Attention all Pokémon Trainers! The first Community Day of 2026 is almost here, and it’s bringing a leafy revolution with Grookey, the mischievous Grass-type starter from the Galar region. But here’s where it gets exciting: evolving Grookey’s evolved form, Thwackey, during the event (or up to four hours afterward) unlocks Rillaboom with the exclusive Charged Attack Frenzy Plant. And this is the part most people miss—Rillaboom also gains access to a brand-new Charged Attack, Drum Beating, permanently after the event. So, how does this drumming dynamo fare in Pokémon GO’s PvE meta? Let’s dive in!
Meet Rillaboom: The Grass-Type Powerhouse
Rillaboom, the final evolution of Grookey, is a Grass-type Pokémon with a max CP of 3758 at Level 50. Its stats lean heavily toward offense, boasting a robust 239 Attack and 225 HP, though its 168 Defense leaves it a bit vulnerable. This stat distribution positions Rillaboom as a high-damage dealer rather than a tank, thriving in Sunny weather for that extra Grass-type boost. While weak to Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison, it excels against Ground, Rock, and Water bosses where Grass coverage is crucial.
Rillaboom’s PvE Performance: Before and After Community Day
For a long time, Rillaboom has relied on a standard Grass moveset of Razor Leaf and Grass Knot, making it a solid, budget-friendly Grass-type raid attacker—though it trailed behind megas, legendaries, and shadow variants. But post-Community Day, the game changes. With Frenzy Plant and Drum Beating in its arsenal, Rillaboom’s performance skyrockets. Let’s compare its DPS with other top Grass attackers using our DPS Comparer Tool.
While Rillaboom doesn’t crack the Top 5, its scores are impressively close to the best Grass attackers. Here’s the kicker: when you factor in accessibility, Rillaboom shines even brighter. Mythical Pokémon like Shaymin and Zarude are hard to come by, and Kartana’s insanely low TDO makes it impractical for prolonged battles. But here’s where it gets controversial—is Rillaboom truly underrated? When compared to other Grass starters, Rillaboom outperforms non-shadow variants and holds its own against shadow starters. Plus, when Shadow Rillaboom eventually arrives, it’s poised to dominate. This makes Grookey’s Community Day a golden opportunity to stock up on XL candies.
Drum Beating vs. Frenzy Plant: Which is Better?
Drum Beating, a 3-bar Charged Attack with 115 base power, slightly edges out Frenzy Plant in PvE. This means you don’t need Frenzy Plant for optimal performance, though it’s still a Community Day exclusive worth having. Rillaboom’s overall standing remains strong, even climbing one spot above Shadow Torterra in the rankings.
Max Battles: G-Max Rillaboom’s Time to Shine
Grookey’s Community Day might not directly impact Rillaboom’s Max Battle performance, but it’s the perfect chance to gather candies for powering up its Gigantamax form. G-Max Rillaboom, with its exclusive G-Max Drum Solo, is currently the top Grass attacker in Max Battles. Take a look at this simulation of a G-Max Blastoise Max Battle—G-Max Rillaboom dominates. Whether it’s Blastoise or any other Grass-weak boss, G-Max Rillaboom is your go-to counter. Don’t miss this chance to build one—it’s a long-term investment for Max Battles.
Final Thoughts: Why Rillaboom Deserves a Spot on Your Team
With Frenzy Plant and Drum Beating, Rillaboom cements itself as a must-have budget Grass powerhouse. It outpaces regular starters and sets the stage for even more dominant Shadow and G-Max variants. Whether you’re hunting for a high IV shiny, farming XL candies, or powering up this drum-thumping beast, Rillaboom is ready to lead the charge. But here’s the question—is Rillaboom the Grass starter you’ve been waiting for?
Don’t snooze on this event, Trainers. Stock up on candies, evolve your Grookeys, and build a Rillaboom squad that’ll dominate raids for seasons to come. Your team’s meta just got a whole lot greener.
Your Turn, Trainers! Which Grass Starter is your favorite—and which one do you think is overrated? (We all know someone’s rooting for Turtwig!) With Grookey’s Community Day kicking things off, Scorbunny and Sobble can’t be far behind. Did you play Pokémon Sword and Shield? Which starter did you choose?
As always, stay safe, and happy shiny hunting!
Raj1729, Valor Trainer from India. Favorite Pokémon: Charizard. Spirit Pokémon: Snorlax. When not catching Pokémon, you’ll find me with food, books, travel, and cricket.
