The Best Competitive Steel-Type Pokémon In Diamond & Pearl

The best competitive teams in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl will almost always have a Steel-Type Pokémon in their roster. Steel-Type Pokémon were originally added to the series in Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Crystal, debuting with the re-typing of some Pokémon like Magnemite and Magneton, and new evolutions like Scizor and Steelix. Steel-Type Pokémon are challenging to defeat when used by an NPC, and they’re even harder to defeat when used competitively.

Steel-Type Pokémon are among the best defensive options to add to any competitive team in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Steel-Type Pokémon have resistances to 10 different types of Pokémon, have full immunity to Poison-Types, and only receive 2x damage from Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-Type moves. Additionally, Steel-Type Pokémon moves inflict 2x damage to Ice-, Rock-, and Fairy-Type Pokémon in BDSP, making them excellent choices to counter team strategies that are saturated with offensive Pokémon, defensive Pokémon, or a mix of the two. Although Steel-Type Pokémon aren’t the fastest options, the best competitive types have ways to diminish their shortcomings.

The best competitive Steel-Type Pokémon that trainers can choose from in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are Scizor, Metagross, Forretress, and Skarmory. Each of these Pokémon has dual typing that can make them more difficult to defeat in battle, eliminating one or more of their weaknesses in exchange for another. Scizor evolves from Scyther when it holds a Metal Coat and is traded with another player. Scyther is also a Brilliant Diamond exclusive Pokémon that can be found in the Grand Underground. Pineco and Beldum are both Pokémon that will evolve into Forretress and Metagross, respectively, and can be found in the Grand Underground after players receive the National Dex. Likewise, Skarmory can be found on Route 227 and Stark Mountain after receiving the National Dex.

Pokémon BDSP: Best Steel-Type Pokémon Moves, Items, & Stats

Steel-Type Pokémon like Scizor, Metagross, Forretress, and Skarmory have long been part of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl competitive teams for various reasons. Scizor has access to the Technician ability, powering up any move by 50% that does 60 or less base damage that applies to a priority STAB move like Bullet Punch. Scizor also happens to be one of the best competitive Bug-Type Pokémon that players can use, as well as one of the best competitive Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl overall.

Metagross has monstrous Attack and Defense stats, and an overall stat total that is equal to Legendary Pokémon like Latias and Latios. Both Forretress and Skarmory are reliable for using stall methods and field-effect moves in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, like Toxic Spikes, Spikes, and Rapid Spin.

Scizor

The best Scizor stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:

• Ability: Technician
• Nature: Adamant
• Moves: Bullet Punch, Swords Dance, Aerial Ace, U-Turn
• Held Item: Life Orb, can be purchased at the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
• EV Stat Spread: 252 Attack; 4 Special Defense; 252 Speed

Metagross

The best Metagross stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:

• Ability: Clear Body
• Nature: Adamant
• Moves: Agility, Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, Earthquake
• Held Item: Life Orb, available for purchase in the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
• EV Stat Spread: 60 HP; 252 Attack; 196 Speed

Forretress

The best Forretress stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:

• Ability: Sturdy
• Nature: Relaxed
• Moves: Toxic Spikes, Rapid Spin, Payback, Gyro Ball
• Held Item: Leftovers Pokémon BDSP item, which can be found throughout Sinnoh
• EV Stat Spread: 252 HP; 112 Attack; 144 Defense

Skarmory

The best Skarmory stats, moves, and items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl include:

• Ability: Sturdy
• Nature: Impish
• Moves: Brave Bird, Spikes, Whirlwind, Roost
• Held Item: Leftovers, can be obtained multiple ways in-game
• EV Stat Spread: 252 HP; 160 Defense; 96 Speed

Although they aren’t part of this list, both Lucario and Heatran are excellent Steel-Type Pokémon to use as well on competitive teams in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available on Nintendo Switch.

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