Walrein
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
Analysis
Once a decent pick as a bulky Ice Type attacker in particular, Walrein's utility in Pokemon Go has waned in recent years, and now it's little more than a budget option or a dex filler. Receiving Icicle Spear through the January 2022 Icicle Spear is a largely meaningless buff for it as far as PvE goes.
Offense
- Frost Breath should be paired with Icicle Spear, fulfilling Walrein’s role as a bulky Ice-type attacker.
- Powder Snow is slightly weaker than Frost Breath overall.
- Blizzard is only slightly weaker than Icicle Spear and is a one-bar move, but it is non-legacy.
- Waterfall should be paired with Water Pulse if you’re adamant about using Walrein for Water-type offense.
- Earthquake leaves much to be desired.
Defense
- Waterfall deals higher DPS than Frost Breath, though the latter has counter coverage against Grass-types.
- Powder Snow is weak for defense.
- Icicle Spear is the best move on Defense, being a 3-bar move that offers coverage when used in conjunction with Waterfall.
- Blizzard is largely outclassed by Icicle Spear.
- Earthquake could surprise Electric-type counters, but is slow and easily dodged.
Powder Snow is preferred due to its high energy generation, but Waterfall can be chosen for more reliable Water-type damage. Frost Breath is outclassed.
more-verticalplus
The Community Day exclusive move Icicle Spear is a must have when using Walrein due to its very low cost and strong damage output. Earthquake is the highly preferred second charge move, as Ice + Ground is a largely unresisted type combination. Water Pulse is underwhelming. Blizzard is outclassed by Icicle Spear.
The January 2022 Community Day blessed Walrein with two excellent moves that catapulted its status from being a complete nobody to being one of the most threatening Pokemon in the metagame. Overall positive matchups against metagame staples such as Azumarill, Nidoqueen, Altaria, and most Grass-types provide it with plenty of play. Despite having four weaknesses to fairly common attacking types, Walrein's bulk and coverage are strong enough to cover most of them. Most Electric- and Rock-type Pokemon fear Earthquake, while Grass-types are often defeated by its relentless barrage of Icicle Spears and Powder Snows. Counter users such as Medicham, Scrafty, and Defense Deoxys are some of the most reliable ways to take down this juggernaut.
Walrein isn't a flawless specimen, however. It only has two resistances, which limits its ability to outright wall certain matchups when at a shield disadvantage. It also has a tougher time covering its teammates' weaknesses compared to the likes of Azumarill, Galarian Stunfisk, or Skarmory. Although Powder Snow + Icicle Spear offer a great deal of base consistency, it may find itself being somewhat bait dependent to land an Earthquake on certain targets such as Galarian Stunfisk and Bastiodon.
