Is Steelix Good in Platinum Playthrough?
Wild in Iron Island at level 32 and Victory Road later. AbilityRock Head removes recoil. Steel/Ground has many resistances but struggles against Flint's all-Fire E4. Better suited for gym fights against Candice and Volkner than the E4.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.
Fantina's typing presses Steelix's defenses.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.
Steelix resists most of Byron's coverage and hits back hard.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.
Steelix has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Steelix trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Onix on Oreburgh Mine (walking, Lv 6-8, uncommon).
- LV 17RockRock Tomb9095%15
- After Gardenia
- TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
- TM28GroundDig120100%10
- After Maylene
- TM64NormalExplosion250100%5
- TM06PoisonToxic—90%10
- After Byron
- TM80RockRock Slide11390%10
- LV 49NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- LV 54RockStone Edge15080%5
How to Get Steelix in Platinum
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 decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Steelix in Pt
The path to Steelix starts with Onix at Lv. 6-50 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch OnixOreburgh Mine - 1FLv.6-8CaveRate 10%Oreburgh Mine - B1FLv.7-9CaveRate 10%Wayward Cave - 1FLv.18-20CaveRate 15%Wayward Cave - B1FLv.18-20CaveRate 15%Iron Island - B2F Left CaveLv.32GrassRate 20%Iron Island - B2F Right CaveLv.32GrassRate 20%Victory Road - 1FLv.41-42CaveRate 20%Iron Island - 1FLv.31-33GrassRate 10%Iron Island - B1F Left CaveLv.31-33GrassRate 10%Iron Island - B1F Right CaveLv.31-33GrassRate 10%Victory Road - B1FLv.42CaveRate 10%Victory Road - 2FLv.42CaveRate 5%Victory Road - Nat Dex AreaLv.48-50CaveRate 20%Victory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaLv.48-50CaveRate 20%
Step 2Steelix ✓Victory Road - 2FLv.42-44CaveRate 40%Iron Island - B3FLv.32-35GrassRate 30%Iron Island - B2F Left CaveLv.33-35GrassRate 10%Iron Island - B2F Right CaveLv.33-35GrassRate 10%Victory Road - 1FLv.42CaveRate 5%Victory Road - B1FLv.44CaveRate 5%Victory Road - Nat Dex AreaLv.50CaveRate 5%Victory Road - Nat Dex Exit AreaLv.50CaveRate 5%or evolve from Onix (Step 1)
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Steelix Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Steelix
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Geodude builds →Focus Punch 2x41-49% Fire Blast 2x41-49% | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Psyduck builds →Focus Punch 2x31-37% Water Gun 2x35-43% | ||
 Chimchar Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Chimchar builds →Fire Blast 2x88-104%KO Focus Punch 2x35-41% | ||
 Piplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Piplup builds →Brick Break 2x16-20% Bubble 2x20-24% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
 Monferno FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Monferno builds →Focus Punch 2x58-68% Fire Blast 2x111-132%KO | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x41-48% Water Pulse 2x45-55% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Lombre builds →Water Pulse 2x50-59% Brick Break 2x17-21% | ||
 Prinplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Piplup (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Prinplup builds →Bubble Beam 2x65-77% Brick Break 2x20-24% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x80-94% Earthquake 2x36-43% | ||
 Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x80-94% Earthquake 2x36-43% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x30-36% Fire Blast 2x53-63% | ||
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x42-51% Brick Break 2x22-27% Fire Fang 2x20-24% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Focus Punch 2x45-53% Earthquake 2x46-54% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x78-93% Earthquake 2x36-43% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x78-93% Earthquake 2x36-43% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x30-36% Fire Blast 2x52-62% | ||
Gliscor Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x43-51% Brick Break 2x23-28% Fire Fang 2x19-23% | ||
Sandslash Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Focus Punch 2x45-53% Earthquake 2x46-54% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x78-93% Earthquake 2x36-43% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x78-93% Earthquake 2x36-43% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x30-36% Fire Blast 2x52-62% | ||
Gliscor Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x43-51% Brick Break 2x23-28% Fire Fang 2x19-23% | ||
Sandslash Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Sandslash builds →Focus Punch 2x45-53% Earthquake 2x46-54% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x75-88% Earthquake 2x34-40% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x75-88% Earthquake 2x34-40% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x29-34% Fire Blast 2x51-61% | ||
 Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Torterra builds →Earthquake 2x47-55% Rock Smash 2x14-17% | ||
 Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x66-78% Earthquake 2x29-35% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x73-87% Earthquake 2x33-39% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x73-87% Earthquake 2x33-39% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x62-73% Earthquake 2x27-33% Fire Blast 2x50-59% | ||
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Torterra builds →Earthquake 2x45-54% Rock Smash 2x13-16% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x66-77% Earthquake 2x29-34% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x76-90% Earthquake 2x35-41% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x76-90% Earthquake 2x35-41% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x54-64% Brick Break 2x27-32% Fire Blast 2x72-85% Surf 2x57-68% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x29-35% Fire Blast 2x51-60% | ||
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Torterra builds →Earthquake 2x45-54% Rock Smash 2x13-16% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | A | |
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x33-40% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x75-89% Earthquake 2x33-40% | ||
 Moltres Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x181-213%KO Rock Smash 2x12-15% | ||
 Palkia WaterDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodSpear Pillar Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Palkia builds →Surf 2x143-169%KO Focus Punch 2x49-57% Fire Blast 2x121-143%KO Earth Power 2x91-107%KO | ||
In Platinum, Tyranitar's Earthquake hits Steelix for 34-41%. Starmie's Surf hits Steelix for 66-77%.
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemLum Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Tyranitar builds →Crunch7-8% Pursuit3-4% Stone Edge4-5% Earthquake 2x34-41% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin2-3% Surf 2x66-77% Ice Beam33-39% | ||
 Machamp Fighting | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Steelix View Machamp builds →Payback5-5% Bullet Punch4-5% | ||
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
Breeding
Breed with Steelix to get Onix eggs easily using 29 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Block, Defense Curl, Explosion and 4 more.
Pt Steelix Best Moveset
Offensive output at 85 Attack can't match the 200 Defense that defines Steelix. The moveset blocks physical hits and fires back with MoveEarthquake, but anything special with Water or Fire finds the 65 Sp. Def.
Best Build
Steelix best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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 9 types.
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
It is thought its body transformed as a result of iron accumulating internally from swallowing soil.
Steelix Platinum Guide
In Platinum, 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 Platinum, but Steelix does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Steelix hits 610 BST.
In Platinum, 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.
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