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.
It is thought its body transformed as a result of iron accumulating internally from swallowing soil.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x88-104%KO Ember 2x35-43% Rock Smash 2x12-16% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Omanyte builds →Water Gun 2x45-55% Rock Smash 2x10-12% | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Psyduck builds →Focus Punch 2x31-37% Brick Break 2x16-20% Water Gun 2x35-43% Rock Smash 2x10-12% | ||
 Piplup Water | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Piplup builds →Brick Break 2x16-20% Bubble 2x35-43% | ||
 Chimchar Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Chimchar builds →Focus Punch 2x35-41% Fire Blast 2x82-98% Brick Break 2x20-24% Ember 2x35-43% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x85-100%KO Brick Break 2x45-55% Rock Smash 2x26-32% | ||
 Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x95-114%KO Flame Wheel 2x26-32% Ember 2x38-45% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Omanyte builds →Water Pulse 2x65-77% Water Gun 2x45-55% Rock Smash 2x9-12% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Kabuto builds →Water Pulse 2x45-55% Mud Shot 2x27-33% Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x36-43% Brick Break 2x20-24% Rock Smash 2x12-14% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lotad builds →Bubble Beam 2x40-47% Water Pulse 2x36-43% | ||
 Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x86-101%KO Flame Wheel 2x27-33% Ember 2x34-40% Fire Spin 2x30-36% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x92-108%KO Flame Wheel 2x24-29% Ember 2x36-43% Rock Smash 2x12-14% | ||
 Vulpix Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Vulpix builds →Fire Blast 2x73-87% Flamethrower 2x61-72% Ember 2x30-36% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Brick Break 2x19-23% Rock Smash 2x11-13% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lotad builds →Bubble Beam 2x40-48% Water Pulse 2x37-45% | ||
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x86-102%KO Flamethrower 2x72-86% Flame Wheel 2x27-32% Ember 2x35-41% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x91-109%KO Flamethrower 2x76-89% Fire Fang 2x23-29% Flame Wheel 2x23-29% | ||
Vulpix Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Vulpix builds →Fire Blast 2x72-86% Flamethrower 2x60-70% Ember 2x30-35% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x37-45% Dig 2x30-35% Brick Break 2x19-23% Rock Smash 2x11-13% | ||
 Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodIron Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x48-57% Water Pulse 2x43-51% Water Gun 2x30-35% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lotad builds →Bubble Beam 2x40-48% Water Pulse 2x37-45% | ||
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x86-102%KO Flamethrower 2x72-86% Flame Wheel 2x27-32% Ember 2x35-41% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x91-109%KO Flamethrower 2x76-89% Dig 2x19-23% Fire Fang 2x23-29% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x36-43% Surf 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x29-35% Mud Bomb 2x66-78% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x34-40% Dig 2x28-33% Brick Break 2x18-22% Rock Smash 2x9-12% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodIron Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x40-48% Water Gun 2x28-33% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Surf 2x64-76% Brick Break 2x14-17% Drain Punch 2x14-17% Bubble Beam 2x47-55% | ||
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x83-98% Flamethrower 2x68-81% Flame Wheel 2x24-28% Ember 2x32-38% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Muddy Water 2x88-103%KO Surf 2x88-103%KO Dig 2x30-35% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x34-40% Dig 2x27-33% Brick Break 2x17-20% Rock Smash 2x10-13% | ||
Wingull Water | D | |
Obtain MethodIron Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Wingull builds →Brine 2x44-52% Water Pulse 2x41-49% Water Gun 2x27-33% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Surf 2x63-75% Brick Break 2x13-16% Drain Punch 2x13-16% Bubble Beam 2x48-56% | ||
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Fire Blast 2x81-96% Flamethrower 2x67-80% Flame Wheel 2x23-28% Ember 2x31-38% | ||
 Pelipper Water | C | |
Obtain MethodIron Island Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Pelipper builds →Surf 2x93-110%KO Brine 2x68-80% Water Pulse 2x63-74% Water Gun 2x42-50% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodCanalave City Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x37-44% Muddy Water 2x91-108%KO Surf 2x91-108%KO Dig 2x30-36% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Dig 2x29-34% Brick Break 2x18-21% Rock Smash 2x10-12% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Hydro Pump 2x79-94% Surf 2x66-78% Waterfall 2x22-26% Brick Break 2x13-16% | ||
Ponyta Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ponyta builds →Flare Blitz 2x45-54% Fire Blast 2x85-100%KO Flamethrower 2x69-82% Flame Wheel 2x23-28% | ||
In Platinum, Infernape can KO Steelix with Fire Blast (88-104%). Flygon's Earthquake hits Steelix for 42-50%. Swampert deals 37-43% with Earthquake.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x52-61% U Turn5-6% Fire Blast 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x42-50% Outrage13-15% U Turn5-6% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x37-43% Ice Beam23-27% Waterfall 2x29-35% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lucario builds →Close Combat 2x77-90% Extreme Speed8-10% Bullet Punch6-8% | ||
Platinum 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 29 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Explosion and 4 more.
Platinum Steelix Best Moveset
Brave nature gives Steelix the slow physical lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, max HP and Attack EVs split the difference, and Normal coverage punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
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 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Steelix in Platinum
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 Platinum
The path to Steelix starts with Onix at Lv. 6-50 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch OnixOreburgh Mine - 1FGrass Lv.6-8 CaveUncommonEarlyOreburgh Mine - B1FGrass Lv.7-9 CaveUncommonEarlyWayward Cave - 1FGrass Lv.18-20 CaveUncommonMidWayward Cave - B1FGrass Lv.18-20 CaveUncommonMidIron Island - 1FGrass Lv.31-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B1F Left CaveGrass Lv.31-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B1F Right CaveGrass Lv.31-33 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B2F Left CaveGrass Lv.32 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B2F Right CaveGrass Lv.32 WaterUncommonLateVictory Road - 1FGrass Lv.41-42 CaveUncommonLateVictory Road - B1FGrass Lv.42 CaveUncommonLateVictory Road - 2FGrass Lv.42 CaveRareLateVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaGrass Lv.48-50 CaveUncommonPostVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaGrass Lv.48-50 CaveUncommonPost
Step 2Steelix ✓Iron Island - B3FGrass Lv.32-35 WaterCommonLateVictory Road - 2FGrass Lv.42-44 CaveCommonLateIron Island - B2F Left CaveGrass Lv.33-35 WaterUncommonLateIron Island - B2F Right CaveGrass Lv.33-35 WaterUncommonLateVictory Road - 1FGrass Lv.42 CaveRareLateVictory Road - B1FGrass Lv.44 CaveRareLateVictory Road - Nat Dex AreaGrass Lv.50 CaveRarePostVictory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaGrass Lv.50 CaveRarePostor evolve from Onix (Step 1)
Steelix Guide
In Platinum, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Platinum, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Platinum, 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