What it does
Blizzard is a Special Ice-type spread move — it hits both opposing Pokémon simultaneously in doubles. Base power 110, base accuracy 70%. In normal conditions, 70% accuracy in doubles is a liability. Missing on a spread move wastes the action against two targets.
Under hail or snow weather, accuracy becomes 100%. Not a boost — guaranteed to hit. 110 power, perfect accuracy, hitting both targets. That combination is the reason entire team archetypes are built around delivering that state.
There's a secondary mechanic under hail: Blizzard has roughly a 30% chance to pierce through Protect and similar shielding effects. It's not guaranteed, but across a full game it means the opponent's Protect isn't a perfect wall against it. That uncertainty changes how they play their protected turns.
The Freeze chance is real too. When it lands on two targets, each has an independent freeze roll. Frozen in doubles means that Pokémon is effectively out of the fight until it thaws — equivalent to forcing a 2v1 for those turns.
Who runs it
Vanilluxe (99%): 110 Sp. Atk., and Snow Warning auto-sets snow on entry. Nearly every Vanilluxe runs Blizzard — it sets the weather that makes its own move work. That self-contained loop is why it's a snow team anchor.
Abomasnow (83%): Also has Snow Warning. Base form and Mega both retain the ability, so Mega Evolution keeps the snow going with 135 Sp. Atk. added. Either way, Abomasnow enters, snow starts, Blizzard is accurate.
Glaceon (85%): 130 Sp. Atk., no weather setting ability. Runs Blizzard purely as the damage vehicle under the snow that Vanilluxe or Abomasnow provides. Under snow, its Sp. Def also gets a 50% boost, making it defensively durable while hitting hard.
Aurorus (26%): Runs Blizzard alongside Hyper Voice for a dual spread output package. 99 Sp. Atk. is lower, but under guaranteed snow accuracy, the 110 power still threatens.
Greninja (29%): 111 Sp. Atk., 122 Speed. Uses Blizzard for Ice coverage with Protean to adapt its own type. Doesn't set snow itself — needs a teammate to maintain the weather.
How to use it
Blizzard requires weather maintenance. The setup priority is: get Vanilluxe or Abomasnow in to establish snow, then the rest of the team can fire Blizzard freely. Order of entry matters here — a Blizzard Pokémon that enters before snow is set is either waiting, using a different move, or gambling on the 70%.
Once snow is stable, the rotation is simple: fire Blizzard every turn it's relevant. No accuracy management, no target selection, no wasted turns on misses. Full damage, both sides, every round.
The Protect pierce creates a psychological angle. Opponents know there's a 30% chance their Protect fails. That introduces doubt into their defensive planning — they can't fully commit to Protect turns the way they would against non-piercing moves.
Tips & strategy
Weather wars are the central tension in snow teams. If the opponent brings Drought or Sand Stream, they overwrite your snow on entry. Blizzard drops to 70% immediately. The read for weather teams is: establish snow, then prioritize eliminating the opponent's weather setter. Losing the weather mid-game breaks the whole offense.
Two freeze rolls per use: Blizzard against both targets gives two independent freeze chances per turn. Over multiple turns, the cumulative probability of landing at least one freeze climbs significantly. Frozen Pokémon can't act, and you're essentially removing a slot from their side while it thaws.
Snow's defensive bonus for Ice types: Ice-type Pokémon get +50% Sp. Def under snow. Your Glaceon and Vanilluxe are harder to KO in the weather they're helping to create. That durability extends the number of turns you get to fire Blizzard.
Blizzard without snow: At 70% accuracy in doubles, it's genuinely bad. Don't use it if you can't guarantee weather. Carry backup moves for turns when weather is contested or overwritten.