Ground types are terrifying. If you've ever stared down a Garchomp or a Primal Groudon, you know that sinking feeling. They are the tanks of the Pokémon world, often boasting high physical defense and access to Earthquake, arguably the most consistent move in the game. But every giant has a weakness. Understanding what's super effective against ground isn't just about memorizing a chart; it’s about knowing how to exploit the specific mechanical flaws of these dirt-dwelling monsters.
Basically, you have three primary tools: Water, Grass, and Ice.
It sounds simple. It isn't. Ground types are often paired with secondary typings that flip these weaknesses on their head. You can't just throw a Squirtle at a Quagsire and expect a win. That’s because Quagsire is Water/Ground—meaning it’s actually immune to Water moves. You have to be smarter than the type chart.
The Big Three: Water, Grass, and Ice
Let's look at why these three specific elements work.
Water is the most common answer. When you think of a Ground type, you think of rock, dust, and clay. Water erodes. In-game, this translates to heavy damage. Most Ground types have mediocre Special Defense. Since many Water moves like Surf, Hydro Pump, and Scald are Special attacks, they melt through Ground types.
Then there's Grass. This is arguably the most important counter because Ground is often paired with Rock or Water (like the aforementioned Quagsire or the ubiquitous Swampert). For these "Mud Boys," Grass is a 4x weakness. One Energy Ball or Leaf Blade and they’re gone. Plus, Grass types are naturally resistant to Ground-type moves. They don’t just hit hard; they take the hits, too.
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Ice is the "glass cannon" solution. It’s super effective against Ground, but it also hits the many Ground/Dragon hybrids (like Flygon or Landorus) for quadruple damage. Landorus-Therian has been a dominant force in competitive play for years. If you don't have an Ice move, Landorus will dismantle your entire team with U-turn and Earthquake.
Why Ground is So Dangerous Anyway
Even though they have three weaknesses, Ground types stay at the top of the usage charts. Why? Because they have a "hidden" advantage: they are the only type immune to Electric moves. In a game where Volt Switch is used to maintain momentum, having a Ground type to "block" the switch is a massive tactical win.
Also, Ground moves hit five different types for super effective damage: Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel. That is huge coverage. If you’re running a Steel-type like Metagross or a Fire-type like Arcanine, a Ground-type opponent is your worst nightmare.
Beyond the Basics: The Flying-Type Immunity
If you're asking what's super effective against ground, you're probably trying to figure out how to kill them. But surviving them is just as important.
Flying types are completely immune to Ground moves.
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This is the classic "switch-in" play. If you predict your opponent is about to click Earthquake, you switch to a Corviknight or a Dragonite. The move fails. You’ve just stolen a turn. This is why many Ground-type users carry "Stone Edge" or "Rock Slide"—to catch the Flying types that think they're safe. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse.
There's also the Levitate ability. Pokémon like Bronzong or Rotom-Wash aren't Flying types, but they hover. This gives them that same precious immunity. In the VGC (Video Game Championships) world, positioning your Levitate users to bait Ground moves is a high-level strategy used by top players like Wolfe Glick.
The Weird Stuff: Freeze-Dry and Rillaboom
Let's talk about the exceptions that prove the rule.
There is a move called Freeze-Dry. Normally, Ice moves are "not very effective" against Water types. However, Freeze-Dry is unique. It is an Ice-type move that is super effective against Water types. This makes it the ultimate weapon against Water/Ground types. If you hit a Gastrodon with Freeze-Dry, it’s basically game over.
Then you have Grassy Terrain. Pokémon like Rillaboom set this up just by stepping onto the field. Grassy Terrain doesn't just boost Grass-type moves; it actually halves the power of Earthquake, Bulldoze, and Magnitude for everyone on the ground. It’s a literal environment shift that nerfs the Ground type's best weapons.
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How to Build a Ground-Crushing Team
You shouldn't just pack three Water types and call it a day. That makes you vulnerable to Electric and Grass. Instead, look for coverage.
- The "Check" Strategy: Carry a Pokémon that isn't a Water type but knows a Water or Ice move. A Nidoking with Ice Beam is a classic example. It catches Ground types off guard because they think they're safe against another Poison/Ground type.
- The Defensive Pivot: Use a Flying/Steel type like Corviknight. It resists or is immune to almost everything a Ground type wants to do.
- The Priority User: Ground types are often slow (with exceptions like Dugtrio). Moves like Aqua Jet or Ice Shard let you hit them before they can touch you. This is vital if your Pokémon is low on health.
Honestly, the "meta" changes, but the core physics of Pokémon don't. Dirt gets washed away by water, frozen by ice, and overtaken by roots. It’s been that way since Red and Blue in 1996.
Real-World Competitive Examples
Look at Landorus-Therian. It's been the most used Pokémon in competitive history at various points. To beat it, players started running "HP Ice" (Hidden Power Ice) on almost everything, even if the Pokémon wasn't an Ice type. When Hidden Power was removed in later generations, the reliance on moves like Triple Axel and Icy Wind skyrocketed.
On the flip side, consider Great Tusk from the recent Scarlet and Violet era. It’s a Paradox Pokémon with massive Attack and Defense. It’s Ground/Fighting. While it’s weak to Water, Grass, and Ice, it also picks up weaknesses to Fairy, Psychic, and Flying. But because its physical bulk is so high, an Ice Shard might not even knock it out. You need a Special Attacker.
That is the nuance of what's super effective against ground. It’s not just the element; it’s the category of the move. Most Ground types are physical walls. They have high Defense but low Special Defense. If you use a physical Grass move like Power Whip, they might live. If you use a special Grass move like Giga Drain, they’re toasted.
To consistently beat Ground types, you need to diversify your offensive profile. Don't rely on physical attacks against monsters that are literally made of stone and earth. Focus on Special Water and Grass moves to bypass their high physical armor. If you are dealing with Ground/Dragon or Ground/Flying threats, Ice is your mandatory "must-have" coverage move.
Next Steps for Your Team:
- Check your team for a Special Attacker that can learn Energy Ball or Ice Beam.
- Ensure you have at least one Flying-type or a Pokémon with the Levitate ability to safely switch into an expected Earthquake.
- If you're playing modern competitive formats, look for a Pokémon that can set Grassy Terrain to passively nerf Ground-type damage across the board.
- Always check the secondary typing; if they are part Water or part Rock, prioritize Grass moves above all else for that 4x damage multiplier.