Ground types have usually been good tanky Pokémon that take advantage of strong meta-relevant moves like Earthquake. They are incredibly effective against other popular types like Fire, Electric, and Steel. While they are weak to Grass, Water, and Ice types (two of the three being fairly common), they don’t have a significant amount of weaknesses when compared to other types.
In Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, ground types are very well represented — some returning favorites, a new legendary, and even new forms. While many more Pokémon are available by importing from Pokémon Home after the first few weeks of the game’s launch, this list only considers Pokémon that can be found or evolved in your journey through Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
10/10 Sandaconda
Sandaconda is an unusual sandstorm user with its ‘Sand Spit’ ability, which creates a sandstorm when it is hit by an attack. Its hidden ‘Sand Veil’ ability also increases evasion when the sandstorm is active, which somewhat helps to counteract the unreliability of its activation.
Sandaconda’s great physical defense (125) is unreliable because of its pitiful 72 HP stat. It does benefit from better coverage than other ground types with just three weaknesses, but there isn’t much reason to run Sandaconda over the other great Ground types in Paldea.
9/10 Mudsdale
First introduced in Generation VII with Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, Mudsdale returns to action in Scarlet and Violet. Mudsdale is a stealthy tank with the usual high HP, attack, and defense stats, but it also possesses a decent 85 special defense. Its ‘Stamina’ ability increases its already strong defense whenever it is attacked. Mudsdale also has early access to powerful ground moves with Bulldoze, High Horsepower, and even Earthquake — all before level 40.
8/10 Toedscruel
Definitely the most fun new form in Scarlet and Violet, Toedscruel does have more than just a killer walk animation for potential trainers. An unusual Ground/Grass typing — along with its key stats being 120 special defense and 100 speed — make Toedscruel an outlier in every way imaginable. The upside here is the Grass subtype counters Ground types’ most common weaknesses, neutralizing the usual Grass and Water weaknesses, along with taking half damage against other Ground types.
If you plan on running a monotype run of Scarlet and Violet, Toedscruel’s great coverage will be invaluable for your team.
7/10 Krookodile
Krookodile’s biggest downside has been its middling defenses and health pool. Its 92 speed is an outlier among Ground types, but it does not do much to aid its 6 weaknesses and lack of niche filled compared to its peers. Its Dark subtype allows moves like Crunch and Foul Play to be most effective. The ability ‘Moxie’ ups its attack stat for every opponent knocked out, providing scary sweep potential in any battle context.
6/10 Clodsire
Clodsire has the potential to be a sneaky good competitive pick in the years to come. Its beefy 130 HP and 100 special defense make it a good tank and stall candidate. Both its potential abilities — ‘Poison Point’ and ‘Water Absorb’ — offer tremendous upside. Poison Point can poison any pokemon that attacks it, and Water Absorb outright counters its water weakness. Clodsire’s hidden ability, ‘unaware’ also renders it immune to any stat changes.
Clodsire also has a great early game move pool, learning moves like Toxic Spikes, Poison Jab, Sludge Wave, Toxic, and Earthquake. Clodsire will make a strong addition to any team in Scarlet and Violet.
5/10 Hippowdon
Hippowdon has been a popular sandstorm user since its introduction in generation IV. Its Sandstream ability automatically activates the weather event without having to spend a move slot on sandstorm, and its hidden ability ‘Sand Force’ ups its Ground type moves along with Rock types — useful for running Stealth Rock.
Despite his diminished competitive presence in recent titles, Hippowdon is as reliable a pure Ground type as any for your run through Paldea.
4/10 Sandy Shocks Magneton
Magneton’s new Ground subtype does not aid it more than changing its resistances. Magneton loses its former Fire and Fighting weaknesses, but the new subtype also adds three more with Water, Grass, and Ice. Fortunately, Sandy Shocks Magneton’s high special attack stat (121) completely changes its moveset compared to its peers.
With less of a focus on physical Ground moves, special attack-oriented moves like Earth Power still allow it to be a cannon with its 101 speed being much higher than your typical Ground types.
3/10 Great Tusk Donphan
One of the new forms added in Scarlet and Violet, Great Tusk Donphan is a lesser version of Ting-Lu. It suffers from similar problems as well, with 6 weaknesses that make its ability as a tank more difficult. However, Donphan’s newfound Fighting subtype does give it some improved physical attacking prowess with its 131 attack stat.
While it has access to the usual staples like Earthquake, it also has strong physical Fighting type moves through level up with Brick Break and Close Combat.
2/10 Ting-Lu
One of several new legendaries added to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Ting-Lu is a Dark/Ground type with a monstrous 165 HP stat, 110 attack, and 130 defense. Its ‘Vessel of Ruin’ ability lowers the opponent’s special attack. With its high HP and defense stat, Ting-Lu is theoretically a stellar wall, but its weakness to types like Water, Grass, and Fighting make that somewhat difficult.
Even among legendaries, it likely won’t be getting much use. But, purely going off of ratings, it has to be mentioned among the best Ground types in the game.
1/10 Garchomp
A staple of the competitive scene since its debut in Diamond and Pearl, Garchomp’s stellar typing of Dragon and Ground make it a force to be reckoned with. It possesses very well-rounded stats, 100+ speed and HP, and it relies on a stellar 130 base attack. Garchomp doubles as a great attacker with access to strong physical moves like Earthquake and Scale Shot, and it can set up using Swords Dance to up its attack — but it can also tank and stall by focusing on defense and using moves like Stealth Rock and Toxic.
Garchomp has seen significant usage since its debut, and that won’t be changing anytime soon.
