History Main / IceMagicIsWater

* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
** Water-elemental and ice-elemental attacks and enemies are grouped together under the Ice element. Curiously, the two elements are separate inside Organization XIII, with Vexen having power over ice and Demyx power over water. However, Demyx's attacks still count as ice, and defeating him upgrades the party's ice abilities. This also means he's weak against fire magic, for whatever good that does.
** Averted in ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance Dream Drop Distance]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII III]]'', where they're separate; they [[ElementalRockPaperScissors interact with other elements]] in a slightly different fashion and Water has its own attacks. ([[HeartIsAnAwesomePower Balloon]] in the former, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Water]] in the latter)
** Also averted in ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]''. Here, each element has an extra effect in addition to the ElementalRockPaperScissors, whether it's a status effect or something else. Water has a "damage-drain" effect, which slightly heals the Heartless that used the attack. Prominent users of the water element in this game include the Turquoise March and [[DamageSpongeBoss Zip Slasher]].
* Through the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' franchise, Water and Ice are two different types. However, several Pokemon are dual Water and Ice types, and virtually all Water-types are able to learn ice attacks like Ice Beam and Blizzard.
* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic3'': The ''Ice Bolt'' and ''Frost Ring'' spells belong to the ''Water magic'' school. ''Water Elementals'' are immune to these spells, and can be upgraded into ''Ice Elementals''.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', Mercury [[PsychicPowers adepts]] have abilities mainly based around water, but use ice for several of their offensive abilities, and start off with Freeze as a field move.
* ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'', the "water" spells all come in form of ice-themed attacks such as Ice Bolt and Blizzard.
* ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', Aqua-elemental chips may have either water or ice-themed attacks.
* Both the ''VideoGame/MegamanZero'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'' series have 3 elements: electric, fire and ice ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and neutral]]), but most of the ice reploids are either based on aquatic animals or can fight underwater. In fact, of all the bosses in both series, there is only ''one'' that fights underwater who isn't an ice type.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', the Water Medallion was intended to be the Ice Medallion during development. In the final product, this shows by the mini-dungeon preceding the Water Temple being the Ice Cavern, and the Water Temple's room in Ganon's Castle is likewise ice-themed.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Frost mages gain the ability to summon a water elemental along with their ice-based spells. In a reversal on this trope, many water-based enemy attacks inflict Frost damage on players.
* In ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', humans have affinity with either water, fire, light or shadow. Of the two water-types in the main cast, Frog's magic is mostly water-based, and Marle's is ice-based, though both can use it for healing as well. Similarly, in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'', water and ice magic are lumped together under the Blue Element.
* Zig-zagged in ''VideoGame/FantasyLife''. The magician's water magic is water magic in name only, consisting exclusively of different forms of ice. Fire magic, however, is strong against ice-based monsters and weak against water ones.
* ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'''s FireIceLightning elements use fire and lightning damage, but not ice; it's cold damage. While most cold damage spells use ice, other sources of coldness like chilling winds, spheres of water, or [[SpaceIsCold the void]] deal cold damage.
* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': The Archmage can summon water elementals and bring down shards of ice from the sky. The naga (underwater snakemen) also use both: the Siren can create frost armor, the Sea Witch can use cold arrows, and the Royal Guard can throw huge iceballs and summon a sea elemental.
* The Water Dragoon spirit in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' seems to act this way. When Lenus uses it, her attacks all relate ocean's destructive fury (tidal waves, whirlpools, etc). When Meru gains the same spirit from her, all her skills (including a healing spell) pertain to ice in some way. Also, all the three water-aligned attack spells are based on ice, featuring a barrage of icicles, a freezing blizzard and a mighty geyser of water suddenly freezing solid and shattering.
* In most ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, ice magic exists but water magic doesn't, so many demons affiliated with water instead specialize in [[AnIcePerson Bufu]] spells. For example, in ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'', the ocean god Varuna uses ice magic. Averted in ''VideoGame/Persona2'', where water and ice are separate elements.
* Zig-Zagged in the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries''. Most games treat water and ice as the same element. ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' and ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' separated them to facilitate the balance theme in both games. ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'' separated them because water was lumped in with light instead. In ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'', ice spells are simultaneously considered to be of the water and wind elements. From ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'' onward, ice is simultaneously treated as the water and earth elements.
* ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' has all Ice and Water looking skills listed as Water elemental.

* Water has only appeared sparingly as an element in ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'', but ice magic is typically used by aquatic monsters and enemies when they appear. In ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'', the Water Spirit can use Kacrackle in battle, which is the most powerful ice magic available.
* In ''VideoGame/NinetyNineVidas'', King's level 1 special summons a tidal wave that washes enemies away. His level 2 special changes it to a wave of icy stalagmites.
* While ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'' averts this by making Waterspout and Blizzard separate brush techniques, the DS sequel ''VideoGame/{{Okamiden}}'' plays this straight by integrating Blizzard into Waterspout, which makes fighting teams of Fire Eyes and Ice Lips more manageable.
* Water is one of the ingredients to make homunculi with in ''VideoGame/MyLovelyDaughter''. Making a homunculi of purely water will result in Ice.
* In ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'', there are skills that are specifically stated to be "ice" or "water" attacks, with the accompanying skill cutscenes reflecting this, but they functionally use the same element.
* In ''VideoGame/DragonProject'', Ice and [[MakingASplash Water]] are considered to be the same element, which makes them strong against [[KillItWithFire Fire]] but weak against [[ShockAndAwe Lightning.]]
* For the first two versions of ''VideoGame/RakenzarnTales'', this was averted with ice and water being two separate elements. When the elemental system was simplified in Version 3 and dropped from around a dozen elements to eight, water and ice were merged together, playing it straight.
* In the ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' series, Ice spells are part of the Water element's repertoire of attacks.
* The most common Meteo element on the planet [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Freaze]] in the original ''VideoGame/{{Meteos}}'' is the H₂O element. Averted in ''Meteos Online'' and ''Meteos Wars'', which have a separate ice element.

* The Water element in ''VideoGame/{{Elements}}'' has several ice-themed cards assigned to it, such as Freeze, Ice Bolt, and Ice Dragon.

* On ''Anime/SailorMoon'', Sailor Mercury's attacks have included not only water and ice, but even bubbles and mist. This helps differentiate her from Sailor Neptune, who had ocean based water powers.

* ''ComicBook/{{Lanfeust}}'': Cixi's power is to change the temperature of nearby water, so she can create ice, water or steam from, well, ice, water or steam.

* ''Fanfic/DungeonKeeperAmi'': As in her original show, Sailor Mercury, a Sailor Senshi with water-based attacks, has her ice-based attack, "Shabon Spray Freezing".

* In ''Series/{{Heroes}},'' Tracy Strauss is first introduced strictly with freezing powers. Water comes later, learned at some point during a TimeSkip.

* ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'', ice-themed monsters are grouped under the Water attribute and are usually of the Aqua type. An entire archetype of ice monsters, the Ice Barriers, are the most prominent examples.

* Lance the Blue Paladin in ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender'' is the Guardian of Water and is the most adept when it comes to underwater combat. His Blue Lion eventually gains the ability to fire beams of ice from its mouth.

* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'': Water-elemental and ice-elemental attacks and enemies are grouped together under the Ice element. Curiously, the two elements are separate inside Organization XIII, with Vexen having power over ice and Demyx power over water. However, Demyx's attacks still count as ice, and defeating him upgrades the party's ice abilities. This also means he's weak against fire magic, for whatever good that does.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', non-3D releases treat Water attacks like Flood and Tidal Wave as Ice-elemental. The 3D releases instead add a proper Water element to the game and Flood and Tidal Wave, etc, are recategorized under it. The sequel ''The After Years'' reverts back to grouping Water spells as Ice-elemental for all releases.

* Water has only appeared sparingly as an element in ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'', but ice magic is typically used by aquatic monsters and enemies when they appear.
** In ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVII'', the Water Spirit can use Kacrackle in battle, which is the most powerful ice magic available.

* In ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', humans have affinity with either water, fire, light or shadow. Of the two water-types in the main cast, Frog's magic is mostly water-based, and Marle's is ice-based, though both can use it for healing as well.
** Similarly, in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'', water and ice magic are lumped together under the Blue Element.

* In ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'', many demons affiliated with water are often specialized in [[AnIcePerson Bufu]] spells. Averted with ''VideoGame/Persona2'' as Water and Ice magic exist.

** The Ring of Elemental Command - Water can cast the spell Wall of Ice once per day.
** The water-based genies called marids are resistant to cold-based spells, indicating an affinity with cold. They gain a plus 2 on saving throws and take -2 HitPoints per die of damage.

* The most common Meteo element on the planet [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Freaze]] in the original ''VideoGame/{{Meteos}}'' is the H2O element. Averted in ''Meteos Online'' and ''Meteos Wars'', which have a separate ice element.

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

[[AnIcePerson Ice]] and [[MakingASplash water]] are two very common elemental properties to give characters in works of fiction. However, perhaps more than any other two pairs of elements, they are very close. After all, ice is merely frozen water, and thawing it out will make your ice attack a water attack.

** Freeze Blade uses a [[DeadlyDisc chakram]] made of ice and is also able to fire a "frostsicle" that freezes opponents in place. He also uses ice skates (literally, since these skates are made of ice) to leave trails of ice that slow down enemies.

** The Portal Master powers relating to the Water Element all dealing in freezing in some way. Water Skylanders can leave a trail of frost that freezes opponents that touch, or even freeze them in three conditions:

* Both the ''VideoGame/MegamanZero'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'' series have 3 elements: electric, fire and ice ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and neutral]]), but most of the ice reploids are either based on aquatic animals or can fight underwater. In fact, of all the bosses in both series, there is only ''one'' that fights underwater and it's not an ice type.

* In ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin'' and its [[VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSin2 sequel]], the Hydrosophist magical school covers both water-based and ice-based elemental spells (and, incidentally, [[HealItWithWater healing spells]]).

* The Water Dragoon spirit in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' seems to act this way. When Lenus uses it, her attacks all relate ocean's destructive fury (tidal waves, whirlpools, etc). When Meru gains the same spirit from her, all her skills (including a healing spell) pertain to ice in some way.

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ef0g_tvxgaex__o.jpg]]]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_3928.JPG]]
[[caption-width-right:350:It literally is.]]

[[AnIcePerson Ice]] and [[MakingASplash Water]] are two very common elemental properties to give characters in works of fiction. However, perhaps more than any other two pairs of elements, they are very close. After all, ice is merely frozen water, and thawing it out will make your ice attack a water attack.

* In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', Malachite, the fusion of Lapis Lazuli and Jasper, who has among other things Lapis' water manipulation powers, can instantly turn water in to ice to trap opponents or create projectiles. Lapis herself has not yet demonstrated this amount of control over water, but it's not unlikely to think she can do so as well.

** Averted in [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsDreamDropDistance Dream Drop Distance]] and [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII III]], where they're separate; they [[ElementalRockPaperScissors interact with other elements]] in a slightly different fashion and Water has its own attacks. ([[HeartIsAnAwesomePower Balloon]] in the former, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Water]] in the latter)

* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'': Water-elemental and ice-elemental attacks and enemies are grouped together under the Ice element. Curiously, the two elements are separate inside Organization XIII, with Vexen having power over ice and Demyx power over water. However, Demyx's attacks still count as ice, and defeating him upgrades the party's ice abilities.

* Zig-zagged in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', as ice jutsus are a hybrid of water and wind chakra.

* Zig-zagged in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', as ice jutsus are a hybrid of ice and wind chakra.

* Garth, the [[ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} original Aqualad]] learned to shape, manipulate and freeze water after he became [[SidekickGraduationStick Tempest]].

* ''Fanfic/PokemonMaster'': In this setting, Water and Ice are different elements. Though, Water Masters like Misty command both Water and Ice. Curiously, Ice Masters usually do not control Water.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', Water and Ice are two different types. However, several Pokemon are dual Water and Ice types, and virtually all Water-types are able to learn ice attacks like Ice Beam and Blizzard.