Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Steelix
Say it: STEEL-icks
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Steelix is the Iron Snake Pokémon — Steel and Ground from Onix (Metal Coat). In Pokémon GO it is a Steel/Ground defender and raid attacker that can Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix. Steel helps against Fairy, Ice, and Rock; Ground helps against Fire, Electric, Poison, and Rock. Fire, Water, Fighting, and Ground punish it.
Say it: STEEL-icks
Steelix (#208) is a Steel / Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the final form of Onix. Trainers use it as a Steel/Ground defender and attacker (especially Mega Steelix for Steel raid lobbies) with Dragon Tail / Iron Tail / Thunder Fang + Earthquake / Heavy Slam / Crunch / Psychic Fangs / Breaking Swipe. Against Steelix, lead with Fire, Water, Fighting, or Ground. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Steelix is a Steel / Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0208. Use the Steel/Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Dragon Tail + Earthquake / Heavy Slam is the usual kit; Thunder Fang for Electric coverage. Shadow Steelix is the DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing; keep a non-Shadow for Mega. Farm Mega Energy from Mega Steelix raids and events.
Type matchups
- Steel moves hit Ice, Rock, and Fairy hard.
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Steelix is your opponent, Fire, Water, Fighting, Ground hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →Mega Evolution
Steelix can Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix (still Steel / Ground). Mega Evolution uses Candy plus Mega Steelix Energy, boosts Steel attackers in the raid lobby, and only one Mega or Primal can be active at a time. Shadow Steelix cannot Mega Evolve — purify first if you want the Mega.
Full Mega Evolution guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 148
- Defense
- 272
- Stamina
- 181
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Mega Charizard Y · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 2. Reshiram · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Fusion Flare
- 3. Shadow Moltres · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Shadow Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Mega Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 6. Shadow Entei · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 7. Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 8. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 9. Chandelure · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 10. Heatran · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Emboar · beats Fire
Ember + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Infernape · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 2. Arcanine · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
- 3. Flareon · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Typhlosion · beats Fire
Incinerate + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Magmortar · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Punch
- 6. Camerupt · beats Fire
Incinerate + Overheat
- 7. Torkoal · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 8. Rapidash · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Blast
- 9. Pyroar · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 10. Simisear · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Houndoom · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Steelix’s always-available TM pool. Dragon Tail + Earthquake covers most Ground/Steel raid needs.
Fast
- Dragon Tail · Standard
Dragon energy / default
- Iron Tail · Standard
Steel STAB
- Thunder Fang · Standard
Electric coverage
Charged
- Earthquake · Standard
Ground nuke
- Heavy Slam · Standard
Steel nuke
- Crunch · Standard
Dark coverage
- Psychic Fangs · Standard
Psychic / debuff
- Breaking Swipe · Standard
Dragon debuff
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- iron tail
- dragon tail
- thunder fang
Charged
- earthquake
- heavy slam
- crunch
- psychic fangs
- breaking swipe
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #118 of 954 · CP 1483
Thunder Fang + Earthquake
- Ultra League · rank #56 of 747 · CP 2491
Thunder Fang + Earthquake
- Master League · rank #305 of 1023 · CP 2729
Thunder Fang + Earthquake
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 17: Rocket Leaders & Giovanni
…ool | |------|------| | 1 (catch) | **Tyrunt** (Rock / Dragon) | | 2 | Slowbro · Golurk · Steelix | | 3 | Scizor · Alakazam · Charizard | **Suggested team:** Swampert (Water Gun / Hydro C…
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.
Related species
Also named in the same guide chapters (text only).