Highlights

• Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduces new Steel-type Pokemon to the Paldean Pokedex, including the goofy but defensively strong Orthworm.
• Several beloved Steel-type Pokemon like Corviknight, Lucario, and Scizor make a return in Scarlet & Violet, showcasing their combat prowess and unique designs.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet welcome some of the series' most beloved Pokemon to the Paldean Pokedex along with a host of fresh, adorable new Steel-type faces to add to our teams. The introduction of the new Steel-type Titan Pokemon adds a ripple to the established hierarchy with some surprisingly strong contenders for the crown.

Alongside the entirely new Titan additions are some upgrades to pre-existing Pokemon via new forms or additional evolutions that are a bit more nuanced.

Updated January 19th, 2024 by Andrew Scariati: As the list of Steel types in Pokemon Violet & Scarlet continues to grow, we've updated this list with a few powerful new and returning Pokemon. The best Steel-type Pokemon in The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk are massive boons for the type as a whole, and worth the time it takes to add them to your team.

14 Orthworm

Orthworm's ridiculously wide, cheesy smile and cartoonish face give it perhaps the easiest design to laugh about in Paldea. As a pure Steel-type, this worm will only be vulnerable to Fire, Ground, and Fighting-type Pokemon, so it presents a fairly defensive Physical wall with its 145 base Defense and almost a dozen resistances and immunities.

While it definitely will be able to tank a hit, you won't be striking much fear into your opponents with this goofy worm, as its offensive stats are as intimidating as its design. If you need some comic relief on your team and are missing a Steel-type, this Pokemon may be perfect for you.

13 Revaroom

Revaroom and its pre-evolution, Varoom, are two Paldean Pokemon modeled after car engines, perhaps reigniting the discussion about object-based Pokemon design choices. Regardless of their similarity to real life, these Steel- and Poison-type Pokemon offer a great type combination and several memorable moments.

Once you've stormed the gates of a Team Star base, you'll encounter a boss Revaroom trained by one of the five colorful leaders. Each encounter presents a tough, strategic battle infused with a sprinkling of dialogue from your crafty opponents.

12 Corviknight

Once you level up your Corvisquire to level 38, you'll be able to enjoy the Paldean return of fan-favorite Corviknight. Though you won't need to take advantage of Fly to get around the map these days, this Steel- and Flying-type bird brings plenty of combat prowess to the table instead.

Corviknight's excellent bulk will keep it around to absorb some swipes from the hardest hitters in Paldea while striking back with access to solid Steel moves like Iron Head, and Flying-type options like Brave Bird.

11 Copperajah

Everyone's favorite enormous Steel-type elephant still holds up nicely against its Paldean competition with its mammoth 130 base Attack stat. However, as a region littered with an overwhelming amount of Physical attackers, Copperajah faces stiff competition for your Steel-type slot.

Its Defense, Special Defense, and Speed stats are in dire straits, so you'll be hard-pressed to take a hit against super-effective or over-leveled competition without losing most of your HP. That being said, Copperajah, does have a large HP stat to compensate, so feel free to give it a try if you've got the strategic chops to out-predict opposing trainers.

10 Magnezone

Magnezone certainly stands out as one of the best Steel types in Pokemon Violet or Scarlet, standing out from similarly bulky options with an excellent 535 Base Stat Total (BST). Magnezone's prowess in battle is one major aspect in its favor, but there's no denying its enjoyable Cyclops design.

If you can't get enough of Pokemon that seem terrifying but are adorable – like Ogerpon – then Magnezone is for you. However, this Pokemon won't just be for tanking and adorable screenshots, as its 135 Special Attack pairs perfectly with powerful moves like Discharge.

9 Scizor

Since its inception, Scizor has been a vicious threat in both competitive tournaments and while progressing through the game's story. Scizor does face some stylistic and Bug-type competition from newcomer Lokix, a Dark and Bug-type that shares a similarly slender, humanoid appearance.

On the Steel-type front, Scizor still shreds with Bullet Punch and Iron Head access, giving it plenty of utility against many adversaries, though it's exceptionally vulnerable to Fire, so you should try to counter that with your Tera Type if possible.

8 Lucario

The dazzling Aura Pokemon, Lucario edges Scizor in defensive utility and keeps pace with access to several great Fighting and Steel-type moves. You'll find plenty of Riolu wandering around, though keep your eyes peeled as their small stature and dark color scheme can sometimes obscure them from sight.

You should be able to access this amazing evolution early in the game if you make it a point to seek out a Soothe Bell as you aim to raise its friendship level. Luckily, the early portion of the game will present many easy-to-beat enemies, allowing you to strengthen your bond with Riolu quickly.

7 Tinkaton

The Tinkaton line makes a serious argument for the cutest Pokemon in Paldea and also carries a hard-hitting hammer to crush her competition -- a perfect combination. Her Fairy- and Steel-typing are exceptionally useful defensive tools that will allow you to switch in for free against several enemies, especially Dragon-type Pokemon.

Tinkaton even boasts a respectable 74 base Defense and superb 105 Special Defense that ensures its survival while a great Speed stat allows you to lay into your opponent quickly with some Super Effective hits while mitigating most of what they can throw back at you. Even if its balanced stat spread doesn't blow you away, who doesn't love an adorable Fairy-type with a giant hammer?

6 Kingambit

Kingambit is the newly introduced third form in the Pawniard and Bisharp line, further augmenting these already-powerful Steel- and Dark-type Pokemon with out-of-this-world stats. Kingambit is blessed with three triple-digit stats, boasting 100 HP, 135 Attack, and 120 Defense, an excellent physically-focused triumvirate.

However, be aware that evolving Bisharp into Kingambit utilizes a new method of evolution that beginners should be aware of. You will need to evolve your Bisharp by defeating an opposing Bisharp that is leading a group of Pawniard, while both your Bisharp and the enemy are holding Leader's Crests.

5 Metagross

Metagross has long been a staple of endgame teams since its introduction in Generation Three. It finally makes its Scarlet and Violet debut in The Indigo Disk, but is unfortunately somewhat overshadowed by another Steel-and-Psychic dual type still to come.

However, despite its typing becoming slightly crowded, Metagross is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of the returning Pokemon in the Indigo Disk; it's still a pseudo-legendary after all. Considering that the newly introduced Pokemon have the advantage of powerful, recently introduced moves, Metagross still holds its own as one of the best in the competition.

4 Iron Treads

This Violet-exclusive Paradox Pokemon offers a funky, futuristic re-imagination of Donphan. While you cannot catch the Titan version of Iron Treads, you can return to the spot where you defeated it to catch a regular-sized version.

Iron Treads comes with an impressive move pool and sky-high stat spread totaling an incredible 570, highlighted by 112 Attack, 120 Defense, and 106 Speed that make it one of the most aggressive Steel-type options without sacrificing its ability to tank hits like fellow Steel elephant, Copperajah.

3 Gholdengo

Gholdengo is one of the best Steel-type Pokemon Violet & Scarlet has to offer. While its base stat total doesn't soar quite as high as Iron Treads, Gholdengo specializes in Special Attack, boasting 133 to rival all-time greats like Alakazam.

With HP, Speed, and defenses that all hover around 90, Gholdengo possesses few weaknesses, including only four types that deal Super Effective damage, along with a host of resistances for this Ghost- and Steel-type juggernaut. While its level-up movepool limits it, access to several useful TMs makes Gholdengo a must-try Pokemon once you get the 999 coins needed to evolve it.

2 Iron Crown

Iron Crown is a futuristic Paradox Pokemon based on Cobalion, one of Generation Five's legendary quartet: The Swords of Justice. It's also the newest direct competitor of Metagross for the Steel/Psychic type throne, which Iron Crown snatches away (for now).

Iron Crown's ability, Quark Drive, gives it a 30 percent boost to its already-high 122 Special Attack, making it one of the hardest hitters around. While Cobalion's signature move, Sacred Sword, won't be able to utilize the stat, Iron Crown's new move, Tachyon Cutter will benefit mightily.

You'll need to put in some work to get this new Paradox Pokemon, as it only spawns once you reach 200 entries in your Blueberry Pokedex and speak to Perrin.

1 Archaludon

Archaludon is the new evolution of Duraludon, with a distinctly sharp new design boasting equally dangerous moves to match its intimidating makeover. Electro Shot is easily one of the best new moves in The Indigo Disk, following in the footsteps of charge-up moves like Solarbeam from prior generations.

However, Electro Shot also boosts Archaludon's Special Attack while it charges, adding to the sky-high 125 base Special Attack of this incredible evolution. While the competitive scene is always in flux, it's no surprise that Archaludon quickly catapulted to meta-game infamy as soon as it was released.

You'll need to get your hands on Metal Alloy from the Item Printer to evolve Duraludon into Archaludon.