Type counters guide

Best Counters for Ground-type Pokémon

Find practical counter Pokémon, attacking types, and defensive matchup notes for Ground.

Ground

Quick answer

Ground is best pressured by Water, Grass, and Ice-type attacks at 2x damage. Because there is no 4x weakness, defensive safety, Speed, and raw stats matter more.

Best move types

Water×2 Grass×2 Ice×2

Top weaknesses (3)

Water×2 Grass×2 Ice×2

Type matchup table

Water2x

Grass2x

Ice2x

Normal1x

Fire1x

Fighting1x

Ground1x

Flying1x

Psychic1x

Bug1x

Ghost1x

Dragon1x

Dark1x

Steel1x

Fairy1x

Poison0.5x

Rock0.5x

Electric0x

Recommended practical counters

Gyarados

#0130

Best overallImmune to GroundStrong physical attacker

WaterFlying

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup

Best typeWater×2

Safe into Ground 0x

125 offense · 81 Speed

Baxcalibur

#0998

Strong physical attacker

DragonIce

Deals 2x damage with Ice-type attacks
Has STAB Ice-type attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety

Best typeIce×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

145 offense · 87 Speed

Rillaboom

#0812

Bulky switch-inStrong physical attackerBudget option

Grass

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.5x STAB attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.5x

125 offense · 85 Speed

Meowscarada

#0908

Bulky switch-inFast pressureBudget option

GrassDark

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.5x STAB attacks
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.5x

110 offense · 123 Speed

Pelipper

#0279

Immune to GroundBudget option

WaterFlying

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks

Best typeWater×2

Safe into Ground 0x

95 offense · 65 Speed

Dhelmise

#0781

Bulky switch-inStrong physical attackerBudget option

GhostGrass

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.5x STAB attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.5x

131 offense · 40 Speed

Cramorant

#0845

Immune to GroundBudget option

FlyingWater

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks

Best typeWater×2

Safe into Ground 0x

85 offense · 85 Speed

Gorging Cramorant

#0845

Immune to GroundBudget option

FlyingWater

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks

Best typeWater×2

Safe into Ground 0x

85 offense · 85 Speed

Gulping Cramorant

#0845

Immune to GroundBudget option

FlyingWater

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks

Best typeWater×2

Safe into Ground 0x

85 offense · 85 Speed

Jumpluff

#0189

Immune to GroundFast pressureBudget option

GrassFlying

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0x

55 offense · 110 Speed

Sceptile

#0254

Bulky switch-inFast pressureBudget option

Grass

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.5x STAB attacks
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.5x

105 offense · 120 Speed

Leavanny

#0542

Bulky switch-inBudget option

BugGrass

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.25x STAB attacks

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.25x

103 offense · 92 Speed

Strong theoretical counters

Sky Shaymin

#0492

Theoretical optionMythical optionImmune to Ground

GrassFlying

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Is immune to the target's Ground 0x STAB attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0x

120 offense · 127 Speed

Sceptile-Mega

#0254

Theoretical optionMega optionBulky switch-in

GrassDragon

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.5x STAB attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.5x

145 offense · 145 Speed

Kartana

#0798

Theoretical optionUltra Beast optionFast pressure

GrassSteel

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

181 offense · 109 Speed

Black Kyurem

#0646

Theoretical optionLegendary optionStrong physical attacker

DragonIce

Deals 2x damage with Ice-type attacks
Has STAB Ice-type attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety

Best typeIce×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

170 offense · 95 Speed

White Kyurem

#0646

Theoretical optionLegendary optionStrong special attacker

DragonIce

Deals 2x damage with Ice-type attacks
Has STAB Ice-type attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety

Best typeIce×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

170 offense · 95 Speed

Arceus-Grass

#0493

Theoretical optionMythical optionBulky switch-in

Grass

Deals 2x damage with Grass-type attacks
Has STAB Grass-type attacks
Resists the target's Ground 0.5x STAB attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Good Speed helps apply pressure first

Best typeGrass×2

Safe into Ground 0.5x

120 offense · 120 Speed

Origin Palkia

#0484

Theoretical optionLegendary optionFast pressure

WaterDragon

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Good Speed helps apply pressure first
Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety

Best typeWater×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

150 offense · 120 Speed

Hero Form Palafin

#0964

Theoretical optionConditional formFast pressure

Water

Deals 2x damage with Water-type attacks
Has STAB Water-type attacks
Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
Good Speed helps apply pressure first
Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety

Best typeWater×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

160 offense · 100 Speed

Best move types to use

Water×2 Grass×2 Ice×2

Move availability depends on game version and learnset data, so this page recommends move types rather than guaranteed moves.

Water type page Grass type page Ice type page

What not to use

Electric×0 Poison×0.5 Rock×0.5

These attacking types are resisted or blocked by the defender's typing, so they are usually lower-priority choices unless they provide a special battle role.

Pokémon with Ground typing

Sandshrew

Sandslash

Nidoqueen

Nidoking

Diglett

Diglett-Alola

Dugtrio

Dugtrio-Alola

Geodude

Battle caveats

This ranking uses modern Gen 6+ type matchups, STAB value, defensive switch-in safety, and base stats.
Abilities, held items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and format rules can change real battle outcomes.
Coverage moves can punish obvious counters, so treat this as type-based guidance rather than a full matchup simulator.
Move availability depends on game version and learnset data; this page recommends attacking types rather than guaranteed moves.

Ground weakness chart Ground Pokémon Water type page Grass type page Ice type page Pokémon type chart Speed tiers

FAQ

What is the best counter for Ground?

Ground is best countered by Pokémon that can use Water, Grass, and Ice (2x) attacks while avoiding bad defensive matchups into Ground STAB attacks. Because there is no 4x weakness, Speed, bulk, and offensive stats matter more when choosing the actual Pokémon.

What type is best against Ground?

Water, Grass, and Ice are the strongest attacking types against Ground, dealing 2x damage under the modern Gen 6+ type chart.

How many useful attacking types hit Ground super-effectively?

Ground has 3 super-effective attacking options: Water, Grass, and Ice. Use the highest multiplier first, then choose a Pokémon that is not exposed to Ground STAB attacks.

Are abilities included in this counter ranking?

No. The ranking uses base typing and base stats. Abilities, items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and special move rules can change the real matchup.

Does Terastallization change Ground counters?

Yes. Terastallization can replace the defensive typing used here, so the recommended counter types may change completely in formats where Tera is active.

What should I avoid using against Ground?

Avoid relying on Electric, Poison, and Rock attacks unless they have a special role or unusually high power.

Best Counters for Ground-type Pokémon

Quick answer

Type matchup table

Recommended practical counters

Strong theoretical counters

Best move types to use

What not to use

Pokémon with Ground typing

Battle caveats

Related pages

FAQ

What is the best counter for Ground?

What type is best against Ground?

How many useful attacking types hit Ground super-effectively?

Are abilities included in this counter ranking?

Does Terastallization change Ground counters?

What should I avoid using against Ground?

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