Of the 18 types that currently exist within the Pokemon series, none is more attuned to fighting on land than the Ground Type. These Pokemon often make their homes in more rugged environments such as mountainsides and caves where they can more reliably enjoy the nutrients of the earth—away from the various elements that they are susceptible to.
Yet its these susceptibilities that make Ground Type Pokemon rather difficult to use efficiently during normal playthroughs. Glaring weaknesses to both Grass and Water Type attacks—some of the most common moves players encounter at nearly every point of a game—can quickly fell Ground Type Pokemon without them having a chance to retaliate. And since most Ground Type Pokemon have the secondary Rock Typing, attacks of these types will deal even more damage, completely bypassing their defenses.
Where Ground Type Pokemon falter in standard gameplay, however, they have historically made up for in competitive battles. Ground Type Pokemon like Landorus and Ursaluna, as well as Ground Type moves including Earthquake and High Horsepower, have historically acted as efficient coverage options against some of the most powerful and popular options in the VGC format. Double battles also give players strategies to account for the Ground Type's plethora of weaknesses, increasing their viability further.
Regardless of where you seek to use Ground Type Pokemon, here's a look at what the type is capable of—as well as strategies to disrupt their footing.
Pokemon Ground Type Weaknesses and Counters
Ground Type Pokemon thrive on solid land. Once that is taken away from them, they lose the steadiness that allows them to succeed, allowing their glaring weaknesses to seep through. Whether it be Water, Grass, or Ice Type attacks, Ground Type Pokemon have very little tools to respond when afflicted with super-effective damage, many times falling after being hit with just one attack of these types due to secondary typings. This often leads players to instead bring Ground Type attacks on non-Ground Type Pokemon, rather than bringing the Ground Type Pokemon themselves.
| Attacking Type | Super Effective Against | Weak To |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | Electric Fire Poison Rock Steel | Grass Ice Water |
Water
The slightest touch of water is enough to send most Ground Type Pokemon into a panic. Though Ground Type Pokemon can respond with neutral damage, there are not many fast Ground Types that can match the slippery maneuvers of Water Type Pokemon like Floatzel, Barraskewda, Swampert, and Gyarados. Strong Water Type attacks like Surf, Hydro Pump, Wave Crash, and Scald can also deal significant damage to Ground Type Pokemon, if not knock them out in a single blow.
Grass
Though Ground Type Pokemon prefer solid land, venturing into nature poses some slight issues in battle. Grass Type attacks such as Solar Beam, Solar Blade, Leaf Blade, and Petal Blizzard can incapacitate even the strongest Ground Type Pokemon. And since Ground Type attacks deal not-very-effective damage to Grass Type Pokemon, options like Ludicolo, Tsareena, Tapu Bulu, and Hydrapple can unleash onslaughts of attacks without having to worry about taking much damage in retaliation.
Ice
Yet another way to make Ground Type Pokemon lose their footing is by freezing the ground beneath them, thus creating yet another weakness for them in the form of Ice Type attacks. While slightly less common, Ice Type attacks like Ice Beam, Blizzard, Ice Shard, and Ice Spinner can be learned by non-Ice Type Pokemon, providing them with great coverage against a variety of types. But when Ice Type Pokemon such as Mamoswine, Baxcalibur, Chien-Pao, and Iron Bundle take the field, players need to worry about weather-altering effects and strategies that can heighten their power further, rendering Ground Types completely helpless.
Land-locked
Preferring the earth, Ground Type Pokemon struggle to do anything against Pokemon in flight. Ground Type attacks will deal no damage to Flying Type Pokemon, those with the Levitate Ability or floating through the use of the move Magnet Rise, as well as any Pokemon holding the Air Balloon.
Pokemon Ground Type Strengths
On the other side of the Ground Type's various shortcomings are strengths that continue to make them dominant forces in the competitive metagame—and equally strong against certain bosses in casual playthroughs of most Pokemon titles. Ground Type attacks deal super-effective damage to Fire, Rock, Poison, and Electric Type Pokemon who, most times, can't do much to the Ground Types in return.
A variety of Ground Type attacks possess secondary effects, whether it be increased damage under specific conditions, hitting multiple targets at once, or decreasing the stats of those they make contact with. A number of these attacks, such as Earthquake, High Horsepower, Mud Slap, and Stomping Tantrum can be learned via TM in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, often times by Pokemon that aren't Ground Types themselves, allowing players to create strategies that cover their weaknesses with a variety of types at once.
The most widespread use of Ground Type Pokemon and attacks is as a direct counter to Electric Type Pokemon. Not only is the Ground Type the only type that can deal super-effective damage to Electric Type Pokemon, they are also completely immune to Electric Type attacks. Thus most players opt to use strategies that aim to surprise opposing Electric Type Pokemon with a Ground Type switch-in, resulting in no damage done and forcing them to react accordingly.
Should there be a Sandstorm present on the battlefield, Ground Type Pokemon will receive a considerable boost to their Special Defense stat, which can be the determining factor when battling Pokemon set on exploiting Ground Type weaknesses. Sandstorms can also trigger the effects of the Abilities Sand Rush, Sand Veil, and Sand Force, all of which provide ample boosts of power to the offensive or defensive capabilities of Ground Type Pokemon with these Abilities. Ground Type Pokemon are also immune to the chip damage that Sandstorms deal at the end of every turn.
Best Ground Type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet brought about a rise in Electric Type Pokemon usage with new, more powerful options like Iron Hands and Raging Bolt, as well as returning options in Regieleki and Rotom in its various forms. Thus, Ground Type Pokemon and attacks have become increasingly viable, oftentimes even must-have parts of any team combination.
Following the release of both packs of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, nearly all of the series' most efficient Ground Type Pokemon can be found in the Paldea region and beyond—including Legendary Pokemon. Here are the Ground Type Pokemon in the Nintendo Switch titles that boast the highest offensive stats, some of whom debuted in these games.
- Groudon (150 base Attack)
- Landorus (Therian Forme) (145 base Attack) / Landorus (Incarnate Forme) (125 base Attack, 115 base Special Attack)
- Ursaluna (140 base Attack) / Ursaluna (Blood Moon) (135 base Special Attack)
- Rhyperior (140 base Attack)
- Excadrill (135 base Attack)
Best Ground Type Pokemon in Pokemon GO
Similarly to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Ground Type Pokemon sport great viabilities in both Raids and the GO Battle League in Pokemon GO thanks not only to their large movepools, but their unique type combinations that turn many Ground Type Pokemon into offensive and defensive powerhouses. And since Ground Type Pokemon are rather common during and outside of event durations, a majority of players may already have access to some of the best Pokemon the game has to offer.
These five Pokemon possess the highest Combat Power (CP) caps, which is determined by their innate stats, Buddy level, and the use of items such as Candy XLs. This list will not take into account temporary forms like Mega Evolutions and Primal Reversions, nor will Shadow Pokemon be included.
- Groudon (5,624 max CP)
- Rhyperior (4,479 max CP)
- Ursaluna (4,472 max CP)
- Garchomp (4,426 max CP)
- Landorus (Incarnate Forme) (3,926 max CP)
