Steelix

The Iron Snake Pokémon
#208 - Steelix
Pre-Evolve	Onix
Debut	Pokémon: Gold Version Pokémon: Silver Version
Species Info
Type	+ +
Height	9.2 m (30'02")
Weight	400.0 kg (881.8 lbs.)
Color	Gray
Gender Ratio	1♂ : 1♀
Ability	Rock Head / Sturdy
Hidden Ability	Sheer Force
Egg Group	Mineral
Icon		Sprite
		File:208sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	75	Speed	30
Attack	85	Sp. Attack	55
Defense	200	Sp. Defense	65
Training Info
Catch Rate	025	Hatch Steps	6,400
Base Exp.	196	Effort Points	Def
Happiness	70		Def
To Lv.100	Normal

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 208 >	< 063 >		< 035 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #

Steelix is a metallic serpentine Pokémon that was introduced in the second generation games. It was introduced as a new evolved form for the first generation Pokémon Onix.

Information

An Onix evolves into a Steelix when it is traded to another trainer while holding the Metal Coat item. It is also said that if an Onix lives to be a hundred years, its composition changes to become more diamond-like. Steelix's body is believed to have transformed as a result of iron accumulating naturally from swallowing soil. Its body is compressed deep underground and tempered under high pressure and heat, which makes Steelix's body harder than any metal and even harder than a diamond. Its body is covered in many small metal particles which reflect bright light well.

Steelix lives even deeper underground than Onix. It is known to dig towards the earth's core, and there are records of it reaching over six-tenths of a mile underground. Their sturdy jaws allow them to chew through boulders, and their eyes can see in the dark underground, which makes them perfectly adapted to the environment.

Appearances

Mainstream Games

Steelix were originally obtainable only through evolution, but this changed starting in the fourth generation. In Pokémon: HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions, Steelix could be rarely found at the Cliff Cave on Route 47 and uncommonly appeared at Mt. Silver Cave. Jasmine additionally would trade a Steelix to the player for any Pokémon after being defeated by the player. In Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, Steelix uncommonly appeared at Iron Island, Victory Road and Snowpoint Temple. In Platinum, they were rarer and were omitted from Snowpoint Temple.

Other Games

Steelix appears in Pokémon Puzzle Challenge as Jasmine's Pokémon. In Pokémon Trozei!, it was found at Endless Level 12, Forever Level 61, Pair Trozei and Mr. Who's Den. Steelix could only be obtained by evolving Onix in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Teams, but in Explorers of Time and Darkness it could be recruited at Sky Stairway. In Pokémon Ranger, Steelix was featured as the boss in a mission where the player had to catch it in Panula Cave after it had been driven into a rampage by the Go-Rock Squad.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• Within the Super Smash Bros. series, Steelix has made a cameo appearance in the background of the Kalos Pokémon League Stage when it is in the Ironworks Chamber phase in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Steelix has also been represented by a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee and the Wii U game, and by an Advanced-rank Primary Spirit (with the effect of increasing weight) in Ultimate. When fought against in a Spirit battle, Steelix's Spirit would possess a metallic Ridley and fight in a stamina battle.

Other Media

• In the Pokémon anime, Steelix have shown up in the Johto series as well as the Sinnoh series belonging to opponent gym leaders and other trainers such as Jasmine, Harrison during the Silver Conference and Byron. Ash was able to defeat the Steelix in each occurrence. Brock's Onix also evolved into Steelix while it was training with his brother Forrest at some point between the Johto series and the Battle Frontier series.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Steelix was featured late in the Gold/Silver/Crystal arc as one of Jasmine's Pokémon that she discovered. She did not want it to be a spectacle, so during the gym leader competition she covered it in a stone hide to disguise it as an Onix. It wound up battling Brock's Onix, and its true identity was revealed before it succeeded in defeating the Onix. During the FireRed/LeafGreen arc, Carr of Team Rocket also used a Steelix in battle. A wild Steelix also appeared at Iron Island in the Diamond/Pearl arc and wound up helping Diamond with his training. Diamond befriended the Steelix in the process, and Riley soon realize that the particular Steelix was the boss of the island's iron mountain.

Trivia

• Its name is a combination of "steel" with "Onix" (which itself is a play on the mineral "onyx"), to indicate its type as well as imply its relation to Onix.