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 said that if an Onix lives for over 100 years, its composition changes to become diamond-like.
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 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 |
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill's Earthquake hits Steelix for 52-61%. Cobalion deals 47-56% with Close Combat.
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x52-61% Rapid Spin4-5% | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x47-56% | ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Slowking builds →Scald 2x70-82% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Volcarona builds →Psychic22-26% | ||
Sword & Shield 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 61 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Dragon Tail and 4 more.
Sword & Shield 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 utility options punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Body Press
- Head Smash
- Double Edge
- Iron Head
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 Steel Roller and Iron Tail and coverage across 9 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Steelix in Sword & Shield
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 Sword & Shield
Onix is your first catch on the way to Steelix. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 8-35 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch OnixEast Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.8-12 Cave10%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.8-12 Cave10%EarlySandstormEast Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.8-12 Cave10%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.8-12 Cave10%EarlySandstormMotostoke RiverbankShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormMotostoke RiverbankSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidSandstormGiant's SeatSwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidSandstormGiant's SeatSwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidOvercastGiant's SeatSwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidNormal WeatherGiant's SeatShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidIntense SunGiant's SeatShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidSandstormGiant's SeatShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidOvercastGiant's SeatShieldGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidNormal WeatherGiant's SeatSwordGrass Lv.30-35 Water20%MidIntense Sun
Step 2Steelix ✓
Steelix Guide
In Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Sword & Shield, 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