The 10 best Rock Pokémon of all time

Rock Pokémon often blend into the background, but they're some of the sturdiest companions you could want

Author:
Ryan Woodrow
Publish date:
Aug 26, 2023 3:00 AM EDT

Rock can often be seen as one of the more boring types in Pokémon. Typically most of the designs are grey and brown, with very basic “rocky” design elements. While this may be true of some Gravelers I could care to mention, there are still plenty of cool Rock-type designs that will make you realize the true potential of these creatures.

We’ve gone through our Pokédex to pick out the best Rock Pokémon ever created.

If you want to see more Pokémon rankings then check out our lists of the best Fighting Pokémon, the best Fairy Pokémon, and the best Steel Pokémon.

Aerodactyl

It’s a rock, but it flies.

Fossil Pokémon are generally some of the most interesting Rock-types, as they all come out with weird designs that represent many different ancient creatures. Aerodactyl is one of the best as it manages to have Rock’s physical power while using its flight to keep up the pace, something not many other Rock-types can do.

Kabutops

Another Gen 1 fossil Pokémon, Kabutops gets the nod for being sharp and deadly. Kabuto is a weird and seemingly weak creature, so it’s a delight to see it turn into this monster. The way its body is so thin despite the big head, I can almost imagine it as a classic horror monster, with swarms of them crawling over the walls and ceilings of an abandoned science facility.

Gigalith

When it comes to three-stage Rock Pokémon, Golem wishes it could be as cool as Gigalith. Where that Gen 1 line is single-color and boring beyond belief, Gigalith has a more interesting body shape, is more colorful, it’s more powerful too – beating or equalling Golem in every stat except speed.

Hisuian Arcanine

Take an already great design, and make it bigger and fluffier. This is the simple formula for success.

Garganacl

This is a strange creature, but one I came to love the more I saw it throughout my journey in Paldea. While its base forms look like something straight out of Minecraft, Garganacl becomes a much more stoic and powerful monster, with massive shoulder pads of rock salt on either side of its head for protection. You could probably sit atop it for a ride quite easily.

Kleavor

Every member of the Scyther line is cool in different ways. Scyther has speed and bug-based appeal, Scizor is sturdy and strong, and Kleavor looks like an absolute monster. Two giant axes for hands is an easy way to make any Pokémon look viscous, and its role as the first major boss of Pokémon Legends: Arceus shows off its full potential.

Shuckle

Sure, Shuckle may be a bit of a meme Pokémon with astronomical defense and utter garbage in every other stat, but that’s what makes it such a joy to use – it forces you to try unique playstyles to make it work. Plus, the way it wriggles out of its shell and moves around the world is adorable.

Tyratrum

Tyrantrum — The Pokémon Company International

Biiiiig deadly dinosaur.

Tyranitar

Big deadly dinosaur part two.

What’s most impressive about Tyranitar is its overwhelming staying power in the competitive scene. With so many type weaknesses it should’ve been pushed out of the scene ages ago, yet somehow, someone will always find a way to make a viable place for it on competitive teams. Very few Pokémon have done that over the years, and none of them have done it for as long as Tyranitar.

Lycanroc

Every form of Lycanroc is perfect. Rockruff is the cutest puppy Pokémon that has ever been (take that Growlithe), Midday form is a simple but effective dog Pokémon, Midnight form has a deranged look in its eye that makes it scary, and Dusk form is a beautiful orange blend between the two. There is no more perfect dog in the whole wide world.