Is Steelix Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Trade Onix with Metal Coat, or catch wild in the Underground. Steel/Ground with massive Defense. Byron uses one and for good reason. Handles Roark, Candice, and Aaron. The low Speed and Sp. Def are liabilities but the physical bulk is immense.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Onix on Oreburgh Mine (walking, Lv 8, uncommon).
How to Get Steelix in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Steelix's 2-stage line starts with Onix, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 2 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Steelix in BDSP
Onix is your first catch on the way to Steelix. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 8-56 across 70 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch OnixOreburgh Mine - 1FLv.8CaveRate 10%Oreburgh Mine - B1FLv.9CaveRate 10%Big Bluff CavernLv.16-20CaveRocky CaveLv.16-20CaveSandsear CaveLv.16-20GrassTyphlo CavernLv.16-20CaveVolcanic CaveLv.16-20CaveIron Island - B2F Right CaveLv.31-33GrassRate 30%Iron Island - B2F Left CaveLv.32-33GrassRate 30%Iron Island - B3FLv.32-33GrassRate 30%Iron Island - 1FLv.32-33GrassRate 10%Iron Island - B1F Left CaveLv.32-33GrassRate 10%Iron Island - B1F Right CaveLv.32-33GrassRate 10%Victory Road - 1FLv.44CaveRate 10%Victory Road - 2FLv.45CaveRate 10%Snowpoint Temple - 1FLv.50-52CaveRate 15%Victory Road - Nat Dex AreaLv.50CaveRate 10%Snowpoint Temple - B1FLv.52-53CaveRate 5%Snowpoint Temple - B2FLv.52-53CaveRate 5%Snowpoint Temple - B3FLv.52-53CaveRate 5%Stark Mountain - EntranceLv.54CaveRate 5%Stark Mountain - InteriorLv.56CaveRate 5%
Step 2Steelix ✓Iron Island - B2F Left CaveLv.33-34GrassRate 10%Iron Island - B3FLv.33-34GrassRate 10%Snowpoint Temple - B4FLv.54-56CaveRate 20%Snowpoint Temple - B5FLv.54-56CaveRate 20%Snowpoint Temple - B1FLv.53-54CaveRate 15%Snowpoint Temple - B2FLv.53-54CaveRate 15%Snowpoint Temple - B3FLv.53-54CaveRate 15%Victory Road - 1FLv.46CaveRate 10%Victory Road - B1FLv.46CaveRate 10%Victory Road - 2FLv.47CaveRate 10%Victory Road - Nat Dex AreaLv.52CaveRate 10%Victory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FLv.52CaveRate 10%Snowpoint Temple - 1FLv.52CaveRate 5%or evolve from Onix (Step 1)
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.
| 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
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Steelix
 Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x61-73% Earthquake 2x27-33% Fire Blast 2x41-49% | ||
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x31-37% Focus Punch 2x31-37% Fire Blast 2x45-53% | ||
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x35-43% Rock Smash 2x12-16% | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Psyduck builds →Surf 2x71-86% Focus Punch 2x31-37% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x41-49% Focus Punch 2x41-49% Fire Blast 2x37-45% | ||
Machop Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machop builds →Focus Punch 2x63-75% Earthquake 2x29-35% Fire Blast 2x44-54% | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x44-54% Waterfall 2x38-46% | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x33-40% Focus Punch 2x33-38% Fire Blast 2x44-54% | ||
Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x38-46% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
 Buizel Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Buizel builds →Focus Punch 2x38-46% Surf 2x73-87% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Focus Punch 2x37-45% Fire Blast 2x48-57% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x30-36% Fire Blast 2x48-57% | ||
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x51-61% Fire Fang 2x23-28% Rock Smash 2x16-19% | ||
 Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x47-55% Waterfall 2x37-45% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x39-47% Waterfall 2x32-38% Bulldoze 2x18-21% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Focus Punch 2x37-45% Fire Blast 2x48-57% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x30-36% Fire Blast 2x48-57% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x51-61% Fire Fang 2x23-28% Rock Smash 2x16-19% | ||
 Pelipper Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x47-55% Waterfall 2x37-45% Dig 2x24-30% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x36-43% Focus Punch 2x35-41% Fire Blast 2x47-56% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x29-34% Fire Blast 2x47-56% | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x48-57% Fire Fang 2x21-25% Rock Smash 2x14-16% Water Pulse 2x33-40% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x50-59% Fire Fang 2x23-27% Rock Smash 2x15-18% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x44-52% Waterfall 2x36-43% Dig 2x24-29% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x36-43% Focus Punch 2x35-42% Fire Blast 2x47-55% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x29-34% Fire Blast 2x47-55% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x47-55% Fire Fang 2x21-25% Rock Smash 2x14-17% Water Pulse 2x33-39% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x49-58% Fire Fang 2x23-27% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x43-50% Waterfall 2x36-43% Dig 2x24-29% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Focus Punch 2x34-41% Fire Blast 2x46-55% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x62-73% Earthquake 2x27-33% Fire Blast 2x46-55% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x45-54% Fire Fang 2x21-25% Rock Smash 2x13-16% Water Pulse 2x31-38% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x48-56% Fire Fang 2x21-25% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x42-50% Waterfall 2x35-42% Dig 2x23-28% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Focus Punch 2x34-41% Fire Blast 2x46-55% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x62-73% Earthquake 2x27-33% Fire Blast 2x46-55% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x45-54% Fire Fang 2x21-25% Rock Smash 2x13-16% Water Pulse 2x31-38% | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x48-56% Fire Fang 2x21-25% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Floatzel builds →Focus Punch 2x42-50% Waterfall 2x35-42% Dig 2x23-28% | ||
 Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x72-85% Earthquake 2x32-38% Surf 2x32-38% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Focus Punch 2x35-41% Fire Blast 2x45-53% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x52-62% Brick Break 2x26-31% Fire Blast 2x64-76% Surf 2x53-63% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x61-72% Earthquake 2x28-33% Fire Blast 2x45-53% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x46-54% Fire Fang 2x20-24% Rock Smash 2x13-15% Water Pulse 2x31-37% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Greninja threatens a KO with Hydro Pump (155-182%). Machamp deals 74-87% with Close Combat.
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Volcarona builds →Psychic19-22% | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse56-66% Ice Beam42-50% Hydro Pump 2x155-182%KO | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch4-5% Knock Off13-16% Close Combat 2x74-87% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x58-68% Rapid Spin5-6% | ||
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
Breeding
Breed with Steelix to get Onix eggs easily using 29 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Dragon Tail and 6 more.
BDSP Steelix Best Moveset
200 Defense on Steel/Ground typing resisting 8 types plus a Poison immunity. Hidden AbilitySheer Force boosts moves with secondary effects by 30%. The moveset runs physical Rock and Ground TermStab behind that wall. Dropped from A-tier to B because 85 Attack and 30 Speed limit the offensive output despite the enormous physical bulk.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are Sp. Def and Attack
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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 8 types.
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
Base Stats
Tempered underground under high pressure and heat, its body is harder than any metal.
It chews its way through boulders with its sturdy jaws. Its eyes can see in the darkness underground.
Steelix Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a trick room. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 6ORASMega
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