Shadow Excadrill
PvE Analysis
Shadow Excadrill is an easily overlooked Pokemon, but its performance is stellar in its own right. It has outstanding potential damage output, and a typing that shields its lower base-bulk and makes it surprisingly bulky depending on the raid.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Mud Slap + Scorching Sands | Best |
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Metal Claw + Iron Head | Great |
- Mud Slap is preferable since Shadow Excadrill is primarily used as a Ground-type attacker.
- Mud Shot falls behind in performance due to inferior damage output.
- Metal Claw in a nutshell performs better from a stats perspective, but isn't as useful in practice.
- Scorching Sands is definitely Shadow Excadrill's best Ground Type move.
- Earthquake is stronger than Drill Run, but the later is more reliable due to being 2-bar.
- Iron Head can pair with Metal Claw if a Steel-type attacker is needed, but Shadow Excadrill isn't the best for this role.
- Rock Slide lacks STAB and has little use.
Best PvE Defensive Moveset
Mud Slap + Iron Head, Rock Slide, or Scorching Sands | Best |
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- Mud Slap is superior to Metal Claw on defense thanks to its significantly higher base power.
- Mud Shot has poor damage output for defense.
- Iron Head sports the earliest damage window, and is the hardest to dodge.
- Rock Slide doesn't get STAB, but it is hard to dodge and offers greater coverage.
- Scorching Sands works well on Defense.
- Drill Run is a bit slower than the others, but still performs okay on defense.
- Earthquake is too slow for defense.
PvP Analysis
Mud Slap + Rock Slide and Drill Run |
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Mud Slap is preferred over Mud Shot; its massive damage output is generally worth it over Mud Shot's slightly higher energy gain but far worse damage output. Metal Claw is an underwhelming move for PvP, and Steel-type coverage is typically not as valuable.
Rock Slide ties for the least amount of energy, and provides wide coverage. Drill Run is an efficient move that is recommended over Earthquake due to significantly less energy costs. Scorching Sands is weaker than Drill Run and has a higher energy cost, making it a lesser option. However, it also has a 30% chance to debuff the target's Attack, so it's not entirely outclassed. Iron Head is typically not used due to other charge moves being more valuable.
Great League | / 5 |
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Excadrill is a potent glass cannon that makes use of its Steel typing and Mud Slap's high damage output. Unfortunately, competition for the Mud Slapper role is quite high, with options like Gastrodon and Marowak being on the spotlight due to their significantly higher stats. Shadow Excadrill is preferred over regular Excadrill to maximize its damage potential, as players will be investing shields for it anyways due to its frailty. | |
Ultra League | / 5 |
Same deal with Great League; Excadrill is a glass cannon sweeper that still finds itself generally outclassed by other Ground-type Pokemon such as Gastrodon or even Golurk. Its Steel typing can provide it with a wonderful set of resistances to make up for its frailty, however. | |
Master League | / 5 |
Excadrill cements its role in the Master League as the supreme counter to the omnipresent Dialga, resisting all of its moves and striking back with lightning fast, super effective Drill Run. It also preys on other common picks such as Togekiss, Metagross, and Zekrom. Excadrill's nearly unresisted coverage, almost unrivaled charging speed, and very high ATK stat makes it an excellent Pokemon to clean up games with. Outside of its high ATK, Excadrill is very fragile and possesses the lowest stat product out of all Pokemon commonly seen in the Master League. Excadrill relies on its resistances to make up for its low stats, and struggles taking even neutral hits. Giratina-O can defeat it a shield down, despite having a slower moveset and sharing the same type effectiveness. Lugia is an even matchup, despite Excadrill resisting everything and hitting back with super effective Rock Slide. Many common Pokemon pressure Excadrill, such as Kyogre, Groudon, Zacian, and Zarude. Finally, it com |