Get ready, Trainers! Is Rillaboom about to become a top-tier Grass-type attacker? The upcoming Grookey Community Day in January 2026 is poised to significantly boost Rillaboom's PvE performance. This means evolving your Grookey (the adorable Chimp Pokémon from the Galar region) into a Rillaboom – but here's the catch – you need to evolve it during the event or within four hours after to get a Rillaboom that knows the powerful Charged Attack, Frenzy Plant.
But that's not all! Starting with the event, Rillaboom will also gain access to another new Charged Attack: Drum Beating. So, the big question is: how good exactly is Rillaboom in raids and other PvE battles now, and how much better does it get with these new moves? Let's dive in and find out if this drumming ape is ready to rock the meta!
Meet the Star: Rillaboom, the Drummer Pokémon
Rillaboom (Grass Type)
- Max CP: 3758
- Attack: 239
- Defense: 168
- HP: 225
- Weaknesses: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison
- Resistances: Electric, Grass, Ground, Water
- Fast Moves: Razor Leaf, Scratch
- Charged Moves: Earth Power, Grass Knot, Energy Ball, Drum Beating, Frenzy Plant (Legacy)
At level 50, Rillaboom reaches a maximum CP of 3758. Its stats reveal a story: a strong 239 Attack and a decent 225 HP, but a somewhat frail 168 Defense. This leans Rillaboom towards being a damage dealer rather than a tank. Think of it as a glass cannon – it hits hard but can't take too many hits. Sunny weather is your best friend here, boosting those already powerful Grass-type attacks. Remember those weaknesses! Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison-type moves will take it down quickly. But against Ground, Rock, and Water bosses, Rillaboom truly shines.
Rillaboom in Pokémon GO PvE: A Raid Revolution?
For a long time, Rillaboom has relied on the standard Grass-type moveset of Razor Leaf and Grass Knot. Thanks to its solid stats, it was already a decent, budget-friendly Grass-type raid attacker. It consistently performed well, trailing only behind the mega evolutions and more expensive legendary or shadow Pokémon. But here's where it gets controversial... Grookey Community Day aims to change that, potentially launching Rillaboom into a higher tier.
Let's see how Rillaboom performs with and without Frenzy Plant, and compare it to other top Grass-type attackers.
(DPS Comparison Table Would Go Here)
As the table shows, Rillaboom might not crack the Top 5 Grass attackers, but its performance becomes comparable to the best, with a significant improvement when using Frenzy Plant. And this is the part most people miss... Let's put that data into context. Shaymin and Zarude, for example, are Mythical Pokémon, making them difficult for many players to obtain. Kartana, while possessing incredible DPS (Damage Per Second), has a low TDO (Total Damage Output). This means it might faint quickly, preventing players from maximizing its potential.
So, a fairer comparison might be with other Grass-type starter Pokémon.
(Comparison Table with Grass Starters Would Go Here)
While Rillaboom may lag behind the shadow variants of other Grass starters, it surpasses their non-shadow forms. This solidifies its position as a strong, accessible Grass-type raid attacker. Furthermore, when Shadow Rillaboom is eventually released, it's projected to outshine all other shadow starters! This makes Grookey Community Day an excellent opportunity to stock up on those crucial XL Candies.
Drum Beating: A New Contender?
Update! We now have the stats for Drum Beating. In PvE, Drum Beating is a 3-bar Charged Attack with 115 base power. This makes it slightly better than Frenzy Plant. And this is where it gets interesting... Players might not need a Legacy Move for Rillaboom in PvE after all! (Though Frenzy Plant remains a Community Day exclusive). Rillaboom's overall ranking and performance as a Grass-type raid attacker stays largely the same, shifting it one position higher, above Shadow Torterra.
Rillaboom in Max Battles: Unleash the G-Max!
Rillaboom has a powerful Gigantamax form, capable of unleashing the exclusive G-Max Move, G-Max Drum Solo – a devastating Grass-type G-Max attack. While Grookey Community Day might not directly impact Rillaboom's performance in Max Battles, it's a fantastic chance to stockpile regular and XL Candies. These candies are essential for powering up your G-Max Rillaboom and unlocking/leveling up its Max Moves.
G-Max Rillaboom is currently the top Grass-type attacker in Max Battles. Think of it as your secret weapon against formidable foes.
(Simulation table for G-Max Blastoise Max Battle Would Go Here)
G-Max Rillaboom is the ultimate counter for G-Max Blastoise Max Battle. This scenario repeats itself for other Max Battles where Grass-type counters are needed. So, Trainers, don't miss this opportunity to build a G-Max Rillaboom! It will be invaluable in Max Battles for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Rillaboom's transformation with Frenzy Plant (and now Drum Beating!) establishes it as a must-have, budget-friendly Grass-type powerhouse. It outperforms regular starters and paves the way for Shadow and G-Max forms to dominate raids and Max Battles. Whether you're searching for a shiny with perfect IVs, gathering XL Candies, or powering up your own drum-thumping beast, this ape is ready to lead the charge.
Don't miss this event, Trainers! Stockpile candies, evolve your Grookeys, and assemble a Rillaboom squad that will conquer raids for seasons to come. Your team's meta is about to get a whole lot greener.
Now it's your turn, Trainers! Which Grass-type starter is your most and least favorite? (I know Turtwig has its fans out there!).
With Grookey getting its Community Day, Scorbunny and Sobble are likely to follow. Did you ever play Pokémon Sword and Shield? Which First Partner Pokémon did you choose? Could the relative popularity of these starters influence future Community Day decisions? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
As always, stay safe and happy shiny hunting!
Raj1729
