If you’re getting clamped down on by Steel-type Pokemon, here’s how to take advantage of their weaknesses in battle, and how to bring them down with the best counters.
Steel-type Pokemon are considered some of the most powerful creatures in the franchise. To some fans, they are the best and most hardy type you can use, so they choose to fill their roster with powerful metal Pokemon.
However, as with any type in the Pokemon game series, the Steel type can be countered thanks to its own set of weaknesses. So, here’s what you need to know to survive an encounter against this type and come out victorious.
What is Steel-type weak to?
Steel-type Pokemon have three primary weaknesses when it comes to moves and opposing Pokemon types:
If you easily want to take down a Steel-type Pokemon, bring along a team with those categories. Don’t forget that a Pokemon can have multiple types, so be sure to take advantage of any other weaknesses they may have by being aware of their secondary type.
Steel-type strengths
Despite their weaknesses, Steel-type Pokemon excel at combat due to their many resistances, which include Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. Plus, they are immune to the Poison type.
If you add a Steel-type creature to your team, make sure you exploit its advantages when fighting Rock, Ice, and Fairy-type opponents, as Steel moves are super effective against those.
Steel-type weaknesses
When going up against a Steel-type Pokemon, use Fighting, Ground, and Fire-type attacks, as they are weak to them.
However, if you are using a Steel-type Pokemon, avoid at all costs taking your metallic pal against Fire, Water, Electric, and other Steel creatures, as your moves won’t be able to deal too much damage.
Super effective types against Steel Pokemon
Pure Fire, Fighting, and Ground-type Pokemon are great counters, but those that combine two Steel-type weaknesses are even better.
These are some of the best Pokemon you can take into battle to counter the Steel type:
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- Primal Groudon (Ground/Fire)
- Blaziken (Fire/Fighting)
- Emboar (Fire/Fighting)
- Great Tusk (Ground/Fighting)
- Paldean Tauros – Blaze Breed (Fighting/Fire)
Always bear in mind a Pokemon’s secondary type when selecting your counter Pokemon and moves. While the examples above are effective against Steel types, your opponent may have resistances based on their primary/secondary type, so be wary.
Super effective moves to use against Steel Pokemon
There are plenty of Fire, Ground, and Fighting super-effective moves that players can use against Steel-type Pokemon. Here are the ones we recommend due to their power and effects:
- Blast Burn (Fire)
- Blue Flare (Fire)
- Pyro Ball (Fire)
- Focus Blast (Fighting)
- Close Combat (Fighting)
- Secret Sword (Fighting)
- Precipice Blades (Ground)
- Sandsear Storm (Ground)
- Earthquake (Ground)
- Dig (Ground)
Pyro Ball was introduced to the franchise as Gen 8’s Cinderace signature move. This physical move has a power of 120 and 90% accuracy and may burn the opponent. Another amazing Fire-type attack is Blast Burn, a Gen 3 special move with an outstanding 150 power that can reach 200 if you use its Z-Power. However, as the Pokemon can’t move the next turn, it should be used as a finisher.
Focus Blast is one of the best Fighting-type moves with 120 power and the chance of lowering the opponent’s Special Defense. As a special move, this means that the more you use it, the more damage it will deal. Another fan-favorite is Secret Sword, a top-notch move that inflicts damage based on the target’s Defense.
Precipice Blades is Groudon’s signature move and the ultimate physical Ground-type attack. With 120 power and 85% accuracy, Precipice Blades can hit not just your target, but all adjacent opponents too. On the other hand, Earthquake has been part of the franchise since Gen 1 and is a fan favorite, not just because of its power, but because it has 100% accuracy, so there’s no way to escape it.
Best Tera Types
Scarlet & Violet‘s addition of Tera Types changed the battle rules, so here are the ones you should consider to make your Steel-type Pokemon stronger:
- Steel: Boosts the power of Steel-type moves on top of STAB and removes weaknesses from the secondary typing
- Ground: Eliminates the Steel-type weakness to Ground moves
- Fire: Eliminates the Steel-type weakness to Fire moves
- Water: Eliminates the Steel-type weakness to Fire moves and helps resist Steel, Water, and Ice attacks
Best Steel-type moves
There are 37 Steel-type moves and we’ve picked the most powerful special, physical, and status attacks you can use in battle:
| MOVE | CATEGORY | POWER | ACCURACY | PP | EFFECT | GEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doom Desire | Special | 140 | 100% | 5 | Damage occurs 2 turns later | Gen III |
| Make It Rain | Special | 120 | 100% | 5 | Lowers the user’s Sp. Attack | Gen IX |
| Flash Cannon | Special | 80 | 100% | 10 | May lower the opponent’s Sp. Defense | Gen IV |
| Gigaton Hammer | Physical | 160 | 100% | 5 | Cannot be used twice in a row | Gen IX |
| Iron Tail | Physical | 100 | 75% | 15 | May lower the opponent’s Defense | Gen II |
| Sunsteel Strike | Physical | 100 | 100% | 5 | Ignores the target’s ability | Gen VII |
| Meteor Mash | Physical | 90 | 90% | 10 | May raise the user’s Attack | Gen III |
| Gyro Ball | Physical | X | 100% | 5 | The slower the user, the stronger the attack | Gen IV |
| Iron Defense | Status | X | X | 15 | Sharply raises the user’s Defense | Gen III |
| King’s Shield | Status | X | X | 10 | Protects the user and lowers the opponent’s Attack | Gen VI |
Best Steel-types ever in Pokemon
The Pokemon franchise has a total of 85 Steel-type creatures (up to Gen 9), and here are the 10 best of the ranking:
- Dialga
- Zacian (Crowned Sword)
- Solgaleo
- Metagross
- Magearna
- Genesect
- Kartana
- Gholdengo
- Lucario
- Steelix
That’s everything you need to know about Steel-type Pokemon weaknesses & strengths. Don’t forget to check out our list of all the Cat or Dog Pokemon in the franchise, and learn more about other types such as Bug, Electric, or Dragon.