Excadrill - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This is a strategy guide for using Excadrill in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Builds, and Held Items to use with Excadrill, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Excadrill - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Excadrill

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Excadrill
Abilities
Sand Rush	Boosts the Pokemon's Speed in a sandstorm.
Sand Force	Boosts certain moves'power in sandstorm.
Mold Breaker (Hidden)	Moves can be used regardless of Abilities.

Excadrill Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage	-
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage
Takes 0x damage

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
110	135	60	50	65	88

Best Nature for Excadrill

Best Natures
Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)	Adamant (+Atk, -SpAtk)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Excadrill

Choice Scarf Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	Atk. 252 / Def. 4 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values	HP 185 / Atk. 187 / Def. 81 / Sp. Def. 85 / Spd. 154
Ability	Mold Breaker
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Moveset	・Iron Head ・Earthquake ・Rock Slide ・Horn Drill

By making it hold a Choice Scarf, it can outspeed most Pokemon who are not holding one, and often finish its opponent off before taking major damage.

For difficult-to-take-down foes such as Galarian Corsola and Toxapex, Horn Drill can be used for a chance of taking them down in a single blow, making it a valuable trump card in tough situations.

Other Viable Moves

Brick Break	Mostly used when Excadrill is Dynamaxed. Its Max Move counterpart, Max Knuckle, has the useful effect of boosting Excadrill's Attack. Used against Normal and Dark-types.

Assault Vest Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	Spd. 216 / Atk. 172 / HP 108 / Def. 4 / Sp.Def. 4
Final Stat Values	HP 186 / Atk. 187 / Def. 80 / Sp.Def. 85 / Spd. 154
Ability	Mold Breaker
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・Earthquake ・Iron Head ・Rock Slide ・Fissure

Able to outspeed a Mimikyu with Adamant Nature, and with the boosted Special Defense from Assault Vest allowing it to withstand Hydro Pump from Wash Rotom, this is a build that can take out both of these two threats in one hit each.

Other Viable Moves

Brick Break	Mostly used when Excadrill is Dynamaxed. Its Max Move counterpart, Max Knuckle, has the useful effect of boosting Excadrill's Attack.

Focus Sash Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	Atk. 252 / Def. 4 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values	HP 185 / Atk. 187 / Def. 81 / Sp. Def. 85 / Spd. 154
Ability	Mold Breaker Sand Rush
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・Earthquake ・Iron Head ・Rock Tomb ・Horn Drill

Let Excadrill hold Focus Sash so it can survive against moves that can potentially one-shot it. This build also takes advantage of Excadrill's high Attack and Speed. Use Rock Tomb on an opposing Pokemon if it is faster to lower its Speed.

For Excadrill's benefit, plan ahead and make situations that will be beneficial to it, especially when it is going face-to-face against an opponent.

About Excadrill's Ability

Mold Breaker allows Excadrill to attack without being affected by an opponent's Ability, like with the previous build's example.

Sand Rush on the other hand doubles Excadrill's Speed during Sandstorm. It is then possible to face Gyarados and Togekiss even when their Speed is boosted by two levels.

Other Viable Moves

Swords Dance	Great combination with Sand Rush during a Sandstorm. Use it before Dynamaxing to easily trample opponents. Can also be used as Max Guard while Dynamaxed.
Stealth Rock	Useful against opposing Pokemon holding Focus Sash.

How to Use Excadrill Effectively

A Physical sweeper that takes advantage of Mold Breaker

Excadrill has the powerful ability Mold Breaker which allows it to ignore its opponent's Ability, allowing it bypass Mimikyu's Disguise. This ability usually allows Mimikyu to take one hit with minimal damage, giving it a chance to set up Swords Dance, but Excadrill's ability to avoid wasting a turn on this makes it an ideal Mimikyu counter.

A Physical sweeper that takes advantage of Sand Rush

Excadrill can double its Speed with Sand Rush and fight during a Sandstorm. Even when facing opponents that have boosted their Speed, it is still possible to outspeed them during a Sandstorm thanks to Sand Rush.

Additionally, it will be easier to maneuver Excadrill when a Sandstorm has already been setup before it is switched-out. Team it up Hippowdon or Tyranitar.

Overcome disadvantages with OHKO moves

Excadrill can learn both Horn Drill and Fissure, which guarantees that the opposing Pokemon is knocked out if the move lands. While it is true that these moves have low accuracy (and that Excadrill's kit relies on the items mentioned in the builds, so accuracy-boosting items will be a waste if it only benefits one move), it can be a roll-of-a-dice move and turn the tide of the match if these moves hit.

Best Pokemon to Use With Excadrill

Pokemon that Excadrill can retreat to

It is recommended to include Pokemon in your team that Excadrill can switch out to when it is at a disadvantage. These can be attackers that can eliminate such a threat and keep Excadrill safe.

Flying-type Pokemon works best as they are not affected by any Ground-type move, which is one of Excadrill's weaknesses.

Pokemon	Description
Zapdos	・As a Flying-type, it is unaffected by Ground-type moves. ・Can go against Water-type Pokemon. Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos
Hydreigon	・Unaffected by Ground-type moves with its Ability Levitate. ・Resists Fire and Water-type attacks. ・Watch out for Fighting-type moves. Moveset & Best Build for Hydreigon
Dragapult	・Unaffected by Fighting-type moves and resists Fire and Water-type moves by half. ・Can support Excadrill with Will-O-Wisp, Reflect, and Light Screen. Moveset & Best Build for Dragapult
Wash Rotom	・Unaffected by Ground-type moves with its Ability Levitate. ・Switch back to Excadrill with Volt Switch. Moveset & Best Build for Wash Rotom
Lapras	・Can nullify any Water-type attacks with Water Absorb. ・Use Freeze-Dry to damage Ground and Water-types. Moveset & Best Build for Lapras
Gyarados	・Has a large move pool that covers most Pokemon that Excadrill is not good against, Moveset & Best Build for Gyarados
Togekiss	・As it is an excellent Special Attacker, it goes well against opponents that has bad Special Defense stats. Moveset & Best Build for Togekiss

Pokemon with Sand Stream Ability

Teaming up Excadrill with Pokemon that has Sand Stream takes advanatge of Sand Rush, where Excadrill's Speed is doubled during Sandstorm. This is better than using Max Rockfall, as the Dynamax turns can now be used in a more effective way.

Pokemon	Description
Tyranitar	・Can set up Stealth Rock and Taunt. ・Can also play the role of an attacker. Moveset & Best Build for Tyranitar
Hippowdon	・Able to set up Stealth Rock and can also use Yawn. Moveset & Best Build for Hippowdon

Counters for Excadrill

Weakness

Weather its hits with a defensive Pokemon

Excadrill can only learn Moves from a limited selection of types, so opponents with high Defense who won't be hit super effectively can limit Excadrill's effectiveness.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Landorus (Therian Forme)	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Lower its Attack stat with Intimidate. ・Able to one shot Exacdrill with Earthquake with the right build. Moveset & Best Build for Landorus Therian Forme
Tapu Fini	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Highly durable and can attack Excadrill with Water-type moves. ・Can fit most teams. Moveset & Best Build for Tapu Fini
Corviknight	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can handle most of Excadrill's attacks with 1/2x or less damage. ・Can use Body Press to hit Excadrill super effectively. Moveset & Best Build for Corviknight
Celesteela	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Unaffected by Ground-type moves because of its Flying typing. ・Very durable, especially with Leech Seed + Protect combination. ・Can avoid one shot moves. Moveset & Best Build for Celesteela
Galarian Corsola	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can drain Excadrill's attacking power with Will-o-Wisp and Strength Sap. ・Watch out for Fissure. Moveset & Best Build for Galarian Corsola
Mandibuzz	Ranking: ★★★ ・Can even handle Rock-type moves from Excadrill. ・Can take advantage of Excadrill's high Attack with Foul Play.
Rillaboom	Ranking: ★★★ ・Can resist most of Excadrill's attacks thanks it its typing. ・Can lower Excadrill's Speed with its attack Drum Beating. Moveset & Best Build for Rillaboom
Ferrothorn	Ranking: ★★ ・Can handle a number of physical attackers other than Excadrill as well. ・Lacks a wide variety of effective moves to use on Excadrill. Moveset & Best Build for Ferrothorn

Outspeed it and aim for the weak spots

Excadrill doesn't have especially high Defense or Special Defense, so fast Pokemon who can outspeed it and hit with a Super Effective attack can take it down swiftly.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Fighting-type attacks hit hard. ・Can change weather with Max Geyser. Moveset & Best Build for Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style
Gyarados	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can lower Excadrill's Attack with Intimidate. ・Can dish out super effective Water-type moves ・Can survive Excadrill's Rock-type moves. Moveset & Best Build for Gyarados
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can one shot Excadrill with Pyro Ball. ・Watch out for Rock and Ground-type moves. ・Can fit most teams. Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Zapdos	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Unaffected by Ground-type moves because of its Flying typing. Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos
Galarian Darmanitan	Ranking: ★★★ ・If it holds Choice Scarf, can outspeed and deliver a one-hit KO with Flare Blitz. Moveset & Best Build for Galarian Darmanitan

Best Teams Featuring Excadrill

All our Best Teams are available for free rental, and usable in Ranked Battle with no EV Training necessary.
All Best Teams for Ranked Battle

Best Team for Ranked Battle from a World Top 3 Player

Best Team for Ranked Battle from a World Top 3 Player
Dragapult	Excadrill	Grimmsnarl
Togekiss	Snorlax	Cloyster

This is the primary set used by a former World Top 3 from a previous game in the series. Despite that daunting promise, it's an easy set to use for beginners, as the order to use Pokemon and which moves should be used are readily apparent. Not only that, but the set is carefully sculpted to be highly effective and dangerous even in the upper echelons of the Master Ball tier.
Best Team for Ranked Battle from a World Top 3 Player

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu
Hawlucha	Shiftry	Tsareena
Ludicolo