Ice-types haven’t had the best of times over the Pokémon generations. It’s unfortunately weak to several of the most popular types and, by design, most Ice Pokémon are fragile, with barely any defensive capabilities. Also, they’ve had some of the most laughable designs over the years, let us not forget the ice cream with a face, the Santa bird, and whatever the heck Mr Rime is supposed to be.
As the rarest type in the franchise, it’s no surprise that you rarely see anyone claim that an Ice-type is their favourite Pokémon, but writing off the whole group would be a bad idea because there are a handful of brilliant designs in there. We’ll give them the spotlight today and show the best of what ice has to offer.
If you’re looking for some more intense Pokémon then check out our list of best Fire-type Pokémon, or perhaps turn up the heat on the ice a little bit and see our list of best Water-type Pokémon.
Aurorus
This is one of the simplest fossil Pokémon designs, but that works in its favour. It has a nice cute pre-evolution before growing into a strong and firm dinosaur with a very elegant look. It serves as a great counterpart to the other Generation 6 fossil, Tyrantrum. Where Tyrantrum is chaotic and viscous, Aurorus is calm and stoic, embodying the quiet and peaceful side of Ice-types.
Walrein
This is a great three-stage evolution line that culminates in the unstoppable force of Walrein. Spheal is a cute little ball who rolls around without a care in the world, Sealeo adds a bit of power but is still the happiest little guy you’ve ever seen, and then their Walrein who crushes all in its paths without a second thought. Water/Ice is the perfect combination because it makes for such a bulky Pokémon with access to really dangerous moves.
Frosmoth
When Sword & Shield first launched, everyone immediately fell in love with the adorable little snowball known as Snom. It’s undoubtedly an adorable Pokémon, but it meant that people overlooked the beauty that is Frosmoth. The slow and graceful way its wings wave combined with the pure white body and sapphire blue eyes make it something special.
Mamoswine
Mammoths are cool, this is a simple fact of life.
Froslass
One of the most annoying Pokémon to go up against, but that makes Froslass all the more endearing. Glalie is a fine evolution from Snorunt, but Generation 4 brought this Ice/Ghost-type to the scene and blew it out of the water. The haunting way it floats in the air is great, and the way it can cloak itself in hail to become virtually unhittable makes it so much fun to play with.
Lapras
While it’s tempting to shout “overrated” at every fan favourite Generation 1 Pokémon, it’s hard to deny that Lapras is one of the best. While there isn’t exactly anything icy about it, that doesn’t matter because it’s perhaps the most “Pokémon” Pokémon ever. A lot of ‘mons feel like they’d fit better in franchises like Digimon, Yo-Kai Watch, or even Sonic the Hedgehog sometimes, but Lapras is undoubtedly a Pokémon, and it would only ever fit in this world.
Glaceon
As is the rule of the universe, if there is an Eeveelution of a certain type, it is one of the best Pokémon of that type. You take Eevee’s already perfect design, alter it to be very obviously themed around a certain type, and you’ve got an all-time great Pokémon. It’s that easy.
Alolan Ninetales
Kantonian Ninetales is great, and probably still the better design, but it’s not an Ice-type, so it can get in the bin for this list. Alolan Ninetales does exactly what a regional form should do. It keeps everything great about the original design but takes it in a different direction, in this case, changing the blonde fur to pure white and giving it an almost magical aura that draws you in.
Weavile
Weavile is the literal and metaphorical definition of a “cold-hearted killer”. With a dark body, terrifying smile, and deadly claws, this is not a Pokémon you want to get anywhere near. One of Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ biggest crimes is that we didn’t get a Hisuian Weavile, but the weird and lanky Sneasler instead. According to the Pokédex, it can bring down prey as large as Mamoswine thanks to its incredible speed. Perhaps a bit of a glass cannon, but that just makes it cooler.
Articuno
Already ranked as one of the best Flying-types, Articuno exemplifies the best traits of Ice-types. It looks graceful with a clean and sleek appearance but carries an overwhelming sense of cold threat. It feels as if even being near this thing would turn you to ice, not to mention how great it fits in with the other Legendary birds.
Written by Ryan Woodrow on behalf of GLHF.
