Freeze the competition with this winter-themed Pokemon team

I had so much fun putting together my very merry, holiday-themed Pokémon team that I’m running it back this year with another seasonal lineup. This time around, it’s a winter-themed Pokémon team that captures the wintry wonder and excitement that come with all the snow and ice.

Note: I decided not to include any Legendaries, which is why Pokemon like Kyurem, Chien-Pao and Ice Rider Calyrex are absent from this list.

Alolan Ninetales

A winter-themed Pokemon team hinges upon Ice-types and Alolan Ninetales is a standout. Not only does it look like some majestic winter spirit, it’s also a key asset for the team. Its Ice/Fairy dual-type is versatile, and its Snow Warning ability automatically summons hail on the battlefield, boosting the Defense of all Ice-type Pokemon by 50%.

Alolan Ninetales’ ability to make it Snow upon entry, combined with Aurora Veil, makes it an indispensable support Pokemon. Aurora Veil can only be used under snow conditions and causes all allies to take half damage, dramatically increasing the team’s survivability and turning Alolan Ninetales into the backbone of this winter-themed Pokemon team.

Suggested moveset:

Alolan Ninetales @ Light Clay
– Freeze-Dry
– Moonblast
– Aurora Veil
– Encore

Beartic

What’s a winter-themed Pokemon team without a hulking polar bear sporting an icicle beard? Not a team worth its salt, or ice, for that matter.

Sure, there are faster Ice-type Pokemon out there (though Alolan Ninetales’ Snow Warning doubles Beartic’s speed thanks to its Slush Rush ability), but for a themed team like this, it’s all about presence. Marching onto the wintry battlefield with an absolute unit of a polar bear – one that hits like an avalanche – by your side is one of the most intimidating moves you can make.

Suggested moveset:

Beartic @ Life Orb
– Swords Dance
– Icicle Spear
– Close Combat
– Earthquake

Baxcalibur

If showing out with a polar bear Pokemon like Beartic is intimidating, imagine bringing a Godzilla-spinosaurus ice dragon alongside it. Enter Baxcalibur, an Ice/Dragon type that’s perfectly suited for a winter-themed team. Thanks to its type combination, which makes it neutral to Fire damage, and its Thermal Exchange ability, which raises its Attack when hit by Fire moves and prevents it from being burned, Baxcalibur teams up perfectly with Gastrodon to keep Fire-types at bay.

While it’s not technically a Legendary Pokemon, Baxcalibur is insanely powerful. With Dragon Dance to boost its Speed and Attack, it can tear through opponents with amplified Ice and Dragon moves, making it one of the most fearsome threats for any winter-themed Pokemon team.

Baxcalibur @ Loaded Dice
– Dragon Dance
– Earthquake
– Glaive Rush
– Icicle Spear

Arboliva

It might not be the traditional conifer Christmas tree that first comes to mind when you picture the holidays, but who’s to say an olive tree, the evergreen Mediterranean fruit tree that inspired Arboliva, can’t serve as a Christmas tree too?

Equipped with Big Root, which boosts the HP gained from draining moves, and a moveset featuring Strength Sap, Giga Drain, and Leech Seed, Arboliva becomes the Christmas tree you just can’t get rid of—the one your annoying neighbors (or maybe even you yourself) left up, shedding pesky leaves long after Christmas was over and the New Year’s Eve ball dropped.

Arboliva’s Seed Sower ability, which makes the battlefield Grassy Terrain after it’s been hit by an attack, also provides some interesting synergistic possibilities, even for Pokemon that aren’t Grass-type. Like the next entry on our winter-themed Pokemon team.

Suggested moveset:
Aboliva @ Big Root
– Giga Drain
– Strength Sap
– Leech Seed
– Substitute

Weavile

Our next Pokémon is a dangerous, agile, high-speed wallbreaker – though a bit on the frail side. Which is what makes its held item and synergy with Arboliva all the more interesting. Once Arboliva sets the stage with Grassy Terrain via its Seed Sower ability, the Ice/Dark-type Weavile swoops in, equipped with a Grassy Seed that boosts its Defense while the terrain is active.

Known as a ruthless predator in snow-covered regions, Weavile is one of the deadliest members of our winter-themed team, cutting through the battlefield with its razor-sharp claws and punishes opponents with hard-hitting moves like Triple Axel and Ice Shard. Weavile can also punish and whittle the other team down with a STAB Knock-Off and if given time to setup, greatly bolster its attack with Swords Dance. The combination of Arbilova and Weavile and the leeching moves under Grassy Terrain also provide Alolan Ninetales with ample opportunity to switch back onto the field and setup its defensive screens.

Weavile @ Grassy Seed
– Swords Dance
– Knock Off
– Triple Axel
– Ice Shard

Gastrodon

Gastrodon might not be the first Pokemon that comes to mind for a winter-themed team, but hear me out. Its real-life inspiration, a sea slug, thrives in chilly, wintry waters like the Arctic Ocean. The East Sea variant, with its icy blue and green coloring, even looks like it was made to live in freezing-cold water. According to its Ultra Moon Pokedex entry, Gastrodon is a relative of Cloyster, a Water/Ice-type Pokemon. On top of that, a Water/Ground type is perfect for keeping Fire-types in check, preventing them from running roughshod over an Ice-heavy team. Gastrodon is also able to set up Spikes, which help to chip away at the opposition’s health while the team’s heavy attackers set up.

So, Gastrodon, even if your winter connection is a little tangential, I choose you.

Gastrodon @ Rocky Helmet
– Spikes
– Earthquake
– Ice Beam
– Recover

Wyrdeer

Our holiday-themed Pokemon team featured Stantler, a perfect nod to Christmas reindeer. While we can’t also include Stantler in this team, thanks to its introduction in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, there’s Wyrdeer, its majestic evolution, complete with golden antlers and a dignified, Santa beard-like white mane.

Wyrdeer’s Normal/Psychic dual-type also makes it a valuable asset for countering Fighting-types, which can be a serious threat to Ice-type teammates.

Wyrdeer @ Leftovers
– Calm Mind
– Psychic
– Shadow Ball
– Tera Blast

Whether you’re looking to mix things up after our holiday-themed Pokemon team or just want to try something new against friends or online, this winter is the perfect time to experiment. So bundle up, have some fun, and chill out with our winter-themed Pokemon team.

Other themed Pokemon teams: Our spooky, scary Halloween-themed Pokemon squad.