Stats & Training
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.
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 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 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric, Poison |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x82-98% Brick Break 2x45-55% Rock Smash 2x24-31% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x41-49% Rock Smash 2x12-16% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x88-104%KO Ember 2x35-43% Rock Smash 2x12-16% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Omanyte builds →Water Gun 2x45-55% Rock Smash 2x10-12% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x79-93% Brick Break 2x42-51% Rock Smash 2x24-30% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x38-45% Water Pulse 2x42-51% Water Gun 2x31-38% Rock Smash 2x11-14% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Water Pulse 2x39-46% Bubble 2x28-34% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x89-106%KO Flame Wheel 2x24-30% Ember 2x35-42% Rock Smash 2x11-14% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Brick Break 2x19-23% Rock Smash 2x11-13% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Bubble Beam 2x46-54% Water Pulse 2x40-48% Bubble 2x30-35% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x86-102%KO Flamethrower 2x72-86% Ember 2x35-41% Fire Spin 2x30-35% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x91-109%KO Flamethrower 2x76-89% Fire Fang 2x23-29% Flame Wheel 2x23-29% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Dig 2x30-35% Brick Break 2x19-23% Rock Smash 2x11-13% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x48-57% Water Pulse 2x43-51% Water Gun 2x30-35% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Bubble Beam 2x46-54% Water Pulse 2x40-48% Bubble 2x30-35% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x86-102%KO Flamethrower 2x72-86% Ember 2x35-41% Fire Spin 2x30-35% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x36-43% Dig 2x30-35% Brick Break 2x18-22% Rock Smash 2x10-13% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x46-54% Water Pulse 2x43-51% Water Gun 2x30-35% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Bubble Beam 2x43-51% Water Pulse 2x41-49% Bubble 2x27-32% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x85-100%KO Flamethrower 2x68-81% Ember 2x32-38% Fire Spin 2x30-35% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x36-43% Surf 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x29-35% Mud Bomb 2x66-78% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x34-40% Dig 2x28-33% Brick Break 2x18-22% Rock Smash 2x9-12% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x40-48% Water Gun 2x28-33% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Surf 2x64-76% Brick Break 2x14-17% Drain Punch 2x14-17% Water Pulse 2x45-53% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Bubble Beam 2x43-50% Water Pulse 2x40-48% Bubble 2x28-33% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Muddy Water 2x88-103%KO Surf 2x88-103%KO Dig 2x30-35% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x34-40% Dig 2x27-33% Brick Break 2x17-20% Rock Smash 2x10-13% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x44-52% Water Pulse 2x41-49% Water Gun 2x27-33% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Surf 2x63-75% Brick Break 2x13-16% Drain Punch 2x13-16% Water Pulse 2x44-52% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Bubble Beam 2x41-49% Water Pulse 2x40-47% Bubble 2x27-33% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x37-44% Muddy Water 2x90-106%KO Surf 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x30-35% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Dig 2x28-33% Brick Break 2x17-21% Rock Smash 2x10-13% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x44-52% Water Pulse 2x42-50% Water Gun 2x28-33% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Hydro Pump 2x79-94% Surf 2x65-77% Waterfall 2x21-25% Brick Break 2x14-17% | ||
Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Bubble Beam 2x42-50% Water Pulse 2x39-46% Bubble 2x26-31% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Infernape can KO Steelix with Fire Blast (88-104%). Flygon's Earthquake hits Steelix for 42-50%. Swampert deals 37-43% with Earthquake.
Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x52-61% U Turn5-6% Fire Blast 2x88-104%KO | ||
Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x42-50% Outrage13-15% U Turn5-6% | ||
Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x37-43% Ice Beam23-27% Waterfall 2x29-35% | ||
Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lucario builds →Close Combat 2x77-90% Extreme Speed8-10% Bullet Punch6-8% | ||
Diamond & Pearl Evolution
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, Explosion and 4 more.
Diamond & Pearl Steelix Best Moveset
Brave nature gives Steelix the slow physical lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, max HP and Attack EVs split the difference, and Normal coverage punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Steelix in Diamond & Pearl
The chain to Steelix requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Onix at solid 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 Diamond & Pearl
To get Steelix, start by catching Onix through walking encounters at Lv. 8-56. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch OnixOreburgh Mine - 1FDiamondGrass Lv.8 CaveUncommonEarlyOreburgh Mine - 1FPearlGrass Lv.8 CaveUncommonEarlyOreburgh Mine - B1FDiamondGrass Lv.8-9 CaveUncommonEarlyOreburgh Mine - B1FPearlGrass Lv.8-9 CaveUncommonEarlyIron Island - B2F Right CavePearlGrass Lv.31-33 WaterCommonLateIron Island - B2F Right CaveDiamondGrass Lv.31-33 WaterCommonLateIron Island - B2F Left CavePearlGrass Lv.32-33 WaterCommonLateIron Island - B2F Left CaveDiamondGrass Lv.32-33 WaterCommonLateIron Island - B3FDiamondGrass Lv.32-33 WaterCommonLateIron Island - B3FPearlGrass Lv.32-33 WaterCommonLateIron Island - 1FDiamondGrass Lv.32-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - 1FPearlGrass Lv.32-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B1F Left CaveDiamondGrass Lv.32-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B1F Left CavePearlGrass Lv.32-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B1F Right CavePearlGrass Lv.32-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B1F Right CaveDiamondGrass Lv.32-33 WaterUncommonLateVictory Road - 1FPearlGrass Lv.44 CaveUncommonLateVictory Road - 1FDiamondGrass Lv.44 CaveUncommonLateVictory Road - 2FPearlGrass Lv.45 CaveUncommonLateVictory Road - 2FDiamondGrass Lv.45 CaveUncommonLateSnowpoint Temple - 1FDiamondGrass Lv.50-52 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - 1FPearlGrass Lv.50-52 IceUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaDiamondGrass Lv.50 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaPearlGrass Lv.50 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaDiamondGrass Lv.50 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaPearlGrass Lv.50 CaveUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B1FDiamondGrass Lv.52-53 IceRarePostSnowpoint Temple - B1FPearlGrass Lv.52-53 IceRarePostSnowpoint Temple - B2FDiamondGrass Lv.52-53 IceRarePostSnowpoint Temple - B2FPearlGrass Lv.52-53 IceRarePostSnowpoint Temple - B3FDiamondGrass Lv.52-53 IceRarePostSnowpoint Temple - B3FPearlGrass Lv.52-53 IceRarePostStark Mountain - EntrancePearlGrass Lv.54 VolcanoRarePostStark Mountain - EntranceDiamondGrass Lv.54 VolcanoRarePostStark Mountain - InteriorPearlGrass Lv.56 VolcanoRarePostStark Mountain - InteriorDiamondGrass Lv.56 VolcanoRarePost
Step 2Steelix ✓Iron Island - B2F Left CaveDiamondGrass Lv.33-34 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B2F Left CavePearlGrass Lv.33-34 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B3FDiamondGrass Lv.33-34 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B3FPearlGrass Lv.33-34 WaterUncommonLateVictory Road - 1FPearlGrass Lv.46 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - 1FDiamondGrass Lv.46 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - B1FDiamondGrass Lv.46 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - B1FPearlGrass Lv.46 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - 2FDiamondGrass Lv.47 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - 2FPearlGrass Lv.47 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaDiamondGrass Lv.52 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaPearlGrass Lv.52 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FPearlGrass Lv.52 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Area B1FDiamondGrass Lv.52 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaPearlGrass Lv.52 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaDiamondGrass Lv.52 CaveUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B1FPearlGrass Lv.53-54 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B1FDiamondGrass Lv.53-54 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B2FPearlGrass Lv.53-54 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B2FDiamondGrass Lv.53-54 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B3FPearlGrass Lv.53-54 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B3FDiamondGrass Lv.53-54 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B4FPearlGrass Lv.54-56 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B4FDiamondGrass Lv.54-56 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B5FPearlGrass Lv.54-56 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - B5FDiamondGrass Lv.54-56 IceUncommonPostSnowpoint Temple - 1FPearlGrass Lv.52 IceRarePostSnowpoint Temple - 1FDiamondGrass Lv.52 IceRarePostor evolve from Onix (Step 1)
Steelix Guide
In Diamond & Pearl, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Diamond & Pearl, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Diamond & 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.
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.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB

Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut

Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW

Black & White - Gen 5B2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY

X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM

Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW

Winds & Waves