Ice is a glass cannon. Honestly, that is the most accurate way to describe it. Since 1996, players have been trying to figure out why a typing with four weaknesses and only one resistance—itself—is still one of the most coveted offensive tools in the Pokémon franchise. If you’ve ever stared at a Garchomp or a Dragonite and felt that surge of panic, you know exactly why you need to know what is ice strong against before you enter a high-stakes battle.
It isn't just about freezing stuff. It’s about balance.
The Dragon Slayers: Why Ice Rules the Skies
For decades, Dragon-types were the undisputed kings of the competitive circuit. They had the stats, the move pools, and the intimidation factor. But Ice-type moves are the hard check. When you look at what is ice strong against, Dragon is the big one. Most of the "Pseudo-Legendary" Pokémon like Salamence, Garchomp, and Dragonite have a dual typing of Dragon and Flying or Dragon and Ground.
This creates a "4x weakness."
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A simple Ice Beam or Avalanche doesn't just hurt; it deletes them. It’s a massive power spike that turns a terrifying legendary threat into a fainting sprite in one turn. This is why non-Ice Pokémon, like Nidoking or Starmie, have historically carried Ice Beam in their back pockets. You don’t need to be an Ice-type to use the power of absolute zero.
Ground and Flying: The Common Threats
Beyond the dragons, Ice hits Ground, Flying, and Grass for super-effective damage. Think about how common those types are. Landorus-Therian has dominated the VGC (Video Game Championships) for years. Why? Because it’s incredibly versatile. But guess what? It’s Ground/Flying. That makes it double-weak to Ice.
One well-timed Ice Shard—a priority move that hits first—can take out a Landorus before it even breathes.
Flying types like Corviknight or Gliscor also have to watch their backs. While Corviknight’s Steel typing helps it resist, most birds are sitting ducks. Grass types like Rillaboom or Amoonguss also fall victim. These are "glue" Pokémon that hold teams together with utility moves. Bringing an Ice-type move essentially snaps that glue.
The "Glass Cannon" Paradox
Here is the weird part. Ice is arguably the worst defensive type in the game. It’s weak to Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel. Those are some of the most common attacking types in existence.
So, why use it?
Because offensively, it is peerless. When asking what is ice strong against, you have to look at the "coverage." In Pokémon, coverage refers to how many different types you can hit for at least neutral damage. Ice, when paired with Ground (the famous "BoltBeam" coverage variant), hits almost every single Pokémon in the game for significant damage.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward playstyle.
You aren't switching an Abomasnow or a Weavile into an attack. You’re bringing them in to revenge kill. You’re using them to force a switch because your opponent knows that if they stay in, they’re gone. This psychological pressure is a hidden strength of the Ice typing that doesn't show up on a type chart.
The Rise of Snow and Slush Rush
Back in the day, we had Hail. It was... okay. It did a little chip damage. But in recent generations, Game Freak changed Hail to Snow. This was a massive buff.
Under Snow, Ice-type Pokémon get a 50% boost to their Physical Defense.
Suddenly, that "glass cannon" isn't so fragile. Pair that with the ability Slush Rush, which doubles a Pokémon's speed in the snow, and you have a sweeper. Pokémon like Cetitan or Alolan Sandslash become absolute nightmares. They outspeed the entire field and capitalize on everything what is ice strong against by hitting first and hitting hard.
Strategic Nuances: Freeze and Frostbite
We have to talk about the status condition. Being frozen is the most frustrating experience in Pokémon. You have a 20% chance to thaw out each turn. If you don't? You just sit there while your opponent batters you.
While the "Freeze" status is rare (usually a 10% chance from moves like Blizzard or Ice Beam), it is a game-changer. In the spin-off titles like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they experimented with "Frostbite," which functioned like a special-attack version of Burn. It lowered the victim's Special Attack damage. This made Ice-types defensive debuffers.
While Frostbite hasn't made it to the main competitive series yet, it shows the evolving philosophy of how developers view the Ice element. It’s meant to be debilitating. It’s meant to stop the opponent’s momentum dead in its tracks.
Notable Moves to Watch For
If you're building a team, you aren't just looking for "Ice moves." You're looking for specific tools.
- Freeze-Dry: This is a freak of nature move. Usually, Water resists Ice. Freeze-Dry flips the script and hits Water-types for super-effective damage. It makes Pokémon like Pelipper or Gastrodon lose their minds.
- Triple Axel: Hits three times. Great for breaking Substitute or Focus Sash.
- Icicle Crash: High damage and a 30% flinch chance. It’s mean.
- Chilly Reception: A newer move used by Slowking (Galar). It sets up Snow and switches the user out. It’s the ultimate "pivot" move for an Ice-based strategy.
Environmental Dominance
It isn't just about the monsters. In many RPGs and strategy games, Ice represents battlefield control. In Pokémon, the move Avalanche actually doubles in power if the user was hit first. It’s a "counter-puncher" move.
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There’s a layer of complexity here that most casual players miss. They think, "Oh, Ice beats Grass," and they stop there. But the real pros look at what is ice strong against and see a way to dismantle a team's core.
Consider the "Regi" family. Regice has a staggering Special Defense stat. It can sit in front of a powerful Special Attacker and just wait. It’s a wall made of glaciers. When you combine that bulk with the offensive pressure of Ice moves, you start to see why this type persists despite its glaring weaknesses.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Battle
If you want to master the cold, you can't just slap an Ice-type on your team and hope for the best. You need a plan.
First, check your coverage. If your team struggles against Garchomp, Dragonite, or Landorus, you don't necessarily need an Ice-type Pokémon. You need an Ice-type move. Putting Ice Beam on a bulky Water-type like Milotic or Ice Punch on a Fighting-type like Lucario provides the element of surprise.
Second, use the weather. If you're going to use a dedicated Ice-type like Baxcalibur, you should have a way to set up Snow. The defense boost is non-negotiable for survival.
Third, respect the priority. Ice Shard is one of the most important moves in the game. Being able to move first and pick off a weakened, faster opponent is the difference between a win and a loss.
Understand that Ice is about precision. It is the scalpel of the Pokémon world. It isn't meant to take a beating; it’s meant to end the fight before the opponent can even react. Focus on its strengths against Dragon, Ground, Flying, and Grass, and use those openings to shatter your opponent's strategy.