Steel-type Pokemon: Weaknesses & Strengths explained
THE POKEMON COMPANYIf 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.
Steel-type Pokemon weaknesses
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.
THE POKEMON COMPANYSteel-type Pokemon strengths & resistances
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. However, 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.
Best counters for Steel-type Pokemon
These are some of the best Pokemon you can take into battle to counter the Steel type:
- Primal Groudon (Groudon/Fire)
- Blaziken (Fire/Fighting)
- Emboar (Fire/Fighting)
- Great Tusk (Ground/Fighting)
- Paldean Tauros – Blaze Breed (Fighting/Fire)
Pure Fire, Fighting, and Ground-type Pokemon are great counters, but those that combine two Steel-type weaknesses are even better.
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.
Best Tera Types for Steel-type Pokemon
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
THE POKEMON COMPANYBest Steel moves in Pokemon
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-type Pokemon of all time
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.