Electric and Poison moves don't affect Steelix at all — that's the advantage of Steel/Ground typing. It moves last in most matchups but can take a hit. Known as the Iron Snake Pokemon. Built to hit on the physical side.
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 stat exp.
The many small metal particles that cover this POKéMON’s body reflect bright light well.
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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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 using 12 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Flail, Rock Slide.
Best Build
Best Steelix Moveset
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Explosion
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
TMs carry this one. Steelix learns Earthquake and Iron Tail naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Rock and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Steelix in Crystal
The path to Steelix starts with Onix at Lv. 6-48 via walking and trade encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Catch OnixEASYUnion Cave - B1FGrassLv.8UncommonEarlyCaveCHALLENGINGUnion Cave - 1FGrassLv.6RareEarlyCaveEASYRock Tunnel - B1FGrassLv.16UncommonMidCaveCHALLENGINGUnion Cave - B2FGrassLv.23RareMidCaveEASYVictory Road - 1FGrassLv.32UncommonLateCaveNightEASYVictory Road - 1FGrassLv.33UncommonLateCaveMorning/dayEASYMt. Silver - 1FGrassLv.42UncommonLateCaveEFFORTLESSMt. Silver - SummitGrassLv.48CommonPostCaveLEGENDARYViolet CityIn-game tradeLimitedCityTrade for (give Bellsprout)
- Step 2Steelix ✓
We rate Steelix A-Tier — a strong competitive pick. At 510 BST, it fits the trick room role. Base 200 Defense stands out.
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.
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