Playthrough tier listRuby & Sapphire

Best Grass Pokémon in Ruby & Sapphire

Hoenn has no Grass gym leader, so these are graded on the whole run of gyms, the Elite Four and Steven. Treecko is the Grass starter. We graded 21 Grass Pokémon you can get in Ruby & Sapphire, S to D, for beating the game. Breloom leads.

21gradedOct 18, 2026updated
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  • Trade-in
  • Event only
  • Starter: pick 1 of 3
  • Fossil: pick 1 of 2
    • Ruby only
    • Sapphire only
STop3 PokémonCarries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bossesClick any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
BreloomBreloom
ExeggutorExeggutorTrade-in only
CelebiCelebiEvent only
Click any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
AStrong3 PokémonA strong pick for most of the game
SceptileSceptileStarter: pick 1 of 3
TangelaTangelaTrade-in only
VenusaurVenusaurTrade-in only
BSolid5 PokémonDoes the job with some help
CacturneCacturne
RoseliaRoselia
VictreebelVictreebelTrade-in only
SunfloraSunfloraTrade-in only
MeganiumMeganiumTrade-in only
CSituational9 PokémonStruggles against several bosses
ShiftryShiftryRuby only
VileplumeVileplume
BellossomBellossom
LudicoloLudicoloSapphire only
ShroomishShroomish
GrovyleGrovyleStarter: pick 1 of 3
ParasectParasectTrade-in only
ExeggcuteExeggcuteTrade-in only
IvysaurIvysaurTrade-in only
DBottom21 PokémonHard to use for beating the game
CradilyCradilyFossil: pick 1 of 2
TropiusTropius
TreeckoTreeckoStarter: pick 1 of 3
CacneaCacnea
NuzleafNuzleafRuby only
SeedotSeedotRuby only
GloomGloom
OddishOddish
LombreLombreSapphire only
LotadLotadSapphire only
LileepLileepFossil: pick 1 of 2
JumpluffJumpluffTrade-in only
BulbasaurBulbasaurTrade-in only
WeepinbellWeepinbellTrade-in only
BellsproutBellsproutTrade-in only
SunkernSunkernTrade-in only
BayleefBayleefTrade-in only
ChikoritaChikoritaTrade-in only
ParasParasTrade-in only
SkiploomSkiploomTrade-in only
HoppipHoppipTrade-in only

What each tier means

  • STop Carries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bosses
  • AStrong A strong pick for most of the game
  • BSolid Does the job with some help
  • CSituational Struggles against several bosses
  • DBottom Hard to use for beating the game
2 reads blended into one listreblend in Showing41 21 in Ruby & Sapphire + 20 trade-ins

Board breakdown

This breakdown rates each Grass Pokémon you can get against all 13 Ruby & Sapphire gym leader, Elite Four and Champion fights, from Roxanne to Steven. Next to Sceptile, Breloom does well in 7 of them, 3 fights have no Grass answer, and the versions differ in 3 fights.

After Sceptile, which Grass pick earns a team slot?

Pair Sceptile with Breloom, which does well in 7 of 13 fights, starting with Roxanne.

Each row is one Grass pick and its 13 boxes are the fights in order. A filled box means it does well there: Breloom has 7, first at Roxanne.

Gym 1, RoxanneGym 2, BrawlyGym 3, WattsonGym 4, FlanneryGym 5, NormanGym 6, WinonaGym 7, Tate & LizaGym 8, WallaceElite Four, SidneyElite Four, PhoebeElite Four, GlaciaElite Four, DrakeChampion, Steven
  • SceptileGym 1 Roxanne: does wellGym 2 Brawly: does wellGym 3 Wattson: no clear edgeGym 4 Flannery: has troubleGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeStarterTreeckoRoute 101#001TreeckoLevel 16#002GrovyleLevel 36#003Sceptilefinal form by Tate & Liza
    Does wellRoxanneBrawlyTate & LizaWallaceSidneyPhoebeGlaciaHas troubleFlannery, WinonaNo clear edgeWattson, Norman, Drake, Steven
  • BreloomGym 1 Roxanne: does wellGym 2 Brawly: no clear edgeGym 3 Wattson: has troubleGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: does wellGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: does wellFrom the startShroomishPetalburg Woods15% of encounters#034ShroomishLevel 23#035Breloomfinal form by Flannery
    Does wellRoxanneNormanTate & LizaWallaceSidneyGlaciaStevenHas troubleWattson, WinonaNo clear edgeBrawly, Flannery, Phoebe, Drake
  • LudicoloGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: not on your team yetGym 7 Tate & Liza: not on your team yetGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: does wellSteven: does wellLudicolo after badge 7LotadFrom the startRoute 10220% of encounters#019LotadLevel 14#020LombreWater Stone#021LudicoloWater Stone in the Abandoned Shipneeds Dive
    Not yet: Roxanne to Tate & LizaDoes wellWallaceSidneyPhoebeGlaciaDrakeSteven
  • ShiftryGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: not on your team yetGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeShiftry after badge 5SeedotFrom the startRoute 10220% of encounters#022SeedotLevel 14#023NuzleafLeaf Stone#024ShiftryLeaf Stone on Route 119
    Not yet: Roxanne to NormanDoes wellTate & LizaWallaceSidneyPhoebeGlaciaNo clear edgeWinona, Drake, Steven
  • CacturneGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: not on your team yetGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 4CacneaRoute 111 desert20% of encounters#119CacneaLevel 32#120Cacturnefinal form by Tate & Liza
    Not yet: Roxanne to FlanneryDoes wellTate & LizaWallacePhoebeGlaciaHas troubleNorman, WinonaNo clear edgeSidney, Drake, Steven
  • RoseliaGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: no clear edgeGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: has troubleSteven: has troubleAfter badge 2Route 11730% of encounters
    Not yet: Roxanne, BrawlyDoes wellTate & LizaWallaceSidneyGlaciaHas troubleWinona, Drake, StevenNo clear edgeWattson, Flannery, Norman, Phoebe
NextVileplume 4Cradily 4Bellossom 3

Best pair

Ruby
Sceptile + Breloom9/13 togetherevery fight a Grass pick wins
Sapphire
Sceptile + Breloom9/13 togetherall Grass picks: 10

Which opponents, from Roxanne to Steven, does no Grass Pokemon answer?

In both versions, Grass has no answer for Wattson, Flannery and Winona.

Ruby players lose Drake as well, since Ludicolo is Sapphire only.

One row per fight, Roxanne to Steven, with the best Grass pick you can have by then. Tap a fight for its team and every pick. First with none: Wattson.

Gyms

  1. Breloomas Shroomish+1 more

    Team

    1. GeodudeLv 14RockGround
    2. NosepassLv 15RockAce

    Does well (2)Breloomas ShroomishMoves: Bullet SeedSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3as TreeckoMoves: Bullet Seed

    Full fight

  2. Sceptileas Grovylestarter only

    Team

    1. MachopLv 17Fighting
    2. MakuhitaLv 18FightingAce

    Does well (1)Sceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3as GrovyleMoves: Bullet Seed

    No clear edge (1)Breloomas Shroomish

    Full fight

  3. Closest: Grovyle

    Team

    1. MagnemiteLv 22ElectricSteel
    2. VoltorbLv 20Electric
    3. MagnetonLv 23ElectricSteelAce

    No clear edge (2)Sceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3as GrovyleRoselia

    Has trouble (1)Breloomas Shroomish

    Full fight

  4. Closest: Roselia

    Team

    1. SlugmaLv 26Fire
    2. SlugmaLv 26Fire
    3. TorkoalLv 28FireAce

    No clear edge (2)RoseliaBreloom

    Has trouble (1)Sceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3as Grovyle

    Full fight

  5. Breloom

    Team

    1. SlakingLv 28Normal
    2. VigorothLv 30Normal
    3. SlakingLv 31NormalAce

    Does well (1)BreloomMoves: Mach Punch

    No clear edge (2)RoseliaSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3as Grovyle

    Has trouble (2)Cacturneas CacneaCradilyas Lileep

    Full fight

  6. RubyClosest: Shiftry
    SapphireHas trouble: Vileplume

    Team

    1. SwellowLv 31NormalFlying
    2. PelipperLv 30WaterFlying
    3. SkarmoryLv 32SteelFlying
    4. AltariaLv 33DragonFlyingAce

    No clear edge (1)ShiftryRuby only

    Has trouble (7)Sceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3as GrovyleBreloomCacturneas CacneaRoseliaVileplumeCradilyas LileepTropius

    Full fight

  7. BreloomRuby +7 moreSapphire +6 more

    Team

    1. LunatoneLv 42RockPsychicAce
    2. SolrockLv 42RockPsychic

    Does well (8)BreloomMoves: Solar BeamSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Solar BeamBellossomMoves: Solar BeamCradilyMoves: Solar BeamShiftryRuby onlyMoves: ThiefCacturneMoves: Feint AttackRoseliaMoves: Solar BeamVileplumeMoves: Solar Beam

    No clear edge (1)Tropius

    Full fight

  8. Breloom+8 more

    Team

    1. LuvdiscLv 40Water
    2. WhiscashLv 42WaterGround
    3. SealeoLv 40IceWater
    4. SeakingLv 42Water
    5. MiloticLv 43WaterAce

    Does well (10)BreloomMoves: Solar Beam and Focus PunchSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Solar BeamBellossomMoves: Solar BeamVileplumeMoves: Solar BeamShiftryRuby onlyMoves: Solar BeamRoseliaMoves: Solar BeamCacturneMoves: Solar BeamLudicoloSapphire onlyMoves: Solar BeamCradilyMoves: Solar BeamTropiusMoves: Solar Beam

    Full fight

League

  1. Breloom+6 more

    Team

    1. MightyenaLv 46Dark
    2. ShiftryLv 48GrassDark
    3. CacturneLv 46GrassDark
    4. SharpedoLv 48WaterDark
    5. AbsolLv 49DarkAce

    Does well (8)BreloomMoves: Focus PunchVileplumeMoves: Petal Dance and Sludge BombSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Fury Cutter and Solar BeamRoseliaMoves: Solar Beam and Sludge BombLudicoloSapphire onlyMoves: Focus Punch and Solar BeamTropiusMoves: Rock Smash, Fly and Solar BeamCradilyMoves: Rock Smash and Solar BeamShiftryRuby onlyMoves: Brick Break and Solar Beam

    No clear edge (2)BellossomCacturne

    Full fight

  2. Cacturne+2 more

    Team

    1. DusclopsLv 48Ghost
    2. BanetteLv 49Ghost
    3. SableyeLv 50DarkGhost
    4. BanetteLv 49Ghost
    5. DusclopsLv 51GhostAce

    Does well (4)CacturneMoves: Feint AttackShiftryRuby onlyMoves: ThiefSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Pursuit and Solar BeamLudicoloSapphire onlyMoves: Thief and Solar Beam

    No clear edge (6)CradilyBellossomRoseliaVileplumeTropiusBreloom

    Full fight

  3. Breloom+7 more

    Team

    1. GlalieLv 50Ice
    2. SealeoLv 50IceWater
    3. SealeoLv 52IceWater
    4. GlalieLv 52Ice
    5. WalreinLv 53IceWaterAce

    Does well (9)BreloomMoves: Focus PunchSceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Focus Punch and Solar BeamShiftryRuby onlyMoves: Brick Break and Solar BeamLudicoloSapphire onlyMoves: Focus Punch and Solar BeamCradilyMoves: Ancient Power and Solar BeamCacturneMoves: Focus Punch and Solar BeamRoseliaMoves: Petal DanceVileplumeMoves: Petal DanceBellossomMoves: Petal Dance

    No clear edge (1)Tropius

    Full fight

  4. RubyClosest: Sceptile
    SapphireLudicolo

    Team

    1. ShelgonLv 52Dragon
    2. AltariaLv 54DragonFlying
    3. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
    4. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
    5. SalamenceLv 55DragonFlyingAce

    Does well (1)LudicoloSapphire onlyMoves: Blizzard

    No clear edge (6)Sceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3CradilyShiftryRuby onlyBreloomCacturneVileplume

    Has trouble (3)RoseliaBellossomTropius

    Full fight

  5. BreloomSapphire +1 more

    Team

    1. SkarmoryLv 57SteelFlying
    2. ClaydolLv 55GroundPsychic
    3. AggronLv 56SteelRock
    4. CradilyLv 56RockGrass
    5. ArmaldoLv 56RockBug
    6. MetagrossLv 58SteelPsychicAce

    Does well (2)BreloomMoves: Focus Punch, Solar Beam and Iron TailLudicoloSapphire onlyMoves: Surf, Solar Beam and Focus Punch

    No clear edge (7)Sceptile Starter: pick 1 of 3ShiftryRuby onlyCradilyCacturneBellossomTropiusVileplume

    Has trouble (1)Roselia

    Full fight

For a Grass team, what do Ludicolo and move stats change?

Sapphire comes out ahead: Ludicolo is the one Grass answer to Drake, and Ruby goes without.

Fighting moves suit Breloom fine: they run on Attack, its stronger stat.

Each card is one thing that can change a Grass team before you commit: the two versions and move stats.

  • 3 fights where versions differ
    RubySapphire
    Only hereShiftryLudicolo
    Open only in Ruby: Drake
  • Grass moves use Sp. Atk
    • BreloomAttack 130, used by Fighting movesSp. Atk 60, used by Grass moves
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