Steelix was practically built for Trick Room teams. Sheer Force drops secondary effects for a straight power boost, and 200 base Defense gives it real offensive presence. Electric and Poison moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Iron Snake Pokemon.
Defense leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Steelix's stat line in a nutshell. 2 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Very hard to catch and yields 2 Defense EVs.
The iron it ingested with the soil it swallowed transformed its body and made it harder than diamonds.
Steelix Weakness
ExcellentSteelix is weak to Fire, Water, Fighting, and Ground-type moves. On the flip side, it's immune to Electric and Poison-type moves entirely. With 9 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Steelix to get Onix eggs easily from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Flail and 5 more.
Steelix's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Sturdy helps it stick around, and max HP and Sp. Def EVs prioritize longevity.
Best Build
Best Steelix Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Explosion
Recommended Teammates
Breeding opens up real options for Steelix. Block and Defense Curl come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Iron Tail and Earthquake and coverage across 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
The chain to Steelix requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Onix at decent rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Steelix in Black 2 & White 2
To get Steelix, start by catching Onix through walking encounters at Lv. 16-57. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch OnixEASYRelic Passage - Room 3Black 2GrassLv.16UncommonMidCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 3White 2GrassLv.16UncommonMidCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 1Black 2GrassLv.27UncommonMidCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 1White 2GrassLv.27UncommonMidCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 2Black 2GrassLv.27UncommonMidCaveAnyShaking spotEASYRelic Passage - Room 2White 2GrassLv.27UncommonMidCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGRelic Passage - Room 3Black 2GrassLv.18RareMidCaveAnyCHALLENGINGRelic Passage - Room 3White 2GrassLv.18RareMidCaveAnyCHALLENGINGRelic Passage - Room 1White 2GrassLv.30RareMidCaveAnyCHALLENGINGRelic Passage - Room 1Black 2GrassLv.30RareMidCaveAnyCHALLENGINGRelic Passage - Room 2Black 2GrassLv.30RareMidCaveAnyCHALLENGINGRelic Passage - Room 2White 2GrassLv.30RareMidCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 2FWhite 2GrassLv.41UncommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 2FBlack 2GrassLv.41UncommonLateCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 2FBlack 2GrassLv.43-44UncommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 2FWhite 2GrassLv.43-44UncommonLateCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 4FWhite 2GrassLv.47UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 4FBlack 2GrassLv.47UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - N's CastleWhite 2GrassLv.47UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - N's CastleBlack 2GrassLv.47UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYVictory Road - 4FWhite 2GrassLv.49-50UncommonPostCaveAnyEASYVictory Road - 4FBlack 2GrassLv.49-50UncommonPostCaveAnyEASYClay Tunnel - Room 1Black 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 1White 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 2White 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 2Black 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 3White 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYClay Tunnel - Room 3Black 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - 1FWhite 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - 1FBlack 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - 2FWhite 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - 2FBlack 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - 3FBlack 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - 3FWhite 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - B1FBlack 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYTwist Mountain - B1FWhite 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCaveAnyShaking spotEASYUnderground Ruins - All areasBlack 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostRuinsAnyShaking spotEASYUnderground Ruins - All areasWhite 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostRuinsAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 1Black 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 1White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 2White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 2Black 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 3White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 3Black 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 1FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 1FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 2FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 2FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 3FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 3FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - B1FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - B1FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyCHALLENGINGUnderground Ruins - All areasBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostRuinsAnyCHALLENGINGUnderground Ruins - All areasWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostRuinsAny
Step 2Steelix ✓CHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 1Black 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 1White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 2Black 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 2White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 3White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGClay Tunnel - Room 3Black 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 1FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 1FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 2FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 2FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 3FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - 3FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - B1FBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGTwist Mountain - B1FWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostCaveAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGUnderground Ruins - All areasBlack 2GrassLv.57RarePostRuinsAnyShaking spotCHALLENGINGUnderground Ruins - All areasWhite 2GrassLv.57RarePostRuinsAnyShaking spotor evolve from Onix (Step 1)
Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room.
Onix evolves into Steelix while holding a Metal Coat. Steelix is the fully evolved form. At 510 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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.
Base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Steelix is a physical attacker with base 85 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a trick room.
Steelix appears in 18 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Obtainable through a trade evolution, Steelix appears in 18 titles across 8 generations since Gold & Silver. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A