Rockruff (Pokémon)

← #743: Ribombee	Pokémon	#745: Lycanroc →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Rockruff (disambiguation).

Rockruff Puppy Pokémon イワンコ Iwanko #744 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Rock Unknown Unknown Unknown Event Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Keen Eye or Vital Spirit Rockruff Own Tempo Event Cacophony Steadfast Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Event Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 190 (35.2%)
Breeding Egg Group Field Hatch time 3855 - 4111 steps
Height 1'08" 0.5 m Rockruff 0'0" 0 m Event 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 20.3 lbs. 9.2 kg Rockruff 0 lbs. 0 kg Event 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield Unknown Gen. IV Unknown IV 56	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Rockruff 0 HP 1 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Event 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape Event	Footprint Event
Pokédex color   Brown	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Rockruff (Japanese: イワンコ Iwanko) is a Rock-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VII.

It evolves into Lycanroc starting at level 25. The form it evolves into depends on the game it evolves in and on the time at which it evolves.

Generation VII

• In Pokémon Sun and Ultra Sun, Rockruff evolves into Midday Form Lycanroc when leveled up in the day.
• In Pokémon Moon and Ultra Moon, Rockruff evolves into Midnight Form Lycanroc when leveled up at night.
• In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a Rockruff with Own Tempo evolves into Dusk Form Lycanroc when leveled up from 5 P.M. to 5:59 P.M. in in-game time (which is opposite the real-time in Pokémon Ultra Moon).

Generation VIII

• Rockruff evolves into Midday Form Lycanroc when leveled up in the day.
• Rockruff evolves into Midnight Form Lycanroc when leveled up at night.
• A Rockruff with Own Tempo evolves into Dusk Form Lycanroc when leveled up from 7 P.M. to 7:59 P.M in real-time.

Contents

Biology

Rockruff is a quadrupedal, canine Pokémon. It is primarily light brown with a darker brown muzzle, paws, and ear tips. It has large blue eyes, button ears, a short muzzle with a triangular pink nose, and a short tuft of fur on each cheek. Around its neck is a ruff of grayish-white fur stubbed with dark brown pebbles. The dark brown markings on its paws extend to a thin point on each wrist and ankle. It has a grayish-white tail that curls tightly over its back and is covered in fluffy fur.

Rockruff has an excellent sense of smell and will never forget an odor after smelling it once. There are tales of it reuniting with its Trainer after becoming lost by following the faintest traces of scent. It has lived with humans since ancient times. Rockruff is often recommended as a good beginner due to its friendly nature. It can bond with Trainers easily. However, Rockruff is said to be a challenging Pokémon to raise, to the point where some Trainers abandon it due to being unable to handle it. This Pokémon is very sociable and will greet others by rubbing them with the rocks around its neck. As it ages, Rockruff becomes wilder and more independent. Once it is close to evolving, it will begin to howl when the sun goes down. It has been said to leave its Trainer's side and return once it has evolved. A persistent Pokémon, it will keep going until it outlasts foes that are even more powerful. Rockruff intimidates opponents by using the rocks on its neck to hit the ground. As mentioned in the anime, Rockruff trains itself by running around. It attacks foes the moment they flinch. It has been known to fight with Growlithe over territory.

In the anime

Main series

Rockruff in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Rockruff

Rockruff debuted in The Guardian's Challenge!, under the care of Professor Kukui. In Rocking Clawmark Hill!, Ash officially caught Rockruff. It evolved into a Dusk Form Lycanroc in Rising from the Ruins!.

Minor appearances

A Trainer's Rockruff appeared in Crystal-Clear Sleuthing!.

Two Trainers' Rockruff appeared in A Young Royal Flame Ignites!.

Two Trainers' Rockruff appeared in I Choose Paradise!, where they were among the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.

A Trainer's Rockruff appeared in Turning the Other Mask!.

A Trainer's Rockruff appeared in a flashback in Battling the Beast Within! as a resident of what is now the Ultra Ruin.

A Trainer's Rockruff appeared in Secrets of the Jungle.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry SM015 Rockruff and Lycanroc Rotom Pokédex Rockruff, the Puppy Pokémon. A Rock type. Rockruff have lived with humans since ancient times. They train themselves by running around. Rockruff evolves into Lycanroc, which has two different forms based on when it evolves. It evolves into Midday Form Lycanroc during the day and Midnight Form Lycanroc during the night. Furthermore, when it gets close to evolving, Rockruff's temperament becomes more aggressive, and it tends to act more independent. It's common for it to disappear and then return after it has evolved.

Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer

Rockruff with Paulo in the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer

A Rockruff briefly appeared in the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, under the ownership of Paulo.

In the manga

Rockruff in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Professor Kukui's Rockruff

Rockruff debuted in The Decision and the Tournament of Six with its Trainer in Iki Town.

A Rockruff first appeared in The Decision and the Tournament of Six, under the ownership of Professor Kukui. It was used to battle Sun at an Iki Town festival tournament.

A Rockruff appeared in a video in Homecoming and the Brilliant Professional Golfer.

A Rockruff appeared in Unleashing the Incredible Z-Move, where it starred in a commercial for the Aether Foundation.

Pokémon Horizon

Akira, the protagonist of Pokémon Horizon, has a Rockruff. It has the unique ability to evolve into Lycanroc and then devolve into Rockruff again, thanks to the strange red stone on its neck. It also has the ability to change in between its Midday and Midnight Forms while being evolved.

In the TCG

Main article: Rockruff (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Alola SM: #103 Alola USUM: #126 Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!‎. Sun It's considered to be a good Pokémon for beginners because of its friendliness, but its disposition grows rougher as it grows up. Moon This Pokémon has lived with people since times long ago. It can sense when its Trainer is in the dumps and will stick close by its Trainer's side. Ultra Sun As they develop, their disposition grows more violent and aggressive. Many Trainers find them too much to handle and abandon them. Ultra Moon When it rubs the rocks on its neck against you, that's proof of its love for you. However, the rocks are sharp, so the gesture is quite painful!
Generation VIII Galar Isle of Armor #157 Sword This Pokémon can bond very strongly with its Trainer, but it also has a habit of biting. Raising a Rockruff for a long time can be challenging. Shield This Pokémon intimidates opponents by striking the ground with the rocks on its neck. The moment an opponent flinches, Rockruff attacks.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Sun Moon Ten Carat Hill Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Route 1, Ten Carat Hill Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield TradeVersion 1.2.0+ Expansion Pass Challenge Road Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Challenge Road, Loop Lagoon (Wanderer) Fields of Honor (Max Raid Battle)

In side games

Generation VII Rumble Rush Buzzwole Sea, Charizard Sea2020, Buzzwole SeaFinal

Cross-Generation Shuffle Event: Pokémon Safari (17th release)

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Focus Band (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 45		105 - 152	200 - 294
Attack: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Defense: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Atk: 30		31 - 90	58 - 174
Sp. Def: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Speed: 60		58 - 123	112 - 240
Total: 280	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation VIII, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 2× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 2× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 2× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 2× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass 2× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VIII Other generations: VII

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Tackle Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 011 Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 044 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000— 100100% 15 088 Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00——% 15 1212 Rock Throw Rock Physical 05050 09090% 15 1616 Howl Normal Status 0000— 00——% 40 2020 Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25 2424 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 09595% 15 2828 Roar Normal Status 0000— 00——% 20 3232 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 09090% 10 3636 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 15 4040 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100100% 10 4444 Stealth Rock Rock Status 0000— 00——% 20 4848 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 08080% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rockruff Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Rockruff

By TM/TR

Generation VIII Other generations: VII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM22 TM22 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15 TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM26 TM26 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM31 TM31 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM48 TM48 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM66 TM66 Thunder Fang Electric Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM68 TM68 Fire Fang Fire Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM85 TM85 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM98 TM98 Stomping Tantrum Ground Physical 07575 100}}100% 10 TR00 TR00 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR31 TR31 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100100 075}}75% 15 TR32 TR32 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR37 TR37 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TR42 TR42 Hyper Voice Normal Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR46 TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TR67 TR67 Earth Power Ground Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR69 TR69 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15 TR74 TR74 Iron Head Steel Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR75 TR75 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5 TR76 TR76 Stealth Rock Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR90 TR90 Play Rough Fairy Physical 09090 090}}90% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rockruff Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Rockruff

By breeding

Generation VIII Other generations: VII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Endeavor Normal Physical — 100% 5 Last Resort Normal Physical 140 100% 5 Thrash Normal Physical 120 100% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Rockruff in Generation VIII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Rockruff in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rockruff Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Rockruff

By tutoring

Generation VIII Other generations: VII

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rockruff Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Rockruff Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation

Generation VIII Other generations: None

Gen.   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  VII Confide Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 VII Covet Normal Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 VII Crush Claw Normal Physical 07575 095}}95% 10 VII Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100}}100% 15 VII Frustration × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 VII Happy Hour Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 VII Hidden Power × Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 VII Odor Sleuth × Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 40 VII Return × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 VII Rock Climb × Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 VII Rock Polish Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 VII Sucker Punch Dark Physical 07070 100}}100% 5 VII Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 VII Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10

A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rockruff Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Rockruff × indicates a move that cannot be used in Generation VIII

Side game data

Pokémon Shuffle Rock Attack Power: 40 - 115 15 #729 Rockify Sometimes turns two non-Support Pokémon into rocks. Skill Swapper: Unity Power

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.55 seconds Base HP: 46 Base Attack: 67 Base Defense: 45 Base Speed: 60

Evolution

Generation VII

Unevolved Rockruff  Rock	Level 25 during the day in Pokémon Sun or Ultra Sun →	First evolution Lycanroc Midday Form  Rock
	Level 25 at night in Pokémon Moon or Ultra Moon →	First evolution Lycanroc Midnight Form  Rock

Own Tempo Rockruff

Unevolved Rockruff  Rock

+ Level 25 between 5:00 and 5:59 PM in-game if its Ability is Own Tempo →

First evolution Lycanroc  Rock

Generation VIII-present

Unevolved Rockruff  Rock	Level 25 during the day →	First evolution Lycanroc Midday Form  Rock
	Level 25 at night →	First evolution Lycanroc Midnight Form  Rock

Own Tempo Rockruff

Unevolved Rockruff  Rock

+ Level 25 between 7:00 and 7:59 PM real-time if its Ability is Own Tempo →

First evolution Lycanroc  Rock

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back

For other sprites and images, please see Rockruff images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Rockruff shares its category with Growlithe, Lillipup, and Yamper. They are all known as the Puppy Pokémon.
• Rockruff is tied with Roggenrola for the lowest base stat total of all Rock-type Pokémon.
• Rockruff is tied with Cranidos for the lowest base Defense stat of all Rock-type Pokémon.
• Rockruff is the only Rock-type Pokémon that cannot learn Sandstorm.
• Rockruff with the Own Tempo Ability cannot be traded on Wonder Trade.

Origin

Rockruff appears to be based on the spitz breed of dogs. It may also be based on the Japanese wolf, which is often associated with rocks and mountains.

Name origin

Rockruff may be a combination of rock, ruff (onomatopoetic word for barking, or the fur around its neck), and rough.

Iwanko may be a combination of 岩 iwa (rock), ワン wan (onomatopoetic word for barking), わんこ wanko (doggy), and 子 ko (young animal).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese イワンコ Iwanko From 岩 iwa, ワン wan, わんこ wanko, and 子 ko French Rocabot From roc and cabot Spanish Rockruff Same as English name German Wuffels From wuff and Fels Italian Rockruff Same as English name Korean 암멍이 Ammeong-i From 암 (岩) am, 멍멍 meong-meong, and 이 i Cantonese Chinese 岩狗狗 Ngàahmgáugáu From 岩 ngàahm and 狗狗 gáugáu Mandarin Chinese 岩狗狗 Yángǒugǒu From 岩 yán and 狗狗 gǒugǒu

More languages Russian Рокрафф Rokraff Transcription of English name Thai อิวังโค Iwangkho Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Ash's Rockruff
• Olivia's Rockruff

Notes

← #743: Ribombee

Pokémon

#745: Lycanroc →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.