[OVERVIEW]
A combination of typing, bulk, and offensive presence makes Steelix arguably the best Stealth Rock setter in the tier. Its great typing lets it check prominent Normal-, Flying-, Psychic-, Steel-, and Fairy-types, such as Kangaskhan, Archeops, Musharna, Klinklang, and Mega Audino. This is backed up by Steelix's titanic physical bulk, letting it take on any physical attacker without a super effective STAB move. Powerful STAB moves also complement Steelix's decent Attack stat to give it a threatening offensive presence. However, Steelix's special bulk is mediocre, especially uninvested, so it can't quite take on Pokemon such as offensive Mega Audino and Choice Specs Swellow without taking significant damage. Common weaknesses to Fire-, Fighting-, Ground-, and Water-type moves don't do Steelix any favors, either, and allow Pokemon Steelix typically checks to eliminate it with a special coverage move, such as Fire Blast Mega Audino and Mawile. Lastly, Steelix's exceedingly low Speed stat is a hindrance, leaving it outsped by most defensive Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Heavy Slam
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 244 HP / 136 Atk / 128 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steelix is one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier. Heavy Slam has high Base Power against most targets thanks to Steelix's high weight. Earthquake is a powerful and reliable Ground-type STAB move. Toxic cripples switch-ins such as Pelipper, Quagsire, and Rotom and most notably lets Steelix counter Musharna. Protect can be used to snag some Leftovers recovery, which also has the nifty use of restoring Sturdy after a switching into Stealth Rock, and lets Steelix scout Choice-locked attackers such as Sawk and Pyroar. Gyro Ball, with 0 Speed IVs and a Brave nature, is an alternate Steel-type STAB move that hits anything faster than fully invested, positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon harder than Heavy Slam but loses damage against anything slower than that, most notably Mega Audino. Roar can be used in the fourth moveslot, especially on hazard-stacking teams; it also lets Steelix phaze boosting threats such as Musharna and Malamar, the latter in an emergency situation. For more offensive variants, especially those using Sheer Force and Life Orb, Toxic can be replaced by Crunch for Rotom or Rock Slide for Mantine, Rotom-S, and Pelipper.
Set Details
========
The HP investment gives Steelix a Leftovers number, the Special Defense investment lets Steelix avoid the 2HKO from Tauros's Fire Blast, and the rest of the EVs are dumped into Attack with an Adamant nature to give Steelix much-needed power. A simple spread with maximum Attack also works fine for more power if Tauros isn't a concern. Leftovers gives Steelix much-needed passive recovery. Sturdy is this set's most useful ability, as it doesn't use any Sheer Force-boosted moves, and letting Steelix survive moves such as Pyroar's Fire Blast and Sawk's Close Combat from full health. Sheer Force with Life Orb, Iron Head, and a coverage option in the fourth moveslot is an option to make Steelix more offensively threatening.
Usage Tips
========
Use Steelix's great typing and good bulk to switch into the likes of Archeops, Kangaskhan, and Mesprit. Usually, set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible. However, if the opponent has Pelipper or Mantine, which can use Defog freely against Steelix, hit them with Toxic on the switch to gradually wear them down. After that, switch Steelix in and out as necessary, and dish out some damage to any switch-ins with its powerful STAB moves, or use Toxic against Pokemon that can handle Steelix's attacks, such as Quagsire and Ludicolo. Be mindful of switching Steelix into threats such as Swellow, Tauros, and Mega Audino, as being hit by a coverage move will leave Steelix unable to check them or their partners. Normal spam in particular is a potent strategy to be mindful of, as it quickly weakens Steelix and leaves it unable to check the Normal-types, so sacrificing a teammate or pivoting around is the best move if it is necessary to keep Steelix around. Keeping Sturdy intact can be useful in emergency situations to KO Pokemon such as Pyroar, Combusken, and Barbaracle.
Team Options
========
Steelix fits well in almost all archetypes, though it's most useful on balance and bulky offense. Water-types, such as Samurott and Lanturn, handle the Fire- and Water-types Steelix struggles with. Pelipper and Mantine in particular also check Fighting-types. Poison-types such as Vileplume, Roselia, Weezing, and Garbodor check Grass- and Fighting-types, and the former three also handle Ground-types. Any of the last three can also form an entry hazard-stacking core with Steelix, and Weezing paired with Steelix is a notable core for balance. General special sponges such as Assault Vest Hariyama and Magmortar, which also check Fire-types, complement Steelix well, and in return Steelix takes care of most physical attackers, in addition to Psychic-types for the former. Ghost-types such as the Gourgeist formes and Rotom can spinblock for Steelix if it's used on entry hazard-stacking teams. Fast revenge killers such as Sceptile and Swellow make up for Steelix's low Speed, and Steelix's Stealth Rock support helps to weaken their checks and counters.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Passho Berry or Chople Berry can be useful on teams weak to Water- and Fighting-types, respectively. Custap Berry takes advantage of Sturdy and Steelix's ability to take numerous hits to give it a last-ditch chance to set up Stealth Rock or attack the foe. A fast spread with 164 Speed EVs is an option to let Steelix outspeed base Speed 50 Pokemon, such as Vileplume and Hariyama, at the cost of bulk. Taunt can be run with the above spread to keep Pokemon such as Vileplume, Musharna, and Ferroseed from gaining back health or, in the latter's last one's case, setting up entry hazards. Holding Lum Berry and running Crunch messes with Rotom and helps against other Will-O-Wisp users. An Autotomize set with Sheer Force, holding Life Orb and running Iron Head, Earthquake, and one of Crunch, Fire Fang, and Rock Slide, can work as a wincon. Special Steelix with Earth Power, Flash Cannon, Stealth Rock, and either Dark Pulse for Rotom and Psychic-types or Thunder Fang for Pelipper and Mantine is a niche option to lure typical checks such as Weezing and Quagsire.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types, such as Samurott, resist Steelix's Steel-type STAB moves, usually have the bulk to stomach Earthquake, and can retaliate with their super effective STAB moves. Pelipper, Mantine, and Ludicolo also are immune to or resist Earthquake, making them particularly good switch-ins, and the former two can get rid of Stealth Rock with Defog. However, they all fear Toxic.
**Special Attackers**: Due to Steelix's mediocre Special Defense, special attackers such as Sceptile, Jynx, and Haunter can easily break through it. However, unless they can hit Steelix super effectively, they will often be unable to OHKO it while Steelix KOes them in return, though at the cost of losing a lot of HP.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Physically bulky Pokemon such as Vileplume, Weezing, and Torterra can easily take on Steelix's dual STAB moves, and, in the former two's cases, are immune to Toxic and KO back. Many of them dislike Toxic, though.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types can KO Steelix with their STAB moves, and the likes of Poliwrath and Gurdurr can switch in with ease. Physically frailer Fighting-types, such as Sawk, Primeape, and Hariyama, don't enjoy switching into Steelix, however.
**Rotom**: Rotom resists Steel and, thanks to Levitate, is immune to Earthquake, and in return it can burn Steelix and KO it with its Ghost STAB moves, making it a very good and common check. It does fear the occasional Crunch, though, and doesn't appreciate Toxic.
Last edited:
