What it does
Rock Tomb is a Rock-type physical move with a chance to lower the target's Speed by one stage on hit. It's not a guaranteed drop — the probability is real but not certain. 95 accuracy, mid-low base power, non-contact. Rock's type coverage hits Ice, Fire, Bug, and Flying for super-effective damage.
The strategic value is the combination hit: damage and possible Speed suppression in a single action. In doubles, whether that Speed drop matters depends entirely on the current Speed relationship. If the target was barely faster than your Pokémon, one stage down might flip the order next turn and let you move first. If the target was already slower than you, the Speed effect does nothing — it's just a Rock attack with below-average power.
Before clicking Rock Tomb, ask: would the Speed drop actually change who goes first next turn? If yes, this move does something special. If no, a higher-power Rock move is probably better.
Who runs it
Sneasler (5% usage) runs Rock Tomb for coverage purposes rather than Speed control — at base 120 Speed, it's rarely the slow one in any matchup. Rock Tomb gives it a line into Flying and Ice-type targets. The Speed drop is bonus chip pressure, not the point. The 5% usage rate reflects this is a secondary choice, often cut for other coverage.
Krookodile (14% usage) is the more typical user. Base 92 Speed puts it in the mid-high range where the Speed math from Rock Tomb can meaningfully shift turn order. High base Attack means the actual damage output has real pressure, and the Flying-type coverage adds genuine breadth to its set.
How to use it
In doubles, Rock Tomb targets a single opponent. Prioritize targets where at least one of these is true: the type matchup is super-effective, or the Speed drop would actually change turn order in your favor. Both conditions together is ideal.
95 accuracy means about one miss per 20 attempts. At a critical moment, a miss can cost a game — factor that into the decision when the stakes are high.
Tips & strategy
When the Speed drop triggers, it works the same as Icy Wind's effect — Speed ÷ 1.5 until the target switches out. But Icy Wind hits both opponents in doubles simultaneously; Rock Tomb only hits one and carries both an accuracy and a proc-chance layer of uncertainty. For pure Speed control purposes, Icy Wind is usually more reliable. Rock Tomb earns its slot through the combined damage-plus-Speed-drop package, not Speed control alone.
Targets holding Clear Amulet are immune to the Speed drop — the stat reduction does nothing against them. Against known Clear Amulet users, Rock Tomb reverts to a pure damage move with coverage typing, which may still be worthwhile depending on the matchup.