Rhydon

The Drill Pokémon
#112 - Rhydon
Pre-Evolve	Rhyhorn
Evolve	Rhyperior
Debut	Pokémon: Red Version Pokémon: Green Version
Species Info
Type	+ +
Height	1.9 m (6'03")
Weight	120.0 kg (264.6 lbs.)
Color	Gray
Gender Ratio	1♂ : 1♀
Ability	Rock Head / Lightningrod
Hidden Ability	Reckless
Egg Group	Ground / Monster
Icon		Sprite
		File:112sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	105	Speed	40
Attack	130	Sp. Attack	45
Defense	120	Sp. Defense	45
Training Info
Catch Rate	060	Hatch Steps	5,120
Base Exp.	204	Effort Points	Att
Happiness	70		Att
To Lv.100	Slow

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 112 >	< 207 >	< 170 >	< 187 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #
	< 212 >

Rhydon is a powerful, rock-covered bipedal Pokémon that was introduced in the first generation games. It was originally the sole evolved form of Rhyhorn, until in the fourth generation it was discovered to evolve into Rhyperior.

Information

Rhydon evolves from Rhyhorn at Level 42. Unlike its previous form, Rhydon walks on its hind legs and shows signs of intelligence. Its armor-like hide protects it and allows it to live in molten lava of 3,500 degrees. The hide also makes it insensitive, though, and it is apparently still forgetful. Not even direct cannon hits can harm Rhydon's hide.

One of its more notable features is its drill-like horn, which it can spin to easily shatter even a diamond in the rough. The drill is primarily used to bore tunnels through rocks and boulders. Rhydon's tail is also powerful enough that it can knock down buildings with one sweep, and apparently its drill can as well. Rhydon evolves into Rhyperior when it is traded while holding a Protector.

Appearances

Mainstream Games

In Pokémon: Red, Blue and Yellow, Rhydon uncommonly appeared at Cerulean Cave. In Yellow, the player could trade a Golduck to a trainer on Cinnabar Island for one.

In Gold and Silver, Rhydon could only be obtained by trading a female Dragonair to a trainer at Blackthorn City. In Crystal, Rhydon rarely appeared at Victory Road in the daytime only. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, they could be caught at the Safari Zone's Savannah area.

In Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, Rhydon could be found on Routes 227 and 228 and at Stark Mountain. In Platinum, it also appeared at Victory Road.

Other Games

Rhydon could only be obtained by evolving Rhyhorn in Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Teams. A Shadow Rhydon could also be snagged from Greevil at Citadark Island in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. After being purified, this Rhydon could be traded to any of the third generation color versions. In Pokémon Trozei!, Rhydon could be obtained at Endless Level 15, Forever Level 64, Pair Trozei and Mr. Who's Den.

It appeared in Pokémon Ranger at Jungle Relic. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness, it could be recruited at Sky Stairway. In Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, it was found at Volcano Cave, Haruba Desert and Altru Tower. Rhydon also appeared in Pokémon Rumble at Rocky Cave.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Rhydon made a cameo appearance among a group of Pokémon seen during the game's intro sequence.

Other Media

• In the Pokémon anime, Rhydon most notably appeared as one of Blaine's Pokémon during his gym battle with Ash. Even though Ground types were impervious to electrical attacks, Ash's Pikachu was able to defeat it by focusing an electric attack on its horn, which acted as a lightning rod (this is believed to have inspired Rhydon's Lightning-rod Ability in the third generation). Rhydon have made various other appearances throughout the series and was shown as one of Giovanni's Pokémon that he lent to Jessie and James when they substituted for him at the Viridian City gym.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Rhydon was initially shown during the Red/Green/Blue arc when Koga injected a Rhyhorn with a mysterious formula which forced its evolution into Rhydon and made it dangerously powerful. It was deadly enough that Red and Misty had no choice but to flee from it. Blue later caught a Rhydon during the Gold/Silver/Crystal arc and used it as part of his main team, although he traded it to Silver sometime before the HeartGold/SoulSilver arc and triggered its evolution to Rhyperior.

Trivia

• Rhydon's name seems to be a combination of "rhinoceros" (and possibly the mineral rhyolite) with "don" as in the leader of mafia or as in the suffix used for dinosaur names.
• Ken Sugimori has stated that Rhydon was the first Pokémon they created, which is why it is the first Pokémon listed in index order.