Steel type Steel Type Top 30 Updated

Best Steel Attackers — Pokemon GO

Top 30 Steel-type raid attackers ranked by DPS with best movesets and tier rankings.

Super effective vs: Fairy type Fairy Ice type Ice Rock type Rock

The Steel-type attacker tier list ranks the top 30 Pokemon by raid DPS in 2026. Use Steel-type attackers against Fairy, Ice, Rock-type raid bosses. Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage, while Mega evolutions boost the entire raid team.

Rankings are calculated by simulating every possible fast and charged move combination for each Pokemon at level 40 against a generic Tier 5 raid boss. We measure DPS (Damage Per Second), TDO (Total Damage Output before fainting), and eDPS (a composite metric that balances raw damage with survivability). The final ranking weighs type-specific DPS at 70% and overall DPS at 30%, so Pokemon with strong same-type moves are prioritized while off-type coverage is still rewarded.

How We Calculate Raid DPS Rankings

Our raid attacker rankings simulate actual battle performance using Pokemon GO's damage formula. Here's how each metric is computed:

DPS — Damage Per Second

Calculated using the Pokemon GO damage formula: floor(0.5 × Power × Atk/Def × STAB) + 1. We simulate a full attack cycle (enough fast moves to charge one charged move) and divide total damage by cycle time. Higher DPS means faster raid clears.

TDO — Total Damage Output

Total damage dealt before fainting, calculated as DPS × Time Alive. Survival time is based on the Pokemon's effective HP and the boss's estimated damage output. TDO rewards bulky Pokemon that stay in the fight longer and need fewer revives.

eDPS — Effective DPS

A composite metric: (DPS³ × TDO)0.25. This balances raw speed with durability — a glass cannon with sky-high DPS but terrible TDO gets penalized, while a tanky attacker that's too slow also won't rank well. eDPS identifies the best all-round raiders.

STAB & Move Selection

Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) adds a 1.2× multiplier when a move's type matches the Pokemon's type. At least one move must be Steel-type to qualify. We test every fast + charged combination and select the one with the highest ranking score.

Shadow & Mega Variants

Shadow Pokemon receive a 20% Attack boost with a ~17% Defense penalty, making them high-DPS glass cannons. Mega Pokemon are evaluated with their boosted base stats. Both variants are ranked alongside regular forms so you can compare them directly.

Tier Assignment

Pokemon are placed into tiers based on how their DPS compares to the #1 attacker:

S-Tier: Top 5% or Top 3 A-Tier: Top 15% or Top 8 B-Tier: Top 25% or Top 15 C-Tier: Top 35% or Top 22 D-Tier: Remaining

All simulations use level 40 stats (CPM 0.7903) against a generic Tier 5 raid boss with 160 effective Defense. Rankings are recalculated daily to reflect the latest move updates and balance changes.

S

S-Tier — Best in Class

3 Pokemon

1 Shadow Metagross
Shadow Metagross Shadow
18.933 DPS 378.67 TDO
F Bullet Punch C Meteor Mash
2 Mega Lucario
Mega Lucario Mega
18.933 DPS 340.80 TDO
F Bullet Punch C Meteor Mash
3 Mega Metagross
Mega Metagross Mega
17.867 DPS 357.33 TDO
F Bullet Punch C Meteor Mash
A

A-Tier — Top Picks

10 Pokemon

4 Shadow Kingler
Shadow Kingler Shadow
17.571 DPS 269.43 TDO
F Metal Claw C Crabhammer
5 Shadow Dragonite
Shadow Dragonite Shadow
17.212 DPS 378.67 TDO
F Steel Wing C Draco Meteor
6 Shadow Dialga
Shadow Dialga Shadow
17.000 DPS 367.20 TDO
F Metal Claw C Iron Head
7 Shadow Dialga (Origin)
Shadow Dialga (Origin) Shadow
16.857 DPS 364.11 TDO
F Metal Claw C Iron Head
8 Kyurem (White)
Kyurem (White)
16.733 DPS 430.60 TDO
F Steel Wing C Fusion Flare
9 Mega Dragonite
Mega Dragonite Mega
16.727 DPS 368.00 TDO
F Steel Wing C Draco Meteor
10 Zacian (Crowned sword)
Zacian (Crowned sword)
16.560 DPS 333.41 TDO
F Metal Claw C Close Combat
11 Shadow Excadrill
Shadow Excadrill Shadow
16.429 DPS 418.38 TDO
F Metal Claw C Iron Head
12 Tinkaton
Tinkaton
16.182 DPS 336.58 TDO
F Fairy Wind C Gigaton Hammer
13 Shadow Ursaring
Shadow Ursaring Shadow
16.143 DPS 350.84 TDO
F Metal Claw C Hyper Beam
B

B-Tier — Solid Options

13 Pokemon

14 Shadow Archeops
Shadow Archeops Shadow
16.000 DPS 305.07 TDO
F Steel Wing C Dragon Claw
15 Mega Pidgeot
Mega Pidgeot Mega
15.867 DPS 325.80 TDO
F Steel Wing C Brave Bird
16 Metagross
Metagross
15.600 DPS 312.00 TDO
F Bullet Punch C Meteor Mash
17 Kyurem (Black)
Kyurem (Black)
15.222 DPS 391.72 TDO
F Dragon Tail C Iron Head
18 Kyurem
Kyurem
15.097 DPS 388.49 TDO
F Steel Wing C Glaciate
19 Shadow Hydreigon
Shadow Hydreigon Shadow
15.067 DPS 333.48 TDO
F Bite C Flash Cannon
20 Shadow Unfezant
Shadow Unfezant Shadow
15.000 DPS 300.00 TDO
F Steel Wing C Sky Attack
21 Dragonite
Dragonite
14.970 DPS 329.33 TDO
F Steel Wing C Draco Meteor
22 Mega Tyranitar
Mega Tyranitar Mega
14.564 DPS 343.71 TDO
F Iron Tail C Stone Edge
23 Kingler
Kingler
14.429 DPS 221.24 TDO
F Metal Claw C Crabhammer
24 Shadow Tyranitar
Shadow Tyranitar Shadow
14.410 DPS 340.08 TDO
F Iron Tail C Stone Edge
25 Necrozma (Dusk mane)
Necrozma (Dusk mane)
14.286 DPS 300.95 TDO
F Metal Claw C Iron Head
26 Zamazenta (Crowned shield)
Zamazenta (Crowned shield)
14.240 DPS 286.70 TDO
F Metal Claw C Close Combat
C

C-Tier — Usable

4 Pokemon

27 Genesect
Genesect
14.154 DPS 258.54 TDO
F Metal Claw C Magnet Bomb
28 Genesect (Burn)
Genesect (Burn)
14.154 DPS 258.54 TDO
F Metal Claw C Magnet Bomb
29 Genesect (Chill)
Genesect (Chill)
14.154 DPS 258.54 TDO
F Metal Claw C Magnet Bomb
30 Genesect (Douse)
Genesect (Douse)
14.154 DPS 258.54 TDO
F Metal Claw C Magnet Bomb

Steel Type in Pokemon GO — Overview

Steel-type Pokemon GO is the king of defensive typings. Steel resists 11 different types — including Dragon, Fairy, Psychic, Ice, Rock, Normal, Flying, Bug, Grass, Steel, and Poison — and is immune to Poison entirely. This makes Steel attackers the universal pivot in PvP and the preferred raid attacker against Fairy raid bosses. Top Steel attackers include Mega Metagross, Excadrill (Ground/Steel), Crowned Zacian (Fairy/Steel), Mega Aggron, and Mega Lucario (Fighting/Steel). Signature Steel moves include Meteor Mash (Metagross signature CD move), Iron Head, Behemoth Blade (Crowned Zacian signature), Behemoth Bash (Crowned Zamazenta signature), Bullet Punch, and Magnet Bomb. Steel types are weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground.

Top Steel Attackers Explained

The top Steel attackers are Mega Metagross, Crowned Zacian, Mega Aggron, Excadrill, and Shadow Metagross. Mega Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash has the highest Steel DPS in the game thanks to its Mega multiplier and signature CD move. Crowned Zacian (Fairy/Steel) with Metal Claw and Behemoth Blade is the top legendary Steel attacker. Excadrill (Ground/Steel) with Mud-Slap and Iron Head is the best budget Steel attacker. Shadow Metagross, Shadow Excadrill, and Shadow Magnezone round out the Shadow tier. Genesect (Bug/Steel) flexes between Bug and Steel raids. Cobalion (Steel/Fighting) and Mega Lucario flex too.

Steel Attackers in PvP & GO Battle League

Steel types are PvP fixtures. Bastiodon (Rock/Steel), Galarian Stunfisk (Steel/Ground), Skarmory (Steel/Flying), Registeel, and Probopass (Rock/Steel) anchor Great League. In Ultra League, Cobalion, Magnezone, Empoleon (Water/Steel), Steelix-Mega-Y-tier, and Lucario flex into core teams. In Master League, Crowned Zacian, Origin Forme Dialga (Steel/Dragon), Metagross, and Magnezone lead the Steel charge. Galarian Stunfisk with Mud Shot and Rock Slide is one of the top three Great League Pokemon ever. Aggron with Smack Down and Heavy Slam is a Great League cup-restricted favorite. Steel/Fairy duals (Magearna, Klefki) bring anti-Dragon utility.

Matchups, Weaknesses & When to Field Steel Attackers

Steel attackers shine against Fairy (Xerneas, Crowned Zacian mirror, Togekiss), Ice (Galarian Darmanitan, Mamoswine, Glaceon), and Rock (Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Rampardos). They are 1.6× weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground — and Bastiodon (Rock/Steel) takes 4× from Fighting and Ground. Snowy weather boosts Steel by 1.2× alongside Ice. Avoid Steel attackers against Reshiram, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Lucario, Conkeldurr, Crowned Zacian (in mirror match), Excadrill, and Therian Landorus. Steel types are most useful in PvP as defensive pivots that absorb resisted hits and counter-attack with super-effective Steel STAB.

Community Day Picks & Notable Steel Investments

Steel Community Days have included Beldum → Metagross with Meteor Mash (one of the most impactful CDs ever), Aron → Aggron with Smack Down, Onix → Steelix with Psychic Fangs, Mawile (Mega Mawile with Iron Head), Klink → Klinklang, Honedge → Aegislash with Gyro Ball, Pawniard → Bisharp, and Cufant → Copperajah. Crowned Zacian and Crowned Zamazenta arrived in 2025 as Fairy/Steel and Fighting/Steel legendaries that shook up the Master League meta. Mega Metagross, Mega Aggron, Mega Steelix, and Mega Lucario rotate through Mega Raids regularly. Origin Forme Dialga (Steel/Dragon) raids in 2025 introduced Roar of Time, instantly making it the top Master League PvP pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the #1 ranked Steel-type attacker right now?

Based on our DPS simulations, Shadow Metagross currently ranks first among Steel-type attackers in Pokemon GO, followed by Shadow Metagross, Mega Lucario, Mega Metagross. The full tier list above shows every viable Steel attacker with its optimal moveset, DPS, TDO, and eDPS values.

Which raid bosses should I use Steel attackers against?

Steel-type attacks deal super-effective damage to Fairy, Ice, Rock-type Pokemon, so use Steel attackers when those types appear in 5-Star, Mega, Elite, or Primal raids. Always weather-check the boss before launching the raid to maximize damage with the appropriate weather boost.

What is the best Steel-type attacker in Pokemon GO?

Mega Metagross is the strongest Steel attacker in the game thanks to its Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash moveset. Crowned Zacian (Fairy/Steel) is the top legendary Steel attacker. Excadrill is the best budget non-Mega option, and Shadow Metagross is the top Shadow Steel pick.

Why is Steel good defensively?

Steel resists 11 different types — including Dragon, Fairy, Psychic, Ice, Rock, Normal, Flying, Bug, Grass, Steel, and Poison — and is immune to Poison entirely. This is the most resistance-rich typing in the game, making Steel the universal defensive pivot in PvP and the preferred raid attacker against Fairy bosses.

What are Steel types weak to?

Steel types take 1.6× damage from Fire, Fighting, and Ground moves. Bastiodon (Rock/Steel) takes 4× from Fighting and Ground. Empoleon (Water/Steel) takes 4× from Electric. Common counters include Reshiram, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Lucario, Conkeldurr, Therian Landorus, Excadrill, and Garchomp.

Is Crowned Zacian the best Master League Pokemon?

Crowned Zacian (Fairy/Steel) with Metal Claw and Behemoth Blade is one of the top three Master League PvP picks alongside Origin Forme Dialga and Mega Rayquaza. Its Fairy/Steel typing resists Dragon and is immune to Dragon STAB, making it the universal counter to Mega Rayquaza, Origin Palkia, and Garchomp.

What weather boosts Steel-type moves?

Snowy weather boosts Steel-type moves by 1.2× alongside Ice moves. Snowy windows are the optimal time to grind Beldum, Aron, Honedge, and Klink Community Days, and to run Mega Metagross, Mega Aggron, and Crowned Zacian in raids.

Related

Steel Type Pokedex

All Steel-type Pokemon with stats and moves.

Raid Counters

Best counters for every current raid boss.

PvP Tier Lists

Great, Ultra, and Master League rankings.