Drilbur Best Moveset
Ground at 85 Attack and 68 Speed with AbilitySand Rush doubling Speed under sandstorm. The moveset has real Attack for a pre-evolution but needs sand to compete. Evolve to Excadrill for Ground/Steel TermStab at 135 Attack and the Sand Rush engine that dominates A-Tier.
Drilbur saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was Drilbur's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Mold Breaker with Eviolite, favoring a Serious nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Drilbur best EVs are Sp. Def and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Drilbur saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Drilbur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Mold Breaker with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Tomb
Recommended Teammates
Drilbur saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Drilbur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Mold Breaker with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Support Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Drilbur saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Drilbur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandrush with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Drilbur saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Drilbur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Mold Breaker with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Drilbur Weakness
Water, Grass, and Ice moves hit Drilbur for super-effective damage. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Standard number of weaknesses for the Ground typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Ice |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Drilbur Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Drilbur
Urshifu can KO Drilbur with Close Combat (153-180%). Breloom's Bullet Seed hits Drilbur for 44-52%. Weavile deals 65-77% with Ice Shard.
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Drilbur View Urshifu builds →Close Combat153-180%KO Close Combat153-180%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLoaded Dice NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Drilbur View Breloom builds →Mach Punch34-41% Bullet Seed 2x44-52% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Drilbur View Weavile builds →Knock Off52-62% Ice Shard 2x65-77% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Drilbur View Glimmet builds →Sludge Bomb16-19% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Drilbur View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off30-36% U Turn33-39% High Jump Kick61-72% | ||
Evolution
One evolution ahead. Drilbur grows into Excadrill through a straightforward two-stage chain. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 180 total stats over Drilbur. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Drilbur easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Drilbur
8 encounter spots for Drilbur at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Drilbur in SV
To get Drilbur, start by catching Drilbur through walking encounters at Lv. 50-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Drilbur ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCanyon BiomeLv.64Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ExcadrillCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Drilbur (Step 1)
Drilbur appears at moderate rates across 3 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Drilbur in LZA
Drilbur is your first catch on the way to Drilbur. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 23-49 across 5 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Drilbur ✓Wild Zone 8Lv.23-25OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 14Lv.28-30OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 14Lv.36-37OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into ExcadrillWild Zone 14Lv.38-39OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 14Lv.48-49OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Drilbur (Step 1)
Drilbur's scattered across 20 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Drilbur in SwSh
Drilbur is your first catch on the way to Drilbur. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 11-58 across 40 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Drilbur ✓Galar MineLv.11-14OverworldRate 10%All WeatherGalar MineLv.11-15CaveRate 10%All WeatherGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 35%SandstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SandstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SandstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 20%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 15%SandstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Intense SunDusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldRate 35%SandstormDusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldRate 10%Intense Sun
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ExcadrillGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 60%SandstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 60%Intense SunGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 60%SnowstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 60%SnowingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 50%SandstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 50%Intense SunGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 50%SnowstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 50%SnowingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%OvercastGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%ThunderstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%Normal WeatherGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%RainingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 30%Heavy FogGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 20%ThunderstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 20%Normal WeatherGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 20%RainingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 20%Heavy FogLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldRate 35%Sandstormor evolve from Drilbur (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Drilbur in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Drilbur over from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Drilbur in USUM
- Step 1Drilbur ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Shaking grass · Twist Mountain · Shaking spot. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Dust cloud · Mistralton Cave · Shaking spot. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Overworld · Dusty Bowl · Sandstorm. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Excadrill
Base Stats
Attack and Speed carry most of Drilbur's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Attack EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It brings its claws together and whirls around at high speed before rushing toward its prey.
Drilbur Guide
You can run Drilbur through the first few routes without issues. 328 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Excadrill as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Drilbur joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 9 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves