While you’re out and about hunting down the coolest creatures in Pokémon Go, you might also want to know which ones are the best steel Pokémon to battle in Pokémon Go and whether they’re worth your time. You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve rounded up our favorite Steel-type Titans to aid your Gym battles and raids in the future. If you need advice on your moves, we’ve got you covered.
For more type-based lists, check out our comprehensive companions for Water, Fire, Psychic, Bug, Fighting, and Grass Pokémon—we promise they feature only the best from the Pokédex. Or, if you’re still having trouble figuring out what’s super effective against what in Niantic’s tweaked battle system, double-check with our Pokémon Go type chart.
So let’s get to our list of the best steel Pokémon.
Dialga
- Quick move: dragon’s breath
- Loaded traffic: Iron head
The first of many Steel Pokémon cover stars, Dialga continues to put up an impressive fight for the top spot on this list. With its dragon-like covering, dragon-like moves, and the ability to fight off those pesky iron-headed fairies, there’s not much that can stand in the way of your sweeping opponents with its legendary time controller.
To better understand Dialga’s dragon side, check out our guide on dragon-type Pokémon weaknesses.
Metallurgy
- Quick move: Lightning shock
- Loaded traffic: Rock slide
Melmetal is the physical equivalent of mercury in its liquid state, and I don’t mean in a tarot reading sense, I mean a monster made of pliable, liquid metal. Despite this, the giant, gooey mass that is Melmetal still packs a powerful punch as one of the most powerful, lead attackers on this list, and access to rockfall gives it a lot of potential to take down the dreaded Fire-types.
Registration
- Quick move: Lock on
- Loaded traffic: Flash Cannon
As one of the few Pure Steel-types on this list, Registeel may not have as much utility as other types, but if you’re facing a Rock, Ice, or Fairy-type Pokémon, it’s a solid choice to inflict pain on your opponent. Registeel can also make quick work of Flying and Water-type Pokémon with access to Flash Cannon, so there’s no reason not to include this Legendary ‘mon on your team.
Metagross
- Quick move: Projectile Strike
- Loaded traffic: Meteor Mash
The third generation of Pokémon gave us not one, but two classic Steel Pokémon, thanks to the pseudo-legendary Metagross. With mind-blowing stats, a Steel/Psychic dual-type that has a lot of range, and thanks to the addition of a Mega Evolution to Pokémon Go, a Mega Form that stands out as the best Steel attacker in the game, this metal head is not to be missed.
To learn more about Metagross’s mind, read our guide to psychic Pokémon weaknesses.
Cobalion
- Quick move: Metal claw
- Loaded traffic: Holy sword
Cobalion is the ultimate test case for most of the other Steel types on this list, with the exception of the Dual Psychic types, due to its own Dual Fighting type. With exclusive access to the Holy Sword among the other Steel types, high health stats, and a few super-effective weaknesses, this Sword of Justice is a solid option for the substantial leagues, if not the upper echelons.
To better understand the fighting spirit in Cobalion, check out our guide on Fighting-type Pokémon weaknesses.
Empoleon
- Quick move: Metal claw
- Loaded traffic: Water Cannon/Flash Cannon
Steel doesn’t like fire, not one bit, so how do you fix that? Easy, with a dual-type Water/Steel Pokémon like Empoleon, the adult version of one of my favorite starters, Piplup. You’d think Blastoise would be the gun master since it has one on its back, but Empoleon has access to both Flash Cannon and Hydro, which I think you’ll agree is some stern firepower.
To learn about the waves that Empoleon can create, head over to our Water Pokémon weaknesses guide.
Heatran
- Quick move: Fiery spin
- Loaded traffic: Iron head
If you know anything about thermodynamics, you know that heat and steel can combine to devastating effect. Never is this more true than in the case of Heatran, one of the few Steel-type counters to Steel-types thanks to its half-Fire type. It’s also the only Legendary Shiny from Pokémon Go that I personally own, so I can’t not include it, even if its pink eyes suggest that sneaky Magmar might have farted on my destitute Heatran’s pillow.
If you want to survive the heat, check out our guide on Fire-type Pokémon weaknesses.
Zacian and Zamazenta (Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield)
- Quick move: Metal claw
- Loaded traffic: Iron head
We’re pairing this pair of Legendaries together because both have access to similar Steel movepools in their crowning Sword and Shield forms. With Zacian’s sky-high attack stats and Zamazenta’s impressive all-around bulk, either option is sure to disappoint opponents and crush any Ice, Rock, or Fairy Pokémon.
Magnesium
- Quick move: Charging radius
- Loaded traffic: Mirror photo
While the fourth generation of Pokémon hasn’t been particularly memorable for Steel-types, Magnezone bucks that trend. It’s a fantastic design, further developing the concept of Magnemite and offering something more powerful in battle than Magenton. Sure, it’s not as powerful as some of the other Steel and Electric-types, but its Special Attack stat really crushes Water and Flying-types.
To give you a glimmer of hope against Magnezon, check out our guide on Electric-type Pokémon weaknesses.
Jirachi
- Quick move: Confusion
- Loaded traffic: Desire for destruction
As the only Steel-type Mythical Pokémon, Jirachi is a bit of a niche Pokémon, but definitely worth adding to your list. With unique access to its powerful mainline move, Doom Desire, Psychic and Fairy-type cover moves Confusion and Dazzle, and without a single stat below 200 (which is impressive if you didn’t know), there are more than enough reasons to pick up this little Steel-type Pokémon.
Aegislash
- Quick move: Fury cutter
- Charged Move: Shadow Ball
Aegislash didn’t even exist when Niantic launched Pokémon Go all those years ago, but now it’s an incredibly powerful Steel-type option thanks to its Ghost-type secondary and an incredible collection of potential moves. Funnily enough, our preferred Aegislash build doesn’t include a Steel-type move, but relies on high defense stats and few weaknesses to keep the Sword and Shield Pokémon alive during a raid boss fight or gym battle.
Scizor
- Quick Move: Projectile Strike
- Charged Move: Iron Head
Scizor may not be an obvious idea when it comes to Steel-type Pokémon, but this Bug/Steel hybrid can be quite useful in battle. According to Scizor’s Pokédex description, Scizor has “a body as hard as steel. It’s not easily unsettled by normal attacks. This Pokémon flaps its wings to regulate its body temperature.” Scizor evolves from Scyther, but first you’ll need to feed it 50 Candy and give it a Metal Shell.
Lucario
- Quick Move: Force Palm
- Charged Move: Aura Sphere
Lucario evolves from Riolu, once again, after eating 50 cute candies. Hailing from the Sinnoh region, this ace steel wonder can do quite well in battle. By also focusing on combat, you can pit your princes against multiple opponents, but you’ll need to be tactical with your attacks.
Here are our picks for the best Steel Pokémon in Pokémon Go. For support getting the most out of these beasts, check out our guide to the weaknesses of Steel Pokémon . If all this talk of main-series games has you yearning to travel to Kanto, Hoenn, Johto, or any of the other classic regions, why not check out our list of the best Pokémon games to support you decide on your destination?
