Beyond its offensive capabilities, Mega Excadrill receives 40 additional points in Defense, making it surprisingly durable. It also gains a minor 15-point increase in Special Attack, though Glick notes this is largely irrelevant for a physical powerhouse of its nature.
Is Mega Excadrill a BIG MISTAKE? – YouTube
However, there is a catch. Mega Excadrill currently exists within the real-time combat framework of Pokemon Legends: Z-A. This game deviates from the traditional formula by removing passive abilities—with very few exceptions—to accommodate its action-oriented gameplay.
In the turn-based world that competitive players know, abilities are fundamental to a Pokemon’s viability. Excadrill’s legacy is built on the Sand Rush ability, which doubles its speed in a sandstorm, making it a lethal partner for Tyranitar. Since Pokemon Champions is expected to return to traditional turn-based mechanics and reintroduce gimmicks like Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Terastalization, its competitive future depends on its technical kit.
Wolfey suggests that Mega Excadrill’s true potential hinges on its ability. If it retains Sand Rush or gains something even more potent, it could easily define the meta. “I think Mega Excadrill has the potential to run the metagame in Pokemon Champions,” he concludes.
For now, the community must wait for further details, as Pokemon Champions is tentatively scheduled for 2026. This game represents a major shift that could benefit both competitive and casual fans. By creating a dedicated space for professional play, Glick theorizes that Game Freak will have more freedom to refine the single-player experience in mainline games without worrying about competitive balance. As he puts it, this could “change the way that Pokemon operates forever.”
In other news, the lead behind Pokemon Red and Green recently shared how childhood nostalgia and extensive trial and error helped shape Game Freak’s original vision.
