The best Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl competitive teams often include either Ground-Type Pokémon or Pokémon that know Ground-Type moves. Ground-type Pokémon have many more offensive strengths than defensive ones in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but they can pose a threat to big-problem Types, like Steel- and Poison-Type Pokémon. Additionally, many Ground-Type Pokémon are often part of a dual-typing combination that gives them access to a larger movepool for competitive battles in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Ground-Type Pokémon have an advantage over many types of Pokémon, which is why they're on almost every Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl competitive team. Ground-Type Pokémon can inflict 2x damage to Fire-, Electric-, Poison-, Rock-, and Steel-Types, receive half damage from Poison-Types and Rock-Types, and have full immunity from Electric-Type Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some of their biggest threats, however, come from Water-Type Pokémon in BDSP like Azumarill, which can maximize its Attack stat and use the priority Water-Type move, Aqua Jet. In addition to Water-Type Pokémon moves, Ground-Type Pokémon also receive 2x damage from Grass- and Ice-Type moves. Fortunately, it is easier to remember which species of Pokémon will know any of these three move types, though there can be few surprises in battle, like a Tyranitar with Ice Fang.
The best Ground-Type Pokémon available to players in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are Mamoswine, Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Swampert. Both Mamoswine's and Hippowdon's pre-evolved forms can be found in the Grand Underground. Once players catch a Swinub, they'll need to evolve it into Piloswine, then further evolve Piloswine into Mamoswine. Gligar is the pre-evolved form of Gliscor that trainers can catch, but it is a Brilliant Diamond exclusive. Furthermore, players will need to find a Razor Fang for Gligar to hold, then level it up at night to evolve it into Gliscor. Swampert can only be found in the Grand Underground as a Mudkip after players beat the Elite Four and unlock the National Dex.
Pokémon BDSP: Best Ground-Type Pokémon Moves, Items, & Stats
Ground-Type Pokémon like Mamoswine, Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Swampert in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have great HP, Attack, and Defensive stats, or a combination of any two. Since Mamoswine is also an Ice-type, it has access to the priority move Ice Shard. Additionally, Mamoswine's STAB bonus to Earthquake and Icicle Crash provides it with powerful offensive options. Mamoswine also has access to Stealth Rock, which is why it is a great lead for the best competitive team in Pokémon BDSP overall.
Gliscor's Hidden Ability, Poison Heal, allows it to regenerate health after being poisoned by a Toxic Orb. Having a status effect also allows Gliscor to take advantage of the move Facade, and being part Flying-Type allows it to learn the move Roost for health recovery. Hippowdon and Swampert are textbook leads with access to Stealth Rock, Earthquake, and Ice-Type moves as well.
Mamoswine
The best Mamoswine stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:
- Ability: Thick Fat
- Nature: Jolly
- Moves: Ice Shard, Earthquake, Stealth Rock, Icicle Crash
- Held Item: Life Orb, available for purchase in the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
- EV Stat Spread: 252 Attack; 4 Special Defense; 252 Speed
Gliscor
The best Gliscor stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:
- Ability: Poison Heal
- Nature: Adamant
- Moves: Swords Dance, Roost, Earthquake, Facade
- Held Item: Toxic Orb, available for purchase in the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
- EV Stat Spread: 244 HP; 52 Defense; 192 Special Defense; 20 Speed
Hippowdon
The best Hippowdon stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:
- Ability: Sand Stream
- Nature: Impish
- Moves: Stealth Rock, Slack Off, Earthquake, Ice Fang
- Held Item: Leftovers in Pokémon BDSP, which can be found throughout Sinnoh
- EV Stat Spread: 252 HP; 4 Attack; 252 Defense
Swampert
The best Swampert stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:
- Ability: Torrent
- Nature: Adamant
- Moves: Stealth Rock, Earthquake, Waterfall, Ice Punch
- Held Item: Leftovers
- EV Stat Spread: 240 HP; 252 Attack; 16 Speed
Garchomp is also an excellent Ground-Type Pokémon to use in competitive battles, but its Dragon-Typing also gives it a 4x weakness to Ice Shard, which can be a significant detriment.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.