The Ground-type is one of the most interesting in the Pokémon franchise. It is super effective against a shocking five different types, including the somewhat overpowered Electric, to which Ground is also immune. Only two types resist it, Bug and Grass, and it is only weak to Grass, Water, and Ice.
Ground Pokémon are generally thought of as fierce, tough, brutish creatures, which is somewhat true. They are fierce and tough but certainly not brutish. Furthermore, they have some of the absolute coolest and most original designs and concepts in the franchise. From Pokémon inspired by tires to ones resembling bulletproof vests and gargoyles, these Pokémon are nothing short of unforgettable.
Updated on October 25th, 2021 by Quinn Levandoski Pure Ground-type Pokémon may not be particularly common, but a cornucopia of dual-type monsters represents this strong faction. These Pokémon may have once been known for their ability to tank physical attacks and strike with the devastating Earthquake move, but there are now Gound-types that can cover other battle niches as well. Pokémon designers have also continued to explore the design spaces around this type of monster. No longer are Ground-type Pokémon relegated to moving rocks. From shotgun-inspired snakes to biological mechas, the wildest Ground Pokémon come in all sorts of exciting shapes and sizes.
Flygon
A fan-favorite Pokémon often mistaken as a Pseudo-Legendary, Flygon is a dual-type Ground/Dragon. Thanks to its long, rhombus-shaped wings, large red eyes, and antennae, though, it looks more Bug than Dragon. Often called "The Desert Spirit," Flygon's wings can produce a singing sound when they flap.
With surprisingly balanced stats that favor Attack and Speed, three resistances, and two immunities, Flygon becomes a valuable team member in multiple generations. Beware of its quad weakness to Ice, though, as it can bring it down rather fast.
Rhyperior
Introduced in Generation IV as a third evolution for Rhyhorn, Rhyperior evolves from Rhydon when traded holding a Protector. Its hide is partially covered by orange rocks that make it seem as though it is using some sort of protective gear.
A dual-type Ground/Rock creature, Rhyperior is an entirely Physical threat, boasting excellent HP, Attack, and Defense. Its Special stats and Speed are terrible, though, and it has two quad weaknesses to the incredibly common Water and Grass types. Rhyperior can be a great addition to any team so long as the player knows how to properly utilize it.
Donphan
The Johto region features some of the most underrated Pokémon in the entire franchise, and one of them is Donphan. Debuting in the original Gold, Silver & Crystal games, Donpahn evolves from Phanpy starting at level 26. It has the ability to curl up into a ball and roll around like a wheel, making it ten times cooler. In this form, it is so strong it can tackle down an entire house.
Donphan's design incorporates elements of adult elephants and tire treads, creating a unique and rampaging creature unlike any other in the games. Many fans have clamored for this armored elephant to have a larger role in the television series, but it's currently one of the Pokémon that Ash hasn't used yet.
Nidoking & Nidoqueen
Two of the original 150 Pokémon, these dinosaur-like creatures rank as two of the most useful and powerful Pokémon in the Kanto region. They're not only incredibly strong with their healthy and balanced stats, but they're also easily obtainable thanks to male and female Nidoran's commonality in early game routes.
Nidoking is more of an attacker with a focus on Speed, while Nidoqueen is a tank with increased HP. Their unique Poison/Ground typing leaves them vulnerable to four types but grants them five resistances and an immunity. In the anime, Nidoqueen is memorably used as one of Gary Oak's strongest Pokémon.
Steelix
Introduced in Generation II as one of the most prominent members of the newly-introduced and overpowered Steel type, Steelix evolves from Onix when traded holding a Metal Coat. A giant snake made up of steel-like rocks, Steelix is tremendously intimating and actually has the power to back it up.
In Generation VI, Steelix becomes even cooler thanks to the Steelixite, which allows it to Mega Evolve. In its normal state, Steelix is already a massive tank thanks to its absurdly high 200 base Defense. Mega Evolved, though, its defense goes all the way to 230, becoming nearly invincible. One of the things that fans may not know about Brock's Steelix is that it's capable of Mega Evolving in the anime, making the Pewter City Gym Leader more of a threat.
Garchomp
Sinnoh's Pseudo-Legendary Garchomp is the signature Pokémon Cynthia, one of the Pokémon League's best champions. Garchomp has brought more than its fair share of tears to millions of gamers who first played Pokémon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum. Garchomp's dual Dragon/Ground typing makes it four times weak to Ice and makes it vulnerable to Dragon and Fairy. It, however, is immune to Electric and boasts three resistances.
With balanced stats that make it a ferocious Physical attacker and a wild design that includes elements of sharks, wyverns, and even jet aircraft, Garchomps is one of Sinnoh's undisputed stars. It can also Mega Evolve, making this already cool Pokémon even cooler.
Golurk
This Ground/Ghost automaton is, by far, one of the most incredible concepts in all of Pokémon. Designed and invented by an ancient society to serve as a laborer, Golurk's design takes inspiration from various robots, as well as traditional depictions of Gladiators. Its overall concept seems to be based on the Golem of Prague, though.
Golurk can fly by retracting its arms and legs into its body and tacking off like a rocket. A Physical attacker, Golurk will follow its trainer's orders without question, probably because it was created to serve and protect. It makes up for its five weaknesses by having three immunities and just as many resistances.
Excadrill
The secret weapon of many Unova teams, Excadrill evolves from the sweet-looking Drillbur at level 31. A dual-type Ground/Steel creature, it has four weaknesses which it makes up by being immune to two types and resistant to a whopping eight.
A Physical attacker with excellent HP, Excadrill is quite lacking in the Defense and Special stat departments. However, it has decent speed, which means it can often OHKO its opponents. With a design that perfectly mixes its mole inspiration with elements from various digging tools, like shovels and drills, Excadrill is a Pokémon every player should use at least once.
Gliscor
One of the strongest Pokémon in the entire Sinnoh region, Gliscor is also one of the most underrated. It's true that it has a quad weakness to Ice, plus a normal vulnerability to Water. However, it more than makes up for that with three resistances plus two immunities. And with a base stat total of 510, this Pokémon is ideal for any Sinnoh playthrough.
What makes Gliscor even cooler is its awesome design that perfectly mixes vampire and gargoyle elements creating a mischievous creature of the night that's as fun as it is interesting. Its shiny is also one of the most visually pleasing and memorable color clashes in the franchise. Initially accessible in Pokémon Platinum, this Pokémon is one of many that fans can't wait to see returning in the upcoming Sinnoh remakes.
Groudon
All, or at least most Legendary Pokémon are cool as heck. They are, after all, the toughest, strongest, fiercest, most interesting Pokémon in the franchise, how could they not be? Groudon - Hoenn's Ground Legendary - is no exception. It possesses the ability to expand continents, can summon intense droughts, and cause volcanic eruptions. Whenever it encounters its enemy, Kyogre, the two engage in a ferocious and potentially catastrophic battle.
Knows as the Continent Pokémon, Groudon can reverse back to a Primal state, in which it becomes Ground/Fire. Ferocious and immensely powerful, Groudon definitely is a worthy personification of Earth itself.
Runerigus
Cofagrigus, the Ghost-type Pokémon resembling an Egyptian sarcophagus, has been a fan favorite since its introduction in Pokémon Black and White, but the eighth-generation games brought with them a new evolution that evolves from Galarian Yamask for this line of monsters.
As its name implies, Runerigus trades the coffin motif for a look inspired by Viking rune stones. These carved stones were often used by ancient cultures to commemorate people that had passed away. In Runerigus' case, the deceased spirits seem to have unfinished business. It's known as the Grudge Pokémon, and its Pokédex entry warns that touching it may unleash horrible memories.
Zygarde
Many Pokémon fans were expecting Zygarde to get its own version of the sixth-generation games Pokémon X and Y. This never came to be, but the cell-based legendary is still a fan-favorite monster due to its original design and impressive combat effectiveness.
Fans were excited to discover that the serpentine version of Zygarde featured in X and Y was only one of the Pokémon's many forms. Zygarde's 10% form resembles a Doberman Pinscher, its 50% form resembles a frilled snake, and its 100% form looks like an organic, bipedal mech. This complete version of Zygarde is a formidable defensive Pokémon with the highest Defense stat of any Ground-type monster.
Alolan Dugtrio
The Alola region introduced players to the very first regional forms in the Pokémon franchise, and Alolan Dugtrio was a clear sign that the game designers weren't afraid to get a little silly. Unlike most of the best-designed regional forms in Pokémon, Alolan Dugtrio doesn't change much from its original design. The addition of flowing yellow hair makes a big impression, though.
While this design may seem random, the golden locks appear to reference "Pele's Hair," volcanic strands of glass that form in Hawaii. A secondary Steel typing makes it weaker to ground and fire attacks, but it also helps Alolan Dugtrio fight Psychic and Fairy Pokémon.
Marowak
Marowak gained a lot of fans with its interesting skull-headed design and unique club weapon, but it's the creature's Pokédex entries, and appearance in a Pokémon Red and Blue mission, that have cemented it as a fan-favorite. Cubone, Marowak's pre-evolution, wears the skull of its deceased mother. It evolves once it learns to overcome that grief and use its emotions to become a strong fighter.
The first-generations games build upon this maternal relationship when players encounter a mysterious ghost that the Silph Scope reveals to be a Marowak that died protecting its child from Team Rocket.
Sandaconda
Sandaconda is a pure Ground-type Pokémon that first joined the franchise in the eighth-generation games, Pokemon Sword and Shield. While its name is a straightforward combination of "sand" and "anaconda," the design of this Galar native also takes inspiration from double-barreled shotguns.
Sandaconda's nostrils are large, open holes, and according to the Pokédex, these creatures are capable of blasting up to 220 pounds of sand out of their noses during combat. Sandaconda also has a memorable Gigantamax form that stands vertically and surrounds itself with a giant sand tornado.