Water-type Pokémon are among the most versatile and popular cards in Fire-type Pokémon cards also makes them a strong defensive choice, providing a counter against some of the game's Fire-based heavy hitters. For those that want to get the full potential out of Water-type Pokémon, deck balance and cohesion are very important.

Each Water-type Pokémon has different features that make them useful, utilizing their HP, attacks, and special abilities to be effective in Pokémon TCGP battles. Despite being weak to Lightning-type Pokémon, these cards can be used strategically to mitigate the meta. These are the 10 best Water-type cards to use in Pokémon TCG Pocket, all of which will be valuable assets for a player’s deck.

10 Tentacruel Can Frustrate The Opponent

This Stage 1 Pokémon Has A Deadly Poison Attack

Tentacruel will frustrate your opponent with its unique ability, chipping away at their Active Pokémon each round. This card's attack, Poison Tentacles, deals a solid 50 damage for two energy – one Water Energy and one Colorless Energy. However, what makes this attack strong is its poison effect, inflicting 10 damage each turn. This forces the opponent to make a choice – retreat the poisoned Pokémon to protect it, or risk losing the card quickly.

This Stage 1 Pokémon can be placed into battle quickly, only needing to evolve from Tentacool. This fact, along with its cheap attack cost, allows Tentacruel to work effectively in aggressive decks. While cards like Articuno ex or Blastoise ex are being prepared on the bench, Tentacruel can occupy the Active Spot and cause some problems for the opposition. With 110 HP, the Water-type Pokémon has all the features to do this job effectively for the player.

9 Omastar Will Control The Tempo Of A Battle

An Ability That Will Trap The Opponent

Omastar has exceptional stats across the board, being strong in both offensive and defensive strategies. Its attack, Ancient Whirlpool, hits for 70 damage for three energy – one Water Energy and two Colorless Energy. When used, this attack will stop the opponent’s Active Pokémon from attacking the next turn, meaning Omastar will cause serious problems for Pokémon with a high Retreat cost.

This card should be used in a deck alongside Articuno ex, making for a disruptive and controlling strategy. For the best play, Articuno ex can be placed in the Active Spot from turn one. Misty will accelerate this card's progression. This is all while Omaster can be prepared on the bench, evolving the Helix Fossil to Omanyte, and then to Omastar.

8 Poliwrath Will Make The Opponent Second Guess Their Attack

Counterattack Ability Is A Game-Changer

Poliwrath’s strength comes from its special ability. “Counterattack” does 20 damage to the opponent’s Active Pokémon when it attacks you. The opponent will need to be cautious when attacking Poliwrath, as dealing damage at the wrong time will be fatal. Along with this, “Mega Punch” deals an impressive 80 damage for three energy – one Water Energy and two Colorless Energy.

When constructing a Water-type deck, balance and synergy are key. Cards like Omastar, Poliwrath, and Kingler may not have the highest raw damage, but their abilities make them effective in a well-rounded strategy. Consider how cards like Misty and Sabrina can enhance the overall flow of your deck.

Being a Stage 2 Pokémon, this card takes some time to put into play. Combine this with its attack cost and Poliwrath may not seem worthwhile. However, its special ability will confuse the opponent’s tactics, and its HP makes it tough to beat. This card can work well alongside Farfetch’d and Kangaskhan, giving the Water-type enough time to be set up, whilst causing significant damage.

7 Blastoise Ex Is A Tank That Packs A Punch

High-Risk, High-Reward Powerhouse

Blastoise ex is the least effective ex Water-type Pokémon. However, with a high HP and two strong attacks, this card can control battles when used correctly. Its attack, Surf deals 40 damage for two energy (one Water Energy and one Colorless Energy), which is nothing to write home about. However, Hydro Bazooka can hit for a massive 100 damage, with the potential to do 60 more damage with an additional two energy. This attack requires just three energy originally — two Water Energy and one Colorless Energy — offering enough power to defeat most cards in the game while remaining relatively cheap.

While Stage 2 Pokémon like Poliwrath and Blastoise ex can take time to set up, their strength and versatility make them powerful assets. Use cards like Farfetch’d and Kangaskhan to buy time for your Stage 2 Pokémon to shine.

As a Stage 2 card, Blastoise ex requires evolving twice — first from Squirtle to Wartortle, and then to Blastoise ex. This makes it slower to set up compared to other ex cards, but its powerful attack damage makes the effort worthwhile. This card works extremely well with Starmie ex and Misty. With some luck, Misty will allow Blastoise ex to reach the 5 Water Energy it needs for 160 damage. Furthermore, Starmie ex will act as a faster acting aggressive card to put pressure on the opponent.

6 Kingler Uses KO Crab To Destroy The Opponent

Underrated Tank With Huge Power

Kingler is a relatively cheap tank, emerging as one of the most underrated Water-type cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Its attack, KO Crab, hits for a strong 80 damage for three energy – two Water Energy and one Colorless Energy. This also gives you the opportunity to flip two coins. If these are both flipped to heads, this attack does another 80 damage, totaling 160. Despite this relying on RNG, this attack has ex levels of power.

This card is best partnered with Articuno ex and Misty, serving as a quick way to deal huge amounts of damage. Water-type decks often rely on luck with Misty, but these cards should work quickly enough with or without the er card.

5 Gyarados Has A Disruptive Ability With Hyper Beam

The High Cost Brings Great Reward

Gyarados may have an extremely high cost, requiring four Water Energy to deal any damage, but with its attack ability it becomes useful. “Hyper Beam” deals 100 damage, while also discarding a random energy from the opponents' Active Pokémon. This can ruin the preparation of ex cards, while dealing high amounts of damage. Due to its 150 HP, Gyarados should be able to use this attack more than once, disrupting the opponent.

Misty's energy acceleration ability can be a game-changer when paired with powerful Water-type Pokémon like Articuno ex, Blastoise ex, or Gyarados. Using Misty early on in a match can help you quickly power up high-cost attacks like Blizzard or Hydro Bazooka. However, keep in mind that Misty's effectiveness relies on RNG, so it's essential to plan your strategy around this.

To use Gyarados effectively in Pokémon TCG Pocket battles, Misty is an essential. Gaining the four Water Energy is the challenge with this Pokémon, which Misty swiftly sorts out, with a bit of RNG luck. Frosmoth can also be used in a Gyarados deck, forcing the opponent asleep and stalling them.

4 Lapras Ex Is Self-Healing And Agressive

High HP And Self-Healing For Consistent Damage Output

Lapras ex has become increasingly more popular since the Lapras ex event that started in November 2024. Many players are now able to use the card's high HP and self-healing ability after collecting it in promotional packs. Lapras ex’s attack, Bubble Drain, deals 80 damage for three energy – two Water Energy and one Colorless Energy. Along with this, the attack heals 20 damage with each use. This is the equivalent of using a Potion item card each turn, saving resources.

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This card's 140 HP allows it to take some hits, even before the attack can be used. To get the full potential out of Lapras ex, it can be partnered with Starmie ex for an aggressive Water-type deck. This gives you two quick acting, high damage cards to keep the opponent on their toes.

3 Greninja Can Knock The Opponent Out From The Bench

Water Shuriken Can Deal Consistent Damage

Greninja has a special ability which bolsters damage output regardless of what Pokémon you put in the Active Spot. Water Shuriken will deal 20 damage each turn, whether it is on the bench or the Active Spot. This card also has an attack called Mist Slash that hits for 60 damage for one Water Energy and one Colorless Energy.

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This card partners perfectly with Starmie ex. Greninja can simply sit on the bench while Starmie ex takes the Active Spot. This means that instead of Starmie ex dealing 90 damage each attack, it will deal 110. This partnership will easily dispatch the opponent, not requiring luck or a lengthy set-up.

2 Articuno Ex Is Fast And Powerful

Can Be Combined With Misty For A Potential First-Turn Win

Some decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket feature Articuno ex as the sole Pokémon, and for good reason, it's one of the best ex cards in TCG Pocket. For just two energy – one Water Energy and one Colorless Energy – Articuno ex will use Ice Wing for 40 damage. This is a quick, efficient attack to pin back the opponent. Its second attack, Blizzard, costs three Water Energy and deals 90 damage, while also hitting each of the opponent's benched Pokémon for 10 damage.

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When paired with Misty, Articuno ex has the potential to end the battle in the very first turn. Misty’s energy acceleration will give Articuno ex the necessary resources to use Blizzard, though this does rely heavily on RNG. Additionally. Articuno ex also benefits from Sabrina, swapping out stronger Pokémon for ones that can be beaten with one attack.

1 Starmie Ex Is The Best Water-type Pokémon In The Game

Quick-Acting Card To Beat The Opposition

Starmie ex has only one attack, but it is highly efficient. For just two Water Energy, this card can use Hydro Splash for 90 damage. This card only needs to evolve from Staryu to start dealing this high amount of damage which, with careful deck building, won’t take long in the battle. Starmie ex’s 130 HP also keeps the card from being easily knocked out by other ex cards.

One of the other features that makes Starmie ex such a strong card is its 0 Retreat Cost. This is unusual for a Stage 1 Pokémon, so it should be taken advantage of. If Starmie ex has taken significant damage, it can be swapped for similarly strong cards like Articuno ex. This card also combines well with Misty and Greninja for a powerful Water-type deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket.