Pokémon: The 10 Most Powerful Ice Moves, Ranked

Ice is in a complicated position among the types in the Pokémon franchise. Defensively, it resists only itself, and it is weak to four others. Offensively, it tends to do much better. Four types resist Ice, but four other types are vulnerable to it.

Though the type has its benefits and drawbacks, there is no denying that Ice offers some incredible moves that Pokémon can learn. Whether part of a coverage move-set or on an Ice-type Pokémon that will gain immense power from them, Ice moves can be terrifying in battle. Trainers can utilize them to devastating effect.

10 Sheer Cold

Sheer Cold is an example of a Pokémon move that can turn the tide of a battle in one strike. It does so incredibly inconsistently, however. The attack is a one-hit knockout, but its chance to connect is not reliable. When an Ice-type uses it, the base percentage to hit is 30%, which increases depending on the level difference between the user and the target, failing if the user is at a lower level than the enemy. The base percentage for a non-Ice-type using it is even lower to 20%.

It is best to have another Ice-type attack for consistency, but in a dire situation, Sheer Cold has a low, but still possible, chance to change the course of the battle. Many of the strongest dual-type Ice Pokémon can learn it, and it may be a viable choice for trainers who want a potential option for seemingly hopeless situations.

9 Ice Punch

Ice Punch is a commonly utilized coverage move, and with good reason. Its base accuracy of 100% makes it a dependable attack, and though its base power of 75 is strong but not terrific, Ice Punch also has a 10% chance to give the frozen condition to the target.

Though only a handful of Pokémon can learn the attack through leveling up, it is available for a multitude of Pocket Monsters via TM, Move Tutor, etc., making it an excellent option that Physical attackers can often utilize to terrifying effect.

8 Freeze-Dry

Ice may not be generally considered among the strongest Pokémon types, but Freeze-Dry helps Ice to compete with the others a bit more. Its base power of 70 and base accuracy of 100% make it more than capable, though not exceptionally strong.

However, the attack can be more helpful because of its 10% chance to give the target the frozen condition. Furthermore, though Water resists Ice-type attacks, Freeze-Dry has the unique property of being super-effective against Water, making it an option to deal with what would otherwise be a weak point offensively for the Ice-type.

7 Icicle Crash

Icicle Crash, which made its way into the franchise in Generation V, is a viable Physical attack. It has a base power of 85, and though its base accuracy of 90% means that it will miss occasionally, it is reliable enough to make it a solid pick.

Additionally, Icicle Crash has a 30% chance to make the target flinch, which can be hugely beneficial. Furthermore, unlike many Physical moves, Icicle Crash does not make contact when it hits, so the user would not take damage from the effects of Abilities like Aftermath, Rough Skin, etc.

6 Ice Hammer

It may not be the most widely available Ice-type move, but Ice Hammer is a powerful attack that can be viable in battle when players can utilize it. Ice Hammer is the signature move of Crabominable, one of the most underrated Pokémon from the Alola region, and has the same effect as the Fighting-type attack Hammer Arm.

Ice Hammer has a base power of 100 and base accuracy of 90%. However, it lowers the user’s Speed stat. Since Crabominable is already slow, though, it consistently acts last regardless, making this reduction in Speed less impactful than it would be on a faster Pokémon. A Pocket Monster using it through other means, however, like Smeargle as a result of Sketch, could be more affected by it if it has a higher base Speed stat.

5 Ice Beam

Ice Beam is one of the most reliable Ice-type attacks in the Pokémon franchise. It has a base accuracy of 100%, so barring circumstances like stat reduction, semi-invulnerable turns, etc., the attack will always connect. This consistency is paired with a base power of 90.

Though there are moves with higher base powers than Ice Beam, its dependability is part of what makes it one of the most popular Ice-type attacks around. In addition, it has a 10% chance to give the target the frozen condition.

4 Blizzard

Like Ice Beam, Blizzard is an incredibly popular attack that many Ice-type Pokémon use. Unlike Ice Beam, though, Blizzard has a base power of 110 and an accuracy of 70%, meaning that it is incredibly strong but misses a notable percentage of the time.

The attack is often worth the risk, however, as Blizzard can sometimes defeat enemies in one strike. Also, if a Pokémon uses Blizzard during hail, it bypasses the accuracy check, essentially guaranteeing a hit, giving it more viability in certain circumstances. It also has a 10% chance to give opponents the frozen condition.

3 Freezy Frost

Only available in Let’s Go, Eevee!, Freezy Frost is the Ice-type signature move Eevee can learn. The attack has a base power of 100 and a base accuracy of 90%, making it an excellent move with only a slight risk of missing.

In addition, the attack removes stat changes for all Pokémon in play. This effect can be extremely helpful, especially if an opponent has been setting up by boosting Speed and offensive stats or making itself much more challenging to take down by boosting defensive stats or evasion.

2 Freeze Shock/Ice Burn

Freeze Shock and Ice Burn are similar attacks, with the former being a signature move of Black Kyurem and the latter being a signature move of White Kyurem. Both attacks do nothing on their first turn, but on the second turn, they deal massive damage with a base power of 140. They have a base accuracy of 90%, so they occasionally miss, but they tend to be reliable.

Additionally, Freeze Shock has a 30% chance to give the target the paralysis condition, while Ice Burn has the same chance to give the target the burn condition. Also, neither move makes contact, even though Freeze Shock is Physical. The initial turn of waiting can be frustrating, but the payoff is worth it and makes them some of the most powerful Pokémon moves that have additional effects.

1 Glacial Lance

Ice Rider Calyrex’s phenomenal signature move, Glacial Lance, gives it an attack that can devastate a large portion of the opponents it faces. The strike has a base accuracy of 100%, and it can deal terrifying damage with its base power of 130.

The attack also affects all adjacent opponents, so it excels in double pokemon-ice-moves-most-powerful-rankedbattles. Furthermore, like Icicle Crash and Freeze Shock, Glacial Lance, though a Physical move, does not make contact with its target, making this move a must-have for Ice Rider Calyrex’s move-set.