Steel-type Pokemon are often very unique. Many stick with a consistent metallic, industrial theme, but with twists. There are often literal gears, keys, and magnets, but also metal birds and ancient creatures. With so much variety, Steel Pokemon specialists have a number of options. The problem is: Steel-type Pokemon aren't the most common Pokemon type.
Steel Pokemon tend to find themselves in deserts, caves, and dry climates. The industrial Steel Pokemon will live closer to power plants or factories. They also may even appear in cold, winter climates and snowstorms. With so many different habitats, finding them in games like Sword and Shield may seem daunting. For those in need of a place to start, here is where to find Steel Pokemon in Sword & Shield.
Updated on November 12, 2021 by Josh Davison: Pokemon Sword & Shield were very good games for Steel-type Pokemon. Generation 8 introduced several new and powerful Steel-type Pokemon from Copperajah and Corviknight to Duraladon and Perrserker and even both mascot legendaries: Zacian and Zamazenta. The region is chock-full of Steel-types, so there are many places across Galar in both the base game and the expansions where a trainer can find some useful Steel-types. With Steel-types still being fairly rare to find, it's useful to know where to discover Steel Pokemon in Sword & Shield.
Note: The Pokemon level range of the Steel-types found in the area is also included.
12 Route 4 Is A Popular Spot For Galarian Meowth
- Pokemon level: 13 - 15
Galar was a good place for region variants with the likes of Galarian Weezing, Ponyta, Farfetch'd, and Meowth. The last of those is actually a Steel-type Pokemon that evolves into Perrserker instead of Persian.
Galarian Meowth, as well as the grass and Steel-type Ferroseed, can be found at Route 4 between Galar Mine and Turrfield. Both can be found hiding in the grass, but Meowth can also be found wandering around in the overworld as well.
11 Giant's Seat Can Supply A Wild Steelix In The Overworld
- Pokemon level: 30 - 65
In the southern portion of the Wild Area is Giant's Seat. An ancient location with stone monuments, there's a mix of Mystical Pokemon and the average crowd of bulkier subjects. More interestingly, for whatever reason, this is where to find Steel Pokemon in Sword & Shield. Perhaps the vibe is just nice for them.
The most common encounter is Bronzor, which can be found in the grass and the overworld in most weathers. The rest appear as special overworld encounters and can be rather challenging to catch before the completion of the main campaign. In all weathers, Steelix, Bisharp, and Duraludon appear. Encountering the highly defensive Steelix here saves the trouble of trading an Onix. This is also one of the few locations where Duraludon, Galar's own premiere Steel-type, can be found in the wild.
10 North Lake Miloch Has The Rare Encounter Of A Wild Lucario
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- Pokemon level: 26 - 36
Just north of Giant's Seat is North Lake Miloch. Trainers will pass through this area on their way to the northern portion of the map. While some Pokemon will be available on the first trip, limitations to the weather that can appear makes some Pokemon unobtainable. After clearing Motostoke, trainers will get access to some other Pokemon, including some Steel-types.
The first and lowest level is Klink, the notorious pure-Steel gear Pokemon from Unova. This Pokemon can only be found during a snowstorm and is rather uncommon in the overworld during that time. Aside from Klink, two Steel Pokemon will appear as special overworld encounters. Lucario, the beloved fighting-type from Sinnoh, and Corviknight, the steel bird from Galar, make an appearance. While Riolu is fairly easy to find, Lucario on its own can be rather challenging to encounter. Catching it here is a good alternative.
9 Giant's Mirror Has Different Steel Pokemon Depending On The Weather
- Pokemon level: 26 - 34
Further north from North Lake Miloch, past three different new locations, is Giant's Mirror. This location has a few small bodies of water, and lays adjacent to the dry and sandy portion of the Wild Area. The variety of climates in this spot make it ideal for a number of species depending on weather conditions. In a similar way, this is where to find Steel Pokemon in Sword & Shield based on the weather.
In a snowstorm, trainers will be able to encounter Pawniard rather commonly. The intense sun is home to Durant, along with its natural predator in Heatmor. In all weather conditions, there are three special overworld encounters. Steelix and Perrserker are both roaming in the overworld. Underground, moving under the sands in the region, is Excadrill. Excadrill is a pretty powerful ally, and catching one so early may prove to be a huge help to players.
8 Giant's Cap Has The Likes Of Doublade And Excadrill
- Pokemon level: 46 - 56
Across the Dusty Bowl from Giant's Mirror is another prime location, Giant's Cap. This region is flanked similarly by the Dusty Bowl to Giant's Mirror and shares a few similar structures. Despite the similarities, this spot is home to a somewhat different collection of creatures. Again, many of these are special encounters, but one is a rather special case.
The special encounters in this region include Excadrill, Corviknight, and Doublade. While this isn't the first spot to find Kalos's iconic sword Pokemon, as Honedge appears in a few different locations, this is a prime spot to find a Doublade that's fresh and ready for battle. Pawniard can be found once again, but only during a snowstorm. Finally, for those with friends, Karrablast and Shelmet can be encountered in the grass. A trade evolution involving the two will create both Accelgor and Escavalier, which is a Steel-type.
7 Hammerlocke Hills Can Have Copperajah And Corviknight In The Overworld
- Pokemon level: 38 - 65
North of Giant's Mirror and a spot considered a flight point by the game is Hammerlocke Hills. This location is pretty similar to the surrounding regions but provides a place to catch and battle Pokemon while close to a major city. It's home to many Steel Pokemon that have already been covered in this article, but here they are more common and easy to catch.
The first two encounters are Honedge and Klink. Klink is common in this location and no longer requires weather to be encountered, and Honedge is fairly easy to catch as well. Both Karrablast and Shelmet appear here as well, but their evolved forms are still locked behind trades. As special encounters, along with Corviknight comes Copperajah, the Steel-type elephant added in Gen 8.
6 Lake Of Outrage Is A Great Place To Find Rare Pokemon Of All Kinds
- Pokemon level: 50 - 58
The Lake of Outrage is likely one of the last spots a trainer visits during their journey through Galar. This makes it the perfect location for many rare and powerful Pokemon. This location, depending on the weather, is a prime spot for nearly every major Steel Pokemon native to Galar.
Corviknight, once again, appears in this location, but this time as an encounter in the grass. The majority of Steel Pokemon are encountered during a snowstorm. In the overworld, Bisharp, Klinklang, and Copperajah all make an appearance. Cufant can be found in other spots, but this is a great place to find its evolved form. The grass in a snowstorm is home to Perrserker, Doublade, Duraludon, and Pika-clone Togedemaru. Intense sun has Durant, sandstorms hold Excadrill, and fog is home to Bronzong.
5 Challenge Road Has The Steel-type Bird Pokemon, Skarmory
- Pokemon level: 10 - 26
Interestingly enough, outside of the base game, there aren't too many prime locations for Steel Pokemon. They can be found occasionally, but not in large batches like in the main Wild Area. However, the DLC areas do have some exclusive Steel-types for those looking to complete their Pokedex. The best spot on The Isle of Armor would have to be Challenge Road, the path that leads up to the Tower of Darkness.
This rocky road of winding cliffs is home to a number of Rock-types and Fire-types. This is also a good place to catch a few Steel-types. The most common is Skarmory, which is still rather uncommon to find and hard to catch. It can be found rather early in the campaign and serves as a good ally. Pawniard can be found here as well. As a special encounter, trainers can find Magneton, but its pre-evolution Magnemite can be more easily caught in other spots.
4 Lakeside Cave Can Spawn A Full-Grown Aggron
- Pokemon level: 60 - 68
The Crown Tundra, similarly, is not a prime spot for new Steel Pokemon. There are some repeat appearances, but there aren't many locations where they appear in bulk. Despite that, there are other powerful Pokemon in this region, so it's good to explore and pick up some new party members for post-game content. One spot to find multiple is the Lakeside Cave.
In this cave, there are a few Pokemon that appear as random encounters. Mawile and Ferroseed, both of which appear in the base game, make appearances here. The unique encounter here is that of Aron, the Steel-type baby that evolves into the behemoth Aggron. Aggron can also be found as a special encounter.
3 Bridge Field Has Some Cufant And Ferroseed For You
- Pokemon level: 26 - 29
Ferroseed can also be located in the Bridge Field. This place can be found in the Wild Area underneath the giant stone bridge that's connected to Motostoke. Bridge Field connects the Wild Area's northern and southern parts together, so it is difficult to miss. A good handful of Steel-type Pokemon can be found in this particular zone of the Wild Area.
Cufant, Ferroseed, Ferrothorn, and Bronzong can all show up in this area. Karrablast can also be found in this area, and it evolves into the bug and Steel-type Escavalier.
2 Ballimere Lake Is A Good Place To Go In Crown Tundra
- Pokemon level: 60 - 65
Ballimere Lake is added to the map as part of the Crown Tundra expansion to Sword & Shield. The DLC can help trainers find the likes of the mighty Metagross in the snowy hills, so it does have value for trainers focusing on Steel-type Pokemon.
Ballimere Lake in particular has Aron and Corviknight. Aron alone makes this place worth checking out. This Rock and Steel-type evolves into Lairon and Aggron, all of whom originate in the Hoenn Region. It's a fan-favorite evolutionary line for good reason.
1 Snowslide Slope Has Metagross Wandering The Hills
- Pokemon level: 68
This last location is not home to a wide variety of Steel Pokemon. In fact, the Snowslide Slope, a region that leads up to the peak of the tundra's mountain, is only home to one. However, this one Pokemon is one that many trainers were likely anticipating to return to the Galar region.
This region that's home to some rare ice types, including Snom, is also home to a pseudo-legendary from Gen 3. Beldum appears in this region as a common encounter. It's still a challenge to catch, requiring the best Poke Balls (or good luck), but this is the place to catch it. Its evolutions, Metang and Metagross, can also appear as special encounters.
Pokemon Sword & Shield is available on the Nintendo Switch.