Brock's Steelix

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Brock's Steelix
タケシのハガネール Takeshi's Haganeil
Bag Poké Ball SV Sprite.png
Brock Steelix.png
Brock's Steelix
Debuts in Showdown in Pewter City
Caught at Pewter City
Evolves in Prior to Grating Spaces
Gender Unknown*
Ability Unknown
Current location Pewter Gym
HOME095.png HOME208.png
This Pokémon spent at least 403 episodes as Onix.
Voice actor Japanese English
As Onix Unshō Ishizuka
As Steelix Unshō Ishizuka

Brock's Steelix (Japanese: タケシのハガネール Takeshi's Haganeil) was the first Pokémon acquired by Brock in the anime, and is his main battling Pokémon in both the anime and games.

In the anime

Kanto

Brock receiving Onix on his 10th birthday in the anime

Brock received Steelix as an Onix from his father, Flint, on his tenth birthday, as seen in a flashback in Having a Wailord of a Time. Onix was Brock's first Pokémon and has consistently been his strongest.

As an Onix, battling Ash's Pikachu

Onix was first seen during Brock's match with Ash at the Pewter Gym where it was used against Pikachu. Onix wasn't fazed by Pikachu's ThunderShocks because of its secondary Ground type, and was easily able to subdue Pikachu with a Bind. Ash decided to forfeit the match because he couldn't stand to see Pikachu in pain. Onix was also used in Brock's rematch with Ash where it battled Pikachu once again. This time Pikachu's newly learned Thunderbolt attack was actually able to cause damage to Onix, though it was still not enough to defeat it. Onix once again had Pikachu in a Bind until Brock told it to stop because Brock didn't want to hurt Pikachu. Eventually Pikachu's Thunderbolt set off the sprinklers, severely damaging Onix because of its severe weakness to water. Pikachu took Onix down with one final Thunderbolt, but Ash chose to forfeit. Brock decided to give Ash the Boulder Badge anyway, and then joined him on his journey, bringing Onix with him.

Forming a staircase to help Ash and Brock escape

Like most of Brock's Pokémon, Onix received very little screentime in comparison to the Pokémon of the other main characters. This may have been due to its massive size, although this came in handy when the trio were trapped in the upside down, sunken St. Anne in Pokémon Shipwreck. Onix was used as a bridge and ladder to allow the group to reach lower levels of the ship.

Onix and Brock in the race

Onix was sent out in an attempt to prevent Team Rocket escaping with a Moon Stone in Clefairy and the Moon Stone. It tunneled through ground and burst up to disrupt the escaping Team Rocket, and although it fought to a stalemate with Koffing, it held them up long enough for Ash and the others to arrive and save the day.

Onix was used as Brock's steed in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, during the big race. It managed to maintain second behind Dario and just ahead of a farmhand on a Rhyhorn. However, the race involved crossing a body of water, which the two Rock-type Pokémon were unable to cross, and Onix had to withdraw. Onix was noticeably upset by this, the only time it has been shown to weep.

In Who Gets To Keep Togepi?, Brock used Onix in the four way tournament, where it went up against Meowth. It seemed to outclass the tiny Normal-type Pokémon with Rock Throw, but Meowth was extremely determined after seeing Togepi, and managed to defeat Onix by splashing it with a watering can and then using Fury Swipes.

In Volcanic Panic, it helped stop the erupting volcano by helping Geodude, Blaine's Magmar, and Ash's Charizard and Pikachu clog the lava flow with boulders. Misty's Staryu and Ash's Squirtle bathed Onix in water to help keep it from overheating.

Brock used it in To Master the Onixpected! in an attempt to restrain a giant Onix, and in The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis, in an attempt to restrain a giant Gengar. It was absorbed into the ancient Pokémon just like Team Rocket, the scientists and Pidgeotto but reappeared at the end of the episode.

Johto

In Poké Ball Peril, Brock decided to remain at Professor Ivy's lab in the Orange Islands, and kept Onix with him. However, when Brock returned to the group in A Tents Situation, he brought Onix with him, as revealed in Roll On, Pokémon, where it lost a battle with a powerful Donphan.

Onix swatting Ash and Misty aside trying to dodge Totodile

In Sick Daze, it was revealed that Brock usually polished his Geodude and Onix as part of his Breeder duties. The dubious task of polishing Brock's Onix fell to Ash, who attempted to shorten his chore through use of his Totodile's Water Gun, which caused Onix to panic and earned Ash a reprimand from Misty. It was captured by Team Rocket, but is rescued by the arrival of Brock, Golbat and TP. It then used Rock Throw to send Team Rocket blasting off.

In Control Freak!, Jessie, in possession of an ancient Queen's mask and scepter, took control of Onix, along with Geodude and Pikachu. Team Rocket then beat a hasty retreat by ordering Onix to carry them out of the underground chambers. When Team Rocket fled, Onix was freed from the influence of the scepter. In Entei At Your Own Risk, Onix comically buried Psyduck in hot sand as it collapsed in the bed to relax. It later used its large, dense body to shield the group from Team Rocket's suction.

It had an impressive battle against Iron-Masked Marauder's Tyranitar in Celebi: Voice of the Forest, where it was battered but finally managed to defeat Tyranitar when Suicune intervened.

In the Christmas special, Onix was seen having a snowball fight with the rest of the Pokémon. It was later seen being used as a sled.

Hoenn & Kanto Battle Frontier

Brock ended up giving Onix and two of his other Pokémon to his eldest sibling, Forrest, who took on the role of Gym Leader at Pewter City while Brock went to Hoenn. When Brock returned to the gym in Grating Spaces, Onix had evolved into a Steelix under Forrest's care. Steelix was shown to have learned Iron Tail and a powerful DragonBreath attack during its time at the gym.

Diamond and Pearl

Steelix made an appearance in SS025, in which it was used by Forrest in a Gym battle against Nurse Joy.

Personality and characteristics

Brock and his Steelix

Like all of Brock's Pokémon, Onix received very little personality development whilst it was on-screen, which was quite low due to its enormous size. However, it is very loyal to Brock as his starter Pokémon and reflects his personality quite closely. Like Brock, Onix was very intimidating and serious in its debut appearance, mercilessly crushing Pikachu in obedience to its commands. Like Brock, its tough exterior hides a sensitive interior. Just as Brock gets emotional over women, Onix has been shown to be morbidly afraid of water. In the big race in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, Onix kept up a top three position until they hit a body of water and were forced to retire, causing it to cry in disappointment. When necessity forced it to expose itself to water when damning the Cinnabar volcano, it only permitted the tip of its tail to be soaked.

As a Steelix, its personality remains much the same. It was very happy to see Brock again and battled loyally alongside him.

Moves used

Brock Onix Rock Throw.png
Using Rock Throw
as an Onix
Brock Steelix Bind.png
Using Bind
Move First Used In
Tackle Showdown in Pewter City
Bind  Showdown in Pewter City
Dig Clefairy and the Moon Stone
Rock Throw Who Gets to Keep Togepi?
Sandstorm Entei at Your Own Risk
Slam A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!
Iron Tail  Grating Spaces!
DragonBreath  Grating Spaces!
A shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

In the games

Steelix, in both of its forms, has appeared in every game that Brock has appeared in, and is Brock's main Pokémon in each of those games.

Pokémon Red, Green and Blue

Spr 1b 095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Onix Lv.14
Tackle
Normal
Screech
Normal
Bide
Normal
Bind
Normal

Pokémon Yellow

Spr 1y 095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Onix Lv.12
Tackle
Normal
Screech
Normal
Bide
Normal
Bind
Normal

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Spr 2c 095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Held item:
None
Onix Lv.44
Bind
Normal
Rock Slide
Rock
Bide
Normal
Sandstorm
Rock

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Spr 3f 095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Ability:
Rock Head
Held item:
None
Onix Lv.14
Tackle
Normal
Bind
Normal
Harden
Normal
Rock Tomb
Rock

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

First battle

Spr 4h 095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Ability:
Sturdy
Held item:
Bag Sitrus Berry Sprite.png Sitrus Berry
Onix Lv.54
Rock Slide
Rock Physical
Iron Tail
Steel Physical
Sandstorm
Rock Status
Screech
Normal Status


Second battle

Spr 4h 095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Ability:
Sturdy
Held item:
Bag Sitrus Berry Sprite.png Sitrus Berry
Onix Lv.61
Stealth Rock
Rock Status
Rock Slide
Rock Physical
Rock Polish
Rock Status
Sandstorm
Rock Status


Pokémon Stadium

Round 1

095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Onix Lv.50
Bind
Normal
Toxic
Poison
Earthquake
Ground
Rock Slide
Rock

Round 2

095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Onix Lv.50
Bind
Normal
Rock Slide
Rock
Earthquake
Ground
Screech
Normal

Pokémon Stadium 2

Round 1

095.png
Types:
Rock Ground
Held item:
Quick Claw
Onix Lv.50
Bide
Normal
Strength
Normal
Rock Throw
Rock
Earthquake
Ground

Round 2

208.png
Types:
Steel Ground
Held item:
Scope Lens
Steelix Lv.50
Fissure
Ground
Return
Normal
Earthquake
Ground
Rock Slide
Rock

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Onix in Pokémon Adventures

Red challenges Brock's Onix during Onix is On! in a gym battle to gain the Boulder Badge. Red uses Pika to battle (his other two party Pokémon too tired from repeated use), but it is still angry with Red for capturing it, and ignored his commands. Onix first uses Rock Throw at Pika, which caused it to become even more annoyed, and it started shocking Red instead. Brock is infuriated that the one challenger he'd hoped to go all-out on seemed to have won his way through "dumb luck." He then revealed Onix's strongest move: using its body like a torpedo to gain momentum and hit Pika with Skull Bash. Red narrowly pushes Pika out of the way, and having decided to fight for him, the Pikachu uses a powerful electric attack on Onix, breaking apart the rocks that its body is composed of. In the end, Red seemed to have gotten Pika's trust, before using the handshake he offered to electrocute him in the outskirts of Pewter City.

Brock returns near the end of the Red, Green, & Blue arc when Onix's Tackle helps corner the Team Rocket Grunts who tried to flee from the Silph Co. building.

Brock would later use Onix to serve as a replacement bridge in the Tohjo Falls and in an exhibition match against Jasmine, where it was soundly defeated by her Steelix's higher defense.

Moves used

Brock Onix Rock Throw Adventures.png
Using Rock Throw
Move First Used In
Rock Throw Onix is On!
Skull Bash Onix is On!
Tackle The Winged Legends
Bind Heads On Kabutops!
A shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Since The Electric Tale of Pikachu is based on the anime, Onix appears in this manga in Ash and Brock's Gym battle in Play Misty For Me. It loses the battle.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Brock's Onix appears in Take Out The Rival Onix!!, in Isamu Akai's battle with Brock.

Moves used

File:Brock Onix Constrict PM.png
Using Constrict
Move First Used In
Constrict × Take Out The Rival Onix!!
An × shows that the move cannot be legitimately known by this Pokémon in the games.
A shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

Satoshi battles Brock's Onix in Nibi City. Satoshi uses his Charmander in the battle, and tells it to chop the horn-like part of Onix's head off. Onix is then defeated, and Satoshi wins the battle.

In the TCG

Brock and Onix

Brock's Steelix was featured in the TCG multiple times. The following is a list of cards named Brock's Onix.

Name Type Level Rarity Set Set no.
Brock's Onix Fighting 30 Rare Gym Heroes 21/132
Brock's Onix 41 Common 69/132

Trivia

  • Steelix is the first Pokémon of Ash's friends to evolve off-screen.

Related articles

For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Onix and Steelix.


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