Steelix Best Moveset
Held ItemSteelixite pushes Defense to 230, the highest in the format. AbilitySand Force boosts Ground, Rock, and Steel moves during sandstorm. 125 Attack gives physical hits real force. 30 Speed means the slowest cooldowns possible, but nothing physical gets through. The moveset is an immovable physical fortress.
Steel/Ground with 200 Defense was the most physically bulky Pokemon in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Earthquake STAB, Curse to boost, and resistances to almost everything.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Explosion
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Rock Head prevented recoil from Double-Edge in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire), giving Steelix a high-power Normal coverage option alongside Earthquake.
Wall Moveset
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Explosion
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Stealth Rock setter with massive physical bulk in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Steelix could set rocks and wall physical threats at the same time.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
Recommended Teammates
Sturdy guaranteed surviving one hit at full HP in Gen V (Black & White). Useful, but Steelix's Sp. Def was so low that any special attack still ended it immediately.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Explosion
Recommended Teammates
Mega Steelix had Sand Force and higher bulk in Gen VI (X & Y), but base Steelix dropped without the Mega Stone. 200 Defense alone wasn't enough.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Dragon Tail
Recommended Teammates
Same Mega dependency in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Base Steelix was too specially frail to function in a metagame with mixed attackers everywhere.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Thunder Fang
Recommended Teammates
Body Press turned 200 Defense into offensive power in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Fighting STAB calculated from Defense was a perfect fit for Steelix's stat spread.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
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
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn 2x12-14% Scald 2x28-33% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Tapu Koko builds →Dazzling Gleam17-20% U Turn4-5% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x23-27% Knock Off8-9% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
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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 84 partners from the Mineral egg group.
How to Get Steelix
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 moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Steelix in LZA
Step 1Catch OnixWild Zone 14Lv.37-39OverworldLegends: Z-A- Step 2Steelix ✓
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 decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Steelix in PLA
The path to Steelix starts with Onix at Lv. 18-70 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch OnixBolderoll SlopeLv.18-28GrassRate 15%Scarlet BogLv.21-70GrassRate 15%Lake ValorLv.26-70GrassRate 15%Celestica TrailLv.43-46GrassRate 15%
Step 2Steelix ✓Celestica TrailLv.30-46GrassRate 15%or evolve from Onix (Step 1)
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'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.
How to Obtain Steelix in SwSh
Onix is your first catch on the way to Steelix. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 8-35 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch OnixEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveRate 10%SandstormEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveRate 10%Intense SunMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SandstormGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 20%OvercastGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 20%Intense SunGiant's SeatLv.30-35GrassRate 20%Sandstorm
Step 2Steelix ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Steelix egg.
Base Stats
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.
It is said that if an Onix lives for over 100 years, its composition changes to become diamond-like.
Steelix Guide
Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a trick room.
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.
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