Is Onix Good in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Playthrough?
Onix appears in Hoenn's caves. The Defense looks great, but terrible Special Defense folds against Water and Grass. Metal Coat trade evolves it to Steelix, which gets a brand-new Mega in ORAS with AbilitySand Force. Worth the long road if you commit.
Onix has the type edge here and should clean up Roxanne's team.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Wattson's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.
Catch Onix on Granite Cave (walking, Lv 12, rare). DexNav.
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Wattson.
How to Get Onix in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Onix's 2-stage line starts with Onix, which appears in the wild in the locations below. Level through 2 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Onix in ORAS
Onix is your first catch on the way to Onix. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 12-38 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Onix ✓Granite Cave - Area 1Lv.12CaveRate 5%DexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 2Lv.12CaveRate 5%DexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 3Lv.12CaveRate 5%DexNav chainMirage SpotsLv.36-38GrassRate 20%Mirage Spots - Area 26Lv.36-38GrassRate 10%
Step 2Evolve into Steelix
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.
| 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 |
What is Onix Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Onix
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
 Oshawott Water | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 101 Gift | ||
 Shellos Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Shellos builds →Surf 4x217-257%KO Mud Bomb 2x55-67% | ||
 Piplup Water | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 101 Gift | ||
 Tympole Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Tympole builds →Surf 4x205-243%KO Mud Shot 2x43-52% | ||
 Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Ludicolo builds →Surf 4x298-352%KO Mega Drain 4x140-166%KO | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x341-403%KO Aurora Beam 2x84-100%KO | ||
 Prinplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Piplup (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Prinplup builds →Surf 4x272-321%KO Metal Claw 2x19-24% | ||
 Croconaw Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Croconaw builds →Surf 4x219-259%KO Ice Fang 2x29-34% | ||
 Dewott Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Oshawott (Route 101 Gift) | ||
Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Ludicolo builds →Surf 4x300-353%KO Mega Drain 4x141-168%KO Power-Up Punch 2x16-21% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x351-415%KO Aurora Beam 2x84-100%KO Dig 2x29-35% Rock Smash 2x16-21% | ||
 Bellossom Grass | C | |
Dewott Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Oshawott (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Dewott builds →Surf 4x284-335%KO Dig 2x32-38% Revenge 2x25-29% | ||
Prinplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Piplup (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Prinplup builds →Surf 4x276-326%KO Dig 2x29-35% Metal Claw 2x19-24% Rock Smash 2x16-21% | ||
 Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Feraligatr builds →Surf 4x275-325%KO Dig 2x39-47% Ice Fang 2x32-39% Rock Smash 2x21-25% | ||
Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Ludicolo builds →Surf 4x311-367%KO Mega Drain 4x142-167%KO Power-Up Punch 2x15-19% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Vaporeon builds →Surf 4x361-425%KO Aurora Beam 2x86-103%KO Dig 2x28-33% Rock Smash 2x15-19% | ||
 Clamperl Water | C | |
Bellossom Grass | C | |
 Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Turtwig (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Torterra builds →Wood Hammer 4x187-221%KO Earthquake 2x76-91% Rock Smash 2x22-26% | ||
 Meganium Grass | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chikorita (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Meganium builds →Petal Dance 4x395-466%KO Bulldoze 2x26-32% Rock Smash 2x17-21% | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Feraligatr builds →Surf 4x288-339%KO Dig 2x39-47% Ice Fang 2x33-39% Rock Smash 2x22-26% | ||
Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Ludicolo builds →Surf 4x314-371%KO Mega Drain 4x147-174%KO Power-Up Punch 2x17-21% | ||
Clamperl Water | C | |
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Turtwig (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Torterra builds →Wood Hammer 4x183-216%KO Earthquake 2x76-90% Rock Smash 2x22-26% | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
 Sceptile Grass | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Treecko (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Sceptile builds →Solar Beam 4x474-558%KO Focus Blast 2x158-186%KO Dig 2x34-40% | ||
 Cacturne GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Cacturne builds →Solar Beam 4x515-606%KO Focus Blast 2x171-202%KO | ||
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Turtwig (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Torterra builds →Wood Hammer 4x179-212%KO Earthquake 2x75-88% Rock Smash 2x22-25% | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
Sceptile Grass | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Treecko (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Sceptile builds →Solar Beam 4x470-553%KO Focus Blast 2x156-184%KO Earthquake 2x41-49% | ||
Cacturne GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Cacturne builds →Solar Beam 4x510-600%KO Focus Blast 2x170-200%KO | ||
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Turtwig (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Torterra builds →Wood Hammer 4x180-212%KO Earthquake 2x75-88% Rock Smash 2x21-25% | ||
 Tangrowth Grass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Tangrowth builds →Solar Beam 4x501-589%KO Earthquake 2x46-55% Focus Blast 2x166-196%KO | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
 Virizion GrassFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodMirage Spots Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Onix View Virizion builds →Solar Beam 4x423-498%KO Close Combat 2x76-90% | ||
 Lilligant Grass | C | |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Gyarados's Waterfall hits Onix for 73-86%.
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Onix View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 4x73-86% Earthquake 2x30-35% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandforce ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Onix View Landorus builds →Explosion22-26% | ||
Onix Evolutions
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
ORAS Onix Best Moveset
Rock/Ground at 160 Defense but 45 Attack. AbilitySturdy survives one hit. AbilityWeak Armor trades Defense for Speed after contact. The moveset can't deal damage. Steelix one evolution away adds Steel typing and Attack, or Mega Steelix for 125 Attack and 230 Defense.
Best Build
Onix best EVs are Defense and HP
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The natural movepool does the job, but Block and Defense Curl from the egg pool give Onix something extra.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Base Stats
Onix has a magnet in its brain. It acts as a compass so that this Pokémon does not lose direction while it is tunneling. As it grows older, its body becomes increasingly rounder and smoother.
Onix Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Guide
At 385 BST, Onix is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Steelix before bringing it to any serious fight.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
No. Onix only evolves into Steelix through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Onix to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Metal Coat must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
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. Fits the support role.
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
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves