Pokémon: The 10 Most Powerful Rock Moves, Ranked

In the Pokémon franchise, the Rock-type has some incredible benefits but also some glaring weaknesses. Defensively, it has five type vulnerabilities, often giving it plenty of problems in battle. However, it also has offensive viability. Along with being super-effective against four types, Rock has some incredible moves that help Pokémon succeed against opponents.

With some consistently reliable picks and attacks that a Pokémon can only use once per battle, this type can dominate. If players need some options to knock out enemy Pokémon with relative ease, the strongest Rock-type attacks would be some fantastic choices.

10 Rock Tomb

After its Generation III introduction, Rock Tomb became accessible to a multitude of Pokémon through leveling up, TM, etc., including many from previous generations, like some of the strongest Pokémon from the Kanto region.

Though it is not the strongest Rock-type attack a Pocket Monster can learn, with a base power of 60 and a base accuracy of 95%, it has the guarantee of lowering the target’s Speed by one stage. Having this effect on the opponent can potentially have important impacts on the battle moving forward.

9 Rock Slide

Though its accuracy, at 90%, is lower than that of Rock Tomb, Rock Slide has a base power of 75. Also, in battle formats that allow for it, Rock Slide can hit all adjacent opponents, giving it more viability in these circumstances.

Another element of this move is that it has a 30% chance to make the target or targets flinch. It may not be the most reliable attack because of its less-than-perfect accuracy, but when it connects, Rock Slide can be a valuable tool to have in a move-set.

8 Ancient Power

As far as strength alone goes, Ancient Power is not the best option in the franchise. It has a base power of 60 and an accuracy of 100%, so it is dependable but not phenomenal. However, Ancient Power has a 10% chance to raise the user’s Attack, Special Attack, Defense, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage. Though this effect is unlikely on each hit, it can completely change a battle if it activates.

Ancient Power is also fascinating because it is necessary to evolve Tangela, Yanma, and Piloswine into Tangrowth, Yanmega, and Mamoswine, respectively, the last of which is one of the best Pokémon evolutions added in a later generation than that which introduced its pre-evolutions.

7 Power Gem

Since its introduction in Generation IV, Power Gem has remained one of the most reliable Rock-type attacks in the series. It is not as widely available as some moves like Ancient Power, but it is an excellent option for the Pokémon that can learn it.

Power Gem has a base accuracy of 100%, and its base power is 80. As such, it essentially never misses (barring certain circumstances), and though 80 is not the highest base power a move can have, it is enough to knock out some enemies in one hit.

6 Stone Edge

Stone Edge may miss a fifth of the time because of its accuracy of 80%, but when it connects, it can be devastating for enemies. The attack has a base power of 100, so even neutral damage can knock out a large number of opponents the Pokémon may face.

Additionally, Stone Edge has an increased chance to deal a critical hit, and it is an attack that many Rock-types, as well as a decent number of non-Rock-types, can learn, and they can benefit greatly from it in a move-set.

5 Diamond Storm

Diancie may not be the strongest among the Kalos Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, but its signature move, Diamond Storm, gives it a capable attack to help it excel in many battles. It has a base accuracy of 95% and a base power of 100, and it can potentially hit all adjacent enemies.

Aside from its sheer power, Diamond Storm also has the additional benefit of having a 50% chance to raise the user’s Defense by two stages. With this attack, the Pokémon can become both an offensive and defensive powerhouse.

4 Meteor Beam

Meteor Beam requires two turns to use, but it is often worth the time investment. On the first turn, it raises the user’s Special Attack stat, and on the second, it strikes with a base power of 120.

The attack has a base accuracy of 90%, but even if it misses, the user still benefits from the increase in its Special Attack stat, making its future Special strikes more powerful. As long as the Pokémon using Meteor Beam is not quickly knocked out, it can become a destructive force with the help of the move.

3 Head Smash

An incredibly strong move with one major drawback, Head Smash must be utilized with caution. The attack has a base power of 150, letting it knock out a large portion of enemies swiftly. Its base accuracy of 80% keeps it from being the most dependable option, but it hits more often than not.

The downside of the attack, though, is that the user takes recoil damage of half of the damage done to the opponent. This effect means that trainers must carefully choose when to use the attack. However, several of the Pokémon that can learn Head Smash can also have Rock Head as an Ability, which eliminates recoil damage, making the attack even more deadly.

2 Rock Wrecker

Rock Wrecker is a stellar attack with a terrifying base power of 150, and with an accuracy of 90%, it has a significant chance of connecting with its target. The caveat of Rock Wrecker is that the user must recharge on the following turn, opening it up to an attack from the enemy.

The force of the strike is worth the round of rest that follows, though. Rock Wrecker is similar to several attacks of other types, including Hydro Cannon, which is one of the most powerful Water moves in Pokémon.

1 Splintered Stormshards

As a Z-Move, Splintered Stormshards is a terrifying attack to defend against. It is Lycanroc’s exclusive Z-Move, which it utilizes as a powered-up Stone Edge. Unlike the attack on which it is based, Splintered Stormshards essentially always hits because it bypasses the accuracy check.

With a base power of 190, the attack can easily defeat many opponents. Additionally, the Z-Move removes the terrain on the battlefield, if there is any, eliminating environmental effects that might benefit an opponent or be detrimental to the player’s team.