It hasn’t been seen in HM capacity since ORAS. This was more of a cameo appearance on account of the fact that Black and White kicked it out of the HM club. Nowadays, it’s relegated to being a useless move found in no serious Pokémon Trainer’s team. That being said, you might have an itch to revisit some of the old games. If you’re scratching that itch then let me be your guide across the River Styx. Browse below and pick out whatever Rock Smash-y Pokémon feels up to the task.
15. Empoleon
Empoleon was arguably the least favorite of the Sinnoh tree, despite Piplups prominence in the show at the time. My disregard for Empoleon only compounded on account of being a Turtwig stan, so battles with Dawn were never any threat. The reason Empoleon shows up on the list at all is that it’s a relatively decent starter that can hold its own. But it can also learn seven of the eight total HMs in the game, making a great HM slave overall.
14. Lucario
We’re staying rooted in the Sinnoh region for this next entry. I’d wager good money that Lucario got an automatic spot on your team the moment you hatched that egg. Its design was so sleek and unlike anything we had seen up to that point. Not to mention its fighting/steel typing is incredibly strong. But more importantly, Rock Smash gets a STAB bonus, making it usable in battle. Not good, but usable.
13. Gengar
Gengar is getting pity points from me. It has an outrageous Sp. Attack stat but lacks dramatically in every other area. Unfortunately for everyone’s favorite shadow, Rock Smash is a physical move. So getting any battle usability from it is out of the question. That being said, if you had to go with one of the less effective Rock Smashers in your generation of choice, then go with Gengar. There’s not a single playthrough that Gengar can’t make more fun. Plus if you build it for Sp. Attack then you can use it as a very effective sweeper.
12. Steelix
I’ve never known someone to consider Steelix a staple of their team. If you do, you’re a little bit weird to tell you the truth. Regardless, Steelix can learn Rock Smash. So that’s the only requirement for this list ticked. What puts it above the countless other Pokémon that can learn the move, is its outstanding defense stat. In particular, when mega evolved, Steelix is tied for the highest base defense in the entire series. So if you need a Rock Smasher that can also tank when you need to heal up your team, Steelix can fulfill both roles.
11. Gyarados
Gyarados is flying/water, not dragon. Which to this day doesn’t make sense for me. What’s more is that its mega evolution forgoes flying for dark, which I feel is a personal insult to me from Game Freak. Gyarados has a spot in my prestigious list for being effectively the opposite of Steelix. Whereas that steely snake monster has great defensive stats, Gyarados has phenomenal offensive stats. It also has access to Dragon Dance, a notoriously powerful setup move. If you can spare a move slot for Rock Smash (and you can) then you could potentially even sweep your opponent’s team with the move, which is more offensive than it is impressive.
10. Charizard
Charizard is the Pokémon OG. It’s many people’s first-ever Pokémon, and that commands a high level of respect as far as I’m concerned. But whether including Charizard on a list of the best Rock Smashers is an honor or an insult, that remains to be seen. Without its mega evolutions, Charizard actually has some puny stats. Which came as a shocker to me. Even still, if you need an excuse to include the Grandaddy of them all on your team, then here you go.
9. Blaziken
I hopped into the entire series at Gen 3, so Blaziken is essentially my Charizard. That’s why I’ve put it ahead of the old dragon, but both positions are interchangeable. Despite the nostalgia that Blaziken comes with, it has some seriously powerful attack and speed. Combine that with its great typing and you’ve got an out-of-the-box competitive Pokémon. Like Gyarados, Blaziken can turn Rock Smash into a usable move. Which is enough to justify its inclusion on this list for me.
8. Infernape
This is the last starter, I promise. Ironically, it’s becoming a trend with the fire type starters being particularly adept at smashing rocks. Infernape is here for pretty much the same reason as the last two. It’s got some nostalgia tied to it, but is also incredibly useful in battle. Which one of the three you use is up to you. But at least you have options. Think of it as a fire type buffet.
7. Gallade
Gallade is my favorite Pokémon of all time. So you should be grateful I’m not giving it the number one spot. Objectively, though, Gallade fills a role that few other Pokémon in the entire series can replicate, let alone the ones that can learn Rock Smash. Gallade has good typing. And more importantly, access to False Swipe and Hypnosis to go along with its Rock Smash. This makes it one of the best Pokémon to bring with you on your Pokédex-filling endeavors. You have plenty of spare room to stick Rock Smash on Gallade without sacrificing much. And it’s going to be in your party for a lot of your post-game anyway, so why not use it as a Rock Smasher?
6. The Regi Trio
Yes, yes. I know it’s no longer the Regi Trio since Crown Tundra came out. But I don’t want to hear it! I’m still trying to find a Larvitar trade to fill up my Pokedex before I dive into the DLC. (Seriously though, if you have a Larvitar you don’t want, let me know). Why these guys make the list shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. Aside from being some of the coolest legendries to encounter in any game, all of them have incredible defensive stats that make them unrealistically good at stalling. Can’t go wrong with any Regi on your team.
5. The Weather Trio
Yes, the Weather Trio can all learn Rock Smash. No, they shouldn’t be your go-to option. Groudon, Rayquaza, and Kyogre are three astronomically powerful Pokémon. They’re the gods of the earth, sky, and sea, respectively. So what do you expect? Using one of them is more of a flex than anything else. It’s a way of saying, “look at me, mortals. I’m using a god to clear the dirt from beneath my feet. I. AM. INEVITABLE.” In practice, you don’t want to be wasting a slot on any of the trio on Rock Smash. So this is very much a love it or hate it pick.
4. Skarmory
Steel/flying is a phenomenal typing that I wish more Pokémon got. As it stands, Skarmory is the best of the bunch (not including Dialga). This bird has some solid defense and can learn Rock Smash, which is cool and all. But not exactly enough to put it this high on the list. However, this flying razor blade also happens to be one of the best hazard setters in the entire series. Skarmory gets access to Whirlwind, Toxic, and Spikes. It also has Roost if you’re so inclined. It can take a beating from Sp. Attackers, but using it against regular attackers will make you realize how valuable it is. Not only do you get Rock Smash, but Skarmory also fills the role of tank and can stall/set up entry hazards for some of the harder fights in the game.
3. Salamence
Salamence is what Garchomp wished it could be. A real chunky dragon with an aura of power. Look at Garchomp’s puny shoulders and tell me, how can it compare? It doesn’t even have wings. Salamence has a base attack of 135 and a base speed of 100. It also has access to the Moxie ability. Why am I telling you stats, you ask? I’m telling you because it means you could arguably take a Salamence that only knows Rock Smash into the Pokémon League and win. If anyone wants to test that theory, please let me know how it turns out.
2. Garchomp
Despite dunking on Garchomp, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the strongest Pokémon ever created. If fighting against Cynthia’s didn’t prove that, then using your own probably did. Stealth Rock, Rock Smash, Swords Dance, and Earthquake. That’s all you ever need to run on your Garchomp. Like Salamence, you could take one of these into the League and win with Rock Smash. You would even have an easier time of it.
1. Bibarel
Any chance I get to put Bibarel on the top of a list, I’m going to take. Bibarel is revered as a legend amongst the more refined Pokémon community, and it’s not just a joke. Bidoof is found at the very start of Gen IV, and it can learn six of the eight HMs in the game. All it can’t learn is Defog and Fly, so who cares? How early you get it, and the fact that you never have to replace it, makes Bibarel the best overall HM slave in Pokémon history. And inadvertently the best Pokémon you could have the pleasure of teaching Rock Smash to.
