The best steel Pokémon in Pokémon Go

While you’re out and about reeling in all the coolest creatures in Pokémon Go, you may also need to know what the best steel Pokémon for battling in Pokémon Go are and whether they’re worth your time. You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve picked out our favorite steel-type titans to aid your gym battles and raids in the future. If you need some advice on your moves, too, we’ve got your back.

For more type-based lists, see our comprehensive companions to water Pokémon, fire Pokémon, psychic Pokémon, bug Pokémon, fighting Pokémon, and grass Pokémon – we promise they only feature the very best from the Pokédex. Or, if you’re still struggling to figure out what is super-effective against what in Niantic’s adjusted battle system, do a double-check using our Pokémon Go type chart.  

So, let’s get into our list of the best steel Pokémon.

Dialga

• Fast move: Dragon breath
• Charged move: Iron head 

The first of many steel Pokémon cover stars, Dialga still puts up an impressive fight for the top spot on this list. With dragon coverage, thanks to its dragon moves, and the ability to fight those pesky fairies with iron head, there’s little to get in the way of your sweeping opponents with the legendary controller of time.

To better understand the dragon side of Dialga, check out our dragon Pokémon weakness guide.

Melmetal

• Fast move: Thunder shock
• Charged move: Rock slide

Melmetal is the physical equivalent of mercury in flux, and I don’t mean like a tarot reading, I mean it’s a monster made out of squishy liquid metal. Still, the gigantic gooey mess that is Melmetal still packs a mighty punch as one of the most potent leading attackers on this list, and there’s good scope for taking down frightening fire-types with access to rock slide.

Registeel

• Fast move: Lock on
• Charged move: Flash cannon

As one of the few pure steel types on this list, Registeel might not have as much utility as other picks, but if you’re taking on a rock, ice, or fairy Pokémon, it’s a solid pick for bringing the pain to 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 in your team.

Metagross

• Fast move: Bullet punch
• Charged move: Meteor mash

The third generation of Pokémon gave us not one, but two classic steel Pokémon, thanks to the pseudo-legendary Metagross. With staggering stats, a steel/psychic dual-typing that has a good amount of coverage, and thanks to the addition of mega evolution to Pokémon Go, a mega form that stands out as the best steel-type attacker in the game, this metal head is not to be missed. 

To get inside the mind of Metagross, consider giving our psychic Pokémon weakness guide a read.

Cobalion

• Fast move: Metal claw
• Charged move: Sacred sword 

Cobalion is the ultimate check to most of the other steel types on this list, except those with dual psychic typing, due to its own dual fighting type. With exclusive access to sacred sword among other steel types, bulky health stats, and few super-effective weaknesses, this sword of justice is a solid option for the great league, if not the higher echelons. 

To better understand the fighting spirit in Cobalion, take a look at our fighting Pokémon weakness guide.

Empoleon

• Fast move: Metal claw
• Charged move: Hydro cannon/flash cannon 

Steel doesn’t like fire, not one bit, so how can you counter this? Easy, with a dual-type water and steel Pokémon like Empoleon, the grown-up version of one of my favorite starters, Piplup. You’d think it would be Blastoise who would be master of the cannons, what with there being one on his back, but it’s Empoleon who has access to both flash cannon and hydro cannon, which I think you’ll agree is some serious firepower. 

To master the waves Empoleon can create, swim across to our water Pokémon weakness guide.

Heatran

• Fast move: Fire spin
• Charged move: Iron head 

If you know anything about thermodynamics, you know that heat and steel can come together for devastating effect. Never is this more true than with Heatran, one of the few steel-type steel counters thanks to its half fire-typing. Also, it’s the only legendary shiny from Pokémon Go I personally own, so I can’t not include it, even if its pink eyes suggest that a sneaky Magmar might have been dropping farts on my poor Heatran’s pillow. 

If you want to survive the heat, take a look at our fire Pokémon weakness guide.

Zacian and Zamazenta (Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield)

• Fast move: Metal claw
• Charged move: Iron head

We’re sticking this pair of legendaries together as they both have access to similar steel-type movepools in their crowned sword and crowned shield forms. With Zacian’s sky-high attacking stat and Zamazenta’s impressive all-around bulk, either of these options is sure to frustrate opponents and pulverize any ice, rock, or fairy Pokémon.

Magnezone

• Fast move: Charge beam
• Charged move: Mirror shot 

While the fourth generation of Pokémon isn’t that memorable for steel types, Magnezone bucks that trend. It’s a fantastic design, expanding on the concept of the Magnemite further and offering something more powerful in battle than Magenton. Sure, it’s not quite as powerful as some other steel and electric types, but it’s special attack stat really hammers down on water and flying types. 

To have a spark of hope against Magnezone, take a look at our electric Pokémon weakness guide.

Jirachi

• Fast move: Confusion
• Charged move: Doom desire 

As the only steel-type mythical Pokémon, Jirachi is a bit of a niche, but one well worth adding to your roster. With unique access to its powerful main series move, doom desire, psychic and fairy move coverage with confusion and dazzling gleam, and no single stat under 200 (which is impressive, if you don’t know), there’s more than enough reason to pick this tiny steel-type.

Aegislash

• Fast move: Fury cutter
• Charged move: Shadow ball

Aegislash didn’t even exist when Niantic launched Pokémon Go all those years back, it’s now an incredibly potent steel-type option thanks to its secondary ghost typing and a wicked pool 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 while taking on a raid boss or a gym battle. 

Scizor

• Fast move: Bullet Punch
• Charged move: Iron Head

Scizor might not be your obvious thought when it comes to steel-type Pokémon, but this bug/steel-type hybrid can be pretty useful in battle. According to Scizor’s Pokédex description, Scizor has a “body with the hardness of steel. It is not easily fazed by ordinary sorts of attacks. This Pokémon flaps its wings to regulate its body temperature.” Scizor evolves from Scyther, but you’ll need to feed them 50 candies and give them a metal coat first. 

Lucario

• Fast move: Force Palm
• Charged move: Aura Sphere

Lucario evolves from Riolu, again, after eating 50 lovely candies. Originating from the Sinnoh region, this ace steel-type wonder can hold their own pretty darn well in battle. With a focus on fighting too, you can put up your dukes against many opponents, but you’ll need to get tactical with your attacks.

There you have it, our picks for the best steel Pokémon in Pokémon Go. For some help on how to make the most out of these beasts, check out our steel Pokémon weakness guide. If all this talk of main series games has you hankering for a trip back to Kanto, Hoenn, Johto, or any of the other classic regions, why not browse through our list of the best Pokémon games to decide on a destination?