Monotype Excadrill (Steel)

[OVERVIEW]

Excadrill claims the spot of the premier Choice Scarf user on Steel teams due to its excellent Ground / Steel typing. This allows it to revenge kill threatening Fire-types like Rotom-H and Entei along with Electric-types like Xurkitree and Tapu Koko, even being capable of preventing Volt Switch. Further complementing its typing is its excellent offensive movepool. It gets access to superb STAB moves in Earthquake and Iron Head along with Rock Slide as a coverage move that enables it to hit Flying-types like Mantine and Zapdos, which are otherwise capable of taking its STAB moves with ease. Its movepool also grants it Rapid Spin, making it an excellent suicide entry hazard remover, outspeeding and locking itself into Rapid Spin before letting the foe KO it. Its ability Mold Breaker lets Excadrill hit Levitate users, especially Rotom-W, with Earthquake. Bar its immunity to Electric, however, Excadrill's typing fails to bring much else to the table defensively, only adding a weakness to Water, which Steel teams are already vulnerable to. Its damage output isn't very impressive either. Excadrill fails to break through defensive walls like Slowbro and Skarmory and needs team support to take care of such walls before cleaning late-game. Lastly, even when equipped with a Choice Scarf, its Speed is lacking, and it gets outsped by most other Choice Scarf users, such as Victini and Gengar.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
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 primary STAB option, with respectable damage output and no drawbacks. Iron Head acts as a secondary STAB move, letting it hit Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, which resists Earthquake, for super effective damage. Rock Slide is an excellent coverage move thanks to its ability to hit Flying-types like Zapdos, Mantine, and Mega Charizard Y for super effective damage, which are otherwise capable of taking Excadrill's STAB moves with ease. Rapid Spin provides utility in the form of entry hazard control, freeing up a moveslot that is otherwise used on Defog on teammates like Skarmory.

Set Details
========

Choice Scarf along with maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature enables it to outspeed and KO major threats to Steel teams, like Mega Charizard Y. Maximum Attack EVs maximize its damage output and allow it to hit as hard as possible. Its ability, Mold Breaker, lets it bypass other abilities like Sturdy and Levitate.

Usage Tips
========

Use Excadrill to revenge kill threats like Mega Charizard Y and Entei early-game, if necessary. Be careful what to lock it into; while Earthquake is highly spammable, it is rarely wise to use it when Flying-types like Skarmory remain. Try removing them before bringing Excadrill in to clean up. Alternatively, using its other moves to nail Flying-types like Zapdos on the switch is fine. However, Excadrill has rather low damage output and fails to break through physically defensive walls like Celesteela and Skarmory, so it should usually be switched out to an appropriate check. Furthermore, an Excadrill Choice-locked into Rock Slide or Iron Head can very easily be taken advantage of. For example, Magnet Pull Magnezone can trap and remove it, eliminating a huge threat to both Electric and Steel teams. Be careful of locking Excadrill into Rapid Spin. Due to its terrible damage output, it generally ends up turning Excadrill into setup bait. Try bringing it in through pivots like Volt Switch Magnezone, as its bulk isn't extremely good, and it is prone to getting worn down quickly. Keep Excadrill healthy throughout the match if it is needed to spin away entry hazards.

Team Options
========

Skarmory supports Excadrill by providing a Ground-type immunity along with entry hazards to make cleaning up late-game much easier. Excadrill, in return, is capable of revenge killing Electric- and Fire-types that threaten Skarmory while providing Rapid Spin support to help retain Skarmory's Sturdy and freeing up a moveslot that could otherwise be used on Defog. Similarly, Celesteela's Ground-type immunity greatly helps Excadrill, and Excadrill's ability to revenge kill Electric- and Fire-types supports the other. Heatran's ability Flash Fire allows it to take Fire-type moves that are super effective against Excadrill. While Excadrill is capable of outspeeding and KOing most Fire-types by itself, faster Choice Scarf users like Victini pose a threat to it, thus making Heatran an optimal partner. Magnezone is another great way to get rid of annoyances. Magnet Pull lets it trap Skarmory, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, allowing it to get rid of them with ease. Ferrothorn also proves itself to be a great teammate for Excadrill due to its impeccable defensive stats and ability to set up entry hazards. Lastly, Mega Scizor is a great late-game setup sweeper that appreciates the fact that Excadrill wears down their shared checks and revenge kills Fire-types. It can also bring Excadrill in with a slow U-turn, which it appreciates, as it has no means of recovery and dislikes being worn down.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Toxic is a niche, yet somewhat viable option over Rapid Spin to cripple defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye, bypassing Magic Bounce thanks to Mold Breaker.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Flying-types**: Bulky Flying-types, especially those that take neutral damage from Rock Slide, such as Skarmory, Gliscor, and Celesteela, are capable of switching in on and walling Excadrill.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Victini and Choice Scarf Terrakion can check Excadrill by outspeeding it and threatening it with super effective attacks.

**Physical Walls**: Due to Choice Scarf Excadrill's unimpressive damage output, physically defensive walls like Mega Sableye and Porygon2 can switch in on it freely and recover off any damage taken.

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Suicune and Slowbro can not only take whatever move Excadrill chooses to lock itself into but also threaten it with Scald, even having the chance to burn it.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Hippowdon and Landorus-T are not threatened by Excadrill and can KO it with STAB Earthquake.

**Bulky Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Mega Venusaur tend to take Excadrill's attacks with ease and retaliate by inflicting it with status or just wearing it down.
 
Last edited:
Everything's perfect except you should add the suicide lead set. Tag me after and I'll check it. Everything else is fine.
 

Moosical

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Overview:
"This allows it to revenge kill threatening Fire-types like Infernape and Entei along with Electric-types like Xurkitree and Tapu Koko, even being capable of preventing Volt Switch."
- Nitpicking, but I'd change Infernape to Volcanion or Rotom-H. Infernape on fire is almost always running Scarf, which Scarf Excadrill isn't beating - and if it's the rare Band set, it's probably running mach punch which has a chance to KO after rocks.

Checks/Counters:
I'd consider adding Bulky Grass types such as MVenu, Gourgeist, maybe Ferrothorn which absorb Excadrill's STAB attacks. - Use your judgement.

Besides those, I think it's good to go. QC 3/3
 

Lumari

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GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Excadrill claims the spot of the premier Choice Scarf user on Steel teams due to its excellent Ground / Steel typing. This allows it to revenge kill threatening Fire-types like Rotom-H and Entei along with Electric-types like Xurkitree and Tapu Koko, even being capable of preventing Volt Switch. Further complementing its typing is its excellent offensive movepool. It gets access to superb STAB moves in Earthquake and Iron Head, along with Rock Slide as a coverage move that enables it to hit Flying-types like Mantine and Zapdos, which are otherwise capable of taking its STAB moves with ease. Its movepool also grants it Rapid Spin, making it an excellent suicide entry hazard remover, outspeeding and locking itself into Rapid Spin before letting the foe KO it. Its ability (RC) Mold Breaker (RC) lets Excadrill hit Levitate users, especially Rotom-W, (AC) with Earthquake. Bar its immunity to Electric, however, Excadrill's typing fails to bring much else to the table defensively, only adding a weakness to Water weakness, which Steel teams are already prone vulnerable to. Its damage output isn't very impressive either. Excadrill fails to break through defensive walls like Slowbro and Skarmory and needs team support to take care of such walls before cleaning late-game. Lastly, even when equipped with a Choice Scarf, its Speed is lacking and it gets outsped by most other Choice Scarf users, such as Victini and Gengar.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
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 its Excadrill's primary STAB option, with a respectable damage output and no drawbacks. Iron Head acts as a secondary STAB move, letting it hit Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, which resists Earthquake, for super effective damage. Rock Slide is an excellent coverage move thanks to its ability to hit Flying-types like Zapdos, Mantine, and Mega Charizard Y for super effective damage, which are otherwise capable of taking Excadrill's STAB moves with ease. Rapid Spin provides utility in the form of entry hazard control, freeing up a moveslot that is otherwise used on Defog on teammates like Skarmory.

Set Details
========

Equipping Excadrill with a Choice Scarf along with maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature enable enables it to outspeed and KO major threats to Steel teams, like Mega Charizard Y. Maximum Attack EVs maximize its damage output and allow it to hit as hard as possible. Its ability, Mold Breaker, (AC) lets it bypass other abilities like Sturdy and Levitate.

Usage Tips
========

Use Excadrill to revenge kill threats like Mega Charizard Y and Entei early-game, if necessary. Be careful what to lock it into, as while Earthquake is highly spammable, it is rarely wise to use it when Flying-types like Skarmory remain. Try removing them before bringing Excadrill in to clean up. Alternatively, using its other moves to nail Flying-types like Zapdos on the switch is fine. However, Excadrill has rather low damage output and fails to break through physically defensive walls like Celesteela and Skarmory, (AC) so it should usually be switched out to an appropriate check. Furthermore, an Excadrill Choice-locked into Rock Slide or Iron Head can very easily be taken advantage of. For example, Magnet Pull Magnezone can trap and remove it, removing a huge threat to both Electric and Steel teams. Be careful of locking Excadrill into Rapid Spin. Due to its terrible damage output, it generally ends up turning Excadrill into setup bait, Try bringing it in through pivots like Volt Switch Magnezone, as its bulk isn't extremely good and it is prone to getting worn down quickly. Keep Excadrill healthy throughout the match if it is needed to Rapid Spin away entry hazards.

Team Options
========

Skarmory supports Excadrill by providing a Ground-type immunity along with entry hazards to make cleaning up late-game much easier. Excadrill, in return, is capable of revenge killing Electric- and Fire-types that threaten Skarmory while providing Rapid Spin support to help retain Skarmory's Sturdy and free up a moveslot that could otherwise be used on Defog. Similarly, Celesteela's Ground-type immunity greatly helps Excadrill, (AC) and Excadrill's ability to revenge kill Electric- and Fire-types supports the other. Heatran's ability Flash Fire allows it to take Fire-type moves that are super effective against Excadrill. While Excadrill is capable of outspeeding and KOing most Fire-types by itself, faster Choice Scarf users like Victini pose a threat to it, thus making Heatran an optimal partner. Magnezone is another great way to get rid of annoyances. Magnet Pull lets it trap Skarmory, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, allowing it to get rid of them with ease. Ferrothorn also proves itself to be a great teammate for Excadrill due to its impeccable defensive stats and ability to set up entry hazards. Lastly, Mega Scizor is a great late-game setup sweeper that appreciates the fact that Excadrill wears down their shared checks and revenge kills Fire-types. It can also bring Excadrill in with a slow U-turn, which it appreciates, (AC) as it has no means of recovery and dislikes being worn down.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Toxic is a niche yet somewhat viable option over Rapid Spin to cripple defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye, bypassing Magic Bounce thanks to Mold Breaker.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Flying-types**: Bulky Flying-types, especially those that take neutral damage from Rock Slide, such as Skarmory, Gliscor, and Celesteela, are capable of switching in on and walling Excadrill.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Victini and Choice Scarf Terrakion can check Excadrill by outspeeding and threatening it with super effective attacks.

**Physical Walls**: Due to Choice Scarf Excadrill's unimpressive damage output, physically defensive walls like Mega Sableye and Porygon2 can switch in on it freely and recover off any damage taken.

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Suicune and Slowbro can not only take whatever move Excadrill chooses to lock itself into but also threaten it with Scald, even having the chance to burn.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Hippowdon and Landorus-T are not threatened by Excadrill and can KO it with STAB Earthquake.

**Bulky Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Gourgeist and Mega Venusaur tend to take Excadrill's attacks with ease and retaliate by inflicting it with status or just wearing it down.
 
Last edited:

Fireflame

Silksong when
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Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

Excadrill claims the spot of the premier Choice Scarf user on Steel teams due to its excellent Ground / Steel typing. This allows it to revenge kill threatening Fire-types like Rotom-H and Entei along with Electric-types like Xurkitree and Tapu Koko, even being capable of preventing Volt Switch. Further complementing its typing is its excellent offensive movepool. It gets access to superb STAB moves in Earthquake and Iron Head,(RC) along with Rock Slide as a coverage move that enables it to hit Flying-types like Mantine and Zapdos, which are otherwise capable of taking its STAB moves with ease. Its movepool also grants it Rapid Spin, making it an excellent suicide entry hazard remover, outspeeding and locking itself into Rapid Spin before letting the foe KO it. Its ability Mold Breaker lets Excadrill hit Levitate users, especially Rotom-W, with Earthquake. Bar its immunity to Electric, however, Excadrill's typing fails to bring much else to the table defensively, only adding a weakness to Water, which Steel teams are already vulnerable to. Its damage output isn't very impressive either. Excadrill fails to break through defensive walls like Slowbro and Skarmory and needs team support to take care of such walls before cleaning late-game. Lastly, even when equipped with a Choice Scarf, its Speed is lacking,(AC) and it gets outsped by most other Choice Scarf users, such as Victini and Gengar.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
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 primary STAB option, with a respectable damage output and no drawbacks. Iron Head acts as a secondary STAB move, letting it hit Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, which resists Earthquake, for super effective damage. Rock Slide is an excellent coverage move thanks to its ability to hit Flying-types like Zapdos, Mantine, and Mega Charizard Y for super effective damage, which are otherwise capable of taking Excadrill's STAB moves with ease. Rapid Spin provides utility in the form of entry hazard control, freeing up a moveslot that is otherwise used on Defog on teammates like Skarmory.

Set Details
========

Equipping Excadrill with a Choice Scarf along with maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature enables it to outspeed and KO major threats to Steel teams, like Mega Charizard Y. Maximum Attack EVs maximize its damage output and allow it to hit as hard as possible. Its ability, Mold Breaker, lets it bypass other abilities like Sturdy and Levitate.

Usage Tips
========

Use Excadrill to revenge kill threats like Mega Charizard Y and Entei early-game, if necessary. Be careful what to lock it into;(SC),(RC) as while Earthquake is highly spammable, it is rarely wise to use it when Flying-types like Skarmory remain. Try removing them before bringing Excadrill in to clean up. Alternatively, using its other moves to nail Flying-types like Zapdos on the switch is fine. However, Excadrill has rather low damage output and fails to break through physically defensive walls like Celesteela and Skarmory, so it should usually be switched out to an appropriate check. Furthermore, an Excadrill Choice-locked into Rock Slide or Iron Head can very easily be taken advantage of. For example, Magnet Pull Magnezone can trap and remove it, removing eliminating (repetition) a huge threat to both Electric and Steel teams. Be careful of locking Excadrill into Rapid Spin. Due to its terrible damage output, it generally ends up turning Excadrill into setup bait,(RC).(period) Try bringing it in through pivots like Volt Switch Magnezone, as its bulk isn't extremely good,(AC) and it is prone to getting worn down quickly. Keep Excadrill healthy throughout the match if it is needed to Rapid Spin spin away entry hazards.

Team Options
========

Skarmory supports Excadrill by providing a Ground-type immunity along with entry hazards to make cleaning up late-game much easier. Excadrill, in return, is capable of revenge killing Electric- and Fire-types that threaten Skarmory while providing Rapid Spin support to help retain Skarmory's Sturdy and freeing up a moveslot that could otherwise be used on Defog. Similarly, Celesteela's Ground-type immunity greatly helps Excadrill, and Excadrill's ability to revenge kill Electric- and Fire-types supports the other. Heatran's ability Flash Fire allows it to take Fire-type moves that are super effective against Excadrill. While Excadrill is capable of outspeeding and KOing most Fire-types by itself, faster Choice Scarf users like Victini pose a threat to it, thus making Heatran an optimal partner. Magnezone is another great way to get rid of annoyances. Magnet Pull lets it trap Skarmory, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, allowing it to get rid of them with ease. Ferrothorn also proves itself to be a great teammate for Excadrill due to its impeccable defensive stats and ability to set up entry hazards. Lastly, Mega Scizor is a great late-game setup sweeper that appreciates the fact that Excadrill wears down their shared checks and revenge kills Fire-types. It can also bring Excadrill in with a slow U-turn, which it appreciates, as it has no means of recovery and dislikes being worn down.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Toxic is a niche,(AC) yet somewhat viable option over Rapid Spin to cripple defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye, bypassing Magic Bounce thanks to Mold Breaker.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Flying-types**: Bulky Flying-types, especially those that take neutral damage from Rock Slide, such as Skarmory, Gliscor, and Celesteela, are capable of switching in on and walling Excadrill.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Victini and Choice Scarf Terrakion can check Excadrill by outspeeding it and threatening it with super effective attacks.

**Physical Walls**: Due to Choice Scarf Excadrill's unimpressive damage output, physically defensive walls like Mega Sableye and Porygon2 can switch in on it freely and recover off any damage taken.

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Suicune and Slowbro can not only take whatever move Excadrill chooses to lock itself into but also threaten it with Scald, even having the chance to burn it.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Hippowdon and Landorus-T are not threatened by Excadrill and can KO it with STAB Earthquake.

**Bulky Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Gourgeist (specify which Gourgeist, assuming Gourgeist-XL?) and Mega Venusaur tend to take Excadrill's attacks with ease and retaliate by inflicting it with status or just wearing it down.
GP 2/2
 

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