How to evolve
- This pageRockruff
- LycanrocLevel 25Day
Not in Moon, Ultra Moon
- Midnight LycanrocLevel 25Night
Not in Sun, Ultra Sun
- Dusk LycanrocLevel 25Dusk
Own Tempo Rockruff only
Not in Sun & Moon
Rockruff Best Moveset
Rock at 65 Attack and 60 Speed with AbilityVital Spirit preventing sleep. Pre-evolution stats. The moveset is building toward Lycanroc. Evolve for 115 Attack and 112 Speed on the Midday form, or 117 Attack with priority on the Dusk form.
Rockruff was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Rockruff's competitive debut. Its most popular set ran Keeneye with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Rockruff saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). This was Rockruff's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Steadfast with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Rockruff best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Endeavor
- Earth Power
- Rock Polish
Recommended Teammates
Rockruff saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Rockruff maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Rockruff Weakness
Rockruff is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
What is Rockruff Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Rockruff
Scizor can KO Rockruff with Close Combat (379-446%). Urshifu threatens a KO with Close Combat (517-609%). Machamp's Close Combat also KOs at 380-447%.
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Rockruff View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x191-225%KO Knock Off103-121%KO U Turn166-195%KO Close Combat 2x379-446%KO | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Rockruff View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 2x517-609%KO Close Combat 2x517-609%KO | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Rockruff View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch 2x85-100%KO Close Combat 2x380-447%KO Stone Edge105-124%KO | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Rockruff View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x288-339%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Rockruff View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x234-275%KO Sludge Bomb70-82% | ||
Evolution
Rockruff evolves into Lycanroc. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
MidnightDuskBreeding
Breed Rockruff easily with 278 breeding partners from the Field egg group.
Shiny Rockruff
Rockruff's shiny gives the puppy a slightly blue-tinted coat instead of brown. It's subtle on its own, but knowing it evolves into Lycanroc's excellent blue-furred shiny reframes the whole thing. Think of it as the appetizer before a great main course.
Shiny Rockruff Odds & Hunting Methods
4 of 4 VerifiedHow do we research these odds?
We check every game where a shiny is possible, then rank each one by the best method available in that game, so the row at the top is the fastest route overall.
Odds marked verified are cross-checked against multiple independent sources before we publish them. Where a rate is not yet confirmed we mark the row pending rather than guess a number.
Read our full methodologyHow to Get Rockruff
29 encounter spots for Rockruff at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Rockruff in SV
Rockruff is where the line starts, caught through walking encounters at Lv. 6-60. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Rockruff ✓East Province (Area One) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%Glaseado MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%South Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%South Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 24%Chilling WaterheadLv.7-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldFellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldKitakami HallLv.7-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldReveler's RoadLv.7-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldEast Province (Area One) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%Glaseado MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area One) - MountainLv.6-17OverworldRate 1%Available in-game· 3 pathsPick one
LycanrocLv 25- Lycanroc (Dusk Form)Lv 25 (Own Tempo Rockruff only)
Bring the right balls: check Rockruff catch odds in the Scarlet & Violet Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.
Moderate rates across 9 encounter spots for Rockruff. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Rockruff in SwSh
The line opens with Rockruff at Lv. 10-21 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Rockruff ✓Challenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%RainingChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 5%ThunderstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%RainingChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 5%Thunderstorm
Available in-game· 3 pathsPick one
LycanrocLv 25- Lycanroc (Dusk Form)Lv 25 (Own Tempo Rockruff only)
Bring the right balls: check Rockruff catch odds in the Sword & Shield Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.
Rockruff trots through the tall grass on Route 1 and again inside Ten Carat Hill, an easy level 11 to 14 find in both games.
Where To Catch Rockruff in USUM
Rockruff is where the line starts, caught through walking encounters at Lv. 11-14. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Available in-game· 3 pathsPick one
LycanrocLv 25- Lycanroc (Dusk Form)Lv 25 (Own Tempo Rockruff only)
Bring the right balls: check Rockruff catch odds in the Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.
The rock-pup Rockruff scrambles over the rugged paths inside Ten Carat Hill, a young wild catch waiting between level 10 and level 13.
Where To Catch Rockruff in SM
Step 1Rockruff ✓Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
LycanrocLv 25
Bring the right balls: check Rockruff catch odds in the Sun & Moon Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.
Base Stats
Rockruff's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Attack EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This Pokémon travels in a pack with others until it grows up. When its mood turns sour, it starts striking the ground with the rocks on its neck.
Rockruff Event Distributions
Rockruff has been offered just once as a Mystery Gift event Pokemon.
A special Rockruff!Ultra MoonNot shiny
Rockruff Guide
Rockruff does the job early-game if you need a Rock type on your team. Evolve it into Lycanroc before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Sun & Moon, Rockruff has appeared in 4 games across 3 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7Let's Go
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves
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Where to go next after Rockruff.
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