If you’ve been playing Pokemon for a long time, your brain is probably hardwired to expect one thing when those white flakes start falling on the screen: chip damage. For years, we dealt with "Hail." It was annoying, it broke Focus Sashes, and honestly, it kinda sucked for anyone not using a pure Ice-type team.
But things changed. Big time.
When Pokemon Scarlet and Violet dropped, Game Freak quietly took Hail out behind the barn and replaced it with a much more interesting mechanic. If you’re wondering what does snow do in Pokemon now, the answer isn’t just "it looks pretty." It’s a total rework that actually makes Ice-types—traditionally the glass cannons of the competitive world—somewhat tanky.
The Big Defense Buff: Why Snow Matters Now
The most important thing to know is that snow provides a massive 50% boost to the Defense stat of all Ice-type Pokemon on the field.
Think about that for a second.
It’s basically a free, automatic version of the Sandstorm Special Defense boost that Rock-types have enjoyed for decades. If you have an Avalugg or a Cetitan sitting in the snow, they suddenly become physical walls that are incredibly hard to break through. It doesn't help with Special Defense, though, so a well-placed Flamethrower is still going to hurt just as much as ever.
The cool part? It isn't just for native Ice-types. If you use the Terastal mechanic to turn your favorite Pokemon into an Ice-type, they get that 50% Defense boost immediately. I’ve seen some wild strategies involving Tera-Ice Garganacl or even certain Dragon-types just to soak up physical hits that would normally be a clean OHKO.
No More Chip Damage (And Why That’s Great)
The biggest "vibes" change is that snow no longer damages non-Ice types.
I remember the old days of trying to run a "Hail team" and being forced to give everyone Safety Goggles or just accept that my own teammates were dying slowly every turn. It was a nightmare for teambuilding. Now, you can run a snow setter like Alolan Ninetales or Abomasnow alongside literally any other Pokemon—a Water-type, a Steel-type, whatever—and they won't lose a single HP to the weather.
This opens up the door for "weather splashing." You don't need a full-themed team anymore. You just need one guy who can bring the snow so your Ice-type sweeper can survive a hit.
Moves and Abilities That Love the Cold
Even though the name changed from Hail to Snow, almost every old synergy still works exactly the same way. If an ability used to trigger in Hail, it now triggers in Snow.
- Blizzard: This is the big one. In snow, Blizzard bypasses the accuracy check. It just hits. It’s a 110-power move that hits both opponents in doubles with a 100% success rate. That is terrifying.
- Aurora Veil: You can only set this up while it's snowing. It’s basically Reflect and Light Screen combined into one move, halving the damage your team takes for five turns.
- Slush Rush: Pokemon like Cetitan or Beartic get their Speed doubled. In the snow, a Slush Rush Cetitan is often the fastest thing on the field, and it’s hitting like a truck.
- Ice Body: You heal a little bit of HP every turn. It’s not game-breaking, but on a bulky Pokemon in the snow, it adds up.
- Snow Cloak: This one is still the bane of many players' existence. It increases evasion, making the opponent more likely to miss. It’s a bit of a "luck" strategy, but in 2026, we’re still seeing people lose their minds when a Froslass dodges three attacks in a row.
Chilly Reception: The Move That Changed Everything
You can't talk about what snow does in Pokemon without mentioning Chilly Reception. It’s a signature move (initially for Slowking and Galarian Slowking) that sets up snow and then immediately switches the user out.
It’s basically a "pivot" move like U-turn or Volt Switch, but it sets the weather on the way out. This is huge for competitive play. You bring in Slowking, take a hit with its massive bulk, use Chilly Reception to set the snow, and then safely bring in your fragile Ice-type attacker who now has a 50% Defense boost waiting for them.
Is Snow Actually "Good" in 2026?
Honestly? It’s better than it’s ever been, but it still has baggage.
Ice is a terrible defensive type. It’s weak to Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel—four of the most common attacking types in the game. Giving an Ice-type 50% more Defense is like giving a paper shield a coat of lacquer. It’s stronger, sure, but it’s still paper.
That said, the combination of the Defense boost and Aurora Veil is what makes snow teams viable. When you stack those two together, your Pokemon are effectively taking a fraction of the damage they normally would. We saw this peak in recent 2026 tournaments where Articuno—a Pokemon usually mocked for its typing—became a genuine threat because it simply wouldn't die in the snow.
How to Start Using Snow Today
If you want to try this out yourself, don't just slap six Ice-types together. That’s a recipe for getting swept by a single Hearthflame Ogerpon or a fast Enamorus.
- Pick a Setter: Alolan Ninetales is the gold standard because it's fast and gets Aurora Veil. Abomasnow is slower but hits harder.
- Use a Pivot: If you have access to a Slowking with Chilly Reception, use it. It’s the smoothest way to get your weather up.
- Bring a "Snow Abuser": You want something with Slush Rush (like Cetitan) or something that can spam 100% accurate Blizzards (like Kyurem or Glaceon).
- Cover Your Weaknesses: You must have teammates that can handle Fire and Steel types. A solid Water or Ground-type is mandatory.
Basically, snow has evolved from a niche, damaging nuisance into a sophisticated defensive tool. It’s about longevity and accuracy now, not just "chip" damage. If you haven't tried a snow team since the old days of Diamond and Pearl, you're looking at a completely different beast.
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Next Steps for You:
To see this in action, head into your copy of Scarlet or Violet and catch a Snover or a Vulpix (Alolan form). Head to the North Province (Area Three) where it naturally snows and watch your Defense stat in the summary screen—you’ll see the jump. Try teaching Blizzard to your team and see how much more consistent your wins become when you stop worrying about that 70% accuracy check.