In-battle formes
Base
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Abilities | |
| Tier |
| HP: | 75 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack: | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Defense: | 200 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Atk: | 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Def: | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Speed: | 30 |
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Mega
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Abilities | |
| Tier |
| HP: | 75 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack: | 125 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Defense: | 230 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Atk: | 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Def: | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Speed: | 30 |
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Evolutions
- Onix
- Steelix
Overview
Steelix carves a niche in the RU metagame with its ability to check physically offensive threats such as Tyrantrum thanks to its colossal Defense and solid defensive typing that grants it resistances to Normal, Rock, Steel, and Dragon. A 4x resistance to Stealth Rock combined with Leftovers allows Steelix to easily preserve Sturdy and act as an emergency check to threats such as Salazzle. However, a lack of reliable recovery means Steelix is easily worn down when switching into repeated attacks. Unlike other Steel-types such as Bronzong and Registeel, Steelix lacks a resistance to Ice or Grass, requiring teams to find other checks to Ice- and Grass-types. Additionally, Steelix's weakness to common types such as Water, Fighting, and Fire, poor special bulk, and relatively low Attack leave it exploitable by prominent threats such as Mega Blastoise, Shaymin, and Bewear.
Tank
| Move 1 |
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| Move 2 |
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| Move 3 |
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| Move 4 |
| Item | |
|---|---|
| Ability | |
| Nature |
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| EVs |
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Moves
Stealth Rock enables Steelix to pressure opposing Pokemon with residual damage. Heavy Slam is Steelix's primary STAB move and allows it to hit Pokemon such as Florges and Diancie. Earthquake hits opposing Steel-types such as Metagross as well as hitting Fire-types such as Ninetales and Arcanine on the switch. Toxic allows Steelix to cripple bulky Water-types such as Mega Blastoise, Seismitoad, and Mantine, which would otherwise take advantage of it.
Set Details
Investment in HP and Defense enhances Steelix's ability to check physical attackers like Tyrantrum. Leftovers provides Steelix with passive recovery and a way to regain Sturdy. Sturdy guarantees Steelix will survive at least one hit, allowing it to reliably set Stealth Rock or attack threats such as Salazzle.
Usage Tips
Bring Steelix in against Pokemon it can check such as Tyrantrum in order to set Stealth Rock, but keep in mind that Steelix needs to stay relatively healthy in order to beat them. Preserve Sturdy when possible, as it allows Steelix to guarantee the removal of threatening sweepers such as Salazzle, Houndoom, and Barbaracle. Cripple bulky Water-types such as Mega Blastoise and Mantine with Toxic on the switch.
Team Options
Steelix works best on defensive teams thanks to its solid role compression. It appreciates Pokemon that can handle bulky Water-types such as Roserade and Shaymin. Entry hazard removers such as Mantine and Mega Blastoise can clear hazards for Steelix, limiting its tendency to get worn down. Both of these Pokemon also appreciate Steelix's ability to check Electric-types such as Raikou. Clerics such as Florges and Vaporeon have the ability to heal Steelix with Wish. Florges also has the ability to check Fighting-types such as Bewear thanks to its Fairy typing.
Other Options
Gyro Ball with a Brave nature can be used instead of Heavy Slam to take advantage of Steelix's low Speed but fails to hit opposing slow Pokemon such as Florges for significant damage. Curse can be used to increase Steelix's offensive presence and make it harder to KO, allowing Steelix to better deal with Pokemon such as Metagross.
Checks and Counters
Water-types: Mega Blastoise and Mantine can easily switch into Steelix's attacks and force Steelix out. However, they dislike switching into Toxic. Other Water-types such as Refresh Milotic, Seismitoad, and trapper Araquanid do not mind switching into Toxic, though.
Special Attackers: Powerful special attackers such as Salazzle, Ninetales, and Houndoom are able to easily KO Steelix once Sturdy is broken. Mega Ampharos is especially notable because it can OHKO Steelix through Sturdy with Mold Breaker Focus Blast. None of these special attackers are able to safely switch into Steelix, however.
Grass-types: Shaymin and Virizion are able to easily switch into Earthquake and deal massive damage to Steelix. Roserade and Mega Abomasnow can also deal significant damage to Steelix but are unable to switch into Heavy Slam.
Fighting-types: Bewear and Machamp can OHKO Steelix if Sturdy is broken, and Bewear is able to switch into Heavy Slam thanks to its ability Fluffy.
