Swimming Mechanics

As you can bring your Pokémon out into the overworld at any time, there is the factor of water. When you are in the water, some Pokémon may not be able to swim. Normally this would just be an aesthetic change, as shown in Pokémon Legends: Arceus where some Pokémon had a platform on which to battle, but in Scarlet & Violet, there is more to it.

With the addition of Auto Battle in the Let's Go mode, the Pokémon can be sent out to defeat wild Pokémon. This is especially useful in Mass Outbreaks to take the Pokémon out to boost shiny chances. However, due to the swimming mechanics, some Pokémon are unable to do this.

If a Pokémon can swim, it can take out all Pokémon in the Auto Battle mode.
If a Pokémon can fly, it can take out Pokémon that are on the water's surface in the Auto Battle Mode
If the Pokémon can only be on an inflatable platform, then although they can follow you, they cannot be used in Auto Battle Mode.

As such, there are some Pokémon you would want to avoid using in the Auto Battle mode when hunting in the waters.

Swimming
Anchors Swimming Pokémon Flying Pokémon Non-Usable Pokémon

List of Pokémon that Swim

Pikachu
Pikachu - Swim
Raichu
Raichu - Swim
Psyduck
Psyduck - Swim
Golduck
Golduck - Swim
Slowpoke
Slowpoke - Swim
Slowbro
Slowbro - Swim
Shellder
Shellder - Swim
Cloyster
Cloyster - Swim
Tauros
Aqua Breed
Tauros Aqua Breed - Swim
Magikarp
Magikarp - Swim
Gyarados
Gyarados - Swim
Eevee
Eevee - Swim
Vaporeon
Vaporeon - Swim
Jolteon
Jolteon - Swim
Dratini
Dratini - Swim
Dragonair
Dragonair - Swim
Pichu
Pichu - Swim
Marill
Marill - Swim
Azumarill
Azumarill - Swim
Wooper
Wooper - Swim
Wooper
Paldean Form
Wooper Paldean Form - Swim
Quagsire
Quagsire - Swim
Espeon
Espeon - Swim
Umbreon
Umbreon - Swim
Slowking
Slowking - Swim
Qwilfish
Qwilfish - Swim
Surskit
Surskit - Swim
Azurill
Azurill - Swim
Barboach
Barboach - Swim
Whiscash
Whiscash - Swim
Luvdisc
Luvdisc - Swim
Buizel
Buizel - Swim
Floatzel
Floatzel - Swim
Finneon
Finneon - Swim
Lumineon
Lumineon - Swim
Leafeon
Leafeon - Swim
Glaceon
Glaceon - Swim
Basculin
Red-Striped Form
Basculin Red-Striped Form - Swim
Basculin
Blue-Striped Form
Basculin Blue-Striped Form - Swim
Alomomola
Alomomola - Swim
Tynamo
Tynamo - Swim
Eelektrik
Eelektrik - Swim
Eelektross
Eelektross - Swim
Skrelp
Skrelp - Swim
Dragalge
Dragalge - Swim
Clauncher
Clauncher - Swim
Clawitzer
Clawitzer - Swim
Sylveon
Sylveon - Swim
Bergmite
Bergmite - Swim
Avalugg
Avalugg - Swim
Mareanie
Mareanie - Swim
Toxapex
Toxapex - Swim
Bruxish
Bruxish - Swim
Chewtle
Chewtle - Swim
Drednaw
Drednaw - Swim
Arrokuda
Arrokuda - Swim
Barraskewda
Barraskewda - Swim
Eiscue
Eiscue - Swim
Quaxly
Quaxly - Swim
Quaxwell
Quaxwell - Swim
Quaquaval
Quaquaval - Swim
Pawmi
Pawmi - Swim
Pawmo
Pawmo - Swim
Pawmot
Pawmot - Swim
Finizen
Finizen - Swim
Palafin
Palafin - Swim
Veluza
Veluza - Swim
Dondozo
Dondozo - Swim
Tatsugiri
Stretchy Form
Tatsugiri Stretchy Form - Swim
Tatsugiri
Droopy Form
Tatsugiri Droopy Form - Swim
Tatsugiri
Curly Form
Tatsugiri Curly Form - Swim
Clodsire
Clodsire - Swim
Gholdengo
Gholdengo - Swim
Koraidon
Koraidon - Swim
Walking Wake
Walking Wake - Swim

List of Pokémon that Fly

Charizard
Charizard - Swim
Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff - Swim
Wigglytuff
Wigglytuff - Swim
Venomoth
Venomoth - Swim
Magnemite
Magnemite - Swim
Magneton
Magneton - Swim
Gastly
Gastly - Swim
Haunter
Haunter - Swim
Gengar
Gengar - Swim
Scyther
Scyther - Swim
Dragonite
Dragonite - Swim
Igglybuff
Igglybuff - Swim
Hoppip
Hoppip - Swim
Skiploom
Skiploom - Swim
Jumpluff
Jumpluff - Swim
Murkrow
Murkrow - Swim
Misdreavus
Misdreavus - Swim
Forretress
Forretress - Swim
Heracross
Heracross - Swim
Delibird
Delibird - Swim
Wingull
Wingull - Swim
Pelipper
Pelipper - Swim
Masquerain
Masquerain - Swim
Swablu
Swablu - Swim
Altaria
Altaria - Swim
Shuppet
Shuppet - Swim
Tropius
Tropius - Swim
Glalie
Glalie - Swim
Salamence
Salamence - Swim
Starly
Starly - Swim
Staravia
Staravia - Swim
Staraptor
Staraptor - Swim
Kricketune
Kricketune - Swim
Combee
Combee - Swim
Vespiquen
Vespiquen - Swim
Drifloon
Drifloon - Swim
Drifblim
Drifblim - Swim
Mismagius
Mismagius - Swim
Honchkrow
Honchkrow - Swim
Bronzor
Bronzor - Swim
Bronzong
Bronzong - Swim
Magnezone
Magnezone - Swim
Froslass
Froslass - Swim
Rotom
Rotom - Swim
Rotom
Heat Rotom
Rotom Heat Rotom - Swim
Rotom
Wash Rotom
Rotom Wash Rotom - Swim
Rotom
Frost Rotom
Rotom Frost Rotom - Swim
Rotom
Fan Rotom
Rotom Fan Rotom - Swim
Rotom
Mow Rotom
Rotom Mow Rotom - Swim
Cryogonal
Cryogonal - Swim
Rufflet
Rufflet - Swim
Braviary
Braviary - Swim
Hydreigon
Hydreigon - Swim
Volcarona
Volcarona - Swim
Fletchling
Fletchling - Swim
Fletchinder
Fletchinder - Swim
Talonflame
Talonflame - Swim
Vivillon
Vivillon - Swim
Flabébé
Flabébé - Swim
Floette
Floette - Swim
Florges
Florges - Swim
Hawlucha
Hawlucha - Swim
Klefki
Klefki - Swim
Noibat
Noibat - Swim
Noivern
Noivern - Swim
Oricorio
Baile Style
Oricorio Baile Style - Swim
Oricorio
Pom-Pom Style
Oricorio Pom-Pom Style - Swim
Oricorio
P'au Style
Oricorio P'au Style - Swim
Oricorio
Sensu Style
Oricorio Sensu Style - Swim
Rookidee
Rookidee - Swim
Corvisquire
Corvisquire - Swim
Corviknight
Corviknight - Swim
Flapple
Flapple - Swim
Sinistea
Sinistea - Swim
Polteageist
Polteageist - Swim
Frosmoth
Frosmoth - Swim
Dreepy
Dreepy - Swim
Drakloak
Drakloak - Swim
Dragapult
Dragapult - Swim
Squawkabilly
Squawkabilly - Swim
Tadbulb
Tadbulb - Swim
Wattrel
Wattrel - Swim
Kilowattrel
Kilowattrel - Swim
Rabsca
Rabsca - Swim
Flittle
Flittle - Swim
Bombirdier
Bombirdier - Swim
Varoom
Varoom - Swim
Revavroom
Revavroom - Swim
Glimmet
Glimmet - Swim
Glimmora
Glimmora - Swim
Flamigo
Flamigo - Swim
Scream Tail
Scream Tail - Swim
Flutter Mane
Flutter Mane - Swim
Iron Jugulis
Iron Jugulis - Swim
Iron Moth
Iron Moth - Swim
Chi-Yu
Chi-Yu - Swim
Roaring Moon
Roaring Moon - Swim
Miraidon
Miraidon - Swim

List of Pokémon that are on Inflatable Platforms

Charmander
Charmander - Swim
Charmeleon
Charmeleon - Swim
Venonat
Venonat - Swim
Diglett
Diglett - Swim
Dugtrio
Dugtrio - Swim
Meowth
Meowth - Swim
Meowth
Galarian Form
Meowth Galarian Form - Swim
Persian
Persian - Swim
Mankey
Mankey - Swim
Primeape
Primeape - Swim
Growlithe
Growlithe - Swim
Arcanine
Arcanine - Swim
Grimer
Grimer - Swim
Muk
Muk - Swim
Drowzee
Drowzee - Swim
Hypno
Hypno - Swim
Voltorb
Voltorb - Swim
Electrode
Electrode - Swim
Chansey
Chansey - Swim
Tauros
Paldean Form
Tauros Paldean Form - Swim
Tauros
Blaze Breed
Tauros Blaze Breed - Swim
Ditto
Ditto - Swim
Flareon
Flareon - Swim
Mareep
Mareep - Swim
Flaaffy
Flaaffy - Swim
Ampharos
Ampharos - Swim
Sudowoodo
Sudowoodo - Swim
Sunkern
Sunkern - Swim
Sunflora
Sunflora - Swim
Girafarig
Girafarig - Swim
Pineco
Pineco - Swim
Dunsparce
Dunsparce - Swim
Scizor
Scizor - Swim
Sneasel
Sneasel - Swim
Teddiursa
Teddiursa - Swim
Ursaring
Ursaring - Swim
Houndour
Houndour - Swim
Houndoom
Houndoom - Swim
Phanpy
Phanpy - Swim
Donphan
Donphan - Swim
Stantler
Stantler - Swim
Blissey
Blissey - Swim
Larvitar
Larvitar - Swim
Pupitar
Pupitar - Swim
Tyranitar
Tyranitar - Swim
Ralts
Ralts - Swim
Kirlia
Kirlia - Swim
Gardevoir
Gardevoir - Swim
Shroomish
Shroomish - Swim
Breloom
Breloom - Swim
Slakoth
Slakoth - Swim
Vigoroth
Vigoroth - Swim
Slaking
Slaking - Swim
Makuhita
Makuhita - Swim
Hariyama
Hariyama - Swim
Sableye
Sableye - Swim
Meditite
Meditite - Swim
Medicham
Medicham - Swim
Gulpin
Gulpin - Swim
Swalot
Swalot - Swim
Numel
Numel - Swim
Camerupt
Camerupt - Swim
Torkoal
Torkoal - Swim
Spoink
Spoink - Swim
Grumpig
Grumpig - Swim
Cacnea
Cacnea - Swim
Cacturne
Cacturne - Swim
Zangoose
Zangoose - Swim
Seviper
Seviper - Swim
Banette
Banette - Swim
Snorunt
Snorunt - Swim
Bagon
Bagon - Swim
Shelgon
Shelgon - Swim
Kricketot
Kricketot - Swim
Shinx
Shinx - Swim
Luxio
Luxio - Swim
Luxray
Luxray - Swim
Pachirisu
Pachirisu - Swim
Shellos
Shellos - Swim
Gastrodon
Gastrodon - Swim
Stunky
Stunky - Swim
Skuntank
Skuntank - Swim
Bonsly
Bonsly - Swim
Happiny
Happiny - Swim
Spiritomb
Spiritomb - Swim
Gible
Gible - Swim
Gabite
Gabite - Swim
Garchomp
Garchomp - Swim
Riolu
Riolu - Swim
Lucario
Lucario - Swim
Hippopotas
Hippopotas - Swim
Hippowdon
Hippowdon - Swim
Croagunk
Croagunk - Swim
Toxicroak
Toxicroak - Swim
Snover
Snover - Swim
Abomasnow
Abomasnow - Swim
Weavile
Weavile - Swim
Gallade
Gallade - Swim
Petilil
Petilil - Swim
Lilligant
Lilligant - Swim
Sandile
Sandile - Swim
Krokorok
Krokorok - Swim
Krookodile
Krookodile - Swim
Zorua
Zorua - Swim
Zoroark
Zoroark - Swim
Gothita
Gothita - Swim
Gothorita
Gothorita - Swim
Gothitelle
Gothitelle - Swim
Deerling
Deerling - Swim
Sawsbuck
Sawsbuck - Swim
Foongus
Foongus - Swim
Amoonguss
Amoonguss - Swim
Axew
Axew - Swim
Fraxure
Fraxure - Swim
Haxorus
Haxorus - Swim
Cubchoo
Cubchoo - Swim
Beartic
Beartic - Swim
Pawniard
Pawniard - Swim
Bisharp
Bisharp - Swim
Deino
Deino - Swim
Zweilous
Zweilous - Swim
Larvesta
Larvesta - Swim
Scatterbug
Scatterbug - Swim
Spewpa
Spewpa - Swim
Litleo
Litleo - Swim
Pyroar
Pyroar - Swim
Skiddo
Skiddo - Swim
Gogoat
Gogoat - Swim
Dedenne
Dedenne - Swim
Goomy
Goomy - Swim
Sliggoo
Sliggoo - Swim
Goodra
Goodra - Swim
Yungoos
Yungoos - Swim
Gumshoos
Gumshoos - Swim
Crabrawler
Crabrawler - Swim
Crabominable
Crabominable - Swim
Rockruff
Rockruff - Swim
Lycanroc
Midday Form
Lycanroc Midday Form - Swim
Lycanroc
Midnight Form
Lycanroc Midnight Form - Swim
Lycanroc
Dusk Form
Lycanroc Dusk Form - Swim
Mudbray
Mudbray - Swim
Mudsdale
Mudsdale - Swim
Fomantis
Fomantis - Swim
Lurantis
Lurantis - Swim
Salandit
Salandit - Swim
Salazzle
Salazzle - Swim
Bounsweet
Bounsweet - Swim
Steenee
Steenee - Swim
Tsareena
Tsareena - Swim
Oranguru
Oranguru - Swim
Passimian
Passimian - Swim
Sandygast
Sandygast - Swim
Palossand
Palossand - Swim
Komala
Komala - Swim
Mimikyu
Mimikyu - Swim
Skwovet
Skwovet - Swim
Greedent
Greedent - Swim
Rolycoly
Rolycoly - Swim
Carkol
Carkol - Swim
Coalossal
Coalossal - Swim
Applin
Applin - Swim
Appletun
Appletun - Swim
Silicobra
Silicobra - Swim
Sandaconda
Sandaconda - Swim
Toxel
Toxel - Swim
Toxtricity
Toxtricity - Swim
Hatenna
Hatenna - Swim
Hattrem
Hattrem - Swim
Hatterene
Hatterene - Swim
Impidimp
Impidimp - Swim
Morgrem
Morgrem - Swim
Grimmsnarl
Grimmsnarl - Swim
Perrserker
Perrserker - Swim
Falinks
Falinks - Swim
Pincurchin
Pincurchin - Swim
Snom
Snom - Swim
Stonjourner
Stonjourner - Swim
Indeedee
Indeedee - Swim
Indeedee
Female
Indeedee Female - Swim
Cufant
Cufant - Swim
Copperajah
Copperajah - Swim
Sprigatito
Sprigatito - Swim
Floragato
Floragato - Swim
Meowscarada
Meowscarada - Swim
Fuecoco
Fuecoco - Swim
Crocalor
Crocalor - Swim
Skeledirge
Skeledirge - Swim
Lechonk
Lechonk - Swim
Oinkologne
Oinkologne - Swim
Oinkologne
Female
Oinkologne Female - Swim
Tarountula
Tarountula - Swim
Spidops
Spidops - Swim
Nymble
Nymble - Swim
Lokix
Lokix - Swim
Tandemaus
Tandemaus - Swim
Maushold
Family of Three
Maushold Family of Three - Swim
Maushold
Family of Four
Maushold Family of Four - Swim
Fidough
Fidough - Swim
Dachsbun
Dachsbun - Swim
Smoliv
Smoliv - Swim
Dolliv
Dolliv - Swim
Arboliva
Arboliva - Swim
Nacli
Nacli - Swim
Naclstack
Naclstack - Swim
Garganacl
Garganacl - Swim
Charcadet
Charcadet - Swim
Armarouge
Armarouge - Swim
Ceruledge
Ceruledge - Swim
Bellibolt
Bellibolt - Swim
Maschiff
Maschiff - Swim
Mabosstiff
Mabosstiff - Swim
Shroodle
Shroodle - Swim
Grafaiai
Grafaiai - Swim
Bramblin
Bramblin - Swim
Brambleghast
Brambleghast - Swim
Toedscool
Toedscool - Swim
Toedscruel
Toedscruel - Swim
Klawf
Klawf - Swim
Capsakid
Capsakid - Swim
Scovillain
Scovillain - Swim
Rellor
Rellor - Swim
Espathra
Espathra - Swim
Tinkatink
Tinkatink - Swim
Tinkatuff
Tinkatuff - Swim
Tinkaton
Tinkaton - Swim
Wiglett
Wiglett - Swim
Wugtrio
Wugtrio - Swim
Cyclizar
Cyclizar - Swim
Orthworm
Orthworm - Swim
Greavard
Greavard - Swim
Houndstone
Houndstone - Swim
Cetoddle
Cetoddle - Swim
Cetitan
Cetitan - Swim
Annihilape
Annihilape - Swim
Farigiraf
Farigiraf - Swim
Dudunsparce
Two-Segment Form
Dudunsparce Two-Segment Form - Swim
Dudunsparce
Three-Segment Form
Dudunsparce Three-Segment Form - Swim
Kingambit
Kingambit - Swim
Great Tusk
Great Tusk - Swim
Brute Bonnet
Brute Bonnet - Swim
Slither Wing
Slither Wing - Swim
Sandy Shocks
Sandy Shocks - Swim
Iron Treads
Iron Treads - Swim
Iron Bundle
Iron Bundle - Swim
Iron Hands
Iron Hands - Swim
Iron Thorns
Iron Thorns - Swim
Frigibax
Frigibax - Swim
Arctibax
Arctibax - Swim
Baxcalibur
Baxcalibur - Swim
Gimmighoul
Chest Form
Gimmighoul Chest Form - Swim
Wo-Chien
Wo-Chien - Swim
Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao - Swim
Ting-Lu
Ting-Lu - Swim
Iron Valiant
Iron Valiant - Swim
Iron Leaves
Iron Leaves - Swim