Hakuryuu - Rhydon

Rhydon

Rhydon (サイドン, Saidon?, Sidon), known as the Drill Pokémon, is a large, gray, bipedal Pokémon with features of dinosaurs and rhinoceroses. Rhydon’s most famous feature is the cream-colored, drill-like horn on its snout, although there are other protrusions on the head as well. These include the front-pointing crest extending from the middle of its head, two triangular, ear-like features to the sides of the crest, a wavy-shaped, also ear-like extension further down its head, and the spiky ridges on the sides of its mouth. It has a long tail with skinny, black stripes. Rhydon has a cream-colored stomach and a ridged back.

Rhydon's drill-horn is capable of crushing uncut diamonds, and it can knock down a building with one strike of its tail. Rhydon's rocky hide is strong enough to withstand direct cannonball fire, and serves as such effective protection that it makes Rhydon capable of living in molten lava up to 3,600 degrees. However, its rugged hide also makes it insensitive. Rhydon is apparently much smarter than its pre-evolution, evidenced by its ability to stand on its hind-legs. Despite this, it is still very forgetful.

Rhydon's debut in the anime was in Showdown at Dark City, under the ownership of one of the trainers at Kas Gym. Rhydon's first major role was in Riddle Me This, being one of Blaine's Pokémon. Blaine used a Rhydon against Ash during the first battle for Ash's Volcano Badge. While normally tough against electric attacks, Rhydon was defeated when Ash's Pikachu struck Rhydon's horn, which acted like a lightning rod. Giovanni owns a Rhydon that he loaned to Jessie and James in The Battle of the Badge. Right on, Rhydon featured a Rhydon that knew how to use Surf. Rhydon also made a cameo appearance in Numero Uno Articuno as one of Noland's Pokémon.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Rhydon debuts in the in its own round, Raging Rhydon, as Koga's Pokémon that is forced to evolve by its trainer with a mysterious injection. Rhydon is later seen as one of Giovanni's Pokémon, but is not seen battling. Blue captures a Rhydon outside the Viridian Gym. He uses it to defeat Chuck, as well as Orm. Near the end of the FireRed and LeafGreen saga, Blue remarks on a footnote Giovanni included in his handbook: Rhydon possibly possessed a stronger form. This is a reference to Rhydon's new evolution, Rhyperior. Gold encounters a wild Rhydon during his race with Whitney. It was hunting down a Sudowoodo hiding from it, and kidnapped Whitney when she interfered with her Miltank, breaking her arm in the process. Gold tells Sudowoodo to stand up for itself and helps Sudowoodo defeat the Rhydon.

IGN listed him as one of the best Rock types alongside Aerodactyl and Golem. They described him as "rather strong," but also a Pokémon that only patient players would like. IGN editor "Pokemon of the Day Chick" criticized Rhydon for its horrible typing, but stated "I quite frankly like Rhydon as a Pokemon", citing its "incredible physical stats". GamesRadar described it as "strong, tough and slow as molasses", and called it bizarre due to it being able to learn Surf.