Is Steelix Good in Emerald Playthrough?
Onix trade evolution with a Metal Coat. Steelix with AbilityRock Head has enormous Defense on a Steel/Ground frame. Handles Wattson, Winona, and resists most attack types in the game. The double trade requirement limits access, but the defensive profile is among Emerald's best.
Roxanne's typing presses Onix's defenses.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.
Onix resists most of Flannery's coverage and hits back hard.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.
Tate & Liza's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Juan's team.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.
Onix trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.
Onix has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.
Drake's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.
Wallace's team hits Onix's weaknesses hard.
Steelix cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.
- After Roxanne
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- After Wattson
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Norman
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
- After Winona
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- After Tate & Liza
- TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
- LV 45SteelIron Tail15075%15
- LV 49DarkCrunch80100%15
- LV 57NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
How to Get Steelix in Emerald
No wild encounters for Steelix in Emerald. Bring Onix over from Red & Blue, Yellow, or FireRed & LeafGreen, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Steelix in E
Step 1Obtain OnixBREEDINGAvailableLeave Steelix with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Onix egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenAvailableCatch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Victory Road, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Victory Road. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Victory Road. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Mt. Silver. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Steelix ✓
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
What is Steelix Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Steelix
 Mudkip Water | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 101 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Mudkip builds →Surf 2x67-81% Mud-Slap 2x10-12% | ||
 Totodile Water | D | |
Obtain MethodLittleroot Town Gift | ||
 Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
 Marill Water | D | |
Obtain MethodPetalburg City Surfing | ||
 Wingull Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvergrande City Surfing | ||
 Makuhita Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Makuhita builds →Vital Throw 2x24-29% Surf 2x27-32% | ||
Totodile Water | D | |
Obtain MethodLittleroot Town Gift | ||
Mudkip Water | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 101 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Mudkip builds →Surf 2x63-76% Mud-Slap 2x8-10% | ||
Lotad WaterGrass | D | |
Marill Water | D | |
Obtain MethodPetalburg City Surfing | ||
 Azumarill Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Petalburg City Surfing) | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | C | |
 Croconaw Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (Littleroot Town Gift) | ||
 Marshtomp WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Mudkip (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Marshtomp builds →Surf 2x69-82% Mud Shot 2x22-27% | ||
Makuhita Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Makuhita builds →Vital Throw 2x22-27% Surf 2x26-31% | ||
 Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Dig 2x22-26% Surf 2x35-42% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Dig 2x19-22% Flamethrower 2x41-48% | ||
 Pelipper Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvergrande City Surfing | ||
 Combusken FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Torchic (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Combusken builds →Focus Punch 2x58-69% Flamethrower 2x89-105%KO Dig 2x16-20% | ||
Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x75-90% Dig 2x21-25% Surf 2x36-43% | ||
Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x65-77% Dig 2x19-23% Flamethrower 2x41-49% | ||
Pelipper Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvergrande City Surfing | ||
 Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ludicolo builds →Surf 2x94-111%KO Focus Punch 2x33-39% | ||
Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x75-88% Dig 2x22-25% Surf 2x36-43% | ||
Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x65-76% Dig 2x18-22% Flamethrower 2x41-49% | ||
Pelipper Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvergrande City Surfing | ||
Ludicolo WaterGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Ludicolo builds →Surf 2x94-112%KO Focus Punch 2x33-39% | ||
Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Dig 2x20-25% Surf 2x36-43% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x77-91% Dig 2x22-26% | ||
Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Torchic (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Blaziken builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Overheat 2x162-192%KO Dig 2x20-25% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x65-76% Dig 2x18-21% Fire Blast 2x51-61% | ||
Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x33-39% Surf 2x36-43% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x77-91% Earthquake 2x34-41% | ||
Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Torchic (Route 101 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Blaziken builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Overheat 2x162-192%KO Earthquake 2x33-39% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x65-76% Earthquake 2x29-34% Fire Blast 2x51-61% | ||
 Groudon Ground | S | |
Obtain MethodTerra Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Groudon builds →Earthquake 2x59-70% Overheat 2x100-117%KO Brick Break 2x30-35% | ||
Hariyama Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Hariyama builds →Focus Punch 2x73-86% Earthquake 2x33-39% Surf 2x33-40% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x33-40% | ||
Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
 Kyogre Water | S | |
Obtain MethodMarine Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Kyogre builds →Hydro Pump 2x182-214%KO Earthquake 2x28-33% Brick Break 2x21-25% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Blissey builds →Ice Beam23-27% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Jolteon builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Zapdos builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemMagnet NatureModest Moves View Magneton builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Raikou 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
E Steelix Best Moveset
Few physical tanks in Emerald match 200 base Defense backed by Steel/Ground typing and nine resistances. The moveset plays a pure defensive role, tanking physical hits and threatening back with MoveEarthquake while the team handles special attackers.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Explosion
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding opens up real options for Steelix. Block and Explosion come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Iron Tail and Earthquake and Normal and Rock coverage and more.
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
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
STEELIX live even further underground than ONIX. This POKéMON is known to dig toward the earth’s core, reaching a depth of over six-tenths of a mile underground.
Steelix Emerald Guide
In Emerald, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Steelix. The 510 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a trick room. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Emerald, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
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.
Rock Head is the go-to ability for Steelix. It protects against recoil damage. Sturdy is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
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