Steel-types are some of the most formidable Pokemon to battle against as they resist over ten types and are entirely immune to Poison-type attacks.Pokemon Scarlet and Violethas plenty of Steel-type Pokemon to choose from, but without a decent moveset, they will only take up space on your team. This list will cover all the best Steel-type moves and ensure your Pokemon can withstand the competition.
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Steel-type moves are often potent physical attacks, but the typing is much more varied than just that. Steel also has access to some great set-up moves, a fantastic counter-attacking option, and much more besides. Here are some moves that should be considered by any Steel Pokemon that can access them.
10Metal Claw
Metal Claw is a physical attack with 50 base power, 95% Accuracy, and the added chance of increasing the user’s Attack stat by one stage. Though this chance is rather low, getting it during a battle can be all you need to turn the tides and/or ensure your victory against an opposing Trainer.
This is a solid attack in the early to mid-levels of the game, until you have access to moves with higher base power later on. Nonetheless, if the Pokemon using this move is also a Steel-Type, it will hit with 75 base damage instead of 50, thanks to STAB. The potential to get that boost while attacking makes Metal Claw a more viable choice.
9Iron Defense
Iron Defense is one of the most popular Support moves in the game, as it increases the user’s Defense stat by two stages. This is a great way to help your Pokemon shrug off even Super Effective attacks and keep them in the fight longer.
Most Steel-type Pokemon have impressive defensive stats already, and this is an even greater boon. For other Pokemon that can learn Iron Defense, like Lycanroc orthe unique Iron Leaves, the same applies. While this won’t protect your Pokemon from Special Attacks, it can make a party member all but invulnerable if utilized carefully.
8Iron Tail
Iron Tail is a mighty Steel-type physical attack with 100 base power (150 with STAB) and an unfortunate 75% Accuracy. While this attack is powerful, its low accuracy makes it unreliable, especially at crucial moments in a battle where every hit counts. A single miss can cost a Trainer a match.
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Even with its low Accuracy, however, this move is still very strong. It can lower the target’s Defense by one stage, making it hit even harder the next time it’s used or outright force a switch. Interestingly, many Pokemon that aren’t Steel-types, such asbeloved fan-favorites Charizardand Pikachu, can learn this attack, which makes it great for type coverage.
7Gyro Ball
Gyro Ball is a physical attack that has no initial base power. The user’s Speed stat determines its damage compared to its target’s Speed: The greater the difference, the higher base power of the move, and so the more devastating it becomes. Pokemon with very low Speed stats, such as Forretress and Bronzong, are the best users of this attack.
The maximum base power of this attack is 150, which is incredibly strong but hard to accomplish. Incorporating moves that lower the user’s Speed, like Hammer Arm or Curse, and the held item Iron Ball, will boost the damage. EVs and IVs will also boost the damage output, so keep this in mind.
6Metal Burst
Metal Burst is a retaliatory attack that deals damage based on how much damage the user received in the same turn. The more damage the user receives, the more damage is returned to the target. It works rather like Counter and Mirror Coat, reflecting both physical and special damage. To balance this incredible effect, though, it doesn’t return double the damage suffered as those two moves do. Instead, it counters for 150% of it.
As strong as this move is, it certainly has its downsides. Another major one is that it’s prediction-heavy: If the opponent doesn’t attack on the turn Metal Burst is used, it will fail. If not carefully used, it can allow the opposing Trainer to switch for free, or even set up uninhibited.
5Bullet Punch
Fans of Aqua Jet will relish this Steel-type attack, as it allows the user to move before the opponent in battle regardless of their Speed stat. While this attack has a measly 40 base power, it increases to 60 base power with STAB. It’s utilized to great effect by physical heavy-hitters like Scizor, Lucario and Metagross (once the latter joins the party in Paldea).
While the base damage is lower than other attacks, Bullet Punch sees a lot of action, as moving first in a turn gives the user a significant lead in battle. It shouldn’t generally be the only Steel-type move in a Pokémon’s moveset, but it remains useful when the opponent has little HP left. It has famously wielded great power when used by Scizor in particular, the Technician Ability and the Pokemon’s tremendous base Attack boosting it through the roof.
4Iron Head
Iron Head is one of the more reliable attacks in the Steel-Type arsenal, as it possesses a respectable 80 base damage, 100% Accuracy, and the chance to make the target flinch. However, if the user moves after the opponent, the flinch mechanic has no effect.
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Several Steel-type moves have less than 100% Accuracy to compensate for their raw damage output, but Iron Head strikes a balance (though this attack can have 120 base power thanks to STAB). Pokemon holding the Razor Fang will increase the likelihood of causing flinch, so use this to your advantage. The most notorious user of this move is Jirachi, which has the Serene Grace ability to increase the chance of a flinch to 60%.
3Shift Gear
Shift Gear is a set-up move that’s been around sincePokemon Black and White, and only a few Pokemon every generation are able to learn it. Those that can learn this move will typically have it in their regular moveset, as its increases the user’s Attack by 50% and their Speed by 100%.
Among the few Pokemon capable of learning this move are Revavroom and Magearna. The latter is a very unique user of the move: While it’s more of a special attacker, it can also learn Baton Pass, which will pass along all stat changes it’s accrued to another Pokemon. A physical threat can switch in and quickly demolish a team with such a boost.
2Flash Cannon
Flash Cannon is quite similar to Iron Head, as they have the same base power and Accuracy. What sets them apart is that Flash Cannon is a special attack, a bit of a Steel-type rarity. Like Iron Head, then, it can be used as type coverage againstthose fearsome Fairy-types, but this time by special attackers.
Flash Cannon’s added effect, instead of a flinch chance, is potential to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage. When facing a target that is difficult to break through, users can hope that this will trigger. The chance is low and not to be relied upon, but even without it, this is a very solid special Steel move indeed.
1Steel Beam
To call Steel Beam strong is an understatement. This special attack boasts an incredible 140 base power (210 with STAB) and 95% Accuracy, meaning it will almost always hit its target.
As would be expected, though, the drawback of this move is harsh to balance its overwhelming power: The user will lose half of its max HP on using it. This means that two uses of this attack, without any healing in between, will see them knock themselves out. Mechanically, it’s very similar to Blacephalon’s signature Fire-type move, Mind Blown. Much like that move, it’s devastating but must be used with the greatest care.
