Is Steelix Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Onix trade evolution with Metal Coat, blocked until the National Dex. AbilityRock Head or AbilitySturdy. Steel/Ground with massive Defense. Steelix is the upgrade Onix desperately needed, but the evolution lock keeps it postgame-only.
Brock's typing presses Onix's defenses.
Misty's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Erika's typing presses Steelix's defenses.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Catch Onix on Rock Tunnel (walking, Lv 13-15, rare).
- After Brock
- TM39RockRock Tomb9095%15
- After Lt. Surge
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Erika
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- LV 45SteelIron Tail10075%15
- After Giovanni
- TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
- LV 56NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Erika.
- After Lt. Surge
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Erika
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- LV 45SteelIron Tail15075%15
- After Giovanni
- TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
- LV 52DarkCrunch80100%15
- LV 56NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Steelix in FireRed & LeafGreen
Steelix requires a Metal Coat trade. Catch an Onix in Rock Tunnel, attach a Metal Coat (rare held item from wild Magnemite or route hidden spots), then trade to another player for the evolution. On original GBA cartridges the trade uses a Link Cable or the Wireless Adapter. On the 2026 Nintendo Switch re-release, two Switch consoles trade over Switch local wireless — no accessory required.
Wild Steelix may be holding when caught:
Metal Coat (5% chance) An item to be held by a Pokemon. A special metallic film that boosts the power of STEEL-type moves.Catch Onix at any of these 3 spots to eventually evolve into Steelix.
Encountered via tall grass encounters
- 1Catch Onix
- 2Evolve Steelixby trading
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8How to Obtain Steelix in FRLG
Onix is your first catch on the way to Steelix. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 13-54 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 2Steelix ✓
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Steelix Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Steelix
 Charmander Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Squirtle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x52-61% Water Pulse 2x41-48% Double Kick 2x11-15% | ||
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x46-56% Water Pulse 2x37-44% Double Kick 2x11-15% | ||
 Wartortle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wartortle builds →Waterfall 2x65-78% Dig 2x15-19% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
 Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Mankey builds →Earthquake 2x28-33% Karate Chop 2x22-28% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x52-61% Brick Break 2x24-30% Water Pulse 2x41-48% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x46-56% Brick Break 2x24-30% Water Pulse 2x37-44% | ||
Wartortle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wartortle builds →Waterfall 2x65-78% Brick Break 2x19-22% Dig 2x15-19% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x41-50% Brick Break 2x20-26% | ||
Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Mankey builds →Brick Break 2x31-39% Earthquake 2x28-33% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x38-46% Brick Break 2x20-24% Flamethrower 2x41-48% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Waterfall 2x58-69% Flamethrower 2x46-55% Rock Smash 2x9-11% | ||
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Vaporeon builds →Waterfall 2x92-109%KO Dig 2x14-18% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x44-53% Flamethrower 2x59-70% Brick Break 2x24-29% Water Pulse 2x38-46% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x42-49% Flamethrower 2x54-64% Brick Break 2x22-26% Water Pulse 2x35-42% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x37-44% Brick Break 2x20-24% Flamethrower 2x41-49% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x34-41% Surf 2x70-82% Flamethrower 2x46-55% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x110-129%KO Dig 2x15-18% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x44-53% Flamethrower 2x60-71% Surf 2x60-71% Brick Break 2x23-27% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x42-50% Brick Break 2x22-25% Flamethrower 2x38-45% | ||
 Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x75-88% Earthquake 2x34-41% | ||
 Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x67-79% Earthquake 2x31-37% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x65-76% Earthquake 2x29-35% Flamethrower 2x41-49% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x37-44% Focus Punch 2x36-43% Flamethrower 2x41-49% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x34-41% Surf 2x70-82% Flamethrower 2x46-55% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x72-85% Earthquake 2x32-38% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x28-34% Overheat 2x64-76% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x61-72% Earthquake 2x27-32% Fire Blast 2x49-58% | ||
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x156-184%KO Focus Punch 2x36-42% Earthquake 2x24-28% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x36-42% Focus Punch 2x35-41% Fire Blast 2x49-58% | ||
 Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x181-214%KO Rock Smash 2x7-8% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x75-88% Earthquake 2x34-40% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x66-78% Earthquake 2x30-36% Overheat 2x67-79% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x29-35% Fire Blast 2x51-60% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x35-41% Hydro Pump 2x87-102%KO Fire Blast 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x7-9% | ||
 Ho-oh Fire | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ho-oh builds →Overheat 2x162-191%KO Earthquake 2x34-41% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x33-40% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x73-86% Earthquake 2x33-39% | ||
Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x181-213%KO Rock Smash 2x6-8% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x29-34% Overheat 2x66-78% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Blissey builds →Ice Beam23-27% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Jolteon builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Zapdos builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemMagnet NatureModest Moves View Magneton builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Raikou builds →
| ||
Steelix Evolutions
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
FRLG Steelix Best Moveset
200 Defense is the highest physical tank stat in the format. Steel/Ground typing resists nine types. AbilityRock Head removes recoil from MoveDouble-Edge. The moveset blocks physical attacks absolutely and fires MoveEarthquake for Ground TermStab at 85 Attack, modest but backed by the bulk to use it repeatedly.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Explosion
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding opens up real options for Steelix. Block and Explosion come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Iron Tail and Earthquake and Normal and Rock coverage and more.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
It is said that if an ONIX lives for over 100 years, its composition changes to become diamond-like.
Its body has been compressed deep under the ground. As a result, it is even harder than diamond.
Steelix FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
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. In FireRed and LeafGreen, Metal Coat is post-game only. Pick it up as a hidden item near Memorial Pillar in the Sevii Islands or win it as a prize for clearing Knockout Mode in Trainer Tower on Seven Island. Both spots unlock after entering the Hall of Fame and getting the Rainbow Pass from Celio on One Island. You can also bring one over from Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald.
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