Steel is synonymous with protection, durability, and fortification, but being a Steel-Type Pokémon doesn't necessarily mean you have outstanding defense. The majority of Steel-Types are great protectors with tough armor, but there are those who are not so much formidable fortresses as they are thin-skinned softies.
From colossal beasts who seem like natural defenders to unassuming Pokémon that don't seem at all steel-like, there are a number of low-defense Pokémon whose strengths lie elsewhere. It's will come as no surprise that some of these Pokémon have poor defense, but for others, it's completely unexpected, considering their appearance, stature, and reputation.
10 Alolan Diglett Is Stronger Than Regular Diglett But Still Lacks Defense
Alolan Diglett doesn't fare much better in the Defense stat than its non-Alolan counterpart, Diglett, despite it being a Ground/Steel-Type and stronger, with only 5 more points in defense. As it spends all of its time in the ground, Alolan Diglett is a Ground-Type first, Steel-Type second. Its steeliness is due to the Alolan region, with Diglett needing extra strength to dig through all that volcanic rock.
9 Togedemaru Is A Cute Electricity Hoarder Not Known For Its Defense
The mouse-like Electric/Steel Pokémon Togedemaru's base Defense stat is its second-worst after Special Attack. Diminutive in stature at only 1'00" tall and weighing in at 7.3 lbs, it is not known to evolve into any other Pokémon, which is a shame because it would be interesting to see a bigger, more elaborate version of Togedemaru. Its strengths lie in its speed and its ability to absorb electricity from other Electric-Type Pokémon.
8 The Blade Forme Of Aegislash Sacrifices Defense For Attack
Aegislash and its evolutionary predecessors are the only Pokémon that are Steel/Ghost Type. The defense of Honedge and Doublade, which evolves into Aegislash when exposed to a Dusk Stone, are high. However, when it uses Ability Stance Change during battle and becomes its Blade Forme, carrying its shield in its left arm instead of in front of its blade, its Defense is sacrificed for Attack. What's more, Aegislash's Special Defense is lowered by the same amount as its regular Defense when in Blade Forme.
7 Durant Is Tough But Has A Major Weakness
Durant is not the only Bug/Steel-Type Pokémon, but it is the only one with an insectoid body. While Durant has a high base Defense stat, its Special Defense is woeful, at less than half that of its physical Defense.
This, of course, leaves it susceptible to special attacks, but any trainer who is aware of Durant's Achilles' heel can use that to their advantage. Unfortunately, Durant's steel armor is nothing in the face of its natural predator, Heatmor. Given Steel's weakness to Fire, this is a major weakness of the Iron Ant Pokémon.
6 Excadrill Is A Powerful Driller But Not A Great Defender
Both Excadrill's Defense and Special Defense stats are less than half of its Attack. The subterranean Ground/Steel Pokémon can turn itself into a powerful drill when it folds up its arms and head, combining its sharp blades, but its chubby mole-like body offers no protection otherwise. While not lacking in HP, Excadrill's Defense stats put it at a distinct disadvantage, particularly against Water, Fighting, Ground, and Fire attacks. It acquires its Steel Type after evolving from Drilbur.
5 Alolan Sandshrew Is Feisty But Feeble
If Alolan Sandshrew were to go up against a Fighting/Fire-Type such as Infernape, it would be a very one-sided affair because it is extremely weak to Fire and Fighting moves. Its low Special Defense of 35 making it especially susceptible to fiery fighters in particular. Alolan Sandslash fares slightly better with 65 for its Special Defense, but this is still low compared to its other stats, and it retains the same weaknesses as its pre-evolved form.
4 Galarian Meowth Has An Iron Body But Lacks The Stats To Back It Up
Galarian Meowth's Defense stands at 55, while its Special Defense is a measly 40, pretty dire for a pure Steel-Type Pokémon. Considering the fact that its body is partially made up of iron owing to its many years living alongside a race of seafarers, its Defense ought to be much higher. Things don't get much better when it evolves into Perrserker, gaining only 20 points in Special Defense, despite the fact that it has a helmet (albeit one that is made from hardened hair).
3 Melmetal Is Tough As Nails Unless You Exploit Its Weakness
For such a tough-looking Pokémon, it may be hard to imagine that Melmetal is lacking in the Defense department, but it is. Not its physical Defense, which is an expected high of 145, but its Special Defense, which is a measly 65. The way to defeat this Pokémon is to bombard it with Special Attacks, particularly those of the Fighting, Ground, and Fire variety.
Ash found this out the hard way in "Final Rivals!," episode 138 of the Sun & Moon series. Fighting against Gladion, Ash's main rival in the series, his Melmetal was beaten down and defeated by Gladion's Silvally, which gained a big advantage by changing into a Fighting-Type during the battle.
2 Lucario's Best Form Of Defense Is Attack
While Lucario is more well known for its offensive capabilities, it is still a half Steel-Type, so it would be reasonable to expect it to have a relatively good defense. However, both its physical Defense and Special Defense base stats are a low 70. Combine that with the fact that its HP is the same number and it's evident that Lucario is hardly anything special in terms of enduring attacks, particularly for a secondary Steel-Type.
1 Copperajah Isn't The Bastion Of Defense It Appears To Be
Not only is Copperajah a pure Steel-Type, it's also 9'10", weighs a hefty 1433.0 lbs, and is based on an Asian elephant. It's bizarre that Copperajah's second-worst stats after Speed are Defense and Special Defense, which both sit at 69. Its high HP enables it to take a lot of blows, but such shoddy defense stats don't exactly bode well for Copperajah. Unlike other Steel-Type Pokémon, Copperajah doesn't have thick armor and isn't made of steel. All it has is its hide with copper accents, which doesn't look as strong or durable.
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