Is Steelix Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?
Trade Onix with a Metal Coat. Steelix is one of the most physically defensive Pokemon in the game. Steel/Ground typing gives it a pile of resistances. Jasmine uses one as her ace, and if you get your own, it handles most of the late game physically.
Onix has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.
Steelix resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Misty's team hits Steelix's weaknesses hard.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Will's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.
Onix can be received through an in-game trade on Violet City. Trade Bellsprout. Trade a Bellsprout to Kyle in the Violet City house to receive Rocky the Onix
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- LV 14RockRock Throw7590%15
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- TM13NormalSnore50100%15
- After Jasmine
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
- LV 40NormalSlam8075%20
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Bugsy.
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- After Jasmine
- TM23SteelIron Tail15075%15
- TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
- LV 40NormalSlam8075%20
- After Clair
- TM24DragonDragon Breath60100%20
- LV 49DarkCrunch80100%15
How to Get Steelix in Gold & Silver
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 solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Steelix in GS
The path to Steelix starts with Onix at Lv. 6-48 via walking and trade encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch OnixUnion Cave - B1FLv.8CaveRate 10%Union Cave - 1FLv.6CaveRate 5%Rock Tunnel - B1FLv.16CaveRate 20%Union Cave - B2FLv.23CaveRate 5%Mt. Silver - 1FLv.42CaveRate 30%Victory Road - 1FLv.34-36CaveRate 15%Mt. Silver - SummitLv.48CaveRate 30%Violet CityIn-game tradeLimitedTrade for (give Bellsprout)
Step 2Steelix ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Goldenrod Pokemon Day Care to receive a Steelix egg.
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
What is Steelix Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Steelix
 Cyndaquil Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Cyndaquil builds →Ember 2x37-44% Mud-Slap 2x9-11% | ||
 Slowpoke WaterPsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Slowpoke builds →Water Gun 2x28-33% Mud-Slap 2x9-11% | ||
 Totodile Water | C | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Totodile builds →Water Gun 2x31-39% Mud-Slap 2x9-11% | ||
 Sandshrew Ground | C | |
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
 Quilava Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cyndaquil (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Quilava builds →Fire Blast 2x111-132%KO Mud-Slap 2x8-9% Rock Smash 2x8-9% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Water Gun 2x42-50% Rock Smash 2x8-9% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 32 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Quagsire builds →Water Gun 2x38-45% Mud-Slap 2x11-14% Rock Smash 2x8-9% | ||
 Croconaw Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Croconaw builds →Water Gun 2x33-41% Mud-Slap 2x8-9% Rock Smash 2x8-9% | ||
Slowpoke WaterPsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Slowpoke builds →Fire Blast 2x48-58% Water Gun 2x26-32% Mud-Slap 2x8-9% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x88-105%KO Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
 Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x125-148%KO Mud-Slap 2x8-10% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x29-35% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
Quilava Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cyndaquil (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Quilava builds →Fire Blast 2x105-125%KO Dig 2x14-18% Rock Smash 2x6-8% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 32 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Quagsire builds →Surf 2x73-86% Dig 2x26-31% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x92-108%KO Rock Smash 2x6-8% | ||
 Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x87-102%KO Dig 2x19-23% Dynamic Punch 2x31-37% | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x128-152%KO Dynamic Punch 2x28-33% Mud-Slap 2x6-8% | ||
 Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tyrogue (Mt Mortar Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →High Jump Kick 2x44-53% Mud-Slap 2x8-10% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x29-34% Dynamic Punch 2x29-35% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x87-103%KO Rock Smash 2x6-8% | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x82-97% Dig 2x18-22% Dynamic Punch 2x30-36% | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x123-145%KO Dynamic Punch 2x27-32% Mud-Slap 2x6-8% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tyrogue (Mt Mortar Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →High Jump Kick 2x43-52% Mud-Slap 2x8-10% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x28-33% Dynamic Punch 2x28-34% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x87-103%KO Rock Smash 2x6-8% | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x123-145%KO Dynamic Punch 2x27-32% Mud-Slap 2x6-8% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Surf 2x69-82% Fire Blast 2x57-67% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x82-97% Dig 2x18-22% Dynamic Punch 2x30-36% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tyrogue (Mt Mortar Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →High Jump Kick 2x43-52% Mud-Slap 2x8-10% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lapras builds →Surf 2x87-103%KO Rock Smash 2x6-8% | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x123-145%KO Dynamic Punch 2x27-32% Mud-Slap 2x6-8% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gyarados builds →Surf 2x69-82% Fire Blast 2x57-67% Rock Smash 2x8-10% | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x82-97% Dig 2x18-22% Dynamic Punch 2x30-36% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tyrogue (Mt Mortar Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hitmonlee builds →High Jump Kick 2x43-52% Mud-Slap 2x8-10% | ||
 Marowak Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x35-42% Fire Blast 2x50-59% Dynamic Punch 2x24-28% | ||
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x50-58% Rock Smash 2x7-9% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x52-61% Dynamic Punch 2x34-41% Fire Blast 2x46-54% Surf 2x37-44% | ||
 Suicune Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Suicune builds →Surf 2x94-111%KO Dig 2x14-17% Rock Smash 2x5-7% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Earthquake 2x42-50% Dynamic Punch 2x28-33% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves View Raikou builds →
| ||
S | ||
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Snorlax builds →Double Edge9-10% Earthquake 2x30-35% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves View Jolteon builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves View Misdreavus builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build ItemScopelens Moves View Electabuzz builds →
| ||
Steelix Evolutions
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
GS Steelix Best Moveset
200 Defense blocks physical attackers almost unconditionally. Steel/Ground typing resists a huge portion of the format's offensive types and provides Electric immunity. MoveEarthquake for Ground TermStab and MoveRoar for forcing switches into MoveSpikes. Held ItemLeftovers sustains. The ultimate physical tank.
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Explosion
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
TMs carry this one. Steelix learns Earthquake and Iron Tail naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Rock and beyond give it real matchup play.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
Its body has been compressed deep under the ground. As a result, it is even harder than a diamond.
It is said that if an ONIX lives for over 100 years, its composition changes to become diamond-like.
Steelix Gold & Silver Guide
For Gold & Silver, we rate Steelix A-Tier: a strong pick in Gold & Silver's competitive scene. At 510 BST, it fits the trick room role. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Gold & Silver, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Gold & Silver, 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.
Steelix is obtained by trade-evolving Onix. Catch or evolve a Onix first, then trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Onix to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Metal Coat must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves