They’re also crucial to the understanding of its history, since most fossil Pokémon are also Rock-types. Sure, they aren’t as pretty as Fairy-type Pokémon, and most aren’t quite as flashy as Electric-types tend to be – but no other type combines the integrity and brawn that Rock-type Pokémon have. If you’re one of those people who thinks a tiny cat with frills and ribbons has no place on the battlefield and would rather bring in the big guns, then Rock-type is for you. In this ranking I’ll endeavor to highlight the strongest, most interesting, and overall coolest rocky ‘mons that you’ll definitely want on your team.
25. Probopass
Pokémon design has hit many lows after more than a decade of games, but few things could even compare to the horror that is Generation IV’s Probopass. This Rock/Steel-type is described by the Pokédex as the “Compass Pokémon”. But why it needed to be a hairy nose to orient itself is something I’ll never understand. As if its overall shape wasn’t disturbing enough, it also controls three “mini-nose” drones to accomplish various tasks. Luckily, it isn’t very aggressive, and its stats are centered on Defense rather than offense. I mean, can you imagine being attacked by a swarm of stone noses?
24. Onix
Back when the series began in 1996, things were done differently and simplicity was best. Onix is proof of that. It’s a rock serpent, no more, no less. This Rock/Ground-type is all about enduring the hardships of life, employing both its amazing Defense stat and the Sturdy ability. This became evident in the anime during the fights between Ash’s Pikachu and Brock’s seemingly indestructible Onix.
23. Diancie
Introduced in Generation VI as an uncommon mutation of Carbink created by extremely high pressure underground, Diancie quickly became a favorite of players and artists alike. Not only is it an Event Pokémon, which never fails to rouse interest. But it’s also a very strong fighter that even has a Mega Evolution. This Rock/Fairy-type excels in its defensive capabilities, but its Attack and Sp. Attack also pack a mean punch. Plus it has the Clear Body ability, which prevents its stats from being lowered.
22. Kabutops
Known as the Shellfish Pokémon for being the ancestor of many such modern creatures, Kabutops is easily among the coolest Pokémon from the first generation. I mean, a fossil with blades for arms? What kind of vicious world made it evolve such a deadly weapon? To make it even more disturbing, Game Freak made sure to describe how it rips its prey apart to consume their bodily fluids in its Pokédex entry. To think this beast evolves from something as cute as Kabuto…
21. Armaldo
Another interesting fossil Pokémon is the Rock/Bug-type Armaldo, the Plate Pokémon. Like Kabutops, Armaldo has the Battle Armor ability, which protects it from critical hits. Its stats are also quite similar, with solid physical Attack and Defense that’ll make it an asset during a play-through of Pokémon Ruby or Sapphire. Plus, it evolves from the fossil-shrimp Pokémon Anorith, which is the cutest of the two fossil Pokémon from Generation III. Would you rather walk around with a cool alien-looking crustacean or an uncool primitive flower?
20. Drednaw
While not a fossil Pokémon, it’s evident that Galar’s Drednaw has carried over a lot from earlier times, much like a Galapagos turtle, or the Alligator Snapper Turtle that it’s based on. Much like their real-world counterpart, these Water/Rock-type Pokémon are known for their incredibly strong jaw, which has earned them the title of Bite Pokémon. Its name is also a reference to the British Dreadnought-class battleships from WWII, with which it shares a very sturdy exterior. Were war to visit the shores of the Galar region, I’m sure Gigantamax Drednaw would be their first line of defense, splitting warships in half left and right.
19. Regirock
Somewhere, deep within the wilds of the Hoenn region, sleeps a golem of incredible power. Known as the Rock Peak Pokémon, Regirock is one of Hoenn’s Legendary titans, created by Regigigas to defend the land. Its true nature has eluded scientists for a very long time due to its lack of heart or brain, as well as its ability to repair any damage received with whatever sturdy rock it can find. To catch Regirock was such a complex ritual back in the day, my childish brain felt as if I was doing some sort of magical “hack” to my copy of Pokémon Ruby. It was a badge of honor to have caught it, and fortunately, all that effort was rewarded with a powerful companion boasting Legendary-level stats all-around.
18. Golem
While pretty similar in overall concept to Regirock, Golem is an entirely organic creature that has somehow evolved a rock-based skin. In its natural habitat it’s quite easy to mistake Golem for boulders, leading people to trip on them once they move and often angering them, which inevitably leads to a Pokémon battle. In combat, this Rock-type boasts great Attack and solid Defense, as expected of a Pokémon said to endure even the force of dynamite as if it was nothing. With this knowledge, remember to exercise caution while hiking in any region where Golem may be found, and be careful not to get flattened by one of them rolling at high speeds on their way down.
17. Sudowoodo
Another Pokémon you’d easily mistake for an inanimate object is Sudowoodo, the infamous “tree” blocking the path to Goldenrod City in Generation II. Try to use Cut on it as you would any other tree, and you’ll realize there’s something wrong with its texture – almost as if you were trying to cut into stone. The mystery is revealed only after you spray water on it, rousing the Imitation Pokémon from its deep meditative state. Despite looking like a tree, this Rock-type has much more in common with a Greek stone pillar than with an oak.
16. Coalossal
Back when I first saw Rolycoly in the first promotional materials for Pokémon Sword & Shield, I was enamored by its cuteness and excited to see what it would evolve into. Despite not being nearly as unique as I expected it to be, I was pretty satisfied with Rolycoly’s final evolution, Coalossal. This Rock/Fire-type Pokémon doesn’t only look formidable, but has the stats to back it up, with the Defense, Sp. Defense and HP you’d expect from a tank. They protect the abandoned mines they call their home, which probably keeps people from wandering where they shouldn’t and getting lost. Still I can’t help but worry about all the greenhouse gasses these guys must produce every day.
15. Archeops
If my dream of training a Rock/Flying-type bird was ever going to be fulfilled, it had to be a fossil Pokémon. Introduced in Generation V as the First Bird Pokémon, Archeops is among the coolest fossil creatures as of yet. It’s based on the Archeopteryx, a dinosaur said to be the missing link between a raptor and a modern bird. Archeops occupies that same position in the Pokémon world. These smart creatures are better at running than they are at flying, which is why they need long-winded running starts to take off. Luckily for them, given their insane offensive stats, that wasn’t much of a problem for capturing and defeating prey.
14. Stonjourner
Once a year, on a very specific date, Stonjourner from all over the Galar region gather in circles in a sort of communion that used to have deep religious significance for the region’s primitive cultures. Known as the Big Rock Pokémon, Stonjourner is the sentient, pocket monster equivalent of Stonehenge, a megalithic structure found in Wiltshire, England which dates back to somewhere between 2000 BC and 3000 BC. In battle this culturally significant pile of rocks can deal some serious damage with super-powerful kicks thanks to its great Attack stat, and a solid Defense stat, will allow it to stoically endure anything thrown at it.
13. Minior
Minior live most of their lives suspended in the outer layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, where they gather floating particles and slowly create a sort of rocky shell. Once it becomes too heavy it falls down to earth in a spectacle resembling a shooting star. While usually rocky and stoic, the real Pokémon underneath the shell is colorful and cute, looking like something straight out of a Kirby game. If the shell falls off it becomes very fast and aggressive, but it won’t last long without this protection unless it’s put inside a Pokéball quickly.
12. Aurorus
Generation VI is notorious for having some of the most incredible fossil Pokémon to date, including the fearsome Tyrantrum and, of course, the majestic Aurorus. It’s the evolution of Amaura, called the Tundra Pokémon because it was first discovered in a cold region, perfectly preserved in a block of ice, and because of its ability to create beautiful auroras in the sky. Other than that, Aurorus is pretty valuable in a team both as a solid Rock/Ice-type fighter and a weather setter thanks to its Snow Warning ability, which causes a hailstorm upon entering the battlefield.
11. Gigalith
Introduced in Generation V as the final form of the super-adorable Roggenrola, Gigalith is a Rock-type beast with many tricks up its sleeve. The Compressed Pokémon has both exceptional Attack and Defense, which enables it to deal some serious damage and take some in return. Regrettably that comes at the cost of Speed, of which it has some of the lowest possible levels. If stuck in a difficult situation – rather than run away very slowly – this Pokémon may choose to blow itself up with the Explosion move, which won’t help it survive but will at least take the aggressor with it.
10. Rampardos
Despite being a modern Pokémon, Rampardos looks a lot like an ancient dinosaur, which regrettably doesn’t make it any less ugly. This Generation IV Rock-type is known as the Head Butt Pokémon for obvious reasons. Although its headbutts are indeed very strong, so many blows to the head inevitably leave Rampardos a bit intellectually challenged, and considering its brain was already small to begin with… well, the fact it manages to walk on two legs is a miracle.
9. Lycanroc
On the other side of the intelligence spectrum, we have Lycanroc, a sharp and fast hunter from the Alolan region. Known as the Wolf Pokémon, Lycanroc’s design is heavily influenced by the idea of the werewolf. It has three forms, which it adopts depending on whether it evolved from Rockruff in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon. Additionally, a third form is achievable by any Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability, like the one you can receive through Mystery Gift. In combat, despite certain differences between Midday, Midnight or Dusk forms, its main assets are a vicious Attack stat and remarkable Speed, which let it make short work of its prey.
8. Omastar
PRAISE LORD HELIX. The advent of our Lord and Savior Omastar happened during Twitch Plays Pokémon, a Pokémon Red stream on popular site Twitch where viewers could all democratically input commands, discuss strategies, and worship fossil idols. Omastar was already pretty cool as the OG fossil Pokémon along with Kabutops, but the whole thing elevated it to Meme God status. In combat, this Rock/Water-type boasts decent Defense and Sp. Attack stats that let it act as a mid-range tanky sweeper, which was evidently enough to lead TPP onlookers to victory.
7. Stakataka
While not in any way of divine origin, Stakataka is a creature far beyond our current human understanding. The Pokédex describes it as the Rampart Pokémon, but it’s unclear whether this Rock/Steel-type can be called a pocket monster. In reality, it’s a being from another world known as an Ultra Beast, which wandered into the Alolan region by some freak dimensional accident. In any case, Stakataka seems to belong to a harsh world that has made its Defense and Attack qualities very strong. Not only that, but it’s also immune to Poison thanks to its typing, and it has access to many useful moves that provide wide coverage, including some very valuable Psychic-type ones.
6. Tyrantrum
What could possibly be cooler than a T-Rex? Well, a red T-Rex with a beard and a regal look. It’s a being reconstructed from the Jaw Fossil in Generation VI, and it’s believed that it used to reign supreme over its territory back in its time. This Rock/Dragon-type has gargantuan jaws that could easily tear apart a car like a low-quality dog toy, and despite having comically tiny arms, both people and Pokémon can’t help but respect the big guy out of fear.
5. Aerodactyl
While Tyrantrum used to reign supreme over prehistoric land, Aerodactyl terrorized the world’s Pokémon population from the sky. This Rock/Flying-type beast used to be shrouded in a degree of mysticism similar to a Legendary back when the first games came out. And its overall strength in battle supported the notion that it wasn’t your regular run-of-the-mill pocket monster. That made it into a longtime fan favorite, which eventually led Game Freak to give it the Mega Evolution treatment. Now with a jagged spiky rock armor and lots of style, Mega Aerodactyl is back to terrorize the competitive scene.
4. Alolan Golem
You know what I always thought Golem was missing? A mustache and a rail-gun on its back, that’s what. Honestly I’m dumbfounded by how they came up with this new look and concept for the Alolan version of the classic Golem. But I’m not complaining. It’s rough and tough, and can shoot electrically-charged rocks from its back thanks to the power of magnetism. Easily one of the coolest new Alolan forms with a beastly design to boot. What’s not to like?
3. Aggron
This Steel/Rock-type has been a total powerhouse both in single-player and the competitive scene ever since it came out in Generation III. Plate armor, insane Defense and a Mega Evolution that makes Pokémon and Trainers alike tremble in fear – that’s what Aggron is all about. While there are a lot of Pokémon with strength to rival Aggron, few of them have the ethical integrity of the Iron Armor Pokémon. It’s very territorial, sure, but it also acts as a sort of guardian of the environment, protecting the land from diverse threats and working hard to renew it after any sort of disaster. They even plant trees!
2. Rhyperior
Known as the Drill Pokémon – probably because of the drill on its head – Rhyperior looks like a demolition expert who has a couple too many beers every day after work. This “dad bod” build doesn’t keep it from looking badass as it pummels its foes with its exceptional Attack and Defense stats. And those stone plaques that look like protective demolition gear? They’re not just there for show. Thanks to its Solid Rock ability, this Ground/Rock-type takes considerably less damage from super-effective moves. Did I mention it shoots Geodudes from its hands?
1. Tyranitar
No matter how cool and popular the previous monsters are, they never stood a chance against Tyranitar. Loved by fans as a staple of competitive play ever since its inception in Pokémon Gold & Silver, the Armor Pokémon is a Rock/Dark-type beast that dominates the scene – even in Pokémon GO! As if it wasn’t cool enough, Game Freak turned it into a full-blown Kaiju monster with Mega Evolution. Considering Japan’s infatuation with these massive beasts, it’s evident that the developers picked their favorites long ago.
