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Hello Trainers! The Steeled Resolve brings Orthworm, the Earthworm Pokémon, to Pokémon GO. Can this subterranean sentinel carve out a niche in the meta or will it get outclassed by previous meta giants? Let’s dig in and find out!
Orthworm: Stats, Profile and Typing
Orthworm
Steel
| Max CP | 2599 |
|---|---|
| ATK | 161 |
| DEF | 219 |
| HP | 172 |
| Weak to |    |
| Resists |            |
| Fast moves |
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| Charge moves |
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Orthworm is a defensive-leaning Steel type Pokémon with a solid 219 Defense stat giving it respectable survivability rather than raw power. As a pure Steel type Pokémon, it comes with the famed Steel resistances—a whooping 11 different types, with double resistance to Poison.
Orthworm in Pokémon GO PvE
Raids
With just 161 Attack stat and a max CP of 2599, Orthworm barely makes any dent in the PvE meta. With the recent Tinkaton Community Day, we have seen how Tinkaton remains a formidable presence in the PvE meta despite having similar stats to Orthworm (2544 max CP and 155 Attack). It is primarily because of the sheer power of Gigaton Hammer. In contrast, Orthworm is significantly held back in Pokémon GO PvE because of its uninspiring moveset: Iron Tail & Iron Head. Using our DPS Comparer Tool:
As we can see, the difference in Orthworm’s performance when compared with top Steel attackers is massive. And as mentioned above, Tinkaton makes its presence felt thanks to Gigaton Hammer, without which its performance remains similar to Orthworm, with both their DPS being less than 10 points. Unfortunately, Orthworm is not worth prioritizing for players chasing top-tier PvE builds.
Orthworm in Pokémon GO PvP
Ideal Moveset: Mud-Slap + Rock Tomb & Iron Head
Orthworm’s PvP case is more interesting because defensive value can matter a lot in PvP. Its bulk gives it a chance to outlast opponents, and its simple best moveset means it is at least functional without needing unusual move pressure. Orthworm’s strengths are clear: good bulk and useful Steel typing, which gives it a very high number of resistances. Its weaknesses are just as clear: limited offensive threat and competition with already established Steel types like Corviknight, Tinkaton and Ferrorthorn, and with other mud-slappers like Marowak and Gastrodon. All this makes Orthworm a classic case of niche Pokémon: useful when meta lines up but not a Pokémon that may carry a team.
Great League
In Great League, Orthworm gives a pretty decent performance. Being a pure Steel type but with Mud-Slap and Rock Tomb in its arsenal, Orthworm picks up some interesting wins in 1v1 shield scenario like Empoleon, Tinkaton, Cradily and Azumarill. However the losses just slightly manage to outnumber the wins with Altaria, Jellicent, Corviknight and Forretress being members of the loss column. The win-loss ratio remains similar in other shield scenarios as well. Overall, Orthworm may not take the Great League meta by storm but it still performs solidly and can easily occupy a slot in any Trainer’s Great League team.
Orthworm’s ideal IV spread for Great League is: 0/15/14, 1498CP, Level 25.
Ultra League
Orthworm in Ultra League demands heavy XL investment. But this investment certainly gives a profitable return, as Orthworm procures a positive win-loss ratio in Ultra League. It picks up wins against the likes of Lapras, Jellicent, Giratina (Altered), Regidrago and Clefable. Some of the losses include Skeledirge, Gastrodon, Corviknight and Feraligatr. Players can also run Orthworm with Earthquake instead of Iron Head, which gives Orthworm a nuke option in zero-shield scenario along with some unique wins in 1v1 like Stunfisk. Orthworm may not suddenly become meta in Ultra League because of its lack of accessibility and high XL investment, but with time it has a lot of potential to become one.
Orthworm’s ideal IV spread for Ultra League is: 8/15/15, 2496CP, Level 50.
For a detailed PvP analysis on Orthworm, here is JRE47 with: Quick Bites PvP Analysis: Orthworm.
Is Orthworm Worth Building?
Orthworm is a tough sell for PvE-focused players. Its low Attack stat combined with a lackluster moveset leaves it far behind even mid-tier Steel attackers, let alone the meta-defining ones. PvP, however, tells a more nuanced story. In Great League, Orthworm is a serviceable pick thanks to its bulk, typing, and access to Mud-Slap coverage, allowing it to secure some valuable matchups. Ultra League is where things get more interesting—if you’re willing to commit the XL resources. Still, its high cost and competition from more established picks make it a long-term or niche project rather than a priority build. If you enjoy experimenting or want something a bit different, Orthworm can be a fun pick to explore. Otherwise, it’s perfectly fine to leave it on the sidelines for now and wait to see if future updates give it the boost it clearly needs.
Parting Words
Orthworm ends up sitting in an awkward spot. It’s not weak enough to ignore completely, but it’s also not strong enough to justify building right away—especially for PvE. PvP gives it a bit more breathing room. In Great League, it can slot into teams and do a decent job without feeling like dead weight. Ultra League is where things start to look more promising on paper, but the steep XL cost means most players will think twice before committing. For now, Orthworm can be best seen as a “keep an eye on” Pokémon.
And as always, Stay Safe!
