Steel-type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A are arguably among the most dependable because their natural bulk, numerous resistances, and adaptable offensive options cement their place in both the story and competitive gameplay. The following article will discuss the six most used and top rated Steel-type Pokémon in Z-A, including where to catch them and recommended builds.
Best Steel-Type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends
1. Mega Lucario
Image via: Game Freak
Why it’s good:
Lucario is super good because of its offensive pressure, speed, and ability to use both physical and special attacks upon mega evolution.
Where to Find / Obtain:
- You first need a Riolu, which can be obtained via NPC trade or you can find it on the rooftop of the Passage Umbrage Mall in Rogue sector 4 during a sunny day.
- To Mega evolve, obtain Lucarionite by spending 240 Mega Shards at Quasartico Inc., a place you can access once you’ve enabled Main mission 10.
Stats (Base and Mega):
- Base Lucario: HP 70 / Atk 110 / Def 70 / SpA 115 / SpD 70 / Speed 90
- Mega Lucario: HP 70 / Atk 145 / Def 88 / SpA 140 / SpD 70 / Speed 112
- Total BST (Mega): 625
Recommended Build:
- Nature: Adamant (to boost physical Atk) or Jolly (for more Speed)
- Moveset: A combination of Close Combat (Fighting STAB), Earthquake (Ground coverage), Ice Punch or Thunder Punch and of course a boosting move like Swords Dance or Bulk Up. If you’re using Bulk Up, you can utilize that because Lucario’s defense is less than stellar.
2. Mega Metagross
Image via: Game Freak
Why it’s good:
Metagross is a Pokemon with great stats. It has good bulk, but Mega Metagross is even bulkier.
How to Get:
- Get a Beldum, evolve it into a Metang at level 20, and then to a Metagross at level 45. Beldum is found in a room at Lysandre Labs located beneath the Lysandre Café in Lumiose City. You can only get to that part of the lab after clearing Main Mission 35: Reaching Rank A.
- You can buy Metagrossite (Mega Stone) from Quasartico Inc. for 360 Mega Shards. Alternatively, after the story you can get an alpha Metagross in Wild Zone 20.
Base Stats and Mega Stats:
- Base Metagross: HP 80 / Atk 135 / Def 130 / SpA 95 / SpD 90 / Speed 70
- Mega Metagross: HP 80 / Atk 145 / Def 150 / SpA 105 / SpD 110 / Speed 110
- The Total BST in Mega form is: 700
Recommended Build:
- Nature: Impish (+Def, –SpA) or Adamant (+Atk, –SpA)
- Moveset: Heavy Slam, Zen Headbutt, Knock Off and Power-Up Punch will make a good mix.
3. Mega Excadrill
Image via: Game Freak
Reasons for great performance:
Excadrill is a speedy, hard-hitting attacker. Excadrill’s Ground / Steel styping and Mega evolution make it a very dangerous “glass cannon”.
How to obtain / Where to get:
- Evolve Drilbur into Excadrill (Drilbur evolves at ~level 31)
- You can find Drilbur in Wild Zone 8 after you have completed Main Mission 9 in Wild Zone 14 after you have completed Main Mission 19.
- To Mega evolve, you now trade Mega Shards for its Mega Stone in Quasartico Inc.
Stats (Base and Mega):
- Base Excadrill: HP 110 / Atk 135 / Def 60 / SpA 50 / SpD 65 / Speed 88
- Mega Excadrill: HP 110 / Atk 165 / Def 100 / SpA 65 / SpD 65 / Speed 103
- Total Base Stat Total BST is 608 in Mega form.
Recommended Build:
- Nature: Jolly (+Speed, –SpA) or Adamant (+Atn, –SpA).
- Moveset: Earthquake (Ground STAB), Iron Head (Steel STAB), Rock Slide (coverage for Flying / Fire), Protect or Swords Dance to boost further.
4. Mega Skarmory
Image via: Game Freak
Strengths:
Skarmory is a very balanced Pokémon: it has utility, defensive strength and with Mega Evolutions usable similarly to the Charged Attack strategy.
Where to Find / Obtain:
- You can find Skarmory, as a wild spawn, near-rooftops in Wild Zone 17 at night after completing Main Mission 24.
- The Mega Stone (Skarmorite) is obtainable through Mega Shards, at Quasartico Inc.
Stats (Base/Mega):
- Base Skarmory: HP 65 / Atk 80 / Def 140 / SpA 40 / SpD 70 / Speed 70
- Mega Skarmory: HP 65 / Atk 140 / Def 110 / SpA 40 / SpD 100 / Speed 110
- Total Mega BST 565
Recommended Build:
- Nature: Jolly (increased Speed), or Impish (increased Defense)
- Moveset: Fly (invulnerability/reposition), Steel Wing (Steel STAB), Stealth Rock (hazard), Protect (stall/pivot)
- Alternate Moves: Brave Bird or Iron Head if using Mega Skarmory a bit more aggressively
5. Mega Steelix
Image via: Game Freak
Why it’s strong:
Steelix is a traditional tank: extremely physically bulky, and Mega evolved Steelix makes it even more insane.
Where to Obtain:
- Onix spawns in Wild Zone 14. To evolve Onix → Steelix, you need a Metal Coat and to trade Onix while it holds Metal Coat.
- You can obtain Metal Coat through Completion Side Mission 101, or you can buy it from NPCs.
- Steelixite is also sold at the Stone Emporium.
Stats (Base & Mega):
- Base Steelix: HP 75 / Atk 85 / Def 200 / SpA 55 / SpD 65 / Speed 30
- Mega Steelix: HP 75 / Atk 125 / Def 230 / SpA 55 / SpD 95 / Speed 30
- Total Mega BST is 610
Recommended Build:
- Nature: Sassy (+SpD, -Speed) gives you some additional special bulk.
- Moveset: Curse (boosts Attack & Defense but lowers Speed), Heavy Slam (Steel STAB), Earthquake (Ground STAB), Taunt (you stop set up or stop physical threats).
6. Mega Mawile
Image via: Game Freak
Why it’s good:
Mawile’s dual STAB typing provides an excellent range of coverage and its Mega has a high Attack stat.
Where to find/acquire:
- Mawile can be found in Wild Zone 9 after Main Mission 10 and Wild Zone 17 after Main Mission 24.
- To Mega evolve Mawile, you will require Mawilite which can be obtained at Quasartico Inc by trading Mega Shards (the same method as other Megas).
Stats (Base & Mega):
- Base Mawile: HP 50 / Atk 85 / Def 85/ SpA 55 / SpD 55 / Speed 50
- Mega Mawile: HP 50 / Atk 147 / Def 125 / SpA 55 / SpD 95 / Speed 50
- Mega BST totals 522
Suggested Build:
- Nature: Adamant (to maximize Attack)
- Moveset: Iron Head (Steel STAB), Play Rough (Fairy STAB & great coverage), Sucker Punch (prioritize in lower speeds), Swords Dance (increase Attack).
Conclusion
Steel-type Pokémon rank among the best and most reliable Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Their particular blend of defensive bulk and offensive power makes them surprisingly useful in both the main story mode (PvE) and in competitive play (PvP). This breakdown is based on guaranteed data, so you will be able to rely on it for strategy and analysis.
