Rhydon with Rock Smash
I finally got to evolve my first Rhydon, quite exciting as it came out at 2399 CP! He has Rock Smash + Earthquake as a moveset and 87% IVs.
I can't decide if I should power him as a beastly attacker or not (also keeping in mind that I don't have any strong Fighting mons). Is Mud Slap that much better?
Answers
Mud slap generates 9 energy per attack and smash only 7. On both DPS and energy your looking at 20% less damage on the quick move and using the charge move 20% less. Since both quick moves will only allow one attack between dodges over time thats gonna be significant.
Only against types weak to fighting is when rocksmash is nearly equal to MS. With the overabundance of Ryhorns Id definitely wait for a high CP(lvl 25+) high IV(90%+) one with the best moveset. Mayb evolve high CP low IV ones for now until you find one that fits the bill.
For overall attacking Mud Slap Rhydon is better, but Rock Smash Rhydon is the best counter to Snorlax (the only uncounterable pokemon in the game until now) due to Rock Smash super effective attack and Rhydon's bulk and resistence to Body Slam and Hyperbeam, you just need to be aware to dodge any possible Earthquake, but the chances are low.
So i prefer Rock Smash because of it. :)
I believe Mud Slap is a better move, even considering Rock Smash's super effectiveness into Snorlax. The way I understand it, Rock Smash on Rhydon is considered desirable only against Snorlax or other normal types. Since it doesn't have STAB, it's suboptimal for any other match-up.
But to make sure I'm understanding how STAB and super effective moves work (and am doing the math right): They both get the same bonus of 1.25x. So Mud Slap gets the STAB bonus (base DPS of 11.11 x 1.25 = 13.89). Rock Smash gets the SE bonus ONLY against normal types (base DPS of 10.64 x 1.25 = 13.3). So if I'm understanding the way it works correctly, then they're both pretty close only when going against normal types. But even then, Rock Smash has a slightly longer cooldown and generates less energy.
I think I just bummed myself out because the only kind of Rhydon I seem to be able to evolve has Rock Smash (I've had 5 so far). Earlier today, I had just about convinced myself to power mine up as a Snorlax killer. But I think I'll wait for luck to be on my side eventually.
think people are wildly overrating mudslap over rocksmash. it all comes down to a few questions. 1. how do you intend to use it? as an attacker or defender 2. what level are you and how high can you make it. why do i ask this....rhydon is an absolutely terrible defender. id never leave mine in a gym. its double weak to water among others and can be destroyed in seconds. to me this means rhydon is more of an attacker. and a great one at that. given that rhydon is THE ONLY pokemon with the first ever advantage to snorlax how could you possibly not take advantage of that. forget all the other pokemon it might face. im sure you have others that can take them. how often do you get a pokemon that can rip a snorlax. before powering up my rhydon---it has rock smash and stone edge- it was at 2100 and it DESTROYED a 2750 snorlax. yes you read that correctly. the battle wasnt close. so it really comes down to how you intend you use it but given how snorlax has almost no weak counters other than rhydon why not take adv of the change to get a pokemon that can finally slaughter any snorlax in the way. dont take the ratings too literally.
How so?
As I've stated, my only Rhydon has RS/E, and I've also used it to take down quite a few Snorlax. But both mathematically and type coverage-wise, Mud Slap should still be a better move, even against Snorlax. I would love to be convinced otherwise. Then, I could pump my candies into the one I have instead of continuing to grind for another one with the optimal move set.
