In Pokemon, Ground-types are one of the best offensive types because it is Super Effective against five types. In addition, Ground-types are also immune to Electric-type Pokemon, an important defensive point in the competitive Pokemon world.

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The Pokemon Video Game Championships are unifying international tournaments - predominantly in Double Battle formats. Ground-types hold their own as attack Pokemon and are taken advantage of by many teams. These Ground-type Pokemon are best for competitive play.

Updated July 7, 2023 by Taylor Pittman:The Pokemon VGC 2023 series feature a new meta with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. There are more Pokemon, a new evolution gimmick, and moves that have changed the playing field entirely. Ground-types have always had an important place in competitive matches, especially dealing with the often overpowered Electric and Fire-types seen on high-ranking teams.

Generation 9 has introduced more Ground-types with intriguing dual match-ups to mix things up on top of Tera-types. So, this list has been updated to include more of the best Ground-type Pokemon in competitive matches since the next generation has released.

8 Toedscruel

HP: 80

Speed: 100

While Toedscruel may look similar to Tentacruel, this land Pokemon is its own beast. The dual Ground/Grass type Pokemon stays on land rather than the sea and is known for being able to hit impressive top Speeds while running. This speed is reflected in a better-than-decent Speed stat, but its Sp. Def stands out as its best attribute. Defensively, players can use it as a support Pokemon with a specialty for passive damage using moves like Spore, Poison Powder, and Leech Seed.

Toedscruel does need to watch out for common attack types, such as Fire and Flying. However, its high Sp. Def makes it less vulnerable to some of their moves. Additionally, Toedscruel's signature ability Mycelium Might gives it an advantage with status moves. Whenever it uses a status move, the move is placed in the lowest priority, but it can hit Pokemon who have abilities that allow them to ignore the effects. This can be a hard blow for players who rely on things like Clear Body or Levitate.

7 Iron Treads

HP: 90

Speed: 106

Iron Treads is a dual Ground/Steel-type Pokemon from Generation 9. It is classified as a Paradox Pokemon and can only be found in Pokemon Violet. It shares a striking resemblance to Donphan and shares its Ground-typing but takes on an almost mechanical appearance. Competitive players can use its high Defense and resistance to attack types such as Flying, Psychic, and Fairy to their advantage. Nevertheless, Iron Treads is more of a Tank than it is a Wall due to a high Speed and Attack combination.

Iron Treads has a plethora of offensive moves to use, including Iron Head, Stomping Tantrum, Heavy Slam, and Steel Roller. Steel Roller is its strongest, but players must make sure there is an active terrain effect, or it will fail. This shouldn't be a problem because it, like all other Paradox Pokemon, is equipped with Electric Terrain in its moveset.

6 Great Tusk

HP: 115

Speed: 87

Great Tusk is the Pokemon Scarlet counterpart to Iron Treads, but there are distinct differences between the two 'Mons. For one, Great Tusk is a dual Ground/Fighting-type Pokemon. Its stat distribution also lends itself better to a Wall with a significantly lower Speed but higher Defense stats. Still, using Fighting-type STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves like Close Combat and Brick Break Great Tusk can deal out a lot of damage to its targets.

Its high Defense does allow it to use its most powerful move Headlong Rush without fear of becoming too vulnerable since it will lower those stats for three turns. Players can also make up for this by spamming Defense Curl when they have the opportunity. In a Hail Mary type of strategy, players can also use Endeavor at the end of a battle for the chance to take out a heavy hitter.

5 Excadrill

HP: 110

Speed: 88

Excadrill is a Gen V dual Ground/Steel-type Pokemon. It has protection from quite a few types like Flying, Steel, Dragon, and more. It also has a multitude of STAB moves to choose from as a Ground-type. Earthquake and Drill Run are just two of its offensive moves that pull off OHKOs. Another option is the move Rock Slide to deal damage to both opponents in Double Battles.

Excadrill is also a reliable Sandstorm setter. Sandstorms are a Ground-types way of activating Sand abilities and pulling passive damage from opponents. Also, Excadrill has the ability Sand Rush, so during Sandstorms, its Speed gets a much-needed boost. Pairing Excadrill with another Ground-type or Sand immune type that will benefit from the weather condition is the best strategy in that case.

4 Hippowdon

HP: 108

Speed: 47

Hippowdon is a Ground-type introduced in Generation IV. It's another Sandstorm Pokemon, due to its ability, Sand Stream, that triggers a storm whenever it enters the battlefield. It has good type coverage with the moves Thunder, Fire, and Ice Fang in its tool shed. But it also has classic Ground-type STAB moves like Earthquake and Bulldoze for the common Fire and Electric-types seen in the VGC.

Players can take a more defensive route with moves like Roar and Yawn. Spamming opponents with these can lead to prolonged battles, but they give players the opportunity to set up offensive traps. For example, it also has Stealth Rock, which can put an entry hazard on the field for passive damage, and using Roar means it's almost unavoidable. Hippowdon also has a good recovery move from Rest, so this, combined with its high HP and super Attack stat, solidifies it as a Tank.

3 Landorus

HP: 89

Speed: 101

Landorus is a part of the original Forces of Nature trio introduced in Gen V. It has two forms - Therian and Incarnate. Both have different stat breakdowns, but its Incarnate form has some obvious perks compared to the latter. Most of all, its high Attack, Speed, and Sp. Atk. makes this Pokemon a top contender in the VGC. Outside its Ground-type movepool, it has exciting options like Outrage and Extrasensory. Another notable trait is its Flying-typing means Grass-types are no longer a huge problem.

Landorus's abilities, Sheer Force and Sand Force stand out as they both boost Attack power, so it can easily cut down opponents. Nevertheless, the Therian form does have a higher attack and the ability Intimidate, so offensively, it might be a stronger choice. However, both forms lack recovery options and defensive bulk, and a good support Pokemon will do it well.

2 Groudon

HP: 100

Speed: 90

Groudon is an absolute Ground-type beast from Gen III. In-game, it is described as the personification of land itself and the counterpart to Kyogre. Its stats make it trouble for almost any foe it faces, and its offensive front is devastating with moves such as Precipice Blades, Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and more. Groudon differs from other Ground-types with the ability Drought; it brings Harsh Sunlight onto the battlefield rather than anything related to a Sandstorm, so its Fire-type moves are deadly.

Players should prepare for its rival Kyogre with bulky Grass-type or Electric-type support as it is Groudon's Achilles' heel in the competitive world. Venusaur can also use the Sunlight due to its ability Chlorophyll, which boosts its Speed stat, making it an ideal partner to counteract Groudon's flaws. However, all-in-all Groudon is a powerhouse of a Pokemon.

1 Garchomp

HP: 108

Speed: 102

Garchomp is a pseudo-legendary Pokemon from Generation IV. It's a dual Dragon/Ground type, so its movepool includes offensive bangers like Dragon Rush, Dragon Claw, and Earthquake. Garchomp can boost all these moves with Swords Dance, which is indomitable on the field. Defensively it has a decent bulk from its high HP, and its Speed stat allows it to put its power to use.

Garchomp does have to deal with common weaknesses like Ice and Fairy, with Ice being 4X effective against it, but there are precautions players can take. A Fire-type support Pokemon like Incineroar is an excellent match-up in Double Battles and can help with the Ice problem with STAB moves Flare Blitz and Flamethrower.

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