In the Pokemon series, the Rock Type stands out for its simplicity. These Pokemon are typically defensive titans, able to withstand hits, even those that are super-effective, and establish themselves as juggernauts in battle. Some forgo their sturdiness for sheer offensive power, launching barrages of rocks at their foes to impede their movement.
Rock Type Pokemon are often the first heavy-hitting additions that players can add to their teams when starting their adventures in various games in the series. Whether it be an early tunnel connecting two locations, a mountainous area, or even a coal mine that helps bring energy to an entire region, Rock Type Pokemon make their home in numerous locations players can often reach fairly quickly, giving players the chance to capitalize on their innate defensive capabilities.
Yet simultaneously, Rock Type Pokemon have historically been the first major challenges that players have to overcome. Early-game Gym Leaders like Brock, Roxanne, Roark, and Grant force players to immediately devise strategies or crumble in defeat. Fortunately, those that choose Grass or Water Type partner Pokemon don't normally struggle, though those that opt for the Fire Type often need to balance the remainder of their teams around this glaring weakness.
Those that stick with Rock Type Pokemon through the end of casual playthroughs and even into the competitive realm earn themselves reliable partners capable of filling a variety of niches, though mostly acting as supportive tanks that can control the speed of battle.
Though it may seem that Rock Type Pokemon have unmatched power, they're not without cracks. Here's a look at the best ways to erode their strengths, as well as sharpen their potential further.
Pokemon Rock Type Weaknesses and Counters
Rock Type Pokemon may boast impressive defenses naturally, but they suffer from a long list of weaknesses that often deter players from sticking with them longer than one or two Gyms. Players can exploit the Rock Type using Grass, Water, Fighting, Steel, and Ground Type attacks, opening a variety of strategies that players can employ to make these Pokemon a non-issue. And unfortunately, there's little most Rock Type Pokemon can do in response other than soak up an attack or two—often making them more efficient for double battles.
| Attacking Type | Super Effective Against | Weak To |
|---|---|---|
| Rock | Fire Flying Ice Bug | Fighting Grass Ground Steel Water |
Grass
Though Rock Types are a core part of nature themselves, they simply cannot stand toe-to-toe against the abundance of greenery surrounding them. A majority of Rock Type Pokemon are also part Ground Type, meaning that they will take even more damage due to Grass being super-effective against both of those types. Even some of the most common Grass Type Pokemon, like Venusaur, Roserade, Lilligant, and Meowscarada can make quick work of Rock Type Pokemon with attacks including Solar Beam, Leaf Storm, Petal Dance, and Giga Drain.
Water
Another of the three types players can choose from when they begin their adventures, Water Type Pokemon are valuable for not just their assistance in helping players across bodies of water, but how easily they can handle certain types of Pokemon—including Rock Types. Some of the more popular and powerful Water Type Pokemon include Gyarados, Greninja, Azumarill, Swampert, and Palkia, all of whom can wash away Rock Type Pokemon with moves like Surf, Waterfall, Hydro Pump, and Scald.
Fighting
Brute force is certainly an acceptable option to dealing with Rock Type Pokemon. Fighting Type attacks deal super-effective damage to Rock Type Pokemon, though are often held back by the defenses these Pokemon possess, as most Fighting Type Pokemon utilize physical attacks. Bringing Pokemon like Machamp, Lucario, Urshifu, Gallade, and Kommo-o are definitely viable options, though if players can opt for special Fighting Type attacks like Focus Blast, Vacuum Wave, and Aura Sphere, they may have an easier time.
Steel
The only thing harder than Rock in the Pokemon series is Steel, which gives it an inherit advantage through both dealing super-effective damage and taking reduced damage in return. Funnily enough, Steel Type Pokemon are often found in the same locations as Rock Types, with some Rock Type Pokemon even boasting Steel as a secondary type—making them even bulkier (and more susceptible to Fighting and Ground Type attacks). Much like with Fighting Type Pokemon, players should opt for special Steel Type attacks like Flash Cannon, Mirror Shot, Make It Rain, and Magnet Bomb on Pokemon that use them best, such as Lucario, Duraludon, Magnezone, Aegislash, and Gholdengo.
Ground
Though Rock and Ground Types share many strengths and weaknesses, Ground Type Pokemon hold a trump card over Rock Types: super-effective damage. Fortunately, most Ground Type Pokemon don't need to worry about what kind of attacks they use, as they take reduced damage from Rock Type attacks and therefore will often remain on the battlefield for a significant amount of time. Efficient options here include Garchomp, Excadrill, Gastrodon, Torterra, and Mudsdale, sporting powerful Ground Type attacks like Earthquake, Earth Power, Stomping Tantrum, and High Horsepower.
Pokemon Rock Type Strengths
Fortunately, the bulkiness of Rock Type Pokemon allows players to enact a number of different strategies in battle, whether that be unleashing super-effective damage on Flying, Fire, and Bug Type Pokemon, or trapping opponents in mounds of rocks, rendering them unable to attack.
Most players that train Rock Type Pokemon opt for the move Rock Slide, which can hit all opponents and cause them to flinch—a move that often leads to frustration in competitive play. Others take advantage of moves like Stealth Rock, Ancient Power, and Wide Guard, which all possess supportive effects very few other moves in the series have.
Rock Type Pokemon also benefit from the Sandstorm weather effect, where not only will they not take damage at the end of each turn, but their Special Defense stat will increase during its duration. Sandstorms can appear naturally in most desert areas throughout the series, though they can be created through the use of the move Sandstorm or Ability Sand Stream. Pokemon with the Abilities Sand Rush, Sand Force, or Sand Veil receive additional benefits under this weather condition, ranging from doubled speed to increased damage or evasiveness. Sandstorms can last longer if a Pokemon holds the Smooth Rock.
Best Rock Type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
A handful of new, peculiar-looking Rock Type Pokemon made their debut in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, some of which have stuck around for the niches they provide, while others have fallen into obscurity. The Nintendo Switch titles are now home to nearly all of the Rock Type Pokemon across the entire series, though a handful of them continue to stand out amongst others for the combination of their stats, Abilities, and movepools.
These are the five Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet with the highest Attack and Special Attack stats, though players should note that more defensive options are equally viable when it comes to Pokemon of this type.
- Rampardos (165 base Attack)
- Rhyperior (140 base Attack)
- Tyranitar and Iron Treads (134 base Attack)
- Glimmora (130 base Special Attack)
- Terrakion (129 base Attack)
Best Rock Type Pokemon in Pokemon GO
Yet in Pokemon GO, Rock Type Pokemon continue to thrive thanks to their high HP and Defense stats. In both PvP and Raids, players rarely have to even worry about being hit with super-effective damage unless it comes from a particularly powerful Pokemon, as the best Rock Type Pokemon will shrug this damage off. Regardless of where they're being used, Rock Type Pokemon continue to thrive in the mobile title, even if the number of Rock Type attacks available isn't particularly high.
These five Pokemon boast the highest max Combat Power (CP) in Pokemon GO, which can only be obtained by a combination of perfect IVs, the use of Candy XLs, and other factors. The list will not include battle-only forms like Mega Evolutions, as those CP caps are temporary.
- Nihilego (4,779 max CP)
- Rhyperior (4,479 max CP)
- Tyranitar (4,249 max CP)
- Terrakion (4,015 max CP)
- Rhydon (3,821 max CP)
