The Steel typing, along with the Dark-type, was added to the Pokémon universe in Gen II with Pokémon Gold & Silver. Although it took a while for the number of Steel-type Pokémon to increase to a healthy roster size, after 8 generations of Pokémon, there is now a considerable number of Steel-type species in the Pokémon universe.
Steel-types are well-known for their resistance to most other types and their substantial physical defense. While offensive Steel-type moves are not as frequently used as other typings, most Steel-type Pokémon have a secondary typing that supports the offensive side of their battling.
10 Empoleon Is A Dogged Battler With Great Stats
As far as designs go, Empoleon is one of the more impressive among the various starter Pokémon, and this is coupled with its impressive 530 total base stats, with immense special attack and defense.
In the anime, Empoleon hasn’t been used at its full capacity yet, with the closest being with Barry and Kukui’s own versions of the Emperor Penguin Pokémon in Diamond & Pearl and Sun & Moon respectively.
9 Aggron Should Cause More Problems Than It Does In The Anime
Aggron is a ferocious dual Steel-Rock type with substantial physical attack and defense, but its special attack and defense leave a lot to be desired. In the games it is a very useful Pokémon to have in any team as it can learn moves from almost every typing, it just needs to stay away from Fighting, Ground, and Fire types.
Aggron isn’t given the best showing in the anime, as it always seems to be defeated relatively easily, but Steven and Paul in Gens III and IV respectively, have an Aggron that showcases its powerful physical offense.
8 Excadrill Is Physically Strong & Can Be A Formidable Opponent In A Sandstorm
In the games, Excadrill is known for its high physical attack and bulk with high HP. It doesn’t get the best showing in the anime, with Iris‘s Excadrill being remembered more for its initial disobedience and difficult nature than its battling prowess.
In “Battling The King Of The Mines,” Clay used an Excadrill when battling Ash in a Gym battle and defeated his Snivy before losing to Ash’s Roggenrola, as it evolved into a Boldore.
7 Scizor Was One Of the First Steel-Types To Be Introduced To The Series
A dual Bug-Steel Pokémon, Scizor has been a fan-favorite since its introduction to the Pokémon universe in Gen II. Unfortunately, it’s another example of a powerful Steel-type that hasn’t been given enough time and room to shine in the anime but it has shown glimpses.
Gary has been seen using a Scizor and it even defeated Ash’s Snorlax and Muk before losing to Charizard, and there is no shame in that. Ash’s Gliscor lost to an old trainer called McCann and his Scizor who ultimately ended up training the Gliscor, which in turn made it stronger. At the Manalo Conference in Sun & Moon, Guzma used a Scizor to good effect, before it was undone by his own Golisopod’s ability, Emergency Exit.
6 Melmetal Is Mysterious But Packs A Punch
Melmetal is a Steel-type Mythical Pokémon that Ash’s Meltan evolves into in Gen VII, Sun & Moon. It has 600 total base stats with a substantial portion of the stats distributed across HP, attack, and defense. It is another example of a true Steel-type Pokémon with its physical bulk and 10 type resistances.
Ash can consider himself rather fortunate to have had one and he makes good use of it in the Manalo Conference, where it defeats Kukui’s Empoleon before losing to his Incineroar.
5 Registeel Is A Legendary Steel-Type Powerhouse
As a Steel-type Legendary introduced in Gen III, it was a surprise to everyone when Brandon appeared in the anime, a formidable trainer who owned all three Regis at the time, Registeel, Regirock, and Regice.
Not only was his Registeel super powerful and defeated Ash’s Torkoal with relative ease, but Registeel also appeared as a dangerous and powerful guardian in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Registeel has almost 600 total base stats with considerable defense and special defense, making it a classic Steel-type in the sense that it is bulky and tricky to defeat, with its 10 type resistances.
4 Bisharp’s Devastating Blows Can Turn The Tide Of A Battle In An Instant
Bisharp is a physically offensive Steel-Dark type Pokémon and is seen in the anime battling hard and well under Georgia, Heidayu, and a number of other trainers. However, the standout Bisharp performance of the anime belongs to Alain, who defeated Ash in the final of the Lumiose Conference in Kalos.
Alain’s Bisharp shows how capable it is in the heat of battle by eliminating Hawlucha and Goodra before eventually losing to Ash’s Greninja. Following this strong showing, Bisharp arguably should be used by more trainers in the anime, as its potential was clear for all to see in this battle.
3 Metagross Has Stats Almost Of A Legendary Calibre
Metagross was introduced in Gen III as a dual Steel-Psychic type with a staggering 600 total base stats, spread evenly with immense physical attack and defense, and resistance to 9 different types.
Metagross perhaps doesn’t get the showing it deserves in the anime, but Steven Mega-Evolving his Shiny Metagross is an image that is not easily forgotten. Anabel’s Metagross defeated Ash’s Pikachu and Corphish in the Battle Tower, and Tyson’s Metagross took some impressive tactics and teamwork from Ash’s team to damage it and capitalize on an exposed weak spot.
2 Steelix Is A Consistently Sturdy Opponent
Introduced in Gen II as the evolved form of Onix and one of the original Steel-types, Steelix is a monstrous Iron Snake Pokémon, known for its sheer size and physical defense. Over the years it has had a good showing in the anime, with Ash losing Pokémon to opponents using a Steelix, including Harrison, Morrison, and Byron.
On his return to Pewter City during the Ruby & Sapphire series, Brock discovers that his Onix evolved into a Steelix and it becomes one of his more treasured Pokémon, with him utilizing its Mega-Evolution on occasion.
1 Lucario Being Steel & Fighting Means It Is Defensively Sound As Well As Being Offensively Powerful
Lucario is arguably one of the best Pokémon that Gen IV introduced to the entire series. With a base stat total of 525, a Mega-Evolution with a total of 625, a resistance to 8 types and only weak to 3, Lucario is as much a battling warrior as it looks. Its vastly varied move-set gives it coverage way beyond Steel and Fighting-types.
Not only does Lucario have its own movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, but it is also featured heavily in the main series of the anime, being a key Pokémon for Maylene, Riley, Korrina, Cameron, Kukui, and eventually Ash in Pokémon Journeys.
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