Everyone who's played one of the games has a favorite Pokémon, and every Pokémon is someone's favorite. In the list of nearly 900 pocket monsters, there are so many great choices, many of which are rock types or have rock as part of their dual type. Rock types have included some generations most powerful or most popular Pokémon.
Typically the inhabitants of caves and weapons of the first gym leaders in the Pokémon games, Rock-type Pokémon can be an extremely beneficial part of a battle roster. Fans on Ranker established a list of the 10 best Rock-types throughout all eight generations of Pokémon games so far.
Rampardos
Fossil Pokémon tend to be difficult to obtain, and Pokémon that are hard to acquire tend to be popular. Many fossil Pokémon are Rock-type, so they're a recurring presence among the fan favorites. Rampardos is a Generation 4 fossil that can be obtained by evolving a Cranidos specifically in Diamond or Brilliant Diamond.
Players of Pearl will be stuck with the alternate, Bastidon, unless earning Rampardos from a trade. Pokémon with designs based off of dinosaurs tend to be a hit, with Rampardos' look being based off of the Pachycephalosaurus. The powerful attacker can be a huge help to a player looking to conquer the gym leaders of Sinnoh.
Gigalith
One of the more fascinating looking rock type Pokemon, Gigalith appears to be a formation of rock and crystal, and was one of the many new Pokémon introduced in Generation 5. Gigalith is the third form of Roggenrola, and can be acquired early on in the Black and White series.
The evolution process is involved, as it requires a rare candy as well as a trade. Those who wish to have Gigalith on their team will have to complete the abnormal process. After that, the rock type has a very strong attack and defense skill, making it a sturdy presence on a battle roster.
Onix
Onix is one of the most particularly memorable Generation 1 Pokémon in both the games and the anime. Fans will remember Brock's Onix in both, as it's one of the largest Pokémon in the game, particularly early on. Onix's towering presence compared to the other Pokémon players will have experienced up to that point makes it the perfect boss fight.
The anime went out of their way to enlarge it even more in Ash's first battle with Brock, making the rock/ground type seem like an unbeatable monster. When the only experiences thus far had been Pokémon like Spearow and Butterfree, Onix makes a major impact. When Generation 2 added its evolved form in Steelix, the Pokémon became even more of a necessary team addition. Onix's evolved form Steelix is Brock's most powerful Pokémon.
Kabutops
One of the rare rock/water types, Kabutops is another example of a standout Pokémon from Generation 1. As one of the two fossils that can be acquired after defeating the mini bosses in Mt. Moon, it's not until ages later that a trainer can actually make use of it, turning the fossil into the rare Kabuto.
Evolving the Kabuto will take some commitment as, after it is acquired, it will be way under-leveled compared to the trainers around it. Acquiring the attack powerhouse Kabutops can be a huge help though for defeating the Elite Four, making it a very popular pick.
Rhydon
Typically the most evolved forms of Pokémon are the most popular, but that wasn't the case for Rhydon. Rhydon was the end of the line for its evolution chain until Generation 4 added the less popular Rhyperior. Rhydon is one of the more powerful Generation 1 Pokémon, and can be acquired midgame at the Safari zone.
A trainer will have to level the caught Rhyhorn all the way to level 42 before evolving it, making it a commitment for a player. Rhydon is also typically a member of Giovanni's team, making it a highly popular rock type Pokémon.
Tyrantrum
Another example of dinosaur based Pokémon that are highly popular is Tyrantrum. After evolving from the loveable Tyrunt at level 39, Tyrantrum can be a very powerful force on a Generation 6 team. Tyrunt is another fossil acquisition, and is available in both X and Y.
Tyrunt can be selected over the other rock Pokémon, Amaura, which was also quite popular. Tyrantrum's rare rock/dragon type combination makes it very powerful, and it is also the singular rock type in the Dragon breeding group.
Aerodactyl
One of the fastest Pokémon in Generation 1 is Aerodactyl, making the rock/flying type extremely powerful. Acquired separately from the other fossil Pokémon, Aerodactyl is still a more involved process than other Pokémon, making it a difficult but appealing member of a team.
Aerodactyl's power has made it a plot point in multiple different storylines in the anime, including the popular episode from the original series, Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon. Aerodactyl also has a rare mega evolution form which can be earned in X and Y, as well as the Generation 1 remakes Let's Go, Pikachu and Eevee.
Aggron
Aron can be acquired very early on in the Generation 3 games, but will take some time to level into Lairon and finally Aggron, the highly popular steel/rock combination Pokémon. Aggron is very strong and a popular member of players' Hoenn teams, to the point where it earned a mega evolution in the Generation 3 remakes.
Aggron's large and threatening form makes it very appealing to players looking to make a strong team, as its ability to learn many different move types makes it helpful for defeating the range of types in Generation 3's gyms.
Lycanroc
Lycanroc doesn't look like the typical rock Pokémon, which made the Generation 7 Pokémon a pleasant surprise. Lycanroc's popularity stems from the fact that it has different form variants, its 'Midnight' and 'Dusk' forms, as well as its standard 'Midday'. The Pokémon will take the form of the time it is when the player chooses to evolve it.
The Pokémon evolves from the popular Rockruff. Dog and wolf Pokémon are typically very popular, with Lycanroc being no exception. Lycanroc is the most powerful mono-rock type Pokémon available to players who don't want a multi-type option.
Tyranitar
One of the most popular Pokémon in Generation 2 was its pseudo-legendary, Tyranitar. The Pokémon is very difficult to acquire, and also hard to level. Though it is a Johto Pokémon, it can't be acquired until the player reaches Mt. Silver. Tyranitar and its mega evolution are some of the coolest looking Pokémon available.
Tyranitar is used frequently in competitive play, as its type combination and powerful states make it a formidable team member. Tyranitar's most notable anime appearance was the one owned by Rico, the Pokémon poacher. His Tyranitar was excessively powerful, and embarrassed Team Rocket in a long and emotional battle.