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.
Its body has been compressed deep under the ground. As a result, it is even harder than a diamond.
It’s said that if an ONIX lives for 100 years, its composition becomes diamondlike as it evolves into a STEELIX.
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)
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Water Pulse 2x61-72% Water Gun 2x41-50% | ||
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x61-72% Water Gun 2x41-50% Mud-Slap 2x22-28% | ||
 Buizel Water | C | |
 Slowpoke WaterPsychic | D | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing | ||
 Totodile Water | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Water Pulse 2x61-73% Water Gun 2x42-50% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x61-73% Water Gun 2x38-45% Mud-Slap 2x23-27% | ||
 Cyndaquil Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cyndaquil builds →Fire Blast 2x85-100%KO Flamethrower 2x73-86% Flame Wheel 2x23-27% Ember 2x33-41% | ||
 Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Numel builds →Fire Blast 2x92-109%KO Flamethrower 2x77-91% Ember 2x38-45% | ||
 Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wooper builds →Mud Bomb 2x33-41% Mud Shot 2x30-36% Water Gun 2x23-27% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x89-105%KO Water Pulse 2x60-71% Water Gun 2x41-49% Rock Smash 2x13-15% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x83-98% Mud Bomb 2x60-71% Water Pulse 2x56-68% Water Gun 2x38-45% | ||
Buizel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Buizel builds →Surf 2x70-83% Dig 2x19-23% Brick Break 2x19-23% Water Gun 2x31-38% | ||
 Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x91-109%KO Flamethrower 2x76-90% Dig 2x21-25% Flame Wheel 2x25-30% | ||
Totodile Water | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Totodile builds →Surf 2x56-68% Dig 2x19-23% Brick Break 2x19-23% Water Gun 2x28-34% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x87-102%KO Water Pulse 2x58-68% Water Gun 2x39-46% Rock Smash 2x11-14% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x78-93% Mud Bomb 2x58-68% Water Pulse 2x53-62% Water Gun 2x36-43% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x92-108%KO Flamethrower 2x75-90% Dig 2x19-23% Fire Fang 2x23-28% | ||
Cyndaquil Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cyndaquil builds →Fire Blast 2x81-96% Flamethrower 2x65-77% Lava Plume 2x60-71% Dig 2x15-19% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Numel builds →Fire Blast 2x84-99% Flamethrower 2x70-84% Lava Plume 2x63-74% Dig 2x26-31% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x87-103%KO Water Pulse 2x58-69% Water Gun 2x40-47% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x80-94% Mud Bomb 2x58-69% Water Pulse 2x54-64% Water Gun 2x37-44% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x89-106%KO Flamethrower 2x75-89% Dig 2x19-22% Fire Fang 2x23-28% | ||
Cyndaquil Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cyndaquil builds →Fire Blast 2x80-94% Flamethrower 2x66-78% Lava Plume 2x58-69% Dig 2x16-19% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Numel builds →Fire Blast 2x87-103%KO Earth Power 2x70-83% Flamethrower 2x70-83% Lava Plume 2x63-75% | ||
 Gyarados Water | A | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Fire Blast 2x53-63% Surf 2x65-77% Flamethrower 2x43-51% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x85-100%KO Water Pulse 2x58-69% Water Gun 2x38-46% Rock Smash 2x10-13% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Surf 2x77-91% Mud Bomb 2x58-69% Water Pulse 2x53-63% Water Gun 2x36-43% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x90-106%KO Flamethrower 2x72-86% Dig 2x19-23% Fire Fang 2x24-29% | ||
Cyndaquil Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cyndaquil builds →Fire Blast 2x80-94% Flamethrower 2x65-77% Lava Plume 2x58-69% Dig 2x14-17% | ||
Gyarados Water | A | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Fire Blast 2x54-64% Aqua Tail 2x48-57% Surf 2x66-79% Flamethrower 2x44-52% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x85-101%KO Waterfall 2x31-37% Brine 2x62-74% Water Pulse 2x58-69% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Whiscash builds →Aqua Tail 2x33-39% Surf 2x79-93% Waterfall 2x29-34% Mud Bomb 2x58-69% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Dig 2x29-34% Brick Break 2x18-21% Rock Smash 2x11-13% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x89-106%KO Flamethrower 2x75-89% Dig 2x18-21% Fire Fang 2x23-27% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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.
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Steelix in HeartGold & SoulSilver
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.
Where To Catch Steelix in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The path to Steelix starts with Onix at Lv. 6-48 via walking and trade encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch OnixUnion Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.8 CaveUncommonEarlyUnion Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.8 CaveUncommonEarlyUnion Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.6 CaveRareEarlyUnion Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.6 CaveRareEarlyRock Tunnel - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.16 CaveUncommonMidRock Tunnel - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.16 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.20 CaveUncommonMidCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.20 CaveUncommonMidUnion Cave - B2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidUnion Cave - B2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidMt. Silver - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.42 CaveCommonLateMt. Silver - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.42 CaveCommonLateVictory Road - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.34-36 CaveUncommonLateVictory Road - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.34-36 CaveUncommonLateMt. Silver - Lower mountainsideSoulSilverGrass Lv.48 CaveCommonPostMt. Silver - Lower mountainsideHeartGoldGrass Lv.48 CaveCommonPostViolet CitySoulSilverIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Bellsprout)Violet CityHeartGoldIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Bellsprout)
Step 2Steelix ✓Cliff Cave - 1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - 1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - 2FHeartGoldGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - 2FSoulSilverGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - B1FSoulSilverGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidCliff Cave - B1FHeartGoldGrass Lv.23 CaveRareMidMt. Silver - 1F Upper ChamberSoulSilverGrass Lv.48 CaveUncommonPostMt. Silver - 1F Upper ChamberHeartGoldGrass Lv.48 CaveUncommonPostOlivine CitySoulSilverIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade anyOlivine CityHeartGoldIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade anyor evolve from Onix (Step 1)
Steelix Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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