Lucario Counters in Brilliant Diamond: Top 5 Ground Types & Strategies
Understanding Lucario's Weaknesses
Before diving into the counters, it's crucial to understand Lucario's weaknesses. Being a Steel/Fighting type, Lucario is weak to:
- Fighting (2x)
- Ground (2x)
- Fire (2x)
While Fighting and Fire types can be used, Ground-type Pokémon offer a significant advantage due to their immunity to Electric-type attacks, which Lucario may carry for coverage. This guide focuses on exploiting the Ground-type weakness for a safer and more reliable counter.
Top 5 Ground-Type Lucario Counters in Brilliant Diamond
This list considers factors like availability in Brilliant Diamond, stats, movepool, and ease of use against Lucario.
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Garchomp
Garchomp is arguably the best Ground-type Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and a fantastic counter to Lucario. Its high Attack and Speed stats, combined with access to powerful Ground-type moves like Earthquake and Dig, make it a formidable opponent. Its Dragon/Ground typing can make some matchups trickier, so be aware of Ice-type moves!
- Strategy: Lead with Garchomp and immediately use Earthquake or Dig. With its high Speed, Garchomp will likely move first and OHKO Lucario with a super-effective STAB move.
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Hippowdon
Hippowdon is a bulky Ground-type Pokémon that can tank hits from Lucario while dishing out heavy damage. Its high HP and Defense make it a reliable switch-in against physical attackers like Lucario. It's found on Route 224.
- Strategy: Switch Hippowdon into a predicted attack from Lucario. Use Earthquake or High Horsepower to deal significant damage. Its Sand Stream ability can also provide chip damage to Lucario over time, which can be helpful for wearing it down.
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Mamoswine
Mamoswine's Ground/Ice typing can be a double-edged sword, but its high Attack stat and access to Ground-type moves make it a decent counter to Lucario. The Ice typing can be helpful against other threats in the team that Lucario may be protecting.
- Strategy: Use Earthquake or High Horsepower to deal super-effective damage. Be cautious of Fighting-type moves, as Mamoswine is weak to them. Consider using a Choice Band to boost Mamoswine's Attack stat even further.
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Rhyperior
Rhyperior's Rock/Ground typing gives it a massive Defense stat. It can take multiple hits and then retaliate with a powerful Ground-type move. However, its low Speed is a significant drawback.
- Strategy: Use Earthquake or High Horsepower. Consider using a Weakness Policy to boost Rhyperior's Attack and Special Attack stats when hit by a super-effective move. Also, having Protect in the moveset can allow Rhyperior to safely activate its Weakness Policy.
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Steelix
While technically Steel/Ground, Steelix is mentioned because of its readily available pre-evolution, Onix, early in the game. Although Steelix has low Special Defense and Attack, its Defense stat is incredibly high, allowing it to wall physical attacks. Access to moves like Earthquake and Dig makes it a solid choice for dealing damage.
- Strategy: Switch Steelix into a physical attack from Lucario. Use Earthquake to retaliate with super-effective damage. Be careful of Fire-type moves, as Steelix is doubly weak to them.
General Strategies Against Lucario
- Prioritize Speed: Lucario often has high Speed. If possible, use a Pokémon with higher Speed or a priority move to strike first.
- Status Conditions: Paralysis can slow down Lucario, making it easier to outspeed. Burn can chip away at its HP over time.
- Team Synergy: Build a team that can cover each other's weaknesses. A Pokémon that resists Fighting-type moves can be a valuable asset.
By understanding Lucario's weaknesses and using these Ground-type counters, you'll be well-equipped to defeat it in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond.
What Ground-type Pokemon is your favorite to use in Brilliant Diamond?