Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Drilbur
Say it: DRI-lbu-r
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Drilbur is the Mole Pokémon — Ground before Excadrill. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Excadrill — not a finished raid attacker. Ground helps against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel; Water, Grass, and Ice hit Ground hard. Catch Drilbur from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve. Drill Run from Drilbur Community Day belongs on Excadrill.
Say it: DRI-lbu-r
Drilbur (#529) is a Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the pre-evolution of Excadrill. Trainers almost never power Drilbur for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Excadrill (and Drill Run). Against Drilbur, lead with Water, Grass, or Ice. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Drilbur is a Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0529. Use the Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Drilbur. Keep high-IV or Shadow copies tagged for Excadrill. Save Elite TMs for Excadrill’s Drill Run if needed. Shadow Drilbur is the same — evolve toward Shadow Excadrill.
Type matchups
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Drilbur is your opponent, Water, Grass, Ice hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 154
- Defense
- 85
- Stamina
- 155
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Drilbur’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Excadrill (Mud-Slap + Drill Run / Earthquake) — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Mud-Slap · Standard
Ground energy
- Scratch · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Drill Run · Community Day / Elite TM
Best Ground nuke (on Excadrill)
- Dig · Standard
Ground alternate
- Rock Tomb · Standard
Rock coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- scratch
- mud slap
Charged
- rock tomb
- dig
- drill run
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #681 of 954 · CP 1500
Mud Slap + Drill Run
- Ultra League · rank #725 of 747 · CP 1555
Mud Slap + Drill Run
- Master League · rank #834 of 1023 · CP 1555
Mud Slap + Drill Run
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.