Ice-type Pokémon didn’t seem to get much love when the devs made Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
There are only three S-Tier ice-type Pokémon in this generation of games. In other words, most ice-type Pokémon don’t have many good stats.
However, they might have specific IVs that can make them viable with the right strategy.
If you need or want an ice-type Pokémon, I’ve selected the ones with the best stats.
I’ve shared my favorite three picks for the best ice type Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet below.
Iron Bundle Delibird
It surprised me due to its appearance, but this version of Delibird, Iron Bundle Delibird, is an S-Tier Paradox Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. It is also one of the best Water-type Pokémon in the game.
Unlike its original and much weaker version, Iron Bundle Delibird is a Violet Exclusive Ice- and Water-type Pokémon with a total maximum of 570 combined IV scores. Its highest possible IV is 136 Speed.
Iron Bundle Delibird can have Quark Drive or Guard Dog as an ability. I particularly like Guard Dog since it boosts the Pokémon’s Attack stat if intimidated. Moves and items that would force the Pokémon to switch out also fail to work.
Iron Bundle Delibird is a good choice to face Gyarados and Salamance, strong Pokémon that count on the Intimidate Ability.
Unfortunately, this Ice and Water combination only gives Iron Bundle Delibird a few resistances. It takes 50% damage from Water-type moves and 25% damage from Ice-type moves, but it is weak to Fighting-, Rock-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves.
As for the best moves it can use, you can count on its high Special Attack IV to deal good damage with Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Hyper Beam.
Chien-Pao
In my humble opinion, Chien-Pao is one of the most stylish S-Tier Pokémon. The Pokémon is of the Dark and Ice types, has a total base stat of 580, and has a possibility of having Guard Dog or Sword of Ruin as an Ability.
Its highest IV is 135 Speed, which when paired with its high Attack of 130, is catastrophic. In case this Pokémon hasthe Naive Nature, it will have 10% more Speed and 10% less Special Defense. It will be worth it, though.
The biggest problem with Chien-Pao is its resistance and weaknesses. Moves of the Bug, Fairy, Rock, Steel, and Fire types do twice as much damage against it. Additionally, it receives four times as much damage from moves of the Fighting type.
For some reason, the moves this Pokémon learns by leveling up are far from being the best in the game. You might want to check the best TMs in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet to solve this issue.
Some of the best attacks you can use with Chien-Pao are Blizzard and Giga Impact.
You can capture the legendary Pokémon Chien-Pao by going to a province’s sealed shrine. You need to take out all eight stakes in that province before you can enter Chien-Pao.
What to Do Next
Once you’ve picked which Ice type Pokemon you want to add to your team, find a speed leveling method that works for you and get them to a competitive level. Leveling up Pokemon can feel grindy sometimes but there’s plenty of ways to do it quickly in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Look into the different strengths and weaknesses that your team has, too, and see whether there are any counters you need to prepare.
For example, read up on the best Fire type Pokemon as Ice type Pokemon are weak to Fire.
