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Ice
Welcome to the world of the Ice Type. Below you will find out everything you need to know about the Icy Element; from attacks to strategies and of course you'll discover the power of the Ice Type Pokémon themselves.
Changes from Red/Blue/Yellow
In RBY you might remember the popularity of Jynx and perhaps even Lapras, however in GSC, the Ice type if largely overlooked. With the addition of 4 new Pokémon, (Delibird, Swinub, Piloswine, and Sneasel), the Ice Type family has grown to include a total 9 Pokémon. That's still a small group compared to the massive amounts of Pokémon found in the Water and Normal type families. Also new to Ice in GSC is the addition of a weakness to the steel element. Only two new icy attacks have been introduced.
Weaknesses and Resistances
Ice is weak to: Steel, Fighting, Rock and Fire. Luckily for Ice types, these attacks are very easy to predict. Steel attacks are rarely, if ever, used. The Fighting attack Cross Chop is seen on Magmar, Machamp, Primeape, Golduck, and Electabuzz, and Dynamic Punch MAY be seen on some Gengars. Ancient Power and Rock Slide is seen on physical attackers. Fire attacks are primarily seen on Fire Pokémon and Physical attackers but are highly unlikely to be used on an Ice type due to their second types. Ice is resistant to: Ice, and er... that's about it. Yeah, great for absorbing other's Ice Beams.
Ice Moves
Ice attacks are strong against: Dragon, Ground, Grass, Flying As you can see, Ice is a great attack to use on many Pokémon, and 4X effective on Dragonite, Gligar and Jumpluff. Ice attacks are weak against: Steel, Water, Ice Right, when facing these types you might wanna look for another attack in your arsenal. Ice type attacks have always been a favorite amongst trainer for it's versatility and perhaps even more importantly, it's ability to induce the "FRZ" or frozen state. There is usually about a ten percent chance to inflict a freezing attack, however it usually renders the victim completely immobile and unable to attack while it's frozen. Unlike the SLEEP condition, FRZ usually lasts much longer. In fact, there is only a 10% chance each turn that the FRZ Pokémon will be released from it's condition. Also, if the FRZ Pokémon is attacked with a fire attack, it will thaw and be able to attack again. It is often best to avoid attacking with a fire attack whenever possible if you're opponent has a FRZ Pokémon active, or on the bench. Following is a list of the Icy Attacks of GSC: Powdered Snow, 40 power, 99.6% accuracy, 9.8% chance of freezing The first of two new GSC attacks. Powdered Snow is considered useless, given solely to low level Pokémon. This attack is learned by very few Pokémon, usually Ice types that can eventually learn Ice Beam or Blizzard anyways. It's 99.6% accurate and has 40 PP.
Icy Wind, 55 power, 69.5% accuracy, lowers Speed This is the second of the two new GSC Ice attacks. Sometimes useful on an opponent's switch-in to an electric type or faster Pokémon. Taught to many Pokémon through the TM 16, it has 24 PP and is fairly inaccurate. Defintely only to be used for it's speed lowering condition.
Aurora Beam, 60 power, 99.6% accuracy, 9.8% chance of lowering Attack As it has such a high critical hit rate, it really has about 140 power, making it very powerful. It also disregards Barrier, Reflect and Acid Armor.
Ice Punch, 75 power, 99.6% accuracy, 9.8% chance of freezing This attack is also 99.6% accurate and is used as a "mini Ice Beam" for those Pokémon that can't actually learn Ice Beam itself. It also shares the 9.8% chance of a FRZ like most Ice attacks.
Ice Beam, 95 power, 99.6% accuracy, 9.8% chance of freezing A VERY popular attack with Water and Ice Pokémon. Great Damage:Accuracy Ratio. It deals high damage and also has the chance to freeze, which could often turn a battle around. Learned by many Pokémon from TM 13 in RBY and from the Move Tutor in Crystal. 16 PP on this attack.
Blizzard, 120 power, 69.5% accuracy, 9.8% chance of freezing Less accurate than Ice Beam (69.6%) and less PP (8), but more powerful; usually the less favored attack of the two. Not nearly as useful as it was in RBY. Obtained from TM 14.
Haze, 99.6% accuracy, eliminates stat changes Unlike in RBY, there are several Haze users in GSC including Gengar, Dragonite, Quagsire, Tentacruel, Crobat, Weezing, Murkrow, and Vaporeon. Useful against baton passers and other stat raisers (ie. Swords Dance, Curse). Unlike in RBY, Haze will not remove status conditions like FRZ and SLEEP. Strangely enough, no actual Ice Type Pokémon are able to learn this attack.
Mist, 99.6% accuracy, prevents stat changes Unlike Haze, Mist prevent the opponent from Stat Reduction against your Pokémon (such as Screech or the Special Defense Reduction sometimes involved with Crunch and Psychic). Not very useful, you might as well just have Haze or switch out when one of your stats are lowered.
Ice Pokémon
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 278
When
using Jynx, it is best to pay attention to her weak DEFENSE stat. Try to
avoid confrontation with common Pokémon like Snorlax, Tyranitar and
Machamp. As tempting as it is to risk using the Lovely Kiss attack
against them, it is often not a good idea. If you're using a Countering
Jynx, it is still best to avoid the big hitters like Marowak, Tyranitar
and Heracross, as they all have attacks that can knock Jynx out in one
hit. When using a Perish Trapping Jynx, remember to use Mean Look before
Perish Song, and if a heavy hitter comes out as you Mean Look, it is
still best to retreat. Obviously, it would be a great idea to make sure
the big guys are already gone from the opponent's team before you start
to perish trap. Ice Beaming when you see a switch coming is often a
great idea, as it deals quick damage and may get a FRZ. Movesets: Ice Beam,
Psychic, Lovely Kiss, Substitute @ Leftovers
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 238
Dewgong
is basically a mini-Lapras, with slightly higher speed. Treat it
similarly, but with more caution as it can't take as many attacks. Movesets: Rest,
Perish Song, Whirlpool, Protect @ Leftovers
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 218
Lapras
is a tank, however there are still a few things you should avoid.
Basically those guys are Tyranitar, Machamp and electric types. Against
anything else, Lapras usually has no problem. "Use Ice Beam
frequently and hope for a freeze" is a common strategy with Lapras.
Resting is easy as it has massive HP and can take a hit while it's
sleeping, which also goes nIcely with Sleep Talk to keep the attacks
flowing. A Rain Dance Lapras is tricky, as the "Anit-Lapras's"
come out on the switch and you are forced to retreat Lapras without ever
taking advantage of the Rain Dance. Again, it's best to wait until the
opponent's Lapras killers are taken out before you attempt to set her
up. Horn Drill Lapras works much the same, only you are using Horn Drill
as often as possible (except on Ghost types of course) rather than Ice Beam.
A perish trapping Lapras is tricky, as the Whirlpool is unpredictable
and may disappear before the Perish Song is down to it's final count.
Take the same cautions with a Perish Trapper Lapras as you would with
the Rain Dance Lapras. Movesets: Ice Beam,
Surf, Rest, Thunderbolt @ Leftovers
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 268
This
birdy can take hits easily, however you should pay attention to it's 4X
weakness to rock attacks (for example... avoid Tyranitar). Double Team
and Curse works well on this guy, because it's defensive stats are so
high that it can usually rest off the damage while avoiding several
attacks through the double teams, or shrugging off physical attacks with
curse. Ice Beam takes advantage of the decent Special Attack and may get
that "oh-so-helpful" freeze. He can't get any good flying type
attacks so Flying HP is your best bet if you want further STAB (Same
Type Attack Bonus) on this guy. Substitute also works well with its high
stats and prevents status conditions like SLEEP and PRZ which is always
helpful. Movesets: Ice Beam,
Flying HP, Rest, Reflect @ Leftovers
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 328
Sneasel
doesn't have a very high Defense stats, so it's sometimes a good idea to
throw reflect on him, or even counter to OHKO a lot of physical
attackers (that's assuming they don't OHKO you). Screech is a safe bet,
for forcing a lot of switching and helping out Sneasel's Attack when it
does hit. Sneasel is a fast physical attacker, but it's Special Attack
is far too low to get it any special attacks, even with STAB. This guy
is very fragile, so be sure to watch his health and steer clear of
fighting attacks. Movesets: Thief,
Screech, Dynamic Punch, Shadow Ball @ Nothing
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 198
This
thing is a slow attacker, much like Golem or Rhydon with an Ice type
attached. However, Piloswine can learn attacks Amnesia AND Curse, which
would set him up as a tank. His special defense is low, and he has 3
weaknesses to special attacks (grass, water, fire). Having rest and some
kind of stat booster is usually a good idea, either curse or amnesia or
if you're feeling up to it, u can have both. Like Sneasel, the Piloswine
is not very outstanding in the special attacks department. Keep it's
moveset limited to Earthquakes and Ancient Powers and other physical
attacks. Movesets: Curse,
Earthquake, Ancient Power, Rest @ Mint Berry
Max stats at Level 100 Speed: 238
Undoubtedly
the coolest Pokémon (inserts bias), Cloyster usually has two purposes
in a Pokémon battle: Throw Spikes, Explode. It is also useful for
fending off Powerhouse attackers like Snorlax, Tauros and especially
Marowak. Sometimes a Cloyster may have a trapping move like whirlpool to
catch Miltanks off guard and give the Cloyster a chance to blow up in
their face. Icy wind is also sometimes used for this effect. Tri Attack
is an alternative, to take advantage of Cloyster's fairly high attack
and go for one of Tri Attack's many status condions. Again, this is good
for catching Pokémon on the switch or weak defense Pokémon off guard.
Remember not to leave this guy in against a special attacker unless you
plan on exploding, most special attacks will take a serious chunk out of
Cloyster's already dismal HP. Movesets: Ice Beam,
Surf, Spikes, Explosion @ Leftovers
That's it! Remember, Ice Types pwn j00.
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Jynx
Dewgong
Lapras
Articuno
Sneasel
Piloswine
Cloyster