drilbur
Generation V · #0529 — Mole Pokémon
Drilbur is a Ground-type Pokémon introduced in Generation V, classified as the Mole Pokémon and bearing the National Pokédex number #529. This small but mighty creature represents one of the earliest Ground-type encounters trainers can experience in the Unova region, serving as an excellent stepping stone for players building their teams. With a base stat total of 328, Drilbur excels in physical attack with a base stat of 85, coupled with respectable speed at 68, making it a capable physical attacker despite its modest frame. The Pokémon is notable for its three distinct abilities: Sand Rush and Sand Force as regular abilities, with Mold Breaker as its hidden ability, each providing unique strategic advantages depending on the Pokémon's intended role in battle. Drilbur evolves into the more formidable Excadrill at level 31, gaining a Steel-type designation and significantly improved stats that make it a formidable late-game Pokémon.
Base Stats
Height
0.3m
Weight
8.5kg
Category
Mole Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
gray
Shape
upright
Abilities
Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
Strengthens rock, ground, and steel moves to 1.3× their power during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.
Drilbur Biology & Physical Characteristics
Drilbur is a compact, mole-like Pokémon with a distinctly cylindrical body structure perfectly adapted for subterranean life. Its body is predominantly black with striking navy blue diagonal stripes that run from its left shoulder around its torso, creating an aesthetically distinctive pattern that aids in species recognition. The Pokémon features a white face with a prominent pink-tipped snout and small, dark eyes positioned at the base of its nose on either side. Most notably, Drilbur possesses two extraordinarily large, three-clawed appendages that serve as both arms and digging implements, capable of rotating at tremendous speeds. Its feet are small and ovoid with three toes each, and it sports a diminutive stubby tail that provides minimal balance but maintains the species' overall compact design. The remarkable biological adaptation that defines Drilbur is its ability to align its body into a perfectly vertical orientation while holding its claws forward, allowing it to function as a living drill capable of rotating at speeds sufficient to tunnel through solid earth at 30 miles per hour, a velocity competitive with modern automobiles on paved roads.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Drilbur Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Drilbur exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio, with exactly 50 percent male and 50 percent female individuals in wild populations and breeding scenarios. The species belongs to the Field egg group, limiting potential breeding partners to compatible Pokémon within the same classification, though this provides considerable flexibility for competitive breeding projects targeting specific movesets or ability combinations. The base happiness value of 70 in Generations V through VII (later adjusted to 50 in subsequent generations) indicates a moderately friendly disposition toward trainers, requiring moderate effort to achieve maximum friendship bonuses. Drilbur's medium-speed growth rate means it progresses toward evolution at a moderate pace, requiring 1,059,860 base experience points to reach level 31 where evolution occurs, placing it among the more slowly-progressing Pokémon but not to the extent of legendary or pseudo-legendary species. Breeding Drilbur typically requires 20 egg cycles to hatch, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps in-game, making it a moderately lengthy breeding process that rewards patience with the potential for competitively-viable offspring.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
black white
tm01
black 2 white 2
tm01
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm01
x y
tm03
yellow
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm03
red blue
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm03
blue japan
tm03
red green japan
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
+586 more TMs/HMs
drilbur's Evolution Chain
Drilbur Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Drilbur evolves into Excadrill upon reaching level 31, marking a dramatic transformation that enhances the Pokémon's combat viability significantly. This evolution grants Drilbur a secondary Steel-type designation, fundamentally altering its type matchups and defensive profile while substantially improving its base stats across most categories. Excadrill inherits Drilbur's physical attacking prowess and adds considerable bulk, with notably improved defense, special defense, and HP statistics that transform it from a somewhat fragile sweeper into a more balanced physical threat. The evolution also expands Excadrill's move pool substantially, granting access to Steel-type moves that synergize perfectly with its dual typing and abilities, making it a far more strategically flexible Pokémon in competitive environments. The physical transformation involves a more dramatic drill-like appearance, with larger claws, a more angular body structure, and enhanced coloration that reflects its increased mineral-absorption from drilling through diverse soil compositions.
Where to Find
twist mountain
unova
+21 more
guidance chamber
unova
+45 more
chargestone cave
unova
+141 more
mistralton cave
unova
+45 more
wellspring cave
unova
+21 more
relic passage
unova
+63 more
Drilbur Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Drilbur inhabits subterranean environments throughout the Unova region, spending most of its existence burrowing through soil and loose earth in search of food and suitable habitat. Despite their preference for underground living, Pokédex entries from both Black and White versions confirm that Drilbur poses a significant problem for agricultural communities, as their destructive tunneling directly damages vegetable crops and disrupts farmland. The species exhibits surprising affability toward humans when encountered in appropriate contexts, as demonstrated in the anime episode "A Village Homecoming!" where Drilbur displayed no hostility despite close human contact. Drilbur's primary methodology for movement involves compressing its body and rotating its claws in rapid succession, propelling itself through soil with impressive velocity; this spinning motion generates sufficient force to create tunnels while simultaneously allowing the Pokémon to navigate underground ecosystems with remarkable agility. The species primarily hunts small subterranean creatures and invertebrates, relying on its acute senses to detect prey vibrations through the earth, though it occasionally surfaces in areas with abundant vegetation where crop destruction inadvertently creates food opportunities.
Pokedex Entries
It can dig through the ground at a speed of 30 mph. It could give a car running aboveground a good race.
By spinning its body, it can dig straight through the ground at a speed of 30 mph.
It makes its way swiftly through the soil by putting both claws together and rotating at high speed.
It makes its way swiftly through the soil by putting both claws together and rotating at high speed.
By spinning its body, it can dig straight through the ground at a speed of 30 mph.
It makes its way swiftly through the soil by putting both claws together and rotating at high speed.
By spinning its body, it can dig straight through the ground at a speed of 30 mph.
It brings its claws together and whirls around at high speed before rushing toward its prey.
It’s a digger, using its claws to burrow through the ground. It causes damage to vegetable crops, so many farmers have little love for it.
Drilbur Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Drilbur derives from the combination of "drill" and "burrow," perfectly encapsulating the Pokémon's primary defining characteristic and behavioral methodology. The Japanese name, Mogurew, combines "mogura" (the Japanese word for mole) with a suffix suggesting drilling motion, maintaining linguistic consistency with the species' conceptual identity. The design inspiration clearly stems from real-world moles and anteaters, creatures renowned for their burrowing capabilities and specialized digging appendages, though Drilbur exaggerates these features to absurd proportions with its oversized claws. The distinctive navy blue stripes decorating Drilbur's black body may represent mineral deposits or layering observed in soil strata, subtly suggesting the Pokémon's deep subterranean habitat and connection to geological environments. The white facial coloring contrasts sharply with its darker body, potentially reflecting the pale underbellies characteristic of many burrowing mammals, while the prominent pink nose suggests heightened olfactory capabilities essential for underground navigation and prey detection in low-visibility environments.
Learnable Moves
Drilbur can learn 63 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| crush claw | normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| drill run | ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
| earth power | ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fissure | ground | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| high horsepower | ground | Physical | 95 | 95 | 10 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| metal claw | steel | Physical | 50 | 95 | 35 |
| metal sound | steel | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud sport | ground | Status | — | — | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| poison jab | poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rapid spin | normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock climb | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand tomb | ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scorching sands | ground | Special | 70 | 100 | 10 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| skull bash | normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sludge bomb | poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| submission | fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| x scissor | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
Drilbur Competitive Battle Guide
Drilbur functions as a capable physical attacker in competitive Pokémon battles, though trainers typically wait until level 31 evolution to field it in serious competitive play. The 85 base attack stat provides reasonable offensive pressure, while the 68 base speed allows Drilbur to outpace many slower defensive Pokémon and slower attackers, though it lacks the extreme velocity of dedicated sweepers. Sand Rush ability deserves particular emphasis in sandstorm-based team compositions, effectively doubling Drilbur's speed during active sandstorm conditions and enabling it to function as a devastating physical sweeper that outspeeds nearly everything on sand-reliant teams. Sand Force offers an alternative approach, boosting Ground, Rock, and Steel-type moves to 1.3 times their normal power during sandstorms while providing immunity to sandstorm damage, synergizing excellently with Drilbur's natural Ground-type STAB moves like Earthquake and Drill Run. The hidden ability Mold Breaker enables Drilbur to bypass defensive abilities like Levitate and Filter, though its relatively mediocre special attack of 30 base limits its special move diversity. As Drilbur, competitive viability remains limited due to modest defensive capabilities (40 base defense, 45 base special defense), and trainers should prioritize evolution to Excadrill, which gains Steel typing and substantially improved bulk that transforms it into a genuinely threatening competitive presence.
Commonly Asked Questions About Drilbur
What type is Drilbur?
Drilbur is a ground type Pokemon.
What does Drilbur evolve into?
Drilbur evolves into excadrill.
What are Drilbur's weaknesses?
Drilbur is weak to water, grass and ice type moves.
Where can I find Drilbur?
Drilbur can be found in twist mountain (unova), guidance chamber (unova) and chargestone cave (unova) and 3 other locations.
Drilbur Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Drilbur holds particular cultural significance within the Pokémon anime series through Iris's Axew's eventual evolution into Drilbur, establishing a memorable character arc throughout the Black and White series progression. The Pokémon's distinctive appearance and drilling mechanics captured immediate fan recognition upon Generation V's introduction, becoming a beloved staple in competitive team-building discussions and casual playthroughs. Drilbur's role as an agricultural pest in Pokédex entries and regional lore creates an interesting parallel to real-world human-wildlife conflict narratives, adding nuance to the Pokémon universe's ecological worldbuilding. The species gained prominence in trading card game communities during the release of Black and White era sets, with competitive players recognizing Sand Rush Excadrill's potential in sandstorm-based strategies that dominated metagames for considerable periods. Drilbur's accessible availability early in Unova region progression ensured widespread familiarity among casual players and speedrunners alike, establishing it as a recognizable face in Generation V's roster despite its eventual replacement by stronger alternatives in competitive contexts.
Where to Find Drilbur in Every Pokémon Game
Drilbur is available in Pokémon Black and White versions at National Pokédex entry #0035 (local numbering), appearing with reasonable frequency in underground locations and cave systems throughout the Unova region, with a capture rate of 120 facilitating relatively easy acquisition compared to more elusive species. In Black 2 and White 2, the local Pokédex number shifts to #0076, with continued availability in similar subterranean environments, allowing players who missed it in earlier versions another opportunity for capture. The species appears in subsequent generations with varying regional Pokédex assignments: #0166 in Sword and Shield, #0120 in Legends: Z-A, and #0099 in The Indigo Disk DLC content for Scarlet and Violet, demonstrating consistent inclusion across post-Generation V mainline titles. Drilbur can also be obtained through breeding Excadrill or acquired from NPCs offering the species as gift Pokémon in various regional contexts throughout different game versions. In Pokémon GO, Drilbur exists as a capturable species with distinct spawn rates influenced by weather conditions and specific event periods, making availability somewhat variable but generally achievable for dedicated players engaging with the mobile title's mechanics and seasonal rotation systems.