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Kanto Gym Leader Challenge: Brock’s Gen 9 OU Team

06-20-2025

🪨 Taking Brock’s Rock-Types to the OU Ladder

We challenged our Poké Team Builder AI to craft a competitive team for Pokémon Showdown's Gen 9 OU—featuring Brock’s signature Rock-type focus. Could AI strategy make Brock’s rocks roll, or would they crumble under competitive pressure?

Here's the breakdown.

🗿 Team Overview

This Brock-inspired team blends sturdy defense, aggressive power, and setup potential. In 10 battles on Pokémon Showdown, we secured 4 notable victories. Tyranitar’s Sand Stream led the charge effectively, Garganacl proved its durability, but bulky Water-types and strong special Grass attackers proved to be major roadblocks.

Meet Brock's AI-Generated Team

1. Garganacl @ Leftovers

Garganacl sprite Ability: Purifying Salt
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Nature: Impish

  • Salt Cure
  • Stealth Rock
  • Recover
  • Protect

Battle Highlight: Outlasted a bulky Clodsire with careful play, securing a crucial win.

2. Lycanroc-Dusk @ Life Orb

Lycanroc-Dusk sprite Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly

  • Accelerock
  • Stone Edge
  • Close Combat
  • Swords Dance

Battle Highlight: Its Accelerock surprised opponents, picking off weakened foes and pressuring faster threats.

3. Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock

Tyranitar sprite Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 220 SpD
Nature: Careful

  • Crunch
  • Rock Blast
  • Earthquake
  • Thunder Wave

Battle Highlight: Tyranitar was our consistent MVP, often leading battles to set sand and disrupt opponents.

4. Iron Boulder @ Booster Energy

Iron Boulder sprite Ability: Quark Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly

  • Stone Edge
  • Volt Charge
  • Earthquake
  • Zen Headbutt

Battle Highlight: Managed key knockouts on unsuspecting Flying-types like Pelipper and Braviary with Stone Edge and Volt Charge.

5. Drednaw @ White Herb

Drednaw sprite Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant

  • Stone Edge
  • Liquidation
  • Earthquake
  • Shell Smash

Battle Highlight: Shell Smash sweeps threatened, though Drednaw was often checked by opposing Water-types.

6. Rhyperior @ Leftovers

Rhyperior sprite Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def

  • Stealth Rock
  • Earthquake
  • Rock Blast
  • Thunder Punch

Battle Highlight: Solid physical tanking, but struggled significantly against special attackers and Grass-types.

🌊 Weakness Spotlight: Bulky Waters & Special Grass Sweepers

The team struggled most significantly against Pokémon like Alomomola and Lurantis, highlighting the need for better coverage or pivot options against special Grass-type threats and bulky Waters.

🎖️ AI Team-Building: Refine & Improve

Our AI-generated Brock team offered solid performance and key victories despite notable weaknesses. Want to challenge yourself with unique, AI-powered teams like Brock’s? Try Poké Team Builder and craft your own competitive adventures.

Rock on, Trainers!
— The Poké Team Builder Team