Quaquaval in Pokémon GO: PvP & PvE Review – Should You Power It Up?

Pokémon GO's July 2025 Community Day spotlighted Quaxly and introduced Quaquaval’s exclusive move Hydro Cannon along with its signature attack, Aqua Step. While the flamboyant final evolution of Quaxly dazzles with style, the question remains—can it deliver competitive value in raids or trainer battles?

Quaquaval’s Stats and Typing

Quaquaval is a dual Water and Fighting-type Pokémon with a Max CP of 3,411. Its base Attack is 236, Defense is 159, and Stamina stands at 198. This gives it solid offensive potential but relatively low bulk, making it vulnerable in extended battles.

It is weak to Flying, Grass, Electric, Psychic, and Fairy-type attacks, while it performs strongly against Fire, Rock, Steel, Ice, Dark, Ground, and Bug types.

Signature Moves: Hydro Cannon and Aqua Step

Hydro Cannon is a powerful, low-energy Water-type move introduced during Community Day. It’s only accessible during the event or by using an Elite Charged TM. Aqua Step, Quaquaval’s unique move, deals moderate damage and raises the user's Attack in PvP battles. After Community Day, Aqua Step becomes permanently available via Charged TM.

PvE: Quaquaval’s Raid Performance

With Hydro Cannon in its arsenal, Quaquaval becomes one of the top-performing non-legendary Water-type starters for raids. Its 236 Attack stat gives it an edge over options like Primarina in damage output. The best raid moveset is Water Gun combined with Hydro Cannon, though Liquidation serves as a decent alternative.

However, its relatively low Stamina and Defense prevent it from becoming a top-tier raid pick. The Fighting-type coverage doesn’t add much to raid scenarios since Water moves are dominant. Legendary and Shadow Pokémon like Kyogre and Shadow Swampert still outclass Quaquaval in most raid settings.

Verdict for PvE: Quaquaval is a stylish and capable Water attacker for players without premium raid counters.

PvP: Quaquaval’s Strengths and Weaknesses

In PvP, Hydro Cannon drastically improves Quaquaval’s performance. Aqua Step adds strategic value by boosting its Attack, allowing for shield baiting and setup plays. However, it’s often less efficient than Hydro Cannon due to its lower damage.

Close Combat provides hard-hitting coverage but comes with a Defense drop, requiring careful timing. For fast moves, Wing Attack provides faster energy generation, while Water Gun offers niche coverage.

Despite its versatility, Quaquaval is held back by its low durability. It struggles against meta-dominant types like Fairy, Flying, and Psychic. In Great and Ultra Leagues, it’s serviceable but overshadowed by stronger, bulkier options like Poliwrath. In Master League, it gets heavily outclassed by high-CP Water and Fighting-types.

Verdict for PvP: Quaquaval is fun and flexible but isn’t a must-have for competitive play.

Should You Power Up Quaquaval?

If you’re a casual or mid-level player looking to expand your Water-type lineup without relying on Legendaries or Shadows, Quaquaval with Hydro Cannon is a strong and stylish addition. Aqua Step offers mind-game potential but isn't essential for performance.

Final Recommendation: Evolve Quaquaval during Community Day to access Hydro Cannon. It’s a great pick for collectors, PvE enthusiasts, or trainers seeking unique team strategies.

Summary:

Quaquaval is a flashy addition to Pokémon GO’s roster that delivers solid raid performance and situational PvP value. It may not dominate the meta, but it definitely adds flair to any lineup.