12 Things Every Fan Should Know About Grookey

Meet Grookey

Meet Grookey, the Grass-type starter Pokémon that bounded onto the scene in Generation VIII with a wooden stick and an infectious sense of rhythm. Introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield, this small, green monkey-like Pokémon captured hearts the moment players chose their first partner in the Galar region. With a lime-green body, a leafy tuft sprouting from its head, and a twig always close at hand, Grookey looks every bit the playful scamp it is. Grookey's design leans into its musical motif. The stick it carries isn't just a toy—when Grookey taps it against rocks or trees, the sound carries a lively energy that can rejuvenate withered plants and lift the spirits of those around it. That same cheerful rhythm defines its personality: curious, energetic, and endlessly eager to drum on anything within reach. In the games, Grookey serves as one of three starter choices alongside Scorbunny and Sobble, giving players a Grass-type option with a focus on physical attack and speed. It evolves into Thwackey and eventually into Rillaboom, a powerhouse whose drumming abilities shape its battling style. Its Hidden Ability, Grassy Surge, turns the battlefield itself into a source of healing and support for its team. In the anime, Grookey appears as a spirited companion, most notably teaming up with Goh in *Pokémon Journeys: The Series*. Its mischievous antics and loyal nature shine through, often using its stick to drum out encouragement or stir up a little trouble. Whether on the battlefield or by a trainer's side, Grookey brings a beat that's hard to ignore.

Abilities and Battle Strengths

Grookey is the Grass-type starter from the Galar region, and it evolves into Thwackey and then Rillaboom. As a first-stage Pokémon, Grookey's own battle usefulness is limited, but understanding its traits helps trainers plan ahead.

Abilities

• Overgrow is Grookey's standard ability. It boosts the power of Grass-type moves by 50 percent when its HP drops to one-third or below, giving it a late-game damage spike.
• Grassy Surge is its hidden ability, and it is the reason Grookey sees real competitive interest. It summons Grassy Terrain on entry, which strengthens Grass moves, gradually heals grounded Pokémon, and weakens moves like Earthquake and Bulldoze.

Strengths in battle

• Solid base Attack for a starter, letting Grookey hit reasonably hard with physical Grass moves such as Wood Hammer and Grassy Glide.
• Grassy Surge makes the entire team's Grass moves stronger and provides passive recovery, so Grookey can support allies even before it evolves.
• Fast enough to outspeed many early-game opponents and pick up quick knockouts.
• A useful supporting movepool, including Grassy Glide for priority attacks and U-turn for momentum.

Weaknesses in battle

• Low base stats overall, since it is an unevolved Pokémon. It struggles against fully evolved opponents.
• Grass typing leaves it weak to Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug, and Poison attacks, which are common in many matchups.
• Poor special defense, so special attackers can remove it quickly.
• Lacks reliable coverage against Fire and Flying types, giving it few answers to its own counters.

Tips for trainers

• Evolve Grookey into Rillaboom as soon as you can. Most of its competitive value comes from the final form, which gains a much higher Attack stat and access to Grassy Glide with priority under Grassy Terrain.
• If you want the hidden ability, hunt for a Grookey with Grassy Surge early, since it defines how the Pokémon plays on a team.
• Use Grassy Glide in Grassy Terrain to strike first against faster threats that would otherwise knock Grookey out.
• Pair it with Pokémon that cover its weaknesses, such as a Fire or Flying counter, and avoid sending it against Ice and Fire opponents.
• Run a Focus Sash or an Assault Vest on early builds to survive a hit, or invest in Attack and Speed for a fast, offensive role.
• Against bulky stall teams, lean on Grassy Terrain's healing to outlast rather than trying to break through with raw damage.

Evolution and Where to Find It

Grookey is one of the three starter Pokémon of Generation VIII, introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. It evolves twice, forming a three-stage line that culminates in a Grass-type powerhouse.

The Grookey evolution line

• Grookey is the base form, a small Grass-type chimp Pokémon. It evolves starting at level 16.
• Thwackey is the first evolution. It remains a pure Grass-type and evolves again starting at level 35.
• Rillaboom is the final evolution. It is a pure Grass-type with strong physical attacks and a signature connection to drums. Rillaboom has a Gigantamax form introduced in The Isle of Armor expansion, which changes its appearance and grants the G-Max Drum Solo move.

Notably, Rillaboom can also learn the move Grassy Glide, which gives it priority in Grassy Terrain and has made it a common pick in competitive play.

How to obtain Grookey

Grookey is a starter, so the usual way to get it is by choosing it at the beginning of the game.

• In Pokémon Sword and Shield, you pick one of Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble from Professor Magnolia's granddaughter, Sonia's associate Leon, at the start of your journey in Postwick. You can only choose one per save file.
• If you did not pick Grookey, you can still get it through trading with another player who chose it, or by breeding a Grookey or its evolutions using a Ditto.
• In Pokémon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass, Grookey is not handed out directly, but you can obtain it via Surprise Trade or by transferring from Pokémon HOME.
• Grookey does not appear in the wild in Sword and Shield, so without trading or breeding you cannot catch one.
• It is also obtainable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet through the Pokémon HOME transfer feature, provided Grookey was deposited from a compatible game. It does not spawn naturally in Paldea.
• In Pokémon GO, Grookey is not available as of the current game version.

Because Grookey is a starter, the only guaranteed in-game path is choosing it at the start. Every other method depends on trading, breeding, or transferring from another title.

Fun Trivia

Here are five trivia facts about Grookey that fans will enjoy:

• Grookey's name is a blend of "groove" and "monkey," a nod to both its musical theme and its primate design. Its Japanese name, Sarunori, combines "saru" (monkey) and "nori" (a word related to rhythm or riding), echoing the same idea.

• The stick Grookey carries isn't just a prop. In official lore, the stick was originally a branch from the forest where it lives, and Grookey uses it to beat out rhythms that can energize plants and restore wilted flowers. When it taps the stick on the ground, it channels its own vitality into the beat.

• Grookey is one of the three starter Pokémon of Generation VIII, introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch. It is the Grass-type starter alongside Scorbunny (Fire) and Sobble (Water), making it part of the first new starter trio debuting on a home console.

• Grookey evolves into Thwackey at level 16 and then into Rillaboom at level 35. Rillaboom gains the ability to summon a drum made from a tree stump, and its hidden ability, Grassy Surge, automatically sets up Grassy Terrain when it enters battle — a rare trait among starter final evolutions.

• Unlike many Grass-type starters that lean toward bulky or defensive roles, Grookey's line is built around speed and physical offense. Grookey itself has a base Speed of 65, which is relatively high for an unevolved starter, foreshadowing the fast, hard-hitting playstyle Rillaboom would become known for in competitive battles.

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