Water - by Dark Sceptile

History: Water types could be considered one of the easiest types to find in-game. Go to almost any body of water, and you'll at least find yourself a Magikarp. Though they start with bad moves like Splash, they can become quite powerful with moves like Surf, Hydro Cannon, and Water Spout.

In Generation 1, water Pokémon were pretty good because of the combined special attacks. Since water types were good special attackers, their special defense was increased from it. Water only had two weaknesses being electric and grass, both specially based types, they could do some damage before falling. The most common water type Pokémon was Magikarp, and was discouraging to train since it's moves were so bad. Of course, it ended up evolving into the most powerful water type Pokémon of the game!

In Generation 2, water types got a small step up with the few new moves and several new Pokémon. Most of these new water types were duel types which can change their weaknesses completely. With only one strong new move, Octazooka, the water types didn't become much more powerful. Their special was divided in two, yet they still held their good special attack. Their special defense wasn't as good, but it still kept them up. With the new water starter Pokémon, Totodile, the water types had a physical Pokémon on their side.

In Generation 3, many new water types were introduced along with bringing back quite a few from the older games. Ruby and Sapphire brought Pokémon like Swampert, Milotic, and Whiscash to the field. Some were physical attackers, some were tanks, and some were standard special attackers. Now that abilities were brought into battle, water types gained bonuses from their starter's official ability Torrent, that upped the power of water type attacks if the Pokémon's HP got down too low.

In Generation 4, water types started to become better because of their new moves and Pokémon. New moves like Brine, Aqua Jet, and Aqua Tail helped mainly the physical water types and a few special water types. Aqua Ring, a new healing move for water types, helped a trainer stall out their enemy. Pokémon like Milotic used this to their advantage along with recover and leftovers to easily stall out their opponent. Very few water types in this gen became tanks, although the old tanks became better because of new moves like Aqua Tail and Aqua Ring.

Statistics: Very few water types are good in defense. Attack wise, about one quarter of all water types are now physical users while the rest stay special attackers. Most water types are slow, but some, like Starmie, hit hard and fast. They don't have a main duel type, but some types they share with are psychic, ground, and poison. Through the generations, they have grown stronger, but not by too much.

Conclusion: Water types are good special attackers and have good move pools. They can hit hard, or tank/stall out your enemy's attacks. Some can even get in quick moves before being KO'd by the enemy. If you want a good special attacker, but don't like psychic types, consider the wide range of water types.

Trivia--Water type trivia time!
Only the starters have a two stage evolution where all three Pokémon are water types.

Starmie was the first Water/Psychic type in all of Pokémon.

There are five water type legendary Pokémon.

Azurill is the only non-water type to evolve into a pure water type.

Before Gen. 4, only Kingra held the duel type of Water/Dragon.