• ℹ️ CARD INFORMATION
• ✨ ABILITIES
• ⚔️ ATTACKS
• 💰 LATEST PRICES

CARD INFORMATION

• SUBTYPES:
  • Stage 1
• HP: 200
• TYPES:
  • Metal
• EVOLVES FROM: Onix
• WEAKNESSES:
  • TYPE: Fire
  • VALUE: ×2
• RESISTANCES:
  • TYPE: Grass
  • VALUE: -30
• RETREATCOST:
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• RETREAT COST: 4
• RARITY: Illustration Rare
• REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

• NAME: Welcoming Tail
• COST:
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• ENERGY COST: 2
• DAMAGE: 40+
• DETAILS: If you have exactly 6 Prize cards remaining, this attack does 200 more damage.

• NAME: Skull Bash
• COST:
  • Metal
  • Metal
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• ENERGY COST: 4
• DAMAGE: 140
• DETAILS:

MARKET PRICES FOR STEELIX 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	99.99	USD
MID	16.09	USD	TREND
LOW	14.28	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Steelix brings the raw power of steel to the TCG battlefield with a strategic early-game nuclear option.

This Metal-type Stage 1 Pokémon packs a surprising punch under the right conditions, offering tournament players a potential first-turn knockout threat that opponents must respect or face devastating consequences.

Offensive rating: 7/10

Steelix features two distinct attacks with markedly different profiles.

Welcoming Tail starts reasonably at 40 damage for just two Colorless energy, but its conditional bonus is what makes it exceptional.

When you have all 6 Prize cards remaining (typically first or second turn), it skyrockets to 240 damage - enough to knock out many Basic and Stage 1 Pokémon immediately.

This creates a powerful early-game threat.

The secondary Skull Bash attack delivers a consistent 140 damage for four energy, which is serviceable but unspectacular by current competitive standards.

The high energy requirement makes it more of a backup option than a primary strategy.

Steelix excels at punishing unprepared opponents early but struggles to maintain offensive pressure as the game progresses.

Survival rating: 7/10

With 200 HP, Steelix stands as a formidable defender among Stage 1 Pokémon.

Its Metal typing grants it a valuable Grass resistance (-30 damage), helping it counter popular Grass attackers in the current meta.

However, its Fire weakness is potentially crippling in a format where Fire-type attackers are prevalent.

The most significant survival drawback is its massive 4-energy retreat cost, which leaves Steelix vulnerable to being trapped in the active position.

Without dedicated support cards to facilitate switching or retreat cost reduction, Steelix can become a liability once its initial surprise attack has been delivered.

Players must carefully plan their board state to avoid having Steelix stranded in a disadvantageous matchup.

Versatility rating: 5/10

Steelix suffers from limited versatility due to its highly specialized attack pattern.

Welcoming Tail is only effective at full power during the opening turns with all prize cards remaining, creating a narrow window of maximum effectiveness.

Beyond this initial opportunity, Steelix becomes significantly less impactful.

Its Metal typing does provide some helpful coverage against certain deck archetypes, particularly Grass-based strategies, but its Fire weakness leaves it vulnerable in other key matchups.

The card lacks supporting abilities or auxiliary effects that might contribute to broader strategic options.

Tournament players will find Steelix operates primarily as a specialized tech card rather than a versatile cornerstone for deck construction, limiting its flexibility across diverse competitive scenarios.

Speed/Setup rating: 8/10

As a Stage 1 Pokémon, Steelix requires evolving from Onix, creating an inherent setup challenge.

However, this evolution line benefits from being a relatively straightforward process in the current meta.

The critical factor for Steelix is its timing - to maximize Welcoming Tail, you need to evolve and attack while still having all 6 Prize cards.

This creates urgency to find both Onix and Steelix immediately, making search cards essential companions.

The primary attack requires only two Colorless energy, allowing for flexibility in energy acceleration and attachment.

The secondary attack demands four energy, making it much slower to set up and less practical in tournament play.

With the right support cards, Steelix can be battle-ready by turn 1 or 2, making it a reasonably fast option.

To maximize Steelixs early-game potential, focus on cards that accelerate its evolution and energy attachment.

Evolution incense, Rare Candy (if applicable with Onix), and cards that search Basic Pokémon are essential.

Energy acceleration cards that work with Metal or Colorless energy will ensure Steelix can attack immediately.

Also consider switch cards to address the crippling retreat cost.

Perfect Partners examples:

Steelix carves out a specific niche in the competitive landscape as a powerful first-strike specialist.

Its ability to potentially deliver 240 damage in the opening turns of the game makes it a legitimate threat that opponents must prepare for or risk falling immediately behind in the prize race.

However, this potency comes with clear limitations - once you've taken even a single prize card, Welcoming Tail loses its overwhelming power advantage.

The high retreat cost and mediocre secondary attack further restrict Steelix's long-term utility.

In tournament play, Steelix works best in decks designed to capitalize on early advantage, paired with cards that ensure consistent access to both the Basic and Stage 1 forms quickly.

Players should view Steelix as a specialized technical option rather than a deck centerpiece, ideal for formats where surprising opponents with early pressure can disrupt their strategy enough to secure victory through other means.

POWER INDEX

58