Can Rockruff Breed with Ditto? A Comprehensive Guide to Rockruff Breeding

Yes, Rockruff can breed with Ditto. Ditto, the Transform Pokémon, possesses the unique ability to breed with nearly any breedable Pokémon in the game, Rockruff included. This makes Ditto an invaluable asset for trainers looking to obtain more Rockruff, especially those with the Own Tempo ability, crucial for evolving into the desired Dusk Form Lycanroc. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of Rockruff and Ditto breeding, covering everything from the nuances of Own Tempo Rockruff to the limitations on Ditto’s breeding capabilities.

Understanding Rockruff and Its Evolutions

Before diving into the specifics of breeding, it’s important to understand Rockruff and its various evolutions. Rockruff, a Rock-type Pokémon introduced in the Alola region, is known for its strong bond with its trainer and its unique evolutionary paths. It can evolve into three different forms of Lycanroc, depending on the time of day and, crucially, its ability:

• Midday Form Lycanroc: Evolves during the day if Rockruff has the Keen Eye or Vital Spirit ability.
• Midnight Form Lycanroc: Evolves during the night if Rockruff has the Keen Eye or Vital Spirit ability.
• Dusk Form Lycanroc: Evolves during the evening (typically between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, depending on the game) only if Rockruff possesses the Own Tempo ability.

The Own Tempo ability is what makes breeding so important for obtaining a Dusk Form Lycanroc. Originally, Own Tempo Rockruff were only available through special events. However, breeding a Rockruff with Own Tempo, whether with another Rockruff or with a Ditto, allows trainers to acquire more Own Tempo Rockruff.

Ditto: The Breeding Powerhouse

Ditto’s ability to Transform isn’t just useful in battles; it also extends to breeding. Ditto can breed with almost any Pokémon capable of breeding, regardless of gender. When breeding with Ditto, the resulting egg will always contain a Pokémon of the other parent’s species. Therefore, if you breed a Rockruff with Ditto, the egg will hatch into a Rockruff.

How Ditto Works in Rockruff Breeding

Here’s the breakdown of how Ditto functions in Rockruff breeding:

1. Compatibility: Ditto can breed with Rockruff, regardless of Rockruff’s ability (Keen Eye, Vital Spirit, or Own Tempo).

2. Offspring: The resulting egg will always hatch into a Rockruff.

3. Ability Inheritance: The chance of the Rockruff inheriting the Own Tempo ability depends on whether the parent Rockruff (the one not Ditto) has the Own Tempo ability. If the Rockruff parent has Own Tempo, the offspring has a chance of inheriting it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rockruff and Ditto Breeding

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Rockruff and Ditto breeding:

1. What Pokémon cannot breed with Ditto?

Ditto cannot breed with Pokémon in the No Eggs Discovered group. This group includes baby Pokémon, certain special form Pokémon (like Cosplay Pikachu), and most Mythical and Legendary Pokémon.

2. Can I breed Rockruff with Own Tempo?

Yes! Breeding a Rockruff with Own Tempo, either with another Rockruff or with Ditto, will result in Rockruff eggs that have a chance to hatch into a Rockruff with Own Tempo.

3. Does Rockruff need to hold an Everstone while breeding for Own Tempo?

No, Rockruff does not need to hold an Everstone to pass down the Own Tempo ability. The Everstone primarily affects the inheritance of Nature, not ability.

4. Can Lycanroc breed?

Yes, Lycanroc can breed. All three forms – Midday, Midnight, and Dusk – are capable of breeding. If you breed a Dusk Form Lycanroc, you have a chance of producing Own Tempo Rockruff offspring.

5. Can I breed event Rockruff?

Yes, you can breed event Rockruff that have the Own Tempo ability. This is the primary way to obtain more Own Tempo Rockruff after the event has concluded.

6. Where can I find Rockruff?

Rockruff can be found in various locations depending on the Pokémon game. Typically, they can be caught in specific areas of the Alola region (in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon) or found in Raid Battles and hatched from 10km Eggs in games like Pokémon GO.

7. What eggs do Rockruff hatch from?

In games like Pokémon GO, Rockruff primarily hatches from 10km Eggs.

8. What is the rarest Rockruff evolution?

Dusk Form Lycanroc is generally considered the rarest due to the specific requirements for evolution, namely the Own Tempo ability and leveling up during the evening.

9. Is Lycanroc a dog or a wolf?

Lycanroc’s design is inspired by both dogs and wolves, with the Dusk Form even exhibiting werewolf-like characteristics. Its appearance varies based on its form.

10. Can any Rockruff evolve into Dusk Form?

No. Only Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability can evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc. Rockruff with Keen Eye or Vital Spirit will evolve into Midday or Midnight Form, respectively, depending on the time of day.

11. How do I evolve Rockruff into Dusk Form?

To evolve Rockruff into Dusk Form, you must have a Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability. Level it up to at least level 25 during the evening hours (typically 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, but check your specific game).

12. Can Ditto and Type: Null breed?

No, Type: Null cannot breed with Ditto or any other Pokémon. It belongs to the No Eggs Discovered group.

13. What are the benefits of breeding with Ditto?

Ditto allows you to breed Pokémon regardless of their gender. This is particularly useful for Pokémon that are difficult to find a compatible breeding partner for. However, some argue that breeding Pokémon with other members of their species can lead to more optimized genetic outcomes. The Games Learning Society explores these complex dynamics within game ecosystems and how they model real-world phenomena. You can learn more about how games facilitate learning and understanding at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

14. Can any gender breed with Ditto?

Yes, Ditto can breed with Pokémon of any gender, as well as genderless Pokémon that are capable of breeding.

15. Is shiny Dusk Lycanroc rare?

Yes, a Shiny Dusk Lycanroc is exceptionally rare. The combination of needing a Shiny Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability and evolving it during a specific time window makes it one of the most challenging Shiny Pokémon to obtain.

Conclusion: Mastering Rockruff Breeding with Ditto

Breeding Rockruff with Ditto is a crucial method for obtaining more Rockruff, particularly those with the coveted Own Tempo ability. Understanding the mechanics of Ditto breeding, Rockruff’s evolution requirements, and the limitations of breeding with certain Pokémon ensures you can efficiently build your team and acquire the elusive Dusk Form Lycanroc. Good luck, trainer, and may your Rockruff eggs hatch in your favor!