Poke-Types: Ground

INTRODUCTION

Made popular by the likes of Geodude, Diglett, and Sanslash, the Ground-type has become a popular albeit useful type in Pokemon games. With 60 different species, there are quite a few to choose from, though Gamefreak hasn't though it necessary to include many legendaries so far...

In the beginning, like Gen I, many of the Ground-type Pokemon were either pure Ground or were dual-typed with Rock, which is a horrible type combination because of two common weaknesses to Grass and Water. In subsequent games and generations, the Ground-type has been expanded to include many different types of Pokemon, from mud fish to dragons. Aside from this, Ground Pokemon tend to be powerful physical attackers with some decent physical defense to boot.

Torterra and Swampert are final evolutions of starter Pokemon who also are part Ground-type. Aren't you happy we told you that?

I want a tree to grow on my back!

GENERAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS

Like the Rock-types, Ground-type Pokemon are notorious for having wonderful physical attacking ability, with well above average Attack stats. Pokemon like Marowak and Mamoswine have ridiculous amounts of physical attacking power. While a majority of these Pokemon are not built for sweeping, they can very easily steamroll several opponents consecutively before their lack of speed begins to catch up with them.

Type coverage is a clear advantage of using Ground-types. Using any Ground move will post advantages against five types, including Fire, Rock, Steel, Poison, and Electric. Of the group, Electric may be the most notable because Ground is its one and only weakness. If you don't have a Ground move, you can't type trump Electrics. Not only are Ground-types super-effective against Electric, but they are also the only type in the game to be completely immune to Electric attacks as a whole.

Wh...what...what do you mean I can't electrocute you?

Earthquake. The move by itself is an advantage in nearly any battle. With 100 base power and 100 percent accuracy AND the ability to hit all Pokemon on the field, Earthquake easily is one of the best moves in the game. Add in the STAB bonus that Ground-types will receive when using the move, and I think we can all agree we have a winner.

WEAKNESSES

Ground Pokemon's tendency to be paired with the Rock-type is an almost unfair disadvantage, as Grass and Water Pokemon instantly become 4x effective. With the abundance of Water and Grass Pokemon running around, this does not bode well for many Ground-types.

Besides Water and Grass, the only remaining type weakness for Ground Pokemon is Ice. Unfortunately, many Water-type Pokemon possess Ice skills like Ice Beam and Blizzard, but Ground-types have their own counter in that many can learn Rock moves that have an advantage over the Ice-type.

Snow is fun as long as rocks aren't involved!

Flying types are a nightmare for Ground-types, as they are immune to Ground attacks like Earthquake. Whenever they hit the field, it's time to hit the panic switch for most Ground-types, though equipping a Rock move like Rock Slide is a quick fix in a pinch.

Other than the amazing Earthquake, Ground-type moves are fairly scarce, not leaving its Pokemon with many choices for STAB moves. In addition, the Ground-type is nearly devoid of Pokemon with the ability to attack from the special end of the spectrum. Most Ground Pokemon have awful Special Attack, and it can put them in a serious bind when taking on Pokemon with high physical defense that cannot be overpowered as easily.

ATTACKS

There is a very limited selection of Ground-type moves, so there is always some sense of predictability there.

Earthquake is hands down the most effective and popular choice. It will also hit your Pokemon's teammate in a double battle, however, so be vigilant (or just pair it with a Flying-type Pokemon and be lazy like us!). Magnitude is a less powerful version of Earthquake, but the exact power of the attack is chosen at random and changes for each time it is used.

Mud Bomb is awful. Mud Slap trades any type of possible damage for lowering opponent's accuracy. Mud Shot lowers Speed when it hits and can be useful for evening the score in that department, but is a Special attack so be careful.

Sand Attack lowers accuracy and is annoying as hell.

Earth Power is far and away the best choice for a Special Ground-type attack, though it is almost always best used by a non-Ground Pokemon. Exceptions for Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Camerupt, who actually have respectable Special Attack stats. Long lasting question: is Camerupt a camel or a cow?

WTF am I!?!?!

Bone Club, Bone Rush, and Bonemerang are signature moves of the Cubone-Marowak family. Bonemerang strikes twice for a total of 100 power. Bone Rush attacks 2-5 times at low power, much like Fury Attack. Bone Club just wacks your opponent with a bone...club. All three have less than perfect accuracy scores. Lucario randomly can learn  Bone Rush through level-up for no particular reason.

Yessir we got your good side.

Bulldoze lowers the opponent's speed, Spikes provides entry hazards (very similar to Stealth Rock), and Dig, um, digs.

Lastly, Fissure has an awful accuracy rating of 30 percent, but instantly makes your opponent faint if it manages to hit.

LEGENDARIES

Groudon is called the "Continent Pokemon" supposedly because he represents all land. In reality, he's a big giant red monster thingy (which is cool too). His exclusive Drought ability causes sunny conditions to go into effect upon his entrance into battle so that SolarBeam can slaughter him before he gets to attack. Groudon does have fantastic attack power and can unleash a brutal Earthquake, as well as pull from a decent movepool to deliver a few surprising attacks. Feuds against Kyogre because Groudon wants there to be land for everyone and Kyogre said no.

Landorus is part of a second trio of legendary Pokemon in Gen V. The three Flying-types include Landorus, Thunderus, and Tornadus. Landorus is interesting for a few reasons. First, the typing of Ground and Flying just seems counter-intuitive to us, but it's not the first time Gamefreak has used this logic (that's right, Gligar). Second, Landorus has two forms, Incarnate, and Therian. The Incarnate form shows Landorus to be an impressive and powerful god-like creature. The Therian form makes Landorus looks like a pissed off overgrown rat with two rolls of toilet paper glued to the back of its head and chin strapped to look like raibes mouth-foam. We're not saying it's all bad, though, as Landorus has an impressive moveset and awesome stats, we're just saying we understand the pissed off part. If I looked like that, I'd walk around like I had a score to settle too.



GYM LEADERS/ELITE FOUR

Not many important trainers have been brave enough to stay exclusive to the Ground-type without becoming a little too nice with the rockies. Seriously, Brock's a total douche. But Bertha, the Elite Four member from Sinnoh, knows what she's doing. Quagsire and Whiscash, and don't forget about Gliscor and Hippowdon, either. Yeah, she uses Rhyperior and Golem too. But they're sexy. And in her defense, Golem looks just like her.



She's old!

Clay uses them thar Ground Poke. And if'n yer not takin' a likin' to that, he's gonna beat the tar...nation outta ya! Yeah, we can't even come close to faking the southern/cowboy thing, but he wears a cowboy hat and it seems pretty legit. Clay is the gym leader of Drifveil City in the Unova region, and Excadrill and Krokorok are his Pokemon of choice. Seems he enjoys the not so sluggish Groundies. Must be his way of making up for his sluggish speech? Doesn't matter, because he is still a guy that you fight in a Pokemon game in a building.

I want the hat. Keep the accent.

Favorites time.

CULLINATION FAVORITES

NIDOKING: We know what you're thinking. Whoa, that guy's purple! That he is. We chose the Poison/Ground-type Nidoking over his female brethren because of his higher attacking capabilities and speed stats. As a whole, Nidoking has above average attacking stats, but the kicker is his ability to attack so effectively from both ends of the spectrum, and while using some fantastic moves like Ice Beam, Sludge Bomb, Earthquake, and Thunderbolt. In fact, ALL of Nidoking's stats hover at around average or above average, making him one of the best all around fighters in the game. Go ahead, make fun of him because he's purple again.

 

 

FLYGON: A Ground-type with the Levitate ability?? Yep, Flygon is immune to his own type in addition to the usual Electric immunity. A secondary Dragon dual-typing really makes this an interesting Pokemon, separate from the abundance of Dragon/Flying types that came before him. Flygon has an awesome Attack stat with an unprecedented fantastic Speed stat (for Dragons), and a not-too-shabby Special Attack as well. The Levitate ability may be Flygon's best asset however, enabling him to dodge incoming Earthquakes and Ground-moves all the while unleashing powered up STAB Earthquakes of his own. Ice still presents a problem for Flygon, like it does for every other Dragon ever not named Kingdra (Palkia is dead to us), but this weakness is easily countered by Flygon via moves like Flamethrower and Rock Slide. I love dragonfly thingies!

 

Flygon ISN'T Flying-type!



STEELIX: We are aware that the word "steel" is in his name. But, he's a Ground-type too! A highly underrated Ground-type, at that. Steelix boasts one of the highest Defense stats in the entire game, coming in at a modest 200. Because of this, Steelix is the mother of all physical walls/tanks. This diamond-clad snake shakes off super-effective Cross Chops, Brick Breaks, and Earthquakes like they're kernels of invisible corn (real kernels might hurt!). Of course, a 30 Speed stat isn't impressive, but after a few Rock Polishes, the score gets close to even. As for attacking, Steelix has access to some great attacking moves like Iron Tail, Stone Edge, and Earthquake, but also moves that more benefit his ability to survive nuclear (physical) explosions such as Stealth Rock, Toxic, Protect, Sandstorm, and even Dragon Tail to remove pesky Special Attackers before they cause too much damage. This serpent is one tough (and shiny) customer.

First impression: OMFG A GIANT DISCO BALL!