully resistant to Ice types.
Which move types are super effective against ice Pokemon?
Ice-type Pokemon are equally weak against Fighting, Rock, Fire, and Steel. They take x2 damage from any move under these types. This makes building a strategy against them fairly uncomplicated. Below are some moves to consider using against Ice Pokemon from each weakness type.
- Fire
- Fire Blast
- Ember
- Flamethrower
- Pyro Ball
- Sacred Fire
- Rock
- Ancient Power
- Rock Tomb
- Rock Throw
- Rollout
- Rock Blast
- Steel
- Flash Canon
- Hard Press
- Heavy Slam
- Metal Claw
- Meteor Smash
- Fighting
- Brick Break
- Focus Blast
- Jump Kick
- Low Kick
- Aura Sphere
Ice-type Pokemon resistance
Ice-type Pokemon are resistant only to other Ice-Type moves. This means that Ice-type moves do less damage when used on Ice-Type Pokemon. Because of this, think twice before throwing an Ice Beam at a Froslass.
Ice Type Strengths
When it comes to throwing Ice moves out in battle, there are a number of types that will take a solid hit. Grass, Ground, Flying, and Dragon-types are all weak to Ice-type moves.
The weakness for Dragon-types is particularly handy, as these monster opponents can be tough to take down without a good strategy. If you know you are going up against a Leader with a Dragon-type specialty, consider taking the Alolan Ninetails with you. It will definitely come in handy.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
Best counters for Ice-type Pokemon
The best Pokemon you should use to counter Ice-type Pokemon are listed below:
- Terrakion (Rock/Fighting)
- Cinderace (Fire)
- Heatran (Fire/Steel)
- Emboar (Fire/Fighting)
- Magcargo (Fire/Rock)
- Lucario (Fighting)
Always consider a Pokemon’s secondary type when selecting your counter Pokemon and moves. While the above examples are effective against pure Ice types, the opposing Pokemon may have resistances based on their primary/secondary type.
Best Ice-type Tera Types
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet‘s addition of Tera Types has been a game changer for battle strategy. Players can temporarily change their Pokemon’s type to their Tera type. Because of this, an Ice-Type can become a Steel-Type, making moves that were once strong against it less problematic.
Here are the best Tera Types for Ice-types in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet:
- Water: Eliminates any weaknesses to Fire, Rock, and Steel
- Ice: Grants an extra boost of power with STAB.
- Ground: Eliminates weaknesses to Fire, Rock, and Steel
Best Ice moves in Pokemon
There are 32 Ice-type moves and we’ve picked the most powerful special, physical, and status attacks you can use in battle:
| MOVE | CATEGORY | POWER | ACCURACY | PP | EFFECT | GEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Burn | Special | 140 | 90% | 5 | Takes a turn to charge. May burn the opponent | Gen V |
| Blizzard | Special | 110 | 70% | 5 | May freeze the opponent | Gen I |
| Ice Beam | Special | 90 | 100% | 10 | May freeze the opponent | Gen I |
| Freezy Frost | Special | 90 | 100% | 15 | Resets all stat changes | Gen VII |
| Freeze Shock | Physical | 140 | 90% | 5 | Takes a turn to charge. May paralyze the opponent | Gen V |
| Glacial Lance | Physical | 120 | 100% | 5 | – | Gen VIII |
| Mountain Gale | Physical | 100 | 85% | 10 | Lowers user’s Speed | Gen VIII |
| Ice Hammer | Physical | 100 | 90% | 10 | Lowers the user’s Speed | Gen VII |
| Aurora Veil | Status | X | X | 20 | Halves damage from Physical and Special attacks for 5 turns | Gen VII |
| Hail | Status | X | X | 10 | Non-Ice types are damaged for 5 turns | Gen III |
What is the best Ice-Type move?
Of this list, Blizzard and Ice Beam are the best options to consider for your battle strategies. Both moves are accessible and can be learned by most Pokemon. The moves have a decent hit, with Ice Beam winning as the best Ice-type move thanks to its high Accuracy and base PP. Blizzard hits a bit harder, but Ice Beam will go further and have a better chance of landing a hit.
Many Ice Type moves, like Ice Burn, are locked to specific Legendary Pokemon. While they are great to have in battle, obtaining a White Kyurem for Ice Burn or an Ice Rider Calyrex for Glacial Lance isn’t always practical. Because of this, sticking to the moves that can be learned via leveling or through TMs is a much better way to go.
Best ice-type Pokemon ever
The Pokemon franchise has a total of 67 Ice-types (up to Gen 9), but some options stand out among the dozens players can catch. Here are the 10 best of the ranking:
- Kyurem
- Chien-Pao
- Regice
- Iron Bundle
- Excalibur
- Galarian Darmanitan
- Ice Rider Calyrex
- Alolan Ninetales
- Mamoswine
- Glaceon
That’s everything you need to know about Ice-type Pokemon. Go ahead and check out our list of all the Cat or Dog Pokemon in the franchise, and learn more about other types such as Grass, Poison, and Fire.