Playthrough tier listRuby & Sapphire

Best Ground Pokémon in Ruby & Sapphire

Hoenn has no Ground gym leader, but Mudkip, the Water starter, becomes Water and Ground Swampert at Lv 36, and Groudon is the Ruby legend. We graded 22 Ground Pokémon you can get in Ruby & Sapphire, S to D, for beating the game. Swampert and Groudon lead.

22gradedOct 18, 2026updated

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Trade-in
Trade to evolve
Starter: pick 1 of 3
Ruby only

STop2 PokémonCarries a Ruby & Sapphire run against most of the bossesClick any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade

SwampertStarter: pick 1 of 3

GroudonRuby only

Click any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade

AStrong0 PokémonA strong pick for most of the game

No Pokémon is graded A right now.

BSolid4 PokémonDoes the job with some help

GolemTrade to evolve

QuagsireTrade-in only

NidokingTrade-in only

NidoqueenTrade-in only

CSituational9 PokémonStruggles against several bosses

Flygon

Sandslash

MarshtompStarter: pick 1 of 3

GligarTrade-in only

MarowakTrade-in only

DugtrioTrade-in only

SteelixTrade-in only

PupitarTrade-in only

LarvitarTrade-in only

DBottom22 PokémonHard to use for beating the game

Rhydon

Camerupt

Donphan

Claydol

Whiscash

Graveler

Geodude

Vibrava

Trapinch

Nincada

Sandshrew

Rhyhorn

Numel

Phanpy

Baltoy

Barboach

PiloswineTrade-in only

WooperTrade-in only

CuboneTrade-in only

DiglettTrade-in only

OnixTrade-in only

SwinubTrade-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 Showing37 22 in Ruby & Sapphire + 15 trade-ins

Board breakdown

Here each Ground Pokémon you can get meets the 13 Ruby & Sapphire gym leader, Elite Four and Champion fights in order, Roxanne to Steven. Next to Swampert, Flygon does well in 5 of them, 3 fights have no Ground answer, and the versions differ in 5 fights.

Flygon and the Ruby-only Groudon tie on fights: which Ground pick should you raise?

Go with Flygon: level with Groudon at 5 of 13 fights, and yours 3 badges sooner.

Each row is one Ground pick and its 13 boxes are the fights in order. A filled box means it does well there: Flygon has 5, first at Wallace.

Gym 1, Roxanne

Gym 2, Brawly

Gym 3, Wattson

Gym 4, Flannery

Gym 5, Norman

Gym 6, Winona

Gym 7, Tate & Liza

Gym 8, Wallace

Elite Four, Sidney

Elite Four, Phoebe

Elite Four, Glacia

Elite Four, Drake

Champion, Steven

SwampertGym 1 Roxanne: does wellGym 2 Brawly: does wellGym 3 Wattson: does wellGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: does wellSteven: does wellStarterMudkipRoute 101#007MudkipLevel 16#008MarshtompLevel 36#009Swampertfinal form by Tate & Liza
Does wellRoxanneBrawlyWattsonFlannerySidneyPhoebeGlaciaDrakeStevenNo clear edgeNorman, Winona, Tate & Liza, Wallace
FlygonGym 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: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: does wellAfter badge 4TrapinchRoute 111 desert35% of encounters#116TrapinchLevel 35#117VibravaLevel 45#118Flygonfinal form by Sidney
Not yet: Roxanne to FlanneryDoes wellWallaceSidneyPhoebeDrakeStevenHas troubleWinonaNo clear edgeNorman, Tate & Liza, Glacia
GroudonGym 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: no clear edgeSteven: does wellAfter badge 7Cave of OriginLv 45
Not yet: Roxanne to Tate & LizaDoes wellWallaceSidneyPhoebeGlaciaStevenNo clear edgeDrake
SandslashGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: has troubleSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 3SandshrewRoute 11325% of encounters#112SandshrewLevel 22#113Sandslashfinal form by Flannery
Not yet: Roxanne to WattsonDoes wellFlannerySidneyGlaciaHas troubleWinona, Tate & Liza, DrakeNo clear edgeNorman, Wallace, Phoebe, Steven
GolemGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: has troubleGym 3 Wattson: no clear edgeGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 1GeodudeGranite Cave 1F10% of encounters#057GeodudeLevel 25#058GravelerTrade#059Golem
Not yet: RoxanneDoes wellFlannerySidneyGlaciaHas troubleBrawly, Tate & LizaNo clear edgeWattson, Norman, Winona, Wallace, Phoebe, Drake, Steven
RhydonGym 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: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: has troubleSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 6RhyhornSafari Zone northwest30% of encounters#169RhyhornLevel 42#170Rhydonfinal form by Sidney
Not yet: Roxanne to WinonaDoes wellSidneyGlaciaHas troubleTate & Liza, WallaceNo clear edgePhoebe, Drake, Steven
ClaydolGym 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: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: does wellSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: does wellSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 4BaltoyRoute 111 desert10% of encounters#131BaltoyLevel 36#132Claydolfinal form by Tate & Liza
Not yet: Roxanne to FlanneryDoes wellWallaceDrakeHas troubleNormanNo clear edgeWinona, Tate & Liza, Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, Steven
CameruptGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: not on your team yetGym 3 Wattson: not on your team yetGym 4 Flannery: does wellGym 5 Norman: has troubleGym 6 Winona: has troubleGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: has troubleSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 3NumelRoute 11275% of encounters#101NumelLevel 33#102Cameruptfinal form by Tate & LizaGround moves use Attack 100, not Sp. Atk 105
Not yet: Roxanne to WattsonDoes wellFlanneryHas troubleNorman, Winona, Tate & Liza, DrakeNo clear edgeWallace, Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, Steven
DonphanGym 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: has troubleGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: has troubleSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 6PhanpySafari Zone northeast30% of encounters#165PhanpyLevel 25#166Donphanfinal form by Tate & LizaDonphan at the next level-up
Not yet: Roxanne to WinonaNo does-well fightsHas troubleTate & Liza, DrakeNo clear edgeWallace, Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, Steven
WhiscashGym 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: no clear edgeGym 8 Wallace: no clear edgeSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: no clear edgeDrake: no clear edgeSteven: no clear edgeAfter badge 5BarboachRoute 111 southGood Rod20% of encounters#127BarboachLevel 30#128Whiscashfinal form by Winona
Not yet: Roxanne to NormanNo does-well fightsNo clear edgeWinona, Tate & Liza, Wallace, Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, Drake, Steven

NextClaydol 2

Best pair

Swampert + Flygon10/13 togetherevery fight a Ground pick wins

Should Swampert get Sandslash or Flygon as a Ground partner?

Wait for Flygon: beyond Swampert, it adds Wallace, and Sandslash adds no new fight.

Little is lost by waiting, as the stretch between the two arrivals holds just Flannery.

Sandslash and Flygon side by side, row by row: when each arrives, where you find it, how it evolves, its Speed and the fights it does well in.

SandslashSooner

FlygonMore fights

ArrivesAfter badge 3After badge 4

WhereSandshrewRoute 11325% of encountersTrapinchRoute 111 desert35% of encounters

EvolvesSandslash at Lv 22final form by FlanneryVibrava at Lv 35Flygon at Lv 45final form by Sidney

Speed (avg 63)65100

Does wellFlannerySidneyGlaciaWallaceSidneyPhoebeDrakeSteven

Has trouble3 fightsWinonaTate & LizaDrake1 fightWinona

Which gym leaders, up to the Champion, have no Ground answer?

Every gym from Norman to Tate & Liza, 3 in a row.

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

Gyms

Swampertas Mudkipstarter only
Team
1. GeodudeLv 14RockGround
2. NosepassLv 15RockAce
Does well (1)Swampert Starter: pick 1 of 3as MudkipMoves: Water Gun
Full fight
Swampertas Marshtompstarter only
Team
1. MachopLv 17Fighting
2. MakuhitaLv 18FightingAce
Does well (1)Swampert Starter: pick 1 of 3as MarshtompMoves: Mud Shot
Has trouble (1)Golem Trade to evolveas Geodude
Full fight
Swampertas Marshtompstarter only
Team
1. MagnemiteLv 22ElectricSteel
2. VoltorbLv 20Electric
3. MagnetonLv 23ElectricSteelAce
Does well (1)Swampert Starter: pick 1 of 3as MarshtompMoves: Mud Shot
No clear edge (1)Golem Trade to evolveas Geodude
Full fight
Sandslash+3 more
Team
1. SlugmaLv 26Fire
2. SlugmaLv 26Fire
3. TorkoalLv 28FireAce
Does well (4)SandslashMoves: DigSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3as MarshtompMoves: DigGolem Trade to evolveMoves: DigCameruptas NumelMoves: Dig
Full fight
Closest: Sandslash
Team
1. SlakingLv 28Normal
2. VigorothLv 30Normal
3. SlakingLv 31NormalAce
No clear edge (4)SandslashGolem Trade to evolveSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3as MarshtompFlygonas Trapinch
Has trouble (2)Claydolas BaltoyCameruptas Numel
Full fight
Closest: Golem
Team
1. SwellowLv 31NormalFlying
2. PelipperLv 30WaterFlying
3. SkarmoryLv 32SteelFlying
4. AltariaLv 33DragonFlyingAce
No clear edge (4)Golem Trade to evolveWhiscashSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3as MarshtompClaydolas Baltoy
Has trouble (3)Flygonas TrapinchSandslashCameruptas Numel
Full fight
Closest: Swampert
Team
1. LunatoneLv 42RockPsychicAce
2. SolrockLv 42RockPsychic
No clear edge (4)Swampert Starter: pick 1 of 3WhiscashFlygonas VibravaClaydol
Has trouble (5)SandslashGolem Trade to evolveRhydonas RhyhornCameruptDonphan
Full fight
Flygonas VibravaRuby +2 moreSapphire +1 more
Team
1. LuvdiscLv 40Water
2. WhiscashLv 42WaterGround
3. SealeoLv 40IceWater
4. SeakingLv 42Water
5. MiloticLv 43WaterAce
Does well (3)Flygonas VibravaMoves: Solar Beam and Rock SmashGroudonRuby onlyMoves: Thunder and Solar BeamClaydolMoves: Solar Beam and Rock Smash
No clear edge (6)Swampert Starter: pick 1 of 3SandslashDonphanWhiscashGolem Trade to evolveCamerupt
Has trouble (1)Rhydonas Rhyhorn
Full fight

League

FlygonRuby +5 moreSapphire +4 more
Team
1. MightyenaLv 46Dark
2. ShiftryLv 48GrassDark
3. CacturneLv 46GrassDark
4. SharpedoLv 48WaterDark
5. AbsolLv 49DarkAce
Does well (6)FlygonMoves: Rock SmashGroudonRuby onlyMoves: Brick Break and ThunderGolem Trade to evolveMoves: Focus PunchSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Focus PunchSandslashMoves: Focus PunchRhydonMoves: Focus Punch and Thunder
No clear edge (4)CameruptDonphanClaydolWhiscash
Full fight
FlygonRuby +2 moreSapphire +1 more
Team
1. DusclopsLv 48Ghost
2. BanetteLv 49Ghost
3. SableyeLv 50DarkGhost
4. BanetteLv 49Ghost
5. DusclopsLv 51GhostAce
Does well (3)FlygonMoves: Crunch and Dragon ClawGroudonRuby onlyMoves: EarthquakeSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Earthquake
No clear edge (7)ClaydolCameruptDonphanGolem Trade to evolveSandslashWhiscashRhydon
Full fight
SandslashRuby +4 moreSapphire +3 more
Team
1. GlalieLv 50Ice
2. SealeoLv 50IceWater
3. SealeoLv 52IceWater
4. GlalieLv 52Ice
5. WalreinLv 53IceWaterAce
Does well (5)SandslashMoves: Focus PunchSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Focus PunchGroudonRuby onlyMoves: Brick Break and ThunderRhydonMoves: Rock TombGolem Trade to evolveMoves: Rock Tomb
No clear edge (5)CameruptClaydolFlygonWhiscashDonphan
Full fight
Flygon+2 more
Team
1. ShelgonLv 52Dragon
2. AltariaLv 54DragonFlying
3. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
4. FlygonLv 53GroundDragon
5. SalamenceLv 55DragonFlyingAce
Does well (3)FlygonMoves: Dragon ClawClaydolMoves: Ice BeamSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Blizzard
No clear edge (4)WhiscashGroudonRuby onlyRhydonGolem Trade to evolve
Has trouble (3)SandslashCameruptDonphan
Full fight
FlygonRuby +2 moreSapphire +1 more
Team
1. SkarmoryLv 57SteelFlying
2. ClaydolLv 55GroundPsychic
3. AggronLv 56SteelRock
4. CradilyLv 56RockGrass
5. ArmaldoLv 56RockBug
6. MetagrossLv 58SteelPsychicAce
Does well (3)FlygonMoves: Fire Blast, Crunch and EarthquakeGroudonRuby onlyMoves: Thunder, Solar Beam and EarthquakeSwampert Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Muddy Water, Earthquake and Focus Punch
No clear edge (7)WhiscashCameruptSandslashDonphanClaydolRhydonGolem Trade to evolve
Full fight