The last of the starting sync pairs has finally gained a sync grid. Does Brock & Onix emerge as a highly viable pair as both Player & Pikachu and Misty & Starmie? Chances are they will remain on the bench since they don’t do any one thing very well, but they are a source of repeatable Full Heals.
The best sync grid build for Brock & Onix would be to go for Potion MP Refresh and Potion Master Healer, followed by specialization in either Rock Tomb or Rock Throw.
Sync Grid Builds
Rocky Defense (3/5) focuses on supporting allied sync pairs with repeatable Potions and Full Heals while weakening physical attacks from opponents. Rock Throw Down (3/5) creates a move-spam build to count down the sync gauge quickly and soften opponent Defense. Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock Sync (3/5) uses Onix’s sync move to deal out Rock-type damage particularly effective against opponents weak to Rock-type by stacking abilities to increase his damage.
Only Rock Throw Down has a sync level 2 alternate build due to so many of Onix’s good skills being located on the edge of the grid.
Universal Upgrades
- HP +30
- Attack +10
- Defense +10
- Sp. Def +20
- Speed +5
- Potion MP Refresh 2
- Potion Master Healer 2
Universal Lucky Skill Recommendation:
Vigilance
Brock is best used for his Potion abilities, which is why every build picks up Potion MP Refresh 2 and Potion Master Healer 2. Reaching these two skills takes up almost half of your available energy, but there’s little reason to use Brock without them.
Because Brock & Onix raise their Defense easily with Rock Hard Determination! and Stoic 2, Vigilance is the best to avoid critical hits breaking through your +6 Defense. Chances are, this sync pair also functions as your tank.
Rocky Defense Build (Sync Level 3/5)
Total Sync Orb Cost: 750
Total Energy Used: 60
Unique Upgrades:
- HP +10
- Speed +5
- Rock Throw Power +5
- Rock Tomb Overwhelm 2
- Rock-Hard Determination! MP Refresh 3
- Rock-Hard Determination! Group Therapy
2/5 Variation:
Not recommended
Brock & Onix find a better niche in being a support than tech, especially as better tech sync pairs come along. Between Potions and Brock’s Trainer move functioning as a Full Heal, Onix can be used for recovery.
Rock-Hard Determination! Group Therapy makes the Trainer move function as a Full Heal for the entire team each time it is used. Combined with Rock-Hard Determination! MP Refresh 3, it has a chance to be endlessly used, which would be of great benefit in Battle Villa with sync pairs such as Shauntal & Chandelure, who burn themselves with their Trainer move.
Although Brock & Onix are meant for curing allies, Rock Tomb can assist allies by lowering the opponent’s Speed and having a chance to lower Attack with Overwhelm 2.
Rock Throw Down Build (Sync Level 3/5)
Total Sync Orb Cost: 750
Total Energy Used: 60
Unique Upgrades:
- HP +30
- Rock Throw Power +10
- Rock Throw Move Gauge Refresh 4
- Rock Throw Defense Crush 2
- Rock-Hard Determination! MP Refresh 3
2/5 Variation:
– HP +30 (top left tile)
– Sp. Defense +10
– Potion Master Healer 2
+ HP +10
+ Defense +10
+ Rock Throw Power +15
+ Tough Cookie
Rock Throw is Onix’s weaker attack without any special abilities, but it is an excellent move to spam in order to count down the sync gauge. In addition to their usual Potion abilities, Onix can soften up enemies for his more powerful allies.
Of course, Rock-Hard Determination! MP Refresh 3 will allow Onix to possibly achieve max Attack if it regains one use. Defense will eventually be maxed due to Onix’s passive skill Stoic 2. This build adds on more HP for better survivability since Onix’s defenses aren’t stellar.
Rock Throw gains +10 power and a Move Gauge Refresh 4 which means that half the time the one-bar attack will regain the bar it used. With this build, Brock & Onix are best paired with physical attackers because Rock Throw Defense Crush 2 will potentially lower the target’s Defense by one with each attack.
At sync level 2, Onix misses out on Potion Master Healer 2, which decreases his viability, so the build instead aims to make Rock Throw more powerful with +15 power and Tough Cookie, which increases attack damage with increased Defense.
Rock-Rock-Rock-Rock Sync Build (Sync Level 3/5)
Total Sync Orb Cost: 750
Total Energy Used: 60
Unique Upgrades:
- Speed +5
- Rock Tomb Power +4
- Rock Tomb Move Gauge Refresh 3
- Rock-Solid Rockslide Power +50
- Haymaker
Lucky Skill Recommendation:
Defense Crush 2, Mad Strength 2
2/5 Variation:
Not recommended
Although Brock & Onix isn’t your standard sync-move pair, their sync move benefits from targets having lowered Speed, which Rock Tomb guarantees with each successful hit.
Since most of the pair’s Energy goes to reaching the Potion tiles and the sync tiles cost five each, only a few extra abilities are picked up. Of course, Rock-Solid Rockslide gains +50 power. It also benefits from Haymaker, which increases damage with increased Attack. Unfortunately, without MP Refresh on Rock-Hard Determination!, Brock cannot max their Attack, which is why Mad Strength 2 is a lucky skill option.
Rock Tomb gains a meager +4 power, but does pick up a Move Gauge Refresh 3 to help keep energy costs down to allow strike sync pairs to use their more powerful attacks. The lucky skill Defense Crush 2 is an option if you would like other allied pairs to benefit from Onix’s attacks.