Shining Pearl: Top 5 Ground-Type Pokemon to Counter Charizard - Tier List
Shining Pearl: Best Ground-Type Pokemon to Defeat Charizard
Charizard, with its immense Special Attack and Fire/Flying typing, poses a significant threat in Pokemon Shining Pearl. This guide will rank the top 5 Ground-type Pokemon to effectively counter Charizard, offering strategies and details to help you dominate your battles. This list focuses on availability in Shining Pearl and viability for battling trainers, especially post-game.
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Why Ground Types?
Ground-type Pokemon are super effective against Fire-type Pokemon. By leveraging their type advantage, you can inflict significant damage to Charizard and quickly turn the tide of battle. Resistance to Rock-type moves, which are frequently used against Flying-type Pokemon, is an added bonus.
Tier List Criteria:
- Effectiveness against Charizard: Ability to deal significant damage.
- Availability: Ease of obtaining the Pokemon in Shining Pearl.
- Stats and Movesets: Overall strength, typing, and movepool versatility.
- Utility: Usefulness beyond just countering Charizard.
Top 5 Ground-Type Counters:
- Garchomp:
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- Pros: Garchomp is a pseudo-legendary powerhouse with excellent Attack and Speed. Its dual Ground/Dragon typing provides decent coverage. Earthquake is a devastating STAB move against Charizard. Garchomp's high Speed allows it to strike first in many situations.
- Cons: Finding a Gible in Wayward Cave can be tedious. Dragon typing makes it vulnerable to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy attacks, which Charizard could potentially learn.
- Moveset Suggestion: Earthquake, Stone Edge, Dragon Claw, Swords Dance
- Hippowdon:
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- Pros: Hippowdon has incredible Defense and Attack. Sand Stream creates a sandstorm, providing passive damage and boosting its Special Defense. Earthquake is a reliable STAB move. Access to moves like Slack Off allows it to recover HP.
- Cons: Relatively slow Speed. Requires evolving from Hippopotas.
- Moveset Suggestion: Earthquake, Stone Edge, Slack Off, Ice Fang.
- Mamoswine:
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- Pros: Mamoswine's Ground/Ice typing provides excellent coverage. It has high Attack and decent HP. Earthquake and Icicle Crash are powerful STAB moves. Ice typing is also super effective against Dragon, offering additional advantage if Charizard knows any Dragon moves.
- Cons: 4x weakness to Fire and Fighting. Speed is average. Requires Ancient Power for evolution.
- Moveset Suggestion: Earthquake, Icicle Crash, Stone Edge, Knock Off.
- Rhyperior:
- Pros: Extremely high Attack and Defense. Solid Rock ability reduces super-effective damage. Earthquake is a powerful STAB move. Access to moves like Stone Edge provide great coverage.
- Cons: Rock/Ground typing grants a 4x weakness to Water and Grass. Very slow Speed. Requires trading with a Protector.
- Moveset Suggestion: Earthquake, Stone Edge, Megahorn, Rock Polish
- Golem:
- Pros: Available early in the game as Geodude. Sturdy ability guarantees survival from one-hit KO moves. High Defense. Earthquake is a readily available STAB move.
- Cons: Rock/Ground typing gives it a 4x weakness to Water and Grass moves. Low Speed. Attack stat is good, but outclassed by other Ground types.
- Moveset Suggestion: Earthquake, Stone Edge, Explosion, Stealth Rock
Conclusion:
While Garchomp stands as the ultimate Ground-type counter for Charizard, other Pokemon like Hippowdon, Mamoswine, Rhyperior, and Golem provide viable alternatives, depending on your team composition and play style. Consider their strengths and weaknesses to build the most effective team.
What other Pokemon do you find effective against Charizard in Shining Pearl? Share your strategies in the comments below!
