What it does
Freeze-Dry is an Ice-type special move with one rule that breaks the type chart: it hits Water-type Pokémon for super-effective damage. Normally, Water resists Ice for 0.5× — Freeze-Dry flips that to 2×. There's no other standard Ice move that does this.
The target's second type calculates normally. Water/Flying and Water/Grass targets — both of which have additional Ice weaknesses — take 4× damage. Water/Ice targets end up at 1× (the 2× Water bonus cancels with the 0.5× Ice resistance). Single-type Water targets are a clean 2×.
Champions override: Freeze-Dry does not have a freeze chance in Champions. Standard SV gives it 10% freeze; Champions removes that entirely. What you have is a high-power Ice-type move with Water coverage and no status proc. Don't plan around freezing anything. Just plan around the super-effective Water hit.
If the move's type changes through some ability effect, the Water super-effectiveness persists regardless — that rule is hardcoded into the move, not derived from the Ice typing.
Who runs it
Vanilluxe carries it at nearly 100% usage. High Special Attack plus same-type bonus on the Ice type makes every hit count. Water coverage is irreplaceable for it.
Glaceon relies on it for the same reason — excellent Special Attack, STAB Ice, and the Water coverage fills the gap that Ice-type attackers usually have when facing Water-type support Pokémon.
Aurorus (Ice/Rock) naturally appreciates the Water coverage — Rock-type attackers often face Water-type counters, and Freeze-Dry turns that matchup around entirely.
Glalie and Mr. Rime use it as the primary or secondary special coverage slot.
How to use it
In doubles, Freeze-Dry is a single-target move. Identify Water-type support Pokémon on the opposing team — that's the primary target. Water/Flying and Water/Grass represent 4× hit opportunities that your Ice-type Pokémon's partner cannot usually reach.
Opponents may bring Water types to check your Ice-type attackers' partners, expecting Ice to deal with anything but Water. Freeze-Dry makes that logic break down.
Ice-type Pokémon are defensively fragile (weak to Fire, Rock, Steel, Fighting). Use speed support or Trick Room to get them into range and let Freeze-Dry land before they go down.
Tips & strategy
The 4× hit is the highest-value use — target Water/Flying or Water/Grass combinations when you see them in team preview. Positioning your Ice Pokémon to face those targets is the best thing Freeze-Dry lets you do.
No freeze in Champions means you play this move purely for damage. Opponents who know this rule will be less afraid to leave low-health Pokémon around Ice users. Your advantage is the Water coverage surprise — many teams don't expect Ice to threaten their Water-type leads.