QC: Jukain, AM, aim
GP:
Overview
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Blessed with a good Ground / Steel typing, a high base Attack stat, a good Speed stat that is doubled in sand, and the movepool to back it all up, Excadrill is a formidable threat in the OU metagame. It works best as a sandstorm sweeper, as its good base 88 Speed is doubled under that weather condition. Additionally, Excadrill has access to Rapid Spin, which allows it to act as a great entry hazard remover. Excadrill's other ability, Mold Breaker, allows it to get past usual checks such as Rotom-W, as Mold Breaker lets its Earthquake ignore Levitate. However, Excadrill has mediocre bulk, which is lessened when it's equipped with a Life Orb, which leaves it vulnerable to priority. Additionally, its Speed isn't stellar outside of sand, leaving it vulnerable to offensive teams when sand isn't up. Finally, Excadrill has poor type synergy with Hippowdon and Tyranitar, its two favorite partners.
Sand Rush Sweeper
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name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Swords Dance / Rapid Spin
ability: Sand Rush
item: Life Orb / Air Balloon
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moves
========
Earthquake and Iron Head are Excadrill's STAB moves and sport good power and coverage. Rock Slide is Excadrill's best coverage move, as it hits Flying-types such as Thundurus, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir super effectively. The last slot is a toss-up between sweeping capabilities and team support. Swords Dance allows Excadrill to have a much easier time sweeping and wallbreaking. However, Rapid Spin is a viable alternative to remove entry hazards from its side of the field for teammates.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Excadrill to hit as hard and fast as possible. A Jolly nature is used to outspeed neutral-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Gardevoir. However, an Adamant nature can be used, as it provides a noticeable power increase and nothing outspeeds Adamant Excadrill in sand. A Life Orb is the preferred item to boost Excadrill's damage output, but easily wears Excadrill down. An Air Balloon can be used instead to gain free switches into Choice-locked Ground-types while also ensuring a free turn to set up against them.
Usage Tips
========
If Excadrill is running Swords Dance, it acts as a great wallbreaker early-game. For example, a +2 Life Orb Earthquake is powerful enough to OHKO standard Ferrothorn after Stealth Rock damage. Excadrill is also capable of cleaning up weakened teams late-game, after its checks and counters have been sufficiently weakened and priority users have been KOed. Additionally, Excadrill is a decent check to any Fairy-type not named Azumarill thanks to its Steel typing. It can also check Flying-types under sand, as it is capable of beating Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, and Thundurus. However, should Excadrill get too worn down by Life Orb recoil, it is easily picked off by priority users that it could otherwise check.
Team Options
========
Excadrill needs sand support to function, so either Tyranitar or Hippowdon should be used alongside it. Bulky Grass-types give Excadrill trouble, so Pokemon such as Talonflame, Mega Scizor, and Mega Charizard Y make for great teammates. Bulky Water-types also pose a problem, so Pokemon such as Thundurus, Celebi, Tangrowth, and Raikou make for great teammates. Additionally, Pokemon such as Keldeo, Azumarill, Breloom, and Celebi can deal with the bulky Ground-types that Excadrill hates. Latias and Celebi are excellent teammates, as they can check Rotom-W and provide Healing Wish support for Excadrill. Finally, rain teams give Excadrill nightmares, so teammates that are able to take on common rain sweepers are recommended, such as Celebi, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn.
Bulky Spinner
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name: Bulky Spinner
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
ability: Mold Breaker
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
nature: Careful
Moves
========
Earthquake and Iron Head are Excadrill's STAB moves, and they provide decent coverage against Electric-, Steel-, and Fairy-types. Rapid Spin is used to remove entry hazards from Excadrill's side of the field to support its teammates. Toxic is a great move, as it allows Excadrill to cripple the bulky Ground-, Grass-, and Water-types that like to switch into it. Thanks to Mold Breaker, it is able to hit Mega Sableye through Magic Bounce. However, Stealth Rock is a viable alternative, as Excadrill ignores Magic Bounce with Mold Breaker and has the longevity to set it up multiple times throughout the match.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment allows Excadrill to tank special hits it otherwise couldn't, including some super effective ones such as Clefable's Flamethrower or support Heatran's Lava Plume. However, Speed investment is perfectly viable to outspeed certain Pokemon, such as Rotom-W. Mold Breaker allows Excadrill to ignore Magic Bounce and hit Levitate users, such as Rotom-W. Leftovers gives Excadrill passive recovery.
Usage Tips
========
This set is best used as a bulky Rapid Spinner that pivots into certain special attackers, such as Clefable, Sylveon, Raikou, and Latias. It can then proceed to use Rapid Spin againsy these targets, as they have no way of dealing significant damage to Excadrill. Additionally, this set is capable of luring in and crippling many of Excadrill's normal checks, such as bulky Ground-, Grass-, and Water-types, with Toxic.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate entry hazard removal, such as Talonflame, Dragonite, Thundurus, and Kyurem-B, are able to take advantage of Excadrill's spinning capabilities. Pokemon that beat bulky Water- and Ground-types, such as Celebi, Tangrowth, Keldeo, and Raikou, are good partners. Clefable appreciates Excadrill's ability to handle most Steel-types, and in return it takes on the Fighting-types that threaten Excadrill. Additionally, it is able to pass Wishes to Excadrill to keep it healthy.
Other Options
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With a Choice Scarf, Excadrill becomes a fast Rapid Spinner, but setup sweepers can easily take advantage of an Excadrill locked into Rapid Spin. Return is a viable option on the Sand Rush set because it hits Rotom-W harder than any other move and has decent coverage in general. Substitute allows Excadrill to avoid status moves as well as Bisharp's Sucker Punch, which often awards it a free turn. A type-resist berry, such as a Chople or Passho Berry, allows Excadrill to avoid being revenge killed by Mach Punch and Aqua Jet, respectively, which often allows it to score a surprise KO. Finally, an offensive Stealth Rock set equipped with a Focus Sash can be used as a decent lead that sets up Stealth Rock and is capable of spinning away the opponent's entry hazards.
Checks & Counters
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**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Skarmory, Rotom-W, Slowbro, Landorus-T, Gliscor, physically defensive Mew, Mega Sableye, Mandibuzz, Hippowdon, defensive Mega Scizor, Quagsire, and Celebi are able to stomach Excadrill's hits and recover off the damage. However, Swords Dance sets outright beat some of these Pokemon should Excadrill get a boost before they come in.
**Priority Moves**: Breloom, Azumarill, Conkeldurr, Crawdaunt, and Bisharp are capable of OHKOing Excadrill with their priority moves after a bit of prior damage. If Excadrill is sufficiently weakened, Talonflame, Mega Pinsir, and Choice Band Dragonite are capable of picking Excadrill off as well. However, they can only revenge kill it, as Excadrill is capable of severely damaging them on the switch.
GP:
Overview
########
Blessed with a good Ground / Steel typing, a high base Attack stat, a good Speed stat that is doubled in sand, and the movepool to back it all up, Excadrill is a formidable threat in the OU metagame. It works best as a sandstorm sweeper, as its good base 88 Speed is doubled under that weather condition. Additionally, Excadrill has access to Rapid Spin, which allows it to act as a great entry hazard remover. Excadrill's other ability, Mold Breaker, allows it to get past usual checks such as Rotom-W, as Mold Breaker lets its Earthquake ignore Levitate. However, Excadrill has mediocre bulk, which is lessened when it's equipped with a Life Orb, which leaves it vulnerable to priority. Additionally, its Speed isn't stellar outside of sand, leaving it vulnerable to offensive teams when sand isn't up. Finally, Excadrill has poor type synergy with Hippowdon and Tyranitar, its two favorite partners.
Sand Rush Sweeper
########
name: Sand Rush Sweeper
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Swords Dance / Rapid Spin
ability: Sand Rush
item: Life Orb / Air Balloon
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moves
========
Earthquake and Iron Head are Excadrill's STAB moves and sport good power and coverage. Rock Slide is Excadrill's best coverage move, as it hits Flying-types such as Thundurus, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir super effectively. The last slot is a toss-up between sweeping capabilities and team support. Swords Dance allows Excadrill to have a much easier time sweeping and wallbreaking. However, Rapid Spin is a viable alternative to remove entry hazards from its side of the field for teammates.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Excadrill to hit as hard and fast as possible. A Jolly nature is used to outspeed neutral-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Gardevoir. However, an Adamant nature can be used, as it provides a noticeable power increase and nothing outspeeds Adamant Excadrill in sand. A Life Orb is the preferred item to boost Excadrill's damage output, but easily wears Excadrill down. An Air Balloon can be used instead to gain free switches into Choice-locked Ground-types while also ensuring a free turn to set up against them.
Usage Tips
========
If Excadrill is running Swords Dance, it acts as a great wallbreaker early-game. For example, a +2 Life Orb Earthquake is powerful enough to OHKO standard Ferrothorn after Stealth Rock damage. Excadrill is also capable of cleaning up weakened teams late-game, after its checks and counters have been sufficiently weakened and priority users have been KOed. Additionally, Excadrill is a decent check to any Fairy-type not named Azumarill thanks to its Steel typing. It can also check Flying-types under sand, as it is capable of beating Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, and Thundurus. However, should Excadrill get too worn down by Life Orb recoil, it is easily picked off by priority users that it could otherwise check.
Team Options
========
Excadrill needs sand support to function, so either Tyranitar or Hippowdon should be used alongside it. Bulky Grass-types give Excadrill trouble, so Pokemon such as Talonflame, Mega Scizor, and Mega Charizard Y make for great teammates. Bulky Water-types also pose a problem, so Pokemon such as Thundurus, Celebi, Tangrowth, and Raikou make for great teammates. Additionally, Pokemon such as Keldeo, Azumarill, Breloom, and Celebi can deal with the bulky Ground-types that Excadrill hates. Latias and Celebi are excellent teammates, as they can check Rotom-W and provide Healing Wish support for Excadrill. Finally, rain teams give Excadrill nightmares, so teammates that are able to take on common rain sweepers are recommended, such as Celebi, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn.
Bulky Spinner
########
name: Bulky Spinner
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
ability: Mold Breaker
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
nature: Careful
Moves
========
Earthquake and Iron Head are Excadrill's STAB moves, and they provide decent coverage against Electric-, Steel-, and Fairy-types. Rapid Spin is used to remove entry hazards from Excadrill's side of the field to support its teammates. Toxic is a great move, as it allows Excadrill to cripple the bulky Ground-, Grass-, and Water-types that like to switch into it. Thanks to Mold Breaker, it is able to hit Mega Sableye through Magic Bounce. However, Stealth Rock is a viable alternative, as Excadrill ignores Magic Bounce with Mold Breaker and has the longevity to set it up multiple times throughout the match.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment allows Excadrill to tank special hits it otherwise couldn't, including some super effective ones such as Clefable's Flamethrower or support Heatran's Lava Plume. However, Speed investment is perfectly viable to outspeed certain Pokemon, such as Rotom-W. Mold Breaker allows Excadrill to ignore Magic Bounce and hit Levitate users, such as Rotom-W. Leftovers gives Excadrill passive recovery.
Usage Tips
========
This set is best used as a bulky Rapid Spinner that pivots into certain special attackers, such as Clefable, Sylveon, Raikou, and Latias. It can then proceed to use Rapid Spin againsy these targets, as they have no way of dealing significant damage to Excadrill. Additionally, this set is capable of luring in and crippling many of Excadrill's normal checks, such as bulky Ground-, Grass-, and Water-types, with Toxic.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate entry hazard removal, such as Talonflame, Dragonite, Thundurus, and Kyurem-B, are able to take advantage of Excadrill's spinning capabilities. Pokemon that beat bulky Water- and Ground-types, such as Celebi, Tangrowth, Keldeo, and Raikou, are good partners. Clefable appreciates Excadrill's ability to handle most Steel-types, and in return it takes on the Fighting-types that threaten Excadrill. Additionally, it is able to pass Wishes to Excadrill to keep it healthy.
Other Options
########
With a Choice Scarf, Excadrill becomes a fast Rapid Spinner, but setup sweepers can easily take advantage of an Excadrill locked into Rapid Spin. Return is a viable option on the Sand Rush set because it hits Rotom-W harder than any other move and has decent coverage in general. Substitute allows Excadrill to avoid status moves as well as Bisharp's Sucker Punch, which often awards it a free turn. A type-resist berry, such as a Chople or Passho Berry, allows Excadrill to avoid being revenge killed by Mach Punch and Aqua Jet, respectively, which often allows it to score a surprise KO. Finally, an offensive Stealth Rock set equipped with a Focus Sash can be used as a decent lead that sets up Stealth Rock and is capable of spinning away the opponent's entry hazards.
Checks & Counters
########
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Skarmory, Rotom-W, Slowbro, Landorus-T, Gliscor, physically defensive Mew, Mega Sableye, Mandibuzz, Hippowdon, defensive Mega Scizor, Quagsire, and Celebi are able to stomach Excadrill's hits and recover off the damage. However, Swords Dance sets outright beat some of these Pokemon should Excadrill get a boost before they come in.
**Priority Moves**: Breloom, Azumarill, Conkeldurr, Crawdaunt, and Bisharp are capable of OHKOing Excadrill with their priority moves after a bit of prior damage. If Excadrill is sufficiently weakened, Talonflame, Mega Pinsir, and Choice Band Dragonite are capable of picking Excadrill off as well. However, they can only revenge kill it, as Excadrill is capable of severely damaging them on the switch.
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