Excadrill
[Overview]
<p>While often perceived to be "broken" in standard OU, Excadrill struggles slightly in VGC 2011 due to the lack of auto-Sandstorm and the abundance of Fighting- and Ground-type attacks, as well as the presence of Chandelure and Jellicent.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Excadrill
move 1: Earthquake / Drill Run
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: X-Scissor / Sandstorm
move 4: Protect
item: Chople Berry
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Adamant
evs: 172 HP / 64 Atk / 116 Def / 156 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Earthquake is Excadrill's most reliable STAB, but Drill Run hits only one target and is slightly more powerful because of it (80 base power compared to Earthquake's 75 per target). Rock Slide hits flying types, and X-Scissor hits Hydreigon and Psychic-types that aren't hurt much by either Earthquake or Rock Slide. Excadrill can Protect to stall out TR or stave off a fatal attack for one turn.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Even with 64 Attack EVs, Excadrill has a very respectable 179 Attack. The extra bulk allows Excadrill to survive Earthquake from Adamant Landorus, Heat Wave from Modest Chandelure, and Close Combat from Adamant Terrakion with the aid of Chople Berry. This set can be used in Sandstorm, but a simple EV spread of 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with Focus Sash is preferred.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Brick Break can help against Scrafty, but Scrafty and other Fighting-weak Pokemon will often carry Chople Berry to negate it. Air Balloon allows Excadrill to avoid Earthquakes, but it reveals to the opponent that Excadrill has neither Focus Sash nor a resist berry. Horn Drill and Fissure can allow Excadrill to quickly defeat Pokemon that Earthquake and Rock Slide fail to, such as Landorus and Jellicent. Obviously having a partner (such as HP Ice Thundurus or Eelektross) to deal with those two instead is preferable, but the OHKO moves can be used as a last-ditch effort. Smooth Rock can be used if Excadrill is running Sandstorm, but given its vulnerability to common moves, Excadrill should focus on making the most of the time it can use Sandstorm rather than increasing the length of the Sandstorm. Lastly, Swords Dance is usable, though it is unsafe.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Landorus does up to 99% to bulky Excadrill with Earthquake and Excadrill can't do much damage in return, barring a successful Horn Drill. Similarly, Conkeldurr and Scrafty can Drain Punch Excadrill, negating any damage Excadrill does to either of them. Chandelure will OHKO with Flamethrower, as will Modest Life Orb Hydreigon with Fire Blast, though Excadrill can deal good damage to each if it survives with Focus Sash.</p>