While most trainers evolve Drilbur into Excadrill immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Electric moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. Known as the Mole Pokemon.
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.
It’s a digger, using its claws to burrow through the ground. It causes damage to vegetable crops, so many farmers have little love for it.
Drilbur Weakness
AvgWater, Grass, and Ice-type 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.
One evolution ahead. Drilbur grows into Excadrill through a straightforward two-stage chain. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 180 total stats over Drilbur.
How to Evolve
Breed Drilbur easily from the Ground egg group.
Find one free turn for Swords Dance and Drilbur can run through teams. Jolly nature leans fast physical, Mold Breaker supports the sweep, and the remaining moves stops anything from walling it cleanly.
Best Build
Best Drilbur Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Poison Jab
- Swords Dance
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Drilbur picks up Earthquake and Double-Edge along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add Normal and Steel coverage and more, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Drilbur is meant to evolve into Excadrill. At 328 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Drilbur evolves into Excadrill at level 31. Drilbur is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Sand Rush is what you want on Drilbur. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Sand Force, Mold Breaker) work on paper but Sand Rush is what makes Drilbur worth using.
At base 68 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Drilbur is a physical attacker with base 85 Attack. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Drilbur appears in 9 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Drilbur joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 9 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBWDebut
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A