At 385 BST, Onix is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Steelix before bringing it to any serious fight.

What is Onix weak to?

In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, watch for Starmie (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Onix. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

What is the best ability for Onix?

Rock Head protects against recoil damage. That's the one you want on Onix. Weak Armor is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Sturdy works too if your team needs something different.

What role does Onix play in battle?

Onix is a physical attacker with base 45 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.

In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, For a casual playthrough, Onix works as a placeholder. Rock/Ground coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Steelix . That's where the stats start mattering.

Onix - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

CTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

The stat bars tell the story: Defense carries everything and Sp. Atk's dead weight. But this Rock Snake Pokemon still yields 1 Defense EV per fight on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats

Avg

HP35

Attack45

Defense160

Sp. Atk30

Sp. Def45

Speed70

Total385

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height8.8 m

Weight210.0 kg

Base XP77

Abilities

Rock HeadTop Pick

Protects against recoil damage.

Sturdy

Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.

Weak ArmorHA

Raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe

Defense training source

Pokedex Entries

When it travels underground, it causes rumbling and tremors. It can move at 50 mph.

Onix Weakness

Onix's Rock/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Water and Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. The Rock/Ground typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Onix's physical bulk (base 160 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Onix Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Water, Grass
2x (Weak)	Ice, Fighting, Ground, Steel
0.5x (Resist)	Normal, Fire, Flying, Rock
0.25x (Resist)	Poison
0x (Immune)	Electric

Type ChartFragile

6Weak

5Resist

1Immune

Score-7

4xCritical

Water Grass

2xWeak

Ice Fighting Ground Steel

½xResist

Normal Fire Flying Rock

¼xResist

Poison

0xImmune

Electric

STAB (8)

Fire Ice Flying Bug Electric Poison Rock Steel

How to Beat Onix in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (Best Counters)

Gastrodon WaterGround	B
Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 EarthquakeTM26 Muddy WaterLv. 33 Earth PowerLv. 39 Damage vs Onix Blizzard 2x 127-149%KO Earthquake 2x 60-70% Muddy Water 4x 309-364%KO Earth Power 2x 154-182%KO View Gastrodon builds →
Quagsire WaterGround	C
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 BlizzardTM14 EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 60-70% Focus Blast 2x 104-123%KO Blizzard 2x 96-113%KO Earthquake 2x 62-73% View Quagsire builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 41 Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Iron TailTM23 Damage vs Onix Wood Hammer 4x 114-134%KO Solar Beam 4x 303-357%KO Blizzard 2x 140-166%KO Iron Tail 2x 32-38% View Snover builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Magical LeafLv. 15 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 445-523%KO Energy Ball 4x 336-396%KO Giga Drain 4x 282-332%KO Magical Leaf 4x 228-268%KO View Roselia builds →
Wingull WaterFlying	D
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 ScaldTM49 Steel WingTM47 Damage vs Onix Blizzard 2x 86-102%KO Ice Beam 2x 70-83% Scald 4x 189-223%KO Steel Wing 2x 16-19% View Wingull builds →

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Evolution

To get Steelix from Onix, you need a trade. The evolution method matters here. The evolved forms gain up to 125 total stats over Onix. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#095Onix

Trade + Metal Coat

#208Steelix

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Onix

RockGround

Steelix

SteelGround

75+40

ATK

85+40

DEF

160

200+40

SP.ATK

55+25

SP.DEF

65+20

SPE

30-40

BST

385C-Tier

510C-Tier+125

ROLE

Balanced

Trick Room

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Onix easily with 29 breeding partners from the Mineral egg group. Pass egg moves like Block, Defense Curl, Dragon Tail and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Mineral

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

25 cycles·6,425 steps

Moderate~6 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

9moves

Breed With (best first)

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Onix Best Moveset

Onix doesn't rely on pure speed. Leftovers gives it passive recovery each turn to stay healthy, and Naive nature still pushes offense. Earthquake and the remaining moves keep the pressure on while max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs balance power and survivability.

Best Build

Experimental

Special Sweeper

Ability

Rock Head

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Onix

Naive+SPE

Onix best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Atk

SpA

Spe

Special Sweeper Moveset

RestRecovery
Ancient PowerSTAB
EarthquakeSTAB
Flash Cannon

Recommended Teammates

PikachuExcellent

Moves

The natural movepool does the job, but Block and Defense Curl from the egg pool give Onix something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Bind

—158520Normal

Lv 1

Harden

———30Normal

Lv 1

Rock Throw

—509015Rock

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 4

Smack Down

D5010015Rock

Lv 8

Rock Polish

C——20Rock

Lv 12

Dragon Breath

—6010020Dragon

Lv 16

Curse

C——10Ghost

Lv 20

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

Lv 24

Screech

D—8540Normal

Lv 28

Sand Tomb

D358515Ground

Lv 32

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

Lv 36

Slam

—807520Normal

Lv 40

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

Lv 44

Dig

D8010010Ground

Lv 48

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

Lv 52

Stone Edge

D100805Rock

Lv 56

Double-Edge

D12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM83

Bulldoze

D6010020Ground

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM59

Dragon Pulse

D8510010Dragon

TM26

Earthquake

S10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM64

Explosion

C2501005Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM91

Flash Cannon

S8010010Steel

TM74

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

TM23

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM77

Psych Up

C——10Normal

TM44

Rest

S——10Psychic

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

TM100

Rock Climb

—908520Normal

TM69

Rock Polish

C——20Rock

TM80

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

TM98

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

D609515Rock

TM37

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM76

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

TM71

Stone Edge

D100805Rock

TM96

Strength

—8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

D—8515Normal

TM12

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM41

Torment

D—10015Dark

Egg Moves

Egg

Block

D——5Normal

Egg

Defense Curl

D——40Normal

Egg

Dragon Tail-6

D609010Dragon

Egg

Flail

D—10015Normal

Egg

Head Smash

C150805Rock

Egg

Heavy Slam

D—10010Steel

Egg

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

Egg

Rollout

—309020Rock

Egg

Wide Guard+3

C——10Rock

Tutor Moves

Onix can't learn any Tutor moves

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Onix Locations

Onix's scattered across 44 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Best Locations to Catch Onix in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Onix appears in 44 walking locations at Lv. 8-56 across Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Oreburgh Mine - 1F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.8 Cave

10%Early

Oreburgh Mine - 1F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.8 Cave

10%Early

Oreburgh Mine - B1F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.9 Cave

10%Early

Oreburgh Mine - B1F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.9 Cave

10%Early

Big Bluff Cavern

Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 Cave

Mid

Big Bluff Cavern

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 Cave

Mid

Rocky Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 Cave

Mid

Rocky Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 Cave

Mid

Sandsear Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 Desert

Mid

Sandsear Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 Desert

Mid

Typhlo Cavern

Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 Cave

Mid

Typhlo Cavern

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 Cave

Mid

Volcanic Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.16-20 Volcano

Mid

Volcanic Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-20 Volcano

Mid

Iron Island - B2F Right Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.31-33 Water

30%Late

Iron Island - B2F Right Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.31-33 Water

30%Late

Iron Island - B2F Left Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

30%Late

Iron Island - B2F Left Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

30%Late

Iron Island - B3F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

30%Late

Iron Island - B3F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

30%Late

Iron Island - 1F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

10%Late

Iron Island - 1F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

10%Late

Iron Island - B1F Left Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

10%Late

Iron Island - B1F Left Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

10%Late

Iron Island - B1F Right Cave

Shining PearlGrass Lv.32-33 Water

10%Late

Iron Island - B1F Right Cave

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.32-33 Water

10%Late

Victory Road - 1F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.44 Cave

10%Late

Victory Road - 1F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.44 Cave

10%Late

Victory Road - 2F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.45 Cave

10%Late

Victory Road - 2F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.45 Cave

10%Late

Snowpoint Temple - 1F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.50-52 Ice

15%Post

Snowpoint Temple - 1F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.50-52 Ice

15%Post

Victory Road - Nat Dex Area

Shining PearlGrass Lv.50 Cave

10%Post

Victory Road - Nat Dex Area

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.50 Cave

10%Post

Snowpoint Temple - B1F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

5%Post

Snowpoint Temple - B1F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

5%Post

Snowpoint Temple - B2F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

5%Post

Snowpoint Temple - B2F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

5%Post

Snowpoint Temple - B3F

Shining PearlGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

5%Post

Snowpoint Temple - B3F

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 Ice

5%Post

Stark Mountain - Entrance

Shining PearlGrass Lv.54 Volcano

5%Post

Stark Mountain - Entrance

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.54 Volcano

5%Post

Stark Mountain - Interior

Shining PearlGrass Lv.56 Volcano

5%Post

Stark Mountain - Interior

Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.56 Volcano

5%Post

Onix Guide

At 385 BST, Onix is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Steelix before bringing it to any serious fight.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, watch for Starmie (Water), Exeggutor (Grass), and Cloyster (Ice) when using Onix. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Starmie is the most dangerous since Water moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Rock Head protects against recoil damage. That's the one you want on Onix. Weak Armor is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Sturdy works too if your team needs something different.
Onix is a physical attacker with base 45 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, For a casual playthrough, Onix works as a placeholder. Rock/Ground coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Steelix. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Onix appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Onix have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Surskit BugWater	D
Available Moves Moves ScaldTM49 Giga DrainTM19 Water PulseTM03 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Scald 4x 203-240%KO Giga Drain 4x 123-147%KO Water Pulse 4x 150-180%KO Water Gun 4x 117-140%KO View Surskit builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Energy Ball 4x 220-260%KO Giga Drain 4x 187-220%KO Bullet Seed 4x 50-60% Absorb 4x 67-80% View Budew builds →
Psyduck Water	D
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Iron TailTM23 SurfTM95 ScaldTM49 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 57-67% Iron Tail 2x 37-47% Surf 4x 253-300%KO Scald 4x 220-260%KO View Psyduck builds →
Phanpy Ground	D
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 Iron TailTM23 Rock SmashTM98 Damage vs Onix Earthquake 2x 67-80% Iron Tail 2x 43-53% Rock Smash 2x 20-27% View Phanpy builds →
Machop Fighting	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 EarthquakeTM26 Brick BreakTM31 RevengeLv. 8 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 100-120%KO Earthquake 2x 50-60% Brick Break 2x 57-70% Revenge 2x 50-60% View Machop builds →

Surskit BugWater	D
Available Moves Moves ScaldTM49 Giga DrainTM19 Water PulseTM03 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Scald 4x 179-212%KO Giga Drain 4x 109-129%KO Water Pulse 4x 132-159%KO Water Gun 4x 103-124%KO View Surskit builds →
Shellos Water	D
Available Moves Moves SurfTM95 ScaldTM49 BrineTM55 Water PulseTM03 Damage vs Onix Surf 4x 209-247%KO Scald 4x 194-229%KO Brine 4x 165-194%KO Water Pulse 4x 150-176%KO View Shellos builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Onix Energy Ball 4x 194-229%KO Giga Drain 4x 165-194%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-35% Absorb 4x 59-71% View Budew builds →
Buizel Water	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Iron TailTM23 SurfTM95 WaterfallTM99 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 53-65% Iron Tail 2x 38-47% Surf 4x 224-265%KO Waterfall 4x 88-106%KO View Buizel builds →
Psyduck Water	D
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Iron TailTM23 SurfTM95 ScaldTM49 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 50-59% Iron Tail 2x 32-41% Surf 4x 224-265%KO Scald 4x 209-247%KO View Psyduck builds →

Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Iron TailTM23 Ice BeamTM13 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 313-369%KO Blizzard 2x 146-171%KO Iron Tail 2x 33-40% Ice Beam 2x 120-141%KO View Snover builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 276-326%KO Energy Ball 4x 210-249%KO Giga Drain 4x 174-206%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-34% View Budew builds →
Surskit BugWater	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 ScaldTM49 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 184-217%KO Blizzard 2x 84-100%KO Ice Beam 2x 70-83% Scald 4x 189-223%KO View Surskit builds →
Buizel Water	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 BlizzardTM14 Iron TailTM23 SurfTM95 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 53-63% Blizzard 2x 94-111%KO Iron Tail 2x 36-43% Surf 4x 233-274%KO View Buizel builds →
Shellos Water	D
Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 SurfTM95 ScaldTM49 Damage vs Onix Blizzard 2x 91-109%KO Ice Beam 2x 74-89% Surf 4x 226-266%KO Scald 4x 203-240%KO View Shellos builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 BlizzardTM14 EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 63-74% Focus Blast 2x 109-129%KO Blizzard 2x 99-117%KO Earthquake 2x 64-77% View Quagsire builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Iron TailTM23 Ice BeamTM13 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 313-369%KO Blizzard 2x 146-171%KO Iron Tail 2x 33-40% Ice Beam 2x 120-141%KO View Snover builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 276-326%KO Energy Ball 4x 210-249%KO Giga Drain 4x 174-206%KO Bullet Seed 4x 29-34% View Budew builds →
Wingull WaterFlying	D
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 ScaldTM49 Steel WingTM47 Damage vs Onix Blizzard 2x 89-106%KO Ice Beam 2x 73-86% Scald 4x 196-231%KO Steel Wing 2x 16-20% View Wingull builds →
Surskit BugWater	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 ScaldTM49 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 184-217%KO Blizzard 2x 84-100%KO Ice Beam 2x 70-83% Scald 4x 189-223%KO View Surskit builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 BlizzardTM14 EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Onix Focus Punch 2x 62-73% Focus Blast 2x 105-124%KO Blizzard 2x 96-115%KO Earthquake 2x 62-73% View Quagsire builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Iron TailTM23 Ice BeamTM13 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 311-366%KO Blizzard 2x 143-168%KO Iron Tail 2x 33-39% Ice Beam 2x 117-139%KO View Snover builds →
Budew GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Energy BallTM53 Giga DrainTM19 Bullet SeedTM09 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 267-315%KO Energy Ball 4x 205-241%KO Giga Drain 4x 173-205%KO Bullet Seed 4x 24-29% View Budew builds →
Wingull WaterFlying	D
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 ScaldTM49 Steel WingTM47 Damage vs Onix Blizzard 2x 87-102%KO Ice Beam 2x 72-85% Scald 4x 193-227%KO Steel Wing 2x 16-20% View Wingull builds →
Surskit BugWater	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 BlizzardTM14 Ice BeamTM13 ScaldTM49 Damage vs Onix Solar Beam 4x 178-210%KO Blizzard 2x 83-98% Ice Beam 2x 68-80% Scald 4x 179-212%KO View Surskit builds →

Heatran FireSteel	S
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves Earth Power Magma Storm Stealth Rock TauntUtility View Heatran builds →
Weavile DarkIce	A
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves Knock Off Ice Shard Triple Axel Swords Dance Damage vs Onix Knock Off 32-37% Ice Shard 2x 40-47% View Weavile builds →