Players will be returning to the Sinnoh region in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It has been quite a long time since players have gotten to explore the Sinnoh region, so both new and returning players may need a recap of the Pokemon available in the region. The Sinnoh region is home to many powerful Pokemon to choose from.

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Water-type Pokemon are plentiful in the Sinnoh region, and when it comes to strong Pokemon, players have lots of choices. In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, water-type Pokemon are useful from start to finish, so it's always a good idea for players to have one on their team.

Updated December 30th, 2021 by Russ Boswell: There are a lot of great Sinnoh water types that players can use in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, with even more than ever before thanks to access to the National Pokedex. Players looking for the best water Pokemon in BDSP will want to comb through all of the available types in order to ensure they have the best team possible to take on some of the more difficult endgame content. To showcase all of the best water Pokemon in BDSP, and to dive deeper into their stats, the following list has been updated with even more entries.

13 Vaporeon

Pokemon Vaporeon Water Day Ambassador

Those looking for a pure water type that can dish out some hefty damage should consider the tried-and-true Eeveelution, Vaporeon. The Bubble Jet Pokemon has solid stats, can learn an array of useful moves, and is capable of taking down some pretty stacked opponents. Those that can cover its type weaknesses will find themselves with a solid companion that is capable of dealing with tough opponents.

Those that want to get their hands on a Vaporeon will need to find an Eevee and then evolve it via a Water Stone. Eevee can be found in one location, the Trophy Garden, where players will have a 20 percent chance to encounter one by walking through the tall grass.

Vaporeon's Stats:

HP: 130

Attack: 65

Special Attack: 110

Defense: 60

Special Defense: 95

Speed: 65

Total: 525

12 Wailord

pokemon wailord size feature

Sometimes bigger is better when it comes to battling Pokemon and Wailord is one of the biggest Pokemon around. This massive pure water type sports an immense health pool, giving it solid tanking abilities. That said, it's also capable of dishing out decent damage, making it a good option for those that want a solid water Pokemon to help carry them through difficult content.

Players can obtain a Wailord in two separate locations, Route 223 and Route 230. In both instances, Wailord can only be encountered by using the Super Rod, although they're pretty common. Finding a Wailmer (Wailord's base form) is actually much harder. The base form can spawn in the same areas using the Super Rod but only has a 1-5 percent chance of actually showing up.

Wailord's Stats:

HP: 170

Attack: 90

Special Attack: 90

Defense: 45

Special Defense: 45

Speed: 60

Total: 500

11 Poliwrath

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Poliwrath

Those itching for a dual water and fighting type should take a look at Poliwrath. This first-generation pocket monster has an iconic swirled design and is actually a pretty great option for a battle partner in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Thanks to its all-around solid stats, Poliwhirl can be a useful addition to any team and comes packed with an array of useful moves.

Players that want their own Poliwrath will first need to secure a Poliwhirl, which can be found on Route 225, Route 227, or Route 228 by surfing (rarely) or by using a Super Rod (rarely and only on Route 225). The better place to encounter this Pokemon is in the Grand Underground, where it can be seen in the following biomes:

  • Fountainspring Cave
  • Grassland Cave
  • Riverbank Cave
  • Still-Water Cavern
  • Sunlit Cavern

Once players have a Poliwhirl they'll need to give it a Water Stone to evolve it into Poliwrath.

Poliwrath's Stats:

HP: 90

Attack: 95

Special Attack: 70

Defense: 95

Special Defense: 90

Speed: 70

Total: 510

10 Cloyster

Pokemon Cloyster in battle

Cloyster is a Water and Ice Dual-type Pokemon. Cloyster has a whopping 180 Defense, making it a great addition to any team. Cloyster's weaknesses to Fighting, Grass, Electric, and Rock-type moves put it at a disadvantage in a lot of battles, but if used strategically Cloyster can become a valuable asset.

Cloyster's unevolved form, Shelder, can most easily be caught using a fishing rod on Route 205 as well as Feugo Ironworks. Players will need a Water Stone to evolve Shelder into Cloyster, which can be found most easily in the southern part of Route 213.

Cloyster's Stats:

HP: 50

Attack: 95

Special Attack: 85

Defense: 180

Special Defense: 45

Speed: 70

Total: 525

9 Empoleon

Pokemon Empoleon in battle

Empoleon is the Sinnoh region's Water-type starter Pokemon. Empoleon has a great Special Attack and Special Defense stat, coming in at 111 and 101 respectively. With its Steel and Water Dual-typing, Empoleon is a powerhouse for resistance. With resistance to Water, Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Psychic, Dragon, Fairy, Steel, and Ice-type moves, and complete immunity to Poison-type moves, Empoleon has few opponents strong enough to challenge it, especially at higher levels.

Empoleon's unevolved form, Piplup, can be chosen as the player's starting Pokemon but should the player choose to catch it later in the game, it can be found in Pokemon Brilliant and Shining Pearl's Grand Underground

Empoleon's Stats:

HP: 84

Attack: 86

Special Attack: 111

Defense: 88

Special Defense: 101

Speed: 60

Total: 530

8 Walrein

Two Pokemon Walrein together

Walrein is an Ice and Water Dual-type Pokemon that evolves from Spheal and Sealeo. With a 110 Health stat and 'Thick Fat' Ability (reduces damage from Fire and Ice-type moves by 50%), Walrein is a sponge for damage and is useful in tough battles.

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Both of Walrein's lower evolutions can be found while using Surf on Route 230 and Route 226. Walrein has a high evolution level, with Spheal evolving into Sealeo at level 32 and Sealeo into Walrein at level 44, though this shouldn't be a huge issue with Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Exp. Share always enabled.

Walrein's Stats:

HP: 110

Attack: 80

Special Attack: 95

Defense: 90

Special Defense: 90

Speed: 65

Total: 530

7 Swampert

Pokemon Swampert in battle

Swampert is the Water-type starter Pokemon from Generation 3. As with most starters, Swampert boasts great stats with its main highlight being its 100 HP and 110 Attack stat. Though Swampert's Dual-typing of Water and Ground give it an impressive move pool, it also comes with a 4X damage weakness to Grass-type moves which can hinder Swampert in key battles.

Swampert's lower evolution Pokemon and fan favorite, Mudkip, can be caught in the Grand Underground.

Swampert's Stats:

HP: 100

Attack: 110

Special Attack: 85

Defense: 90

Special Defense: 90

Speed: 60

Total: 535

6 Feraligatr

Pokemon Feraligatr roaring

The Generation 2 Water-type starter Pokemon Feraligatr has a high Attack and Defense stat, making it a trustworthy Pokemon for players to take with them on their journey through Sinnoh. Feraligatr's sole Water-typing gives it few weaknesses but allows for less versatility in its move options.

Totodile, Feraligatr's base evolution, can be caught in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Grand Underground.

Feraligatr's Stats:

HP: 86

Attack: 105

Special Attack: 79

Defense: 100

Special Defense: 83

Speed: 78

Total: 530

5 Blastoise

Pokemon Blastoise in battle

Blastoise is the original Generation 1 Water-type starter Pokemon and is a real tank in battle. With a 100 Defense and 105 Special Defense stat, Blastoise can take most hits thrown at it. While players may not be able to catch this Pokemon until later in the game, its usefulness lasts into the end game as a strong Water-type is vital to any great Pokemon team.

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The iconic Squirtle, the pre-evolution of Blastoise, can be caught in the Grand Underground.

Blastoise's Stats:

HP: 79

Attack: 83

Special Attack: 85

Defense: 100

Special Defense: 105

Speed: 78

Total: 530

4 Lapras

Pokemon Lapras roaring

Lapras is a great choice for any player's Pokemon team. With an enormous HP stat of 130, Lapras is a reliable Pokemon in most battles. Its Dual Water and Ice-typing also give it a nice move pool for players to choose from, with moves like Hydro Pump and Ice Beam being of great use to players.

Lapras is a notoriously difficult Pokemon to find in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but can rarely spawn on Victory Road. Shiny hunting this Pokemon in the wild would be a real pain!

Lapras' Stats:

HP: 130

Attack: 85

Special Attack: 85

Defense: 80

Special Defense: 95

Speed: 60

Total: 535

3 Gyarados

Pokemon Gyarados roaring in battle

Gyarados' popularity with players has never subsided since its Generation 1 introduction, and for good reason. With an Attack stat of 125, which is higher than some legendary Pokemon, Gyarados is a deadly Pokemon to take into battle and at high levels can take out most opponents in just a few swipes.

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Magikarp, Gyarados' base form, can be caught using a fishing rod on most Routes in the game. The Pokemon will evolve into Gyarados at level 20. While Magikarp can be a pain to level up due to its lack of available moves, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Exp. Share will be of use for this.

Gyarados's Stats:

HP: 95

Attack: 125

Special Attack: 60

Defense: 79

Special Defense: 100

Speed: 81

Total: 540

2 Milotic

Pokemon Milotic in battle

Milotic is often compared to other bulky Water-type Pokemon like Gyarados, though where others have high Attack or Defense stats, Milotic holds impressive Special Defense and Special Attack stats. Milotic's sole Water-typing means it has few weaknesses and useful resistances.

Feebas, Milotic's lower evolution, can be caught using a fishing rod on Mt. Coronet.

Milotic's Stats:

HP: 95

Attack: 60

Special Attack: 100

Defense: 79

Special Defense: 125

Speed: 81

Total: 540

1 Kingdra

Pokemon Kingdra shooting smoke in battle

Kingdra is often overlooked, though it is one of the most impressive Water-type Pokemon available in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and is a great all-around Pokemon. Kingdra has solid stats across the board, coming to a total stat count of 540, rivaling even the strongest non-legendary Pokemon.

Horsea, Kingdra's base evolution, can be caught using a fishing rod on Route 226. Horsea will evolve into Seadra at level 32 and will need to be traded while holding a Dragon Scale to be evolved in Kingdra.

Kingdra's Stats:

HP: 75

Attack: 95

Special Attack: 95

Defense: 95

Special Defense: 95

Speed: 85

Total: 540

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl was released on November 19th, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.

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