Rillaboom

It controls the roots and powers of its stump by striking it like a drum during battle. Rillaboom is a simian-looking creature that has taken percussion so far that it has become its way of channelling the power of nature. The stump is more than a simple instrument: its roots react to the rhythm and allow it to extend its influence over the terrain.

According to Pokédex entries, the drummer with the most refined technique eventually leads the group. Despite its size, it has a calm nature and places great importance on harmony among its peers. That calm disappears when it takes up its drumsticks and makes the drum resound, at which point it combines physical power with field control.

It is the final stage of an evolutionary line that begins with Grookey and continues with Thwackey. Its design preserves its earlier stages’ connection with vegetation, but transforms it into a gorilla drummer. It is green, humanoid in shape and belongs to the Drummer Pokémon category.

Rillaboom makes sense in battle because it concentrates its best resources in Attack: 125 base points, alongside 100 HP and 90 Defense. Its Speed reaches 85, enough to avoid always being left behind, while its 60 Special Attack makes it clear that it should not attack from that side. Its 70 Special Defense is more modest, so it is best not to expose it needlessly to super effective special hits.

Grassy Surge is the ability that defines its use: it creates Grassy Terrain when it enters battle. This terrain strengthens its Grass-type attacks and supports the team, although it also shapes the game by activating or replacing other terrains. Overgrow is a simpler alternative: it boosts Grass-type attacks when it is in a tight spot.

The Grass type lets it switch into Water-, Ground-, Electric- and Grass-type attacks, but it stacks weaknesses to Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice and Poison. Offensively, Wood Hammer takes advantage of its Attack and deals huge damage, although recoil limits its longevity. Knock Off punishes those that rely on their item and covers several foes that resist Grass. U-turn lets it hit and switch out from a bad matchup.

In Smogon singles, it appears in OU and fills the roles of physical attacker, pivot and terrain setter. In doubles, it provides immediate pressure, pace control and support for teammates that appreciate the recovery from Grassy Terrain. It is held back by Fire and Flying types, foes that resist Grass and effects that lower its Attack, as well as the accumulated damage from Wood Hammer, entry hazards and status conditions.

Rillaboom belongs to the Field and Grass Egg Groups. Its gender ratio is uneven: 12.5% are female. Its Egg cycles are 20, equivalent to around 5355 steps using the usual formula.

Among the Egg Moves that expand its options are Leech Seed, which provides chip damage and recovery, Growth, which improves its offensive capabilities, Fake Out, useful for gaining a turn, and Brick Break, a physical Fighting-type alternative. Strength and Brutal Swing round out its inherited repertoire.

To reach this species, you have to follow its evolutionary line: Grookey evolves into Thwackey at level 16, and Thwackey evolves into Rillaboom at level 35. It does not need a stone, a specific item or a friendship condition.

It has no associated habitat in the available entries. Its catch rate is 45, so catching it takes more work than catching a species with a high rate; it is not a trivial catch. In Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, it can also be found represented in its normal and Gigantamax forms.