The 10 best Ice Pokemon of all time

The best Ice Pokémon have a cold edge to them, despite some looking rather warm and cuddly

Author:
Ryan Woodrow
Publish date:
Oct 28, 2023 4:00 AM EDT

It’s not easy being an Ice-type Pokémon. Not only is it the least common type in the entire Pokédex, but it’s also one of the types with the most weaknesses, often making it far too easy to take them down without the right secondary type to back it up. Still, some beautiful and powerful Pokémon hide behind this perceived weakness.

We’re going through and picking out the very best Ice Pokémon to help you warm up to these cold creatures.

Check out more of our Pokémon rankings with our lists of the best Bug Pokémon, best Fighting Pokémon, and best Water Pokémon.

Walrein

It’s fair to question how a Water/Ice-type can exist when they’re technically the same thing, but Walrein makes the most of it, and Water actually covers most of Ice’s weaknesses. Spheal is an adorable creature that people love for its ball shape, and Walrein does the most with that, keeping the slightly goofy design but turning it into something powerful.

Eiscue

Eiscue is a very easy Pokémon to love. First of all, it’s a penguin – scientifically proven to be among the best animals – and second, it’s managed to get its head frozen in a big cube of ice, which it has then carved a new face onto. I sure hate it when that relatable thing happens.

Mamoswine

A big mammoth is an easy win for an Ice-type, so it’s a good job Generation 4 came around and tacked this behemoth onto the end of the Swinub evolution line. Mamoswine manages to simultaneously look cute and a little friendly, yet terrifying enough to rip you to pieces.

Lapras

It’s easy to forget that Lapras is part Ice-type just by looking at it, but it’s still one of the most reliable and adorable companions you can have on your journey. The image of a trainer sitting on the back of a Lapras, riding the waves is an iconic one for a reason, after all.

Alolan Ninetails

Pokemon Alolan Nintetales — The Pokémon Company

Ninetails is already a rather beautiful creature, but Alolan Ninetails turns it into something out of a utopian fairytale. At least that’s what it looks like, the Pokédex characterizes it as being rather grumpy, simply helping travelers off of high mountains because it wants them to go away.

Froslass

While I’ve got nothing against Glalie, I’m very glad Snorunt ended up getting this alternate evolution in Generation 4. Not only does it look nice and mischievous, but its ability to evade in hail means almost everyone has memories of encountering one and being frustratingly worn down by it.

Chien-Pao

The Treasures of Ruin are some of the stranger Pokémon designs in Generation 9, but that also makes them some of the best, and Chein-Pao is arguably the biggest standout of the group. Snow leopards are some of the most gorgeous-looking animals on the planet at the best of times, but mixing it up with a longer body and broken legendary swords for fangs is a surefire-winning formula.

Glaceon

Eeveelutions simply always work, no matter what type they’re inserted into.

Articuno

Articuno is simultaneously graceful and terrifying. There’s some twisted beauty in the idea of this giant elegant bird that can glide through the air like nothing else, yet can freeze you to death as easy as breathing. I don’t know if it’s safe to be around such a power, but that’s not going to stop me.

Weavile

Let’s be real, there was no contest here. As soon as we said “best Ice-type” Weavile was one of the first Pokémon to pop into your head. Gen 4 really did wonders for Ice-type, as this is the third Pokémon on the list that was added in Sinnoh as a new evolution. It’s cool, dark, quick, and deadly, what’s not to love?