Playthrough tier listEmerald

Best Rock Pokémon in Emerald

Armaldo (if you take the Claw Fossil) and Sudowoodo (post-game) lead the 20 Rock Pokémon for beating Emerald.

20gradedNov 5, 2026updated
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  • Post-game
  • Trade to evolve
  • Fossil: pick 1 of 2
Rapid gradeTap a tier to start your own list · 20 Pokémon
STop0 PokémonCarries an Emerald run against most of the bosses
No Pokémon is graded S.
AStrong2 PokémonA strong pick for most of the gameClick any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
ArmaldoArmaldoFossil: pick 1 of 2
SudowoodoSudowoodoPost-game
Click any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
BSolid3 PokémonDoes the job with some help
AggronAggron
SolrockSolrock
GolemGolemTrade to evolve
CSituational4 PokémonStruggles against several bosses
CradilyCradilyFossil: pick 1 of 2
RegirockRegirock
RhydonRhydon
AnorithAnorithFossil: pick 1 of 2
DBottom11 PokémonHard to use for beating the game
RelicanthRelicanth
MagcargoMagcargo
NosepassNosepass
CorsolaCorsola
ShuckleShucklePost-game
LaironLairon
AronAron
GravelerGraveler
GeodudeGeodude
LileepLileepFossil: pick 1 of 2
RhyhornRhyhorn

What each tier means

  • STop Carries an Emerald 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 Showing20/ 20

Board breakdown

Among Rock Pokémon in Emerald, Cradily (if you take the Root Fossil) does well in 6 of the 13 boss fights, Roxanne to Wallace, and 3 fights have no Rock answer.

Cradily or Armaldo (pick one): which Rock Pokémon should you raise?

Cradily (if you take the Root Fossil) is the one to raise, with 6 of 13 fights; Armaldo (if you take the Claw Fossil, as the Anorith line) helps in 1 fewer fight.

A filled box is a fight the pick does well in: Cradily (if you take the Root Fossil) has 6 of 13, first at Tate & Liza.

Gym 1, RoxanneGym 2, BrawlyGym 3, WattsonGym 4, FlanneryGym 5, NormanGym 6, WinonaGym 7, Tate & LizaGym 8, JuanElite Four, SidneyElite Four, PhoebeElite Four, GlaciaElite Four, DrakeChampion, Wallace
  • Pick one fossil, the other after the credits
    • CradilyGym 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: does wellGym 8 Juan: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: does wellGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeWallace: does wellAfter badge 4LileepRoot Fossil, Mirage Towerrevive at Devon CorporationLv 20#133LileepLevel 40#134Cradilyfinal form by Tate & Liza
      Not yet: Roxanne to FlanneryDoes wellTate & LizaJuanSidneyPhoebeGlaciaWallaceHas troubleWinonaNo clear edgeNorman, Drake
    • ArmaldoGym 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: does wellGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: does wellGym 8 Juan: does wellSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeWallace: no clear edgeAfter badge 4AnorithClaw Fossil, Mirage Towerrevive at Devon CorporationLv 20#135AnorithLevel 40#136Armaldofinal form by Tate & Liza
      Not yet: Roxanne to FlanneryDoes wellNormanTate & LizaJuanSidneyGlaciaNo clear edgeWinona, Phoebe, Drake, Wallace
  • SolrockGym 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: does wellGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Juan: does wellSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeWallace: no clear edgeAfter badge 3Meteor Falls 1F20% of encounters
    Not yet: Roxanne to WattsonDoes wellFlanneryWinonaJuanGlaciaNo clear edgeNorman, Tate & Liza, Sidney, Phoebe, Drake, Wallace
  • AggronGym 1 Roxanne: not on your team yetGym 2 Brawly: has troubleGym 3 Wattson: no clear edgeGym 4 Flannery: no clear edgeGym 5 Norman: no clear edgeGym 6 Winona: no clear edgeGym 7 Tate & Liza: no clear edgeGym 8 Juan: no clear edgeSidney: does wellPhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: does wellWallace: has troubleAfter badge 1AronGranite Cave B1F40% of encounters#070AronLevel 32#071LaironLevel 42#072Aggronfinal form by Juan
    Not yet: RoxanneDoes wellSidneyGlaciaDrakeHas troubleBrawly, WallaceNo clear edgeWattson, Flannery, Norman, Winona, Tate & Liza, Juan, Phoebe
  • NosepassGym 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: does wellGym 7 Tate & Liza: has troubleGym 8 Juan: no clear edgeSidney: no clear edgePhoebe: no clear edgeGlacia: does wellDrake: no clear edgeWallace: has troubleAfter badge 3Granite Cave B2FRock Smash30% of encounters
    Not yet: Roxanne to WattsonDoes wellFlanneryWinonaGlaciaHas troubleTate & Liza, WallaceNo clear edgeNorman, Juan, Sidney, Phoebe, Drake
NextRegirock 2Magcargo 2Golem 2

Best pair

Cradily + Solrock8/13 togetherall Rock picks: 10

After the creditsOnly after you beat WallaceCounted in no fight

  • SudowoodoAfter the Hall of Fame
  • ShuckleAfter the Hall of Fame

From Roxanne to Wallace, which fights have no Rock answer?

Roxanne, Brawly and Wattson have no Rock answer: 3 gyms in a row.

The best Rock pick you can have by each fight, Roxanne to Wallace. First with none: Roxanne.

Gyms

  1. Nothing yet

    TeamRock-type team

    1. GeodudeLv 12RockGround
    2. GeodudeLv 12RockGround
    3. NosepassLv 15RockAce

    No Rock pick you can have yet

    Full fight

  2. Has trouble: Aron

    Team

    1. MachopLv 16Fighting
    2. MedititeLv 16FightingPsychic
    3. MakuhitaLv 19FightingAce

    Has trouble (2)Aggronas AronGolem Trade to evolveas Geodude

    Full fight

  3. Closest: Geodude

    Team

    1. VoltorbLv 20Electric
    2. ElectrikeLv 20Electric
    3. MagnetonLv 22ElectricSteel
    4. ManectricLv 24ElectricAce

    No clear edge (2)Golem Trade to evolveas GeodudeAggronas Aron

    Full fight

  4. Solrock+2 more

    Team

    1. NumelLv 24FireGround
    2. SlugmaLv 24Fire
    3. CameruptLv 26FireGround
    4. TorkoalLv 29FireAce

    Does well (3)SolrockMoves: Psychic and Rock TombGolem Trade to evolveMoves: DigNosepassMoves: Rock Tomb

    No clear edge (1)Aggronas Aron

    Has trouble (1)Magcargoas Slugma

    Full fight

  5. Armaldoas Anorith

    Team

    1. SpindaLv 27Normal
    2. VigorothLv 27Normal
    3. LinooneLv 29Normal
    4. SlakingLv 31NormalAce

    Does well (1)Armaldoas AnorithMoves: Rock Smash

    No clear edge (6)Golem Trade to evolveAggronas AronNosepassSolrockMagcargoas SlugmaCradilyas Lileep

    Full fight

  6. Solrock+1 more

    Team

    1. SwabluLv 29NormalFlying
    2. TropiusLv 29GrassFlying
    3. PelipperLv 30WaterFlying
    4. SkarmoryLv 31SteelFlying
    5. AltariaLv 33DragonFlyingAce

    Does well (2)SolrockMoves: Rock Tomb and OverheatNosepassMoves: Rock Slide and Thunder

    No clear edge (4)Armaldoas AnorithAggronas AronMagcargoas SlugmaGolem Trade to evolve

    Has trouble (1)Cradilyas Lileep

    Full fight

  7. Armaldo+1 more

    Team

    1. ClaydolLv 41GroundPsychic
    2. XatuLv 41PsychicFlying
    3. LunatoneLv 42RockPsychicAce
    4. SolrockLv 42RockPsychicAce

    Does well (2)ArmaldoMoves: Fury Cutter and Ancient PowerCradilyMoves: Solar Beam and Rock Tomb

    No clear edge (3)Aggronas LaironSolrockGolem Trade to evolve

    Has trouble (3)NosepassMagcargoRhydonas Rhyhorn

    Full fight

  8. Armaldo+2 more

    Team

    1. LuvdiscLv 41Water
    2. WhiscashLv 41WaterGround
    3. SealeoLv 43IceWater
    4. CrawdauntLv 43WaterDark
    5. KingdraLv 46WaterDragonAce

    Does well (3)ArmaldoMoves: Fury Cutter and Ancient PowerCradilyMoves: Solar BeamSolrockMoves: Solar Beam, Rock Slide and Psychic

    No clear edge (7)RegirockRelicanthAggronGolem Trade to evolveRhydonNosepassCorsola

    Has trouble (1)Magcargo

League

  1. Armaldo+4 more

    Team

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

    Does well (5)ArmaldoMoves: Fury CutterRegirockMoves: Focus Punch and ThunderAggronMoves: Fury CutterMagcargoMoves: Rock Smash and OverheatCradilyMoves: Rock Smash and Solar Beam

    No clear edge (6)Golem Trade to evolveRelicanthRhydonNosepassSolrockCorsola

    Full fight

  2. Cradily

    Team

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

    Does well (1)CradilyMoves: Astonish and Solar Beam

    No clear edge (10)SolrockRegirockGolem Trade to evolveRelicanthMagcargoAggronCorsolaRhydonArmaldoNosepass

    Full fight

  3. Armaldo+9 more

    Team

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

    Does well (10)ArmaldoMoves: Ancient PowerRegirockMoves: Ancient PowerSolrockMoves: Rock SlideMagcargoMoves: Rock Slide and OverheatAggronMoves: Rock TombRelicanthMoves: Ancient PowerCradilyMoves: Solar Beam and Ancient PowerNosepassMoves: Rock SlideGolem Trade to evolveMoves: Rock TombRhydonMoves: Rock Tomb

    No clear edge (1)Corsola

    Full fight

  4. Aggron

    Team

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

    Does well (1)AggronMoves: Dragon Claw and Blizzard

    No clear edge (9)RelicanthRegirockCorsolaSolrockArmaldoRhydonCradilyGolem Trade to evolveNosepass

    Has trouble (1)Magcargo

    Full fight

  5. Cradily

    Team

    1. WailordLv 57Water
    2. TentacruelLv 55WaterPoison
    3. LudicoloLv 56WaterGrass
    4. WhiscashLv 56WaterGround
    5. GyaradosLv 56WaterFlying
    6. MiloticLv 58WaterAce

    Does well (1)CradilyMoves: Solar Beam, Earthquake and Sludge Bomb

    No clear edge (6)SolrockArmaldoRegirockGolem Trade to evolveRhydonRelicanth

    Has trouble (4)AggronNosepassMagcargoCorsola

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