In Pokemon, Rock-types are one of the best defensive types. Even opponents with a type advantage aren't likely to get OHKOs against a Rock-type. In competitive battles, using them can go either way for players because they have so many weaknesses, but on the right team, they are the defensive foundation.

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The Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC) are constantly changing the competitive world, and competitors are always looking for ways to take their teams to the next level. Rock-type Pokemon can stand firm against many foes for players who use more defensive moves or have bulkier Attack Pokemon. These are the best Rock-types for competitive Pokemon matches.

Updated October 25, 2023, by Taylor Pittman: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet not only introduced a new generation to the Pokemon franchise but kicked off the next competitive Pokemon series. The Pokemon VGC updates its formats to keep up with the latest Pokemon, special evolutions, and meta that are used in online battles. Players can experiment with new strategies and team building using the new Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet. Rock-types gained several notable Pokemon, with some of them thriving on competitive teams. Since Rock-types are known for their high defense and attack power, this list has been updated to include more of the best Rock-type Pokemon.

Garganacl

Garganacl is a pure rock-type Pokemon introduced in Generation Nine. It is made entirely of rock and salt, so its Defense stats are higher than average. Players can use this to their advantage if they need a tank or wall on their team. Additionally, Garganacl's ability, Purifying Salt, makes it immune to all Status Conditions and halves the Attack stats of all damaging Ghost-type moves when targeted.

Players will need to account for its low Speed if they want to use Garganacl's full potential. Equipping an item like Choice Scarf or Quick Claw is a good way to boost Garganacl's speed or use the move Rock Polish. Defense is not its only lane since Garganacle has several physical Attack moves in its arsenal, including a signature move called Salt Cure that deals damage based on the target's HP. It can also be used to set up Stealth Rock for passive damage.

Glimmora

Glimmora is a Generation Nine dual Rock/Poison-type Pokemon known for its flower-like shape. While its Sp. Atk is strongest, Glimmora works best as a set-up Pokemon for status conditions and passive damage on competitive teams. Glimmora's ability Toxic Debris automatically sets Toxic Spikes on the field when it is hit with a physical move but doesn't stack if there is a layer already on the field. Moves such as Toxic Spikes, Sandstorm, and Stealth Rock make the field more dangerous for those on and entering it.

Another perk is that most of Glimmora's Poison-type moves hold a chance of poisoning its targets and give players the STAB (same type attack bonus). Mortal Spin is one of its best moves as it inflicts damage, clears the user's side of entry hazards, and poisons all opposing Pokemon in battle all in one. Of course, Glimmora has several Rock-type moves it can use as well to flex its Sp. Atk, including Power Gem and Ancient Power.

Iron Thorns

Iron Thorns is a rare dual Rock/Electric-type Pokemon known as a Paradox Pokemon. Paradox Pokemon are a regional phenomenon introduced in Scarlet and Violet that appear as futuristic and ancient relatives of existing Pokemon. Iron Thorns, in particular, seems to be a relative of Tyranitar. Like others of its type, Iron Thorns has high stats all around. With an Attack stat of 134, players can expect a decent amount of damage out of it.

Players will have to account for certain weaknesses because of its dual typing. Iron Thorns has a 4X weakness to Ground-types, but pairing it with a strong ally such as Lapras or Iron Bundle can mitigate this. On the other hand, it gains some resistance to Electric-types common in the VGC as offensive Pokemon.

Gigalith

Gigalith is a Rock-type Pokemon from Generation 5. It's a bit of a monstrosity and looks like a giant rock with legs. Like most Rock-types, it has a high Attack and Defense but a devastating low Speed. Players should make sure they are using it with a faster support Pokemon. Particularly one that doubles as an Attack Pokemon to ease the pressure. It still has excellent physical moves like Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, or Stone Edge. However, all of these moves have lower accuracy.

For more reliable choices, players can look towards its Normal movepool, which includes moves like Explosion, Headbutt, and Round. In addition, while Power Gem is a Special move, it's still a STAB, so it's got boosted effects. Players should focus on increasing Gigalith's Defense and using recovery moves since it has many weaknesses to popular types seen in the competitive meta.

Tyranitar

Tyanitar has premium stats as far as Rock-types go. The Generation 2 Rock/Dark type has some tricks up its sleeve with Dark STAB moves such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, and Foul Play. If players can work around its slower Speed, it can be a reliable Attack Pokemon, but it has a whopping seven type weaknesses and is 4X weak to Fighting-type attacks. Players should pair it with a Screen Setter like Grimmsnarl or Espeon to lessen the damage against damaging moves.

Despite its type vulnerability, Tyranitar has a great bulk to work with. Its ability Sand Stream activates whenever it switches in, so unless immune, all opponents will be taking passive damage from the Sandstorm. It can also set up entry hazards like Stealth Rock to challenge its opponents even more. Its type coverage seals the deal with it being able to learn Fire, Thunder, and Ice Fang.

Aggron

Aggron is a Steel/Rock-type Pokemon from Generation 3. Its Steel-typing does remove some of the weaknesses that Rock deals with, but it still is 4X weak to both Fighting and Ground. However, its Defense is among the highest in Pokemon from a standard form. Defensively, it has quite a few non-damaging moves to choose from that affect stats, including Iron Defense and Metal Sound - both of which increase Defense.

Thankfully, Aggron's Speed is not as low as many of its fellow Rock-types' Speed, so players get a chance to hit opponents with its STAB moves. Its type coverage is just as essential, with Grass, Fire, Ice, and Water-type moves to choose from if players use TMs.

Rhyperior

Rhyperior is a dual Ground/Rock-type Pokemon and is the final form of Rhyhorn. It was first seen in Generation 4, and since then, it's made its mark as one of the very best Rock-types. It has tank-like qualities with excellent Defensive bulk and high Attack, though its Special stats and Speed struggle. Players can get a good support set from Stealth Rock to deter opponents from switching in and out against it.

Almost all moves it learns by leveling up are Physical, but it has Ground STAB options like High Horsepower and Bulldoze. Other offensive options include Giga Impact and Double-Edge. However, as the name insinuates, Double-Edge will also damage the user, so players should use it cautiously.

Aerodactyl

Aerodactyl is a prehistoric Pokemon that has been resurrected from Old Amber. It's a classic Generation 1 Rock/Flying-type Pokemon. What sets it aside from other Rock-types is that it's got a Speed stat of 130 due to it also being a Flying-type, but it retains its high Attack power. Aerodactyl would be classified as a Sweeper in competitive terms.

It also has some compelling special-type moves, such as Hyper Beam and Ancient Power, even though it is more of a Physical attacker. Players can also use the move Agility to increase its Speed even more to maintain the lead. Lastly, players get the option of some Dark-type moves like Crunch, which is commonly used in competitive battles.

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