Ground-type Pokémon possess impressive durability and strength, even though they also exhibit several vulnerabilities. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to exploit their weaknesses during battles and utilize the most effective counters to defeat these robust creatures.
These Pokémon are formidable adversaries primarily due to their high Defense and HP stats, allowing them to inflict significant damage and absorb hits competently. Moreover, their attacks are particularly effective against five distinct types.
Which types are Ground-types weak against?
When considering combat strategies, it’s crucial to know that Ground-type Pokémon have three main weaknesses related to other Pokémon types and their moves:
- Grass
- Water
- Ice
To effectively defeat a Ground-type Pokémon, assemble a team that incorporates these types, ensuring they come equipped with relevant moves. However, remember to consider your opponent’s secondary typing, as that can significantly influence battle dynamics.
Strengths of Ground-type Pokémon
In addition to their weaknesses, Ground-type Pokémon have specific resistances; they are notably resistant to Poison and Rock moves, and they are immune to Electric-type attacks.
When incorporating a Ground-type into your lineup, you should focus on inflicting damage against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel opponents, as these types can suffer from super-effective hits.
Additional Ground-type vulnerabilities
In addition to being susceptible to Water, Grass, and Ice attacks, Ground-type Pokémon should avoid using moves of their own type against Grass or Bug Pokémon since they generally yield low damage output.
Best counters for Ground-type Pokémon
When facing Ground-type opponents, it’s beneficial to utilize Water, Grass, and Ice-type Pokémon. Dual-type Pokémon featuring these elements will enhance your advantage.
The most effective Pokémon to counter Ground-types include:
- Lapras (Water/Ice)
- Ludicolo (Water/Grass)
- Walrein (Ice/Water)
- Ogerpon Wellspring Mask (Grass/Water)
- Abomasnow (Grass/Ice)
It’s important to consider a Pokémon’s secondary type when selecting counters and moves. The aforementioned Pokémon are great against pure Ground types, but their resistances may vary based on their secondary typings.
Effective moves against Ground Pokémon
There are various strong Water, Grass, and Ice moves available that players can employ against Ground-type Pokémon. Below are our top recommendations based on power and effects:
- Hydro Cannon (Water)
- Origin Pulse (Water)
- Surf (Water)
- Frenzy Plant (Grass)
- Solar Blade (Grass)
- Solar Beam (Grass)
- Giga Drain (Grass)
- Ice Burn (Ice)
- Ice Beam (Ice)
- Icicle Spear (Ice)
Hydro Cannon is a legendary Water move from Gen 3, boasting a formidable power of 150 and an accuracy of 90%. However, the user must skip the subsequent turn. Similarly, Surf, a classic move from Gen 1, can hit not only the target but also all adjacent foes.
Frenzy Plant, another powerful Grass-type attack that also appeared in Gen 3, carries 150 power, but the user will need to recover on the next turn. Solar Blade and Solar Beam have nearly identical effects, both requiring a turn to charge, with the distinction that Solar Blade is physical while Solar Beam is special.
Ice Burn is the strongest special Ice move with a power of 140. Though it requires a charging turn, it offers a 30% burn chance against the opponent. While Icicle Spear isn’t as forceful, it can hit 2-5 times with guaranteed accuracy and has a PP of 30 for repeated use.
Optimal Tera Types
In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, the introduction of Tera Types can modify battle strategies. Here are the most beneficial Tera Types for Ground-type Pokémon:
- Ground: Provides an additional power boost with STAB
- Rock: Enhances the power of Rock-type moves
- Water: Cancels out the Ground-type vulnerability to Water-type moves
- Grass: Neutralizes the Ground-type weakness to Grass-type moves
Top Ground-type moves
With 30 distinct Ground-type moves, we’ve handpicked the most effective special, physical, and status attacks for you:
| MOVE | CATEGORY | POWER | ACCURACY | PP | EFFECT | GEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandsear Storm | Special | 100 | 80% | 10 | May cause burns to the opponent | Gen VIII |
| Earth Power | Special | 90 | 100% | 10 | Can lower the opponent’s Sp. Defense | Gen IV |
| Scorching Sands | Special | 70 | 100% | 10 | May burn the opponent | Gen VIII |
| Mud Bomb | Special | 65 | 85% | 10 | May reduce opponent’s Accuracy | Gen IV |
| Precipice Blades | Physical | 120 | 85% | 10 | Hits all adjacent targets | Gen VI |
| Headlong Rush | Physical | 120 | 100% | 5 | Lowers the user’s Defense | Gen VIII |
| Earthquake | Physical | 100 | 100% | 10 | Doubles power if combined with Dig | Gen I |
| High Horsepower | Physical | 95 | 95% | 10 | – | Gen VII |
| Shore Up | Status | X | X | 5 | Restores half of the user’s max HP; more in Sandstorm | Gen VII |
| Sand Attack | Status | X | 100% | 15 | Decreases the opponent’s Accuracy | Gen I |
Top Ground-types in Pokémon History
The Pokémon series features a total of 92 Ground-type species (up to Generation 9). Here are the top 10 Ground-types ranked:
- Groudon
- Zygarde (Complete Forme)
- Garchomp
- Landorus
- Excadrill
- Mamoswine
- Hippowdon
- Ursaluna
- Great Tusk
- Rhyperior
This concludes your guide on Ground-type Pokémon, covering their weaknesses, resistances, and strengths.
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