The Rise of Ice Types: A New Era for the Cold Ones

❄️Ice types have historically been weak due to their defensive relationships and poor stat distribution.

🌨️The addition of the Snow weather condition in Scarlet and Violet has greatly improved ice types' survivability and defense.

🔥Sa Titan, an ice type Pokémon with high stats and unique moves, has become a major threat in competitive play.

🌬️Back Calibur, another powerful ice type Pokémon, boasts high attack and tankiness, making it a formidable opponent.

🆙The reworked Hail condition now provides ice types with a significant defense boost, further enhancing their viability.

Why have ice types historically struggled in Pokémon games?

—Ice types have poor defensive relationships, with four weaknesses and only one resistance to their own type. Additionally, ice type Pokémon often have low speed and bulk, making them vulnerable to many common types of attacks.

What changes were made to ice types in Scarlet and Violet?

—Scarlet and Violet introduced the Snow weather condition, which provides a defense boost to ice type Pokémon. Additionally, new ice type Pokémon like Sa Titan and Back Calibur were introduced, bringing powerful options to the roster.

What makes Sa Titan a strong ice type Pokémon?

—Sa Titan has impressive stats, including high HP and decent defenses. Its ability, Slush Rush, doubles its speed when Snow is active, allowing it to outspeed many threats. It also has access to belly drum, a move that maximizes its attack stat.

How does Back Calibur stand out among ice type Pokémon?

—Back Calibur has the second-highest attack stat among all Paldan Pokémon, making it a formidable offensive threat. Its high HP and good defense stats also give it tankiness. Its ability, Thermal Exchange, provides protection against burns.

What improvements were made to the Hail condition for ice types?

—The Hail condition was reworked to become the Snow condition, granting a 50% boost to the defense stats of ice type Pokémon. This change significantly enhances their overall survivability and effectiveness.

00:00Ice type Pokémon have historically struggled due to their poor defensive relationships and stat distribution.

05:07The introduction of the Snow weather condition in Scarlet and Violet has greatly improved ice types' survivability and defense.

06:08Sa Titan, a high-HP ice type Pokémon with the ability to double its speed in Snow, has become a major threat in competitive play.

10:11Back Calibur, with its high attack, tankiness, and the signature ability of Thermal Exchange, is a formidable ice type Pokémon.

11:09The reworked Hail condition, now Snow, provides ice types with a significant defense boost, further enhancing their viability.