Understanding Steel-type Pokémon: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Vulnerabilities

If you find yourself being challenged by Steel-type Pokémon, there are effective strategies you can employ to exploit their vulnerabilities in combat and defeat them with the right counters.

Steel-type Pokémon are often seen as some of the most formidable entities within the Pokémon universe. Many enthusiasts rank them as the toughest and most resilient type, leading them to populate their teams with these powerful metallic creatures.

Nonetheless, like any type throughout the Pokémon franchise, Steel-types have inherent weaknesses that can be exploited. Below, you’ll discover essential information to help you prevail in battles against this type.

Weaknesses of Steel-type Pokémon

When it comes to type matchups, Steel-type Pokémon have three main vulnerabilities:

Fire
Fighting
Ground

To easily take down a Steel-type, bring along Pokémon that possess these typings. Keep in mind that many Pokémon have dual types, so it’s crucial to capitalize on any additional weaknesses by considering their secondary type.

Strengths and Resistances of Steel-type Pokémon

Despite their weaknesses, Steel-type Pokémon shine in battles due to their numerous resistances, which include Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy types. Additionally, they have a notable immunity to Poison.

When incorporating a Steel-type into your lineup, leverage their strengths against Rock, Ice, and Fairy type opponents, as Steel moves are particularly effective against these. Conversely, it’s wise to avoid facing Fire, Water, Electric, and other Steel types with your Steel Pokémon, as your attacks will not pack much of a punch.

Top Counters for Steel-type Pokémon

Here are some Pokémon that make excellent counters against Steel types:

Primal Groudon (Groudon/Fire)
Blaziken (Fire/Fighting)
Emboar (Fire/Fighting)
Great Tusk (Ground/Fighting)
Paldean Tauros – Blaze Breed (Fighting/Fire)

While pure Fire, Fighting, and Ground types work well as counters, those that combine two types that are weak to Steel-type attacks offer even greater advantage.

Always consider the secondary type of your opponents when choosing your counter Pokémon and attacks. Although the ones listed above are effective against Steel-types, the enemy may possess resistances due to their primary/secondary typing, so it’s important to stay alert.

Optimal Tera Types for Steel-type Pokémon

The introduction of Tera Types in Scarlet & Violet has transformed combat dynamics, making the following types worth considering to strengthen your Steel-type Pokémon:

Steel: Enhances the power of Steel moves while negating weaknesses from secondary types.
Ground: Removes the existing Steel weakness to Ground moves.
Fire: Eliminates vulnerability to Fire moves.
Water: Helps resist Fire, Water, and Ice attacks, while also negating a weakness to Fire.

Top Steel Moves in Pokémon

With a total of 37 Steel-type moves available, we’ve selected the most impactful special, physical, and status moves you can incorporate into combat:

MOVE	CATEGORY	POWER	ACCURACY	PP	EFFECT	GEN
Doom Desire	Special	140	100%	5	Damage occurs after 2 turns	Gen III
Make It Rain	Special	120	100%	5	Reduces user’s Special Attack	Gen IX
Flash Cannon	Special	80	100%	10	May lower opponent’s Special Defense	Gen IV
Gigaton Hammer	Physical	160	100%	5	Cannot be used consecutively	Gen IX
Iron Tail	Physical	100	75%	15	May reduce opponent’s Defense	Gen II
Sunsteel Strike	Physical	100	100%	5	Ignores target’s ability	Gen VII
Meteor Mash	Physical	90	90%	10	May raise user’s Attack	Gen III
Gyro Ball	Physical	X	100%	5	The slower the user, the more powerful the attack	Gen IV
Iron Defense	Status	X	X	15	Significantly raises the user’s Defense	Gen III
King’s Shield	Status	X	X	10	Protects user and decreases opponent’s Attack	Gen VI