In Sword & Shield, Excadrill looks average on paper at 508 BST. But Sand Rush is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. A-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.

What is Excadrill weak to?

In Sword & Shield, Excadrill's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Milotic (Water), and Blaziken (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ground-type attackers are also a problem.

What is the best ability for Excadrill?

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.

What role does Excadrill play in battle?

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.

What counters Excadrill?

In Sword & Shield, the 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.

Excadrill - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Wallbreaker

ATier

88Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

High

HP110

Attack135

Defense60

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def65

Speed88

Total508

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.7 m

Weight40.4 kg

Base XP178

Abilities

Sand RushNiche

Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

Sand Force

Strengthens rock, ground, and steel moves to 1.3× their power during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

Mold BreakerHATop Pick

Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

It’s not uncommon for tunnels that appear to have formed naturally to actually be a result of Excadrill’s rampant digging.

Excadrill Weakness

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.

Excadrill Weakness and Resistance Chart
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

Type ChartExcellent

4Weak

8Resist

2Immune

Score+7

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Fire Water Fighting Ground

½xResist

Normal Flying Psychic Bug Dragon Steel Fairy

¼xResist

Rock

0xImmune

Electric Poison

STAB (7)

Fire Electric Poison Rock Steel Ice Fairy

How to Beat Excadrill in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Pelipper WaterFlying	B
Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 20 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Water Pulse 2x 51-61% Water Gun 2x 34-40% Whirlpool 2x 30-35% View Pelipper builds →
Golisopod BugWater	B
Available Moves Moves LiquidationLv. 44 DiveTM45 Razor ShellLv. 32 Brick BreakTM43 Damage vs Excadrill Liquidation 2x 94-111%KO Dive 2x 89-104%KO Razor Shell 2x 83-98% Brick Break 2x 55-65% View Golisopod builds →
Mantine WaterFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Hydro PumpLv. 48 DiveTM45 Bubble BeamLv. 24 Water PulseLv. 12 Damage vs Excadrill Hydro Pump 2x 80-94% Dive 2x 38-46% Bubble Beam 2x 47-56% Water Pulse 2x 44-52% View Mantine builds →
Cramorant FlyingWater	C
Available Moves Moves DiveTM45 Water GunLv. 7 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Dive 2x 66-78% Water Gun 2x 31-37% Whirlpool 2x 29-34% View Cramorant builds →
Araquanid WaterBug	C
Available Moves Moves DiveTM45 Bubble BeamLv. 12 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Dive 2x 56-66% Bubble Beam 2x 34-40% Water Gun 2x 21-25% View Araquanid builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

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

2 Forms

#529Drilbur

Level 31

#530Excadrill

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Drilbur

Ground

Excadrill

GroundSteel

110+50

ATK

135+50

DEF

60+20

SP.ATK

50+20

SP.DEF

65+20

SPE

88+20

BST

328C-Tier

508S-Tier+180

ROLE

Balanced

Wallbreaker

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Excadrill to get Drilbur eggs easily using 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Metal Sound, Slash, Submission.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

3moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Excadrill Best Moveset

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

Situational pick

Ability

Mold Breaker

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Excadrill

Jolly+SPE

Excadrill best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Atk

SpD

Spe

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

EarthquakeSTAB
Rapid Spin
Iron HeadSTAB
Swords Dance

Recommended Teammates

CelesteelaDecent

SalamenceDecent

Moves

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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Hone Claws

C——15Dark

Lv 1

Horn Drill

——305Normal

Lv 1

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Lv 1

Rapid Spin

S5010040Normal

Lv 1

Scratch

—4010035Normal

Lv 12

Fury Swipes

—188015Normal

Lv 16

Metal Claw

C509535Steel

Lv 20

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

Lv 24

Crush Claw

C759510Normal

Lv 28

Rock Slide

S759010Rock

Lv 34

Dig

B8010010Ground

Lv 40

Swords Dance

S——20Normal

Lv 46

Drill Run

B809510Ground

Lv 52

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

Lv 58

Fissure

——305Ground

TM Moves

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM43

Brick Break

C7510015Fighting

TM97

Brutal Swing

C6010020Dark

TM81

Bulldoze

B6010020Ground

TM15

Dig

B8010010Ground

TR87

Drill Run

B809510Ground

TR67

Earth Power

C9010010Ground

TR10

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM59

Fling

——10010Dark

TR64

Focus Blast

D120705Fighting

TM09

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TR94

High Horsepower

B959510Ground

TM08

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TR46

Iron Defense

C——15Steel

TR74

Iron Head

S8010015Steel

TM53

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

TR57

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM25

Protect+4

S——10Normal

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM54

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

TM22

Rock Slide

S759010Rock

TM48

Rock Tomb

C609515Rock

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM49

Sand Tomb

C358515Ground

TM32

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

TM65

Shadow Claw

C7010015Ghost

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TR22

Sludge Bomb

D9010010Poison

TM96

Smart Strike

B70—10Steel

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR76

Stealth Rock

A——20Rock

TM98

Stomping Tantrum

B7510010Ground

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

Swords Dance

S——20Normal

TR60

X-Scissor

C8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Egg

Metal Sound

D—8540Steel

Egg

Slash

C7010020Normal

Egg

Submission

C808020Fighting

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Scorching Sands

D7010010Ground

How to Get Excadrill in Sword & Shield

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 Drilbur
Galar Mine
ShieldOverworld Lv.11-14 Cave
10%Early
All Weather
Galar Mine
SwordOverworld Lv.11-14 Cave
10%Early
All Weather
Galar Mine
ShieldGrass Lv.11-15 Cave
10%Early
All Weather
Galar Mine
SwordGrass Lv.11-15 Cave
10%Early
All Weather
Giant's Mirror
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
35%Mid
Sandstorm
Giant's Mirror
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
35%Mid
Sandstorm
Giant's Cap
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
30%Mid
Sandstorm
Giant's Cap
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
30%Mid
Sandstorm
Stony Wilderness
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
30%Mid
Sandstorm
Stony Wilderness
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
30%Mid
Sandstorm
Giant's Cap
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Intense Sun
Giant's Cap
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Intense Sun
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Sandstorm
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Sandstorm
Stony Wilderness
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Intense Sun
Stony Wilderness
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Intense Sun
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
35%Late
Sandstorm
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
35%Late
Sandstorm
Dusty Bowl
ShieldOverworld Lv.42-47
10%Late
Intense Sun
Dusty Bowl
SwordOverworld Lv.42-47
10%Late
Intense Sun
Train until Level 31
Step 2Excadrill ✓
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
60%Late
Snowstorm
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
60%Late
Intense Sun
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
60%Late
Snowing
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
60%Late
Sandstorm
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
50%Late
Snowstorm
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
50%Late
Intense Sun
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
50%Late
Snowing
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
50%Late
Sandstorm
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
30%Late
Thunderstorm
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
30%Late
Raining
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
30%Late
Heavy Fog
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
30%Late
Overcast
Giant's Mirror - Ground
SwordOverworld Lv.31-34
30%Late
Normal Weather
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
20%Late
Thunderstorm
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
20%Late
Raining
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
20%Late
Heavy Fog
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
20%Late
Overcast
Giant's Mirror - Ground
ShieldOverworld Lv.31-34
20%Late
Normal Weather
Lake of Outrage
ShieldOverworld Lv.55-58 Water
35%Post
Sandstorm
Lake of Outrage
SwordOverworld Lv.55-58 Water
35%Post
Sandstorm
or evolve from Drilbur (Step 1)

Excadrill Guide

In Sword & Shield, Excadrill looks average on paper at 508 BST. But Sand Rush is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. A-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Milotic (Water), and Blaziken (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ground-type attackers are also a problem.
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.
In Sword & Shield, the 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.

Game Availability

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

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback

Wingull WaterFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 20 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Water Pulse 2x 38-45% Water Gun 2x 28-34% View Wingull builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Water Gun 2x 28-34% View Lombre builds →
Sizzlipede FireBug	D
Available Moves Moves Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Flame Wheel 2x 44-53% Ember 2x 25-30% View Sizzlipede builds →
Palpitoad WaterGround	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 20 Mud ShotLv. 12 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 48-56% Mud Shot 2x 41-49% View Palpitoad builds →
Growlithe Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Flame WheelLv. 12 EmberLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Flame Wheel 2x 48-56% Ember 2x 31-38% View Growlithe builds →

Wingull WaterFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 20 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Water Pulse 2x 35-41% Water Gun 2x 23-29% View Wingull builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 24 Mud ShotTM53 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 40-48% Mud Shot 2x 23-28% Water Gun 2x 27-32% Whirlpool 2x 23-29% View Lombre builds →
Sizzlipede FireBug	D
Available Moves Moves Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Flame Wheel 2x 40-48% Ember 2x 23-29% View Sizzlipede builds →
Dewpider WaterBug	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 12 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 32-38% Water Gun 2x 21-26% View Dewpider builds →
Palpitoad WaterGround	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 20 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 43-51% Mud Shot 2x 37-45% View Palpitoad builds →

Wingull WaterFlying	D
Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 20 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Water Pulse 2x 34-40% Water Gun 2x 24-29% View Wingull builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 24 Mud ShotTM53 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 38-46% Mud Shot 2x 22-27% Water Gun 2x 27-32% Whirlpool 2x 21-26% View Lombre builds →
Sizzlipede FireBug	D
Available Moves Moves Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Flame Wheel 2x 41-49% Ember 2x 24-29% View Sizzlipede builds →
Dewpider WaterBug	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 12 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 32-38% Water Gun 2x 19-23% View Dewpider builds →
Palpitoad WaterGround	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 20 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 41-49% Mud Shot 2x 37-43% View Palpitoad builds →

Pelipper WaterFlying	B
Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 20 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Water Pulse 2x 52-62% Water Gun 2x 35-42% Whirlpool 2x 32-38% View Pelipper builds →
Cramorant FlyingWater	C
Available Moves Moves DiveLv. 28 Water GunLv. 7 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Dive 2x 65-77% Water Gun 2x 32-38% Whirlpool 2x 28-33% View Cramorant builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 24 Mud ShotTM53 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 39-46% Mud Shot 2x 22-26% Water Gun 2x 26-31% Whirlpool 2x 22-26% View Lombre builds →
Sizzlipede FireBug	D
Available Moves Moves Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 1 Fire SpinLv. 35 Damage vs Excadrill Flame Wheel 2x 41-49% Ember 2x 22-26% Fire Spin 2x 21-24% View Sizzlipede builds →
Dewpider WaterBug	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 12 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 29-35% Water Gun 2x 21-24% View Dewpider builds →

Pelipper WaterFlying	B
Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 20 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Water Pulse 2x 51-61% Water Gun 2x 36-42% Whirlpool 2x 30-36% View Pelipper builds →
Cramorant FlyingWater	C
Available Moves Moves DiveLv. 28 Water GunLv. 7 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Dive 2x 66-78% Water Gun 2x 31-38% Whirlpool 2x 28-34% View Cramorant builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 24 Mud ShotTM53 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolTM36 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 39-46% Mud Shot 2x 22-27% Water Gun 2x 24-29% Whirlpool 2x 23-27% View Lombre builds →
Sizzlipede FireBug	D
Available Moves Moves Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 1 Fire SpinLv. 35 Damage vs Excadrill Flame Wheel 2x 41-48% Ember 2x 23-27% Fire Spin 2x 20-23% View Sizzlipede builds →
Dewpider WaterBug	D
Available Moves Moves Bubble BeamLv. 12 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Excadrill Bubble Beam 2x 30-36% Water Gun 2x 20-23% View Dewpider builds →

Tapu KokoRecovers with Roost, outspeeds ElectricFairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves Dazzling Gleam ThunderboltSTAB RoostRecovery Volt Switch Damage vs Excadrill Dazzling Gleam 21-24% View Tapu Koko builds →
ClefableIgnores boosts via Unaware Fairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves MoonblastSTAB Soft Boiled Calm Mind Knock Off Damage vs Excadrill Moonblast 19-22% Knock Off 13-16% View Clefable builds →
NihilegoOutspeeds, walls special sets RockPoison	A
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Power Gem Grass Knot Stealth Rock Sludge Wave Damage vs Excadrill Power Gem 12-14% View Nihilego builds →
BlisseyWears down with Toxic, threatens with Seismic Toss, cures status via Natural Cure Normal	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves Soft Boiled Seismic Toss ToxicUtility Thunder Wave View Blissey builds →
MagnezoneTraps via Magnet Pull, quad resists Steel, threatens with Body Press ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves Flash Cannon ThunderboltSTAB Volt Switch Hidden Power Fire Damage vs Excadrill Flash Cannon 42-50% View Magnezone builds →