Evolution Guide
How to evolve
Onix
Method: Trade holding Metal Coat (or use Metal Coat in Gen 9 via Linking Cord)
Onix
Steelix
How to evolve Onix
Onix evolves into Steelix (Steel/Ground) when traded while holding a Metal Coat. The item is consumed on evolution.
Linking Cord shortcut (Gen 8+): Give Onix a Metal Coat, then use a Linking Cord. No actual trade needed. Both items are consumed on use.
Where to find Metal Coat: - Scarlet/Violet: Drop from defeated Bronzong (random %), or purchase at Delibird Presents (5 BP) after the Open Sky Titan storyline. - Older games: Held by wild Magnemite (5% chance) or found on routes.
Metal Coat works for both Onix → Steelix AND Scyther → Scizor. Don't waste it on the wrong species.
Where to find Onix
**Onix** is found in **Asado Desert** caves and **South Province (Area Three)** rocky areas in Scarlet/Violet. Common in cave terrain. Onix's base stats are relatively weak (385 BST) — Steelix is the goal.
Is Steelix worth using?
Steelix is UU/RU-tier defensive wall. Standard set: Stealth Rock / Earthquake / Heavy Slam / Toxic with Leftovers. Mega Steelix (when available) is one of the bulkiest physical walls in the game — base 230 Defense with Sand Force boosting Earthquake. Pure mono-Steelix is outclassed by Hippowdon and Garganacl in most metagames.
Trivia
Steelix was the first Pokémon to have a height greater than its pre-evolution by 100×+ scale (Onix is 28 feet, Steelix is 30 feet — roughly same size, though Steelix is 880 lbs vs Onix's 463 lbs). The Mega Steelix design references Eastern dragon imagery despite Steelix being Steel/Ground.
Available in
- All mainline games (Gen 2+)
- Pokémon HOME