Excadrill, the powerful Ground and Steel-type Pokémon, is a force to be reckoned with in competitive battling. Known for its high Attack stat and access to the Sand Rush ability, Excadrill can sweep through opponents with devastating ground-type moves. But Can Excadrill Learn Iron Head, further expanding its offensive capabilities? Let’s delve into Excadrill’s movepool and find out.
Excadrill artwork by Ken Sugimori
Decoding Excadrill’s Movepool
Excadrill boasts a diverse movepool, learning a variety of moves through leveling up, TMs (Technical Machines), and TRs (Technical Records). Its natural learnset includes powerful moves like Earthquake, Drill Run, and Swords Dance, allowing it to boost its Attack and deal significant damage.
While Excadrill doesn’t learn Iron Head through leveling up, it can learn Iron Head through TM99 in most Pokémon games. This powerful Steel-type move provides reliable damage and has a 30% chance of causing the target to flinch, potentially disrupting their strategy.
Why Iron Head is a Valuable Asset for Excadrill
Iron Head provides Excadrill with several key advantages:
- Neutral Coverage: Iron Head offers neutral damage against a wide range of types, including Rock, Ice, and Fairy, which resist Excadrill’s Ground-type attacks.
- Flinch Chance: The 30% flinch chance can disrupt opponents, preventing them from attacking and potentially turning the tide of battle.
- Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB): As a Steel-type move, Iron Head benefits from STAB, increasing its power by 50% when used by Excadrill.
Expanding Excadrill’s Arsenal: Other Steel-Type Moves
Besides Iron Head, Excadrill can learn other Steel-type moves like Metal Claw via leveling up or TM. It can also learn Smart Strike, a Steel-type move that never misses, providing consistent damage output. However, Iron Head generally offers higher damage potential due to its base power and flinch chance.
Optimizing Excadrill’s Moveset with Iron Head
When incorporating Iron Head into Excadrill’s moveset, consider these factors:
- Team Composition: Analyze your team’s weaknesses and choose moves that provide the best coverage.
- Opponent’s Team: Anticipate the opponent’s Pokémon and select moves that can effectively counter them.
- Battle Strategy: Determine your preferred battle style, whether it’s a fast sweeper or a more defensive approach, and choose moves accordingly.
Conclusion: Iron Head Enhances Excadrill’s Power
The ability to learn Iron Head significantly enhances Excadrill’s versatility and offensive prowess. It provides crucial coverage against types that resist its Ground-type moves and offers a valuable flinch chance for disrupting opponents. By utilizing TM99, trainers can transform Excadrill into an even more formidable threat in Pokémon battles. Iron Head solidifies Excadrill’s position as a top-tier Ground and Steel-type attacker.
