[OVERVIEW]
Steel
========
* With its decent Speed, great Attack, and Ground typing, Excadrill can effectively serve as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf for Fire-types, capable of outspeeding Pokemon like Infernape and Entei.
* It's also immune to Electric-type attacks, making it a very good offensive check to Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Xurkitree and capable of blocking Volt Switch for momentum.
* Mold Breaker lets Earthquake hit Levitate users like Rotom-W, which often walls many Steel-types.
* Excadrill is the most reliable entry hazard remover with Rapid Spin, able to remove Spikes and Sticky Web that often trouble Steel teams.
* It can use Rock Slide to hit most Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake such as Zapdos and Mantine for serious damage, forming a powerful pseudo-EdgeQuake coverage.
* Unfortunately, walls like Slowbro and Skarmory can stop it cold, and many use Rocky Helmet, which punishes Excadrill's attempts to use Rapid Spin.
* Its Speed stat is also still a bit lacking, so some other Choice Scarf users like Victini can outspeed and revenge kill it.
* Other than its immunity to Electric, Excadrill doesn't bring much else defensively and is even weak to Water as well.
* Its HP stat is decent but its defenses are very low, making Excadrill easily KOed and vulnerable to priority like Choice Band Azumarill's Aqua Jet.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Steel)
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Earthquake is Excadrill's most powerful STAB attack and hits Fire- and Electric-types such as Torkoal and Alolan Raichu super effectively.
* Iron Head is a secondary STAB attack for hitting Fairy-types like Clefable harder and can induce flinch.
* Rock Slide hits the Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake such as Mega Charizard Y and Zapdos.
* Rapid Spin allows Excadrill to remove entry hazards such as Sticky Web.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Excadrill as strong and fast as possible.
* With a Choice Scarf, Excadrill can outspeed and revenge kill Mega Alakazam and Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree.
* Mold Breaker is the best ability because it allows Excadrill to hit Levitate users such as Rotom-W with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Excadrill's Speed to revenge kill threats, such as Mega Charizard Y, early-game.
* Be careful when using Rapid Spin, as it forces Excadrill to switch out after, losing momentum, so it isn't worth it to spin if only Stealth Rock is set.
* However, Excadrill should proactively switch into Spikes users to prevent multiple layers of Spikes from weakening its team.
* Because its bulk isn't amazing, also try to bring it in safely after a teammate faints or through a pivot such as Mega Scizor or Magnezone.
* Try to keep Excadrill healthy to allow it to switch into entry hazards if needed, as it's easily worn down throughout the course of a match.
* Avoid spamming Earthquake until Flying-types are removed. Excadrill can be a great sweeper once they're KOed late-game, though; for example, after Skarmory and Celesteela are KOed, Excadrill can outright sweep some Steel teams.
* Rock Slide and Iron Head should mainly be used for their coverage and when predicting a Flying-type to switch in. In some cases, when predicting walls like Skarmory and Mega Sableye to switch in, it's better to double switch out, as Excadrill has no way to beat physical walls.
* However, locking into coverage moves can prove detrimental, as doing so often forces Excadrill out very quickly. Furthermore, on Electric teams, Magnet Pull Magnezone can trap and remove Excadrill if it tries to use Rock Slide to hit Zapdos.
Team Options
========
* All Steel-types enjoy having Excadrill as a teammate because it can so easily revenge kill Fire-types.
* Skarmory is one of the best teammates for Excadrill, as it serves as a great switch-in for Fighting- and Ground-types. Skarmory's ability to use Spikes is supported by Excadrill being able to Rapid Spin, preserving the entry hazards that it sets.
* Celesteela is an alternative to Skarmory with more offensive presence, though it lacks entry hazard support. Its wide movepool allows it to run moves such as Flamethrower to beat Skarmory and Leech Seed to wear down Pokemon without recovery like Swampert.
* Although Excadrill is a good check to Fire-type, it still enjoys the support of Heatran, which walls faster Fire-types that outspeed Excadrill like Victini. Additionally, Heatran can set up Stealth Rock to wear down Flying-types that switch into Excadrill.
* Magearna can break most Dark-types like Mega Sableye and Mandibuzz, many of which Excadrill struggles with. It often runs Electric-type coverage in the form of Volt Switch, which could let it pivot into Excadrill, or Thunderbolt, which deals more even more damage to Celesteela and Water-types.
* Ferrothorn is one of the best Water-type checks, as its amazing defenses are backed by its Grass typing. It can run multiple forms of utility including Leech Seed, Thunder Wave, Knock Off, and entry hazards. Excadrill helps relieve its critical weakness to Fire in exchange.
* Magnezone can trap both Skarmory and Celesteela and allow Excadrill to spam Earthquake against Steel teams. It can also use Volt Switch to pivot into Excadrill.
* Mega Scizor has a fantastic typing and great bulk to back it up, making it one of the best pivots on Steel teams both offensively and defensively. It can easily switch into Fighting- and Ground-type attacks for Excadrill and can U-turn back into it after forcing a switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
* Excadrill can choose to use Toxic to cripple Mega Sableye thanks to Mold Breaker while also crippling switch-ins like Mandibuzz and Slowbro. However, losing Rapid Spin leaves the team weak to entry hazards, most notably Sticky Web and multiple layers of Spikes.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Skarmory and Celesteela**: Skarmory and Celesteela completely wall Excadrill due to their typing. If Skarmory uses Rocky Helmet, it can set up Spikes and immediately punish Excadrill as it tries to Rapid Spin. Celesteela can directly threaten Excadrill with Flamethrower or Earthquake.
**Physical Walls**: Most physical walls that aren't weak to Excadrill's STAB attacks can easily wall it. Mega Slowbro can set up Calm Mind and Iron Defense freely and Mega Sableye can burn it with Will-O-Wisp or even threaten serious damage with Foul Play, though most walls must be careful of Toxic.
**Faster Pokemon**: While Fire- and Fighting-types cannot safely switch in, Excadrill is outsped and KOed by many Choice Scarf users such as Victini and Terrakion and weather sweepers such as Swift Swim Kingdra and Sand Rush Excadrill.
**Priority**: Excadrill is vulnerable to powerful super effective priority moves from Pokemon like Breloom and Azumarill. After Excadrill is weakened, Life Orb Bisharp's Sucker Punch is similarly threatening.
**Water-types**: Most Water-types such as Keldeo and Manaphy can revenge kill Excadrill safely. Bulky Water-types like Swampert and even Pelipper can switch into it too.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Hippowdon and defensive Garchomp are usually bulky enough to survive two Earthquakes, letting them switch in and threaten an Earthquake of their own. Gliscor and Landorus-T are especially good counters thanks to their immunity to Earthquake and great defensive stats.
Steel
========
* With its decent Speed, great Attack, and Ground typing, Excadrill can effectively serve as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf for Fire-types, capable of outspeeding Pokemon like Infernape and Entei.
* It's also immune to Electric-type attacks, making it a very good offensive check to Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Xurkitree and capable of blocking Volt Switch for momentum.
* Mold Breaker lets Earthquake hit Levitate users like Rotom-W, which often walls many Steel-types.
* Excadrill is the most reliable entry hazard remover with Rapid Spin, able to remove Spikes and Sticky Web that often trouble Steel teams.
* It can use Rock Slide to hit most Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake such as Zapdos and Mantine for serious damage, forming a powerful pseudo-EdgeQuake coverage.
* Unfortunately, walls like Slowbro and Skarmory can stop it cold, and many use Rocky Helmet, which punishes Excadrill's attempts to use Rapid Spin.
* Its Speed stat is also still a bit lacking, so some other Choice Scarf users like Victini can outspeed and revenge kill it.
* Other than its immunity to Electric, Excadrill doesn't bring much else defensively and is even weak to Water as well.
* Its HP stat is decent but its defenses are very low, making Excadrill easily KOed and vulnerable to priority like Choice Band Azumarill's Aqua Jet.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Steel)
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Earthquake is Excadrill's most powerful STAB attack and hits Fire- and Electric-types such as Torkoal and Alolan Raichu super effectively.
* Iron Head is a secondary STAB attack for hitting Fairy-types like Clefable harder and can induce flinch.
* Rock Slide hits the Flying-types that are immune to Earthquake such as Mega Charizard Y and Zapdos.
* Rapid Spin allows Excadrill to remove entry hazards such as Sticky Web.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Excadrill as strong and fast as possible.
* With a Choice Scarf, Excadrill can outspeed and revenge kill Mega Alakazam and Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree.
* Mold Breaker is the best ability because it allows Excadrill to hit Levitate users such as Rotom-W with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Excadrill's Speed to revenge kill threats, such as Mega Charizard Y, early-game.
* Be careful when using Rapid Spin, as it forces Excadrill to switch out after, losing momentum, so it isn't worth it to spin if only Stealth Rock is set.
* However, Excadrill should proactively switch into Spikes users to prevent multiple layers of Spikes from weakening its team.
* Because its bulk isn't amazing, also try to bring it in safely after a teammate faints or through a pivot such as Mega Scizor or Magnezone.
* Try to keep Excadrill healthy to allow it to switch into entry hazards if needed, as it's easily worn down throughout the course of a match.
* Avoid spamming Earthquake until Flying-types are removed. Excadrill can be a great sweeper once they're KOed late-game, though; for example, after Skarmory and Celesteela are KOed, Excadrill can outright sweep some Steel teams.
* Rock Slide and Iron Head should mainly be used for their coverage and when predicting a Flying-type to switch in. In some cases, when predicting walls like Skarmory and Mega Sableye to switch in, it's better to double switch out, as Excadrill has no way to beat physical walls.
* However, locking into coverage moves can prove detrimental, as doing so often forces Excadrill out very quickly. Furthermore, on Electric teams, Magnet Pull Magnezone can trap and remove Excadrill if it tries to use Rock Slide to hit Zapdos.
Team Options
========
* All Steel-types enjoy having Excadrill as a teammate because it can so easily revenge kill Fire-types.
* Skarmory is one of the best teammates for Excadrill, as it serves as a great switch-in for Fighting- and Ground-types. Skarmory's ability to use Spikes is supported by Excadrill being able to Rapid Spin, preserving the entry hazards that it sets.
* Celesteela is an alternative to Skarmory with more offensive presence, though it lacks entry hazard support. Its wide movepool allows it to run moves such as Flamethrower to beat Skarmory and Leech Seed to wear down Pokemon without recovery like Swampert.
* Although Excadrill is a good check to Fire-type, it still enjoys the support of Heatran, which walls faster Fire-types that outspeed Excadrill like Victini. Additionally, Heatran can set up Stealth Rock to wear down Flying-types that switch into Excadrill.
* Magearna can break most Dark-types like Mega Sableye and Mandibuzz, many of which Excadrill struggles with. It often runs Electric-type coverage in the form of Volt Switch, which could let it pivot into Excadrill, or Thunderbolt, which deals more even more damage to Celesteela and Water-types.
* Ferrothorn is one of the best Water-type checks, as its amazing defenses are backed by its Grass typing. It can run multiple forms of utility including Leech Seed, Thunder Wave, Knock Off, and entry hazards. Excadrill helps relieve its critical weakness to Fire in exchange.
* Magnezone can trap both Skarmory and Celesteela and allow Excadrill to spam Earthquake against Steel teams. It can also use Volt Switch to pivot into Excadrill.
* Mega Scizor has a fantastic typing and great bulk to back it up, making it one of the best pivots on Steel teams both offensively and defensively. It can easily switch into Fighting- and Ground-type attacks for Excadrill and can U-turn back into it after forcing a switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
* Excadrill can choose to use Toxic to cripple Mega Sableye thanks to Mold Breaker while also crippling switch-ins like Mandibuzz and Slowbro. However, losing Rapid Spin leaves the team weak to entry hazards, most notably Sticky Web and multiple layers of Spikes.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Skarmory and Celesteela**: Skarmory and Celesteela completely wall Excadrill due to their typing. If Skarmory uses Rocky Helmet, it can set up Spikes and immediately punish Excadrill as it tries to Rapid Spin. Celesteela can directly threaten Excadrill with Flamethrower or Earthquake.
**Physical Walls**: Most physical walls that aren't weak to Excadrill's STAB attacks can easily wall it. Mega Slowbro can set up Calm Mind and Iron Defense freely and Mega Sableye can burn it with Will-O-Wisp or even threaten serious damage with Foul Play, though most walls must be careful of Toxic.
**Faster Pokemon**: While Fire- and Fighting-types cannot safely switch in, Excadrill is outsped and KOed by many Choice Scarf users such as Victini and Terrakion and weather sweepers such as Swift Swim Kingdra and Sand Rush Excadrill.
**Priority**: Excadrill is vulnerable to powerful super effective priority moves from Pokemon like Breloom and Azumarill. After Excadrill is weakened, Life Orb Bisharp's Sucker Punch is similarly threatening.
**Water-types**: Most Water-types such as Keldeo and Manaphy can revenge kill Excadrill safely. Bulky Water-types like Swampert and even Pelipper can switch into it too.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Hippowdon and defensive Garchomp are usually bulky enough to survive two Earthquakes, letting them switch in and threaten an Earthquake of their own. Gliscor and Landorus-T are especially good counters thanks to their immunity to Earthquake and great defensive stats.
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