Transfer-only and F-Tier. Rock Head and Sturdy are okay abilities, but Onix's stats are terrible. Trade with Metal Coat for S-Tier Steelix.
Ability 1Rock HeadAbility 1Protects against recoil damage.Ability 2SturdyAbility 2Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
385HP35Attack45Defense160Speed70Sp.Def45Sp.Atk30
Onix
Steelix
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Onix Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Trade from FireRed or LeafGreen. AbilityRock Head negates recoil. Steelix requires trading with Metal Coat. RS has Golem from native Geodude for the Rock/Ground slot. Importing Onix is effort for a Pokemon you probably won't evolve.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEEGEETTEEETERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8OnixTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Risky
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Risky
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Onix has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Tough

Wallace's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Risky
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Risky
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Tough

Drake's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Avoid
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Avoid
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Onix trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Risky
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Even
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Even
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Even
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
RockGround
Tier
E

Onix cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Onix locations

How to Get Onix in Ruby & Sapphire

Onix is absent from the Hoenn wild, where the rock-snake role sits empty. Trade one in if you want it, or its traded Steelix form down the line.

How to Obtain Onix in RS

  1. Onix
    Step 1Onix ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Victory Road, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Walking · Victory Road. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Walking · Victory Road. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Steelix
    Step 2Evolve into Steelix

How to Get Shiny Onix in Ruby & Sapphire

Hoenn's caves never turn up Onix, so search Rock Tunnel's lower floor in FireRed or LeafGreen and trade the shiny across. See every game where Shiny Onix can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Onix in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Onix in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftGraytoGreen
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Onix Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Water, Grass
2x (Weak)Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Onix Weak Against

Fragile
6Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-7

What is Onix Strong Against

8Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+8
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Onix

Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
B
Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Heracross
Heracross
BugFighting
A
B
Cacturne
Cacturne
GrassDark
B

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

2 Forms
Onix
#095Onix
Transfer Only
Transfer Only
Steelix
#208Steelix
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Onix
RockGround
Steelix
SteelGround
HP
35
75+40
ATK
45
85+40
DEF
160
200+40
SP.ATK
30
55+25
SP.DEF
45
65+20
SPE
70
30-40
BST
385E-Tier
510A-Tier+125
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Utility
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Onix easily with 23 breeding partners from the Mineral egg group. Pass egg moves like Block, Explosion, Flail and 1 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
4moves
Breed With (best first)
glaliesnoruntporygon2claydolgolemelectrodemagnetonsudowoodogravelerporygonnosepassmagnemite

RS Onix Best Moveset

160 Defense on one side, 35 Sp. Def on the other. AbilityRock Head eliminates recoil but 45 Attack can't exploit it. Steelix evolves with Steel typing and the bulk to actually block things.

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Rock Head
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Onix
Impish+DEF

Onix best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • RoarSLOW -6Utility

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Block and Explosion from the egg pool give Onix something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Dig for STAB and Normal and Steel coverage for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 9
Bind
—157520Normal
Lv 13
Rock Throw
—759015Rock
Lv 21
Harden
C——30Normal
Lv 25
Rage
—2010020Normal
Lv 33
Sandstorm
D——10Rock
Lv 37
Slam
—807520Normal
Lv 45
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
Lv 49
Sand Tomb
—528515Ground
Lv 57
Double-Edge
A12010015Normal

TM Moves

All 21 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
D9010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
B15010010Ground
TM42D7010020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM17B——10Normal
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 114badge 3
B——20Normal
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
A2010015Fighting
TM39D909510Rock
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM41
TormentSlateport Citybadge 1
D—10015Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Block
———5Normal
Egg
Explosion
C2501005Normal
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Rock Slide
B1129010Rock

Tutor Moves

Onix can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP35
F
Attack45
D
Defense160
S
Sp. Atk30
F
Sp. Def45
D
Speed70
C
Total385
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height8.8 m
Weight210.0 kg
Base XP77
Abilities
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

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.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Onix Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • Onix isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it to Ruby & Sapphire.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Onix appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Onix have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Explore

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