Water-types in Pokémon have always held a significant prominence in the series. Misty, Kanto's Water-type gym leader, was a main character in the original arc of the anime, and recently a real-life Water-type beat the water-focused Pokémon Sapphire. Water-types are also seriously popular among fans both on a casual and competitive level.
Out of the 932 Pokémon, more are Water-types than any other type in the game. Most competitive players use Water-types like Wailord and Milotic to fill the role of the thick-skinned HP tank. While fans are divided on things like Pokémon generations and how the types relate to the real world, here are five of the coolest Water-type Pokémon.
Milotic
In recent games, Feebas evolves when it's traded holding a Prism Scale, and it may just be one of the best trade-based evolutions out there. Milotic is a beast of a Water-type with a fairly high Defense stat, but it is also one of the most beautifully designed Pokémon overall -- unsurprising since it used to evolve by increasing a Feebas' Beauty. There's an elegance that a lot of Water-types carry, and that theme is no more apparent than with Gen III's Miltoic.
Competitively, Milotic is seen as a solid tank that has seen frequent use since Ruby and Sapphire. Miltoic's only ever gotten more popular with Sword and Shield given that it is one of the few defensive Water-types available in the game. Its design and competitive viability make Milotic one of the best Water-types out there.
Vaporeon
Another elegant design, Vaporeon is often valued for its Special Attack stat, filling a support role on competitive teams. However, the Water-type Eeveelution still has the standard qualities of its typing, such as a huge amount of HP and a high Defense. Vaporeon also has one of the more diverse move-sets in the game, allowing it to provide support and counter stronger opponents.
Of course, Vaporeon's design is another selling point. Given that it's from Generation I, Vaporeon isn't the most complex Pokémon out there. Even in its simplicity, however, Vaporeon is still visually sleek and elegant.
Swampert
Swampert breaks the mold of a lot of Water-types. Not only does it get access to a powerful two-move combo of Earthquake and Ice Beam, but the Gen III starter is also a venture into the more monstrous side of Pokémon designs. Of course, there's still the fact that Swampert holds a seriously high Defense stat like many of its Water-typed peers.
However, Swampert mixes things up even more by having a solid Attack stat too. Not only can Swampert tank physical attacks, but he can also dish out huge damage with the right moves. With its impressive mix-ups and unique design, Swampert is undoubtedly one of the coolest starters, let alone Water-type Pokémon.
Suicune
Legendary Pokémon are an interesting topic, as their very existence inspires plenty of questions on the world itself. As for the games, Legendaries aren't usually allowed in competitive play, though Suicune is an exception to this. Its Pressure ability is a huge advantage, since it can utilize its high defense to stall out opponents. As with most Legendaries, Suicune has a wide range of moves available to learn.
Suicune also stands out as one of Gen II's coolest designs, as well as one of the best Legendary designs in general. It takes the idea of an elegant Water-type to the next level, creating a Pokémon that looks majestic and powerful.
Primarina
Primarina may not have the staying power as other Water-types in competitive play, but some of the best-designed Pokémon fall outside of the competitive meta. Primarina is a perfect example of the animated, 3D models introduced during the series' Nintendo 3DS days at their best.
Introduced in Sun and Moon, Primarina's model uses swaying motion and a flowy design to give it the appearance of being constantly underwater. This just helps exemplify that elegance that Game Freak often associates with the Water-type.