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Steelix

ListEntry

Table of Contents

#208

148

ATK

272

DEF

181

STA

Lvl 50Max CP

2729

Lvl 40

2414

Lvl 25Weather Boost

1724

Lvl 20Raids/Eggs

1379

Lvl 15Research

1034

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Moves

Fast

Iron Tail

Dragon Tail

Thunder Fang

Charge

PvE Analysis

Steelix is tailored to be a defensive behemoth, possessing an enormous Def stat and one of the best defensive types. Steelix is one of the bulkiest defenders there is, being effective at wasting an attacker's time even in disadvantageous matchups. It unfortunately has weaknesses to many common Pokemon types such as Fire, Fighting, and Water. However, it's also a great wall for many other attack types like the ever-present Dragons. Steelix isn't exactly a highly recommended Pokemon, but some players may get genuine mileage out of its defensive capabilities.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Iron Tail + Heavy SlamBest
Iron Tail usually beats Dragon Tail and Thunder Fang on offense due to STAB.
Heavy Slam shares typing with Iron Tail and outdamages Earthquake, Steelix’s other STAB charge move.
Steelix’s offense is bad, and Crunch will only make it worse.
Breaking Swipe is great, but not on Steelix.
Psychic Fangs is only meant for PvP. 
Best PvE Defensive Moveset
Dragon Tail or Thunder Fang + Crunch or Heavy SlamBest
Dragon Tail is less likely to be resisted by Steelix’s usual counters.
Thunder Fang can hit Water-type attackers for Super Effective damage. 
Crunch can be used frequently as a 3-bar move and is hard to dodge, but is resisted by common Fighting-type attackers. 
Psychic Fangs and Breaking Swipe have pitiful damage on defense, making them worse than if Crunch would be resisted. 
Heavy Slam is slightly slower as a 2-bar move, but deals more damage with STAB. 
Earthquake is a joke on defense.

PvP Analysis

Dragon Tail or + Psychic Fangs and Earthquake or Crunch or Breaking Swipe
Dragon Tail is preferred for its neutral coverage and slightly above average energy gains. Thunder Fang is more of a niche option due to its worse energy generation, but provides a different coverage option. 
Psychic Fangs is often the preferred Charged Attack, providing Steelix with consistent debuffs and some coverage against Fighting-type Pokemon. Breaking Swipe's Attack debuffs synergize extremely well with Steelix's gargantuan bulk, but it is rather inconsistent. Crunch costs a moderate amount of energy and generally provides good neutral damage. Earthquake is very valuable for its wide coverage, and also gets STAB. Heavy Slam gets STAB but Steel-typing isn't very valuable offensively. 
Great League 
Steelix is a very bulky Pokemon with 10 resistances, and is considered as one of the Steel Tanks in the meta. Through sheer bulk and resistances, Steelix acts as a wall to many Pokemon, countering Pokemon such as Altaria and Charjabug. Weaknesses to common Water and Fighting-types are major issues for Steelix, which requires it to be complimented with Pokemon that can cover its vulnerabilities. As more Pokemon are introduced into the game and moves are rebalanced over time, Steelix fell out of favor compared to other Steel-type Pokemon, though its unique movepool keeps it somewhat relevant. Its reliable damage and spammy debuffs sets Steelix apart from other competitors such as Registeel and Alolan Sandslash.
This Pokemon was the reason why Breaking Swipe was nerfed. The combination of Steelix's high bulk and consistent Attack debuffs made it close to immortal - even letting it go toe to toe in matchups that should be negative for it. While post-nerf Steelix is no longer oppressive, it still maintains strong qualities that lets it see play in various Great League cups where Registeel or Alolan Sandslash aren't present.
Shadow Steelix tends to be the preferred variant, increasing its nigh unblockable damage output to oppressive levels. Thanks to its great natural bulk and numerous resistances, Steelix isn't bothered too badly by the bulk debuff of being a Shadow Pokemon.
Ultra League
Steelix benefits from the level 50 update, with XL candy giving it more IV options to increase its bulk by opting for less ATK IVs. It can comfortably take on the Ultra League titan, Giratina, as well as being a major nuisance due to its constant debuffs - which it now stacks more reliably thanks to the increased bulk in this League. 
Master League
In certain grassroots formats, Steelix can be used in the Master League in its Mega form, and it is quite a potent choice there. Not base Steelix though; that goes nowhere.

Great League
Steelix is a very bulky Pokemon with 10 resistances, and is considered as one of the Steel Tanks in the meta. Through sheer bulk and resistances, Steelix acts as a wall to many Pokemon, countering Pokemon such as Altaria and Charjabug. Weaknesses to common Water and Fighting-types are major issues for Steelix, which requires it to be complimented with Pokemon that can cover its vulnerabilities. As more Pokemon are introduced into the game and moves are rebalanced over time, Steelix fell out of favor compared to other Steel-type Pokemon, though its unique movepool keeps it somewhat relevant. Its reliable damage and spammy debuffs sets Steelix apart from other competitors such as Registeel and Alolan Sandslash. This Pokemon was the reason why Breaking Swipe was nerfed. The combination of Steelix's high bulk and consistent Attack debuffs made it close to immortal - even letting it go toe to toe in matchups that should be negative for it. While post-nerf Steelix is no longer oppressive, it still maintains strong qualities that lets it see play in various Great League cups where Registeel or Alolan Sandslash aren't present. Shadow Steelix tends to be the preferred variant, increasing its nigh unblockable damage output to oppressive levels. Thanks to its great natural bulk and numerous resistances, Steelix isn't bothered too badly by the bulk debuff of being a Shadow Pokemon.
Ultra League
Steelix benefits from the level 50 update, with XL candy giving it more IV options to increase its bulk by opting for less ATK IVs. It can comfortably take on the Ultra League titan, Giratina, as well as being a major nuisance due to its constant debuffs - which it now stacks more reliably thanks to the increased bulk in this League.
Master League
In certain grassroots formats, Steelix can be used in the Master League in its Mega form, and it is quite a potent choice there. Not base Steelix though; that goes nowhere.