Pokemon #13-Excadrill

Excadrill is a Pokemon that was introduced in Generation 5(Black,White).It is number 36 in the Unova Pokedex and number 530 in the National Pokedex.It is said that it can help in tunnel constuction and that its drill has evolved into steel strong enough to bore through iron plates.
Excadrill is the Pokemon that was described by many people as the best Pokemon of Generation 5.I won't agree but I will say that Excadrill is very close to be the best 5th Generation Pokemon.It is a Ground and Steel type which grants it immunity to Toxic,Toxic Spikes and Thunder Wave which is something amazing for a sweeper like Excadrill.Its stats are also very good with 110/60/65 on the defensive side (HP/Def/Sp.Def) and 135/50/88 on the offensive side (Att/Sp.Att/Speed).Its movepool is not that great but it has some pretty nice moves like Swords Dance,Earthquake and Rock Slide that can really help it.Reading the review so far,you will be like "Why the heck Excadrill is one of the best Pokemon of Gen 5?!".The answer is simple.Sand Rush.Sand Rush is one of the three abilities that Excadrill can get,the others being Sand Force which boosts the power of Rock,Steel and Ground moves by 33% in Sandstorm and Mold Breaker which makes the user uneffected by the opponent's ability.Now,Sand Rush.It simply doubles Excadrill's speed in Sandstrorm and so that means,that if you run Max Speed you can hit 604 Speed without any other help.Pretty cool,huh?Let's take a look at some possible sets.

Standard
-Swords Dance
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-X-Scissor/Aerial Ace/Shadow Claw
Item:Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability:Sand Throw
EVs,Nature:
252 Attack,204 Speed,52 HP
Adamant(+Att,-Sp.Att)

The most common set.You need Max Attack,so go with Adamant nature.The Speed EVs is not really a big deal,just because you have Sand Rush.Swords Dance pairs nicely with this ability.Set up one,on a predicted switch and then it's pretty much a sweep if your opponent hasn't got a counter.Earthquake is STAB and very good in general and after a Swords Dance is ugly strong.Rock Slide hits Flying Pokemon and is good combo with Earthquake.The last move is tricky.X-Scissor,Aerial Ace or Shadow Claw.All of them give you a poor type coverage,but that's your only choices.So go with the one that you think you can sweep better with.Obviously,you need Sandstorm support in order to activate your ability and generally make this set work,so make sure you have either a Tyranitar or a Hippowdon in your team.

Choice Band
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-X-Scissor
-Brick Break
Item:Choice Band
Ability:Sand Rush
EVs,Nature:
252 Attack,240 Speed,16 HP
Adamant(+Att,-Sp.Att)

This theoretically is a great set.Getting the speed boost from the Sandstrom and having a monstrous Attack stat from the Choice Band,means that anyone who's not prepared will get swept.Earthquake is STAB and hits hard with the blessings of the Choice Band.Rock Slide can be useful hitting hard Ice and Flying types.
X-Scissor hits every Pokemon that resists Earthquake and Rock Slide combo and can hit hard the Grass types which can sometimes cause troubles to Excadrill.Brick Break is there just to complete the set and for some more type coverage.Again,as in the previous set you need Sandstorm support from Tyranitar or Hippowdon.

Counters
Ferrothorn is the best and most common Excadrill counter,resisting everything that it can throw and being able to easily set up and/or force Excadrill out.Skarmory is also good,being immune to the STAB Earthquake,able to take hits with ease and set up entry hazards.Bronzong,even though it's uncommon in our days,can wall Excadrill and force it out.Bulky Waters,as Vaporeon,Swampert and Suicune can take some hits and either hit back for the KO or force it out.

Cool Info:In early Black and White promotional videos,Excadrill had a different colouring.

Enjoy and have a nice day!