ChampionsGuide
#009

Blastoise

Water
Tier ARegulation M-A

A brutal POKéMON with pressurized water jets on its shell. They are used for high speed tackles.

Base Stats

HP79
Attack83
Defense100
Sp.Atk85
Sp.Def105
Speed78
Total: 530

Best Moveset

Hydro Pump
Ice Beam
Flash Cannon
Rapid Spin

Move Breakdown

Move 1Hydro Pump

As Blastoise's trusted Water STAB option, Hydro Pump benefits from the 1.5x damage multiplier. This move should be your go-to attack in most situations, especially against opponents vulnerable to Water types.

Move 2Ice Beam

Ice Beam provides essential Ice-type coverage, super-effective against Fire, Fighting, Rock. This move fills gaps in Blastoise's otherwise Water-focused moveset, allowing it to handle matchups that its STAB moves cannot.

Move 3Flash Cannon

Flash Cannon rounds out the moveset with Steel-type coverage. Use this move when Blastoise's STAB attacks would be resisted, as it can hit targets that would otherwise wall Blastoise's primary attacks.

Move 4Rapid Spin

Rapid Spin adds Normal coverage to Blastoise's arsenal. This move catches opponents off guard who switch in expecting only Water damage, providing neutral coverage.

Strengths

  • Blastoise's dual Water STAB coverage from Hydro Pump means it can hit a wide range of opponents for super-effective damage
  • Resisting Fire, Ice, Steel gives Blastoise natural durability when facing opponents that rely on these types
  • The 105 spDef stat gives Blastoise a clear advantage in sustaining hits
  • At 530 total stats, Blastoise has a solid foundation that can be enhanced through proper VP training and items

Weaknesses

  • Blastoise takes 2x super-effective damage from Electric, Grass type attacks, requiring careful positioning
  • Limited coverage options restrict Blastoise's ability to handle diverse threats
  • Blastoise faces competition from other Water types with better stats or movepools

Pro Tips

Channel VP into Special Attack and Speed to make Blastoise a potent special sweeper. Leftovers provides passive recovery, extending Blastoise's staying power as a tank. Use Blastoise's resistances to Fire, Ice to find safe entry points. Build teams that cover Blastoise's weaknesses while it handles the matchups it's strong against.

Competitive Role

In competitive play, Blastoise functions primarily as a balanced utility Pokemon. With a 530 base stat total led by its spDef of 105, Blastoise has the raw stats to compete at higher tiers. Its Water typing creates vulnerabilities to Electric, Grass types, requiring careful team support to cover these gaps. Conversely, resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel provide switch-in opportunities. Success with Blastoise depends on leveraging its strengths while minimizing exposure to its weaknesses.

Detailed Strategy Analysis

Statistically, Blastoise features 530 total base stats with spDef (105) as its defining attribute and speed (78) as its weakest point. The recommended moveset combines STAB options (Hydro Pump) with coverage moves (Ice Beam, Flash Cannon), giving Blastoise answers to a wide range of opponents. Type weaknesses to Electric, Grass mean Blastoise must be played carefully against these matchups. Resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel provide safe switch-in opportunities. Its Tier A rating places Blastoise in the upper competitive bracket, where it can consistently contribute to team success. Special Attack should be the primary investment for Blastoise, with a Modest or Timid nature to maximize its special damage potential.

Key Matchup Notes

Against Electric-type opponents: Blastoise is at a severe disadvantage. Never leave Blastoise in against Electric types—switch immediately to a teammate that resists Electric. If forced to fight, use Hydro Pump and hope for a KO before taking a hit. Against Fire-type opponents: Blastoise has the advantage here. Its Water typing reduces incoming Fire damage, allowing Blastoise to tank hits and retaliate with Hydro Pump. Use these matchups to gain momentum. Against Electric-type opponents: Blastoise has the offensive advantage. Its STAB Water moves deal super-effective damage to Electric types, making these favorable matchups. Lead with Blastoise when you expect Electric types on the opponent's team.

Battle Strategy Guide

When starting a battle with Blastoise, your first priority is establishing board position.

As a supportive role player with 530 total base stats, Blastoise should be brought in when you can predict a favorable matchup.

If the opponent has Electric coverage, save Blastoise for later in the match.

The opening moves should focus on dealing damage with Hydro Pump and Ice Beam while assessing the opponent's team composition.

Mid-game is where Blastoise needs to make its biggest impact.

With moves like Ice Beam and Flash Cannon, Blastoise can adapt to different threats.

If the opponent brings out a Electric type, immediately switch to a teammate that resists it.

Remember that Blastoise's spDef of 105 is its greatest asset—play to that strength.

Late game, Blastoise becomes a powerful cleanup sweeper.

Once the opponent's Electric users are removed, Blastoise can run through the remaining team.

The combination of 105 spDef and STAB Water moves makes it a genuine threat in the endgame.

Position Blastoise to land the finishing blows.

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Team Synergy

  • Pair Blastoise with a Electric-type partner to absorb Electric attacks that Blastoise is weak to
  • Combine with a pivot (Volt Switch, U-turn) user to bring Blastoise in safely on favorable matchups
  • Pair Blastoise with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses and benefit from its resistances

How to Counter

  • Opponents with Electric coverage moves should target Blastoise immediately for a guaranteed KO
  • Any Pokemon with base Speed above 88 will outspeed and KO Blastoise before it can respond
  • Burn cuts Blastoise's Attack in half, significantly reducing its physical damage output

Team Composition Ideas

Build 1

Balance Core: Pair Blastoise with a Electric-type Pokemon that can switch into Electric attacks. This defensive core covers Blastoise's primary weakness while Blastoise handles the matchups its partner struggles with.

Build 2

Support Core: Use Blastoise alongside a heavy hitter that benefits from Blastoise's defensive typing. Switch Blastoise in to absorb hits with its Fire, Ice resistances, then pivot to your attacker for damage.

Build 3

VoltTurn Core: Blastoise works well in a Volt Switch/U-turn core, allowing safe pivoting. Pair with other pivot users to maintain momentum and control the battle tempo, bringing Blastoise in only when it has a favorable matchup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is Blastoise good in Pokemon Champions?

A:Blastoise is a solid pick in Pokemon Champions, rated Tier A. With 530 total stats and a Water typing, it performs well in most team compositions. While not the strongest option available, Blastoise is reliable and can win games when used correctly.

Q:What's the best item for Blastoise?

A:Blastoise benefits from Focus Sash (to survive a hit), Expert Belt (for coverage damage), or Life Orb (for a general power boost). Since Blastoise has balanced stats, the item should fill whatever gap your team needs—damage, survivability, or utility.

Q:What nature should I use for Blastoise?

A:Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack) is recommended for Blastoise, boosting its stronger special stat. Timid (+Speed, -Attack) is an alternative if speed is critical. With Special Attack at 85 vs Attack at 83, special builds are clearly superior for Blastoise.

Q:How do I counter Blastoise?

A:Blastoise's biggest counters are Electric-type Pokemon, who exploit its typing weakness for super-effective damage. Other threats include faster Pokemon that can KO Blastoise before it acts, especially given its 78 Speed. To beat Blastoise, use Electric STAB moves or priority attacks to bypass its speed.

Blastoise Competitive Depth Guide

Competitive Overview

Blastoise is the defensive backbone of many competitive teams in Pokemon Champions. Its Water typing provides only two weaknesses (Grass and Electric) while resisting Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water, making it one of the most switchable Pokemon in the game. Mega Blastoise gains Mega Launcher, which boosts aura and pulse moves by 50%, turning Water Pulse and Dark Pulse into legitimate weapons. With 79 base Speed, Mega Blastoise sits in an awkward speed tier that's too slow for offensive play but too fast for dedicated walls. The key to Blastoise's success is its role compression: it can function as a rapid spinner, a defensive pivot, a status spreader, or a setup sweeper with Shell Smash. The Mega Evolution trades item slot flexibility for raw stats, pushing Blastoise's Special Attack to 135 and Defense to 120, making it equally capable of tanking physical hits and dealing special damage.

Recommended Build

EV Spread

252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

Nature

Bold (+Defense, -Attack)

Item

Blastoisinite or Leftovers

Ability

Torrent (base) / Mega Launcher (Mega)

Tera Type

Water or Fairy

Moveset Analysis

Slot 1Water Pulse

With Mega Launcher, Water Pulse becomes 90 base power with a 20% confusion chance. This is Blastoise's most efficient STAB option as Mega, outperforming Surf in single-target damage.

Slot 2Dark Pulse

Also boosted by Mega Launcher to 112 base power. Dark Pulse provides crucial coverage against Psychic and Ghost types, hitting Gengar and Alakazam for super-effective damage.

Slot 3Aura Sphere

The third Mega Launcher beneficiary at 120 base power. Aura Sphere hits Steel, Rock, Normal, Ice, and Dark types, giving Blastoise near-perfect neutral coverage.

Slot 4Protect / Rapid Spin

Protect is standard in doubles for scouting. In singles or when entry hazards matter, Rapid Spin provides hazard removal while boosting Blastoise's Speed by one stage.

Key Matchup Analysis

vsCharizard

Favorable. Blastoise resists Fire and hits back with Water Pulse for super-effective damage. Mega Charizard X's Dragon typing doesn't help against Water STAB. Watch for Solar Beam from Mega Y.

vsVenusaur

Unfavorable. Grass STAB from Giga Drain is super-effective and heals Venusaur. Switch to a Fire or Flying type immediately. Mega Blastoise can tank one hit but shouldn't stay in.

vsGengar

Neutral matchup. Dark Pulse OHKOs Gengar after Mega Launcher boost, but Gengar outspeeds and can hit with Shadow Ball or Sludge Bomb. Protect on the predicted attack, then strike back.

vsTyranitar

Favorable. Aura Sphere hits for 4x super-effective damage, OHKOing most Tyranitar builds. Sand Storm chip damage is annoying but manageable with Leftovers recovery.

Team Archetypes

Build 1

Mega Launcher Offensive

Build around Mega Blastoise's three boosted pulse moves. Pair with a Grass-type counter (like Venusaur) and a priority user (like Scizor) for speed control.

Build 2

Defensive Pivot

Non-Mega Blastoise with Leftovers, Rapid Spin, and utility moves like Yawn or Toxic. Serves as hazard control and status spreader on stall or balance teams.

Build 3

Shell Smash Sweeper

Non-Mega Blastoise with White Herb + Shell Smash. After one boost, Blastoise becomes a mixed sweeper with +2 in both attacking stats and Speed. Pair with dual screens support.

Advanced Strategy Tips

The Mega Launcher trio of Water Pulse, Dark Pulse, and Aura Sphere gives Mega Blastoise incredible coverage with only three moves, leaving the fourth slot flexible. This is rare among Mega Pokemon, who usually need all four moves for coverage. Use this flexibility to run Protect, Rapid Spin, or even Ice Beam for Dragon-type coverage. Blastoise's biggest weakness is its Speed tier: at 79, it's outsped by most offensive Pokemon but faster than dedicated walls. This means Blastoise often takes a hit before retaliating, so EV investment in bulk is essential. Tera Water boosts Water Pulse to 135 power with Mega Launcher, making it a 202 power move after STAB, enough to 2HKO even resisted targets. Tera Fairy is a defensive option that removes the Grass and Electric weaknesses while gaining Dragon immunity. Shell Smash Blastoise is a niche but devastating build: White Herb preserves the defensive drops, and after +2/+2/+2, Blastoise outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame and hits from both sides of the spectrum.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using Mega Launcher moves without Mega Evolving first, resulting in unboosted damage
  • Running Surf over Water Pulse on Mega Blastoise, losing the Mega Launcher boost and confusion chance
  • Investing in Special Attack instead of HP/Defense on a defensive Blastoise build
  • Forgetting that Blastoise has no reliable recovery move (no Recover or Roost), making it chip damage vulnerable over long games