Onix
Onix is a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon in the Pokémon series. It’s known for its serpentine, rock-like appearance. Onix evolves into Steelix when traded while holding a Metal Coat. Onix is often associated with Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, who is known for using Rock-type Pokémon.
Biology
Physical Characteristics
Onix is a large and imposing Pokémon with several distinctive physical characteristics.
Onix is a colossal Pokémon, standing at an impressive height. Its body consists of a series of massive, connected boulders that form a continuous, snake-like structure. The segments of its body are relatively uniform in size, emphasizing its imposing stature. The boulders that make up Onix’s body are not just for show; they contribute to its Rock-type attributes. The rocky composition suggests a connection to subterranean environments, reflecting its Ground-type nature.
Onix typically exhibits a rough, rocky texture with a color palette dominated by grays, blacks, and earthy tones. The texture may vary across its body segments, adding intricacy to its overall appearance.
Despite its solid appearance, Onix is surprisingly flexible, able to navigate through underground tunnels with ease. The segmented structure allows for fluid movement and adaptability, showcasing its agility despite its massive size.
Onix’s head is proportionate to its body, featuring distinct facial characteristics. The horn-like protrusions on its forehead add a touch of fierceness, contributing to its overall menacing demeanor. Onix’s eyes are keen and alert, suggesting an awareness of its surroundings. The expression may vary from stoic concentration to determination, depending on its mood or battle situation. The powerful jaw of Onix is equipped with sharp teeth, emphasizing its capacity for biting attacks. The jaw structure reflects its carnivorous nature and ability to defend itself against adversaries.
Onix possesses a sturdy tail, often with rocky protrusions, adding balance and stability to its serpentine form. Additional details on its tail may vary, showcasing individual variations among Onix individuals.
Overall, Onix’s physical characteristics blend strength, durability, and a sense of adaptability, making it a formidable presence in the Pokémon world.
Behaviour
Onix, as a Pokémon species, exhibits specific behaviors that contribute to its overall characteristics and interactions in the Pokémon world.
Onix is known for being territorial, especially in its preferred habitats, such as caves, tunnels, and mountainous regions. It fiercely defends its territory from potential threats, showcasing a protective instinct. Onix has exceptional burrowing abilities, allowing it to move through the ground with ease. It constructs intricate tunnels in its territory, creating a network of pathways beneath the surface.
Onix is often more active during the night, preferring to move and hunt under the cover of darkness. Its nocturnal habits contribute to its adaptability in various environmental conditions.
Onix, despite its massive size, is a carnivorous Pokémon. It hunts for prey, which may include smaller Pokémon or creatures that inhabit the regions it frequents. In battle situations, Onix adopts an aggressive stance, utilizing its physical strength and Rock-type moves. It may engage in territorial disputes or confrontations with other Pokémon.
Onix is generally solitary, with individuals preferring to establish their territories independently. During certain periods, such as mating seasons, Onix may interact with others of its kind for reproduction. Female Onix may display protective behaviors towards their offspring. They create secure nesting areas within their tunnels and caves to safeguard their eggs.
Onix communicates with others of its kind through various means. Vibrations and sounds transmitted through the ground, facilitated by its burrowing ability, are common methods of communication.
Onix showcases adaptability to diverse environments, from rocky mountain ranges to subterranean caves. Its behavior may vary based on the specific characteristics of its surroundings.
Trained Onix may exhibit loyalty and a willingness to follow the commands of their Trainers. Positive reinforcement and mutual trust contribute to a strong bond between Onix and their Trainers.
Understanding Onix’s behaviors provides valuable insights into its ecology and role in the Pokémon world, highlighting both its wild instincts and its potential for companionship with Trainers.
Evolution
Onix evolves into Steelix when traded holding a Metal Coat, an item introduced in the Pokémon series. Here are the key details about the evolution of Onix.
Onix evolves into Steelix when it is traded from one Pokémon Trainer to another while holding a Metal Coat. The Metal Coat is an evolution-inducing item that is crucial for Onix’s evolution into Steelix. Trainers need to ensure that their Onix is holding a Metal Coat before initiating the trade.
Evolution through trading is a unique feature in the Pokémon series. When a Trainer initiates a trade with another Trainer (either locally or online) and their Onix is holding a Metal Coat, the evolution process begins. The Metal Coat is a special item that boosts the evolution of certain Pokémon, including Onix. It represents a metallic shell or coating that influences the transformation of Onix into Steelix.
Upon successful evolution, Onix transforms into Steelix. Steelix retains Onix’s serpentine shape but gains a more metallic and robust appearance. It becomes a Steel/Ground-type Pokémon. Onix, being a dual-type Pokémon (Rock/Ground), evolves into Steelix with a change in its primary type to Steel. It retains its Ground-type as well.
The evolution often leads to an increase in Steelix’s base stats, making it more formidable in battles. Steelix gains higher Defense and other improved attributes compared to its pre-evolved form. Steelix may learn new moves or have an expanded movepool upon evolving. Trainers may find that Steelix has a broader range of attacks and abilities to choose from in battles.
In some Pokémon games, Steelix has the ability to Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix using a Mega Stone called Steelixite. Mega Evolution provides additional stat boosts and often alters the Pokémon’s appearance. Steelix’s evolution provides strategic advantages in battles, as it gains the Steel typing, which grants resistance to various types and immunity to Poison attacks.
Understanding the evolution of Onix into Steelix adds an exciting dimension to the gameplay, encouraging Trainers to engage in trades and utilize evolutionary items to enhance their Pokémon roster.
Appearances
Anime Main Appearances
Brock’s Onix
Beginning with the events of “Showdown in Pewter City”, Brock included Onix in his team during his travels across the Kanto and Johto regions. However, he later decided to entrust Onix to his younger brother, Forrest, for training in “A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!”. Subsequently, before the occurrences of “Grating Spaces!” Onix evolved into Steelix.
Bruno’s Onix
In “To Master the Onixpected” Ash and his friends came across a colossal Onix causing chaos. Bruno, a Fighting-type Trainer and member of the Indigo Elite Four, intervened, extracting a Sandslash from two of its boulders, and successfully captured the Onix afterward.
Crystal Onix
In “The Crystal Onix” an extraordinary Onix with a body crafted from glass crystal took center stage. Ash and his friends aided a glass sculptor named Mateo in locating it, as Mateo believed the encounter would serve as inspiration for enhancing his artistic skills.
Other appearences include:
- “Pokémon – I Choose You!” (Onix first appeared in when chosen by a Trainer after an opponent’s Gengar put Nidorino to sleep.)
- “Hello, Pummelo!” (Drake used an Onix in the Orange League against Ash but was defeated by Squirtle.)
- “Tunnel Vision” (Multiple Onix inhabited Onix Tunnel posing a threat to passersby.)
- “Fight for the Light” (Janina protected her Onix from Water attacks with wax.)
- “Hooked on Onix” (An Onix known as “King Onix” starred was manipulated by Team Rocket, but Ash’s battle and persuasion saved the day.)
- “Shapes of Things to Come” (In his Gym battle against Paul in Roark utilized an Onix, which faced Elekid and was defeated by Chimchar. The Onix later battled and defeated Ash’s Turtwig and Pikachu in “A Gruff Act to Follow!”. However, in the rematch during “O’er the Rampardos we Watched!”, Pikachu emerged victorious.
- “A Maze-ing Race!” (A rampaging Onix was forced to retreat.)
- “Expedition to Onix Island!” (This episode featured multiple Onix, including a Shiny one, residing on a deserted island, attracting Ash and friends.)
- “Breaking Titles at the Chateau!” (Grant’s Onix triumphed over Viola’s Surskit at the Battle Chateau, but it was defeated by Froakie in “Climbing the Walls!”.)
- “Caring for a Mystery!” (Ash intervened in a battle between Onix and Riolu, ultimately saving Riolu and engaging Onix in a battle that led to its retreat, revisited in a flashback in “An Adventure of Mega Proportions!”.)
Anime Minor Appearances
Various Onix made appearances in different episodes and scenarios throughout the Pokémon series. They were featured in locations like Golden Island (”Meowth Rules!”), Pokémon breeding competitions (”Beauty and the Breeder”), Pokémon Triathlon (”One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!”), Mt. Shady (”A Rivalry to Gible On!”) and more. Some encounters involved attempts to catch Onix (”Advice to Goh!”), while others depicted their role in battles and events.
Also different Onix appeared in fantasies in ”Dig Those Diglett!”, ”The Rivalry Revival”, ”Type Casting”, ”All That Glitters is Not Golden!” and ”A Chilling Curse!”.
Multiple Onix appeared in the following episodes:
- ”Showdown at the Po-ké Corral” (living at the Laboratory of Professor Oak)
- ”The Power of One” (disturbed by Lawrence III)
- ”Lucario and the Mystery of Mew” (as part of the feuding armies)
- ”The Pendant That Starts It All: Part One” (three of them)
A Trainer’s Onix also in the epsodes:
- ”Mewtwo Strikes Back” and ”Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution” (defeated by Mewtwo)
- ”The Joy of Pokémon” (Nurce Joy tokk care of an Onix)
- ”Celebi: The Voice of the Forest” (two of them, one owned by Trainer)
Manga Appearances
Pokémon Adventures
Onix first appeared in “Onix is On!” as Brock’s primary Pokémon. Its image was featured on a leaflet in “Wanted: Pikachu!” and continued to make appearances alongside Brock in subsequent volumes.
An Onix, owned by Bruno, battled in various encounters, including Cerise Island (”Punching Poliwrath”) and ”The Last Battle XIII” in Ilex Forest. Roark also has an Onix, seen in Platinum’s Gym battle (”A Conk on Cranidos’s Cranium”). A Trainer’s Onix featured in ”Clobbering Claydol”, and a wild Onix appeared in the Wild Area in ”Zap!! A Rising Beam of Light”.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
Hareta caught an Onix on Iron Island in ”Serious Training on Iron Island!!”. Byron also owns an Onix, used in a challenge in ”Challenge! The Fortress Of Steel!!”. In a past event, an Onix rampaged and was battled by Hareta’s Piplup and Mitsumi’s Starly in ”In Search of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga!!”. The Onix was caught by Hareta and later reappeared in a flashback in ”Hareta’s Very First Pokémon Battle!!”. Charon also conditioned an Onix into a fighting machine in ”Charon Must Be Stopped!”.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Brock’s Onix debuted in ”Bring Down the Powerful Opponent Onix!!”. Giovanni used his Onix to thwart Red’s interference in creating Mewtwo, and Green’s Onix first appeared in ”Red VS Green?!”. Bruno owns two Onix, both introduced in ”Clefairy’s Under Training!!”. Professor Oak also owns an Onix, debuting in ”Save the Pokémon Zoo!!”. Various Onix appeared in episodes such as ”The Legendary Pokémon Appears!!”, ”Aim to be the No. 1 Pokémon!”, and ”Good Luck at the Big Pokémon Athletic Meet!”.
Onix also appeared in the following manga:
Ash & Pikachu and The Electric Tale of Pikachu – an Onix owned by Brock appeared in these manga.
Magical Pokémon Journey – in the episode ”Adventuring the Stone”.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series – in the episode ”Caring for a Mystery!”.
Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl – the twelfth chapter of the Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl manga, PDP12.
Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon – in this manga an Onix owned by Takashi appeared.
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō’s Big Adventure – in the fifth chapter of the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō’s Big Adventure manga, JBA5 (owned by Brox).
Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!! – in the first and the second chapter of the Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!! manga, PBK1 and PBK2.
Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘Em All – in the episodes ”The Challenge at Celadon University!”, GDZ46 and GDZ51.
Pokémon Zensho – in the first chapter of the Pokémon Zensho manga, PZ02 (owned by Brock).
Game data
Stats
Location
| Game version | Location |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue | Rock Tunnel, Victory Road |
| Pokémon Yellow | Rock Tunnel, Victory Road |
| Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver | Rock Tunnel, Mt. Silver Cave, Victory Road, Union Cave, Violet City |
| Pokémon Crystal | Rock Tunnel, Mt. Silver Cave, Victory Road, Union Cave, Violet City |
| Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire | Trade |
| Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen | Rock Tunnel, Victory Road, Sevault Canyon |
| Pokémon Emerald | Trade |
| Pokémon Colosseum | Trade |
| Pokémon XD | Trade |
| Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl | Iron Island, Snowpoint Temple, Oreburgh Mine, Victory Road, Stark Mountain |
| Pokémon Platinum | Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, Victory Road, Wayward Cave |
| Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver | Union Cave, Mt. Silver Cave, Cliff Cave, Victory Road, Rock Tunnel, Safari Zone, Violet City |
| Pokémon Black and Pokémon White | Relic Castle |
| Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 | Relic Passage, Twist Mountain, Clay Tunnel, Underground Ruins, Victory Road |
| Pokémon X | Cyllage City, Glittering Cave, Friend Safari |
| Pokémon Y | Glittering Cave, Friend Safari |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | Granite Cave, Mirage Caves |
| Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon | Trade |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon | Ten Carat Hill |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Mt. Moon, Rock Tunnel, Victory Road |
| Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | East Lake Axewell, Giant's Seat, Motostoke Riverbank |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl | Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, Snowpoint Temple, Stark Mountain, Victory Road, Rocky Cave, Volcanic Cave, Sandsear Cave, Big Bluff Cavern, Typhlo Cavern |
| Legends Arceus | Bolderoll Slope, Celestica Trail, Lake Valor, Scarlet Bog |
| Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Unobtainable |
Onix's origin name
English: The English name “Onix” is derived from a combination of the words “onyx” and “rock”. “Onyx” refers to a type of gemstone, usually black or dark-colored, reflecting Onix’s Rock-type attribute.
Japanese: In Japanese, Onix is known as “イワーク” (Iwāku), which is a combination of “岩” (iwa, meaning rock) and “ワーム” (wāmu, meaning worm). This reflects its serpent-like, rock-based characteristics.
French: In French, Onix retains its English name as “Onix.”
German: Similarly, the German name for Onix is “Onix,” consistent with the English name.
Spanish: In Spanish, Onix is also called “Onix.”
Italian: The Italian name for Onix is “Onix,” following the pattern of maintaining the English name.
Korean: In Korean, Onix is written as “돌구리” (Dol-guri), where “돌” (dol) means rock, and “구리” (guri) is derived from “거미” (geomi), meaning spider. The Korean name emphasizes its rock attributes.
Chinese (Simplified): The Simplified Chinese name for Onix is “大岩蛇” (Dà Yán Shé), where “大” (dà) means big, “岩” (yán) means rock, and “蛇” (shé) means serpent. This emphasizes its large rock serpent nature.
Chinese (Traditional): In Traditional Chinese, Onix is written as “大岩蛇” (Dà Yán Shé), similar to the Simplified Chinese version.
Onix’s name across various languages reflects its rock and serpent characteristics, emphasizing its geological and physical attributes. The consistency in naming across different languages helps maintain the Pokémon’s identity globally.