Walrein

Walrein's design is based on a walrus, with a blue body, long tusks and a layer of blubber adapted to the cold. Its neck has rings that resemble the fur of some seals, while the white outline of its body evokes a breaking wave. It lives in icy seas and uses its tusks to shatter floes and icebergs; it can break blocks of ice weighing up to 10 tonnes with a single bite. That strength does not stop it from maintaining social behaviour: it forms herds of around 20 or 30 individuals, and the leader moves to the front when the group is attacked.

Its blubber also allows it to withstand temperatures below 0 °C and cushion enemy blows. Its tusks keep growing throughout its life, and can regenerate completely if it loses them in battle. It occupies the final position in a line that starts with Spheal, continues with Sealeo and ends when the latter reaches level 44.

Walrein is not a common competitive choice in modern formats, but it has clear tools for a normal playthrough and certain older formats. Its 110 HP form the foundation of a bulky profile; Defense and Special Defense sit at 90, while Special Attack reaches 95. Attack 80 and Speed 65 make it clear that it is not looking to outspeed opponents or bring down physical attackers easily. Its total of 530 is concentrated in staying power and special damage.

Thick Fat defines many of its matchups: it softens Fire- and Ice-type attacks, two threats that its Ice and Water typing partly worsen. That combination lets it resist Water and better withstand Ice, but leaves it exposed to Electric, Fighting, Grass and Rock. Ice Beam and Blizzard make use of its Special Attack to punish Grass-, Ground- and Flying-type Pokémon; Liquidation provides physical Water-type damage when it is useful to hit the opponent's less protected side. Rest gives it a way to recover HP, although it forces it to accept its turns asleep.

Ice Body fits teams that maintain hail, as it restores some HP in that weather. Oblivious prevents Attract and Taunt, but its Hidden Ability offers less overall value. The main problem is Speed 65 and the accumulation of weaknesses: a well-timed Fighting-, Grass-, Electric- or Rock-type attack will often force it to switch out before its physical bulk has time to prevail.

Walrein belongs to the Water 1 and Field Egg Groups. The gender ratio is 50% for each gender, so it can breed with compatible species from either group. Its eggs need 20 cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 5355 steps using the usual breeding conversion.

The evolutionary line starts with Spheal. It evolves into Sealeo upon reaching level 32, and Sealeo evolves into Walrein upon reaching level 44. That second condition is exact: it does not depend on a stone, friendship or a specific location.

It is associated with the Sea habitat and has a catch rate of 45, a low figure compared with the values of species that are easy to catch. It is best to weaken it and keep a suitable Poké Ball ready instead of relying on a quick throw. Breeding also allows it to retain moves that do not appear among its level-up learnset, although there are no notable Egg Moves to add to the entry.