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

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

Excadrill - Related Articles
Evolution and Moveset	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.

Base Stats

Best Nature for Excadrill

What are Natures?

Strategies for Excadrill

Choice Scarf Build

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, Fissure 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

Assault Vest Build

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

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.

Counters for Excadrill

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
Corviknight	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can handle most of Excadrill's attacks with 1/2x or less damage ・Can use Body Press to hit Excadrill super effectively Best Ranked Battle Build for Corviknight
Galarian Corsola	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Can drain Excadrill's attacking power with Will-o-Wisp and Strength Sap ・Watch out for Fissure Best Ranked Battle 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 Best Ranked Battle 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 Best Ranked Battle 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
Gyarados	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can lower Excadrill's Attack with Intimidate ・Can dish out super effective Water-type moves ・Can survive Excadrill's Rock-type moves Best Ranked Battle Build for Gyarados
Galarian Darmanitan	Ranking: ★★★☆☆ ・If it holds Choice Scarf, can outspeed and deliver a one-hit KO with Flare Blitz Best Ranked Battle Build for Galarian Darmanitan

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Strategies for New Pokemon
Dragapult	Galarian Corsola	Toxtricity
Galarian Darmanitan	Corviknight	Dracovish
Grimmsnarl	Rillaboom	Duraludon
Strategies for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	-	-