Steelix was practically built for Trick Room teams. Sheer Force drops secondary effects for a straight power boost, and 200 base Defense gives it real offensive presence. Electric and Poison moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Iron Snake Pokemon.
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
ExcellentSteelix is weak to Fire, Water, Fighting, and Ground-type moves. 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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Steelix to get Onix eggs easily from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Flail and 6 more.
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
Best Steelix Moveset
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Iron Tail
Recommended Teammates
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
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 X & Y
Onix is your first catch on the way to Steelix. You'll find rock smash, walking, and more encounters from Lv. 13-20 across 7 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch OnixEASYCyllage CityXSmashing rocksLv.13-15CommonEarlyCityEASYGlittering Cave - 1FXSmashing rocksLv.15-17CommonEarlyCaveEASYGlittering Cave - 1FYSmashing rocksLv.15-17CommonEarlyCaveEASYGlittering Cave - 3D AreaYGrassLv.16-17UncommonMidCaveShaking spotEASYGlittering Cave - 3D AreaXGrassLv.16-17UncommonMidCaveShaking spot
Step 2Steelix ✓LEGENDARYCyllage CityYIn-game tradeLv.20LimitedMidCityTrade for (give Luvdisc)LEGENDARYCyllage CityXIn-game tradeLv.20LimitedMidCityTrade for (give Luvdisc)or evolve from Onix (Step 1)
Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room.
Onix evolves into Steelix while holding a Metal Coat. Steelix is the fully evolved form. At 510 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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.
Steelix appears in 18 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Obtainable through a trade evolution, Steelix appears in 18 titles across 8 generations since Gold & Silver. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A