In Legends: Z-A, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a trick room. Bodypress with Rocky Helmet is the standard set.

Does Steelix mega evolve?

Mega Evolution isn't available in Legends: Z-A, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.

What is Steelix weak to?

In Legends: Z-A, Steelix's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Starmie (Water), and Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ground-type attackers are also a problem. At base 30 Speed, Steelix won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

Where does Steelix come from in Legends: Z-A?

Steelix is obtained by trade-evolving Onix. Catch or evolve a Onix first, then trade. 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.

What is the best ability for Steelix?

Sheer Force is what you want on Steelix. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Rock Head, Sturdy) work on paper but Sheer Force is what makes Steelix worth using.

Steelix Legends: Z-A - Weakness, Moveset & Stats

Physical

Trick Room

BTier

30Speed · Very Slow

How to Get Steelix in Legends: Z-A

A trade step sits in Steelix's 2-stage line from Onix. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Onix shows up at moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.

How to Obtain Steelix in LZA

Step 1Catch Onix
Wild Zone 14
Lv.37-39Overworld
Legends: Z-A
Trade + Metal Coat to evolve into Steelix
Step 2Steelix ✓

Steelix Weakness

Steelix is weak to Fire, Water, Fighting, and Ground. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric and Poison-type moves entirely. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Steelix's physical bulk (base 200 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Steelix Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Fire, Water, Fighting, Ground
0.5x (Resist)	Normal, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Dragon, Steel, Fairy
0.25x (Resist)	Rock
0x (Immune)	Electric, Poison

What is Steelix Weak Against

Excellent

4Weak

8Resist

2Immune

Score+7

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Fire Water Fighting Ground

½xResist

Normal Flying Psychic Bug Dragon Steel Fairy

¼xResist

Rock

0xImmune

Electric Poison

What is Steelix Strong Against

7Strong

0Resisted

0Immune

Score+7

2xStrong

Fire Electric Ice Poison Rock Steel Fairy

½xResisted

None

0xImmune

None

Best Pokemon Against Steelix

Pangoro FightingDark	C
Available Move Moves Close CombatLv. 58 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 59-70% View Pangoro builds →
Chesnaught GrassFighting	C
Available Move Moves Close CombatLv. 45 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 53-63% View Chesnaught builds →
Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Move Moves Close CombatLv. 50 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 61-72% View Heracross builds →
Gallade PsychicFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Close CombatLv. 58 Mystical FireLv. 1 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 61-72% Mystical Fire 2x 39-46% View Gallade builds →
Emboar FireFighting	C
Available Moves Moves Close CombatLv. 45 Flare BlitzLv. 50 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 59-70% Flare Blitz 2x 59-70% View Emboar builds →

Steelix Evolutions

Getting Steelix requires a trade, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Onix. Breed this form to get Onix eggs (average hatch time). HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Onix), and Steelix peaks at 510 total stats. 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

510B-Tier+125

ROLE

Balanced

Trick Room

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding is not available in this game

LZA Steelix Best Moveset

Held ItemSteelixite pushes Defense to 230, the highest in the format. AbilitySand Force boosts Ground, Rock, and Steel moves during sandstorm. 125 Attack gives physical hits real force. 30 Speed means the slowest cooldowns possible, but nothing physical gets through. The moveset is an immovable physical fortress.

Best Build

Experimental

Physical Tank

Steelix best EVs are Attack and Defense

EVs

Atk

Def

SpD

Physical Tank Moveset

Body Press
EarthquakeSTAB
Iron DefenseSTAB
Gyro BallSTAB

Recommended Teammates

YveltalGood

Moves List

Leveling does the heavy lifting. Steelix picks up Iron Tail and Stone Edge along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add coverage across 8 types, but the foundation's already strong by then.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Crunch

C8010015Dark

Lv 1

Harden

D——30Normal

Lv 1

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

Lv 1

Rock Throw

—509015Rock

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 10

Iron Tail

C1507515Steel

Lv 12

Dragon Breath

—6010020Dragon

Lv 16

Curse

C——10Ghost

Lv 20

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

Lv 22

Breaking Swipe

—6010015Dragon

Lv 24

Screech

D—8540Normal

Lv 28

Sand Tomb

D528515Ground

Lv 32

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

Lv 36

Heavy Slam

D—10010Steel

Lv 44

Dig

C12010010Ground

Lv 52

Stone Edge

C100805Rock

Lv 56

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Lv 62

Head Smash

C150805Rock

TM Moves

TM120

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

TM33

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

TM25

Crunch

C8010015Dark

TM91

Curse

C——10Ghost

TM90

Dark Pulse

D8010015Dark

TM28

Dig

C12010010Ground

TM56

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

TM75

Dragon Pulse

D8510010Dragon

TM52

Earth Power

C13510010Ground

TM69

Earthquake

B15010010Ground

TM35

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM109

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM14

Fire Fang

D659515Fire

TM154

Fissure

D—305Ground

TM84

Flash Cannon

C12010010Steel

TM55

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TM44

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM15

Ice Fang

D659515Ice

TM80

Iron Defense

B——15Steel

TM58

Iron Head

A12010015Steel

TM87

Iron Tail

C1507515Steel

TM156

Meteor Beam

D1209010Rock

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM124

Psychic Fangs

C8510010Psychic

TM12

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

TM36

Rock Tomb

D609515Rock

TM136

Scorching Sands

D10510010Ground

TM48

Self-Destruct

B2001005Normal

TM37

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

TM157

Steel Beam

C210955Steel

TM65

Stone Edge

C100805Rock

TM85

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM95

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM21

Thunder Fang

D659515Electric

Egg Moves

Steelix doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Steelix can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

High

HP75

Attack85

Defense200

Sp. Atk55

Sp. Def65

Speed30

Total510

Details

Catch Rate

Difficult25 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height9.2 m

Weight400.0 kg

Base XP179

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.

Sheer ForceHidden Ability

Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe

Defense training target

Pokedex Entry

It is said that if an Onix lives for over 100 years, its composition changes to become diamond-like.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Steelix Legends: Z-A Guide

In Legends: Z-A, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a trick room. Bodypress with Rocky Helmet is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Legends: Z-A, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Legends: Z-A, Steelix's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Starmie (Water), and Machamp (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Ground-type attackers are also a problem. At base 30 Speed, Steelix won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Steelix is obtained by trade-evolving Onix. Catch or evolve a Onix first, then trade. 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.
Sheer Force is what you want on Steelix. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Rock Head, Sturdy) work on paper but Sheer Force is what makes Steelix worth using.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Steelix has appeared in 18 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Click a game to view version-specific details

Fletchinder FireFlying	C
Available Move Moves Flame WheelLv. 25 Damage vs Steelix Flame Wheel 2x 24-29% View Fletchinder builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	C
Available Move Moves BulldozeLv. 23 Damage vs Steelix Bulldoze 2x 20-25% View Diggersby builds →

Gyarados WaterFlying	B
Available Move Moves WaterfallLv. 24 Damage vs Steelix Waterfall 2x 40-48% View Gyarados builds →
Pangoro FightingDark	C
Available Move Moves Brick BreakLv. 15 Damage vs Steelix Brick Break 2x 38-45% View Pangoro builds →
Litleo FireNormal	C
Available Moves Moves FlamethrowerLv. 32 Earth PowerLv. 28 Damage vs Steelix Flamethrower 2x 75-88% Earth Power 2x 50-59% View Litleo builds →
Houndoom DarkFire	C
Available Move Moves Fire FangLv. 28 Damage vs Steelix Fire Fang 2x 28-33% View Houndoom builds →
Fletchinder FireFlying	C
Available Move Moves Flame WheelLv. 25 Damage vs Steelix Flame Wheel 2x 21-25% View Fletchinder builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	B
Available Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 46 Damage vs Steelix Earthquake 2x 54-63% View Excadrill builds →
Pyroar FireNormal	C
Available Moves Moves OverheatLv. 38 Earth PowerLv. 28 Damage vs Steelix Overheat 2x 145-171%KO Earth Power 2x 67-79% View Pyroar builds →
Gyarados WaterFlying	B
Available Move Moves WaterfallLv. 24 Damage vs Steelix Waterfall 2x 41-49% View Gyarados builds →
Hippowdon Ground	B
Available Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 40 Damage vs Steelix Earthquake 2x 44-53% View Hippowdon builds →
Pangoro FightingDark	C
Available Move Moves Brick BreakLv. 15 Damage vs Steelix Brick Break 2x 37-44% View Pangoro builds →

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Move Moves Close CombatLv. 50 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 58-69% View Heracross builds →
Excadrill GroundSteel	B
Available Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 46 Damage vs Steelix Earthquake 2x 52-62% View Excadrill builds →
Gyarados WaterFlying	B
Available Move Moves WaterfallLv. 24 Damage vs Steelix Waterfall 2x 40-48% View Gyarados builds →
Pyroar FireNormal	C
Available Moves Moves OverheatLv. 38 Earth PowerLv. 28 Damage vs Steelix Overheat 2x 145-171%KO Earth Power 2x 67-79% View Pyroar builds →
Hippowdon Ground	B
Available Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 40 Damage vs Steelix Earthquake 2x 46-54% View Hippowdon builds →

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Move Moves Close CombatLv. 50 Damage vs Steelix Close Combat 2x 59-70% View Heracross builds →
Excadrill GroundSteel	B
Available Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 46 Damage vs Steelix Earthquake 2x 53-63% View Excadrill builds →
Gyarados WaterFlying	B
Available Move Moves WaterfallLv. 24 Damage vs Steelix Waterfall 2x 41-49% View Gyarados builds →
Pyroar FireNormal	C
Available Moves Moves OverheatLv. 38 Earth PowerLv. 28 Damage vs Steelix Overheat 2x 146-172%KO Earth Power 2x 68-80% View Pyroar builds →
Hippowdon Ground	B
Available Move Moves EarthquakeLv. 40 Damage vs Steelix Earthquake 2x 46-54% View Hippowdon builds →

Settings

Steelix Legends: Z-A

How to Get Steelix in Legends: Z-A

How to Obtain Steelix in LZA

Steelix Weakness

What is Steelix Weak Against

Best Pokemon Against Steelix

Steelix Evolutions

How to Evolve

LZA Steelix Best Moveset

Best Build

Moves List

How to Read the Moves Table

Tabs

Visual Signals

CAT (Category)

Tier (S to D)

PWR (Power)

Sorting & Filter

Level-Up Moves

TM Moves

Egg Moves

Tutor Moves

Base Stats

Steelix Legends: Z-A Guide