Physical
Wallbreaker
40Speed · Very Slow

Stats & Training

Attack leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Rhydon's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack EVs.

Base Stats
Above
HP105
B
Attack130
A
Defense120
A
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def45
D
Speed40
D
Total485
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.9 m
Weight120.0 kg
Base XP170
Abilities
Lightning Rod
Redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
RecklessHATop Pick
Strengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
Lightning Rod grants Electric immunity
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entries

It begins walking on its hind legs after evolution. It can punch holes through boulders with its horn.

Rhydon Weakness

Rhydon is weak to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Watch out for Water and Grass attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric-type moves entirely. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Rhydon's physical bulk (base 120 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Rhydon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Water, Grass
2x (Weak)Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Type ChartFragile
6Weak
5Resist
2Immune
Score-7
How to Beat Rhydon in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)
Ferrothorn
Ferrothorn
GrassSteel
A
Available Moves
Moves
  • Power WhipLv. 1
  • Solar BeamTM11
  • Flash CannonLv. 20
  • Iron HeadLv. 25
Damage vs Rhydon
Power Whip 4x
127-149%KO
Solar Beam 4x
171-201%KO
Flash Cannon 2x
57-68%
Iron Head 2x
42-50%
View Ferrothorn builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Sitting between Rhyhorn and Rhyperior, Rhydon is part of a chain that requires a trade. Not your typical level-up setup. Attack has grown the most so far (+45), but there's still another 50 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Rhyhorn
#111Rhyhorn
42
Level 42
Rhydon
#112Rhydon
Trade + Protector
Trade + Protector
Rhyperior
#464Rhyperior
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Rhyhorn
GroundRock
Rhydon
GroundRock
Rhyperior
GroundRock
HP
80
105+25
115+10
ATK
85
130+45
140+10
DEF
95
120+25
130+10
SP.ATK
30
45+15
55+10
SP.DEF
30
45+15
55+10
SPE
25
40+15
40
BST
345C-Tier
485A-Tier+140
535A-Tier+50
ROLE
Trick Room
Wallbreaker
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Rhydon to get Rhyhorn eggs easily using 152 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Counter, Curse, Dragon Rush and 4 more.

Egg Groups
GroundMonster
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckvenusaurcharizardblastoisesceptileswampertrhyperiorshiftryexploud

Sword & Shield Rhydon Best Moveset

Rhydon's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Eviolite provides a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, Reckless helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity.

Best Build

Experimental
Ability
Reckless
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Rhydon
Impish+DEF

Rhydon best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock BlastSTAB
  • RoarSLOW -6Utility

Moves

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 12 types means almost nothing walls Rhydon cleanly, with Meteor Beam and Earthquake anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bulldoze
C6010020Ground
Lv 1
Hammer Arm
C1009010Fighting
Lv 1
Smack Down
C5010015Rock
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 15
Horn Attack
6510025Normal
Lv 20
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 25
Stomp
6510020Normal
Lv 30
Rock Blast
S259010Rock
Lv 35
Drill Run
B809510Ground
Lv 40
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 47
Earthquake
S10010010Ground
Lv 54
Stone Edge
S100805Rock
Lv 61
Megahorn
B1208510Bug
Lv 68
Horn Drill
305Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TM64
Avalanche-4
C6010010Ice
TR06
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TR99
Body Press
C8010010Fighting
TR01
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
TM99
Breaking Swipe
C6010015Dragon
TM43
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM97
Brutal Swing
C6010020Dark
TM81
Bulldoze
C6010020Ground
TR32
Crunch
C8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
B8010010Ground
TR62
Dragon Pulse
D8510010Dragon
TR87
Drill Run
B809510Ground
TR67
Earth Power
C9010010Ground
TR10
Earthquake
S10010010Ground
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
C7010020Normal
TR15
Fire Blast
D110855Fire
TM68
Fire Fang
C659515Fire
TM03
Fire Punch
C7510015Fire
TR02
Flamethrower
D9010015Fire
TM59
Fling
10010Dark
TR64
Focus Blast
D120705Fighting
TM09
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TR88
Heat Crash
D10010Fire
TR79
Heavy Slam
D10010Steel
TM41
Helping Hand+5
C20Normal
TR94
High Horsepower
B959510Ground
TR03
Hydro Pump
D110805Water
TM08
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TR05
Ice Beam
D9010010Ice
TM67
Ice Fang
C659515Ice
TM04
Ice Punch
C7510015Ice
TM27
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
TR46
Iron Defense
C15Steel
TR31
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TM01
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
TM
Mega Punch
C808520Normal
TR28
Megahorn
B1208510Bug
TM53
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
TR24
Outrage
B12010010Dragon
TM02
Pay Day
4010020Normal
TM57
Payback
C5010010Dark
TR57
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TR21
Reversal
D10015Fighting
TM54
Rock Blast
S259010Rock
TM22
Rock Slide
B759010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
C609515Rock
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM32
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM26
Scary Face
10010Normal
TM65
Shadow Claw
C7010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM96
Smart Strike
C7010Steel
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR76
Stealth Rock
S20Rock
TM98
Stomping Tantrum
B7510010Ground
TR75
Stone Edge
S100805Rock
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TR39
Superpower
B1201005Fighting
TR04
Surf
D9010015Water
TM
Swords Dance
S20Normal
TM23
Thief
C6010025Dark
TR09
Thunder
D1107010Electric
TM66
Thunder Fang
C659515Electric
TM05
Thunder Punch
C7510015Electric
TR08
Thunderbolt
D9010015Electric
TR35
Uproar
D9010010Normal
TM36
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Curse
C10Ghost
Egg
Dragon Rush
C1007510Dragon
Egg
Guard Split
D10Psychic
Egg
Metal Burst
D10010Steel
Egg
Rock Polish
C20Rock
Egg
Skull Bash
13010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Meteor Beam
C1209010Rock
Tutor
Scorching Sands
D7010010Ground

How to Get Rhydon in Sword & Shield

high spawn rates for Rhydon across 6 locations in late-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Where To Catch Rhydon in Sword & Shield

The path to Rhydon starts with Rhyhorn at Lv. 10-52 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Rhyhorn
    Step 1Catch Rhyhorn
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Intense Sun
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Snowing
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Sandstorm
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Raining
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Overcast
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Normal Weather
    Potbottom Desert
    ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Desert
    32%Early
    Snowstorm
    Giant's Mirror
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    50%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Mirror
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    50%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordOverworld Lv.26-28
    40%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Stony Wilderness
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    40%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    35%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    35%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    35%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    35%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Overcast
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Snowstorm
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Thunderstorm
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Snowing
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Potbottom Desert
    SwordOverworld Lv.19-24 Desert
    32%Mid
    Raining
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    30%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    30%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordOverworld Lv.26-28
    25%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    25%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Stony Wilderness
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    20%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Snowing
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Snowstorm
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Raining
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Thunderstorm
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Snowing
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Snowstorm
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Raining
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    60%Late
    Thunderstorm
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    30%Late
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    30%Late
    Heavy Fog
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    30%Late
    Overcast
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    30%Late
    Normal Weather
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
    30%Late
    Intense Sun
    Route 8
    SwordGrass Lv.38-40 Route
    20%Late
    All Weather
    Route 8
    ShieldGrass Lv.38-40 Route
    20%Late
    All Weather
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    10%Late
    Intense Sun
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    10%Late
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    10%Late
    Heavy Fog
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    10%Late
    Overcast
    Giant's Cap - Ground
    ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
    10%Late
    Normal Weather
  2. Rhydon
    Step 2Rhydon
    Dusty Bowl
    ShieldGrass Lv.40-45
    58%Late
    Intense Sun
    Dusty Bowl
    SwordGrass Lv.40-45
    58%Late
    Intense Sun
    Route 10 - Near Station
    SwordGrass Lv.43-46 Route
    25%Late
    All Weather
    Route 10 - Near Station
    ShieldGrass Lv.44-49 Route
    25%Late
    All Weather
    Lake of Outrage
    ShieldGrass Lv.50-52 Water
    35%Post
    Intense Sun
    Lake of Outrage
    SwordGrass Lv.50-52 Water
    33%Post
    Intense Sun
    or evolve from Rhyhorn (Step 1)

Rhydon Guide

  • Rhydon is meant to evolve into Rhyperior. At 485 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • In Sword & Shield, Rhydon's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Venusaur (Grass), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Gyarados is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 40 Speed, Rhydon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • In Sword & Shield, Rhyhorn evolves into Rhydon at level 42. Rhydon evolves into Rhyperior while holding a Protector. Rhydon is a middle-stage evolution in the Rhyhorn line.

  • Lightning Rod is what you want on Rhydon. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Rock Head, Reckless) work on paper but Lightning Rod is what makes Rhydon worth using. On wall sets, Lightning Rod pairs with Rhydon's base 120 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.

  • Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Rhydon is a physical attacker with base 130 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Rhydon has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

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