18 Best Ground-Type Pokémon of All Time

Kyogre and Groudon, the best ground Pokémon and water Pokémon, were the featured “legendaries” for the third generation of Pokémon games. Pit in the ultimate fight between Team Magma and Team Aqua, Groudon placed the strengths of ground pokémon into the spotlight. Even now, with the release of newer games in the main series like Sword and Shield and Pokémon Go, ground pokémon are still some of the strongest pokémon out there. For those who want a taste of this power in Pokémon Go, we present this list of the best ground-type Pokémon!

What Are Ground-Type Pokémon?

Ground-type Pokémon have been present in the first-ever Pokémon games with the release of Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue in 1996. Since then, every generation of the Pokémon series has included a few of this type.

Due to their presence, ground-type Pokémon is the ninth most common type among the 18 different Pokémon types. They come either as a pure ground type or as dual primary or secondary type ground pokémon, but they all share the same base offense and defense, as well as strengths and weaknesses. Although they may not have moves that inflict special statuses like burn, poison, or sleep, ground-type attacks are mostly physical moves that hit hard enough to demolish most opponents in a few moves.

Aside from that, ground-type attacks also have advantages against a lot of different Pokémon types, namely electric, fire, poison, rock, and steel-type Pokémon. Going against types like bug, grass, and flying isn’t as effective or good, however. They are also immune to electric-type Pokémon. Overall, pure ground-type or dual-ground-type Pokémon are some of the most versatile types you can get in any Pokémon game and should be a part of anyone’s main Pokémon team!

Best Ground-Type Pokémon in Pokémon Go!

Due to having almost 100 different ground-type Pokémon and their different forms present in Pokémon Go alone, we’re going to limit ourselves a little with this list. First off, we’ll only choose the strongest Pokémon out of an evolutionary line except for “mega” evolutions. For example, Rhydon and Rhyperior are both quite strong, but we’ll only rank Rhyperior due to its superior combat power (CP) compared to its pre-evolved form.

Secondly, we’ll also cross out shiny and shadow Pokémon forms from this list since they’re usually functionally the same as their base Pokémon. And lastly, we’re going to fully base this list on Pokémon’s maximum CP instead of added strengths like dual typing or special technique machine (TM) attacks.

Generally, due to how Pokémon Go works, those who want to have a chance at capturing the wild Pokémon on this list should look for them in parks, woodlands, and golf course areas. Others on this list, however, can only be captured through a raid battle or a lucky field research task. Do note that field research rewards change from month to month, so you’ll have to be lucky enough to have the pokémon you want on offer.

1. Groudon

True to its title as a legendary Pokémon, Groudon is still the strongest and the best ground-type Pokémon. A pure ground-type, Groudon gets all the bonuses and penalties of the type. This means it is weak to grass, water, and ice attacks, but its ground-type attacks are superior against electric, fire, poison, rock, and steel-type Pokémon.

As we said earlier, Groudon comes from the third generation of Pokémon, the Hoenn region. Due to its status as a legendary Pokémon, Groudon doesn’t evolve to or from any other Pokémon. Those that want one can only rely on the occasional raid battle. Be prepared, though, as defeating Groudon doesn’t come cheaply or easily.

2. Garchomp

The second in our best ground-type Pokémon list is Garchomp. Only a little weaker compared to Groudon, Garchomp can still destroy almost all other Pokémon it encounters. Due to its dragon main-type, Garchomp is only vulnerable to dragon, fairy, and ice-type attacks. The dual types do make it doubly weak to ice-type attacks. The best part of Garchomp is its ability to Mega Evolve into Mega Garchomp, which we expect to be implemented in the future.

Part of the fourth generation, Garchomp hails from the Sinnoh region. It is the second evolution of Gible. Those that want a Garchomp would have it easier to catch a Gible. Feed it 25 candy to turn it into Gabite, and then feed Gabite another 100 candy to get a Garchomp.

3. Landorus (Therian)

The second legendary Pokémon on this list, Landorus, actually has two forms, a Therian and an Incarnate form. For this best ground-type Pokémon list, we chose its Therian form due to its higher max CP compared. When it comes to vulnerabilities, Landorus is doubly weak to ice-type attacks due to its dual ground-flying types. It is resistant to electric, fighting, poison, bug, and ground-type attacks, though.

A Pokémon hailing from the fifth generation’s Unova region, Landorus is one of the featured legendary Pokémon for Pokémon Black and White, and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. You can only get Landorus in either form through a raid battle.

4. Rhyperior

A dual ground-rock type Pokémon, Rhyperior is the best example of this common dual-typing. Coming in with an awesome 4,221 max CP, Rhyperior is the fourth-best ground-type Pokémon! This is a little misleading, though, since this common dual-type also adds a lot of vulnerabilities due to the rock type’s disadvantages. First, it is doubly weak to water and grass attack moves due to the added type disadvantage. Its weaknesses also increased with the addition of fighting, steel, and, ironically, ground-type moves. These weaknesses are somewhat made up for with resistances to normal, rock, and fire moves, however.

Rhyperior comes from the Sinnoh region and is a part of the fourth generation of Pokémon. It is the second evolution of Rhyhorn, a first-generation Pokémon. Those that want a Rhyperior should catch a Rhyhorn, evolve it into Rhydon with 25 candies, and then use 100 candies and a Sinnoh Stone to get a Rhyperior.

5. Mamoswine

Similar to Rhyperior, Mamoswine is also a dual-type Pokémon. This time, though, it is an ice-ground type of Pokémon. With a max CP of 3,763, Mamoswine has more than decent chances for any battle. Its dual-typing makes it weak to fighting, steel, fire, water, and grass-type attacks, but it keeps its resistance to poison and electric types.

A Pokémon coming from the Sinnoh region, Mamoswine is part of the fourth generation. It is the second evolution of the Swinub evolutionary tree. If you want one, you should catch a Swinub, evolve it using 25 candies to get a Piloswine, and then evolve that using 100 candies and a Sinnoh Stone.

6. Excadrill

Another dual-type Pokémon, Excadrill, has a lot going for it. Due to its ground-steel typing, it is one of the best ground-type Pokémon you can use. Its typing gives it a lot of resistance to attack types, namely to normal, flying, bug, steel, psychic, dragon, fairy, rock, electric, and poison type attacks. It also has only four weaknesses, fighting, ground, fire, and water attacks.

Excadrill is a fifth-generation Pokémon from the Unova region. Based on real-life moles, Excadrill is the only evolution of Drilbur. Those that want one can easily get a Drilbur and evolve it using just 50 candies.

7. Hippowdon

A Pokémon with an obvious inspiration, Hippowdon is clearly the equivalent of real-life hippos. A pure ground-type Pokémon, Hippowdon has the normal weakness to water, grass, and ice attacks. It also has the standard resistance to poison, rock, and electric moves. With a max CP 3,488, Hippowdon has a more than decent ability to defend itself against other Pokémon.

Part of the fourth generation and hailing from the Sinnoh region, Hippowdon is a first evolution Pokémon. Those that want one can find a Hippowdon for themselves in the wild, but you may have a better time catching Hippopotas and evolving it with 50 candies instead.

8. Krookodile

Krookodile has one of the more amusing English Pokémon names and shows what inspired it. Its dual ground-dark Pokémon typing gives it a lot of weaknesses, specifically when it comes to fighting, bug, water, grass, ice, and fairy moves. Krookodile’s dual-types do make it resistant to poison, rock, ghost, dark, electric, and psychic Pokémon, though.

Krookodile is another Pokémon from the Unova region and part of the fifth generation of Pokémon. It comes from the Sandile evolutionary line. Those that want one will have a fun time-evolving one using 25 and 100 candies on Sandile and Krokorok, respectively.

9. Donphan

Donphan is an odd-looking ground-type Pokémon that resembles an elephant. It has a tough band running on its back that serves as its hide against regular attacks. Because of its tough hide, Donphan is resistant against electric and Poison-type Pokémon. As part of the second generation, Donphan comes from the Johto region and has appeared in a lot of other Pokémon games and anime series. Those that want a Donphan can catch one in the wild or evolve one by catching a Phanpy and evolving it using 50 candies.

10. Swampert

The tenth entry in this best ground-type Pokémon list, Swampert is one of the more well-known and well-loved by Pokémon fans. This is mostly due to its status as a starter Pokémon for the third generation games, Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and their remakes. Although it was overshadowed by Groudon, Swampert has okay stats with 3,362 max CP. A dual water-ground type, Swampert is weak only to grass-type attacks. It is also resistant to electric, poison, rock, steel, and fire-type moves.

A moderately hard Pokémon to get, you will have an easier time getting its base form, Mudkip. After getting one, you feed Mukdip 25 candies to get a Marshtomp. You then feed that 100 candies to get Swampert.

11. Golem

A stalwart Pokémon present in all Pokémon games, Golem is literally a rock. A dual-type rock-ground Pokémon, it has the same weaknesses and resistances as the earlier mentioned Rhyperior. In newer games and in Pokémon Go, Golem actually has two main forms, the normal Golem and an Alolan Golem. The Alolan form is an odd combination of rock and electric Pokémon.

Present since the original first-generation, Golem and the entire Geodude evolutionary family are some of the most common Pokémon out there. While you can get a Golem as a raid boss, it is far easier to just slowly evolve one. You do this by feeding Geodude 25 candies to turn into Graveler. You then feed Graveler 100 candies.

12. Torterra

Torterra owes this popularity to its inclusion as a starter Pokémon for the fourth generation. Torterra is one of the few Pokémon with a rare dual-type combination, grass, and ground. This gives it only four weaknesses, namely ice, flying, bug, and fire-type attacks. It also has resistances to ground, rock, and electric Pokémon.

Hailing from the Sinnoh region, Torterra is a second evolution Pokémon and part of the Turtwig evolutionary line. Rather than find one in a raid battle, it is easier to get one by going through Turtwig’s evolutions. You have to first get a Grotle by feeding 25 candies to Turtwig and then feeding Grotle another 100 candies.

13. Golurk

Golurk is a Pokémon that feels more like a “golem” than the actual Pokémon called Golem. A humanoid Pokémon, Golurk is a rare dual ground-ghost type. This means it is weak to ghost, water, grass, ice, and dark type Pokémon attacks. Meanwhile, it has resistances to rock, bug, normal, fighting, poison, and electric moves.

A fifth-generation Pokémon from the Unova region, Golurk evolves from Golett. While you may find some in the wild or in raids, it is easier to find Golett instead. You can take a Golett and feed it 50 candies to make it evolve into Golurk.

14. Gliscor

A dual ground-flying Pokémon, Gliscor has similar weaknesses and resistances to Landorus. It is weak to only ice and water attacks while having resistance to electric, fighting, poison, bug, and ground-type Pokémon.

Gliscor is part of the fourth generation and comes from the Sinnoh region. Although it comes from a different generation, it is the evolved form of Gligar, a second-generation Pokémon. Those that want a Gliscor can get one by evolving a Gligar using 100 candies and a Sinnoh Stone.

15. Flygon

Flygon is a dual ground-dragon type Pokémon similar to Garchomp. Due to this similarity, both Pokémon have the same weaknesses and resistances. While they do have these similarities, they do have different movesets. Those that can get the Earth Power TM can switch it with Earthquake to have a more effective defensive moveset.

Part of the same third generation as Swampert and Groudon, Flygon is a little disappointing as a ground-type Pokémon. That said, its dragon-type bonuses have more than made up for it. While there are raids and wild Flygon, it is far easier to just evolve one from Tranpinch using a combined 125 candies to go through its evolutionary line.

16. Nidoking

Part of the original 151 first-generation Pokémon, Nidoking is the king half of a king and queen pair. As a dual poison-ground Pokémon, Nidoking is one of the champions of higher mid-CP Pokémon and a good member of a team. Its dual type gives it resistance to fighting, rock, bug, fairy, poison, and electric attacks but makes it vulnerable to ground, water, psychic, and ice moves.

Hailing from the Kanto region, you’d have an easier time evolving a Nidoking from the Nidoran♂ evolutionary family than getting one fully evolved. To do this, you just need to feed Nidoran♂ 25 candies to get a Nidorino. You then feed Nidorino 100 candies to get a Nidoking.

17. Seismitoad

Seismitoad’s evolution line is the second Pokémon evolutionary family inspired by tadpoles, frogs, and toads. A counterpart to the pure water-types Politoed and Poliwrath, Seismitoad only has one weakness, and that is the grass-type move. This weakness, however, is double strong due to both water and ground type being weak to it. Aside from that, it is resistant to electric, poison, rock, steel, and fire moves.

Originally introduced as part of the fifth generation’s Unova region, Seismitoad is a secondary evolution of Tympole. Rather than have a hard time finding one as a raid boss or in the wild, it is easier to get one by fully evolving Tympole. To do this, feed Tympole 25 candies to get a Palpitoad. You then feed that 100 more candies.

18. Nidoqueen

Nidoqueen is the queen and weaker version of Nidoking. They have virtually the same movesets, weaknesses, and resistances, but Nidoqueen has weaker stats and max CP.

Due to the similarity of the pair, you’d also have an easier time getting a Nidoqueen from a Nidoran♀ instead of gaining one fully evolved. You’ll have to feed Nidoran♀ 25 candies to get a Nidorina that you’ll feed a further 100 candies to fully evolve.

Potential Future Ground-Type Pokémon

As of the eighth Pokémon generation, there are only 69 ground-type Pokémon in the main game series (including alternate forms like Alolan or Megamax), adding up to 7.66% of all Pokémon. Even though there aren’t that many ground-type Pokémon, Pokémon Go still hasn’t implemented all of them. This includes the legendary Pokémon Archeus and Zygarde. Aside from that, mega evolutions like Mega Swampert and Mega Garchomp should also be in the game at some point.

In the meantime, these are the best ground-type Pokémon not just in the Go! series but in the entire franchise as well. Test them on the actual game and download Pokémon Go on Play Store or App Store.