The stat line revolves around Attack. Percentage recovery gets extra mileage here. HP backs it up, though Sp. Atk doesn't pull its weight. Worth 2 Attack EVs on a medium-fast 1M XP curve to max out.
It’s not uncommon for tunnels that appear to have formed naturally to actually be a result of Excadrill’s rampant digging.
Known as the Drill King, this Pokémon can tunnel through the terrain at speeds of over 90 mph.
Type-wise, Excadrill takes extra damage from Fire, Water, Fighting, and Ground. Electric and Poison moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 8 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Dragon, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric, Poison |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlowerveil ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Excadrill View Florges builds →Moonblast27-32% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCompoundeyes ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves View Galvantula builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Excadrill View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin6-7% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicchain ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Excadrill View Fezandipiti builds →U Turn9-10% Moonblast15-18% Heat Wave 2x40-48% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityCheekpouch ItemSitrus Berry NatureHasty Moves
Damage vs Excadrill View Dedenne builds →Dazzling Gleam19-22% | ||
Excadrill is what Drilbur becomes. Breed it for Drilbur eggs (average hatch time). A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Drilbur pushed Excadrill to 508 total stats. HP saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Excadrill to get Drilbur eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Swords Dance, Excadrill threatens a wide range with max Attack and Speed EVs and Leftovers backing every hit.
Best Build
Excadrill best EVs are Attack and Speed
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Protect
- Earthquake
- High Horsepower
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Protect
- Earthquake
- High Horsepower
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Excadrill's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Steel Beam and Earthquake, but Normal and Rock and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool tells the story here. Excadrill learns Earthquake and Megahorn naturally, plus enough variety that TMs feel like bonuses. Normal and Rock coverage and more extends the reach beyond that.
The egg pool carries weight here. Metal Sound and Slash aren't available any other way for Excadrill, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Earthquake and High Horsepower for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Crush Claw and Earth Power aren't available any other way for Excadrill, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Earthquake and Earth Power for solid options.
Excadrill isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Drilbur from Black, Black 2, or Sword. The evolution path from Drilbur to Excadrill is covered in the steps below.
No wild encounters for Excadrill in Legends: Z-A. Bring Drilbur over from Black, Black 2, or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
A solid number of locations for Excadrill with high spawn rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Excadrill in Sword & Shield
To get Excadrill, start by catching Drilbur through walking encounters at Lv. 11-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DrilburGalar MineShieldOverworld Lv.11-14 Cave10%EarlyAll WeatherGalar MineSwordOverworld Lv.11-14 Cave10%EarlyAll WeatherGalar MineShieldGrass Lv.11-15 Cave10%EarlyAll WeatherGalar MineSwordGrass Lv.11-15 Cave10%EarlyAll WeatherGiant's MirrorShieldOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidSandstormGiant's MirrorSwordOverworld Lv.28-3035%MidSandstormGiant's CapShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormGiant's CapSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormGiant's CapShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidIntense SunGiant's CapSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidIntense SunHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3015%MidSandstormHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3015%MidSandstormStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidIntense SunStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidIntense SunDusty BowlShieldOverworld Lv.42-4735%LateSandstormDusty BowlSwordOverworld Lv.42-4735%LateSandstormDusty BowlShieldOverworld Lv.42-4710%LateIntense SunDusty BowlSwordOverworld Lv.42-4710%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Excadrill ✓Giant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3460%LateSnowstormGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3460%LateIntense SunGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3460%LateSnowingGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3460%LateSandstormGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3450%LateSnowstormGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3450%LateIntense SunGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3450%LateSnowingGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3450%LateSandstormGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3430%LateThunderstormGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3430%LateRainingGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3430%LateHeavy FogGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3430%LateOvercastGiant's Mirror - GroundSwordOverworld Lv.31-3430%LateNormal WeatherGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3420%LateThunderstormGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3420%LateRainingGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3420%LateHeavy FogGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3420%LateOvercastGiant's Mirror - GroundShieldOverworld Lv.31-3420%LateNormal WeatherLake of OutrageShieldOverworld Lv.55-58 Water35%PostSandstormLake of OutrageSwordOverworld Lv.55-58 Water35%PostSandstormor evolve from Drilbur (Step 1)
Excadrill isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Drilbur from Black, Black 2, or Sword. The evolution path from Drilbur to Excadrill is covered in the steps below.
Excadrill looks average on paper at 508 BST. But Sand Rush is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. S-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list.
Excadrill gets Sand Rush, Sand Force, and Mold Breaker. But Sand Rush is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Excadrill is a physical attacker with base 135 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 88 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Best way to handle Excadrill: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Special attackers bypass its physical bulk.
Since Black & White, Excadrill has been obtainable in 9 games. A Generation 5 debut means a shorter history, but Excadrill has appeared steadily across every generation since.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves