Overview

Looking back to 3rd gen, you will see that Walrein was awful, and was one of the worse Pokémon to come from R/S/E. I don't remember it ever being used. However, with the arrival of Abomasnow and Ice Body, Walrein turned into a very, very good staller. Sadly, that is all it can really do. It's a one-trick walrus. You can try other sets, but it is this and only set that makes Walrein worth using.

Ability

Thick Fat: Don't use this. Walrein is used for Ice Body, and that's it.
Ice Body: This is what you want. This makes Walrein great. Obviously only use it in hail, but that's the only place Walrein should be used. It is basically an extra Leftovers when hail is out.

Move Sets

I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob

- Substitute
- Protect
- Blizzard / Surf
- Toxic / Roar
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Ice Body
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Def / 36 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)

Here it is, the Pokémon that never dies. Substitute on Walrein is a double-edged doll. It stall outs Toxic and hail and also protects it from any attack whilst it recovers half of the damage it paid for the Substitute that same turn. Protect makes this even more dangerous, as if you still have a Substitute up,and considering how bulky they are you may well have, you can use Protect to stall Toxic and hail even more, and get back the rest of your HP that you spent on Substitute. If your opponent doesn't know what they are doing, they will get decimated. Now, to make sure you aren't Taunt bait, you need to run an attacking move. Blizzard has perfect accuracy in hail as well as huge base power, but Surf has more PP and can help deal with stuff like Forretress switching in. Toxic is really important, but not necessary. If you can set up Toxic Spikes and reliably take out any spinners and flyers, you could use another move there of your choice. Roar is the most popular option though.

I'm including this because otherwise this would be silly short

- Curse
- Avalanche / Rest / Sleep Talk
- Earthquake / Rest / Sleep Talk
- Waterfall / Rest / Sleep Talk
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Ice Body
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 220 HP / 36 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)

Okay, I honestly have no idea how effective this is as I've never used it. Honestly, I don't know if anyone else has. Curse makes Walrein really bulky physically, which is why you mash as much as you can into Special Defence. It also makes him an attacking threat. Avalanche is an awesome move with Curse. You are basically guaranteed to go last, which means dealing double damage. And thanks to the bulk, you will be able to take the hit. Earthquake covers Steels who want to come in and be all resistant. Not to mention, it has great coverage with Avalanche and is a great attack in general. Waterfall is another STAB move that Walrein has access to. Again, it partners really well with Avalanche and Earthquake, and is a really reliable attack that should always be considered. Rest and Sleep Talk are slashed on every option but Curse because Walrein lacks recovery. Any combination of the two attacking moves gives great coverage, or you could go with just Avalanche and run Rest and Sleep Talk, making it the Ice version of the somewhat popular RestalkCursePert.

EVs and Nature:

I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob
220 HP is max Leftovers. 252 Defence and Bold makes you ridiculously bulky on the physical side, and that is where Ice types are weakest. The remainder is in Special Defence because it is better there than anywhere else.

I'm including this because otherwise this would be silly short
220 HP is max Leftovers. 252 Special Defence and Careful makes you ridiculously bulky on the special side, and that is where Curse Pokémon are weakest. The remainder is in Attack because it is better there than anywhere else. Huh? What do you mean I copy and pasted that and changed a few words?

Other Options

Aqua Ring, Aqua Tail, Block, Brine, Charm, Choice Specs, Encore, Stockpile, Super Fang, Yawn
Aqua Ring is another Leftovers, which means 18% recovery per turn. If you are going to use this, don't waste it a slot on Walrein, Baton Pass it from something.
Aqua Tail is a stronger Waterfall with less accuracy and no flinch. Definitely an option, but I like reliability.
Block is an interesting move, and could be used on the stall set to murder something with Toxic.
Brine is a cool move that could work well with Toxic. But then again, are you going to be attacking that much when something has Toxic?
Charm completely nullifies physical attackers, but they can just switch out.
Choice Specs can be used... I guess... it'd make Walrein hit hard but... eh... not too good.
Encore is an awesome move that can lead to a set up or simply a knock out. Controlling what your opponent does is the best strategy in Pokémon.
Stockpile boosts both defences meaning Walrein is even tougher to break.
Super Fang is a cool move that can work on the stall set, as it takes 50% of their HP away meaning they lose to Toxic and hail much faster. It could also put stuff like Forretress into killing range with Blizzard.
Yawn can force a switch or make the opponent sleep, but you really want your opponent poisoned, not asleep.

Countering Walrein

Anything immune to Toxic but not weak to Ice or Water. Forretress>, Skarmory, Metagross, as you can see Steels work best. Don't be fooled into thinking Blissey works, as it can do nothing to Walrein's Substitutes. Tyranitar is dangerous due to sandstorm and being able to 2HKO with Stone Edge, as well as taking little damage from everything you have. Gyarados has Taunt, and that ruins Walrein. It uses Taunt then spams Dragon Dance, then sweeps you. Walrein can be stopped, but if it gets up a Substitute, be prepared to deal with a lot of damaging stall.

Locations in Games

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Evolve Sealeo Colosseum/XD Evolve Sealeo (XD) Trade from RSE (Col) Fire Red/Leaf Green Trade from RSEXD Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Evolve Sealeo (PPt) Trade from RSEPPt (D) HeartGold/SoulSilver Evolve Sealeo

Animé Appearences

Walrein has had a few Animé Appearences. Its appearances have mostly been cameos, being used by Team Aqua. However, Ash did face one during his Hoenn league match against Katie Episode 330: Fight for the Meteorite! Episode 372: Training Wrecks! Episode 374: The Scuffle of Legends! Destiny Deoxys Episode 406: A Judgment Brawl Episode 421: A Hurdle For Squirtle Giratina & The Sky Warrior Pikachu's Great Ice Adventure