Alright, trainers, let's dive into a classic Pokemon conundrum: Excadrill, the Hundo! You know, the one with perfect IVs, the dream of every competitive player? But here's the kicker – we're not talking about the Dynamax era here. Can a perfect Excadrill still shine and be worth all the effort of leveling up, even without the big, beefy, battlefield-shaping boost of Dynamax? Let's find out! This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on Excadrill, even in the face of Dynamax being removed. We will explore the strengths, weaknesses, and potential strategies for utilizing this powerful Ground/Steel-type Pokemon in the current meta. So, is this Hundo Excadrill still worth it? Let's get into it.
Understanding Excadrill's Strengths Without Dynamax
First things first, let's talk about what makes Excadrill a beast, even when it's not towering over the battlefield as a Dynamax giant. Excadrill boasts a fantastic base Attack stat of 135, making it a fearsome physical attacker. This is important, because it allows you to hit the opponent hard. Its Ground/Steel typing offers some incredible resistances, including a crucial immunity to poison and resistance to Steel, Rock, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Normal, and, of course, Steel-type moves. This makes it a great switch-in against a variety of threats. It also has access to a strong movepool, including key offensive moves like Earthquake, Iron Head, and Swords Dance. All of these moves, combined with his high attack, make him very scary in battle. This gives it the ability to be a powerful offensive presence, able to hit hard and switch into many common threats.
One of the greatest strengths of Excadrill is his ability, Sand Rush. This ability doubles his Speed stat in Sandstorm, making him an absolute speed demon. This means you can get the jump on your opponent and attack first. This is key in a metagame where speed is so vital. Without Sand Rush, Excadrill's base Speed is a decent 88, but it's not blazing fast. With Sand Rush active in Sandstorm, it can outspeed many of the faster threats. This allows Excadrill to outpace many faster Pokemon. This makes Excadrill a major threat. The Sandstorm also gives Excadrill a Special Defense boost against the sandstorm, giving him added survivability. Even without Dynamax, the increased speed and defensive boosts, make Excadrill a valuable team member. These advantages are important as they are crucial in enabling Excadrill to sweep opponents. Without these key components, Excadrill would not be as useful in battle.
The Downsides: What to Consider
Of course, no Pokemon is perfect, and even a Hundo Excadrill has its weaknesses, especially when we're leaving Dynamax out of the equation. One of the biggest drawbacks is its Speed. Excadrill's base speed of 88 is alright but not great. Many faster Pokemon can outspeed and KO it before it can even attack. This is where the Sand Rush ability becomes essential. Without it, Excadrill can be easily revenge-killed by faster threats. This means that you have to be strategic about when you send it in, which can be difficult in the heat of battle. And the fact that you rely on the weather conditions, such as sandstorm, is also a problem. While the sandstorm gives Excadrill a massive speed boost, it also requires a teammate that can set up and maintain the sandstorm. If the opponent can remove the sandstorm, Excadrill's effectiveness plummets.
Another weakness is its vulnerability to common attacking types. While Excadrill has many resistances, it is still weak to Fire, Fighting, Water, and Ground-type moves. Fire-type moves can be a real problem, as they can deal massive damage. It is also weak to Fighting, Water and Ground-type moves. These moves are often used by the opponents, and can be troublesome. This means you have to be careful. Excadrill also does not have the best Special Defense, which can make it vulnerable to special attacks. So, while it can take physical hits like a champ, it can be easily taken down by special attackers. Lastly, Excadrill faces competition from other strong attackers. With the loss of Dynamax, many other offensive Pokemon have risen in popularity. This means Excadrill has to compete with a lot of other threats, and it may not always be the best choice for your team. These considerations are vital in determining whether a Hundo Excadrill will be a good team member.
Strategies for Success: How to Use Excadrill Effectively
Alright, so Excadrill has its strengths and weaknesses. So, how do you make the most of it, even without Dynamax? First and foremost, the ability Sand Rush is the key. You absolutely need to have a team member that can consistently set up Sandstorm. This could be Tyranitar, Hippowdon, or even a weather-setting move like Max Rockfall. Once Sandstorm is active, Excadrill becomes a force to be reckoned with. This is crucial to the success of Excadrill. Make sure you set up the Sandstorm as quickly as possible. The longer the sandstorm is active, the more opportunities you have to use Excadrill effectively.
Next, you need to make the right moveset choices. The standard moveset for Excadrill is usually Earthquake, Iron Head, and Swords Dance. Earthquake is your main STAB (same-type attack bonus) move, dealing massive damage to most Pokemon. Iron Head is another STAB move, and also has a chance to flinch the opponent, which can be crucial for catching the opponents off guard. Swords Dance boosts Excadrill's attack, making it even more dangerous. The last move slot is flexible. You could use a coverage move like Rock Slide, or a utility move such as Protect, to scout the opponent's moves. You can also use a move that can help you survive, such as Protect or Substitute.
Team composition is also important when determining how useful Excadrill can be. You need to build a team that can support Excadrill. You will need a weather setter. You will also need teammates that can cover Excadrill's weaknesses. For example, you may want a water type to help against fire types. You also need teammates who can set up entry hazards to chip away at the opponents health. These entry hazards are crucial in making Excadrill's life easier, by weakening your opponent. Make sure to consider your team when determining the use of Excadrill. Lastly, make sure that you are smart when switching Excadrill in. Excadrill's resistances and immunities can be helpful in the game. This will allow you to switch Excadrill in. It is important to anticipate what the opponent will do, and switch Excadrill in safely.
Comparing Excadrill to Other Options
Let's be real, you're not short on options when it comes to physical attackers, and even Ground/Steel types. How does Excadrill stack up against the competition? This depends on the meta, which is always evolving. In many metagames, Excadrill has the advantage of Sand Rush. This ability is a major advantage. While other Pokemon might have higher base stats, Excadrill's speed potential in the sand makes it a threat. This high speed can be very difficult to deal with. In contrast, other Ground/Steel types, such as Steelix, might have higher defenses, but lack the offensive power and speed of Excadrill. However, Excadrill also faces competition from other common offensive powerhouses. Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-T also have access to high speed and can outspeed Excadrill. This is one of Excadrill's biggest drawbacks. Also, the metagame will change often. Some Pokemon may be better than others, and some can be better than Excadrill. All of these factors will affect how useful Excadrill is. It is important to always consider the meta when determining your Pokemon strategy.
The Verdict: Is Hundo Excadrill Worth It?
So, after all of that, is leveling up that Hundo Excadrill still worth it, even without Dynamax? Absolutely! Even though it is the Dynamax era, it is still an incredibly powerful and versatile Pokemon. His high attack, great typing, and amazing ability in Sand Rush makes it a major threat on the battlefield. It is still a great team member to invest in. Excadrill can be a powerful force in battle. Just remember that Sandstorm is a must. Without it, Excadrill's effectiveness decreases dramatically. You also need to build your team around it. Make sure you account for the fact that you are relying on weather conditions. It is still a great addition to your team. While the Dynamax era is over, a good Excadrill can still sweep teams. So go out there, train that Excadrill, and show everyone what it can do!
