Is Rhyperior Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Protector trade from Rhydon. 140 Attack with AbilitySolid Rock reducing super-effective damage. Handles Volkner, Flint, and Aaron. Four common weaknesses limit E4 use, but the raw power is devastating where Rhyperior can act.
Rhyhorn resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.
Rhyhorn has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.
Rhyhorn trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Rhyhorn trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.
Rhyhorn trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Rhyhorn trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.
Rhyhorn has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.
Rhyhorn has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.
Rhyperior has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Rhyperior trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Rhyperior has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Rhyperior trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Rhyperior trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Rhydon on Route 227 (walking, Lv 55, common).
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Aaron.
How to Get Rhyperior in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
A trade step sits in Rhyperior's 3-stage chain from Rhyhorn. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Rhyhorn shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Rhyperior in BDSP
The path to Rhyperior starts with Rhyhorn at Lv. 16-63 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch RhyhornSunlit CavernLv.16-63CaveRate 70%Unique encounterTyphlo CavernLv.16-63CaveBrilliant DiamondRate 50%Unique encounterTyphlo CavernLv.16-63CaveShining PearlRate 40%Unique encounterRoute 227Lv.22-24GrassRate 5%Stark Mountain - OutsideLv.22-24CaveRate 5%Big Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve RhydonRoute 228Lv.52-53GrassRate 20%Morning/dayRoute 227Lv.55GrassRate 20%Stark Mountain - OutsideLv.55CaveRate 20%Route 228Lv.53GrassRate 10%NightBig Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Rhyhorn (Step 1)
Step 3Rhyperior ✓
Rhyperior Weakness
Rhyperior 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. The Ground/Rock typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Rhyperior's physical bulk (base 130 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Rhyperior Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Rhyperior
 Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x30-37% | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Psyduck builds →Surf 4x135-160%KO Focus Punch 2x33-40% Iron Tail 2x25-30% | ||
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Focus Punch 2x33-40% Iron Tail 2x25-30% | ||
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x42-50% Iron Tail 2x28-33% Rock Smash 2x13-17% | ||
 Budew GrassPoison | D | |
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 4x88-103%KO Focus Punch 2x50-59% Iron Tail 2x34-41% | ||
Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x70-84% Earthquake 2x34-41% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Psyduck builds →Surf 4x142-169%KO Focus Punch 2x36-44% Iron Tail 2x27-31% | ||
 Buizel Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Buizel builds →Surf 4x127-150%KO Focus Punch 2x42-50% Iron Tail 2x28-34% | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x39-47% Focus Punch 2x36-44% Iron Tail 2x27-31% | ||
 Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 4x86-102%KO Focus Punch 2x53-63% Iron Tail 2x36-42% Ice Beam 2x52-61% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x43-51% Focus Punch 2x43-51% Iron Tail 2x29-34% Ice Beam 2x36-42% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x34-41% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 4x73-86% Focus Punch 2x44-53% Iron Tail 2x30-36% Bulldoze 2x19-22% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Gastrodon builds →Surf 4x164-193%KO Earthquake 2x45-53% Ice Beam 2x54-64% Rock Smash 2x13-15% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 4x86-102%KO Focus Punch 2x53-63% Dig 2x29-34% Iron Tail 2x36-42% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x43-51% Focus Punch 2x43-51% Iron Tail 2x29-34% Ice Beam 2x36-42% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x34-41% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 4x73-86% Focus Punch 2x44-53% Dig 2x24-29% Iron Tail 2x30-36% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Gastrodon builds →Surf 4x164-193%KO Earthquake 2x45-53% Ice Beam 2x54-64% Rock Smash 2x13-15% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Golduck builds →Surf 4x165-194%KO Focus Punch 2x42-50% Ice Beam 2x55-65% Dig 2x23-27% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bronzong builds →Solar Beam 4x127-150%KO Flash Cannon 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x30-36% Rock Smash 2x13-16% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 4x84-99% Focus Punch 2x51-60% Dig 2x28-33% Iron Tail 2x34-40% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x42-50% Focus Punch 2x41-49% Iron Tail 2x28-33% Ice Beam 2x35-42% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x73-86% Earthquake 2x32-39% | ||
 Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Bronzong SteelPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bronzong builds →Solar Beam 4x125-147%KO Flash Cannon 2x63-74% Earthquake 2x29-35% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Golduck builds →Surf 4x166-196%KO Focus Punch 2x41-49% Ice Beam 2x55-65% Dig 2x23-27% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 4x81-96% Focus Punch 2x49-59% Dig 2x27-32% Iron Tail 2x34-40% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x41-48% Focus Punch 2x41-48% Iron Tail 2x27-32% Ice Beam 2x35-41% | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 4x269-317%KO | ||
Bronzong SteelPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bronzong builds →Solar Beam 4x122-144%KO Flash Cannon 2x61-73% Earthquake 2x29-35% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
 Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 4x209-246%KO Focus Punch 2x44-52% Ice Beam 2x79-93% Water Pulse 4x71-84% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Golduck builds →Surf 4x161-190%KO Focus Punch 2x40-47% Ice Beam 2x53-63% Dig 2x22-26% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 4x82-97% Focus Punch 2x49-58% Dig 2x27-32% Iron Tail 2x34-40% | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 4x269-317%KO | ||
Bronzong SteelPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Bronzong builds →Solar Beam 4x122-144%KO Flash Cannon 2x61-73% Earthquake 2x29-35% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 4x209-246%KO Focus Punch 2x44-52% Ice Beam 2x79-93% Water Pulse 4x71-84% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Golduck builds →Surf 4x161-190%KO Focus Punch 2x40-47% Ice Beam 2x53-63% Dig 2x22-26% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 4x82-97% Focus Punch 2x49-58% Dig 2x27-32% Iron Tail 2x34-40% | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 4x271-319%KO | ||
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Vileplume builds →Petal Dance 4x242-285%KO Drain Punch 2x20-23% | ||
 Cacturne GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Cacturne builds →Solar Beam 4x253-298%KO Focus Punch 2x52-62% | ||
 Victreebel GrassPoison | C | |
 Kingler Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 4x119-140%KO Hammer Arm 2x40-47% Dig 2x31-37% Metal Claw 2x21-24% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Machamp's Close Combat hits Rhyperior for 77-91%. Venusaur threatens a KO with Giga Drain (164-193%). Lapras deals 78-92% with Waterfall.
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch 2x17-20% Knock Off14-16% Close Combat 2x77-91% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 4x164-193%KO | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rhyperior View Lapras builds →Avalanche 2x29-35% Waterfall 4x78-92% | ||
Rhyperior Evolutions
Rhyperior evolved from Rhyhorn's chain using a trade. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Rhyhorn eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Rhyhorn pushed Rhyperior to 535 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +55. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Rhyperior 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.
BDSP Rhyperior Best Moveset
140 Attack and 130 Defense at 115 HP with AbilitySolid Rock reducing super-effective damage by 25%. Hidden AbilityReckless boosts recoil moves. Ground/Rock TermStab at that Attack gives the moveset devastating physical power. Dropped from A-tier to B because 4x Water and Grass weaknesses plus 40 Speed are brutally exploitable despite the raw bulk.
Best Build
Rhyperior best EVs are Defense and Sp. Def
Bulky Support Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish
- Power Up Punch
- Avalanche
Moves List
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 12 types means almost nothing walls Rhyperior cleanly, with Rock Wrecker and Earthquake anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It puts rocks in holes in its palms and uses its muscles to shoot them. On rare occasions, the Pokémon even shoots out Geodude.
Rhyperior Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Rhyperior looks average on paper at 535 BST. But Lightning Rod is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list. Earthquake with Weakness Policy is the standard set.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Rhyperior'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, Rhyperior won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Rhyperior is obtained by trade-evolving Rhydon. Catch or evolve a Rhydon first, then trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Rhydon to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Protector must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
Rhyperior gets Lightning Rod, Solid Rock, and Reckless. But Lightning Rod is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. On wall sets, Lightning Rod pairs with Rhyperior's base 130 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Rhyperior is a physical attacker with base 140 Attack. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Game Availability
Since Diamond & Pearl, Rhyperior has been in 13 games. Requiring a trade evolution to obtain means it's consistently available but requires more effort than simply catching it in the wild.
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 4DPDebut
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 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
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