All Water-type Starter Pokemon, ranked

Water-type Starter Pokemon will mostly always be helpful in the long run, since they are the easiest ways to counter some of the strongest Fire-type monsters in the mainline games. Starting with Squirtle from the Kanto region, Water-type critters have seen unique evolutions and typings, with some being powerful enough to be prominent picks in a plethora of teams.

In this article, we take a look at all the Water-type Starter Pokemon released in the franchise and rank them based on the efficiency of their entire evolutionary line and overall popularity.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

Ranking all the Water-type Starter Pokemon

9) Sobble

Sobble as seen in the anime (Image via TPC)

Introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield, Sobble, and its final evolution, Inteleon ranks lower due to two reasons. First, its design as a bipedal lizard isn't as popular as other Water-type starters. Second, although it has a high Sp. Attack and Speed, it's quite frail defensively. This makes it a glass cannon that hits hard but can't take many itself.

It might find usage in specific team compositions, but overall, Sobble and its evolutionary line don't make much of an impact when compared to the other Water-type Starter Pokemon.

8) Popplio

Popplio in the Pokemon anime (Image via TPC)

Popplio is unfortunately the last choice for most trainers selecting a Starter Pokemon from the Alola region. Despite having an interesting dual Water and Fairy-typing in its final evolution Primarina, the critter falls off because of its poor stat distribution. Primarina has low stats overall and does not see much usage in any team.

To be fair, the Alola region has some of the poorest-performing Water-type Pocket Monsters overall. The Popplio line is just unfortunate collateral damage for the same. Besides, this Water-type Starter Pokemon is easily outclassed by its other two starter counterparts, both in base and final evolved forms.

7) Quaxly

Yet another underwhelming Water-type Starter Pokemon, Quaxly was the latest addition in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Its final evolution, Quaquaval has a rather unique dual Water/Fighting-type and deals in physical attacks for the most part.

This entire evolution line has balanced stats on paper, but they are not useful or amazing by any means. One saving grace is Quaxly's Moxie hidden ability, but for this to be useful, the critter has to solely rely on physical attacks.

6) Oshawott

Oshawott as seen in the anime (Image via TPC)

Oshawott's final evolution, Samurott, had an interesting concept, being a sea lion which was designed like a Samurai (hence the name Samurott). The prime reason behind Samurott's poor performance is its mono Water-typing. For a Generation V critter, having only one type on a Starter Pokemon is simply wasted potential.

Although the Hisuian variant of Samurott does have an additional dark type, it cannot be counted as one of the original starter Pokemon evolution lines.

5) Totodile

Totodile in the Pokemon anime (Image via TPC)

The bubbly and cute Water-type Starter Pokemon Totodile is an amazing pick in general. Its final evolution, Feraligatr, is a towering behemoth with a fierce look, completely taking a U-turn from Totodile's cute demeanor.

Feraligatr has amazing stats in terms of Attack and HP and finds a spot in many teams as a Physical Attacker. It could easily rise in the ranks if we can see a new version, perhaps a Mega Evolution or a new Paradox variant in the upcoming Pokemon Legends Z-A.

4) Squirtle

Squirtle in the Pokemon anime series (Image via TPC)

The original Water-type Starter Pokemon, Squirtle is a fan-favorite for the most part. It's a great addition to any team if you are looking for a mono Water-type tank in the form of Blastoise, that is.

Squirtle and Blastoise fail to enter the top three simply because the other entries manage to outshine them in every way. Furthermore, Blastoise has a neat Mega Evolution which grants it an impressive boost as a Sp. Attacker. The critter is still a situational pick because other Pokemon usually perform better.

3) Piplup

Piplup as seen in the anime (Image via TPC)

Piplup's final form, Empoleon, probably has one of the best secondary types for a Water-type Pokemon: the Steel-type. The small penguin might seem cute and harmless, but once it evolves into Empoleon, it's pretty much over for everyone else in the Sinnoh region.

The Steel-typing builds immunity against many other types, and shreds through most other Pokemon in the entire region, becoming an integral part of almost every team. Empoleon's high Sp. Attack and Sp. Defense stat makes it an amazing sweeper, which can also tank crucial hits when needed.

2) Froakie

Froakie is one of the best Water-type Starter Pokemon (Image via TPC)

Froakie, the Water-type Starter Pokemon from Kalos, has a lot going on. Firstly, it's a ninja-frog. Its final evolution, Greninja, carries on the legacy of top-tier design and boasts a more sleek and ninja-esque aesthetic. Greninja is a Speed Attacker, one of the very best in the entire Pokemon franchise.

With high Physical and Special Attacks, Greninja absolutely shreds through enemies with powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves. Its secondary Dark-typing, with the unique Protean hidden ability, makes it an absolute menace and a must-have Pokemon in almost every team.

1) Mudkip

Mudkip as seen in the anime (Image via TPC)

No surprises here, Mudkip is the best Water-type Starter Pokemon and owes this rank largely to its final evolution. Swampert is a powerful Pocket Monster with an insane dual Water/Ground-typing, making it weak against only one type.

Swampert has great all-rounded stats, although it fares better as a Physical Attacker. It is also the second Hoenn Starter to receive a Mega Evolution along with the Fire-type Starter Torchic. This Mega evolution further boosts Swampert's stats, making it a monster to face off in battles.