Hello everyone,
After a lot of thought, I began to wonder how viable Rhydon truly is in GSC OU. After playing a bit of OU and spending some time in the team builder, it seems that everything Rhydon offers can be emulated by other Normal resists that come with additional benefits.
As a Curse sweeper, Rhydon's preferred set (Rock Slide + Earthquake + Curse + Roar) is vulnerable to Toxic and is easily shut down by the ubiquitous Cloyster or any of the legendary Electrics running Hidden Power Water (even HP Ice deals considerable damage). If you opt for a mono-Rock set with Rest as the last move to address the status issue, then you have to ask—why not just use Tyranitar? While Tyranitar lacks an Electric immunity and doesn’t quite match Rhydon’s raw physical bulk, it makes up for it in virtually every other area. As a Rock/Ground type, Rhydon fails as an Electric absorber because it gets destroyed by Hidden Power Ice and Water. In this role, it’s also outclassed by Golem, who offers more utility with Rapid Spin and the wall-breaking Explosion. When considered as a Snorlax phazer, Rhydon’s bulk allows it to be a decent response, but its susceptibility to status and poor special defense often make Steelix the more appealing option in that phazer/Lax check slot. Even as a Ground that could spread paralysis, Nidoking offers that with Thunder with additional utility in Thief and Lovely Kiss.
In the team builder, it's incredibly difficult to find a place for Rhydon. In battle, you have to play very carefully to avoid special super effective attacks and Toxic. All of its potential roles can be better performed by another Normal resist or Ground type. Why is it still in OU? It can't shine a lot in the tier, but what about the tier below it?
Examining the UU roster of Pokémon, Rhydon could have solid niches there. Its powerful Rock Slides and Earthquakes could allow it to be a wall breaker, it could even go mono Rock without having to compete with another Rock/Ground. Its typing and bulk can allow it to perform defensive duties against threats like Granbull, Scyther, and Dodrio. As for its checks and counters the UU tier is filled with bulky water types, a decent amount of grass types, and a lot of powerful special attackers with Rhydon hitting coverage. I think it may be worth it to drop Rhydon to UU and test it there.
After a lot of thought, I began to wonder how viable Rhydon truly is in GSC OU. After playing a bit of OU and spending some time in the team builder, it seems that everything Rhydon offers can be emulated by other Normal resists that come with additional benefits.
As a Curse sweeper, Rhydon's preferred set (Rock Slide + Earthquake + Curse + Roar) is vulnerable to Toxic and is easily shut down by the ubiquitous Cloyster or any of the legendary Electrics running Hidden Power Water (even HP Ice deals considerable damage). If you opt for a mono-Rock set with Rest as the last move to address the status issue, then you have to ask—why not just use Tyranitar? While Tyranitar lacks an Electric immunity and doesn’t quite match Rhydon’s raw physical bulk, it makes up for it in virtually every other area. As a Rock/Ground type, Rhydon fails as an Electric absorber because it gets destroyed by Hidden Power Ice and Water. In this role, it’s also outclassed by Golem, who offers more utility with Rapid Spin and the wall-breaking Explosion. When considered as a Snorlax phazer, Rhydon’s bulk allows it to be a decent response, but its susceptibility to status and poor special defense often make Steelix the more appealing option in that phazer/Lax check slot. Even as a Ground that could spread paralysis, Nidoking offers that with Thunder with additional utility in Thief and Lovely Kiss.
In the team builder, it's incredibly difficult to find a place for Rhydon. In battle, you have to play very carefully to avoid special super effective attacks and Toxic. All of its potential roles can be better performed by another Normal resist or Ground type. Why is it still in OU? It can't shine a lot in the tier, but what about the tier below it?
Examining the UU roster of Pokémon, Rhydon could have solid niches there. Its powerful Rock Slides and Earthquakes could allow it to be a wall breaker, it could even go mono Rock without having to compete with another Rock/Ground. Its typing and bulk can allow it to perform defensive duties against threats like Granbull, Scyther, and Dodrio. As for its checks and counters the UU tier is filled with bulky water types, a decent amount of grass types, and a lot of powerful special attackers with Rhydon hitting coverage. I think it may be worth it to drop Rhydon to UU and test it there.
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