Rockruff sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Lycanroc Midday as fast as possible. Known as the Puppy Pokemon. One of the newer additions from Gen 7.
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 is very friendly when it’s young. Its disposition becomes vicious once it matures, but it never forgets the kindness of its master.
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 Weakness
FragileRockruff is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.
What you see is what you get. Rockruff sits outside any evolution chain, so focus on the egg moves and a massive partner pool from one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch.
How to Evolve
Breed Rockruff easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
Rockruff runs a standard hazard lead set. Jolly nature with a spread EV build EVs shapes the build, while Custapberry brings extra utility. Vitalspirit supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Best Rockruff Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Endeavor
- Endure
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Rockruff's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Stone Edge and Rock Slide, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breeding opens up real options for Rockruff. Endeavor and Last Resort come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Stone Edge and Rock Slide and coverage across 8 types.
Breeding opens up real options for Rockruff. Crush Claw and Fire Fang come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Stone Edge and Rock Slide and coverage across 7 types.
Breeding opens up real options for Rockruff. Crush Claw and Fire Fang come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Stone Edge and Rock Slide and Normal and Dark coverage and more.
36 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.
Best Locations
Before you go hunting for Rockruff, check which of the 36 spots belong to your version. Scarlet and Violet each have different walking encounters at Lv. 6-17.
moderate rates across 18 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.
Best Locations
Before you go hunting for Rockruff, check which of the 18 spots belong to your version. Shield and Sword each have different walking encounters at Lv. 10-21.
A handful of locations for Rockruff with decent spawn rates across early-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations
4 walking encounters at Lv. 11-14 for Rockruff across Ultra Moon and Ultra Sun. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Rockruff starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
Rockruff isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Lycanroc Midday to unlock its full potential. At 280 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Rockruff can evolve into Lycanroc Midday, Lycanroc Midnight, and Lycanroc Dusk depending on the method. Rockruff is the base form in a 4-stage evolutionary line.
Keen Eye is the go-to ability for Rockruff. It prevents accuracy from being lowered. Its hidden ability Steadfast can work in specific setups. Vital Spirit is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Rockruff fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 65 Attack. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Rockruff can be found in Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A