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.
Steelix lives even further underground than Onix. This Pokémon is known to dig toward the earth’s core. There are records of this Pokémon reaching a depth of over six-tenths of a mile underground.
Steelix lives even further underground than Onix. This Pokémon is known to dig toward the earth’s core. There are records of this Pokémon reaching a depth of over six-tenths of a mile 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 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 |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Garchomp's Earthquake hits Steelix for 51-60%.
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x51-60% | ||
 Heatran FireSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemMiracleseed NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed7-8% Mach Punch 2x21-25% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStormdrain ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Scald 2x77-91% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLum Berry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain37-44% Flamethrower 2x134-158%KO | ||
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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 56 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Flail and 6 more.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Steelix Best Moveset
Steelix runs a standard physical attacker set. Brave nature with max HP and Attack EVs shapes the build, while Lum Berry brings one-time status cleanse. Rockhead supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Attack
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Iron Tail
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Dragon Tail
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 Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
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.
How to Obtain Steelix in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
To get Steelix, start by catching Onix through walking encounters at Lv. 12-38. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch OnixGranite Cave - Area 1Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.12 Cave5%EarlyDexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 1Omega RubyGrass Lv.12 Cave5%EarlyDexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 2Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.12 Cave5%EarlyDexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 2Omega RubyGrass Lv.12 Cave5%EarlyDexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 3Omega RubyGrass Lv.12 Cave5%EarlyDexNav chainGranite Cave - Area 3Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.12 Cave5%EarlyDexNav chainMirage Spots - Area 31Omega RubyGrass Lv.36-3820%LateMirage Spots - Area 31Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.36-3820%LateMirage Spots - Area 26Omega RubyGrass Lv.36-386%LateMirage Spots - Area 26Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.36-386%Late
Step 2Steelix ✓
Steelix Guide
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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 Lum Berry is the standard set.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Steelix can Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix. That's 610 BST, up from 510. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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