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.
This Pokémon evolved through use of a strange item. Its body is coated with steel powder and notably hard—not even diamond can leave so much as a scratch.
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 |
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Obtain MethodPoni Wilds Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Pelipper builds →Hydro Pump 2x113-134%KO Surf 2x93-110%KO Scald 2x83-98% Brine 2x68-80% | ||
 Talonflame Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Talonflame builds →Overheat 2x110-130%KO Flare Blitz 2x44-52% Fire Blast 2x93-110%KO Flamethrower 2x76-90% | ||
 Araquanid WaterBug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Araquanid builds →Surf 2x57-68% Liquidation 2x29-34% Waterfall 2x27-32% Scald 2x51-60% | ||
 Surskit BugWater | D | |
Obtain MethodBrooklet Hill Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Surskit builds →Scald 2x51-60% Bubble Beam 2x42-50% Bubble 2x27-32% Aqua Jet 2x10-12% | ||
 Wimpod BugWater | D | |
Obtain MethodPoni Breaker Coast Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wimpod builds →Surf 2x34-40% Scald 2x30-36% Waterfall 2x17-20% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Cobalion's Close Combat hits Steelix for 47-56%. Volcanion threatens a KO with Fire Blast (217-255%). Primarina's Scald also KOs at 170-200%.
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x47-56% Stone Edge3-4% | ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Volcanion builds →Fire Blast 2x217-255%KO | ||
 Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Primarina builds →Moonblast50-59% Scald 2x170-200%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake 2x72-85% Ice Shard15-18% Knock Off16-19% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain34-40% | ||
Sun & Moon 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 58 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Flail and 6 more.
Sun & Moon Steelix Best Moveset
Steelix runs a standard special attacker set. Quiet nature with max HP and Sp. Atk EVs shapes the build, while Steeliumz brings extra utility. Sheerforce supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Special Tank Moveset
- Autotomize
- Flash Cannon
- Dragon Pulse
- Dragon Tail
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Thunder Fang
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 Sun & Moon
Steelix isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Onix from Red, Yellow, or FireRed. The evolution path from Onix to Steelix is covered in the steps below.
Steelix Guide
In Sun & Moon, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room. Autotomize with Steeliumz is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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 Sun & Moon, 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