Ice types make up just 5.84% of all Pokemon, but they pack some of the strongest offensive power in the franchise. Ice type moves are super effective against Dragon, Flying, Ground, and Grass types, and the type has 33 unique moves as of Generation IX. The trade-off is that Ice has only one resistance (itself) and is weak against four key types, making it a true glass cannon. We ranked the best ice type Pokemon across every generation so you can add the strongest ice types to your team.
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Key Takeaways
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Kyurem remains the top-ranked ice type Pokemon thanks to its 170 base stat in both Attack (Black Kyurem) and Special Attack (White Kyurem) forms.
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Baxcalibur gained a Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC, pushing its base stat total to 700 and making it arguably the strongest ice type in any game.
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Ice types are offensively dominant but defensively fragile — they hit four types super effectively but are weak to Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel — a glaring weakness profile that only Ice resistance can offset.
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Chien-Pao and Iron Bundle are Gen 9 additions that have reshaped the competitive meta and belong on every best ice type Pokemon list.
Top 22 Ice Type Pokemons
Ice types are immune to hail damage and have received a major buff since Generation IX — their Defense stat increases by 50% during snow weather conditions. They also cannot be frozen by ice type moves, a rule that has been in effect since Generation III. In competitive play, ice types often serve as wallbreakers, dismantling bulky defensive teams.
The priority move Ice Shard allows slower ice types to strike first, and the combination of Ground and Ice attacks in battle provides near-perfect neutral damage coverage against most of the roster. The biggest downside is that ice types struggle against Rock type hazards like Stealth Rock, so they typically need hazard control support from party members.
1. Kyurem
With 170 special attack stat for the White Kyurem and 170 high attack stat for the Black Kyurem, this legendary pokémon is easily the best ice type Pokémon out there.
Its Teravolt and Turboblaze skills from its alternate forms can easily defeat any opponent, making it one of the best ice types to date. But what's the best flying type Pokemon?
2. Regice
With its body immune to melting (even from magma), this ice-type Pokémon is considered one of the best ice-type Pokémon in the games and Pokemon anime.
Regice is a formidable legendary Pokémon and can freeze surrounding air as low as -328 degrees Fahrenheit, casting powerful skills like ice beam.
3. Froslass
This snow land pokemon is one of the best ice Pokemon that uses its cursed body and snow cloak technique to evade and disable her opponents efficiently.
This Pokemon boasts of its icicle spear and ice shard skill. Take advantage of the special attack stats by teaching shadow ball to Froslass.
Read: Our Favorite Fighting Type Pokemon
4. Baxcalibur
Up against a dragon-type Pokemon? We suggest using Baxcalibur. While it only has 86 special defense stats, this formidable dragon has special skills for resisting fire.
Using the Thermal Exchange skill can boost its attack stat and repel burn status. It also uses its Ice Body skills to heal a portion of its HP.
5. Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao is a Dark and Ice type legendary Pokemon introduced in Generation 9 with a base stat total of 570. Its 135 base Speed stats and 120 Attack make it one of the fastest and hardest-hitting ice types in competitive battle.
Chien-Pao's signature trait, Swords of Ruin, lowers the Defense of all other battlers on the field. This trait alone makes it a devastating physical attacker capable of sweeping entire opposing teams. Competitive players in VGC and Smogon formats consider Chien-Pao one of the strongest non-restricted ice types.
6. Glalie
If your Snorunt does not evolve into Froslass, worry not - you can use Glalie, as it is also considered one of the best ice-type Pokemon out there.
Resistant to flinching, this Pokemon uses the move Moody, Inner Focus, and Ice Body to increase random stats like special attack and special defense stats.
7. Avalugg
Avalugg is an ice and rock type Pokemon that is also present in Pokémon Legends: Arceus Hisui Pokedex. This Pokemon can be seen roaming in the Alabaster Icelands [1].
With a high HP, great defensive stats, and high attack capabilities, Avalugg is a great Pokémon for any team that needs a tanky fighter. So what's the best ground type Pokemon?
8. Walrein
This ice-break Pokemon can protect itself from ice and fire-type moves using its Thick Fat ability. It can also restore its HP when the surrounding condition is hailing.
Other Pokémon that use Attract or Taunt abilities can be countered by its Oblivious skill.
9. Lapras
While Lapras looks very kind and harmless in the Pokemon anime, it is also a formidable Pokemon with high recovery skills.
Even though it only has 96 points for the special defense stats, its Hydration and Shell Armor moves negate almost any ailment status.
10. Iron Bundle
Iron Bundle is a Paradox Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet with an Ice and Water typing. It is essentially a futuristic version of Delibird with vastly superior stats.
Iron Bundle's Quark Drive power activates on Electric Terrain or when holding a Booster Energy item, converting stored energy into raw speed or power, boosting its highest stat. With 136 base Speed and 124 stats for special attacks, Iron Bundle functions as a fast hit-and-run sweeper. It has been a dominant force in the competitive battle scene since its debut, frequently appearing in top-tier Smogon teams.
11. Articuno
Articuno is a legendary Pokemon in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet series [2].
Like Iron Bundle (a Paradox Pokemon) that can be obtained in Pokemon Violet or via trade in Pokemon Scarlet, Articuno can be obtained by trading in the X & Y series.
12. Cloyster
Appearance can be deceiving because this oyster-shaped Pokemon can beat any opponent if it is properly trained.
Its Skill Link ability always gets the maximum damage out of repetitive skills like Pin Missile and Rock Blast.
13. Weavile
The dark & ice-type Pokemon, Weavile, is great if you want to steal items from your opponents. It debuted in the Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.
Its ‘Pickpocket’ skills allow him to steal items from any physical attackers, which makes him a great asset to any team.
14. Glastrier
With 110 points of special defense stat and 145 points of attack stat, this Pokemon can beat any combat by increasing its stat over time using its Chilling Neigh.
Glastrier may not have special skills, but many trainers seek his common skills and high stats. But what's the best shiny type Pokemon?
15. Abomasnow
This Pokemon is often seen as a massive tree in the Sinnoh region. The Abomasnow uses the Ice Punch skill to damage and freeze enemies in combat.
It might not be the best Pokemon, but it can bury any opponent in the mountains.
16. Ice Rider Calyrex
The Ice Rider Calyrex is a strong High King Pokemon in the Pokemon Sword and Shield. It uses a special attack called Glacial Lance that can do heavy damage.
This Pokemon is considered one of the strongest, especially during double battles where the Glacial Lance attack can deal heavy damage to both opponents.
17. Alolan Ninetales
Alolan Ninetales is a rare and fun Pokemon to use in Pokemon UNITE. This Pokemon is obtainable by login reward or buying it with 8000 Aeos Coins in the Aeos Emporium.
Its snow warning ability and high-speed stats make this Pokemon challenging to defeat. Pokemon fans definitely will want to own this rare Nine Tales variant.
18. Glaceon
You can get Glaceon by giving Eevee an icy rock and allowing it to evolve. Glaceon can be seen in the Pokemon anime and is one of the evolutions of Eevee.
19. Galarian Darmanitan
This Pokemon is a spectacle and is interesting because of its Zen Mode.
Zen Mode allows it to change into an ice & fire type, increasing some of its stats. Still, the highlight of this Pokemon is its skills, including Icicle Crash and Blizzard.
20. Mamoswine
This massive Pokemon uses a combination of ice and ground attacks. It is also almost invincible with its Snow Cloak and Oblivious skills.
Likewise, it can use other powerful attacks like Stone Edge and Blizzard that can easily take down opponents.
21. Alolan Sandslash
While the Pokémon anime typically only shows the rock-type Sandlash, the Alolan Sandslash deserves to be in this spot.
Unlike the original Sandlash, which uses many ground-type moves, this variant uses ice moves like Subzero Slammer and Icicle Spear.
22. Aurorus
Aurorus is a rock & ice-type Pokemon best known for its diamond-shaped crystals protruding from its back.
The crystals expel cold air that freezes enemies every turn, making this Pokemon known for its Freeze Dry skill.
FAQs
Who Is the Best Ice Type Special Attacker?
Kyurem has the best stats among all ice type Pokemon, making it the top special attack option in this category. White Kyurem reaches 170 base Special Attack, the highest of any ice type. Iron Bundle and Glaceon are also strong special attacking options with 124 and 130 base Special Attack respectively. Frost Rotom is another solid pick with 105 Special Attack, 107 Special Defense, and the Levitate ability that grants immunity to Ground type moves.
Who Is the King of Ice Type Pokemon?
There are many exceptional ice types, but Ice Rider Calyrex has earned this title through its dominance in competitive play — from its devastating Glacial Lance to its strong showings at the 2025 VGC World Championships. Mega Baxcalibur is also a contender with its 700 base stat total from the Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC.
Are Ice Type Pokemon Strong?
Ice types are among the best offensive types in the franchise. They deal super effective hits against Ground, Grass, Flying, and Dragon types, making them valuable for countering popular competitive threats from other type categories. The trade-off is that Ice is the weakest defensive type, with four weaknesses (Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel) and only one resistance (Ice). Some ice types like Cetitan (170 HP, 113 Attack) and Avalugg (184 Defense) buck the fragile trend with bulkier stat distributions, but most ice types excel as offensive sweepers rather than defensive tanks.
What Pokemon Type Is Stronger Than Ice Type?
Fire, Rock, Steel, and Fighting types all deal super effective damage against ice types. Ice type moves also inflict only normal damage against Bug, Poison, Water, and other type matchups that resist them. Fire is often considered the biggest threat because ice types are especially weak to it and Fire types are common in competitive play and can easily knock out most ice types, even the best ice types with high defensive stats.
In Summary
From classic ice types like Articuno and Lapras to modern competitive powerhouses like Chien-Pao and Mega Blaziken. With Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC and the launch of Pokemon Champions in 2026, there has never been a better time to build an ice type battle party.
If you are looking for authentic Pokemon merchandise to celebrate these incredible ice type champions, we carry officially licensed collectibles, trading cards, and more. You can also buy more and save when you shop our Buy More Save More collection.
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