
| HIGH | 4.99 | USD | |
| MID | 0.16 | USD | TREND![]() |
| LOW | 0.01 | USD |
Steelix emerges as a formidable Metal-type Stage 1 Pokémon with a remarkable 200 HP and a potential game-changing attack.
This iron snake combines substantial bulk with conditional explosive damage, making it both a tank and a potential threat.
But does this massive Steel-type have what it takes to stand tall in the current competitive landscape, or will it be too slow to make an impact when it matters most?
Offensive rating: 7/10Steelix packs two distinct attacks that offer different strategic value.
Welcoming Tail requires only two Colorless energy and deals a base 40 damage, but the real power comes from its conditional bonus - a massive 240 damage if you have exactly 6 Prize cards remaining.
This first-turn nuke potential is remarkable but extremely situational, as it only works at the very start of the game.
Skull Bash delivers a more consistent 140 damage for four energy (including two Metal), which translates to a moderate 35 damage per energy investment.
The lack of additional effects on Skull Bash reduces its overall utility, and the high energy requirement means you'll need significant energy acceleration to make it viable beyond the early game Welcoming Tail opportunity.
Survival rating: 8/10With a substantial 200 HP, Steelix immediately positions itself as one of the bulkier Stage 1 Pokémon in the format.
Its Grass resistance (-30) provides additional protection against popular threats, effectively increasing its functional HP against those matchups.
The Metal typing grants it access to Metal-specific support cards that can further enhance its defensive capabilities.
However, Steelix suffers from a crippling Fire weakness (×2), which leaves it extremely vulnerable in a format where Fire-type attackers are prevalent.
Additionally, its hefty four-energy retreat cost severely hampers its mobility, potentially leaving it stranded in the active position when you need to pivot.
Without built-in defensive abilities, Steelix relies purely on its raw HP for survival.
Versatility rating: 5/10Steelix offers limited versatility in competitive play.
Its primary strength lies in its ability to threaten a massive first-turn attack with Welcoming Tail, but this one-dimensional strategy becomes predictable and loses value after prize trades begin.
As a Stage 1, it requires Onix in your deck, adding consistency challenges.
The Metal typing does provide compatibility with Metal-specific support cards and engines, offering some deck-building flexibility.
However, the high energy requirements for sustained attacking and the lack of utility abilities restrict Steelix's role versatility.
It cannot easily transition between attacker and support roles, and its effectiveness diminishes significantly after the opening game state changes.
Speed/Setup rating: 5/10Steelix faces significant setup challenges that impact its competitive viability.
As a Stage 1, it requires finding and playing Onix first, then evolving on a subsequent turn unless acceleration effects are used.
The two-energy cost for Welcoming Tail is reasonably accessible, allowing for first-turn attacks with energy acceleration support.
However, Skull Bash demands four energy, including two Metal-specific energy, creating a substantial setup burden that typically requires multiple turns or specialized energy acceleration.
The high retreat cost further compounds these issues, as repositioning Steelix requires either Switch cards or paying a prohibitive four-energy retreat.
This combination of evolution requirements and energy demands results in a Pokémon that can be clunky to deploy effectively.
Steelix benefits tremendously from energy acceleration partners to power up its attacks quickly.
Metal-type support Pokémon that provide energy attachment or damage modification synergize well with its typing.
Additionally, search cards that help find Onix and Steelix consistently are essential to maximize the early-game Welcoming Tail opportunity.
Switch cards or retreat-cost reducers help overcome its mobility limitations.
Bronzong with Metal Links ability allows you to attach Metal Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon, addressing Steelix's heavy energy requirements and accelerating setup for Skull Bash.
Switch cards counteract Steelix's massive four-energy retreat cost, providing crucial mobility that lets you pivot away from unfavorable matchups and avoid being stranded in the active position.
Rare Candy enables evolution directly from Basic Onix to Steelix, bypassing the usual evolution waiting period and allowing you to capitalize on the early-game Welcoming Tail attack before prize trades begin.
Steelix presents an intriguing package that shines brightest in the early game but struggles with consistency and sustained impact.
Its tremendous 200 HP and potential first-turn nuke with Welcoming Tail make it a legitimate threat right out of the gate, but this narrow window of opportunity limits its broader effectiveness.
The card suffers from high energy costs, evolution requirements, and mobility issues that hamper its competitive viability beyond specific scenarios.
To maximize Steelix's potential, focus on energy acceleration, evolution consistency, and mobility solutions.
Consider it as a tech option in Metal-focused decks where you can leverage its typing advantages and potentially surprise opponents with early pressure.
While not likely to dominate the competitive landscape, Steelix can still serve as a powerful situational attacker in the right deck construction with proper support.
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