Ice-type Pokemon haven’t always gotten the best reception among some players in thePokemonfranchise. For a while, there weren’t that many pure Ice-types to use in battle, and the available ‘mons didn’t have the best coverage. But as new generations have passed and the more pureand dual-typesthat have been added, Ice-types have become a formidable force, particularly when fighting Dragon-type Pokemon.
On top of that, Ice-type Pokemon have some of the most inventive designs in thePokemonfranchise. This typing is somewhat limited in what it can draw inspiration for, but there are dozens of mythological creatures, natural phenomena, and animals from colder climates.
10Mamoswine
Mamoswine is based on the wooly mammoth, as is the rest of its evolutionary line, and continues the boar-like appearance with its nose and stature. It may not look like it, but Mamoswine’s tusks are made of ice, as highlighted in its Pokedex entries inDiamondandPearl. InShield, this feature of Mamoswine is expanded further, revealing that its ice tusks grow as the weather grows colder
Mamoswine’s design correlates directly to its name. It takes a different route of not relating too heavily to an elephant, which the mammoth is an ancient ancestor of.
9Baxcalibur
Known as the Ice Dragon Pokemon,Baxcalibur’s design is quite literalconcerning its name, in that it has a solid ice axe on its back. It has a tall and bulky stature, resembling that of monsters from the Japanese Kaiju genre. Giant monsters like Godzilla call this genre their home, in addition to creatures like Anguirus and Gamera.
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However, Baxcalibur isn’t actually that big compared to other Pokemon. It stands at 6 feet, which is substantially smaller than Pokemon like Eternatus at a whopping 65 feet, or Wailord at 47 feet. Despite this, Baxcalibur still resembles the giant monsters of the Kaiju genre and dinosaurs like theSpinosaurusorStegosaurus,relating to the plate on its back and the hexagonal shapes on its chest leading to its tail.
8Alolan Sandslash
Kantonian Sandslash is a pure Ground-type, but Alolan Sandslash has the dual typing of Ice/Steel. Both are known as the Mouse Pokemon, and both variants are based on armored animals like pangolins and armadillos. The spikes of Sandslash borrow from the porcupine, which uses the barbs on its body to protect itself from predators.
Alolan Sandslash builds upon this concept further, adapting it to its Ice/Steel-typing. It may not look like it, but under the icicles on its back are steel spikes, making this Pokemon even more deadly than its Kantonian counterpart. And instead of using its hooked claws to dig into the ground, Alolan Sandslash uses them to cut paths through snow, according to its Pokedex entry inSword.
7Cubchoo
Cubchoo is obviously based on a polar bear cub, but with an obvious distinction: the disgustingly cute snot hanging from its nose. The mucus links to the cold environment it’s found in and the nature of it being a baby Pokemon.
This design choice is essential to Cubchoo’s power. When it’s unwell, its mucus gets watery and its Ice-type moves are less powerful, as noted in itsBlackPokedex entry. InWhite, this is elaborated further. When Cubchoo is healthy, its snot is sticky, and its Ice-type moves pack a punch.
6Alolan Vulpix
Alolan Vulpix, known as the Fox Pokemon, makes the regional jump from Fire to Ice-type. It has the same build as its Kanotonian counterpart, but is pure white with ice-blue coloration on its paws, eyes, and ears. Alolan Vulpix’s tail seems more like one big piece of fur rather than individual tails, and takes on a powdered snow appearance.
Thisregional variation of Vulpixmay be based on the arctic fox, which has pure white/blue-gray fur during the colder months that acts as camouflage,as described by National Geographic. Similarly, Alolan Vulpix’s coloring helps it blend into its habitat of Mount Lanakila.
5Aurorus
Aurorus’ design purposely done bydesigner Hitoshi Arigato match Tyrantrum’s evolutionary line. Aurorus is based on theSauropoddinosaur known as theAmargasaurus, with its Ice-typing shown through the frosty blue color palette and the diamonds of crystalized ice lining its body and on its forehead. These crystals expel freezing air, as written in theXPokedex entry.
The main feature of Aurorus’ design is the sail-like appendages around its head, which match that of theAmargasaurus.In this instance, they are meant to represent the natural phenomenon known as the aurora borealis. TheSwordPokedex entry for Aurorus claims that its howls summon the aurora in the night sky.
4Froslass
At first glance, Froslass doesn’t look too menacing. But when looking a little closer into its design and noting the lack of legs, Froslass is arather creepy Pokemon. According to the Pokedex entry for this Pokemon inMoon, Froslass is the result of a woman’s soul possessing an icicle, that feeds on mens' souls. This relates tothe Japanese legend of the Yuki-onna, a spirit that preys on travelers lost in snowstorms.
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The design of Froslass matches the myth of the Yuki-onna, down to it being the haunted soul of a woman. And like its evolutionary counterpart Glalie, it takes on the form of a conscious piece of ice.
3Glaceon
Unlike its Sinnoh Eeveelution counterpart Leafeon, Glaceon is less obviously linked to its Ice-typing in design. Its pale and dark blue coloring links to the icy environment it needs to evolve. It’s somewhat ambiguous compared to other Eeveelutions. However, the triangular shapes and lines of Glaceon’s design resemble ice crystals and shards.
Its name, of course, is derived from a glacier. The entire design is very understated, but nonetheless beautiful and captivating. The snow and ice Glaceon creates is the same.
2Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao is one ofthe four Treasures of Ruinfound in the Paldea region, alongside Wo-Chien, Ting-Lu, and Chi-Yu. According to its Pokedex entry inViolet,it is an embodiment of the hatred of those slain by the sword long ago. While the cry of Chien-Pao is reminiscent of a mountain lion, its design lends itself more to a snow leopard or the prehistoricSmilodon, otherwise known as a saber-toothed tiger. The elongated body of Chien-Pao also shares a connection with weasels.
Chien-Pao may potentially be inspired by the Four Perils of Chinese mythology like the other Treasures of Ruin, most likelyQiongqiandTaowu, with the latter being described to look like a tiger “covered in dog fur,” according toHong Kong travel guide Localiiz.
1Alolan Ninetales
Like both variations of Vulpix, Kantonian and Alolan Ninetales are known as the Fox Pokemon. Unlike the sometimes vindictive nature of Kantonian Ninetales,this regional Pokemonpossesses a calm demeanor, according to its Pokedex entry inMoon, and was apparently once revered as a deity.
This can be seen in the ethereal design of Alolan Ninetales, which almost looks like a spirit with the wispy fur of its nine tails and the fur flowing from its head. Alolan Ninetales may be based onthe Hawaiian goddess of snow, Poli’ahu, in addition to theFirefox of Finnish mythology. The latter is said to have set the sky on fire by “whipping crystals of snow into the sky” with its flaming tail.
