Who Can Beat Rockruff? A Comprehensive Guide to Conquering the Pup Pokemon

Rockruff, the adorable yet surprisingly fierce Rock-type Pokémon, poses a challenge to trainers at various stages of their journeys. Understanding its weaknesses is key to successfully battling it. In short, Rockruff is most vulnerable to Pokémon and moves of the Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, and Grass types. This means that when facing Rockruff, you should prioritize using Pokémon with these types of attacks. Let’s dive deeper into how you can consistently defeat this feisty pup.

Understanding Rockruff’s Weaknesses

Rockruff is a pure Rock-type, which means it is particularly susceptible to certain elemental attacks. Here’s a breakdown of its weaknesses:

• Fighting-type: Moves like Close Combat, Dynamic Punch, and Low Kick will deal significant damage to Rockruff.
• Ground-type: Attacks such as Earthquake, Earth Power, and High Horsepower are effective ways to break through Rockruff’s defenses.
• Steel-type: Steel moves, including Iron Head, Meteor Mash, and Steel Beam, can quickly dispatch Rockruff.
• Water-type: Powerful Water-type attacks like Hydro Pump, Surf, and Waterfall will hit Rockruff for considerable damage.
• Grass-type: Grass moves such as Solar Beam, Leaf Storm, and Power Whip are another solid option against Rockruff.

Effective Pokémon Against Rockruff

Knowing the type matchups is one thing, but knowing which specific Pokémon can effectively counter Rockruff is another. Here are some top choices:

Fighting-Type Counters

• Shadow Machamp: With its high attack and Fighting-type moves, Shadow Machamp can quickly overpower Rockruff.
• Shadow Hariyama: Another powerful Fighting-type, Shadow Hariyama boasts impressive stats and potent STAB moves.
• Bewear: This Pokemon not only has great STAB fighting moves, but it can also recover health from attacks.
• Passimian: A strong fighting type that is able to keep up with the intensity of the battle.
• Pangoro: An additional potent fighter to throw into the mix.
• Virizion: Great resistance to attacks, Virizion is able to withstand a lot of punishment.

Ground-Type Counters

• Excadrill: Particularly its Shadow form, Excadrill, with its Steel/Ground typing and powerful Ground-type attacks, is a strong choice.
• Garchomp: This dual-type Dragon/Ground Pokémon can deliver high damage while also having decent survivability.
• Rhyperior: A bulky Pokémon with access to strong Ground-type moves like Earthquake.

Steel-Type Counters

• Kartana: Although a Grass/Steel type, it has incredible attack power and will tear through Rockruff quickly.
• Metagross: With its Steel typing and access to moves like Meteor Mash, it’s a reliable choice.

Water-Type Counters

• Mega Swampert: This Mega evolution is incredibly powerful and offers an advantage against a Rock-type like Rockruff.
• Kyogre: The Legendary Pokémon can unleash powerful Water-type moves, making it a formidable foe to Rockruff.

Grass-Type Counters

• Mega Sceptile: This Mega Evolution has a high damage output, and Grass-type moves will always be effective against Rockruff.

Mega Evolutions

*   **Mega Alakazam:** While a Psychic-type, Mega Alakazam can learn powerful Fighting-type moves, making it effective against Rockruff.

Strategies for Battling Rockruff

When facing Rockruff, follow these strategies to ensure victory:

1. Exploit Weaknesses: Use Pokémon with the types mentioned earlier (Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, and Grass).
2. Utilize Super Effective Moves: Focus on moves that are “super effective” against Rock-type Pokémon for maximum damage.
3. Avoid Resistant Types: Steer clear of Pokémon with types that Rockruff resists, such as Fire, Flying, Normal, and Poison.
4. Consider Stat Variations: While type matchups are important, remember to consider the attack and defense stats of your Pokémon. A powerful attacking Pokémon will be more effective than a weak one, even with a type advantage.

Rockruff in Raids

Rockruff frequently appears in Tier 1 raids in Pokémon GO. These raids are relatively easy, but it’s still beneficial to know how to approach them. Use the recommended Pokémon and moves detailed above to ensure quick and efficient victories. Remember that in raids, you’ll be relying on the type advantages even more.

Beyond Rockruff: Lycanroc’s Weaknesses

When Rockruff evolves into Lycanroc (Midday, Midnight, or Dusk), it retains its Rock typing, thus also retaining all the aforementioned weaknesses. This means your strategies for beating Rockruff will also work on Lycanroc. However, Lycanroc, especially the Dusk form, is a tougher opponent due to higher stats. So, ensure your team is prepared to face the evolved form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are Rockruff’s main weaknesses?

Rockruff’s main weaknesses are Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, and Grass types. These types of moves will deal double damage.

2. What types of Pokémon should I avoid using against Rockruff?

Avoid using Fire, Flying, Normal, and Poison-type Pokémon against Rockruff, as these types are resisted and will deal less damage.

3. What is the best strategy to use against a Rockruff Raid?

Use a team of Pokémon with Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, or Grass-type moves. Focus on moves that are super effective against Rock types for quick wins.

4. Which is stronger, Midday or Midnight Lycanroc?

Midnight Lycanroc is generally considered better due to its higher Defense and Stamina stats, making it more durable.

5. What is the rarest form of Lycanroc?

The Dusk Form of Lycanroc is considered the rarest, as it evolves only at specific times from a Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability.

6. How do you obtain a Dusk Form Lycanroc?

You must evolve a Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability by leveling it up to at least level 25, between 5 PM and 5:59 PM.

7. What does STAB mean?

STAB stands for Same Type Attack Bonus. When a Pokémon uses a move of the same type as itself, that move gets a 50% boost in power.

8. Why did Ash’s Rockruff evolve into the Dusk Form?

Ash’s Rockruff evolving into the Dusk form was primarily for promotional purposes, aligning with the release of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

9. What ability does Rockruff need to evolve into Dusk Lycanroc?

Rockruff needs the special ability Own Tempo to evolve into Dusk Lycanroc.

10. Is Lycanroc banned in any competitive formats?

Yes, as mentioned earlier, Lycanroc is banned from the SV RU competitive tier.

11. Is it better to use a Shadow Pokémon against Rockruff?

Generally yes, Shadow Pokémon deal more damage, but they also receive more. Make sure your Shadow Pokémon has the typing advantage and that it is powerful enough to make the most of its boosted damage.

12. What does it mean when Lycanroc’s eyes turn red?

When Lycanroc’s eyes turn red, it indicates the Pokémon has gone into a rage, which is a part of Ash’s Lycanroc’s character arc in the anime.

13. What are the best moves to use against Rockruff?

Some of the best moves to use include: Earthquake, Close Combat, Iron Head, Hydro Pump, and Leaf Storm.

14. Can I use Mega Evolutions to defeat Rockruff easily?

Yes, Mega Evolutions like Mega Sceptile and Mega Swampert can greatly enhance your team’s ability to defeat Rockruff due to their enhanced stats and powerful moves.

15. Can I use the same strategy against both Rockruff and Lycanroc?

Yes, the same type weaknesses apply to both Rockruff and Lycanroc. However, Lycanroc is more powerful so it may take longer to beat.