Grass-type is one of the starter options in Pokemon, along with Fire and Water. Offensively, it could have better matchups, but it is resistant to popular types, including Water, Electric, Grass, and Ground. Grass moves are also immune to Powder and Spore moves.
In the Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC), Grass-types are outstanding allies on the field. Additionally, they often have good Special stats or recovery moves, so players have a few strategy choices when using them. Let's review the best Grass-type Pokemon in the Pokemon VGC.
Updated April 17, 2023, by Taylor Pittman: Competitive Pokemon has introduced Pokemon Scarlet and Violet into the mix with the 2023 VGC season. Players have a new generation of Pokemon to play with, not to mention a new pseudo-evolution method and Paradox Pokemon from the future and past. The VGC metagame has shifted to reflect these new additions in the formats since the game's release. Grass-type Pokemon are relevant allies on competitive teams, with many strengths on the defensive and offensive fronts. This article has been updated to include the best Grass-type Pokemon for competitive battling from Generation 9.
8 Meowscarada
- HP: 76
- Attack: 110
- Defense: 70
- Sp. Atk: 81
- Sp. Def: 70
- Speed: 123
Meowscarada is the final evolution of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Grass-type starter, Sprigatito. The feline Pokemon is a Grass/Dark dual type, so it has a decent amount of type coverage working in its favor and immunity to Psychic-types. Meowscarada is also the only known Pokemon who can use the move Flower Trick, which allows it to bypass accuracy tricks and land a critical hit almost every time.
Competitive Pokemon players can also use Meowscarada to set up Spikes on the field. Spikes is an entry hazard that discourages players from switching in and out of battle to avoid taking immediate damage. Meowscarada's Speed stat means it will have the space to set the hazard without worrying about taking too many hits first.
7 Brute Bonnet
- HP: 111
- Attack: 127
- Defense: 99
- Sp. Atk: 79
- Sp. Def: 99
- Speed: 55
Brute Bonnet is another dual Dark/Grass-type Pokemon, although it falls into the unique category of a Paradox Pokemon. As a Pokemon Scarlet exclusive, Violet players will have to get one in Union Circle to take advantage of its tanky qualities. Its defensive bulk is at a solid 111/99/99, so it can withstand most attacks.
Players will need to account for its weakness to popular attack types such as Fairy, Fire, and Fighting, and a Tera type of Poison gives it resistance to some of those potential threats. Brute Bonnet also has several STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) recovery moves, such as Giga Drain, Mega Drain, and Ingrain, which it can fall back on.
6 Toedscruel
- HP: 80
- Attack: 70
- Defense: 65
- Sp. Atk: 80
- Sp. Def: 120
- Speed: 100
Toedscruel is a dual Ground/Grass-type Pokemon from Generation 9 with a striking resemblance to Tentacruel, even though there is no known connection between them. It is surprisingly speedy, and its ability Mycelium Might gives it a huge advantage when it comes to using Status Moves. For example, Spore will be able to affect typically immune opponents like Gholdengo, so players can put it to sleep for a couple of moves.
Toedscruel works best as a support Pokemon because of its access to moves like Spore, Poison Powder, and Leech Seed. It can stall larger opponents and allow players to set up their offensive Pokemon. Toedscruel is weak to popular types such as Fire and Flying, but players can use a Steel Tera typing to take care of those vulnerabilities.
5 Roserade
- HP: 60
- Attack: 70
- Defense: 65
- Sp. Atk: 125
- Sp. Def: 105
- Speed: 90
Roserade was first introduced in Generation IV. It's a dual Grass/Poison-type Pokemon that packs a surprising punch when it comes to Special stats. It has quite a few weaknesses - Fire being the most bothersome in the Pokemon VGC meta. However, Poison typing makes it perfect for Poison-type STAB moves and passive damage. It also can flex its Sp. Atk by using Grass moves such as Magical Leaf and Petal Dance, the latter being one of his strongest STAB moves.
As far as recovery moves go, it has a plethora to choose from, including Mega Drain, Giga Drain, and Absorb. It can also trigger Grassy Terrain, which will boost Grass-types, making the already powerful attacks even more damaging. Watch out for Fire and Flying-types, and players would do well to include Ground or Electric-type support to account for either.
4 Venusaur
- HP: 80
- Attack: 82
- Defense: 83
- Sp. Atk: 100
- Sp. Def: 100
- Speed: 80
Venusaur is a famous Pokemon in the VGC. It's a classic Generation I starter's final form, so players have been repping it from day one. It's another dual Grass/Poison-type Pokemon with a very high Sp. Atk and Sp. Def. Venusaur is a Tank on the field; it's tough to take out once it's there because of its recovery moves. It's got options from Synthesis, Leaf Seed, and Giga Drain, which is also one of its best STAB moves next to Solar Beam.
Venusaur's type coverage is decent as it has Earthquake and Knock Off in its movepool. Likewise, its ability Thick Fat decreases Ice and Fire-type moves by 50%, so they are no longer super effective, in other words. Alternatively, Venusaur works well on sun teams due to its second ability, Chlorophyll. It's got the potential to damage its targets with the added speed boost severely.
3 Amoonguss
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- HP: 114
- Attack: 85
- Defense: 70
- Sp. Atk: 85
- Sp. Def: 80
- Speed: 30
Amoonguss works well as a team's support Pokemon. Amoonguss was introduced in Generation V and is a dual Poison/Grass-type Pokemon, a popular pairing for Grass-types. It's best at pulling in passive damage due to its ability Effect Spore. Whenever an opponent lands a contact move, it could become paralyzed, put to Sleep, or Poisoned. It also has a hidden ability called Regenerator, which works as a recovery move whenever players switch it on and off the field.
Amoonguss has a very high HP, so it's a bit of a wall, but it can also provide players with damage output from the STAB move Solar Beam. One glaring downside is its slow Speed, but thankfully it has the Defensive stats to take in some damage before it's knocked off the field. Most of all, Amoonguss's best ability on the field is the ability to survive.
2 Tangrowth
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- HP: 100
- Attack: 100
- Defense: 125
- Sp. Atk: 110
- Sp. Def: 50
- Speed: 50
Tangrowth is a dedicated Grass-type Pokemon from Generation IV. It's essentially a giant ball of vines, and it's got decent bulk because of its build. It's got remarkably well-balanced stats outside its Sp. Def. and its Speed. It does have support moves like Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, and Stun Spore. It can also set up Grassy Terrain to increase its Grass moves power.
Tangrowth works well on Sun teams because of its ability Chlorophyll. If it has Chlorophyll, its Speed increases, so players have to worry about turn order less. Its best move is Power Whip, but its accuracy is on the lower end, so be wary when throwing it out. It also has moves like Seed Bomb and Stomping Tantrum to dish out damage.
1 Rillaboom
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- HP: 100
- Attack: 125
- Defense: 90
- Sp. Atk: 60
- Sp. Def: 70
- Speed: 85
Rillaboom is a Grass-type starter from Generation VIII. One thing about Rillaboom is its versatility, as it can play a supportive role or an offensive role on any team. For a Speed boost, it can use the move Drum Beating. In addition, it can be equipped with a support moveset and has a good recovery option with its ability Overgrow, which restores HP whenever its health reaches a certain point.
Speaking of HP, its stat is sitting at a solid 100, so it can eat damage for a while. Rillaboom thrives against Water-types like Blastoise or Kyogre, but it's not just a threat to them. The Drummer Pokemon can take on any opponent offensively. Furthermore, its STAB moves are even more robust if it sets up Grassy Terrain with the Grassy Glide move.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on the Nintendo Switch.