Steelix, the Steel/Ground Pokémon, is a two-stage evolution of Onix and is known for its incredible physical defense capabilities and formidable Steel-type offense. As a dual-type Pokémon, Steelix possesses unique strengths and weaknesses and can serve as an outstanding tank, wall, or offensive presence on your team in both competitive play and casual battles. This article aims to provide an in-depth look at Steelix, offering strategies for maximizing its potential, building optimal teams, and understanding its role in various formats.
Introduction to Steelix
Steelix is the evolved form of Onix, introduced in Generation II. It has a unique blend of Steel and Ground typing, granting it remarkable resistances and access to a diverse movepool. Steelix can outlast many opponents while delivering heavy hits, making it a valuable asset in battles where durability and consistent damage output are essential.
Basic Stats
Steelix’s base stats are impressive, particularly in defense. Let’s break down Steelix’s key stats:
- HP: 75
- Attack: 85
- Defense: 200
- Special Attack: 55
- Special Defense: 65
- Speed: 30
Steelix’s standout feature is its astounding Defense stat of 200, which makes it one of the best physical walls in the game. With great typing, Steelix is resistant to normal and flying attacks, and immune to poison, while also boasting only two weaknesses: Water and Fighting. This allows it to withstand hits that would fell most other Pokémon.
Advantages of Steelix
Steelix offers multiple advantages in competitive battles:
- Exceptional Physical Defense: With its fantastic Defense stat, Steelix tends to shrug off physical moves from most opponents without taking significant damage.
- Diverse Movepool: Steelix can learn a variety of offensive and defensive moves, making it versatile in its role.
- Resistance to Many Types: Steelix’s dual typing means it has numerous resistances, making it tricky for certain Pokémon to take it down.
Weaknesses of Steelix
While Steelix is undoubtedly powerful, it has some weaknesses you need to consider:
- Low Speed: Steelix has a base Speed of 30, making it slow and prone to being outsped by many opponents.
- Weaknesses: Steelix is weak to Water and Fighting attacks, which can pose a threat if you do not prepare adequately.
- Limited Special Defense: Although it can endure physical attacks, Steelix struggles against special attackers due to its lower Special Defense.
Moveset Strategies
To harness Steelix’s power effectively, you’ll want to choose the right moveset. Below are a few recommended movesets that can work well in competitive play:
1. Defensive Tank
Moveset:
- Stealth Rock: Sets up entry hazards, putting pressure on opposing Pokémon upon switching in.
- Earthquake: STAB move that deals significant damage and benefits from Steelix’s decent Attack stat.
- Iron Tail or Gyro Ball: STAB Steel-type move; Iron Tail has higher power but less accuracy, while Gyro Ball scales with Speed difference.
- Roar or Toxic: Roar can force opponents to switch and is great for racking up entry hazard damage, while Toxic can wear down bulky opponents.
Item: Leftovers (for passive recovery) or Rocky Helmet (for damage return upon physical contact).
2. Offensive Steelix
Moveset:
- Earthquake: Powerful STAB move for coverage.
- Stone Edge: Coverage against Flying types and Fire types.
- Iron Tail: Offers great damage, but be wary of its accuracy.
- Swords Dance: Boosts Steelix’s Attack, allowing it to deal significant damage in a short time.
Item: Choice Band (for higher damage output) or Life Orb (for a balanced power increase).
Team Synergy
Building a team around Steelix involves ensuring that it can support and be supported by other Pokémon effectively. Here are some tips for constructing a well-rounded team that incorporates Steelix:
Type Coverage
Counter Water Types: Include Pokémon that can handle Water-type threats like Gardevoir or Ludicolo.
- Fighting Resists: Pair Steelix with Psychic or Flying Pokémon, such as Togekiss or Latios, to help absorb Fighting-type hits.
Hazard Support
Spikes or Toxic Spikes Users: Pokémon like Ferrothorn or Roserade can set up additional entry hazards to chip away at opposing Pokémon’s health.
- Rapid Spin or Defog Users: Ensure you have a means to deal with opposing hazards. Pokémon like Excadrill can spin away hazards, allowing Steelix to maintain its presence.
Strong Offensives
- Special Attack Partners: Complement Steelix’s physical dominance with strong Special Attackers, like Special Attacking Gardevoir or Volcarona, to cover for Steelix’s weaknesses.
Playstyle Tips
Utilizing Steelix effectively requires adopting the right playstyle. Here are some strategies to keep in mind:
Tank and Sustain: Use Steelix’s bulk to tank hits and deploy status moves like Toxic while setting up hazards.
Entry Hazard Control: Be aware of the opposing team and try to control entry hazards. Lay traps for switching Pokémon and discourage clean switches.
Switching Smartly: If you foresee a Water or Fighting move coming, switch to your teammate who can handle those types and then return to Steelix once the coast is clear.
- Mind the Speed: Steelix will often be outsped. Utilize moves like Roar to disrupt setup sweepers who may try to boost against your Steelix.
Conclusion
Steelix’s impressive bulk and versatility allow it to serve various roles on a team stably. Whether you’re prioritizing defensive prowess or offensive output, understanding its strengths, weaknesses, moveset options, and synergistic partners can indeed unleash the full potential of Steelix. By adopting various strategies listed above, you can ensure that Steelix remains a formidable opponent in the Pokémon battle arena.
Quiz Questions
Here are 50 questions to test your knowledge about Steelix and the strategies for mastering this Steel/Ground Pokémon:
What type combination does Steelix have?
- A) Fire/Flying
- B) Rock/Ground
- C) Steel/Ground
- D) Ice/Fairy
Correct Answer: C) Steel/Ground
Explanation: Steelix is known for its dual typing as Steel and Ground.
Which of the following is Steelix’s most notable stat?
- A) Speed
- B) Special Defense
- C) Attack
- D) Defense
Correct Answer: D) Defense
Explanation: Steelix has an astounding Defense stat of 200, making it a formidable wall.
What move is Steelix commonly used to set up entry hazards?
- A) Earthquake
- B) Stealth Rock
- C) Iron Tail
- D) Protect
Correct Answer: B) Stealth Rock
Explanation: Stealth Rock puts pressure on the opposing team by damaging them when they switch in.
What item is typically recommended for Steelix to enhance its tanking ability?
- A) Choice Band
- B) Life Orb
- C) Leftovers
- D) Focus Sash
Correct Answer: C) Leftovers
Explanation: Leftovers provide passive recovery each turn, helping Steelix sustain in battle.
Which of these is NOT a weakness of Steelix?
- A) Water
- B) Grass
- C) Fighting
- D) Ground
Correct Answer: B) Grass
Explanation: Steelix is weak to Water and Fighting but resists Grass-type moves.
What is Steelix’s base Speed stat?
- A) 50
- B) 40
- C) 30
- D) 60
Correct Answer: C) 30
Explanation: Steelix has a low base Speed of 30, making it one of the slowest Pokémon.
Which move might you use for Steelix to counter Flying-types?
- A) Iron Tail
- B) Aqua Tail
- C) Earthquake
- D) Fire Blast
Correct Answer: A) Iron Tail
Explanation: Iron Tail provides Steelix with valuable coverage against Flying-types.
As a defensive wall, Steelix excels at tanking which kind of moves?
- A) Special Moves
- B) Physical Moves
- C) Status Moves
- D) All Types
Correct Answer: B) Physical Moves
Explanation: Steelix’s high Defense allows it to absorb a large amount of physical damage.
What significant role does the move Roar play for Steelix?
- A) Recovery
- B) Inflict status
- C) Force a switch
- D) Increase Speed
Correct Answer: C) Force a switch
Explanation: Roar can force opponents to switch Pokémon, disrupting tactical setups.
To maximize Steelix’s offensive potential, which move should ideally be included?
- A) Stealth Rock
- B) Swords Dance
- C) Protect
- D) Will-O-Wisp
Correct Answer: B) Swords Dance
Explanation: Swords Dance boosts Steelix’s Attack, enabling it to deliver more powerful hits.
What other Pokémon type can pair well with Steelix to cover its weaknesses?
- A) Fire
- B) Electric
- C) Psychic
- D) Bug
Correct Answer: C) Psychic
Explanation: Psychic-type Pokémon can absorb Fighting-type attacks, which is one of Steelix’s weaknesses.
What does Steelix evolve from?
- A) Gible
- B) Onix
- C) Geodude
- D) Nosepass
Correct Answer: B) Onix
Explanation: Steelix is the evolved form of Onix, requiring a Metal Coat to evolve.
Which of the following moves provides Steelix with reliable STAB?
- A) Earthquake
- B) Thunderbolt
- C) Water Gun
- D) Ice Beam
Correct Answer: A) Earthquake
Explanation: Earthquake is a powerful STAB move for Steelix, benefiting from its Ground typing.
Steel-type Pokémon are strong against which type of Pokémon?
- A) Bug and Fairy
- B) Poison and Rock
- C) Ghost and Psychic
- D) Fire and Water
Correct Answer: B) Poison and Rock
Explanation: Steel-types are super effective against both Poison and Rock Pokémon.
What is the relation between Steelix’s Attack and Special Attack?
- A) Higher Attack
- B) Equal
- C) Higher Special Attack
- D) Zero
Correct Answer: A) Higher Attack
Explanation: Steelix has a base Attack of 85 compared to its Special Attack of 55.
How can Steelix be utilized effectively against switch-heavy teams?
- A) With Stealth Rock
- B) Using Hyper Beam
- C) With Speed Boost
- D) As a sweeper
Correct Answer: A) With Stealth Rock
Explanation: Utilizing Stealth Rock can punish opponents who frequently switch their Pokémon.
Which item would increase the power of Steelix’s physical attacks significantly?
- A) Choice Scarf
- B) Life Orb
- C) Focus Band
- D) Black Sludge
Correct Answer: B) Life Orb
Explanation: Life Orb increases the power of Steelix’s moves at the cost of some HP each time it attacks.
What type of Pokémon should you avoid using directly against Steelix?
- A) Ice-type
- B) Water-type
- C) Fighting-type
- D) Fairy-type
Correct Answer: C) Fighting-type
Explanation: Fighting-type moves are super effective against Steelix due to its weaknesses.
What is the main advantage of Steelix’s Steel typing?
- A) Immunity to Electric
- B) Resistance to Psychic
- C) Resistance to Fairy
- D) High Special Attack
Correct Answer: C) Resistance to Fairy
Explanation: Steel-types resist Fairy-type moves, providing a notable defensive advantage.
Against which type of Pokémon would Steelix be at a disadvantage?
- A) Grass
- B) Fire
- C) Flying
- D) Fighting
Correct Answer: D) Fighting
Explanation: Fighting-type Pokémon can deal increased damage to Steelix, posing a significant threat.
What is the typical nature you might choose for a Defensive Steelix?
- A) Adamant
- B) Impish
- C) Modest
- D) Timid
Correct Answer: B) Impish
Explanation: The Impish nature enhances Steelix’s Defense while reducing its Special Attack, perfect for a Defensive set.
What move allows Steelix to endure a contact attack and deal damage back?
- A) Earthquake
- B) Gyro Ball
- C) Rocky Helmet
- D) Iron Head
Correct Answer: C) Rocky Helmet
Explanation: Rocky Helmet inflicts damage on an opponent when they make physical contact with Steelix.
How does Steelix counter setup sweepers?
- A) High Special Attack
- B) Toxic and Roar
- C) Fast Speed
- D) Confusion
Correct Answer: B) Toxic and Roar
Explanation: Using Toxic to inflict status and Roar to force switches disrupts setup strategies.
What role does Steelix often take in battle?
- A) Fast Sweeper
- B) Special Attacker
- C) Defensive Wall
- D) Trick Room Setter
Correct Answer: C) Defensive Wall
Explanation: Steelix is primarily known for being a reliable physical wall in competitive settings.
Which of these moves is not available to Steelix?
- A) Gyro Ball
- B) Hydropump
- C) Iron Head
- D) Earthquake
Correct Answer: B) Hydropump
Explanation: Steelix cannot learn Hydropump as it is a Water-type move.
What is Steelix’s ability that enhances its Defense in battle?
- A) Rock Head
- B) Sturdy
- C) Mold Breaker
- D) Defiant
Correct Answer: B) Sturdy
Explanation: Sturdy prevents Steelix from being knocked out in one hit when it is at full health.
How is Steelix typically used in Pokémon competitions?
- A) Offensive Sweeper
- B) Defensive Pivot
- C) Tank and Hazard Setter
- D) Special Attacker
Correct Answer: C) Tank and Hazard Setter
Explanation: Steelix is mostly known for tanking damage while setting up hazards.
Which characteristic does NOT describe Steelix?
- A) Slow Speed
- B) High Special Defense
- C) Great Defense
- D) Decent Movepool
Correct Answer: B) High Special Defense
Explanation: Steelix has low Special Defense, making it vulnerable to special attackers.
In which Pokémon game did Steelix first appear?
- A) Pokémon Red/Blue
- B) Pokémon Gold/Silver
- C) Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
- D) Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
Correct Answer: B) Pokémon Gold/Silver
Explanation: Steelix was introduced in Generation II in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
What is a common partner for Steelix to cover its weaknesses?
- A) A Steel-type Pokémon
- B) A Fairy-type Pokémon
- C) A Psychic-type Pokémon
- D) A Bug-type Pokémon
Correct Answer: C) A Psychic-type Pokémon
Explanation: A Psychic-type partner can absorb Fighting-type moves directed at Steelix.
What is Steelix’s base HP stat?
- A) 50
- B) 100
- C) 75
- D) 80
Correct Answer: C) 75
Explanation: Steelix has a base HP of 75, which is decent but not stellar.
What status condition can Steelix inflict to weaken opponents?
- A) Burn
- B) Freeze
- C) Poison
- D) Sleep
Correct Answer: C) Poison
Explanation: Steelix can utilize moves like Toxic to inflict a poison status condition on the opponent.
Which competitive format is Steelix commonly used in?
- A) Ubers
- B) Doubles
- C) VGC
- D) OU
Correct Answer: D) OU
Explanation: Steelix is often used in the OverUsed (OU) tier of competitive Pokémon battles.
What Pokémon can effectively counter Steelix’s defensive play?
- A) Gardevoir
- B) Blaziken
- C) Scizor
- D) Zoroark
Correct Answer: B) Blaziken
Explanation: Blaziken has access to strong Fighting-type moves, which are super effective against Steelix.
How can Steelix lay effective entry hazards?
- A) By attacking first
- B) Using Stealth Rock
- C) By using high-speed moves
- D) With special moves
Correct Answer: B) Using Stealth Rock
Explanation: Steelix can use Stealth Rock as a strategy to lay hazards on the opponent’s side of the field.
Steelix is resistant to which of the following Pokémon types?
- A) Fairy
- B) Psychic
- C) Ghost
- D) Ice
Correct Answer: A) Fairy
Explanation: Steel-types resist Fairy-type moves, giving Steelix an advantage against them.
Which status recovery item is favorable for Steelix to restore health?
- A) Black Sludge
- B) Leftovers
- C) Sitrus Berry
- D) Air Balloon
Correct Answer: B) Leftovers
Explanation: Leftovers provide passive recovery, which complements Steelix’s tanking role.
Steelix can benefit from which Ability?
- A) Intimidate
- B) Sheer Force
- C) Sturdy
- D) Adaptability
Correct Answer: C) Sturdy
Explanation: Sturdy allows Steelix to survive one hit at full health.
Which Pokémon can Steelix synergize with to handle Water-types?
- A) Grass-types
- B) Electric-types
- C) Dragon-types
- D) Psychic-types
Correct Answer: B) Electric-types
Explanation: Electric-types can resist Water attacks and provide support against Steelix’s weaknesses.
What role does Steelix play with Steel-type moves?
- A) Defense Dropper
- B) Offensive Force
- C) Status Inflictor
- D) Healer
Correct Answer: B) Offensive Force
Explanation: Steelix can deliver hard-hitting Steel-type moves like Iron Tail or Iron Head.
Steelix thrives more in which battle environment?
- A) Singles
- B) Doubles
- C) Triples
- D) Free-for-all
Correct Answer: A) Singles
Explanation: Steelix is often better utilized in singles where it can focus on stalling and absorbing damage.
What is one downside of Steelix’s low Speed?
- A) It can’t take hits
- B) It gets outsped by many Pokémon
- C) It has low defense
- D) It cannot use moves
Correct Answer: B) It gets outsped by many Pokémon
Explanation: Steelix’s low Speed means many opponents can act before it does, leading to potential vulnerabilities.
What kind of trainers would most effectively use Steelix?
- A) Offensive strategists
- B) Stall players and defensive strategists
- C) Trick Room users
- D) Hyper Offense builders
Correct Answer: B) Stall players and defensive strategists
Explanation: Trainers focused on defensive tactics and stalling would find Steelix very useful.
How does entry hazard damage relate to Steelix’s playstyle?
- A) It decreases his Speed
- B) It is irrelevant
- C) It enhances his attack
- D) It wears down opponents over time
Correct Answer: D) It wears down opponents over time
Explanation: Steelix’s ability to set up entry hazards allows it to chip away at opposing Pokémon’s health.
How should trainers approach Steelix if they have a Fighting-type move?
- A) Attack head-on
- B) Switch out to avoid damage
- C) Use a Fairy-type move
- D) Use an Electric-type move
Correct Answer: B) Switch out to avoid damage
Explanation: Trainers should avoid attacking Steelix directly with Fighting-type moves due to its vulnerabilities.
What can Toxic help Steelix accomplish in battle?
- A) Instant Knockout
- B) Weaken bulky opponents over time
- C) Increase Speed
- D) Revive teammates
Correct Answer: B) Weaken bulky opponents over time
Explanation: Toxic can inflict poison, gradually wearing down even sturdy opponents.
How effective is Steelix against typical Water-type attackers?
- A) Very Effective
- B) Not Very Effective
- C) Immune
- D) Completely Resistant
Correct Answer: B) Not Very Effective
Explanation: Steelix is weak to Water-type moves, meaning it is not effective against Water-type attackers.
What aspect makes Steelix a popular choice in competitive play?
- A) High Special Attack
- B) Great Speed
- C) Incredible bulk and versatility
- D) Multi-type advantage
Correct Answer: C) Incredible bulk and versatility
Explanation: Steelix is popular due to its tanking ability and diverse movepool.
Which of the following Pokémon can typically outspeed Steelix?
- In the event of an unexpected Fighting-type move, the best strategy for Steelix would be to:
- A) Attack recklessly
- B) Switch out for a counter
- C) Stay in and take the hit
- D) Use Stealth Rock
Correct Answer: B) Switch out for a counter
Explanation: If threatened by a Fighting-type move, properly switching to a Pokémon that can take the hit is critical for strategizing effectively in battle.
Conclusion of the Quiz Section
These questions cover various facets of Steelix’s design, moves, team synergy, and strategic applications. Understanding and answering these questions will deepen your knowledge of how to effectively utilize Steelix in different Pokémon battle formats and scenarios. Whether you are a casual player or a competitive battler, mastering the intricacies of Steelix can undoubtedly elevate your Pokémon journey.
