Steel-type Pokemon are some of the most powerful in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, thanks to their various resistances and their strength against Fairy-type Pokemon, which are some of the most difficult to defeat. Luckily, you can get one of the most useful Steel-type Pokemon in Legends: Z-A very early in the game via the NPC trade options scattered across Lumiose City.
The best Steel-type to add to your team in Pokemon Legends: Z-A entirely depends on what Pokemon you have to build your core around. Considering most of the best Steel-type Pokemon are dual-types, you’ll have some incredibly versatile options to choose from.
Klefki
Klefki might not light the world on fire, but it offers the most well-balanced stat spread of any Steel-type Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. It doesn’t excel in any area, but Klefki will be a solid contributor to your team as a Fairy and Steel-type Pokemon.
This rare typing makes Klefki an excellent coverage option for your squad, though it won’t be the most optimal choice if you’re looking for a Steel-type specialist. Klefki’s short list of weaknesses only includes Fire and Ground-type attacks, which, although there are only two types, are fairly common threats.
Aggron
Aggron is another solid Steel-type Pokemon choice, whose only major con is its quadruple vulnerability to Fighting-type moves as a Steel and Rock-type Pokemon. Aggron’s moveset includes some of the strongest moves of each typing, allowing it to capitalize on its high Attack stat.
While Aggron and Steel-type Pokemon are generally more defensively minded, this Pokemon can still provide an immense amount of offensive pressure thanks to its movepool. Its high evolution threshold (Level 42) can be annoying to reach in the early portion of the game, but once you hit it, you’re in great shape.
Steelix
Steelix is one of the most difficult Pokemon to find in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but once you get a Metal Coat and evolve an Onix, you’ll be happy you put in the extra time to get one. Steelix’s Defense stat is through the roof, though the tradeoff is that all of its other stats are fairly mediocre.
While Steelix is a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to its defensive specialty, you’ll benefit from Steelix’s decently diverse movepool if you use it as a tank that can exploit enemy weaknesses while absorbing hits. There aren’t any better physical tanks in the game.
Excadrill
Excadrill boasts a strong Steel and Ground-type dual typing, taking a slightly different approach from Aggron, focusing more on the Attacking side of battles than the defensive side. Excadrill is a superb glass cannon that can dish out massive damage across two typings.
While Excadrill’s moveset is slightly limited, considering it can’t make use of the most powerful Special Steel-type moves, most of your best options are physical moves anyway. This Pokemon is made for going all-out with its impressive Attack stat and dangerous array of moves.
Aegislash
The lack of Pokemon abilities is nice for simplifying the game’s mechanics, but they strip away some of the unique aspects that set Pokemon like Aegislash apart from its peers. While this Pokemon is still one of the best Steel types in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it misses out on some of its unique flavor that comes with Stance Change.
However, Aegislash is still easily one of the most viable Steel-type Pokemon to use on your team in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and can get the job done as a Ghost-type attacker as well. Lean into coverage options and make the best of this Pokemon’s unusual existence without its signature ability.
Scizor
Adding a Scizor to your party is no easy feat, but after you’ve advanced into the endgame section and gotten at least one Metal Coat, you know you can safely use it on a Scizor. Bullet Punch makes Scizor’s Steel typing sing, with the ability to bypass its mediocre Speed via a priority move.
Scizor’s quadruple weakness to Fire is a major downside, but the ability to dish out both Steel and Bug-type damage gives Scizor one of the most unusual type combinations in the game.
Mawile
Speaking of weird type combinations, a Steel and Fairy-type Pokemon like Mawile doesn’t come around often, so you have to take advantage of this Pokemon’s uniquely paired typing and its devastating Attack stat. Mawile has access to moves like Play Rough and Iron Head as its major STAB moves.
Much like Klefki, this Pokemon is only weak to Fire and Ground-type moves, but Mawile’s more aggressive style ensures that it will likely take at least one or two opponents down before it gets knocked out.
Lucario
Lucario leads the way as the best Steel-type Pokemon in Legends: Z-A, and you don’t even have to wait long to get your hands on one. Trade with a student named Bond and claim your Riolu as soon as you unlock access to Side Missions after speaking with Emma.
Once you trade with Bond, your Riolu will grow faster than usual, thanks to the traded Pokemon EXP boost.
Take Riolu to a cafe four times to evolve it into Lucario, and enjoy spamming Aura Sphere attacks that will decimate any opponent with a Fighting-type weakness.
- Released
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October 16, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
