Best Ground Type Pokemon

Picking the best Ground type Pokemon starts with a long hit list. Ground moves hit Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire and Electric for double damage, and Ground type Pokemon take no damage at all from Electric attacks.

The type still gets filed under plain, all moles and mud and rocks with faces. Look closer, though, and it holds a scorpion that drains its prey of blood and a horse that could carry over 10 tons across the Galar region without rest. (Ground types have been holding up the rest of the world this whole time. We include ourselves in the rest.)

This list ranks 15 of the 75 Ground type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Ground type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Ground Type Pokemon

#15

Donphan

Donphan seems to be based on an adult elephant, possibly the pygmy elephant or the extinct dwarf elephant due to its small size. Its hardened hide and its category, Armor Pokemon, may hint at an armored war elephant, and the ridges on its back are similar to the tire treads on heavy equipment and off-road vehicles. Its Ground type likely comes from the way elephants wallow in mud and take sand baths to protect their skin. Phanpy evolves into it at level 25. Its Pokedex entry says a tackle from its hard body could destroy even a house, and that it uses its massive strength to clear rock and mud slides that block mountain trails. (A wrecking ball with a community service record.)

Its Attack and Defense are both 120. Every Pokemon has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Donphan's Sturdy keeps it from being knocked out in one hit from full HP, leaving it at 1 HP instead. Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Sand Veil, raises its evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm, which makes attacks miss it more often.

#14

Golurk

Golurk and its pre-evolved form are based on golems. The crack and strap on its chest may be a reference to The Golem of Prague, a Jewish story in which the golem was controlled by a shem, a religious parchment, and went berserk once it was removed. That golem was also believed to be able to summon the spirits of the dead, which likely explains its Ghost type. Given how it can turn into a cannon and fly, it may also be inspired by the giant robots of mecha anime and manga. Golett evolves into it at level 43. Its Pokedex entry says there is a theory that a perpetual motion machine inside it produces limitless energy, but this belief hasn't been proven. (Limitless energy, unproven. Our exercise plan has the same status.)

It stands 2.8 m tall and has an Attack of 124. Its ability Iron Fist makes punching moves 1.2× as strong, and its other ability is Klutz. Its hidden ability, No Guard, makes sure that moves used by it and against it always hit.

The design does most of the work for the players who pick it.

#13

Mamoswine

Mamoswine appears to be a combination of a woolly mammoth and a wild boar, and the white and blue mask around its eyes resembles ski goggles. Its Ground type may come from the word mammoth itself, which traces back to Mansi words for earth and horn, while its Ice type may come from the association of mammoths with an ice age. Piloswine evolves into it when it levels up knowing the move Ancient Power. Its newest Pokedex entry, from Hisui, says the species reached its zenith during the ice age. (Peaked in the ice age. We also peak in winter, under three blankets.)

Its HP is 110 and its Attack is 130. Its abilities are Oblivious and Snow Cloak, and its hidden ability, Thick Fat, halves the damage it takes from Fire and Ice moves, which covers one of its weak spots.

Players tend to name it as a favorite of both its types at once.

#12

Steelix

Steelix, like Onix, may be based on a combination of a snake and an earthworm, and it may also draw on the stollwurm, a type of dragon that has been presented as burrowing. Its silver standard coloring and gold Shiny coloring (a Shiny is a rare alternate-color version of a Pokemon) may be references to its debut games, Pokemon Gold and Silver. Onix evolves into it when it is traded while holding a Metal Coat, an evolution item. Its Pokedex entry says its body is coated with steel powder and is so hard that not even diamond can leave so much as a scratch. (Our phone screen would like a word.)

It stands 9.2 m tall, and its Defense of 200 is the highest on this list by far, while its Speed of 30 is the lowest. Its abilities are Rock Head, which protects it from recoil damage, and Sturdy. Its hidden ability, Sheer Force, makes moves with extra effects 1.3× as strong but removes those effects.

Mega Steelix, its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle), gets singled out by fans for its design.

#11

Groudon

Groudon may be modeled after the Earth's land and volcanoes and may be a personification of the land. Its conflict with Kyogre is similar to that of Behemoth and Leviathan of Hebrew legend, who would start a battle at the end of time that would kill them both. The patterns on its legs and arms look like omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, which may stand for the end of life or for the opposite of Kyogre's alpha. Its Pokedex entry says it can cause magma to erupt and expand the landmass of the world. (We can also expand the landmass of a couch. Different scale.)

It is the only legendary Pokemon on this list, and its base stat total of 670 is the highest of the 15. It weighs 950 kg, and its Attack of 150 is also the best on the list. Its only ability, Drought, summons strong sunlight as soon as it enters battle, and it has no hidden ability.

It gets called the strongest Ground type of all, without much argument.

#10

Mudsdale

Mudsdale resembles draft horses such as the Clydesdale, known for the feathering on their legs, and its hair appears to be based on dreadlocks. Its category is Draft Horse Pokemon, and Mudbray evolves into it at level 30. Its Pokedex entry says it has so much stamina that it could carry over 10 tons across the Galar region without rest or sleep. (We need a nap after carrying the groceries in from the car.)

It weighs 920 kg, second only to Groudon on this list, and stands 2.5 m tall. Its Attack is 125, but its Speed is 35. Its abilities are Own Tempo, which keeps it from being confused, and Stamina, which raises its Defense one stage each time a move damages it (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle). Its hidden ability, Inner Focus, stops it from flinching, so a hit cannot make it lose its turn.

Excadrill

Excadrill seems to be based on a mole, though it also shares characteristics with digging tools such as shovels and drills. When it is folded up, the spikes on its claws and horn give it a resemblance to the drill of a roadheader, a mining vehicle used to bore tunnels underground. Its category, Subterrene Pokemon, points to subterrenes, drilling vehicles sometimes called battle moles. Drilbur evolves into it at level 31. Its Pokedex entry says it is known as the Drill King and can tunnel through the terrain at speeds of over 90 mph. (We can tunnel through a bag of chips at a similar rate.)

It is only 0.7 m tall, yet its Attack of 135 is second on this list to Groudon's, and its HP is 110. Its abilities are Sand Rush, which doubles its Speed during a sandstorm, and Sand Force, which makes its Rock, Ground and Steel moves 1.3× as strong during one. Its hidden ability, Mold Breaker, lets its moves ignore any ability on the target that would block them.

Players call it the best Ground type in Unova, the Gen V region.

Torterra

Torterra appears to be based on a snapping turtle and an ankylosaur, an armored dinosaur, and its large features and spikes may also come from the extinct Meiolania turtle. In concept, it may be based on the World Turtle from various mythologies, which carried the world on its back. Its category is Continent Pokemon, and Grotle evolves into it at level 32. Its Pokedex entry says it would serve beautifully as borrowed scenery for a garden and that it roams the wilderness in search of clean water. (A turtle with a tree on its back looking for clean water. Relatable, minus the tree.)

It weighs 310 kg, and its Attack is 109 and its Defense 105. Its ability, Overgrow, makes its Grass moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Shell Armor, protects it from critical hits (rare hits that deal extra damage).

Much of its support comes from players who started their adventure in Sinnoh, the Gen IV region, with Turtwig.

Nidoking

Nidoking was created with a kaiju monster motif, and physically it has traits of rhinoceroses and gorillas, along with rabbits and porcupines. Nidorino evolves into it with a Moon Stone, an evolution item, and its category is Drill Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it prides itself on its strength and is forceful and spirited in battle, making use of its thick tail and diamond-crushing horn. (Diamond-crushing horn. Steelix, stay alert.)

It stands 1.4 m tall and weighs 62 kg. Its Attack is 102, and its Special Attack and Speed are both 85, so it can hit with either kind of move. Its abilities are Poison Point, which gives it a 30% chance of poisoning any Pokemon that touches it, and Rivalry, which makes it deal 1.25× damage to Pokemon of the same gender and 0.75× to the opposite one. Its hidden ability, Sheer Force, makes moves with extra effects 1.3× as strong but removes those effects.

Sandslash

Sandslash appears to be based on armored animals that can curl up, such as the pangolin and the echidna, and the echidna shows in its habit of digging into the ground to reveal only its quills while sleeping. It may also draw on the yamaoroshi, a radish grater yokai and mountain spirit sometimes described as a porcupine-like creature. Sandshrew evolves into it at level 22. Its Pokedex entry says it climbs trees by hooking on with its sharp claws and shares the berries it gathers by dropping them down to Sandshrew waiting below. (A big sibling who shares snacks. Rarer than any legendary.)

Its base stat total of 450 is the lowest on this list, but its Defense is 110 and its Attack is 100. Its ability, Sand Veil, raises its evasion during a sandstorm, and its hidden ability, Sand Rush, doubles its Speed in the same weather.

Its fans tend to be long-time ones, some of them going back to Pokemon Yellow.

Swampert

Swampert, like its pre-evolved forms, appears to be based on the mudpuppy, axolotl, mudskipper or the gilled African lungfish. The fins on its head and tail resemble Japanese war fans, also known as tessen, and its stance is reminiscent of sumo wrestlers. Marshtomp evolves into it at level 36. Its Pokedex entry says it predicts storms by sensing subtle differences in the sounds of waves and tidal winds with its fins, and if a storm is approaching, it piles up boulders to protect itself. (We also pile things up before a storm. Mostly snacks.)

It weighs 81.9 kg, and its HP is 100 and its Attack is 110. Its ability, Torrent, makes its Water moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Damp, stops moves like Self-Destruct and Explosion from working while it is in battle.

It gets called the best Ground type and the best starter, sometimes in the same sentence.

Gliscor

Gliscor appears to be based on a combination of scorpions and vampires, which in turn share traits with bats. Because of its bat-like traits and Ground type, it may also be based on a gargoyle, and it may draw on the nobusuma, a vampiric yokai that glides through the sky. Gligar evolves into it when it levels up at night while holding a Razor Fang. Its Pokedex entry says it glides soundlessly on pitch-black wings and sinks sharp fangs into the throat of its prey, and that it takes on a look of satisfaction once it has entirely drained its prey of blood. (We get the same look after the last slice of pizza.)

Its Defense is 125 and its Speed is 95. Its abilities are Hyper Cutter, which stops other Pokemon from lowering its Attack, and Sand Veil. Its hidden ability, Poison Heal, makes poison heal it by an eighth of its max HP after each turn instead of hurting it. Its Flying half also means Ground moves cannot touch it, which is a strange perk for a Ground type.

Flygon

Flygon appears to be based on the winged, adult stage of the antlion, and since the adult antlion and the dragonfly are often confused, it may draw on both. Some species of dragonflies are commonly called sand dragons, which could account for its type combination. Its tapered antennae may reference the Shadhavar, a medieval Muslim desert spirit that in some accounts lures prey with music from its flute-like horn. The singing sound it makes and its connection to sand could be inspired by singing sand. Vibrava evolves into it at level 45. Its category is Mystic Pokemon, and its Pokedex entry says it is nicknamed the Desert Spirit because the flapping of its wings sounds like a woman singing. (Our flapping sounds like a man dropping a tray.)

Its Attack and Speed are both 100. Its only ability, Levitate, lets it dodge Ground moves, which gives a Ground type an immunity to its own type's attacks, and it has no hidden ability.

Krookodile

Krookodile, like its pre-evolutions, appears to be based on crocodiles, more specifically a slender-snouted crocodile and the Nile crocodile. It also seems to be based on Baryonyx, a fish-eating dinosaur that heavily resembled a crocodilian. Its Ground type may come from Quinkana, an extinct crocodilian that once lived on land in Australia, and in line with its Dark type, it may also be based on a gang leader. Krokorok evolves into it at level 40. Its Pokedex entry says that while it is terribly aggressive, it also has the patience to stay hidden under sand for days, lying in wait for prey. (We have the same patience when waiting for a delivery.)

Its Attack is 117 and its Speed is 92. Its abilities are Intimidate, which lowers the opponent's Attack one stage when it enters battle, and Moxie, which raises its own Attack one stage each time it knocks a Pokemon out. Its hidden ability, Anger Point, raises its Attack to the maximum of six stages when a critical hit lands on it.

Garchomp

Garchomp appears to combine traits of dinosaurian kaiju, wyverns, aircraft and different species of sharks, the hammerhead in particular. It may also reference land sharks, a recurring creature in fantasy settings, and its Ground type might be a reference to ground sharks or sand sharks. Its aircraft traits may point to Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters, which popularized shark-themed nose art and were often called desert sharks. Gabite evolves into it at level 48. Its Pokedex entry says it soars across the heavens at blinding speed, has a feral disposition, and that utmost caution is required if one meets a Garchomp out in the wilds. (We require utmost caution before our first coffee.)

Its base stat total of 600 is second on this list only to Groudon, and its Speed of 102 is the highest of the 15. It has an HP of 108 and an Attack of 130. Its ability is Sand Veil, and its hidden ability, Rough Skin, damages any Pokemon that makes contact with it by an eighth of that Pokemon's max HP.

More players named it as their favorite Ground type than any other, 12 more than Krookodile at number two, and one introduces it as "The Landshark himself".

Conclusion

Ground type Pokemon take double damage from Water, Grass and Ice attacks, and the top of this list found its way around two of the three. Garchomp and Flygon get a Dragon half that resists Water and Grass, which leaves Ice as their big worry. Swampert's Water half goes further, since it resists Water and Ice, and Grass ends up as the only type that hits it for extra damage.

Further down, the list belongs to Pokemon that lean on size and toughness, like a 9.2 m snake with a Defense of 200 and a horse that weighs 920 kg. (We relate most to Sandslash. Lowest total on the list, still sharing snacks.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Ground type Pokemon has all 75, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Ground Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Ground type Pokemon?

Garchomp. More players name it as their favorite Ground type than any other.

How many Ground type Pokemon are there?

There are 75 Ground type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Can Electric moves hurt Ground type Pokemon?

No. Ground type Pokemon take no damage from Electric attacks, which makes them a common answer to Electric types.

Best Ground Type Pokemon

Best Ground Type Pokemon

Donphan

Golurk

Mamoswine

Steelix

Groudon

Mudsdale

Excadrill

Torterra

Nidoking

Sandslash

Swampert

Gliscor

Flygon

Krookodile

Garchomp

Conclusion

Ground Type Pokemon FAQ

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