- Ground-type Pokémon are weak to Water, Grass, and Ice-type attacks.
- They are completely immune to Electric-type moves, making them a crucial defensive asset.
- Pokémon with the Levitate ability or Flying-types are immune to most Ground-type attacks.
TYPE EFFECTIVENESS
Breaking Down Ground Type Weaknesses
The Ground type is a powerhouse in the Pokémon world, boasting powerful offensive moves like Earthquake and a critical immunity to Electric-type attacks. However, like the very earth they command, they are not invincible and have distinct vulnerabilities that a savvy trainer can exploit.
A Ground type's weaknesses are thematically linked to nature's elements that can overcome the land: Water, Grass, and Ice. Water-type attacks can 'erode' their defenses, Grass-type moves represent roots breaking through the soil, and Ice-type attacks can 'freeze' them in their tracks, all resulting in super-effective damage.
As you can see in our Type Effectiveness chart below, these three types are your primary offensive tools against pure Ground Pokémon.
Strategically, many powerful Water and Grass attackers (like Greninja or Meowscarada) are Special Attackers. This is particularly effective as many Ground-type Pokémon, such as Garchomp or Excadrill, tend to have a lower Special Defense stat compared to their physical Defense. It's also vital to consider dual-typings. A Pokémon like Rhyperior (Rock/Ground) takes 4x damage from Water and Grass, while a Landorus (Ground/Flying) becomes 4x weak to Ice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type to use against Ground Pokémon?
While Water, Grass, and Ice are all super-effective, Water and Grass types are often the most reliable counters. Many powerful Pokémon of these types can exploit the typically lower Special Defense of many Ground Pokémon. Ice is also an excellent offensive choice, especially against common dual-types like Ground/Dragon (Garchomp) or Ground/Flying (Landorus), where it deals 4x damage.
Are Ground types immune to anything?
Yes, Ground-type Pokémon are completely immune to Electric-type attacks. This is based on the real-world principle of electrical grounding. In Pokémon battles, this makes Ground types the perfect counter to switch in against powerful Electric-type attacks like Thunderbolt or Volt Switch, completely nullifying the damage.