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.
Tempered underground under high pressure and heat, its body is harder than any metal.
It chews its way through boulders with its sturdy jaws. Its eyes can see in the darkness underground.
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 X & Y, Garchomp's Earthquake hits Steelix for 51-60%.
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x51-60% | ||
 Heatran FireSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemMiracleseed NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed7-8% Mach Punch 2x21-25% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStormdrain ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gastrodon builds →Scald 2x77-91% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLum Berry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain37-44% Flamethrower 2x134-158%KO | ||
X & Y 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 56 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Flail and 6 more.
X & Y Steelix Best Moveset
Steelix runs a standard physical attacker set. Brave nature with max HP and Attack EVs shapes the build, while Lum Berry brings one-time status cleanse. Rockhead supports the kit from the background.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Attack
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Iron Tail
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Dragon Tail
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 8 types.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Steelix in X & Y
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 X & Y
Onix is your first catch on the way to Steelix. You'll find rock smash, walking, and more encounters from Lv. 13-20 across 7 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch OnixCyllage CityXSmashing rocks Lv.13-15 CityCommonEarlyGlittering Cave - 1FXSmashing rocks Lv.15-17 CaveCommonEarlyGlittering Cave - 1FYSmashing rocks Lv.15-17 CaveCommonEarlyGlittering Cave - 3D AreaYGrass Lv.16-17 CaveUncommonMidShaking spotGlittering Cave - 3D AreaXGrass Lv.16-17 CaveUncommonMidShaking spot
Step 2Steelix ✓Cyllage CityYIn-game trade Lv.20 CityLimitedMidTrade for (give Luvdisc)Cyllage CityXIn-game trade Lv.20 CityLimitedMidTrade for (give Luvdisc)or evolve from Onix (Step 1)
Steelix Guide
In X & Y, 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 Lum Berry is the standard set.
In X & Y, Steelix can Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix. That's 610 BST, up from 510. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
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