At 385 BST, Onix is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Steelix before bringing it to any serious fight.

What is Onix weak to?

In Diamond & Pearl, watch for Starmie (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Onix. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

What is the best ability for Onix?

Rock Head protects against recoil damage. That's the one you want on Onix. Weak Armor is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Sturdy works too if your team needs something different.

What role does Onix play in battle?

Onix is a physical attacker with base 45 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.

In Diamond & Pearl, For a casual playthrough, Onix works as a placeholder. Rock/Ground coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Steelix . That's where the stats start mattering.

Onix - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

CTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

The stat bars tell the story: Defense carries everything and Sp. Atk's dead weight. But this Rock Snake Pokemon still yields 1 Defense EV per fight on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats

Avg

HP35

Attack45

Defense160

Sp. Atk30

Sp. Def45

Speed70

Total385

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height8.8 m

Weight210.0 kg

Base XP77

Abilities

Rock HeadTop Pick

Protects against recoil damage.

SturdyNiche

Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.

Weak ArmorHANot in game

Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe

Defense training source

Pokedex Entries

When it travels underground, it causes rumbling and tremors. It can move at 50 mph.

Onix Weakness

Onix's Rock/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Water and Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. The Rock/Ground typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Onix's physical bulk (base 160 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Onix Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Water, Grass
2x (Weak)	Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)	Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)	Poison
0x (Immune)	Electric

Type ChartFragile

6Weak

5Resist

1Immune

Score-7

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

Water Grass

2xWeak

Ice Fighting Ground Steel

½xResist

Normal Fire Flying Rock

¼xResist

Poison

0xImmune

Electric

STAB (8)

Fire Ice Flying Bug Electric Poison Rock Steel

How to Beat Onix in Diamond & Pearl (Best Counters)

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 47 Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Damage vs Onix Power Whip 4x 168-198%KO Solar Beam 4x 413-487%KO Giga Drain 4x 264-311%KO Vine Whip 4x 67-79% View Carnivine builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 308-362%KO Giga Drain 4x 197-232%KO Bullet Seed 4x 24-28% View Lileep builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Hydro PumpLv. 43 BlizzardTM14 SurfHM03 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 303-357%KO Hydro Pump 4x 278-328%KO Blizzard 2x 92-109%KO Surf 4x 230-272%KO View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 DigTM28 Brick BreakTM31 Giga DrainTM19 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 303-357%KO Dig 2x 28-34% Brick Break 2x 26-32% Giga Drain 4x 192-226%KO View Nuzleaf builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Iron TailTM23 Damage vs Onix Wood Hammer 4x 120-142%KO Solar Beam 4x 312-368%KO Blizzard 2x 142-167%KO Iron Tail 2x 33-40% View Snover builds →

Diamond & Pearl Evolution

To get Steelix from Onix, you need a trade. The evolution method matters here. The evolved forms gain up to 125 total stats over Onix. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#095Onix

Trade + Metal Coat

#208Steelix

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Onix

RockGround

Steelix

SteelGround

75+40

ATK

85+40

DEF

160

200+40

SP.ATK

55+25

SP.DEF

65+20

SPE

30-40

BST

385C-Tier

510C-Tier+125

ROLE

Balanced

Trick Room

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Onix easily with 29 breeding partners from the Mineral egg group. Pass egg moves like Block, Defense Curl, Explosion and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Mineral

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

25 cycles·6,425 steps

Moderate~6 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

7moves

Breed With (best first)

Diamond & Pearl Onix Best Moveset

One guaranteed turn is all Onix needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Attack and Speed EVs make it count, and Rockhead adds something extra. The goal: get Stealth Rock up and deal damage with Earthquake. Normal coverage gives it play beyond just the lead turn.

Best Build

Experimental

Support

Ability

Rock Head

Item

Focus SashSURVIVAL

Best Nature for Onix

Jolly+SPE

Onix best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Atk

Spe

Support Moveset

Stealth RockSTAB
EarthquakeSTAB
ExplosionCoverage
ToxicUtility

Recommended Teammates

MachokeGood

ElectrodeGood

VenusaurGood

Moves

The natural movepool does the job, but Block and Defense Curl from the egg pool give Onix something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Bind

—157520Normal

Lv 1

Harden

———30Normal

Lv 1

Mud Sport

———15Ground

Lv 1

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Lv 6

Screech

——8540Normal

Lv 9

Rock Throw

—509015Rock

Lv 14

Rage

D2010020Normal

Lv 17

Rock Tomb

D609510Rock

Lv 22

Sandstorm

———10Rock

Lv 25

Slam

—807520Normal

Lv 30

Rock Polish

C——20Rock

Lv 33

Dragon Breath

—6010020Dragon

Lv 38

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

Lv 41

Sand Tomb

—358515Ground

Lv 46

Double-Edge

D12010015Normal

Lv 49

Stone Edge

D100805Rock

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM59

Dragon Pulse

D9010010Dragon

TM26

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM64

Explosion

S2501005Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM91

Flash Cannon

D8010010Steel

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM74

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM23

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM77

Psych Up

———10Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

HM08

Rock Climb

—908520Normal

TM69

Rock Polish

C——20Rock

TM80

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

D609510Rock

TM37

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM76

Stealth Rock

S——20Rock

TM71

Stone Edge

D100805Rock

HM04

Strength

D8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM12

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

S—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Block

———5Normal

Egg

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Egg

Explosion

S2501005Normal

Egg

Flail

——10015Normal

Egg

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

Egg

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

Egg

Rollout

—309020Rock

Tutor Moves

Onix can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Diamond & Pearl Onix Locations

high spawn rates in early-game routes across 36 locations. Onix's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Best Locations to Catch Onix in Diamond & Pearl

You can catch Onix through 36 walking encounters from Lv. 8-56, but availability differs between Diamond and Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.

Oreburgh Mine - 1F

DiamondGrass Lv.8 Cave

UncommonEarly

Oreburgh Mine - 1F

PearlGrass Lv.8 Cave

UncommonEarly

Oreburgh Mine - B1F

DiamondGrass Lv.8-9 Cave

UncommonEarly

Oreburgh Mine - B1F

PearlGrass Lv.8-9 Cave

UncommonEarly

Iron Island - B2F Right Cave

PearlGrass Lv.31-33 Water

CommonLate

Iron Island - B2F Right Cave

DiamondGrass Lv.31-33 Water

CommonLate

Iron Island - B2F Left Cave

PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

CommonLate

Iron Island - B2F Left Cave

DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

CommonLate

Iron Island - B3F

DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

CommonLate

Iron Island - B3F

PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

CommonLate

Iron Island - 1F

DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

UncommonLate

Iron Island - 1F

PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

UncommonLate

Iron Island - B1F Left Cave

DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

UncommonLate

Iron Island - B1F Left Cave

PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

UncommonLate

Iron Island - B1F Right Cave

PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

UncommonLate

Iron Island - B1F Right Cave

DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

UncommonLate

Victory Road - 1F

PearlGrass Lv.44 Cave

UncommonLate

Victory Road - 1F

DiamondGrass Lv.44 Cave

UncommonLate

Victory Road - 2F

PearlGrass Lv.45 Cave

UncommonLate

Victory Road - 2F

DiamondGrass Lv.45 Cave

UncommonLate

Snowpoint Temple - 1F

DiamondGrass Lv.50-52 Ice

UncommonPost

Snowpoint Temple - 1F

PearlGrass Lv.50-52 Ice

UncommonPost

Victory Road - Nat Dex Area

DiamondGrass Lv.50 Cave

UncommonPost

Victory Road - Nat Dex Area

PearlGrass Lv.50 Cave

UncommonPost

Victory Road - Nat Dex Exit Area

DiamondGrass Lv.50 Cave

UncommonPost

Victory Road - Nat Dex Exit Area

PearlGrass Lv.50 Cave

UncommonPost

Snowpoint Temple - B1F

DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

RarePost

Snowpoint Temple - B1F

PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

RarePost

Snowpoint Temple - B2F

DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

RarePost

Snowpoint Temple - B2F

PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

RarePost

Snowpoint Temple - B3F

DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

RarePost

Snowpoint Temple - B3F

PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

RarePost

Stark Mountain - Entrance

PearlGrass Lv.54 Volcano

RarePost

Stark Mountain - Entrance

DiamondGrass Lv.54 Volcano

RarePost

Stark Mountain - Interior

PearlGrass Lv.56 Volcano

RarePost

Stark Mountain - Interior

DiamondGrass Lv.56 Volcano

RarePost

Onix Guide

At 385 BST, Onix is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Steelix before bringing it to any serious fight.
In Diamond & Pearl, watch for Starmie (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Onix. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Rock Head protects against recoil damage. That's the one you want on Onix. Weak Armor is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Sturdy works too if your team needs something different.
Onix is a physical attacker with base 45 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
In Diamond & Pearl, For a casual playthrough, Onix works as a placeholder. Rock/Ground coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Steelix. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Onix appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Onix have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Brick BreakTM31 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 126-150%KO Brick Break 2x 66-79% Rock Smash 2x 39-47% View Heracross builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Rock SmashHM06 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Onix Razor Leaf 4x 66-79% Rock Smash 2x 16-21% Absorb 4x 53-63% View Turtwig builds →
Surskit BugWater	D
Available Move Moves BubbleLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Bubble 4x 105-126%KO View Surskit builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Onix Absorb 4x 53-63% View Lotad builds →
Seedot Grass	D
HM Move Moves Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Onix Rock Smash 2x 16-21% View Seedot builds →

Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift TM Move Moves Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Bullet Seed 4x 28-33% View Lileep builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Razor LeafLv. 13 Rock SmashHM06 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 9 Damage vs Onix Razor Leaf 4x 65-78% Rock Smash 2x 19-22% Bullet Seed 4x 37-44% Absorb 4x 56-67% View Turtwig builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Magical Leaf 4x 159-189%KO Bullet Seed 4x 28-33% View Cherubi builds →
Surskit BugWater	D
Available Moves Moves Water PulseTM03 BubbleLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Water Pulse 4x 131-156%KO Bubble 4x 94-111%KO View Surskit builds →
Lotad WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Water PulseTM03 Mega DrainLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 5 Damage vs Onix Water Pulse 4x 122-144%KO Mega Drain 4x 83-100%KO Bullet Seed 4x 28-33% Absorb 4x 46-56% View Lotad builds →

Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 306-360%KO Giga Drain 4x 196-231%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-34% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Brick BreakTM31 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 306-360%KO Brick Break 2x 29-34% Giga Drain 4x 196-231%KO Razor Leaf 4x 64-77% View Nuzleaf builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 Giga DrainTM19 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 313-369%KO Blizzard 2x 146-171%KO Ice Beam 2x 120-141%KO Giga Drain 4x 203-240%KO View Snover builds →
Turtwig Grass	D
Obtain MethodLake Verity Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Razor LeafLv. 13 Mega DrainLv. 25 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 254-300%KO Giga Drain 4x 167-197%KO Razor Leaf 4x 64-77% Mega Drain 4x 94-111%KO View Turtwig builds →
Cherubi Grass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 313-369%KO Giga Drain 4x 203-240%KO Magical Leaf 4x 160-189%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-34% View Cherubi builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 414-489%KO Giga Drain 4x 261-309%KO Vine Whip 4x 73-86% Bullet Seed 4x 43-51% View Carnivine builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 306-360%KO Giga Drain 4x 196-231%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-34% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 DigTM28 Brick BreakTM31 Giga DrainTM19 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 306-360%KO Dig 2x 31-37% Brick Break 2x 29-34% Giga Drain 4x 196-231%KO View Nuzleaf builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 Giga DrainTM19 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 313-369%KO Blizzard 2x 146-171%KO Ice Beam 2x 120-141%KO Giga Drain 4x 203-240%KO View Snover builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 306-360%KO Giga Drain 4x 196-231%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-34% View Exeggcute builds →

Carnivine Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Vine WhipLv. 11 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 410-483%KO Giga Drain 4x 261-307%KO Vine Whip 4x 68-80% Bullet Seed 4x 43-51% View Carnivine builds →
Lileep RockGrass	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 311-366%KO Giga Drain 4x 199-234%KO Bullet Seed 4x 24-29% View Lileep builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 DigTM28 Brick BreakTM31 Giga DrainTM19 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 304-359%KO Dig 2x 28-34% Brick Break 2x 28-34% Giga Drain 4x 193-227%KO View Nuzleaf builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 36 Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 Damage vs Onix Wood Hammer 4x 117-139%KO Solar Beam 4x 311-366%KO Blizzard 2x 143-168%KO Ice Beam 2x 117-139%KO View Snover builds →
Exeggcute GrassPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 304-359%KO Giga Drain 4x 193-227%KO Bullet Seed 4x 24-29% View Exeggcute builds →