Generation 2 added many pre-evolutions to already existing Pokemon, but Steelix took that the opposite way. This Pokemon took Onyx, an already iconic Pokemon, and make it look as small and weak as those new baby Pokemon next to the terrifying dual steel/ground type Steelix.
About Steelix
| First appearance in anime | In the Pokemon Original series episode ‘Nerves of Steelix!’ | |
| First appearance in game | Gold and Silver | |
| Region | Johto | |
| Evolution | Onyx-->Steelix | |
| 1st Evo requirement | Trade with a Metal Coat | |
| Pokedex Entry | 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’s Base Stats
Steelix
| HP | 75 |
| Attack | 85 |
| Defense | 200 |
| Sp. Attack | 55 |
| Sp. Defense | 65 |
| Speed | 30 |
Mega Steelix
| HP | 75 |
| Attack | 125 |
| Defense | 230 |
| Sp. Attack | 55 |
| Sp. Defense | 95 |
| Speed | 30 |
Appearance
Steelix is a gigantic metal serpent made of lumpy segments of polished steel. Three of its segments have dull spikes protruding from each side and its final segment is a pointed tip. Its head is almost entirely made up of its jaw, which is much wider than the rest of its body and hide behind it Steelix’s squared teeth.
Behavior
Steelix burrows very deep underground, under mountains or in caves. It is capable of seeing in the dark and can destroy boulders that block its digging with its powerful jaw. Because of its habitat deep underground and its diet of hard rocks and metals, its body has become harder than diamonds.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Steelix’s steel typing already makes its matchups good, and its added ground typing is just the cherry on top. It's completely immune to poison and electric type moves. It is strong against and takes half damage from normal, flying, bug, steel, psychic, dragon, and fairy type moves and takes quarter damage from rock type moves. Though it is weak to fighting, ground, fire, and water type moves and takes double damage from them.
Mega Steelix
Mega Steelix is the Mega Evolved form of Steelix. In games that feature Mega Evolution, a Steelix holding a Steelixite can Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix. Mega Steelix is even bulkier than a normal Steelix, its jaw being bigger and its side spikes being bigger and now being made of crystals. Mega Steelix has a ring of metal shards encircling its neck like a magnetic metal mane.
Shiny Steelix
Shiny Steelix is the rare, recolored version of Steelix. Shiny Steelix takes the normal form’s rather dull grey metal coat and turns it to gold. This new Shiny Steelix is made entirely from a reflective golden coat, making it look like the most valuable serpent in the world.
Shiny Mega Steelix
Shiny Mega Steelix is the rare, recolored version of Mega Steelix. Like normal Shiny Steelix, Shiny Mega Steelix is now made of gold, shining and glittering. Shiny Mega Steelix also retains designs from Mega Steelix, with Shiny Mega Steelix still having the clear and shiny crystal spikes on its sides and the ring of metal now being a ring of golden shards.
Best Moveset for Steelix
Offensive: Steelix being very tanky is useful for setting up stat changing moves as well as field moves like Stealth Rock. With this strategy, Steelix can survive a lot of setup turns and quickly be able to dish out massive amounts of damage to unwitting opponents.
| Stealth Rock | Earthquake |
| Gyro Ball | Curse |
How to Catch Steelix in Pokemon Go
Steelix in Pokemon Go evolves from Onyx when it's given 50 Onyx candy and a Metal Coat. The candy is easy to get, just get more Onyx to collect enough candy. However the Metal Coat could be harder. It comes from spinning Pokestops and Gyms and has a 1% chance to drop.
Video Guide
Trivia
Despite Onyx always being shown on the ground, most mainline Pokemon games show Steelix floating above the ground.
Mega Steelix has incredible defense, having the highest base defense of both steel types as well as ground types.
In the anime, there hasn’t been a single appearance of Steelix in which the Pokemon hasn’t used the move Iron Tail.
FAQs
Is Onix or Steelix better?
While Onyx has more balanced defenses, Steelix overall has better stats. It has higher health and attacking stats than its pre-evolution and it also has a much better type combination than Onyx.
Is there an Alolan Steelix?
While there is no official form of Alolan Steelix, there are fan iterations. The most popular of which being a ground/fire type fan drawing from the fan site Pokemon Amino.
What can beat a Steelix?
Steelix’s biggest weakness is its special defense. Using a special attack with a typing that is one of its weaknesses will almost definitely KO the metal serpent.
Conclusion
Steelix takes the strengths of its pre-evolution to the maximum, being one of the most defensive Pokemon ever. Especially with its Mega Evolution, Steelix can be a difficult wall to pass for opponents and can keep your team safe by taking damage as much as it can.
