rhydon
Generation I · #0112 — Drill Pokémon
Rhydon, known as the Drill Pokémon, is a powerful Ground and Rock-type Pokémon that represents a significant evolutionary step in the Rhyhorn line. Introduced in Generation I, Rhydon stands at an impressive 1.9 meters tall and weighs 120 kilograms, making it a formidable presence in any environment. This Pokémon is renowned for its exceptional physical prowess and remarkable defensive capabilities, earning its place as a respected member of many trainer teams across all regions. With a base stat total of 485, Rhydon excels primarily in offensive and defensive attributes, featuring a commanding Attack stat of 130 and a solid Defense stat of 120, though its special stats remain considerably lower at 45 each.
Base Stats
Height
1.9m
Weight
120.0kg
Category
Drill Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
gray
Shape
upright
Habitat
rough-terrain
Abilities
Redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Electric moves, raising Special Attack one stage.
Protects against recoil damage.
Strengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
Rhydon Biology & Physical Characteristics
Rhydon is a large, bipedal Pokémon that combines features of both dinosaurs and rhinoceroses into a single imposing form. Its body is predominantly gray with a cream-colored horn protruding from its snout, which is notably smaller on females than males. The creature's most distinctive feature is its drill-like horn, capable of boring through solid rock and, according to Pokédex records, even shattering uncut diamonds with enough force. Its upper jaw is lined with two prominent fangs, and its head is adorned with multiple spikes and projections, including a forward-curving spike atop its head, triangular points resembling ears, wavy crests beneath each ear, and spiky ridges on its cheeks. A cream-colored abdomen divided by thin divots contrasts with its gray exterior, while a rocky plate overlaps its chest, and a row of spikes runs down its back, culminating in a long tail marked with thin black stripes. The most remarkable aspect of Rhydon's biology is its armor-like hide, which is so extraordinarily tough that direct cannon hits leave no scratches. This hide also grants Rhydon the remarkable ability to survive in environments of extreme heat, including streams of magma reaching temperatures of 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Rhydon Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Rhydon exhibits a balanced gender ratio, with exactly 50% of the species being male and 50% female, allowing for flexible breeding strategies among trainers. The only notable sexual dimorphism in the species is the size of the horn, which is noticeably smaller on females than on males, a detail that becomes immediately apparent when comparing individuals of different genders. Rhydon belongs to both the Monster and Field egg groups, providing breeding compatibility with a wide variety of Pokémon species and allowing for diverse genetic combinations and move inheritance possibilities. The species has a relatively long hatch time of 20 cycles, equivalent to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps depending on various in-game factors, which places it among the slower-hatching Pokémon. The base happiness value of 70 (or 50 in some generations) indicates that Rhydon has a reasonably friendly disposition toward trainers who capture it in the wild, though this can be further improved through consistent positive interaction and care. This moderate baseline happiness means that Rhydon will not require extensive bonding sessions to become a cooperative and effective team member, making it an accessible choice for trainers of varying experience levels.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm00
sword shield
tm01
yellow
tm01
red blue
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
blue japan
tm01
red green japan
tm01
sword shield
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm02
sword shield
tm03
yellow
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm03
red blue
tm03
sword shield
tm03
blue japan
tm04
gold silver
tm03
red green japan
tm04
crystal
tm04
sword shield
+729 more TMs/HMs
Gender Differences
This Pokémon has visible differences between male and female forms.
rhydon's Evolution Chain
Rhydon Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Rhydon evolves from Rhyhorn starting at level 42, representing a natural progression in the species' development that coincides with the emergence of bipedal behavior and enhanced intelligence. The evolution line continues further when Rhydon is traded while holding a Protector, at which point it evolves into Rhyperior, the final form of this impressive lineage. This two-stage evolution chain represents one of the more straightforward progressions in the Pokémon world, though the requirement of a held item for the final evolution adds an element of strategy for trainers seeking to complete their team composition. The transition from Rhyhorn to Rhydon involves significant increases in all base stats, with Attack rising from 85 to 130 and Defense climbing from 95 to 120, making Rhydon substantially more formidable in both offensive and defensive capabilities. The evolution into Rhyperior provides further enhancements to these already impressive stats, though Rhydon itself remains a powerful and effective Pokémon in its own right, making it a viable choice for trainers who prefer not to pursue the full evolutionary chain.
Where to Find
cerulean cave
kanto
+14 more
kanto victory road 1
kanto
+15 more
stark mountain
sinnoh
+2 more
sinnoh route 227
sinnoh
sinnoh route 228
sinnoh
+6 more
sinnoh victory road
sinnoh
Rhydon Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Rhydon exhibits behavior that reflects both its physical power and developing intelligence. The Pokédex notes that Rhydon's brain developed significantly when it began walking on its hind legs, suggesting a direct correlation between bipedal locomotion and cognitive advancement. This intelligence manifests in various ways, including the deliberate practice of sharpening its horn by clashing it against other Rhydon, a behavior that maintains its drilling capabilities. In its natural habitat, Rhydon is attracted to volcanic regions and areas rich in rock formations, where it can utilize its horn to tunnel and consume mineral-rich materials. The species occasionally rams into streams of magma, though its armor-like hide prevents it from experiencing any pain or discomfort from the extreme heat. Rhydon's physical strength is so considerable that a single sweeping blow of its tail is recorded as capable of toppling an entire building, a testament to the force this Pokémon can generate. Despite its imposing nature, Rhydon demonstrates a manageable temperament, with a base happiness rating of 70, suggesting it can form meaningful bonds with trainers who earn its trust and respect.
Pokedex Entries
Protected by an armor-like hide, it is capable of living in molten lava of 3,600 degrees.
Walks on its hind legs. Shows signs of intelligence. Its armor-like hide even repels molten lava.
Its rugged hide protects it from even the heat of lava. However, the hide also makes it insensitive.
Its brain devel oped when it began walking on hind legs. Its thick hide protects it even in magma.
By lightly spin ning its drill- like horn, it can easily shatter even a diamond in the rough.
RHYDON’s horn can crush even uncut diamonds. One sweeping blow of its tail can topple a building. This POKéMON’s hide is extremely tough. Even direct cannon hits don’t leave a scratch.
RHYDON has a horn that serves as a drill. It is used for destroying rocks and boulders. This POKéMON occasionally rams into streams of magma, but the armor-like hide prevents it from feeling the heat.
Its horn, which rotates like a drill, destroys tall buildings with one strike. It stands on its hind legs, and its brain is well developed.
It begins walking on its hind legs after evolution. It can punch holes through boulders with its horn.
Protected by an armor-like hide, it is capable of living in molten lava of 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its brain developed after it stood up on its hind legs. Its drill horn bores tunnels through solid rock.
Standing on its hind legs freed its forelegs and made it smarter. It is very forgetful, however.
Its rugged hide protects it from even the heat of lava. However, the hide also makes it insensitive.
Its brain developed when it began walking on hind legs. Its thick hide protects it even in magma.
Standing on its hind legs freed its forelegs and made it smarter. It is very forgetful, however.
Standing on its hind legs freed its forelegs and made it smarter. It is very forgetful, however.
Protected by an armor-like hide, it is capable of living in molten lava of 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
It begins walking on its hind legs after evolution. It can punch holes through boulders with its horn.
Rhydon’s horn can crush even uncut diamonds. One sweeping blow of its tail can topple a building. This Pokémon’s hide is extremely tough. Even direct cannon hits don’t leave a scratch.
Rhydon has a horn that serves as a drill. It is used for destroying rocks and boulders. This Pokémon occasionally rams into streams of magma, but the armor-like hide prevents it from feeling the heat.
Its brain developed when it began walking on its hind legs. Its armor-like hide even repels molten lava.
It begins walking on its hind legs after evolution. It can punch holes through boulders with its horn.
Protected by an armor-like hide, it is capable of living in molten lava of 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rapidly rotates its horn to bore through bedrock. It swaggers around volcanic regions, protected from the lava's heat by its tough, armorlike hide.
Rhydon Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Rhydon's name derives from a combination of 'rhino,' referencing the rhinoceros that served as primary inspiration for its design, and 'Don,' which evokes both dinosaur terminology and the Spanish word for 'sir,' reflecting the Pokémon's status as a noble and powerful creature. In Japanese, Rhydon is known as Sidon, a name that similarly draws from the rhino lineage while adding a touch of distinct linguistic identity. The creature's design brilliantly synthesizes rhinoceros and dinosaur characteristics, creating a unique silhouette that stands out among Ground and Rock-type Pokémon. The cream-colored horn and armor-like plating draw clear visual parallels to armored dinosaurs such as Ankylosaurus, while the overall body shape and charging capability reference the unstoppable force of a rhinoceros. The decision to render Rhydon as a bipedal Pokémon rather than quadrupedal, particularly in its evolution from Rhyhorn, reflects game designer intent to show evolutionary advancement through postural change. This design choice aligns with the Pokédex lore that describes how walking on hind legs contributed to Rhydon's intellectual development, merging physical design with behavioral and cognitive narrative elements in a seamless manner.
Learnable Moves
Rhydon can learn 76 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ancient power | rock | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| bubble beam | water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| crunch | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| fire blast | fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| fire punch | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| fissure | ground | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| flamethrower | fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury attack | normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| horn attack | normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 |
| horn drill | normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| hydro pump | water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| ice punch | ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| mega kick | normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| mega punch | normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| outrage | dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| pay day | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rage | normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| reversal | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock throw | rock | Physical | 50 | 90 | 15 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| sand attack | ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| seismic toss | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| skull bash | normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| stomp | normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| submission | fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| surf | water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| tail whip | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| water gun | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| whirlpool | water | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| zap cannon | electric | Special | 120 | 50 | 5 |
Rhydon Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battles, Rhydon serves as a reliable physical tank and attacker, leveraging its exceptional Attack stat of 130 and solid Defense stat of 120 to control the battlefield. The choice of ability significantly influences Rhydon's competitive viability: Lightning Rod allows it to switch into Electric-type attacks and gain a Special Attack boost, providing valuable team utility despite Rhydon's poor Special Attack stat, while Rock Head prevents recoil damage from powerful moves like Double-Edge and Head Smash, enabling more aggressive strategies without drawback. The hidden ability Reckless amplifies recoil moves to 1.2 times their power, creating a specialized set for maximum offensive pressure through moves that would normally carry significant drawbacks. Rhydon's movepool provides solid coverage options, including STAB moves from its Ground and Rock typing such as Earthquake and Stone Edge, supplemented by coverage moves like Close Combat and Fire Punch. However, Rhydon's below-average Speed stat of 40 and vulnerability to Water-type moves due to its dual typing sometimes require careful team construction and switching decisions. Many competitive players prefer Rhyperior, Rhydon's final evolution, for its superior stats and added bulk, though Rhydon remains viable in lower-tier competitive formats and can function effectively as a physical wall and attacker in specific team configurations.
Commonly Asked Questions About Rhydon
What type is Rhydon?
Rhydon is a ground and rock type Pokemon.
What does Rhydon evolve into?
Rhydon evolves into rhyperior.
What are Rhydon's weaknesses?
Rhydon is weak to fighting, ground, steel, water, grass and ice type moves.
Where can I find Rhydon?
Rhydon can be found in cerulean cave (kanto), kanto victory road 1 (kanto) and stark mountain (sinnoh) and 3 other locations.
Rhydon Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Rhydon holds considerable significance in Pokémon cultural history as a Generation I Pokémon that has maintained relevance across multiple generations and media formats. The Pokémon's iconic status is underscored by its appearance in numerous anime episodes, where it has served both as a major character Pokémon for various trainers and as memorable adversary encounters. Rhydon's design, representing the synthesis of prehistoric and real-world animal characteristics, has inspired countless fan artworks and discussions about Pokémon design philosophy. The species appears in multiple trading card game sets, with various artwork interpretations spanning from the original Base Set to modern expansions, each reflecting evolving artistic styles while maintaining the Pokémon's core identity. In competitive gaming communities, Rhydon's evolution into Rhyperior after the introduction of the Protector held item represented a significant moment in Pokémon game design, as it was among the earlier examples of held-item-dependent evolution mechanics, establishing a pattern that would influence future evolution mechanics. Gaming enthusiasts have frequently discussed and debated Rhydon's statistical distribution and competitive viability across different metagames, with the Pokémon serving as a touchstone for discussions about physical attackers and tank-oriented team building. The Pokémon's memorable Pokédex entries describing its ability to survive in molten lava and topple buildings have contributed to its reputation as a genuinely powerful and impressive creature within Pokémon lore.
Where to Find Rhydon in Every Pokémon Game
Rhydon's availability varies significantly across different Pokémon games and regions, though it has appeared in most major titles released since Generation I. In the original Red, Blue, and Yellow versions, Rhydon occupies the National Pokédex position #112 and can be obtained by evolving Rhyhorn at level 42, though Rhyhorn itself must be located within the game world first. Subsequent games have placed Rhydon in various regional Pokédexes and specific locations, from the Johto region games where it appears in the expanded Pokédex to later generations where it may be found in volcanic caves, rocky mountain passes, or similar mineral-rich environments. In more recent generations, Rhydon has been featured in games such as Pokémon Sword and Shield, where specific location data determines where trainers can encounter either Rhyhorn or Rhydon directly. The Pokémon's consistent availability across generations reflects its status as a core member of the franchise's roster, ensuring that players with various preferences and playstyles can obtain and use this powerful Ground and Rock-type Pokémon. The requirement to hold a Protector item for the final evolution into Rhyperior means that trainers seeking the complete line must engage with either held item distribution mechanics or trading systems, adding a layer of progression to the species' availability.