[OVERVIEW]
Onix is an LC staple thanks to its diverse set of abilities, key resistances, and role as a Stealth Rock setter. Its part Rock typing and high natural Speed and Defense make it a solid check to major threats like Vullaby and Ponyta. Its suite of abilities lets it wear many hats; with Weak Armor, it can be a potent revenge killer and force fast threats like Ponyta out, and with Rock Head alongside Dragon Dance, it can harness the power of Head Smash and become a devastating sweeper. Additionally, Sturdy and Berry Juice can make Onix a blanket check to threats in the metagame due to its durability. Despite these many great qualities, though, the metagame is rife with Onix checks, and Onix must beware the ever-present Arena Trap users, Trapinch and Diglett, as well as common Fighting-, Water-, Grass-, and Ground-types. Onix can also be a difficult team fit as an entry hazard setter that does not deal well with the tier's special attackers while struggling with the ubiquitous Mienfoo.
[SET]
name: Weak Armor
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion / Taunt
item: Eviolite
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Onix's most reliable move, threatening common Ground-weak Pokemon like Pawniard, Ponyta, and Mareanie while dealing decent damage to neutral foes. Rock Blast is the best Rock-type move thanks to the way the damage of multi-hit moves is calculated in LC, and it deals heavy damage to Vullaby, breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy on Pokemon like Abra and Dwebble, and wears down other Ground-immune Pokemon like Koffing. Stealth Rock provides crucial entry hazard support. Explosion doles out a massive hit and maintains offensive momentum in situations after Stealth Rock has been set when Onix is likely to be KOed, such as against Eviolite Diglett and Trapinch. Explosion can also often prevent Timburr from removing hazards with Defog. Taunt can prevent Timburr from using Defog, setup sweepers like Shellder from setting up, and bulkier Pokemon like Shellos from recovering.
Set Details
========
Weak Armor paired with Eviolite allows Onix to take a physical hit and threaten back with its boosted Speed. This Speed boost even allows it to beat some Choice Scarf and Shell Smash users, outspeed Ponyta after switching into a hit, and prevent Diglett trapping Onix following an opposing Vullaby's U-turn. Maximum Speed and Attack investment with a Jolly nature bolsters Onix's otherwise lackluster offensive presence while allowing it to always outspeed Vullaby and Pawniard and Speed tie with 17 Speed Pokemon like Drilbur, Chinchou, and Natu.
Usage Tips
========
Weak Armor Onix should be used to set Stealth Rock while being strategically deployed to check faster physical threats with Weak Armor boosts. This set is among the most effective offensive checks to Ponyta and physically offensive Vullaby, as it outspeeds Ponyta after taking an attack and Diglett after an opposing Vullaby U-turn; however, beware Ponyta's Will-O-Wisp. Onix can be used to strategically check physical sweepers like Shellder and Scraggy by baiting a move that will not KO it, such as Rock Blast or Knock Off, and revenge killing with its Weak Armor-boosted Speed. When faced with Defog Timburr attempting to remove Stealth Rock, you can sacrifice Onix with Explosion to heavily damage Timburr and deny its hazard removal.
Team Options
========
Weak Armor Onix fits well on many teams thanks to its ability to reliably check threats like Vullaby and Ponyta while providing revenge killing utility and entry hazard support. It partners well with Oddish and Ferroseed, as they switch into Water- and Ground-types well, as well as Timburr in Oddish's case, while Onix checks Vullaby and Ponyta for them. Mareanie checks Corphish and Timburr, and Spritzee is the most reliable Timburr check in the tier. Budew is noteworthy as a partner than can set Spikes on Defog Timburr. Finally, Vullaby can switch into bulky Ground-types like Mudbray and Grass-types like Oddish.
[SET]
name: Sturdy
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion / Taunt
item: Berry Juice
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake reliably damages Ponyta, Pawniard, and other Ground-weak Pokemon while hitting neutral foes for decent damage. Rock Blast takes advantage of the power of multi-hit moves in LC, hits Vullaby hard, and breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy on Pokemon like Abra and Dwebble. Stealth Rock supports offensive teams by pressuring and wearing down the opposing team's switch-ins. Explosion allows Onix to generate momentum after its Berry Juice has been used and heavily damages checks like Trapinch and Timburr while preventing them from healing or, in Timburr's case, using Defog. Against Mienfoo, Onix can use Explosion to prevent it from pivoting with U-turn and facilitate a Diglett trap. Dragon Dance is an option in tandem with Sturdy, as the ability makes Onix difficult to KO while it sets up, though it is limited by need to run Rock Blast over Head Smash. Taunt is an option to prevent foes from setting entry hazards or setting up. Endure is an option that lets Onix survive a hit and consume its Berry Juice, bringing it back to full health and reactivating Sturdy, which can be useful for revenge killing sweepers and stalling out sun turns.
Set Details
========
The combination of Sturdy and Berry Juice grants Onix multiple guaranteed turns of survivability to set Stealth Rock and potentially check offensive threats late-game. Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Onix to hit as hard as possible and outpace Vullaby and Pawniard, and the remaining investment in HP allows Onix to heal the maximum amount from Berry Juice.
Usage Tips
========
Sturdy Onix should be deployed early-game when opposing entry hazards are not set to best maintain its durability. This set can set guaranteed Stealth Rock against most opposing leads apart from hazard removers and should do so early and aggressively. Strong entry hazard control of your own can be used to preserve Onix as a check against opposing sweepers that may struggle to break though the combination of Berry Juice and Sturdy while Onix wears them down with its own attacks.
Team Options
========
Sturdy Onix fits best on team archetypes that need guaranteed Stealth Rock support such as offensive Sticky Web. Due to its weakness to Knock Off, Onix appreciates teammates like Foongus and Mareanie that can switch into common Knock Off users like Mienfoo and Timburr. Staryu removes opposing hazards and allows Onix to preserve its Sturdy while also leaving your own entry hazards up. This set is especially vulnerable to Vullaby's U-turn paired with an Arena Trap user, so it pairs well with another Flying-resistant Pokemon like Pawniard, although a second Fighting-weak Pokemon may strain your defensive core.
[SET]
name: Rock Head
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock / Explosion / Body Press
move 4: Dragon Dance / Explosion / Body Press
item: Eviolite
ability: Rock Head
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Head Smash is an incredibly powerful move that can obliterate frail neutral foes and OHKO most Vullaby. Earthquake is a reliable STAB move that hits Pawniard and Mareanie hard. Stealth Rock provides crucial entry hazard support and punishes foes for switching. Dragon Dance turns Onix into a threatening sweeper, taking advantage of the power of its STAB moves to beat teams without hefty checks. Explosion can be used to maintain offensive momentum in situations after Stealth Rock is set where Onix is likely to be KOed, such as against Eviolite and Air Balloon Diglett and Trapinch, and in tandem with Dragon Dance can be used to break physically defensive checks like Shellos and Mudbray for another sweeper. Body Press checks Porygon and Ferroseed, and it can limit Ferroseed's ability to check Onix when running Dragon Dance. Taunt is another option to inhibit certain setup sweepers like Iron Defense Vullaby.
Set Details
========
Rock Head allows Onix to use the incredibly powerful Head Smash without taking recoil damage, making it a stout check to Vullaby and a potent setup sweeper with Dragon Dance. Full investment in Attack and Speed maximizes Onix's offensive presence, and a Jolly nature ensures that Onix will always outspeed Pawniard and Vullaby.
Usage Tips
========
Rock Head Onix can check a variety of physically offensive threats and set Stealth Rock if running it, but it must be wary of switching into Ponyta, as High Horsepower will 2HKO it. This set should be used to aggressively check Nasty Plot Vullaby, as it can switch into any move and OHKO it with Head Smash. When running Dragon Dance, you should generally avoid setting up too early while checks like Trapinch and Timburr are healthy; instead, Onix can use Earthquake to wear down Timburr as it switches in to make a later sweep easier. Onix can set up with Dragon Dance well on Pokemon it forces out or that do not threaten it like Vullaby. Onix can use Explosion to damage Trapinch when trapped, but it must be wary of Protect.
Team Options
========
Rock Head Onix fits best on teams that need a hard Vullaby check or that enable it to sweep with Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance variants appreciate teammates that will pressure and wear down checks like Mudbray, Timburr, and Trapinch; Pawniard can draw in these Pokemon and remove their item with Knock Off. Mienfoo can remove items from bulky Pokemon like Foongus and Spritzee that Onix otherwise struggles to break through. Foongus, Ferroseed, and Shellos switch well into Ground-types and Corphish, which threaten Onix, and Mareanie also switches into Corphish well. Removing Corphish and Timburr is critical for Onix to sweep, as they will otherwise revenge kill it with Super Effective priority. Corphish itself has solid synergy with Onix, as it can KO and set up on Ground-types and remove items with Knock Off to facilitate Onix's sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
High Horsepower is a replacement for Earthquake on teams with Grookey, as its damage is not reduced by Grassy Terrain, although the reduced damage otherwise is noticeable. Stone Edge is an option on Weak Armor and Sturdy Onix to more reliably OHKO standard Vullaby, though it falls short against Eviolite variants. Life Orb allows Rock Head Onix to hit hard enough to surprise and overwhelm would-be checks, though it greatly sacrifices durability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Mienfoo's exceptional physical bulk and Regenerator allow it to come into Onix repeatedly and threaten it out with High Jump Kick or make progress with Knock Off or U-turn. Timburr resists Rock Blast and Head Smash, can KO Onix with Drain Punch while keeping itself healthy, and can remove Stealth Rock with Defog. Mach Punch also threatens weakened Dragon Dance and Weak Armor Onix. Timburr can be worn down by repeatedly switching into Earthquake, though, and Onix can both KO a weakened Timburr and deny Defog with Explosion.
**Arena Trap Users**: Diglett and especially Trapinch can trap and KO Onix. Onix must beware switching into Vullaby's U-turn if either Arena Trap user is on the opposing team, although Weak Armor can prevent Diglett from KOing Onix. Trapinch switches into any attack from Onix with relative ease and can both keep itself healthy and KO Onix with Giga Drain.
**Bulky Grass-, Water-, and Ground-types**: A variety of bulky Pokemon take hits from Onix well while threatening to KO it with their own STAB moves, including Foongus, Ferroseed, Shellos, Frillish, and Mudbray. Each of these Pokemon, however, can be overwhelmed through switching into Onix repeatedly, having their Eviolites removed, and Dragon Dance boosts. Staryu can remove Onix's entry hazards and outspeed and KO it with ease. Shellder is noteworthy because it takes little damage from Onix's moves and can set up with Shell Smash, though Weak Armor Onix can survive a boosted Icicle Spear with Endure and revenge kill it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[KSG, 32350]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fiend, 208173], [Stoward, 420389], [Nineage, 195129]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Onix is an LC staple thanks to its diverse set of abilities, key resistances, and role as a Stealth Rock setter. Its part Rock typing and high natural Speed and Defense make it a solid check to major threats like Vullaby and Ponyta. Its suite of abilities lets it wear many hats; with Weak Armor, it can be a potent revenge killer and force fast threats like Ponyta out, and with Rock Head alongside Dragon Dance, it can harness the power of Head Smash and become a devastating sweeper. Additionally, Sturdy and Berry Juice can make Onix a blanket check to threats in the metagame due to its durability. Despite these many great qualities, though, the metagame is rife with Onix checks, and Onix must beware the ever-present Arena Trap users, Trapinch and Diglett, as well as common Fighting-, Water-, Grass-, and Ground-types. Onix can also be a difficult team fit as an entry hazard setter that does not deal well with the tier's special attackers while struggling with the ubiquitous Mienfoo.
[SET]
name: Weak Armor
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion / Taunt
item: Eviolite
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Onix's most reliable move, threatening common Ground-weak Pokemon like Pawniard, Ponyta, and Mareanie while dealing decent damage to neutral foes. Rock Blast is the best Rock-type move thanks to the way the damage of multi-hit moves is calculated in LC, and it deals heavy damage to Vullaby, breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy on Pokemon like Abra and Dwebble, and wears down other Ground-immune Pokemon like Koffing. Stealth Rock provides crucial entry hazard support. Explosion doles out a massive hit and maintains offensive momentum in situations after Stealth Rock has been set when Onix is likely to be KOed, such as against Eviolite Diglett and Trapinch. Explosion can also often prevent Timburr from removing hazards with Defog. Taunt can prevent Timburr from using Defog, setup sweepers like Shellder from setting up, and bulkier Pokemon like Shellos from recovering.
Set Details
========
Weak Armor paired with Eviolite allows Onix to take a physical hit and threaten back with its boosted Speed. This Speed boost even allows it to beat some Choice Scarf and Shell Smash users, outspeed Ponyta after switching into a hit, and prevent Diglett trapping Onix following an opposing Vullaby's U-turn. Maximum Speed and Attack investment with a Jolly nature bolsters Onix's otherwise lackluster offensive presence while allowing it to always outspeed Vullaby and Pawniard and Speed tie with 17 Speed Pokemon like Drilbur, Chinchou, and Natu.
Usage Tips
========
Weak Armor Onix should be used to set Stealth Rock while being strategically deployed to check faster physical threats with Weak Armor boosts. This set is among the most effective offensive checks to Ponyta and physically offensive Vullaby, as it outspeeds Ponyta after taking an attack and Diglett after an opposing Vullaby U-turn; however, beware Ponyta's Will-O-Wisp. Onix can be used to strategically check physical sweepers like Shellder and Scraggy by baiting a move that will not KO it, such as Rock Blast or Knock Off, and revenge killing with its Weak Armor-boosted Speed. When faced with Defog Timburr attempting to remove Stealth Rock, you can sacrifice Onix with Explosion to heavily damage Timburr and deny its hazard removal.
Team Options
========
Weak Armor Onix fits well on many teams thanks to its ability to reliably check threats like Vullaby and Ponyta while providing revenge killing utility and entry hazard support. It partners well with Oddish and Ferroseed, as they switch into Water- and Ground-types well, as well as Timburr in Oddish's case, while Onix checks Vullaby and Ponyta for them. Mareanie checks Corphish and Timburr, and Spritzee is the most reliable Timburr check in the tier. Budew is noteworthy as a partner than can set Spikes on Defog Timburr. Finally, Vullaby can switch into bulky Ground-types like Mudbray and Grass-types like Oddish.
[SET]
name: Sturdy
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion / Taunt
item: Berry Juice
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake reliably damages Ponyta, Pawniard, and other Ground-weak Pokemon while hitting neutral foes for decent damage. Rock Blast takes advantage of the power of multi-hit moves in LC, hits Vullaby hard, and breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy on Pokemon like Abra and Dwebble. Stealth Rock supports offensive teams by pressuring and wearing down the opposing team's switch-ins. Explosion allows Onix to generate momentum after its Berry Juice has been used and heavily damages checks like Trapinch and Timburr while preventing them from healing or, in Timburr's case, using Defog. Against Mienfoo, Onix can use Explosion to prevent it from pivoting with U-turn and facilitate a Diglett trap. Dragon Dance is an option in tandem with Sturdy, as the ability makes Onix difficult to KO while it sets up, though it is limited by need to run Rock Blast over Head Smash. Taunt is an option to prevent foes from setting entry hazards or setting up. Endure is an option that lets Onix survive a hit and consume its Berry Juice, bringing it back to full health and reactivating Sturdy, which can be useful for revenge killing sweepers and stalling out sun turns.
Set Details
========
The combination of Sturdy and Berry Juice grants Onix multiple guaranteed turns of survivability to set Stealth Rock and potentially check offensive threats late-game. Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Onix to hit as hard as possible and outpace Vullaby and Pawniard, and the remaining investment in HP allows Onix to heal the maximum amount from Berry Juice.
Usage Tips
========
Sturdy Onix should be deployed early-game when opposing entry hazards are not set to best maintain its durability. This set can set guaranteed Stealth Rock against most opposing leads apart from hazard removers and should do so early and aggressively. Strong entry hazard control of your own can be used to preserve Onix as a check against opposing sweepers that may struggle to break though the combination of Berry Juice and Sturdy while Onix wears them down with its own attacks.
Team Options
========
Sturdy Onix fits best on team archetypes that need guaranteed Stealth Rock support such as offensive Sticky Web. Due to its weakness to Knock Off, Onix appreciates teammates like Foongus and Mareanie that can switch into common Knock Off users like Mienfoo and Timburr. Staryu removes opposing hazards and allows Onix to preserve its Sturdy while also leaving your own entry hazards up. This set is especially vulnerable to Vullaby's U-turn paired with an Arena Trap user, so it pairs well with another Flying-resistant Pokemon like Pawniard, although a second Fighting-weak Pokemon may strain your defensive core.
[SET]
name: Rock Head
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock / Explosion / Body Press
move 4: Dragon Dance / Explosion / Body Press
item: Eviolite
ability: Rock Head
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Head Smash is an incredibly powerful move that can obliterate frail neutral foes and OHKO most Vullaby. Earthquake is a reliable STAB move that hits Pawniard and Mareanie hard. Stealth Rock provides crucial entry hazard support and punishes foes for switching. Dragon Dance turns Onix into a threatening sweeper, taking advantage of the power of its STAB moves to beat teams without hefty checks. Explosion can be used to maintain offensive momentum in situations after Stealth Rock is set where Onix is likely to be KOed, such as against Eviolite and Air Balloon Diglett and Trapinch, and in tandem with Dragon Dance can be used to break physically defensive checks like Shellos and Mudbray for another sweeper. Body Press checks Porygon and Ferroseed, and it can limit Ferroseed's ability to check Onix when running Dragon Dance. Taunt is another option to inhibit certain setup sweepers like Iron Defense Vullaby.
Set Details
========
Rock Head allows Onix to use the incredibly powerful Head Smash without taking recoil damage, making it a stout check to Vullaby and a potent setup sweeper with Dragon Dance. Full investment in Attack and Speed maximizes Onix's offensive presence, and a Jolly nature ensures that Onix will always outspeed Pawniard and Vullaby.
Usage Tips
========
Rock Head Onix can check a variety of physically offensive threats and set Stealth Rock if running it, but it must be wary of switching into Ponyta, as High Horsepower will 2HKO it. This set should be used to aggressively check Nasty Plot Vullaby, as it can switch into any move and OHKO it with Head Smash. When running Dragon Dance, you should generally avoid setting up too early while checks like Trapinch and Timburr are healthy; instead, Onix can use Earthquake to wear down Timburr as it switches in to make a later sweep easier. Onix can set up with Dragon Dance well on Pokemon it forces out or that do not threaten it like Vullaby. Onix can use Explosion to damage Trapinch when trapped, but it must be wary of Protect.
Team Options
========
Rock Head Onix fits best on teams that need a hard Vullaby check or that enable it to sweep with Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance variants appreciate teammates that will pressure and wear down checks like Mudbray, Timburr, and Trapinch; Pawniard can draw in these Pokemon and remove their item with Knock Off. Mienfoo can remove items from bulky Pokemon like Foongus and Spritzee that Onix otherwise struggles to break through. Foongus, Ferroseed, and Shellos switch well into Ground-types and Corphish, which threaten Onix, and Mareanie also switches into Corphish well. Removing Corphish and Timburr is critical for Onix to sweep, as they will otherwise revenge kill it with Super Effective priority. Corphish itself has solid synergy with Onix, as it can KO and set up on Ground-types and remove items with Knock Off to facilitate Onix's sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
High Horsepower is a replacement for Earthquake on teams with Grookey, as its damage is not reduced by Grassy Terrain, although the reduced damage otherwise is noticeable. Stone Edge is an option on Weak Armor and Sturdy Onix to more reliably OHKO standard Vullaby, though it falls short against Eviolite variants. Life Orb allows Rock Head Onix to hit hard enough to surprise and overwhelm would-be checks, though it greatly sacrifices durability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Mienfoo's exceptional physical bulk and Regenerator allow it to come into Onix repeatedly and threaten it out with High Jump Kick or make progress with Knock Off or U-turn. Timburr resists Rock Blast and Head Smash, can KO Onix with Drain Punch while keeping itself healthy, and can remove Stealth Rock with Defog. Mach Punch also threatens weakened Dragon Dance and Weak Armor Onix. Timburr can be worn down by repeatedly switching into Earthquake, though, and Onix can both KO a weakened Timburr and deny Defog with Explosion.
**Arena Trap Users**: Diglett and especially Trapinch can trap and KO Onix. Onix must beware switching into Vullaby's U-turn if either Arena Trap user is on the opposing team, although Weak Armor can prevent Diglett from KOing Onix. Trapinch switches into any attack from Onix with relative ease and can both keep itself healthy and KO Onix with Giga Drain.
**Bulky Grass-, Water-, and Ground-types**: A variety of bulky Pokemon take hits from Onix well while threatening to KO it with their own STAB moves, including Foongus, Ferroseed, Shellos, Frillish, and Mudbray. Each of these Pokemon, however, can be overwhelmed through switching into Onix repeatedly, having their Eviolites removed, and Dragon Dance boosts. Staryu can remove Onix's entry hazards and outspeed and KO it with ease. Shellder is noteworthy because it takes little damage from Onix's moves and can set up with Shell Smash, though Weak Armor Onix can survive a boosted Icicle Spear with Endure and revenge kill it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[KSG, 32350]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fiend, 208173], [Stoward, 420389], [Nineage, 195129]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Last edited: