It’s time to put on your hard hat as we check out the best Ground type Pokemon of all time!
Despite being well represented in the very first Pokemon games among the 151 featured in the original Pokedex, there’s actually not that many Ground type Pokemon overall.
You’ll find stalwarts such as Sandshrew, Diglett, Geodude, Onyx, Cubone, Rhyhorn, from the OG crowd, but the list starts to dwindle as the series goes on.
There are currently over 920 Pokemon in the Pokedex, and just 81 of them are Ground type.
Despite the smaller selection, the strongest Ground critters are among the toughest overall in the Pokedex, with some truly devastating attacks available to them.
Which are the best though? Let’s find out, as we check out the best Ground Type Pokemon of all time!
Table of Contents
10. Garchomp
A Dragon and Ground type Pokemon first spotted in fourth generation games Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, Garchomp is so fast that it’s known as the ‘Mach Pokemon’.
You’ll also find Garchomp on Retro Dodo’s very own best Dragon type Pokemon list.
Evolving from Gabite when it reaches level 48 (with Gabite having already evolved from Gible at level 24), Garchomp has solid HP, an excellent Attack star and decent Defense too.
Though Garchomp’s slightly underwhelming Sp. Atk and Sp. Def stats aren’t great, there’s that aforementioned Speed to make up for the disappointment of those.
Plus, there’s an extra form of Garchomp. Let’s just say you haven’t seen the last of this Pokemon when it comes to the best Ground type Pokemon list!
9. Landorus (Incarnate Forme)
Debuting in Pokemon Black and Pokemon White, fifth generation Pokemon Landorus has two versions, and It’s the Incarnate Forme we’re looking at first.
A Ground and Flying type Pokemon, Landorus – in its Incarnate Forme, which resembles a Genie – excels with a strong Attack, excellent Sp. Atk and even decent Speed.
You’ll also find this version of Landorus on the Retro Dodo best Flying type Pokemon by Strength.
Plus, having a Landorus in its Incarnate Forme gives Trainers the option to transform it into its second Forme, which we’ll take a look at next!
8. Landorus (Therian Forme)
Just ahead of the Incarnate Forme of Landorus is its Therian Forme.
Using a Reveal Glass on the Incarnate Forme of Landorus will activate its Therian Forme. It ceases to look like a Genie and instead looks more like a fearsome, quadrupedal predator.
In our humble opinion here at Retro Dodo Towers, it’s well worth switching over to this second version of Landorus.
Though the Therian Forme of Landorus doesn’t change its HP, Defense or Sp. Def stats, it does have slightly reduced Speed and Sp. Atk.
So why is it placed ahead of the Incarnate Forme, I hear you ask?
Well, Therian Forme Landorus has a pretty devastating Attack stat, which just about gives it the edge.
Of course, with both Formes of Landorus being among the ten best Ground type Pokemon, you won’t go wrong with choosing either of them!
7. Zygarde (50% Forme)
Zygarde is a truly unusual Pokemon that first appeared in the sixth generation of Pokemon games.
Trainers need to gather Zygarde Cells in order to construct the different Zygarde versions. Still, the 10% Forme isn’t one that made it onto the Best Ground Pokemon list, the 50% Forme is a Pokemon that’s well worth checking out.
A Dragon and Ground type Pokemon that resembles a snake, 50% Forme Zygarde has some seriously impressive stats. Though its Defense is the highest stat it has, Zygarde’s other stats (aside from Sp. Atk) are all excellent.
This won’t be the last Zygarde you encounter on this list either, as you’ll soon see!
6. Mega Steelix
Steelix is a classic Pokemon. It’s not quite an OG, given that it first appeared in second generation titles Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver, but close enough.
A Steel and Ground type Pokemon, the Mega variation of Steelix wasn’t actually available until the Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire. These titles – released in 2014 for the 3DS – remade the 2002 GBA games Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire.
Steelix can evolve into Mega Steelix using the Steelixite.
Mega Steelix has an impressively huge Defense stat; in fact, Mega Steelix’s Defense is the third strongest in the entire current Pokedex (tied with Mega Aggron!).
Though most of Mega Steelix’s stats aren’t particularly outstanding, it also has really solid Attack and above average Sp. Def too.
That Defense is what raises Mega Steelix’s profile though and puts it firmly in the best Ground type Pokemon list!
5. Mega Swampert
Mega Swampert evolves from Mudkip (a Starter in Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire) and Marshtomp, Swampert’s Mega form was. It’s only available from Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire onwards.
In order to evolve Swampert into Mega Swampert (a Ground and Water type Pokemon), Trainers must ensure their Swampert is holding a Swampertite in battle. Then, they need to use the Mega Stone to evolve it.
Though a slightly convoluted process, Mega Swampert excels in so many areas that it’d be daft not to go ahead with it if you can!
It may be a slightly lumbering Pokemon with only average Speed, but every other stat – including a very high Attack – makes Mega Swampert an obvious inclusion for the best Ground type Pokemon list!
4. Groudon
Another heavy hitter from the third generation games Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, Groudon also made it onto our heaviest Pokemon list – as it weighs over 2094lbs!
Groudon is a Legendary Pokemon with some really impressive stats – its Attack and Defense alone make it a force to be reckoned with.
Though Groudon doesn’t evolve – in the strictest sense – there is an alternative version of Groudon, as you’ll see if you continue to work your way through the best Ground type Pokemon list!
3. Mega Garchomp
We told you that you hadn’t seen the last of Garchomp, and here, as promised, is Mega Garchomp!
This deadly looking Pokemon, a Dragon and Ground type creature, which can be obtained by using Garchompite, has such a high Attack that it ranks as the joint eighth highest in the entire Pokedex.
Mega Garchomp’s other stats are pretty impressive too, its HP, Defense and Sp. Atk in particular.
So it’s no surprise to see Mega Garchomp so high up on our best Ground type Pokemon list!
2. Zygarde (Complete Forme)
We’ve already covered Zygarde’s 50% Forme, but what happens if you’re able to put together Zygarde’s Complete Forme?
The result is this incredibly resilient Pokemon, which has the fifth highest HP stat in the current Pokedex!
That’s not all; the Complete Forme of Zygarde has excellent Defense too.
In fact, the only stat that lets it down slightly (though it isn’t exactly low!) is Speed. But overall, Zygarde’s Complete Forme is a formidable Pokemon; one that’s well worth adding to any Pokemon team!
1.Primal Groudon
So here we are at the very top of the best Ground type Pokemon list with Primal Groudon, a Ground and Fire type Pokemon.
If you give the Red Orb to Groudon, it’ll transform into this beast of a Pokemon. And we really mean it; Primal Groudon is a very strong creature indeed!
Not only does it have the joint fourth highest Attack stat in the Pokedex, but its Defense and Sp. Atk are also among the highest of all Pokemon too.
Additionally, it has pretty high HP; this is definitely a Ground type Pokemon that’s worth getting hold of, and it’s a no brainer as the number one choice of the best Ground type Pokemon!
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Jason – who lives in the UK – has had a lifelong interest in video games, which all started when he discovered Space Invaders in the early 80s. The first game he ever completed was Wonder Boy in Monster Land on the Sega Master System – which remains one of his proudest gaming achievements. Jason is a passionate writer – and has been writing about gaming since the late 90s. He currently runs pop culture blog midlifegamergeek.com, which he updates on a daily basis (and has written more than 700 articles on the blog alone!).
Outside of video games, Jason is a keen tabletop gamer, film buff and comic book fan.
