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 |
 Greninja WaterDark | S | |
Water is super effective against SteelixView Greninja → | ||
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Water is super effective against SteelixView Dondozo → | ||
 Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Fighting is super effective against SteelixView Annihilape → | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Ground is super effective against SteelixView Krookodile → | ||
In Legends: Z-A, Tyranitar's Earthquake hits Steelix for 60-71%. Krookodile's Earthquake hits Steelix for 51-60%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off30-35% Stone Edge11-13% Pursuit18-22% Earthquake 2x60-71% | ||
| A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x51-60% Knock Off16-20% Close Combat 2x40-47% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Umbreon builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnburden ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Slurpuff builds →Flamethrower 2x49-58% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoison Point ItemDragalgite NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Dragalge builds →Draco Meteor46-55% Flip Turn 2x10-12% | ||
Legends: Z-A 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
Legends: Z-A Steelix Best Moveset
Steelix runs a standard setup attacker set. Hardy nature with max Attack without Speed EVs shapes the build, while Rocky Helmet brings chip damage on every physical hit received. Sturdy supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are Attack and Defense
Physical Tank Moveset
- Body Press
- Earthquake
- Iron Defense
- Gyro Ball
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs carry this one. Steelix learns Steel Beam and Earthquake naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Dark and Rock and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Steelix in Legends: Z-A
Steelix isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. 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 Legends: Z-A, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room. Bodypress with Rocky Helmet is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Legends: Z-A, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Legends: Z-A, 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