Ground-types are among the first Pokemon types to ever debut in the franchise. Most games showcase ground-type species or moves at the start of the game, allowing trainers to adjust to some of the tricky and frustrating mechanics this type offers.
There are 70 unique ground-type species in the franchise making up 7.67% of all Pokemon. This makes them the 9th most common — tied with fighting. In contests, ground-type moves tend to be the toughest.
After tumbling off a steep cliff, Alec and Hisuian Zorua work together to climb back up. But when Alec returns with a Pokémon in tow, he’s shocked by his father’s reaction!
Watch new realizations meet old ideals in #PokemonHisuianSnow Episode 2!
🏔️ https://t.co/o7hAQhJGpe pic.twitter.com/MQ1yVGfG10
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 8, 2022What is a Ground-Type Pokemon?
Ground-types are one of the founding Pokemon types that originally debuted in Generation I. Not to be confused with rock-types — though the two are commonly paired together in popular memory — ground-types are Pokemon that traditionally have more to do with desert and/or sandy elements. For example, Sandshrew, Marowak, Sandaconda, Mudsdale, and Trapinch are all pure ground-types.
Hybrid ground-types are among some of the most popular choices, however, with names such as Rhyperior, Garchomp, Mamoswine, Nidoqueen, and Flygon.
Ground-Type Weaknesses
Ground-types moves will only deal half damage to bug and grass-types. They also cannot deal damage to flying-types for obvious reasons — unless the flying-type becomes grounded by holding an Iron Ball or being affected by a specific move such as Ingrain or Smack Down.
In that same vein, Pokemon that are ungrounded through moves, items, or passives will also be immune to ground-type moves.
Ground-type Pokemon will receive super-effective damage from grass, ice, and water-types.
Ground-Type Resistances and Strengths
Ground-type Pokemon take half damage from poison and rock-types while moves deal double damage to electric, fire, poison, rock, and steel types. They are immune to electric-type moves — Thunder Wave in particular — and receiving damage from a sandstorm weather condition.
Trainers shouldn't forget that often ground-types have hybrid typing that either negates some of or completely nullifies super-effective damage from water-types.
Despite their tough and bulky appearance, ground-types actually have Attack as their highest stat at 108.02. This is followed closely behind by Defense at 100.69 and HP at 89.67.
Ground-Type Passive Abilities
Ground-type Pokemon have one exclusive ground-type passive ability:
- Arena Trap—Prevents opposing Pokémon from fleeing.
Other ground-type and/or ground-type associated passive abilities include:
- Sand Force—Boosts the power of Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves in a sandstorm.
- Levitate—By floating in the air, the Pokémon receives full immunity to all Ground-type moves.
Join Psyduck, Jigglypuff, Charmander, and Pikachu in one last adventure in Cat's Kitchen!
Tune-in now: https://t.co/VWhNczhgnn pic.twitter.com/EAjdD2uXN2
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 7, 2022Best Counters for Ground-Type Pokemon
The best counter for ground-types is grass-types. Since ground-types both receive super-effective damage from and deal half-damage to grass-types, this makes them the perfect foil. Examples of great counters to ground-types include Parasect, Ludicolo, Rillaboom, Leafeon, Sceptile, and so on.
Trainers looking for in-depth guides into other types, such as other founding types like fire-types and water-types should check out our type guides.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa7LrZipZpOkunC8zqyrrGeXp7y2usNmq7KolWK9sLfEpqanZaearqy6xKyqZpmemXqzsdKiqq2ZnpiytHmPap5ubKZnxXOtxaA%3D