Highlights

  • Despite technical issues, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet offer exciting new Pokemon to experiment with.
  • Rock types in Generation Nine have received a much-needed buff, making them more viable in battle.
  • Terrakion and its Paradox form, Iron Boulder, are standout Rock type Pokemon to consider for a strong team lineup.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet launched to somewhat meddling reviews, mostly due to technical problems. However, despite all that, the core gameplay is still solid, and the new Pokemon are quite exciting to experiment with.

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Next to the Steel-type, Rock types are some of the most iconic defensive Pokemon. Despite being weak to the common Fighting and Ground-type attacks, Rock type can be extremely good, especially when combined with the correct secondary type. There are a lot of iconic returning Pokemon and new additions to the type in this game, and here are the best of the best.

Updated on February 29, 2024 by Doruk Kaptan: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet launched to a shaky reception by fans. Performance issues, content, and the overall development cycle were all subjects of criticism. Luckily, as all DLCs have came out and the games have reached their final form, they end up being quite fun. With tons of Pokemon added via the DLC, and the core gameplay being as strong as ever, Scarlet & Violet, while not the top tier, are solid games in the series. One type that has needed a buff for a long time is the Rock type, and especially with the new additions, it's got what it needs. Here are the best Rock types available in Generation Nine.

20 Tyranitar

Tyranitar from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Pokedex Image

Tyranitar, the Johto pseudo-legendary, has always been at least decent throughout the years, and that trend holds true here. Tyranitar has amazing stats, mainly focused on Attack, a great ability in Sand Stream, and a large variety of moves. Even its problematic four-times weakness to Fighting-types can be patched up.

Thanks to Terastallization, Tyranitar can either increase its already impressive offensive capability or throw opponents off by turning into a type that erases its weaknesses. One of the better options to Tera into seems to be Ghost type, making Tyranitar immune to Fighting-type moves. Tyranitar is a great Rock type if your team needs one.

19 Garganacl

Garganacl walking ahead of Lechonk, Bonsly and Dedenne.

Garganacl is a new Pokemon introduced in Generation Nine. This Pokemon is inspired by blocks of rock salt and looks like it jumped right out of Minecraft. Despite the blocky, awkward look, though, Garganacl manages to be one of the best Rock types in the games.

Garganacl's signature ability, Purifying Salt, protects it from status conditions and also gives it resistance against Ghost-type moves. It also comes with a signature move called Salt Cure. This move deals 1/8 of the receiving Pokemon's HP each turn and double that if they have the types Steel or Water. On top of all that, Garganacl has great Defense and can use the amazing Iron Defense plus Body Press combo to full effect.

18 Naclstack

Naclstack from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Pokedex Image

Another great Rock type that's more defensive is Naclstack, the pre-evolution of Garganacl. While it may seem counter-intuitive to use a non-fully evolved Pokemon, Naclstack has some stuff going for it.

It's a smaller Garganacl through and through, except for when it's equipped with the item Eviolite. Unless you absolutely need the offensive potential of Garganacl, you can reach higher defenses with an Eviolite Naclstack. While it does require an item to reach its potential, Naclstack can be a great wall in times of need.

You can get the Eviolite from South Province (Area 5), by talking to the Elite Four Rep and completing his quest.

17 Glimmora

Glimmora from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Pokedex Image expanding themselves in a cave

Glimmora is another great Rock-type Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This Rock and Poison type is a Special Attacker, which is not that common for Rock types. Glimmora is strong in a unique way, setting itself apart from any other Pokemon completely.

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Its ability Toxic Debris sets Toxic Spikes when Glimmora is hit by a physical attack. That, combined with a decent Defense stat, makes Glimmora a reliable spikes setter. It has some useful utility moves too, such as Memento, Explosion, and Spiky Shield. Make sure you give it a Tera Type that covers its weaknesses, and you're good to go Glimmora is an unusual Pokemon but is a powerful one for sure.

16 Iron Thorns

Iron Thorns Pokedex Entry in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet have introduced some ancient ancestors and future descendants of iconic Pokemon called Parados Pokemon. One of these creatures is a Rock and Electric type, inspired by Tyranitar's design. Having similar physical stats to Tyranitar is great, as they are already sky-high. The electric typing is also pretty beneficial in terms of offense.

While Iron Thorns doesn't have the best typing or the widest move pool, its sheer power makes it worth considering for your team. Especially when its ability Quark Drive is activated, whether via Electric Terrain or the item Booster Energy, Iron Thorns hits like a truck.

15 Lycanroc-Dusk

Lycanroc

A lot of Rock-type Pokemon have very low Speed stats, focusing more on durability and hitting hard. With that being the case, a fast Rock type that's just as strong can be a great way to catch opponents off-guard.

Lycanroc has three forms in total, all being useful to an extent, but the best one is Dusk Form by far. It has the highest Attack out of the three and is almost as fast as Midday Form. What makes Lycanroc is its diverse move pool and access to priority moves, though. It wasn't in Ash's first championship team without reason, after all.

14 Drednaw

drednaw from Pokemon

Drednaw is one of the iconic Pokemon that was introduced in the previous generation. It has decent typing in Rock and Water, and its stats are not bad at all. It's got a selection of amazing abilities with Strong Jaw, Shell Armor, and Swift Swim, which are all useful in certain situations.

Its move pool hasn't changed that much this generation, but it already had a nice array of options, with incredible moves like Shell Smash, Earthquake, and Poison Jab. It's a great Pokemon that is very versatile, especially when you take Terastillization into account.

Some of the best Tera types for Drednaw are Steel for defensive builds and Dark for offensive builds.

13 Klawf

Klawf from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Pokedex Image

Klawf captured the hearts of many as soon as it was revealed, way before the games came out. With the derpy look and great design, it's hard not to love Klawf. Luckily, it's not just a cute Pokemon and has some real power within.

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Klawf has a decent stat line, mainly focusing on Attack and Defense. It also has access to the reliable ability Regenerator as well as a new ability called Anger Shell. This ability gives Klawf a boost in Attack, Special Attack, and Speed and lowers both defenses. This allows Klawf to function as an offensive threat, too, making it fit any team that needs a Rock type.

12 Coalossal

Coalossal from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Pokedex Image

Coalossal is a unique Pokemon, introduced in Generation 9. While it's got some niche uses, it's never been an amazing Pokemon. Luckily, Coalossal is a great Rock type in Scarlet & Violet, mainly due to the new mechanic of Terastallization.

Coalossal has the core of an exceptional Pokemon, with decent stats, a wide move pool, and an amazing ability in Steam Engine. What used to keep Coalossal back was its several weaknesses due to its Fire and Rock typing. Luckily, in Scarlet & Violet, you can Terastallize into a Water or Steel type to mitigate that frailty, turning Coalossal into an absolute tank.

11 Stonjourner

Stonjourner

Stonjourner is one of those Pokemon that you instantly recognize by its silhouette. It's an iconic, silly looking Stonehenge that's alive. Stonjourner has some very impressive stats, especially in Attack and Defense. This thing is hard to take out as long as you keep it out of the way of Special Attacks.

Stonjourner only has one ability: Power Spot, which buffs the power of allies' moves by 30 percent. Stonjourner is a one-trick pony designed outrightly for double battles, but it is admirable at its job and is a solid choice if you plan on playing doubles at all.

10 Alolan Golem

Alolan Golem was never a top-tier competitive Pokemon, mainly due to its crippling four times weakness to the common Ground type. When Earthquake, one of the most commonly used moves, takes you out in one hit, you either have to be very fast or very strong, neither of which Alolan Golem is.

That's where Terastalization comes in. By turning into a Grass type on a whim, Alolan Golem can take Ground-type hits with ease and retaliate with a Tera Blast. This simple mechanic immediately turns Alolan Golem into a prime threat, especially considering its respectable Attack stat.

Since Alolan Golem's ability changes its Normal-type attacks into Electric type, a Normal Tera type does not boost its damage. Thus, prefer Tera-Electric or Tera-Rock for offensive Alolan Golems.

9 Hisuian Arcanine

Hisuian Arcanine

Speaking of a quad weakness to Ground type, we have an addition from the Legends: Arceus game, Hisuian Arcanine. This ancient dog is unfortunately not too great when compared to its counterpart, as the addition of Rock type does not add too much but gives Arcanine a few additional weaknesses.

Luckily, just like Alolan Golem, Hisuian Arcanine can Terastalize into a beneficial type to mitigate its subpar defenses. You could opt for a Normal-type Terastalization, boosting your Extreme Speed for priority knockouts. You could also go for Grass type and use Hisuian Arcanine defensively, using moves like Morning Sun and Will-o-Wisp.

8 Diancie

Diancie against a mountain

While some Pokemon need new mechanics or forms to be useful, some have always been strong. Diancie is a prime example of that. This incredibly bulky Mythical Pokemon has a lot of disruption tools, including Stealth Rock, Encore, screens, and weather moves.

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Diancie is quite good even without its mega form, which once turned it more into a special sweeper. Steel-type Pokemon are the bane of this stone wall though, as it's quad-weak to them. Luckily, Terastalization helps with that in the Ninth Generation, as it allows Diancie to become a Water-type and survive longer.

7 Magcargo

Magcargo optimistically looking at its trainer in the Pokemon anime

Yes, you've read that right. Magcargo is actually decent now. While its stats will likely never allow it to throw its hat into the ring with heavy hitters such as Tyranitar and Garganacl, this generation's gimmick allows it to actually be a surprise utility Pokemon who's great at its job.

Magcargo has a respectable Defense stat, sitting at 120. Its abysmal Speed of 30 is also potentially useful when Trick Room is considered. Magcargo has a wide move pool too, including moves like Will-o-Wisp, Stealth Rock, Yawn, Recover, dual screens, and even Shell Smash. With Terastalization, you can become a Grass type and eat up previously deadly Water and Ground-type attacks. While not a top-tier option, Magcargo is finally good, and that's worth appreciating.

6 Terrakion

Pokemon Anime Smiling Terrakion Legendary

Terrakion, one of the members of the Swords of Justice quartet, is a fan favorite both due to its design as well as its combat prowess. Its Rock/Fighting type is exclusive to it and provides amazing offensive coverage for Terrakion.

This Pokemon lives up to its muscular build too, with a respectable 129 in Attack. It's also surprisingly fast, with 108 Speed, which is somewhat rare for Rock-type Pokemon. Terrakion's coverage moves make it a real threat, including moves of other types such as Zen Headbutt, Iron Head, and Earthquake.

5 Iron Boulder

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Iron Boulder standing in a forest looking calm

While Terrakion is cool, apparently it will get even cooler in the future. The Paradox form of Terrakion, Iron Boulder, is a Rock and Psychic type and is a specialized version of its ancestor. Iron Boulder has a lower Attack of 120 as opposed to Terrakion but is lightning fast with its 124 Speed stat.

The cool thing is that Quark Drive is more than enough to remedy that lower Attack. While there is an argument to be made that Iron Boulder is worse, due to its frailty and worse typing, one thing makes it stand out. With its signature move Mighty Cleave, Iron Boulder can even hit targets who use Protect. This is simply broken in the VGC format and could warp a whole meta if allowed.

4 Kleavor

Kleavor standing in a forest before the boss battle

Kleavor, somewhat due to being released in Legends: Arceus, has never gotten the spotlight it deserves. The Bug and Rock typing is cool and unique, and it's got a lot of things going for it. Chief among them is Kleavor's gargantuan Attack stat of 135.

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Kleavor's abilities are also quite useful, especially Sheer Force and Sharpness. Unfortunately, its signature move Stone Axe is only situationally powerful, but that's barely enough to hurt Kleavor's usability. This is a simple, hard-hitting Pokemon, and you'll rarely be disappointed by its damage output.

3 Minior

Pokemon Rock Minior

Minior has seen seldom usage since it debuted back in Generation Seven. While Minior doesn't have the best stats in the game, and its Ability is gimmicky at best, this little meteorite has some legit claim to greatness. This is simply due to Shell Smash.

Shell Smash is an incredible move for any Pokemon that's capable of sweeping, and Minior qualifies, especially if you can time Shields Down properly. Unfortunately, Minior is weak to two common priority move types in Steel and Water. In this generation, though, Minior can simply Terastalize into a Water type itself to ignore that and keep knocking Pokemon out.

2 Rypherior

Rhyperior Pokemon Anime Cropped

Speaking of Pokemon that can utilize Terastalization, Rhyperior has an amazing time in Generation Nine. Last Generation's gimmick of Dynamax also gave Rhyperior some room to breathe, letting this old-school Pokemon shine bright for two generations straight.

To begin with, Rhyperior has amazing stats for a physical tank, with 115 HP, 140 Attack, and 130 Defense. With that being the case, barring Special Attacks, the only way to beat it is to take advantage of its four-times weakness to the Water and Grass type. With a simple Terastalization, though, Rhyperior can laugh at those attempts and dish out incredible damages. It can even fully take advantage of its ability Lightning Rod after all these years, as it changes types.

1 Ogerpon-Cornerstone Mask

Ogerpon Encounter
Youtube ConCon 

Ogerpon is the fan-favorite introduced in the Teal Mask DLC. This adorable little creature actually has four different forms. A base form, and three forms with additional typings, one of them being Rock type. When you give your Ogerpon the Cornerstone Mask, you'll have a Grass and Rock type at your disposal. This item also boosts Ogerpon's attacks by 20 percent. The mask also gives Ogerpon the Embody Aspect ability upon Terastalization, which increases its Defense by one stage on switch-in.

To be fair, Ogerpon and its unique forms deserve a list on their own, but here's the gist. Ogerpon is a fast physical attacker; it has an incredible ability and also has respectable coverage with its moves. You can run a myriad of different Ogerpon sets with your team, and you'll never be disappointed in it.

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