
Steelix
Our favorite and only giant steel snake is back this gen with a few new toys at its disposal. This thread is dedicated to the discussion of its competitive merit.
Code:
[B]#208 Steelix[/B]
Typing: Steel / Ground
Ability 1:[INDENT]Rock Head
Does not take recoil damage from moves that cause recoil. Does not apply to Life Orb.
[/INDENT][INDENT]Sturdy
OHKO moves do not affect this pokemon. Additionally, this pokemon will always survive with at least 1HP when hit by any move at 100% health.
[/INDENT][INDENT]Encourage (Dream World)
Moves that have secondary effects are increased in power but no longer cause their secondary effect.
[/INDENT]HP: 75
Atk: 85
Def: 200
SpA: 55
SDef: 65
Spd: 30
[B]Level-up Moves:[/B]
Lv1: Thunder Fang
Lv1: Ice Fang
Lv1: Fire Fang
Lv1: Mud Sport
Lv1: Tackle
Lv1: Harden
Lv1: Bind
Lv6: Screech
Lv9: Rock Throw
Lv14: Rage
Lv17: Rock Tomb
Lv22: Strike Down
Lv25: Sandstorm
Lv30: Body Purge
Lv33: Slam
Lv38: Stealth Rock
Lv41: Dragonbreath
Lv46: Curse
Lv49: Iron Tail
Lv54: Crunch
Lv57: Double-Edge
Lv62: Stone Edge
Strike Down: Physical Rock PP:15 / Power: 50 / Acc: 100
Makes Flying types susceptible to Ground attacks.
Body Purge: Sharply raises speed.
[B]TM Moves: [/B]
TM05 - Roar
TM06 - Toxic
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM11 - Sunny Day
TM12 - Taunt
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM21 - Frustration
TM23 - Strike Down
TM26 - Earthquake
TM27 - Return
TM28 - Dig
TM32 - Double Team
TM37 - Sandstorm
TM39 - Rock Tomb
TM41 - Torment
TM42 - Facade
TM44 - Rest
TM45 - Attract
TM48 - Troll
TM64 - Explosion
TM66 - Payback
TM68 - Giga Impact
TM69 - Rock Polish
TM71 - Stone Edge
TM74 - Gyro Ball
TM77 - Psych Up
TM78 - Smooth Over
TM80 - Rock Slide
TM82 - Dragon Tail
TM87 - Swagger
TM90 - Substitute
TM91 - Flash Cannon
TM94 - Rock Smash
HM01 - Cut
HM04 - Strength
Dragon Tail: Physical Dragon PP: 10 / Power: 60 / Acc: 90
Forces the opponent to switch.
Smooth Over: Physical Ground PP: 20 / Power: 60 / Acc: 100
May decrease the opponent's speed by 1 level.
[B]Egg Moves:[/B]
Flail
Block
Defense Curl
Rollout
Rock Blast
Rock Climb
Heavy Bomber
Stealth Rock
Heavy Bomber: Physical Steel PP: 10 / Power: -- / Acc: 100
Power depends on user's weight.
- Sturdy Prevents Being OHKO'd by Any Attack
This means that at 100%, it doesn't have to worry about investing in a great deal of special defense in order to survive a hit. It can if it wants to sponge special attacks, but it is essentially free to invest in other stats now. Furthermore, Steelix 4x resists SR, meaning that switching in will not break Sturdy's effects while running leftovers. - Encourage
With this, Steelix's attacking power gains a much needed boost. Although the amount boosted is yet unknown, things like Elemental Fangs, Rock Slide, and Iron Tail gain a power boost. - New Attacks
Heavy Bomber, Strike Down, and Dragon Tail fit wonderfully with Steelix's general role. Heavy Bomber looks set to make fantastic use of Steelix's massive weight, while Dragon Tail is especially handy for absorbing Outrages and Phazing dragons. - It's still slow as shit and dies to most special attacks and even some physical attacks now. Plus it's attacking capabilities are "lol Steelix."
Not much needs to be explained here.
Steelix @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Nature: Sassy (+SDef, -Spd)
~ Earthquake
~ Stealth Rock
~ Strike Down / Stone Edge
~ Explosion / Roar / Dragon Tail
All-purpose wall, SR user, and Phazer. I do not see this role changing much this gen.
Steelix @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Nature: Brave (+Atk, -Spd)
~ Curse
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Explosion / Fire Fang / Gyro Ball / Heavy Bomber (depending on which is more powerful)
Curse Steelix makes a return, but with a couple of new toys to play with. Because he now has the cushion of Sturdy, he can forgo the SDef and instead max out on Atk. Max Atk with a boosting nature allows Steelix to OHKO LO Starmie after SR after a Curse. Stone Edge is for general coverage, whereas the last move depends on what you want to hit.
What do you think? Do the changes this gen allow Steelix to become viable in the main stage or will he remain UU?