Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A
Completing a Pokemon Centre request in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Bulldoze Specialty explained
A Graveler, one of the Pokopia crush Pokemon.
Pokemon All Pokemon with the Pokopia Crush specialty
Black Kyrum leaps against a black, lightning background, from Pokemon Black and White 2
Pokemon These five Pokemon Black & White features took a fresh approach to evolving the series, setting a new standard for gens
Two cards on a blue surface show a red ape hanging from a branch on a treehouse, alongside a fox-like creature walking across a branch under a full moon
Tabletop Gaming Here's where you can buy Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare stock
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Pokemon 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia
Two characters stand back to back against a backdrop of a travel route - from Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum features paved the way for the monster catcher's online future
Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon All Pokemon in Winds and Waves confimed so far
Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon The best Pokemon games, ranked from worst to best
Groudon, Kyogre, and Raquaza face off in the opening scene - from Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald features added tremendous life to the series in the jump to Game Boy Advance
A trainer looking out at the ocean during the trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves: Everything we know about the next Pokemon game so far
In Pokemon Pokopia, the transformed Ditto trainer takes a selfie looking aghast in front of a glowing piece of land where a relic is buried
Pokemon I've spent 20 hours in Pokemon Pokopia obsessing over its mysterious world and what it hides beneath the surface
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
Three Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution cards laid out on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution now that the set is out in the wild
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Black / White

Pokemon Black and White Pokedex - Drilbur, Excadrill

Features
By GamesRadarCarolynGudmundson published 1 March 2011

Stats, screens and discussion on every Pokemon in the Unova Pokedex

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Drilbur
#035Unova / #529 National
Type:
Ground
Species classification: Mole Pokemon
Abilities:
Sand Power – Rock, Ground and Steel-type attacks get 30% power boost during sandstorms and gives user immunity to sandstorm damage
SandRush – Doubles Speed during Sandstorms and doesn't take Sandstorm damage
Dream World abilities: Mold Breaker – disables opponents' abilities
Location found (Black/White):Wellspring Cave,Chargestone Cave,Mistralton Cave, Twist Mountain (all swirling dust patches only)
Wild hold items: None
Egg groups: Ground
Capture rate: 120
Gender ratio: 50/50
Effort values: 1 Attack
Evolution family:Drilbur >Excadrillat level 31

Excadrilldoesn't have the high defense usually associated with its Steel type, and its combination of high HP (the highest of any Steel-type to date) yet fairly low defense and special defense frustratingly cancel each other out. But don't be fooled – this is one of the most powerful Pokemon introduced in Black and White. It's tied with formidableMetagrossfor the highest attack stat of any Steel-type Pokemon, so it makes an outstanding physical attacker. Pair that with its SandRush ability, which doubles its already impressive speed stat during sandstorms, and you have a deadly combination. Add to that Excadrill's awesome dual Ground/Steel type, which gives it a whopping nine resistances, two immunities and no double weaknesses, and you're looking at an excellent choice for almost any team.

It's a bit disappointing that Drilbur and Excadrillcan only learn one damaging Steel-type move (Metal Claw at level 15) and you won't want to waste your time on it, but Earthquake is an absolute no-brainer for a Ground-type STAB attack. Add Swords Dance to boost your attack and you're looking at a lot of Pokemon that can be easily one-hit KOed.

You may like
  • Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A
  • Completing a Pokemon Centre request in Pokemon Pokopia Pokemon Pokopia Bulldoze Specialty explained
  • A Graveler, one of the Pokopia crush Pokemon. All Pokemon with the Pokopia Crush specialty

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0
%26raquo; Black and White
%26raquo; Diamond and Pearl
%26raquo; Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald
%26raquo; Gold, Silver and Crystal
%26raquo; Red, Blue and Yellow
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
  • 1
  • 2

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Platforms
GamesRadarCarolynGudmundson
GamesRadarCarolynGudmundson
Life is nature's way of keeping meat fresh.
Read more
Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A
 
 
Completing a Pokemon Centre request in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Bulldoze Specialty explained
 
 
A Graveler, one of the Pokopia crush Pokemon.
Pokemon All Pokemon with the Pokopia Crush specialty
 
 
Black Kyrum leaps against a black, lightning background, from Pokemon Black and White 2
Pokemon These five Pokemon Black & White features took a fresh approach to evolving the series, setting a new standard for gens
 
 
Two cards on a blue surface show a red ape hanging from a branch on a treehouse, alongside a fox-like creature walking across a branch under a full moon
Tabletop Gaming Here's where you can buy Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare stock
 
 
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
 
 
Ditto and Onix in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Minecraft griefing returns in Pokemon Pokopia as player ruins "public island for co-op building" with 0 guilt
 
 
Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground
Tabletop Gaming If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia Mosslax
Pokemon New Pokemon Pokopia update addresses early-game softlocking and more, because we all deserve to meet Mosslax ASAP
 
 
A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia fan creates Cloud Island you can use to get the cozy game's rarest goodies, Animal Crossing-style
 
 
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Tabletop Gaming Mckenna Grace opens Pokemon cards at the Oscars, and it's one hell of a vibe
 
 
Latest in Features
Invincible VS screenshot showing Dupli-Kate using her abilities
Fighting Games Invincible VS director wants players to feel like "a f**king superhero," so expect matches that are a "knock-down, drag-out fight until the death"
 
 
A close-up of Grace talking with someone through glass in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor did "a lot of research" into panic disorders, which makes playing the game with a real-life anxiety condition the scariest the series has ever been
 
 
A painted Legio Custodes miniature on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming The new Warhammer Custodes look amazing, but my god, I wish they were easier to build
 
 
Star Wars Galactic Racer big preview
Racing Games "Our tracks are not procedurally-generated": Why replayability is at the heart of Star Wars: Galactic Racer
 
 
Star Wars Galactic Racer big preview
Racing Games Star Wars: Galactic Racer looks every bit the Burnout: Takedown revival I've been waiting 20 years to play
 
 
A man sits astride a wolf mount on top of a mountain in Crimson Desert, which isn't on Game Pass.
Adventure Games 100 hours of Crimson Desert made me realize how perfect Breath of the Wild is
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Shrek
    1
    3 new to Netflix movies I recommend you watch this weekend (March 21 - March 22)
  2. 2
    "My dream game": After 7 hours, Palworld publishing lead delivers his Crimson Desert verdict: "This game is made for me"
  3. 3
    "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
  4. 4
    Marathon's Cryo Archive is locked to weekends partly because you're going to "lose a lot of gear"
  5. 5
    Arc Raiders devs tortured each other during playtests, juicing Arc into Elden Ring bosses

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...