Rock

Rock Type

Rock-type moves are super effective against Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug types.

Rock type changes, generation by generation

Rock has kept its familiar offensive targets, while later generations changed its defensive context and move categories.

Generation I: Rock attacks were super effective against Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug, while the chart had no Dark, Steel, or Fairy row.
Generation II: Steel and Dark entered the chart, and Sandstorm introduced a weather interaction that Rock Pokémon ignore.
Generation IV: The physical/special split made Rock moves such as Stone Edge physical while type effectiveness stayed separate from move category.
Generation VI: Fairy joined the chart, adding a new neutral target for Rock while reshaping several surrounding matchup decisions.
Generation IX: Terastallization can replace the active defensive type, so a Rock calculation may describe the base form rather than the battle state.

Rock's chart answer and Rock's practical battle answer are not always the same generation-specific question.

Offensive Matchups

When using Rock-type moves:

Super Effective Against (2×):

Fire Ice Flying Bug

Not Very Effective Against (0.5×):

Fighting Ground Steel

Defensive Matchups

When defending as a Rock-type:

Weak To (2× damage):

Water Grass Fighting Ground Steel

Resists (0.5× damage):

Normal Fire Poison Flying

Strategy Tips

Offensive Strategy

Use Rock-type moves against Fire, Ice, Flying types for maximum damage.

Defensive Strategy

Be cautious of Water, Grass, Fighting type moves. Switch in against Normal, Fire, Poison type moves to take reduced damage.

Rock Type Editorial Analysis

Offensive chart index

A site-created comparison index: super-effective targets − resisted targets − 2 × immune targets. It is not an in-game stat or an official ranking.

Defensive chart index

A site-created comparison index: 2 × weaknesses − resistances − 2 × immunities. high defensive burden describes this formula only; it is not an in-game stat or an official ranking.

Role Fit

Rock is a strong anti-Flying and anti-Fire type with super-effective hits into Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug.

Original TypeMatchup judgment

Use Rock to punish airborne and Fire-heavy teams, but respect its defensive burden: Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel all hit it super effectively.

Team partners and coverage

Grass and Water partners handle Water/Ground pressure, Flying or Psychic partners help against Fighting, and Steel teammates can share hazard pressure carefully.

Data check: Rock attacks are resisted or blocked by Fighting, Ground, Steel. Candidate partner attack types that pressure at least one of those answers include Fire, Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground.

Best use case

Rock is excellent as coverage, hazard chip, and revenge pressure against Flying or Fire threats that otherwise switch too freely.

On defense, Rock is threatened by Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel. Teammate types that can resist or blank at least one of those threats include Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Poison, Flying.

Important exception

Rock Pokémon often need speed control or bulk support because missing a key Rock attack or entering into the wrong coverage move can cost the whole exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rock type strong against?

Rock type moves are super effective (2× damage) against Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug types.

What is Rock type weak against?

Rock type is weak to (takes 2× damage from) Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel type moves.

What types resist Rock?

Fighting, Ground, Steel types resist Rock type moves (take 0.5× damage).

What does Rock type resist?

Rock type resists (takes 0.5× damage from) Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying type moves.