Buizel

A float with a propeller tail

The design starts with a weasel and a sea otter, but adds elements made from swimming equipment. The ring around its neck works as an inflatable float, and its two tails resemble a ship’s propeller. They are not separate decorations: the Pokédex entries describe how it uses them to move forward and folds up the float when diving. Its quadrupedal shape and brown colour preserve the appearance of a land mammal, even though all its behaviour is tied to the water.

The Japanese name ブイゼル is romanized as Buoysel. The combination of “buoy” and “weasel” also explains Buizel, the English and Spanish form. In the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl artwork, a small difference was spotted: one of its paws was missing a pad, a detail corrected in later illustrations.

From Sinnoh to Paldea

Buizel debuted in the fourth generation and has appeared in several later generations since then, including the ninth. Its line has received no regional forms or branches: the progression is still Buizel followed by Floatzel. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it also features in a request focused on comparing specimens of different sizes, a direct reference to the size variations the player can find in Hisui.

Its movepool has adapted over time. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it learns Aqua Jet at level 24, Liquidation at level 35, Aqua Tail at level 38, Hydro Pump at level 45, and Wave Crash at level 49. It also has access to Ice-, Fighting-, Ground-, and Dark-type moves through TMs, so it is not limited to repeating Water-type attacks.

How to get the most out of it during the adventure

Before evolving, it works better as a fast attacker than as a bulky Pokémon. Aqua Jet lets it finish off enemies that survive with little HP, while Bite covers targets that do not take Water-type attacks well. Hydro Pump provides a clear power increase when a strong hit is needed, but its accuracy means saving it for moments when the risk is worth it.

Rain Dance has a specific function: activating Swift Swim and strengthening Water-type attacks. If the team already uses rain, Buizel fits in as a temporary attacker; otherwise, spending a turn setting it up usually leaves it too exposed because of its 35 Defense and 30 Special Defense. Agility also raises its Speed, but it rarely pays off more than attacking or switching.

The limit of its Speed

In Little Cup, its 85 Speed stands out, and Swift Swim can put it ahead of much of the field in rain. The drawback is that other Water-type Pokémon have more power, better defenses, or wider coverage. Staryu competes with clear advantages in several of those areas, while Buizel’s main argument remains its Speed.

The comparison with Oshawott is also useful during a normal playthrough: both are Water-type Pokémon without a complete evolutionary line, but Buizel bets on moving first, while Oshawott follows a different progression of stats and moves. That is why Buizel performs better early and midway through an adventure, before bulky opponents make its lack of staying power too obvious.