Moves

Gyro Ball is Mega Steelix's most powerful STAB move and allows it to OHKO Latias and Hydreigon after Stealth Rock damage. Heavy Slam, alternatively, hits slower Pokemon such as Florges and Sylveon harder and has higher PP, but the power drop against faster threats like Latias, Hydreigon, and Krookodile is noticeable, so Gyro Ball is generally better. Curse boosts Mega Steelix's Attack and Defense to extremely high levels while simultaneously boosting Gyro Ball's Base Power by reducing Mega Steelix's Speed. This eases Mega Steelix's matchup against threats it fails to overpower such as Scizor and Hippowdon, lets it serve as a wincon, and overall improves its wallbreaking capabilities. Toxic, alternatively, lets Mega Steelix reliably punish bulky Water-types like Swampert and Alomomola as well as Defog users that normally beat it, like Moltres, Rotom-H, and Mantine. Rest is an option that lets Mega Steelix check certain threats like Latias and Mega Aerodactyl more reliably, but it leaves Mega Steelix extremely passive for three turns and thus is not recommended, as Mega Steelix will be taken advantage of.

Set Details

252 HP EVs and 48 Special Defense EVs allow Mega Steelix to avoid the OHKO from Mega Manectric's Overheat after Stealth Rock damage. A Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs are used to maximize the damage output of Gyro Ball. Alternatively, Mega Steelix can run an EV spread of 252 HP / 52 Def / 204 SpD with a Careful nature if it wishes to be more bulky; the 52 Defense EVs allow it to always survive a +2 Close Combat from Cobalion after Stealth Rock. If opting for Heavy Slam, Mega Steelix should use 31 Speed IVs and an Adamant nature to Speed tie uninvested Reuniclus, Amoonguss, and Slowbro. Sturdy allows Steelix to act as a panic button if need be, but it generally doesn't have any use. Sand Force in combination with Curse improves Mega Steelix's matchup against Hippowdon, but outside of that it has no use.

Usage Tips

Prioritize Mega Evolving Steelix as early as possible, as Mega Steelix relies on the boosts it gains by Mega Evolving to check threats like Nihilego and Latias. Also, prioritize setting up Stealth Rock because this allows Mega Steelix to reliably punish switches and KO threats like Latias and Hydreigon. Thanks to its great bulk and typing, Mega Steelix can find a lot of opportunities to set up Stealth Rock, such as against Fairy-types like Florges and Sylveon and Flying-types like Togekiss and Mega Aerodactyl. Curse should be used against opposing physical attackers that cannot overpower Mega Steelix like Mega Aggron and against certain setup sweepers like Scizor and Doublade that try to overpower Mega Steelix by boosting their stats. However, be wary of using Curse if the opposing team has means of reliably scaring out Mega Steelix like Starmie or Moltres. Refrain from letting Mega Steelix take unnecessary damage because that'll make it notably harder to switch it into threats like Mega Aerodactyl and Mimikyu. Furthermore, refrain from using Gyro Ball too often because it has low PP, and if Mega Steelix runs out of Gyro Ball PP, it cannot check dangerous threats like Latias and Togekiss. It is advised to scout against Pokemon like Scizor and Togekiss that often carry super effective coverage for Steel-types. Despite its ability to block Volt Switch, Mega Steelix should be wary of switching into certain Electric-types like Rotom-H and Mega Manectric that can hit it with a super effective Fire-type move. However, Mega Steelix's presence still prevents the aforementioned Electric-types from reliably using their Electric-type moves, so keep that in mind. If coupled with Wish support, prioritize healing Mega Steelix as soon as it takes damage, as it appreciates every bit of health to reliably act as a wall.

Team Options

Mega Steelix fits best into more balanced and defensive teams. Wish users like Alomomola and Blissey pair well with Mega Steelix because of their ability to heal it. Likewise, not only do Fairy-types like Sylveon and Florges have the ability to heal Mega Steelix, they also are able to check Fighting-types like Terrakion as well as cure status ailments from Mega Steelix with Heal Bell, which allows Mega Steelix to use Rest more reliably. Water-types like Jellicent and Slowbro generally pair well with Mega Steelix because they check Fire-types like Infernape and Volcanion, as well as other Water-types like Tentacruel and Swampert. Teammates like Mantine and Hydreigon can clear entry hazards for Mega Steelix and hence are a necessity in improving its walling capabilities. The former appreciates Mega Steelix's ability to check certain Electric-types like Rotom-H and Flamethrower Mega Manectric, while the latter appreciates Mega Steelix's ability to take on Fairy-types like Sylveon, Mega Altaria, and Klefki. Furthermore, Hydreigon appreciates Mega Steelix's Stealth Rock support to break down opposing teams more easily. Similarly, other Dragon-types like Latias and Haxorus appreciate Mega Steelix taking on Fairy-types. In return, they can check Fire-types like Infernape and Volcanion for Mega Steelix. Wallbreakers such as Moltres and Terrakion and setup sweepers like Latias and Scizor appreciate Mega Steelix's Stealth Rock support to break through certain cores and Pokemon more easily. Finally, special walls like Blissey and Florges can take on special attackers like Starmie and Primarina that threaten Mega Steelix out.