Analysis of Types: Chapter 3: Water-type: Part 2: The Design Philosophies and Archetypes

So, what are Water-types, really?

The Purpose of the Water Type:

Water-type is a strange type, having successfully overruled its original purpose as a middle stage between Grass and Ice. In the original games, Water would normally replace the Grass-types used by the player, and be replaced by Ice-types, most of which themselves were the most powerful Water-type Pokémon. Using a pure Water-type besides the starter was nonsensical. However, because Water was versatile enough on its own, it managed to overrule this. Having access to Ice-types has also helped this.

Later generations initially tried to nerf Water, and when that failed, Water became a the "jack of all trades, master of none" type, being bulky and powerful to hold on its own, but being far too under specialized. This did not stop Water-type, as Water became the most abundant type in the game, being accessible in all parts of the game except end-game, where end-game would just reuse older species' evolved forms.

With this overruled, Water-type is now one of the secondary competitive types, alongside titans like Ground, Flying(a fellow early type that managed to overrule its weak status with its versatility) and formerly Fighting. Now with abolishment of HMs Water serves as a reliable type players can easily obtain and raise quickly to serve as a low cost backbone for their favourites.

The Aesthetic Archetypes of Water Types:

The sheer abundance of Water-types have allowed Water-types to be demarcated into three Egg Groups, Water 1 for common Water-types, Water 2 for fish based Pokémon, and Water 3 for invertebrates. However, the aesthetic archetypes of Water-types are slightly different. Water-types are predominantly Blue colored, but there are many Pink and White colored ones. Despite its name, Water-type consists of Pokémon that live in Water, not ones that covered with or composed of Water.

Semi-aquatic:

Predominantly composed of terrestrial Water-types based on species that live near Water rather than in water, this is composed of animals who can swim and walk. They are predominantly bipedal, as such they get Fighting-type moves.

Amphibian:

Based on amphibians that metamorphose, they predominantly reside in Water 1, largely exclusively. They are commonly associated with Mud and Poison.

Fish:

Based on fish or species that confused with fish(in the case of Wailmer and Inkay), these Pokémon are predominantly live in Water 2 Egg Group. Some are associated by Biting moves.

Crustaceans:

Based on crustaceans, they tend to reside in Water 3 and Crabhammer.

Mollusc:

Based on species like Slugs, Octopi and others, these are soft bodied Water-types. The ones with tentacles get moves like Constrict and Wring Out. Jellyfishes, Starfishes, and man o wars are currently included in group. They tend to reside in Water 3.

Other lesser groups include aquatic birds, and water sprites.

The In-game Archetypes of Water Types:

-Early Water type, Terrestrial: Generally the earliest Water-type you can encounter in the game, this buddy requires no extra effort to capture it. They tend to be either mammalian, or amphibian.

-Early Water type, Fish: Generally based on Goldeen, these are species in 450-475 you can early with Good Rod or whathaveyou. They are not too strong.

-The Crabhammer: Generally based on crustaceans that you can gain by fishing, they tend to reside in Water 3. Crabrawler is the only Crabhammer that is not a Water-type.

-Secondary early Water-type: Generally requiring some sort of special capture method or appearing in the same way as other archetypes as a secondary option, these are two staged(generally) species that one can get easily. They tend to be in 470 something range.

-Magikarp clone: Species that start off laughably weak but become strong later on, they test Trainer's raising abilities. Tynamo is the only Magikarp clone that is not a Water-type.

-Gimmicky single stage: Species with weird encounter methods, they are either rare species, or marketable species with low BST. They tend to get popular with the fanbase. Stunfisk can be considered the only member of this group that is not a Water-type.

Water-type generally has no late-game counterparts. Just some gimmicky one stage mons and rare species.

The Stat Archetypes for Water-types:

-The Wall: Composed of species that are generally good in both sides of defense, these species are true walls with recovery options and wide array of status moves.

-The Dual Offense: Having good offensive stats in both sides, these are true dual offensive Pokémon stat moves to boost them and mediocre defenses and Speed to keep going.

-The Bulky Water: Epitome of "Master of none" bulky waters are species that can take in and dish out significant damage to wear down the opponent. A former baby of balanced teams, bulky waters now struggle in these days of specialized species

-The Swift Swim: Poor man's bulky water, these are species with little to no speciality, just some okayish stats. Their main reason d'etre is to use Rain Dance to outspeed and outdamage fellow Pokémon.

-The Tank: Generally specialized in one offensive area, Tanks are slow species with good offensive stats and defenses, but generally poor speed.

-Speeder: A poor man's version of a Sweeper. A Speeder is a Speedy Pokémon with okay stats elsewhere. They tend to be offense oriented.

Analysis of Types: Chapter 3: Water-type: Part 1: The Retrospective

So, what is Water-type?

Water-type is not an invention of Pokémon, however they way it is represented sort of is. Though Water element exists in both Greek and Chinese alchemy, and has been present in all RPGs starting from Dungeons and Dragons, early JRPGs like Final Fantasy and SMT never used Water as a true element, but rather a thematic element. Pokémon is the first JRPG to make Water element completely unique from Ice element.

To compensate for this demarcation, Ice-type was made into an upgraded version of Water, a variant that is only accessible late-game and can defeat most types, especially the best type in the game, Dragon. However, as time passed, Water's inherent ancient associations, combined by Junichi Masuda's clear bias towards it, made Water one of the best types in the game.

Similarly, Water is the most abundant type in the game, having three Egg Groups dedicated to it, and having been combined with all other 17 types in the game. Water is still lacking in moves and contains several weak or mediocre Pokémon, but there is no question of who is the dominant one of the three starter types.

The History of Water-type in Pokémon:

Water-type was quite powerful ever since the first generation. Having access to two of the strongest non-legendary Pokémon in the game, Cloyster and Gyarados, with several moderately powered species in-between, there was no question about who was the best starter type. Sadly, this meant the starter itself, Blastoise, wasn't really all that significant.

Though Ice and Water were considered different types, this did not come to pass in thematic and mechanical sense. All Water-types had Ice moves, and all Ice-types had access to Water-type moves. Most Ice-types were part-Water, and the only non Water Ice-types, Jynx and Articuno, were also associated with Water-types, Jynx was obtained by trading in Poliwhirl, Articuno appears in Seafoam Islands, one of the few areas player can obtain Water-types on terrain. In TCG, Water and Ice were the same Water-type, and Ice-type E4 leader, Lorelei, had access to species that were Water-type without the Ice-type as a secondary type, such as Slowbro.

With the introduction of Special split, Water-type was nerfed significantly. Gyarados and Cloyster were no longer the strongest non-Legendary Pokémon, all Water-types got much less Special Attack or Special Defense(generally Special Attack, as wast majority of Special stats went to Sp. Def) and newly introduced Pokémon were also quite pathetic. However, the sheer abundance of Water-types caused the type to be split in three Egg Groups for sake of breeding, Water 1 covering the primary Water-types, Water 2 covering Fish-based Pokémon and Water 3 covering aquatic invertebrates.

Similar to Groudon in Gen 3, this generation introduced a main mascot Legendary who was Water-type all but in name, Lugia. However, in addition to Lugia, there was a real Water-type legendary, Suicune, which served as sort of the first third main mascot legendary for Crystal. Suicune's replacement of Ice-type in the Legendary Beast's triad of types showed that Water-type no longer needed Ice-type as its upgraded version, and could easily take its place, which it would in the next generation onwards.

This generation introduced two significant Water-type moves, Whirlpool, a new HM that was exclusive for Lugia's domain, Whirl Islands, and likely only introduced because of removal of Water-type TMs Bubble Beam and Water Gun. The other was Rain Dance, the weather effect for Water-type, which would become notorious in the next generation.

This is the generation where Water-type made a splash back into the game. Emergence of abilities have blessed Water-types with the notorious Swift Swim, which made Water-types the fastest type in the game, with Luvdisc being the fastest Pokémon in the game. Emergence of new HM, Dive, provided a new habitat and reason for Water-types, underwater. And the overall tropical nature of Hoenn, as well as presence of Kyogre and Team Aqua, made Water-type the most prominent type in the game, to the point of being the final Gym and eventually in Emerald, the champion's type.

Newly introduced moves were sadly not significant, as Water Pulse was largely introduced as a replacement for former TM Bubble Beam, and Water Spout was far too limited to be fun. However, Doubles provided a good reason to use Rain Dance and Surf to finish off all opponents. This generation also introduced the current statistically strongest vanilla starter, Swampert. Introduction of Huge Power also made Azumarill-line finally useful, and they would get only better.

The next generation of special/physical split has been largely great for Water-types, save for maybe Ludicolo's elemental punches. Many physically oriented Water-types now had a reason to be used, which led to the emergence of "bulky waters" bulky offensive Water-types that can take in and dish out enough damage for the OU. Emergence of this split also introduced two new moves, Aqua Tail and Jet, but sadly Water-type had no elemental punch for itself. Ice-type association have also bled into the new physical Ice-type moves which are also obtained by Water-types.

Two of the prominent legendaries of this generation, Palkia and Manaphy were Water-types. However, other Pokémon introduced in this generation would only gain some prominence later, particularly in the case of Gastrodon. Lack of new powerful Water-types continued to haunt Water-types, though Empoleon's presence has made things more acceptable.

The fifth generation was the generation that broke Water-type for good. Emergence of Drizzle on a non-legendary Pokémon, Politoed, made Drizzle legal for conventional competitions. This meant that anyone could set up Rain Dance, permanently, in the first turn. With this, Water-types immediately became the single most dominant type, and Rain became the single most dominant gameplay. No other type had enough toys to make themselves useful, so there was nothing stopping this.

Emergence of Hidden Abilities also helped Water-type, as many Pokémon get truly powerful abilities, like Regenerator, Lightningrod, Adaptability, and Swift Swim again. Two new moves, Scald and Razor Shell, helped this breaking of the metagame. Razor Shell became the most dominant physical move for Cloyster, whereas Scald became the single most common move in the game. New legendary Keldeo has helped to break apart things with its Secret Sword move. However, the new Water-types were not too powerful, they just had great typing in the case of Jellicent or great moves in the case of Carracosta.

The sixth generation put another massive nerf on Water-types. With Drizzle no longer the dominant weather, Water-types have largely retreated to their original positions. With no new non-signature moves, Water-types were left largely without new toys to mess with. Emergence of Fairy-type have also hindered Water-types, as many Water-types were used as surrogate Ice-types, but with Fairy, this was no longer necessary. New Water-types were not a lot, nor too strong, but they still served their purpose. The exception to this was the starter Greninja, who, with Protean, became a broken Pokémon, and Volcanion with its oxymoronic type, became a dominant species.

New Megas have been good, but great. Mega Blastoise, Gyarados, Slowbro Swampert and Sharpedo were not as strong as their base forms in their high in Gen 5, but they still served their purposes and most importantly justified giving new moves to these Pokémon.

The seventh generation was interesting for Water-types, to say the least. Emergence of Ash-Greninja was probably the most significant thing for the type, but other Water-types were not as strong, though Wishiwashi is currently the strongest non-legendary non-Mega form in the game besides Ash-Greninja. With only one new Water-type move, Liquidation, Water-type continued to get limited toys. Drizzle was reintroduced, this time for Pelipper, which made a quick rise in OU, but failed to bring back Weather Wars. The new legendary, Tapu Fini, remained the weakest of its group, the most successful Water-types this gen were largely defensive.

With power creep rising, Water-types master of none schtick can longer keep. It is hard to see what waits this great type with lots of weak Pokémon, but things will likely be bright.

The Overview of Water-types:

Water-type is weird.For all intents and purposes it should be bad type, but it isn't, despite being the most abundant type it is only the fifth weakest statistically and has remained one of the most dominant types in the game, but in-game and competitively. This hilarious success likely comes from Masuda's favouritism, but outside of that, Water-type's prominence also comes from the fact that:

1. Water is the most abundant element in the surface of Earth, therefore aquatic life covers most of the biosphere, which Pokémon takes its inspiration from.
2. Early abundance of Water-type caused a large momentum that allowed Water-type to get a lot of representation in every generation, and this will likely remain unless there is a demarcation of other Egg Groups and body styles.
3. Water-type has been the most abundant HM type, with four of the overall HMs belonging to Water-type, and two of them being present in all generations before HMs were abolished.

This meant that most trainers would always carry a Water-type for transportation, therefore Water-type had to be good. Lack of proper demarcation between Ice-types and Water-types also helped Water-type to completely take over Ice-type in every role, and weakness of Grass-type has allowed Water to take all the roles that would be given to it, allowing Water to disrupt the intended shift from Grass to Water to Ice to became solely covered by Water-types.

Because of their sheer abundance, it is functionally impossible for Water-type to ever go back, as all nerfs given to Water-type have been overruled by new buffs. Regardless of how irrelevant Water will become in the future, there is no way logically for its competitors to regain its role. Only new types can overrule Water's role.

How to improve: 086-087: Seel-Dewgong

1.Stats: Should Dewgong get a stat boost, Evolution, Mega Evolution or nothing?

Having originally 405 BST in Gen I, Dewgong would have 505 BST, but instead it is stuck with 475 BST. This means that its Special Attack is 25 stat weaker than it was before. In addition to this, Dewgong has no stats that reach to 100.

One possible buff would be +30 to its Special Attack and +10 to its Special Defense, which would give it 100/105 Special stats.

Outside of this, a Rhyperior/Electivire style evolution could work, but Dewgong would have to lose a lot of Speed.

Same goes for a potential Mega, especially since Dewgong has mediocre abilities and terrible movepool.

2.Should Dewgong get more abilities?

Dewgong already has three abilities, but if it were to get more, Gluttony, Snow Cloak, Slush Rush, Swift Swim and Water Veil would make the most sense.

Prankster and Technician would be cool as well.

3. Should Dewgong get more moves?

Absolutely. Dewgong's moveset is terrible for modern standards.

The most obvious would be more horn and head based moves like Iron Head, Megahorn, Head Smash, and Zen Headbutt.

Fairy moves like Play Rough and Charm would be nice as well.

But since Dewgong is Specially oriented, it would need a complete moveset turnover that would allow it to get paranormal moves like Dazzling Gleam, Calm Mind, Shadow Ball, Psychic and Stored Power.

Slack Off would be nice as a recovery move as well.

4.What additional typing Dewgong can have?

Normal is the most obvious one. Steel is another possibility. There is not much else though, besides maybe Ground.

Fully evolved EV yield vs. Stat list:

Notes on top 300 base stats

HP:

Gen IV Top 200: 70-255
Gen V Top 200: 77-255
Gen VI Top 200: 80-255, Top 300: 75-255
Gen VII Top 200: 85-255, Top 300: 75-255

Attack:

Gen IV Top 200: 80-180
Gen V Top 200: 90-180
Gen VI Top 200:  100-190, Top 300: 85-190
Gen VII Top 200: 103-190, Top 300: 90-190

Defense:

Gen IV Top 200: 75-230
Gen V Top 200: 85-230
Gen VI Top 200: 90-230, Top 300: 80-230,
Gen VII Top 200: 95-230, Top 300: 85-230,

Special Attack:

Gen IV Top 200: 75-180
Gen V Top 200: 85-180
Gen VI Top 200: 95-194, Top 300: 80-194
Gen VII Top 200: 98-194, Top 300: 85-194

Special Defense:

Gen IV Top 200: 75-230
Gen V Top 200: 80-230
Gen VI Top 200:  90-230, Top 300: 80-230
Gen VII Top 200: 91-230, Top 300: 81-230

Speed:

Gen IV Top 200: 71-180
Gen V Top 200: 85-180
Gen VI Top 200: 90-180, Top 300: 78-180
Gen VII Top 200: 93-180, Top 300: 81-180

Notes on top 300 BSTs

Currently top 300 BSTs end with Floatzel's 495. After 9 Pokémon introduced with BST above that, the end will be at 497.

Most likely however by next gen the end will be at 500.

Previous end points are:

Gen 4(Top 200): 460
Gen 5(Top 200): 490, 
Gen 6: 485, Top 200: 515
Gen 7: 495, Top 200: 525

So going by this idea:

Gen 8: 500, Top 200: 530
Gen 9: 505, Top 200: 535
Gen 10: 510, Top 200: 540
Gen 11: 515, Top 200: 545
Gen 12: 520, Top 200: 550
Gen 13: 535, Top 200: 555
Gen 14: 540, Top 200: 560
Gen 15: 545, Top 200: 565
Gen 16: 550, Top 200: 570

How to improve: 438-185: Bonsly-Sudowoodo

1.Stats: Should Sudowoodo get a stat boost, Evolution, Mega Evolution or nothing?

Sudowoodo is, for all intents and purposes, terrible. Its BST is reminiscent of a middle stage Pokémon, its abilities are hilariously generic, and its movepool is simply not strong enough, despite its versatility.

As a version counterpart to Mr. Mime, Sudowoodo can get a proportional stat increase to around 440 BST, which would be around +30 more stats. However, this too would keep Sudowoodo terrible.

An evolution makes the most sense, given Sudowoodo's stats. However, cross-generational evolutions will likely not come back, and Sudowoodo is already tall as it is.

A Mega cannot work without any stat boost first.

2.Should Sudowoodo get more abilities?

Sudowoodo already has three abilities, so new ones are unlikely. Best ones would be Sand-based abilities, Reckless, Iron Fist, Contrary, Arena Trap, Aftermath and Shed Skin.

A Grass-type equivalent of Steelworker would be fantastic as well.

3. Should Sudowoodo get more moves?

Sudowoodo already has a nice movepool. Superpower and Close Combat would make the most sense. Accelerock would be good. Other moves like Assurance, Beat Up, Encore, Focus Energy, Follow Me and Rock Wrecker would be good, so would Wide Guard and Punishment. Iron Head and Zen Headbutt would be cool as well.

Though thematically making sense, Sudowoodo is too light for Heavy Slam. Bonsly would like it for Little Cup though. Bonsly can also get some moves exclusive to Sudowoodo like Hammer Arm and Head Smash.

4.What additional typing Sudowoodo can have?

Grass and Dark are the most obvious ones. Fighting and Ground are the lesser obvious ones.