Excadrill

Underground, in natural tunnels and deep excavations, Excadrill can be found boring through the ground with the blades on its head and arms. Pokédex entries describe it as a builder of labyrinthine burrows that can punch holes through subway tunnels and cut through sheets of iron. It is also credited with tunnels located 100 m underground and an excavation speed of 150 km/h.

Its design combines a mole with drilling tools: the snout, compact body and claws recall the animal, while the metal blades form a drill when it folds in on itself. The “Subterranean Pokémon” category fits this mix of burrowing creature and construction machine.

It is the final stage of its evolutionary line. It evolves from Drilbur upon reaching level 31, when its drill takes on a Steel structure and its blades grow larger. The result is a heavier creature more specialized in clearing a path underground.

Excadrill has a strongly offensive profile: Attack 135, HP 110 and Speed 88, compared with Defense 60, Special Defense 65 and Special Attack 50. The spread makes it clear that it should attack from the physical side. Its base stat total is 508, and it yields 2 Attack EVs when trained.

Sand Rush defines its sandstorm teams, as it increases its Speed during that weather. Sand Force powers up some moves during sandstorms, while Mold Breaker allows it to use moves without the target’s abilities mattering. This last ability gives Earthquake value against Pokémon that rely on a defensive ability and lets it make better use of Swords Dance.

Ground and Steel make an effective offensive combination. Earthquake and Iron Head cover many targets, while Rock Slide adds an answer to opposing Flying-types. Defensively, its immunity to Electric and Poison, along with several resistances, makes it easier to switch in against specific attacks, although it remains exposed to Fighting, Fire, Ground and Water.

In competitive singles, it does have a defined role: attacking under sand, setting Stealth Rock or removing hazards with Rapid Spin. Outside of sand, its Speed is less reliable, and its physical and special defenses cannot withstand prolonged exchanges. Hippowdon provides the weather it needs; Water-, Fire- and Fighting-type attacks remain the most direct answers to it.

Excadrill belongs to the Field Egg Group and has a 50% female gender ratio. Its growth rate is Medium, and it starts with a base friendship of 70. Hatching requires 20 cycles, equivalent to approximately 5355 steps using the usual cycle-to-step conversion.

Its notable Egg Moves include Slash and Metal Sound. The former reinforces its physical profile with a slashing attack, while the latter lowers the target’s Special Defense and creates room for supporting special attacks, even though its base Special Attack is only 50.

To obtain it in the evolutionary line, you must evolve Drilbur upon reaching level 31. Its catch rate is 60: it is not trivial to catch, so it is worth weakening it carefully and making use of status conditions or suitable Poké Balls. It lives in underground areas, where it digs tunnels, burrows and passageways that sometimes interfere with human construction.