Brock's Steelix

Brock's Steelix タケシのハガネール Takeshi's Haganeil

Brock's Steelix

Debuts in Showdown in Pewter City Caught at Pewter City Evolves in Prior to Grating Spaces! Gender Male* Ability Rock Head* Current location Pewter Gym

→ This Pokémon spent at least 403 episodes as Onix.

Voice actor Japanese English As Onix Unshō Ishizuka Unshō Ishizuka (main series) Keith Silverstein (Origins) 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

History

Original series

Kanto

Brock receiving Steelix as an 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

Onix was first seen during Brock's match with Ash at the Pewter Gym where it was used against Pikachu in Showdown in Pewter City. Onix wasn't fazed by Pikachu's Thunder Shocks 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.

Orange Islands

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 Tent Situation, he brought Onix with him, as revealed in Roll On, Pokémon!, where it lost a battle with a powerful Donphan.

Johto

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 was rescued by the arrival of Brock, Golbat and Pineco. 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.

In Pokemon 4Ever, Onix was used to battle the Iron-Masked Marauder's Dark Tyranitar when it attempted to attack Suicune, but despite its notable size advantage, it took a fair amount of damage before it and Suicune were able to work together, Suicune weakening Dark Tyranitar before Onix threw it into the nearby lake.

In A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!, Onix was used in a battle against Brock's mother and her Mantine in order to decide if the Pewter City Gym will become a Water-type gym. Onix appears at a disadvantage, perched on a tiny island of rock in the middle of the lake. However, Onix leaps straight up, then dives down into its perch, starting out with Dig. With the rock is destroyed, water floods into the new tunnel, which drains all of the water in the lake. Mantine flaps around, unable to move anywhere. Onix comes up underneath it which, while causing damage, allows Mantine to fly. It then launches a Bubble Beam, which Onix counters with Bind. Lola tries to get Mantine to use Confuse Ray, but it fails. However, another Bubble Beam does work. Onix lets go of Mantine, who goes into a third Bubble Beam, but Onix defeats Mantine with Slam, allowing the Pewter Gym to remain a Rock-only Gym.

Advanced Generation series

Hoenn

With Ash's Donphan

Brock ended up lending 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.

Kanto Battle Frontier

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 Dragon Breath attack during its time at the Gym. It was used in a Double Battle with Ash and his Donphan against Jessie, James, and their newly obtained Charizard and Aggron. The battle started out rough with Steelix being hit by Charizard's powerful Flamethrower. Donphan saved Steelix by attacking Charizard but was pushed back by Aggron's Mega Punch and Hyper Beam. Donphan continued to attack Charizard but was hit hard with Aggron's Water Pulse. Steelix then countered another Flamethrower with an Iron Tail and launched Donphan into the air over Aggron's Water Pulse. Donphan used the momentum to land a devastating Take Down attack on Aggron. The battle was stopped after Forrest discovered it was Team Rocket they were battling.

Diamond & Pearl series

Steelix made an appearance in SS025, in which it was called out by Forrest to have a Gym battle against Nurse Joy. However, at the time Nurse Joy refused to battle anyone but Brock or Flint.

Personality and characteristics

Brock and his Steelix

Like all of Brock's Pokémon, Onix received very little personality development while it was on-screen, which was not often, most likely due to its 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 damming 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

Using Rock Throw as an Onix 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! Dragon Breath † 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 Pokémon Origins

Brock's Onix in Pokémon Origins

Onix was the second Pokémon Brock used during his Gym battle against Red in the Pokémon Origins episode File 1: Red. At first, it took massive and almost fatal damage from Red's Nidoran♂'s Double Kick, but was then able to defeat it with Bide. It then proceeded in defeating also Red's Spearow, Rattata, and Metapod in a quick succession, although the last managed to land a String Shot on it before being defeated. Red was left with only Charmander, and as it had also been significantly weakened while battling Brock's Geodude, both Trainers knew that the first one to land a hit on the opponent would win. Thanks to Onix's speed having been reduced by Metapod's String Shot, Charmander was able to outspeed the Rock Snake Pokémon and strike it with Scratch, defeating it and giving Red the victory.

Moves used

Using Bide	Move First Used In Bide File 1: Red Tackle File 1: Red
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 either 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 and Blue	Pokémon Yellow	Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal	Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.14 Tackle Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Bide Normal   --       Bind Normal   --	Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.12 Tackle Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Bide Normal   --       Bind Normal   --	Types: Rock Ground Held item: None Onix♂ Lv.44 Bind Normal   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Bide Normal   --       Sandstorm Rock   --	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		Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Pokémon World Tournament
Gym battle	Fighting Dojo rematch	Kanto Leaders Tournament	Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament
Types: Rock Ground Ability: Sturdy Held item: Sitrus Berry Onix♂ Lv.54 Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Iron Tail Steel Physical   --       Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Screech Normal Status   --	Types: Rock Ground Ability: Sturdy Held item: Sitrus Berry Onix♂ Lv.61 Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Rock Polish Rock Status   --       Sandstorm Rock Status   --	Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head or Sturdy Held item: Salac Berry Onix♂/♀ Lv.50 Sand Tomb Ground Physical   --       Protect Normal Status   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Sandstorm Rock Status   --	Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head or Sturdy Held item: Eviolite Onix♂/♀ Lv.50 Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Iron Head Steel Physical   --       Sandstorm Rock Status   --
Pokémon Stadium		Pokémon Stadium 2
Round 1	Round 2	Round 1	Round 2
Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.50-100 Bind Normal   --       Toxic Poison   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Rock Slide Rock   --	Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.50-100 Bind Normal   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Screech Normal   --	Types: Rock Ground Held item: Quick Claw Onix♂ Lv.50-100 Bide Normal   --       Strength Normal   --       Rock Throw Rock   --       Earthquake Ground   --	Types: Steel Ground Held item: Scope Lens Steelix♂ Lv.50-100 Fissure Ground   --       Return Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Rock Slide Rock   --

In the manga

Onix in the Ash & Pikachu manga

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

Brock's Steelix debuted as an Onix in After the Missing Rucksack!! of the Ash & Pikachu manga.

In the movie adaptations

Steelix appeared as an Onix in Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei and Celebi: a Timeless Encounter.

Moves used

	Move First Used In Tackle Celebi: a Timeless Encounter
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 Adventures manga

Onix in Pokémon Adventures

Red, Green & Blue arc

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.

Onix returns in The Winged Legends, using Tackle to help corner the Team Rocket Grunts who tried to flee from Saffron City.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

Brock would later use Onix in Chinchou in Charge to serve as a replacement bridge in the Tohjo Falls. Onix collapsed when they were all attacked by a large group of Zubat, Golbat and Crobat. Onix was used again in Capital Kabutops, in an exhibition match against Jasmine and her Steelix, wearing a layer of rock over its steel body, causing everyone to believe it was an Onix. As the two constrict each other, Onix takes damage due to Steelix's much harder body and Steelix's outer coating began to chip and fall off. Exposed as being a fraud, Steelix broke out of its disguise and revealed itself to be Steelix. Onix is then quickly taken down by Steelix's Crunch.

Moves used

Using Tackle	Move First Used In Rock Throw Onix is On! Skull Bash Onix is On! Tackle The Winged Legends Bind Capital 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

Onix in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

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. It later fought a losing battle with the Black Fog.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

Brock's Onix only appeared as a silhouette in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure along with its Trainer.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Onix in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Brock's Onix appears in Bring Down the Powerful Opponent Onix!!, in Red's battle with Brock. After witnessing Green and his Charmander being tossed out of the Gym, Clefairy was initially too afraid to face Onix in battle and had attempted to flee, but later gained courage to fight after learning that his cousin Pikachu was part of Brock's collection, which infuriated Clefairy. During the battle, Clefairy tried to use an assortment of tricks to win the battle, which only prolonged the fight. Eventually Clefairy leads Onix around a ceiling column, trapping Onix as it becomes entangled around it. Onix manages to free itself and attempts to crush Clefairy by wrapping its tail around him, but stops after Clefairy cunningly draws his picture onto Onix's tail, which confuses Onix and causes it to chase after its own tail. This makes Onix dizzy, and Clefairy knocks it out by smashing the fallen pillar onto its head, thus winning the battle.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

Onix in Pokémon Zensho

Satoshi battled Brock's Onix in Pewter City. Satoshi used his Charmander in the battle, and told it to chop the horn-like part of Onix's head off. Onix was then defeated, and Satoshi won the battle.

Moves used

Using Tackle	Move First Used In Tackle Pewter City
A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Brock's Onix in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Brock's Onix		Gym Heroes		21/132	Nivi City Gym
Brock's Onix		Gym Heroes		69/132	Leaders' Stadium

Trivia

• Steelix is the first Pokémon belonging to one of Ash's friends to evolve off-screen.
• Steelix used to hold the record for longest time to evolve, but the record was broken by Ash's Cyndaquil

Related articles

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

Brock's Pokémon
On hand:	Steelix	Forretress	Ludicolo	Marshtomp	Croagunk	Blissey
At Pewter Gym / Home:	Geodude	Crobat	Sudowoodo	Comfey
Returned:	Vulpix
Caught for someone else:	Tauros
Temporary:	Hoothoot	Totodile	Ninetales	Shiftry	Staravia	Torterra
	Aipom	Magnemite	Onix	Feraligatr
Befriended:	Uxie
Ride Pokémon:	Charizard
Adventures only:	Kabutops	Graveler
Electric Tale only:	Golem	Vileplume
Pocket Monsters only:	Pikachu

This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.