Pokémon: 10 Rock-Types Who Totally Belong In A Different Type

Rock-type Pokémon are instantly recognizable. In most cases, they are literal sentient stones with a couple of extra features. Indeed, they usually share a common DNA that makes them instantly recognizable in the ever-increasing sea of Pokémon.

However, there are always exceptions, and a few Rock-types don’t look like any of their fellow siblings. In fact, these Pokémon look so dissimilar to other Rock creatures that they might as well belong to an entirely different type. And if it wasn’t for the franchise saying so, most fans would believe that this lot is anything but rock-related.

10 Tyrantrum

Tyrantrum is a dual-type Rock/Dragon Pokémon that doesn’t look like a Rock or Dragon-type. However, it doesn’t look like any other type in Pokémon either, so, understandably, the creators chose Rock and Dragon because they do make some sense, in theory, at least.

Still, some types would arguably be a better fit for this massively angry T-Rex. Dark, for example, fits it to a tee, thanks to its intimidating and outright terrifying appearance. Similarly, its similarity to Legendary Pokémon Groudon would justify the Ground or even the Fire-type. But Rock? Not really.

9 Aggron

Without a doubt, Aggron is one of the strongest Pokémon from the Hoenn region. As such, it’s a fan favorite and a staple in nearly every playthrough team in the Gen III games. Aggron is a dual Steel/Rock-type, and while the former is clear enough in everything from its design to its moveset, the latter falls short.

Indeed, Ground would be a better fit for Aggron. It would also be a more competitive combo, increasing Aggron’s already impressive standing. The reality is, the Rock-type isn’t exactly the best and even Aggron understands this because it loses it upon Mega evolving.

8 Rockruff

Having “rock” in one’s name isn’t reason enough to justify a Rock typing. Most first-stage Pokémon don’t represent ultimate or absolute versions of their respective typings, but they do have some elements from them, at least.

However, Rockruff doesn’t. Instead, it looks painfully plain. Normal-type plain, actually. Rockruff would make a great Normal-type Pokémon, but the franchise chose to make it Rock-type. What’s worse, it’s a pure Rock-type, so it looks painfully out of place among its fellow stone siblings.

7 Lileep/Cradily

Lileep and its evolution, Cradily, are some of the most intriguing fossil Pokémon. They are a favorite of Steven Stone, Hoenn’s Pokémon League Champion, and one of the few Rock/Grass-types in the franchise. However, while these two fossils have a lot of Grass in them, they hardly have any Rock.

Looking at them, they look more like bugs than rocks. Cradily could even pass for a Dark-type, with its angry, glowing eyes and outright vicious ways, including melting its prey with the acidic fluid that comes out of its tentacles.

6 Kabutops

One of the original fossils introduced to the franchise, Kabutops, indeed looks like a Pokémon from out of time. It has a primitive and feral look that would terrify any Trainer that stumbles upon it on a particularly dark night or even a dimly lit day.

Kabutops blades, sharp and menacing, are its main trademark. They’re so integral to the Pokémon’s design that it’s puzzling why it doesn’t have the Steel-typing. Instead, it fails to represent either of its two actual types, Rock and Water, in any tangible way. Indeed, Kabutops looks more like a steely bug than an underwater rock.

5 Omanyte

Like its fellow Generation I Fossil, Kabutops, Omanyte is also a Rock/Water mon. And like Kabutops before it, Omanyte also fails to represent its type combo. It takes blatant inspiration from snails, which does explain the Water typing. However, it doesn’t justify the Rock assignment, when Bug would be a much better fit.

Generation I isn’t famous for having the best dual-type Bug Pokémon. Thus, making Omanyte and its vicious evolution, Omastar, Bug-types would give a much-needed boost to the Kantonian insects.

4 Minior (Core Form)

No disrespect to Minior, but no one remembers it. Minior debuted in Generation VII but failed to make much of an impression, making it one of the most forgettable Pokémon ever. Not even its gimmick of having to forms made it stand out among the other Alolan Pokémon.

Minior’s Meteor Form is the perfect representative of the Rock-type because it is a boulder, literally. However, its core form would be more at home in the Psychic-type. There’s already a space connection, and its glowing pink color makes it the ideal companion of other cosmic Pokémon like Cosmog.

3 Armaldo

Fossil Pokémon have the Rock-typing by default. It’s the one thing that binds them together, even if it doesn’t fit their looks at all. For example, Armaldo is the perfect Bug-type Pokémon. Everything about its design screams “insect,” so much so that it could be pure Bug-types and no one would bat an eye.

However, its primary Rock-type feels out of place. Armaldo’s armored-like body feels better suited for the Steel-type, while its blue color and aquatic moveset make it a viable candidate for the Water-type. Nothing about Armaldo feels rock-related, and its presence in the type feels outright wrong.

2 Aurorus

Aurorus is far from being one of the strongest fossil Pokémon. However, it has arguably the best design among ancient Pokémon, the perfect combination of “cute” and “majestic.” Aurorus is regal and imposing and one of the few Pokémon that deserves to be called “breathtaking.”

Still, for all its assets, Aurorus is not the best Pokémon, and much of it is because of its awful type combination. Rock and Ice are terrible together, and what’s worse is that, while Aurorus is a nearly-perfect Ice-type, it looks nothing like the Rock family. Water and Ice might be a boring combo, but they would fit Aurorus nicely. Fairy/Ice would also be appropriate and much better than Rock/Ice. Alas, poor Aurorus got stuck with Rock, and Pokémon fans still lament it.

1 Nihilego

Ultra Beasts have some of the most intriguing designs in Pokémon, and no Ultra Beast is more alluring than Nihilego, the jellyfish-like creature that’s both captivating and creepy. Nihilego has an ethereal and otherworldly air that makes it stand out above all other Pokémon, representing the best of the Ultra Beast concept.

Looking at Nihilego, most fans might think it’s a Water or Psychic-type, or maybe even a Ghost. But instead, it’s a Rock and Poison Pokémon. The Ultra Beasts are all about subverting expectations, so understandably, it would have two unexpected types. Still, it remains the most out-of-place Rock-type Pokémon ever and a missed opportunity for a great Water/Ghost-type.

About The Author

David Caballero
(803 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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