The Ground-type can be one of the most terrifying in the Pokémon franchise. It is weak to only three types, and though it only resists two others, it is also immune to Electric. Offensively, Ground may be ineffective against Flying, but it is very effective against five of the types in the series. As such, its moves can be valuable assets for trainers.
In addition to their wide-reaching effectiveness type-wise, some Ground moves are incredibly powerful. With sheer strength and sometimes additional effects, these actions can often turn a battle in a player's favor with ease, making them excellent options for of a playthrough team.
Fissure
Fissure is a risky move to use, but it instantly knocks out the target when it connects. It functions very similarly to Sheer Cold, one of the most powerful Ice moves in the Pokémon franchise. Both have a base percentage of 30% to hit, which increases with every level higher the is than the opponent. However, it automatically fails if the is at a lower level than the foe.
Other Ground-type attacks tend to be better for most situations, but if trainers want an option to use when a battle looks like it cannot be won otherwise, Fissure has a low chance of turning the tide immediately.
Dig
As a two-turn move, Dig requires commitment to utilize. However, since the first of these is a semi-invulnerable turn, there is not a lot of risk in most main series game battles.
On the second turn, Dig is likely to hit its target because of its base accuracy of 100%, and it strikes with solid force with a base power of 80. While it takes more time to use than other viable Ground-type moves, it can be helpful to stall out conditions in a way that can benefit the greatly.
Drill Run
Like Dig, Drill Run has a base power of 80, making it another excellent option for damage output. This attack only takes one turn to use, however, and with a base accuracy of 95%, it only rarely misses.
In addition, Drill Run has an increased critical hit chance, giving it more potential to demolish enemy teams. The 1-in-20 possibility to miss can occasionally be frustrating, but Drill Run is usually reliable and makes for a capable addition to many Pokémon's move-sets.
Land's Wrath
Zygarde is one of the coolest Ground-type Pokémon in the franchise, and one of its signature moves, Land's Wrath, helps it have even more offensive capabilities. The attack has a base power of 90 and a base accuracy of 100%, giving Zygarde opportunities to knock out many enemies swiftly.
Also, Land's Wrath affects all adjacent opponents, so Zygarde can excel in double battles using this strike. Unlike the Legendary's other signature moves, Land's Wrath does not have any additional effects that can activate, but it is nevertheless a more than viable attack.
Thousand Waves
Thousand Waves is similar to Land's Wrath in several ways. It is also one of Zygarde's signature moves, has a base power of 90 and a base accuracy of 100%, and can affect all adjacent enemies.
Unlike Land's Wrath, though, Thousand Waves has the additional effect of keeping opponents from switching out or fleeing. This effect does not impact Ghost-type Pokémon, but this is standard with trapping effects. Many NPCs do not tend to switch between Pokémon, but this additional feature can come in handy against battles with other players.
Thousand Arrows
Zygarde's initial 50% Forme is not the strongest among the Kalos Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, but Thousand Arrows gives the Legendary more power to excel, as does the introduction of Zygarde's Complete Forme in Sun & Moon. Like Land's Wrath and Thousand Waves, this signature move has 90 base power, 100% base accuracy, and can affect all adjacent opponents.
However, it differentiates itself by being able to hit Flying-type Pokémon, enemies with Levitate as an Ability, etc., and grounding opponents that would otherwise avoid Ground-type attacks, leaving them open to further damage from this type of moves as the battle continues.
High Horsepower
High Horsepower, like Drill Run, has a base accuracy of 95%, and its base power of 95 makes it one that can sweep through enemy teams, granted that it does not miss.
Though only seven Pokémon can learn High Horsepower through leveling up, the attack is available to a multitude of Pocket Monsters via TR in Generation VIII. TRs break after one use, so trainers must use the High Horsepower TRs wisely because they are a valuable resource to have.
Earth Power
Available to an immense number of Pokémon through various means, Earth Power is a consistent part of many move-sets. The attack has a base power of 90 and is reliable with its base accuracy of 100%.
In addition to its fantastic strength, Earth Power has a chance to lower the target's Special Defense. It is only a 10% chance that this additional effect will activate, but if it does, it means that each subsequent strike from the Special category attack can be even more effective.
Earthquake
Earthquake is one of the most popular Ground-type attacks to use, and this is with good reason. It is widely available through several acquiring methods, and its base power of 100 and base accuracy of 100% means that it is extremely dependable. Its area of effect, however, has its benefits and detriments.
Earthquake affects all adjacent Pokémon, including allies. As such, the attack can knock out a large portion of enemies in one hit, but it can also harm the player's team greatly in a double battle. As long as trainers plan for this by using a Flying-type, a Pokémon with Levitate as its Ability, etc., to negate this effect, though, it should not be an issue.
Precipice Blades
Having the potential to strike all adjacent foes, Precipice Blades can often clear the field of opponents in one blow, even in the case of double battles.
The attack has a base power of 120, and though it can occasionally miss because of its base accuracy of 85%, the chance to deal devastating damage is usually worth the small risk of missing. Groudon is perhaps the strongest pure Ground-type Pokémon, and Precipice Blades, the Legendary's signature move, helps it to excel even more.
