>>54865924Seel and Dewgong are bad designs that are simply bad in game after the special split made them far weaker than they already were. This is on top of the fact you generally get them closer to the end of the games, and they could've benefited being gotten earlier where stat exp would help them. Plus Lapras and Cloyster already exist and are fantastic water/ice Pokemon, and you're handed the first, making Dewgong a less enticing option.
Spheal on the other hand is your only real option for water/ice for the main game, comes in late but evolves shortly after you encounte it, then evolves again into something that can soak up hits and do damage. It also has a far more charming design in its first two forms. The only real downside is you're not getting it until after the sixth gym.
