Pokemon Legends Z-A Onix & Steelix Evolution Guide: Location, Metal Coat, and Mega Evolution

Onix has been an iconic part of the Pokemon franchise since Generation 1, and this massive Rock Snake Pokemon continues to impress in Pokemon Legends Z-A. What makes Onix particularly appealing is its evolution into Steelix—a Steel/Ground behemoth that becomes even more formidable through Mega Evolution.

However, obtaining and evolving Onix isn’t a straightforward process. You’ll need to progress deep into the game, tackle challenging side missions, and navigate the trade evolution system. This comprehensive guide covers everything from finding your first Onix to maximizing Mega Steelix’s competitive potential.

Finding Onix: Spawn Location and Requirements

Onix isn’t lounging around on the surface waiting to be caught. This Pokemon lives underground, which means you’ll need to know exactly where and how to make it appear.

Spawn Details:

• Location: Wild Zone 14
• Time: Daytime only
• Story Requirement: Complete Main Mission 20 (mid-game)
• Special Condition: Look for burrowing holes in the ground

How to Make Onix Spawn

Here’s where things get interesting. Onix doesn’t just randomly appear in Wild Zone 14—you need to interact with specific environmental features to trigger its spawn.

Finding Burrowing Holes:

As you explore Wild Zone 14 during the day, scan the ground for circular holes or disturbed earth. These burrowing spots are where ground-dwelling Pokemon emerge. Approach these holes and Onix should appear.

Critical Warning: You’re not the only one interested in those holes. Excadrill and Drilbur also call these burrows home, and they’re significantly more aggressive than Onix. These Pokemon will attack you on sight if you get too close, so be prepared for unexpected battles.

Pro Tips for Catching Onix:

• Come prepared with plenty of Poke Balls (Ultra Balls recommended)
• Bring Pokemon with Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Ice, or Steel-type moves to weaken Onix effectively
• Watch your positioning to avoid accidentally triggering Excadrill encounters
• Save your game before approaching burrowing holes if you’re low on resources

Since Wild Zone 14 unlocks around mid-game after Main Mission 20, you should have a reasonably strong team by this point. Still, don’t underestimate Onix’s defensive capabilities—it has exceptional Defense, making it tough to take down quickly.

The Metal Coat Challenge: Evolution Requirements

Here’s the unfortunate reality: even after catching Onix, you’re nowhere near ready to evolve it. Steelix requires a Metal Coat, and obtaining this crucial item involves significant late-game progression.

What You’ll Need:

• An Onix (obviously)
• A Metal Coat item
• Access to Link Trade functionality
• Patience to reach endgame content

Obtaining the Metal Coat

The Metal Coat is shared between two evolution lines—both Onix and Scyther need this item to reach their evolved forms. Unfortunately, Game Freak locked this item behind some serious story progression.

Prerequisites:

• Complete Main Mission 35: Reaching Rank A
• Complete one of two specific side missions

Your Two Options:

1. Side Mission 101: Steadfast as Steel
   • Location: Available after reaching Rank A
   • Reward: Metal Coat
2. Side Mission 114: A Feather from Skarmory
   • Location: Available after reaching Rank A
   • Reward: Metal Coat

Both missions provide the same reward, so choose whichever fits your current location or gameplay preferences. The important thing is that you won’t get access to either mission until you’ve invested substantial time into the main story.

This late-game requirement means Onix remains in its base form for most of your playthrough. Consider whether you want to use an unevolved Onix for that long, or if you’d prefer to catch other Pokemon and come back to evolve Onix later.

Evolution Process: Onix to Steelix

Once you finally have that Metal Coat in hand, you’re ready to evolve Onix into the imposing Steelix. Like other trade-based evolutions in Legends Z-A, this process uses the manual evolution system introduced in this game.

Why Manual Evolution Matters:

Unlike older Pokemon games where trade evolutions happened automatically, Legends Z-A gives you control. After meeting the trade requirement, you must manually trigger the evolution from your menu. This prevents unwanted evolutions and gives you time to prepare.

Step-by-Step Evolution Guide

Follow these exact steps to transform your Onix:

1. Press (X) to open your party menu
2. Equip the Metal Coat to Onix as a held item
3. Select Link Trade from the menu options
4. Enter the trade code: 0197-0197
   • This community-designated code is specifically for Onix trades
   • Alternatively, coordinate directly with a trusted friend
5. Complete the trade and receive another Onix back
6. Check the evolution icon—it should light up, indicating evolution readiness
7. Select your Onix from the party menu
8. Choose ‘Evolve’ to trigger the transformation
9. Enjoy your new Steelix!

Important Note: Even if you trade your Onix back to your game after receiving a different one, you can still evolve it. The game recognizes that the trade requirement was fulfilled, similar to how Scyther evolves into Scizor or how Phantump becomes Trevenant.

Trading Community Etiquette:

When using community trade codes, the unwritten rule is to trade back the Pokemon you received. This mutual respect keeps the system functioning smoothly for everyone. Most players follow this practice, making trade evolutions much easier than trying to coordinate with specific friends.

Reaching Maximum Power: Mega Steelix

Steelix is already an impressive Pokemon, but its Mega Evolution takes everything to the next level. Mega Steelix boasts incredible defensive stats and becomes one of the most durable Pokemon in the entire game.

Requirements for Mega Evolution:

• A fully evolved Steelix
• Steelixite (Steelix’s specific Mega Stone)
• Sufficient Mega Energy accumulated during battle

Where to Get Steelixite

Unlike the Metal Coat, the Steelixite is relatively straightforward to obtain once you know where to look.

Purchase Location:

• Vendor: Stone Emporium
• Location: Verte Main Street
• Cost: 50,000 Poke Dollars (price may vary)

Make sure you’ve been battling trainers and collecting money throughout your adventure. Fifty thousand Poke Dollars is a significant investment, but Mega Steelix’s power justifies the cost.

Triggering Mega Evolution in Battle:

1. Equip Steelixite to Steelix as a held item
2. Build Mega Energy during the battle
3. Press (L) when the Mega Evolution option becomes available
4. Watch Steelix transform into its ultimate form

Mega Steelix: Competitive Strategy and Builds

Now let’s discuss what makes Mega Steelix special and how to maximize its potential in battle.

Understanding Steelix’s Role

Steelix functions primarily as a physical tank—a Pokemon designed to absorb hits while dishing out respectable damage. With its Steel/Ground typing, Mega Steelix gains resistances to numerous types while maintaining good offensive coverage.

Key Defensive Advantages:

• Massive Defense stat (230 when Mega Evolved)
• Solid HP (75 base)
• Multiple resistances thanks to Steel/Ground typing
• Immunity to Electric-type moves (Ground-type benefit)
• Immunity to Poison status (Steel-type benefit)

Notable Weaknesses:

• Fire (watch out—this is a 4x weakness!)
• Water (4x weakness)
• Fighting
• Ground

Those double weaknesses to Fire and Water are critical. Never send Mega Steelix against Pokemon like Charizard, Blastoise, or Swampert without a backup plan.

The Ability Problem in Legends Z-A

Here’s something crucial that many players overlook: Pokemon Legends Z-A does not include Pokemon abilities. This is a massive change from traditional Pokemon games and significantly impacts how you should build Steelix.

In other games, Mega Steelix benefits from the Sand Force ability, which boosts Rock, Ground, and Steel-type moves during sandstorms. Without abilities in Legends Z-A, this entire strategic element disappears.

What This Means for You:

You can’t rely on ability-based strategies. Instead, focus purely on stat optimization and move selection. This actually simplifies team building while shifting emphasis to EV training and type coverage.

Optimal EV Spreads for Mega Steelix

Since abilities don’t exist in Legends Z-A, your EV spread becomes even more important for defining Mega Steelix’s role on your team.

Build 1: Special Defense Wall

252 HP / 4 Defense / 252 Special Defense

Purpose: Counter special attackers while maintaining bulk

This spread addresses Mega Steelix’s lower Special Defense stat. While Steelix naturally excels at physical defense, investing in Special Defense creates a more balanced defensive Pokemon that can handle mixed threats.

Best Used Against:

• Special attackers like Alakazam, Gengar, or Gardevoir
• Mixed offensive teams that don’t have Water or Fire-type coverage
• Opponents with strong special moves that would otherwise exploit Steelix’s weaker stat

Recommended Moves:

• Iron Head (STAB Steel-type)
• Earthquake (STAB Ground-type)
• Stone Edge (coverage)
• Stealth Rock or Protect (utility)

Build 2: Physical Attacker

252 HP / 4 Defense / 252 Attack

Purpose: Maximize damage output while maintaining respectable bulk

If you want Mega Steelix to dish out serious damage rather than just soaking hits, this is your spread. With 125 base Attack when Mega Evolved, investing in Attack turns Steelix into a legitimate offensive threat.

Best Used Against:

• Physical attackers that Steelix naturally walls
• Teams weak to Ground or Steel-type coverage
• Situations where you need immediate damage rather than long-term tanking

Recommended Moves:

• Earthquake (massive STAB damage)
• Iron Head (STAB with potential flinch)
• Stone Edge or Rock Slide (coverage against Flying-types)
• Crunch or Dragon Tail (additional coverage)

Build 3: Pure Physical Wall

252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense

Purpose: Become virtually unkillable against physical attackers

This build leans into Mega Steelix’s natural strength—absurd physical Defense. With maximum investment, Mega Steelix can shrug off physical hits that would devastate most Pokemon.

Best Used Against:

• Physical sweepers
• Teams lacking special attackers
• Stall strategies where longevity matters more than damage

Recommended Moves:

• Earthquake (consistent STAB damage)
• Iron Head (STAB)
• Rest (recovery)
• Sleep Talk (synergizes with Rest)

Strategic Battle Tips

Maximizing Mega Steelix’s Potential:

1. Never face Water or Fire-types head-on. Those 4x weaknesses will end you instantly. Always have a switch option ready.
2. Use Stealth Rock if available. Mega Steelix’s bulk makes it ideal for setting up entry hazards that chip away at your opponent’s team.
3. Take advantage of resistances. Steelix resists Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Psychic, Dragon, and Fairy moves. Switch in on predicted attacks from these types.
4. Watch for Fighting-types. Despite Steelix’s massive Defense, Fighting-type moves hit hard and exploit a weakness.
5. Consider weather conditions. Without abilities, weather effects are purely environmental. Plan accordingly.

Type Coverage Moves to Consider:

• Earthquake: Your most reliable STAB move
• Iron Head: STAB with flinch potential
• Stone Edge: Covers Flying-types that resist Ground moves
• Crunch: Hits Ghost and Psychic-types super-effectively
• Dragon Tail: Forces switches and disrupts opponent strategy

Is the Effort Worth It?

Let’s be honest: getting Onix and evolving it all the way to Mega Steelix requires serious commitment. You need to reach mid-game for Onix, push to endgame for the Metal Coat, and invest 50,000 Poke Dollars for the Mega Stone.

So is it worth it?

For defensive team compositions, absolutely. Mega Steelix provides unmatched physical bulk and good type coverage. If you need a Pokemon that can anchor your team and survive punishment that would KO others, Mega Steelix delivers.

However, if you prefer offensive, fast-paced teams, you might find Mega Steelix’s low Speed (30 base) frustrating. It almost always moves last, which doesn’t suit hyper-aggressive playstyles.

Additional Resources

Need more help with Pokemon Legends Z-A?

• Official Pokemon Legends website: https://legends.pokemon.com/
• Purchase the game: Pokemon Legends Z-A on Nintendo Store
• More evolution guides: Check our complete Wild Zones guide for additional spawn information

Final Thoughts

Onix to Steelix to Mega Steelix represents one of the most satisfying evolution chains in Pokemon Legends Z-A. The journey from catching a Rock Snake in Wild Zone 14 to commanding a massive steel fortress in battle feels earned and rewarding.

Yes, the Metal Coat requirement locks evolution behind late-game progression, which might frustrate players hoping to use Steelix earlier. But this gating actually makes sense—Steelix and especially Mega Steelix are powerful enough that having them too early would trivialize much of the game’s challenge.

The lack of abilities in Legends Z-A changes Mega Steelix’s competitive landscape, but proper EV training compensates. Whether you build for special defense coverage, offensive pressure, or pure physical walling, Mega Steelix remains a top-tier choice for defensive strategies.

Just remember those 4x weaknesses to Fire and Water. Keep a backup Pokemon ready to switch in against those threats, and Mega Steelix will serve you well throughout your Lumiose City adventure.