Steel-type Pokémon are praised for their massive Defense stat and bulk. Prior to Generation VI, they would primarily be used as defensive tanks who would provide support to their allies. However, with the introduction of Fairy-types, Steel-types gained new potential as offensive threats who have the advantage over Fairies.

Because of this resurgence, the need for viable Steel-type moves in competitive battling has gone up. Still, there are certain Steel moves that tend to be overshadowed by the likes of the popular Iron Head and Flash Cannon.

10 No One Teaches: Mirror Shot

Mirror Shot is a Special Steel-type move with a base power of only 65. This may be a decent move to hit on the Special side early in the game, but it’s definitely outclassed by Flash Cannon.

One redeeming factor about Mirror Shot, though, is that it has the chance to lower the opponent’s accuracy. At the same time, Mirror Shot itself does not have the best accuracy for its low damage output.

9 Under The Radar: Autotomize

Due to their composition, Steel-type Pokémon are generally heavy and on the slower side. Rather than speed, they usually focus more on taking hits with their high defenses. Therefore, many trainers might not think to make their Steel-types speedy.

Autotomize is a unique move that acts like Agility by sharply raising the user’s Speed while also decreasing their weight. Weight isn’t always taken into account for battling, but it can lessen the damage taken from weight-based moves such as Low Kick or Grass Knot.

8 No One Teaches: Metal Burst

Metal Burst is a Steel-type variation of Counter and Mirror Coat where the user will retaliate based on how much damage they received from their opponent. However, Metal Burst has some drawbacks compared to Counter and Mirror Coat.

While Counter and Mirror Coat both do double damage that is taken, Metal Burst only does 1.5 times the damage. In addition, Metal Burst does not guarantee that the user will move after its opponent, which it needs to do in order to be used.

7 Under The Radar: Doom Desire

Doom Desire is a powerful move that flies under the radar because it’s not easily accessible. In fact, the only Pokémon that can learn it is the Mythical Pokémon, Jirachi, and it does not learn it until level 98.

Doom Desire is very similar to Future Sight where the anticipated attack will take place two turns later in the battle. The main differences are that Doom Desire is slightly stronger and Steel-type instead of Psychic-type.

6 No One Teaches: Iron Tail

Ash Ketchum’s Pikachu is known to use Iron Tail quite often, though it might be one of the few Pokémon who bother to learn it.

The reason for this is that Iron Tail has a fairly low accuracy of 75% which makes it less reliable in instances where a powerful hit needs to land on the opponent. Most trainers are willing to trade power for accuracy by utilizing Iron Head instead of Iron Tail.

5 Under The Radar: Steel Wing

As suggested by the name, Steel Wing is a move that many Flying and winged Pokémon can learn.

Because Flying-types have a defensive weakness to Rock and Ice, having a Steel-type attack can give them a way to effectively fight back. In addition, Steel/Flying-types like Skarmory and Corviknight can take advantage of the STAB boost.

4 No One Teaches: Metal Claw

Metal Claw is an easily accessible Steel-type move that many Pokémon can learn at lower levels. It may be a good temporary Steel-type attack early on in the game, but it eventually loses its relevance.

With only a base power of 50, there’s really no need to use Metal Claw over any other physical Steel-type attack. Even Bullet Punch, with a lower base power of 40, sees more usage thanks to its higher priority to move first in the turn.

3 Under The Radar: Steel Beam

Steel Beam is a new and powerful Special Steel attack introduced in Sword & Shield. With a massive base power of 140, Steel Beam is sure to dish out some good damage against the foe. But as with every overpowered move, it comes with a big drawback.

After using Steel Beam, the user’s own HP will be reduced by half of its maximum. While that’s a large amount of recoil damage to take, it could pay off in desperate battle situations.

2  No One Teaches: Gear Up

Gear Up is the signature move of Klinklang and involves ally Pokémon with the Abilities, Plus and Minus. For all allied Pokémon with those Abilities, Gear Up will raise their Attack and Special Attack stats.

This is great under those very specific circumstances. However, only a handful of Pokémon have either the Plus or Minus Abilities, making this a move that isn’t super practical to teach Klinklang.

1 Under The Radar: Anchor Shot

Anchor Shot is a Steel-type move that is rarely ever mentioned or talked about. This is because Dhelmise is the only Pokémon who can learn this move.

Ironically, Dhelmise is a Ghost/Grass-type and not Steel, despite the fact that its own signature move is Steel-type. Regardless, Anchor Shot is as strong as Iron Head while also preventing the opponent from switching out, which could prove to be useful if Dhelmise ever joins the competitive scene.

NEXT: The 10 Cutest Ghost-Type Pokémon