Bug/Steel Type

Bug/Steel compresses a remarkable number of defensive jobs into one slot. It is immune to Poison, double-resists Grass, and resists a long list of other attacking types, letting it find turns against many passive or resisted attacks. The price is absolute: Fire is a 4× weakness. A seemingly harmless Fire coverage move can remove a Bug/Steel Pokémon before its resistances matter, so its user must track opposing sets, weather, and whether a Fire switch-in is waiting.

Offensive plan

The STAB pairing is more useful than its reputation suggests. Bug attacks threaten Psychic, Dark, and Grass targets, while Steel attacks answer Fairy, Ice, and Rock Pokémon; Scizor can turn that into priority pressure with Bullet Punch. Neither side solves every defensive answer. Fire- and Water-type Pokémon can take Steel comfortably, and Flying-, Fighting-, Poison-, and Steel-based targets may make Bug attacks unattractive. Use a pivot, coverage move, or hazard chip to punish the obvious Fire-type response instead of handing it a free entrance.

Counterplay and defensive risks

Fire is the first answer, but it should be used with care around a predicted switch, rain, a resistance Berry, or a defensive Terastallization. If direct Fire coverage is absent, exploit the combination's modest Speed, limit its setup turns, and use neutral special attacks before it can convert resistances into momentum. Knock Off can be valuable against item-reliant variants, while entry hazards reduce the number of safe pivots. Do not mistake its many resistances for immunity: the type chart still leaves several avenues for neutral damage.

Team-building advice

A Bug/Steel slot needs a dedicated Fire plan rather than a vague collection of neutral checks. Bulky Water-types, Dragons that resist Fire, and Flash Fire teammates can all cover the obvious weakness, depending on the format. In return, Bug/Steel can absorb Grass pressure for Water/Ground partners and switch into Fairy, Ice, or Psychic attacks for more fragile teammates. Use the Team Calculator to catch shared Fire weakness before finalizing the roster, and compare this specialized defensive profile with the best combinations guide.

Read the best Pokémon type combinations guide for a side-by-side defensive comparison.

Frequently asked questions