15 best Steel-type Pokemon ranked: Dialga, Zacian, Solgaleo, & more

Steel-type Pokemon became fan favorites due to their power and few weaknesses. From standard creatures to Legendaries, if you’re looking for the best Steel-type Pokemon to add to your team, we’ve got them ranked for you.

Of all the different Pokemon types, Steel is the one that feels most dominated by uber-powerful species, partly because there are so many unique dual-types, Legendaries, and Mythicals that fall into this category.

Steel types also typically benefit from having loads of type resistances, so unless your opponent is prepared with the right counters, they’ll have a really tough time taking your Pokemon out.

To help you make an informed pick, we’ve gathered the best of the bunch based on everything from stat distribution, potential move pools, abilities, and how they actually play in battle.

Every Pokemon in the list appears in its standard form, except for those that change to receive a secondary typing that allows them to be a part of the ranking.

Contents

• What is the best and strongest Steel-type Pokemon?
• 15 best Steel-type Pokemon of all time
  • Ferrothorn
  • Steelix
  • Scizor
  • Lucario
  • Gholdengo
  • Aegislash
  • Kartana
  • Genesect
  • Magearna
  • Metagross
  • Iron Crown
  • Necrozma (Dusk Mane)
  • Solgaleo
  • Zacian (Crowned Sword)
  • Dialga

• What are the worst Steel-type Pokemon?

What is the best and strongest Steel-type Pokemon?

After careful analysis, we’ve given the strongest Steel-type Pokemon title to Dialga. This incredible Legendary is a dual Steel/Dragon Pokemon with 10 resistances and only two weaknesses, while also having amazing stats and moveset.

However, there’s a whole list of other strong Steel-type creatures with different abilities and strengths to add to your team.

15 best Steel-type Pokemon of all time

15. Ferrothorn

• Debut: Pokemon Black & White
• Type: Grass/Steel
• Weaknesses: Fire / Fighting

Like many other Steel-type Pokemon, Ferrothorn is a very bulky creature that can stand strong during a longer period thanks to its good Defense and Sp. Def stats.

Additionally, it has access to Stealth Rock, a great move that hits any Pokemon that gets swapped into battle, and other strong attacks that get even more powerful due to STAB.

Ferrothorn base stats:

14. Steelix

• Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Type: Steel/Ground
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Ground / Fire / Water

Steelix is an impressive Pokemon, and its main attraction is its outstanding Defense stat, which sits at 200, making it one of the Pokemon with the best defense in the whole franchise.

This gigantic metal snake has great and useful moves like Gyro Ball, that inflicts more damage the slower the user is in comparison to its target, which works perfectly for Steelix. This attack can be paired up with Curse to boost both Attack and Defense stats to very high levels while also boosting Gyro Ball’s base power by reducing the Speed stat.

Steelix base stats:

13. Scizor

• Debut: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Type: Bug/Steel
• Weaknesses: Fire

One of the most instantly-recognizable Steel-type Pokemon is Scizor, the evolution of the beloved Scyther. This bright red bug specializes in physical moves, with a huge Attack stat that means it can dish out massive damage with STAB moves like Iron Head and X-Scissor.

The ability Technician also converts low-power moves into big damage-dealers, and the option to Mega Evolve boosts its Attack and Defense even higher. It’s certainly not the ultimate Steel-type Pokemon, but Scizor is a great option to kick off our list.

Scizor base stats:

12. Lucario

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Fighting/Steel
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Ground / Fire

It may fare better as a Fighting-type Pokemon, but as one of the most beloved species of all time, we just couldn’t leave Lucario off our list. Besides, that part-Steel typing eliminates all of the usual Fighting-type weaknesses (Fairy, Flying, and Psychic), and gives it eight resistances and a Poison immunity.

This is incredibly useful, as Lucario isn’t the best when it comes to Defense and Special Defense, both of which sit at the same level. Fortunately, it thrives with great Attack and Special Attack stats, which allows it to dish out some huge STAB damage with Steel-type moves like Meteor Mash and Flash Cannon.

Lucario base stats:

11. Gholdengo

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Type: Steel/Ghost
• Weaknesses: Ground / Ghost / Fire / Dark

Gholdengo is one of the weirdest Pokemon in the whole franchise. It was introduced in Scarlet & Violet as the eovlution to the tiny coin known as Gimmighoul. However, evolving it is quite an oddysey.

This shiny creature has good balanced stats, with a solid Defense and one of the highest Sp. Atk ever. Additionally, its special ability Good as Gold makes Gholdengo immune to status moves, except for Stealth Rock and Haze, keeping it safe from teams that rely on them.

Gholdengo base stats:

10. Aegislash

• Debut: Pokemon X & Y
• Type: Steel/Ghost
• Weaknesses: Ground / Ghost / Fire / Dark

It may have relatively low total base stats (500 compared to Dialga’s 680), but Aegislash still fares as one of the best Steel-type Pokemon of all time thanks to its ability to change between two different forms, Blade and Shield, which lets it focus on either Attack or Defense mid-battle.

This makes it an unpredictable Pokemon to go up against, and even if an opponent does manage to figure Aegislash out, its dual Steel/Ghost typing gives it nine resistances and three immunities. Combined with a huge Defense and Special Defense in Shield forme, it’s very hard to take down.

Aegislash base stats:

9. Kartana

• Debut: Pokemon Sun & moon
• Type: Grass/Steel
• Weaknesses: Fire / Fighting

Kartana’s stats are all over the place, but if you know how to use it, then it can be deadly. This Ultra Beast has one of the highest Attack stats in the game at a devastating 181, while its Speed means it will have a high chance of striking first with brilliant moves like Sacred Sword and Smart Strike.

And it certainly needs to strike first, as a shockingly low HP and Special Defense mean it won’t last long in battle at all. As long as you’re aware of its status as a glass cannon and you pick the right moments to unleash it, then Kartana can easily be a game-changing wallbreaker.

Kartana base stats:

8. Genesect

• Debut: Pokemon Black & White
• Type: Bug/Steel
• Weaknesses: Fire

The first Mythical on our best Steel-type Pokemon list is Genesect. Aside from a relatively low HP, the rest of its stats are very well-balanced, leaving it without any significant downsides. With high Attack and Special Attack stats, it can excel in either physical damage or special damage.

One of the best features of Genesect is that it has the ability to change the typing of its brilliant signature move Techno Blast into Electric, Fire, Ice, or Water depending on the Drive it’s holding. With 120 power and 100% accuracy, this gives Genesect some brilliant (and powerful) coverage options.

Genesect base stats:

7. Magearna

• Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Type: Steel/Fairy
• Weaknesses: Ground / Fire

Another Mythical that makes its way onto our list is Magearna. Known as the Artificial Pokemon, this Fairy/Steel-type from the Alola region has a huge amount of type resistances and is immune to both Poison and Dragon-type attacks, which already gives it a massive advantage.

Throw in its high Defense and Special Defense stats, and it becomes a very tricky Pokemon to defeat. It also has a huge Special Attack, while the stat-boosting ability Soul-Heart means it can be devastating on the battlefield with a range of coverage moves like Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, and Focus Blast.

Magearna base stats:

6. Metagross

• Debut: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Type: Steel/Psychic
• Weaknesses: Ground /Ghost / Fire / Dark

For many trainers, the pseudo-Legendary Metagross is the definitive Steel-type Pokemon, thanks to its imposing design and huge power. It has an impressive 10 resistances on its side and an intimidating Attack stat that’s backed up by moves like Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt.

That’s not to mention its Mega Evolution, which gives it an extra 100 stats to play with. This fixes its biggest weakness – slow Speed – by increasing it from 70 to 110, while also increasing every other stat except HP. It also gets a nice boost to contact move damage with the ability Tough Claws.

Metagross base stats:

5. Iron Crown

• Debut: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Type: Steel/Psychic
• Weaknesses: Ground /Ghost / Fire / Dark

This Paradox Pokemon is the future version of Cobalion, one of the Legendaries from the Swords of Justice quartet.

It has very good Defense and Sp. Def, as well as a solid HP and Speed, but its most important stat is its Sp. Atk, which makes Iron Crown one of the hardest hitters in the franchise.

Additionally, its special ability Quark Drive increases its highest stat (except HP) by 30%, or 50% if Speed is the highest stat. However, Electric Terrain needs to be active first or else the Pokemon has to be holding a Booster Energy.

Iron Crown base stats:

4. Necrozma (Dusk Mane)

• Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Type: Psychic/Steel
• Weaknesses: Ground / Ghost / Fire / Dark

This special fusion Pokemon has great typing (such as Metagross and Iron Crown), a versatile move pool, a well-balanced set of stats, and a great offensive.

Necrozma Dusk Mane’s versatile move pool offers wide coverage against plenty of Pokemon while also making up for its weaker stats. Swords Dance (increases the user’s Attack) and Trick Room (makes the slower Pokemon move first for 5 turns), turn it into a complete sweeper. More so, it can use the move Swords Dance to make up for its low Speed if needed.

Necrozma (Dusk Mane) base stats:

3. Solgaleo

• Debut: Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Type: Psychic/Steel
• Weaknesses: Ground / Ghost / Fire / Dark

It may not be the most instantly recognizable Steel-type Pokemon, but Solgaleo has worked its way into the big leagues with a huge total base stats that are distributed excellently: 137 HP and 107 Defense for high bulk combined with 137 Attack and 113 Special Attack for some hard-hitting potential.

These stats are also pretty much impenetrable thanks to the ability Full Metal Body, which prevents stat reduction from other Pokemon’s moves and abilities. Similar to Metagross, a brilliant Psychic/Steel-typing gives Solgaleo a huge amount of type resistances. All of this makes it a nightmare to take down.

Solgaleo base stats:

2. Zacian (Crowned Sword)

• Debut: Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Type: Fairy/Steel
• Weaknesses: Ground /Fire

Both Zacian and Zamazenta have the ability to become top-tier Steel-types when given a special item to hold, but in an effort to keep our list as varied as possible we’ve only chosen one: and that’s the attack-focused Zacian.

The box art Legendary for Pokemon Sword has a huge 670 total base stats, with an impressive 138 Speed that almost always lets it attack first, a powerful 130 Attack, and a solid 115 Defense. But it really shines when given a Rusted Sword to hold, where it becomes the Fairy/Steel-type Crowned Sword Zacian.

In this form, it gets a ridiculous 720 base stat – the same as the Mythical Arceus – with a devastating 170 Attack stat that’s boosted further when switched into battle thanks to the ability Intrepid Sword. With moves like Behemoth Blade and Close Combat, Zacian is almost unstoppable.

Zacian (Crowned Sword) base stats:

1. Dialga

• Debut: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Type: Steel/Dragon
• Weaknesses: Fighting / Ground

Dialga made it in our best Dragon-type list, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to see it top our Steel-type list. The fan-favorite Legendary from the Sinnoh region has constantly proven itself to be a winner across multiple games, from Legends Arceus to Pokemon Go.

Being a dual Steel/Dragon-type Pokemon means the two big weaknesses Dragons usually have – Fairies and other Dragons – are negated, which really helps it stand out among all the powerful Dragon types. It also has one of the coolest Legendary designs of all time, which may have swayed us slightly.

When it comes to stats, Dialga stands out with a huge Special Attack, Attack, 120 Defense stats, which means it can dish out some huge damage with attacks like Roar Of Time and Iron Tail while also being able to tank hits from opponents.

Dialga base stats:

What are the worst Steel-type Pokemon?

Even though there are plenty of wonderfully powerful Steel-type Pokemon in this list, players should be aware of the worst ones so they can avoid them.

The dual Bug/Steel Wormadam Trash Cloak is the worst Steel-type Pokemon due to its low offensive and even lower Speed stat. It has plenty of resistances, but its Fire weakness with so many powerful and fan-favorite Fire-type champions turns it into a definitely waste.

Klink has even worse stats than Wormadam Trash Cloak. It has very low HP, barely deals any damage, and it’s too slow to even hit first.

Finally, Galarian Meowth takes the third spot. This single Steel-type Pokemon also has weak stats and a very underwhelming move pool.

That’s all you need to know about the best Steel-type Pokemon of all time. For more Pokemon content, check the guides below:

Best Fairy-types | Best Water-types | Best Grass-types | Best Psychic-types | Best Electric-types | Best Legendary Pokemon | All cat Pokemon | All dog Pokemon | Creepiest Pokemon ever | Cutest Pokemon ever | The rarest and most expensive Pokemon cards