Physical
Wallbreaker
40Speed · Very Slow

Stats & Training

Attack leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Rhydon's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack EVs.

Base Stats
Above
HP105
B
Attack130
A
Defense120
A
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def45
D
Speed40
D
Total485
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.9 m
Weight120.0 kg
Base XP170
Abilities
Lightning Rod
Redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
RecklessHATop Pick
Strengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
Lightning Rod grants Electric immunity
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entries

Its brain developed after it stood up on its hind legs. Its drill horn bores tunnels through solid rock.

Rhydon Weakness

Rhydon is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Watch out for Water and Grass attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Rhydon's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Rhydon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Water, Grass
2x (Weak)Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Type ChartFragile
6Weak
5Resist
2Immune
Score-7
How to Beat Rhydon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (Best Counters)
Gastrodon
Gastrodon
WaterGround
B
Available Moves
Moves
  • BlizzardTM14
  • EarthquakeTM26
  • Muddy WaterLv. 33
  • Earth PowerLv. 39
Damage vs Rhydon
Blizzard 2x
78-92%
Earthquake 2x
46-55%
Muddy Water 4x
190-224%KO
Earth Power 2x
95-112%KO
View Gastrodon builds →

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Evolution

Sitting between Rhyhorn and Rhyperior, Rhydon is part of a chain that requires a trade. Not your typical level-up setup. Attack has grown the most so far (+45), but there's still another 50 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Rhyhorn
#111Rhyhorn
42
Level 42
Rhydon
#112Rhydon
Trade + Protector
Trade + Protector
Rhyperior
#464Rhyperior
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Rhyhorn
GroundRock
Rhydon
GroundRock
Rhyperior
GroundRock
HP
80
105+25
115+10
ATK
85
130+45
140+10
DEF
95
120+25
130+10
SP.ATK
30
45+15
55+10
SP.DEF
30
45+15
55+10
SPE
25
40+15
40
BST
345C-Tier
485A-Tier+140
535A-Tier+50
ROLE
Trick Room
Wallbreaker
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Rhydon to get Rhyhorn eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Counter, Crunch, Crush Claw and 9 more.

Egg Groups
GroundMonster
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
12moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosvenusaurcharizardblastoisemeganiumferaligatrsceptileswampert

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Rhydon Best Moveset

Rhydon's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Eviolite provides a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, Reckless helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity.

Best Build

Experimental
Ability
Reckless
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Rhydon
Impish+DEF

Rhydon best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock BlastSTAB
  • RoarSLOW -6Utility

Moves

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 12 types means almost nothing walls Rhydon cleanly, with Earthquake and Stone Edge anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bulldoze
C6010020Ground
Lv 1
Hammer Arm
C1009010Fighting
Lv 1
Smack Down
C5010015Rock
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 15
Horn Attack
6510025Normal
Lv 20
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 25
Stomp
6510020Normal
Lv 30
Rock Blast
S259010Rock
Lv 35
Drill Run
B809510Ground
Lv 40
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 47
Earthquake
S10010010Ground
Lv 54
Stone Edge
S100805Rock
Lv 61
Megahorn
B1208510Bug
Lv 68
Horn Drill
305Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM72
Avalanche-4
C6010010Ice
TM14
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM83
Bulldoze
C6010020Ground
TM93
Cut
509530Normal
TM28
Dig
B8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM59
Dragon Pulse
D8510010Dragon
TM26
Earthquake
S10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
D110855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
D9010015Fire
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
TM52
Focus Blast
D120705Fighting
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM68
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
D9010010Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TM66
Payback
C5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM05
Roar-6
S20Normal
TM100
Rock Climb
908520Normal
TM69
Rock Polish
C20Rock
TM80
Rock Slide
B759010Rock
TM98
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
C609515Rock
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM65
Shadow Claw
C7010015Ghost
TM34
Shock Wave
D6020Electric
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM76
Stealth Rock
S20Rock
TM71
Stone Edge
S100805Rock
TM96
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM95
Surf
D9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
S20Normal
TM46
Thief
C6010025Dark
TM25
Thunder
D1107010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
D9010015Electric

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Egg
Crush Claw
C759510Normal
Egg
Curse
C10Ghost
Egg
Dragon Rush
C1007510Dragon
Egg
Fire Fang
C659515Fire
Egg
Guard Split
D10Psychic
Egg
Ice Fang
C659515Ice
Egg
Metal Burst
D10010Steel
Egg
Reversal
D10015Fighting
Egg
Skull Bash
13010010Normal
Egg
Thunder Fang
C659515Electric

Tutor Moves

Rhydon can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Rhydon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

16 encounter spots for Rhydon at decent spawn rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Where To Catch Rhydon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

To get Rhydon, start by catching Rhyhorn through walking encounters at Lv. 16-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Rhyhorn
    Step 1Catch Rhyhorn
    Rocky Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    70%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Rocky Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    70%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Sunlit Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    70%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Sunlit Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    70%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Sandsear Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Desert
    50%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Typhlo Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    50%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Sandsear Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Desert
    40%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Typhlo Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    40%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Spacious Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    19%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Spacious Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave
    19%Mid
    Unique encounter
    Route 227
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.22-24 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 227
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.22-24 Route
    5%Mid
    Stark Mountain - Outside
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.22-24 Volcano
    5%Mid
    Stark Mountain - Outside
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.22-24 Volcano
    5%Mid
    Big Bluff Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Big Bluff Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Rocky Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Rocky Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Sandsear Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Desert
    Post
    Post-game
    Sandsear Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Desert
    Post
    Post-game
    Spacious Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Spacious Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
  2. Rhydon
    Step 2Rhydon
    Route 228
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Route
    20%Post
    Morning/day
    Route 228
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Route
    20%Post
    Morning/day
    Route 227
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.55 Route
    20%Post
    Route 227
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.55 Route
    20%Post
    Stark Mountain - Outside
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.55 Volcano
    20%Post
    Stark Mountain - Outside
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.55 Volcano
    20%Post
    Route 228
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.53 Route
    10%Post
    Night
    Route 228
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.53 Route
    10%Post
    Night
    Big Bluff Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Big Bluff Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Rocky Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Rocky Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Sandsear Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Desert
    Post
    Post-game
    Sandsear Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Desert
    Post
    Post-game
    Spacious Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    Spacious Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
    Post
    Post-game
    or evolve from Rhyhorn (Step 1)

Rhydon Guide

  • Rhydon is meant to evolve into Rhyperior. At 485 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Rhydon's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Venusaur (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Gyarados is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 40 Speed, Rhydon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Rhyhorn evolves into Rhydon at level 42. Rhydon evolves into Rhyperior while holding a Protector. Rhydon is a middle-stage evolution in the Rhyhorn line.

  • Lightning Rod is what you want on Rhydon. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Rock Head, Reckless) work on paper but Lightning Rod is what makes Rhydon worth using. On wall sets, Lightning Rod pairs with Rhydon's base 120 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.

  • Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Rhydon is a physical attacker with base 130 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Rhydon has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

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