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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Find Onix in Wild Zone 14. To evolve it into Steelix, have it hold a Metal Coat and trade it to another player; the trade triggers the evolution. Onix does not evolve by leveling up.
Where to find Onix
Onix is listed in Wild Zone 14. Go there and catch one before looking for a Metal Coat. Nintendo Life’s Pokémon locations and evolution guide lists the zone for Onix.
How to evolve Onix into Steelix
- Obtain a Metal Coat using one of the routes below.
- Give the Metal Coat to Onix to hold.
- Trade Onix to another player. When the trade completes, Onix evolves into Steelix.
The item alone does not cause the evolution: Onix must be holding it when traded. Nintendo Life and Serebii describe the trade-with-item method. The cited guides do not specify special trade restrictions or whether local or online trading is required.
Where to get a Metal Coat
| Route | What the guide reports | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Side Mission 101, “Steadfast as Steel” | Metal Coat reward | The guide does not establish the earliest point when this reward is available. |
| Side Mission 114, “A Feather from Skarmory” | Metal Coat reward | The guide does not establish the earliest point when this reward is available. |
| Racine Construction | Buy a Metal Coat for 4,980 Pokédollars | PowerPyx reports that this purchase becomes available after completing the story. |
These reward and purchase details are reported by PowerPyx’s Metal Coat guide. If you want to evolve Onix before finishing the story, check the two side-mission rewards rather than relying on the post-game purchase; the guide does not confirm an exact earliest evolution point.
#1 Best Overall
Can you get Steelix without evolving Onix?
Yes. If you only need Steelix, Game8 reports two encounter options:
- A one-time Alpha Steelix encounter in Wild Zone 3 during post-game Main Mission 40.
- Steelix appearances in four-star Hyperspace Wild Zones, which require the Mega Dimension DLC.
These are guide-reported alternatives, not substitutes for the Metal Coat-and-trade evolution if your goal is to evolve your own Onix.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the latest listed update change Onix’s evolution?
Nintendo Support lists version 2.0.2 as released on March 18, 2026, and describes the update as fixing “Several issues.” The update page does not say that Onix’s location or evolution requirement changed. Nintendo’s update notes cover the patch information, rather than Onix-specific mechanics.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COMPLETE EVOLUTION: Pack includes 2-inch Squirtle, 3-inch Wartortle and 4.5-inch Blastoise.
- UNIQUE FEATURES: Each figure includes a special finish unique to Pokémon Select Evolution Packs.
- PLAY and DISPLAY: Dynamically pose 3-inch and 4.5 inch figures and display 2-inch figure.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Figures look like they jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares.
Rank #4
- ICONIC POKÉMON: Build your Pokémon team with this Battle Figure 6 Pack.
- DIFFERENT TYPES: Diverse set of Pokémon types will help you battle any trainer.
- CROSS PLAY: 2-inch figures fit in Clip 'N' Go Poké Ball, Carry Case Playset & Surprise Attack Game.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Figures look like they jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares.
Rank #3
- (C) Nintendo, Creatures, Game Freak, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, JR Kikaku (C) Pokémon
- Does not use batteries
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