Best Steel Type Pokemon

Picking the best Steel type Pokemon starts with the defense, because no other type resists as many attacks. Steel type Pokemon take half damage from ten types and no damage at all from Poison, and they hit Rock, Ice and Fairy for double damage.

That reputation makes Steel sound like a type for walls and nothing else. For players who stick with it, though, the list below holds a jackal that reads auras and a pink thief who swings a 220-pound hammer. The type only arrived in Gen II, so the oldest picks here all come from Johto. (Steel showed up late and immediately refused to take damage. We respect the attitude.)

This list ranks 15 of the 65 Steel type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Steel type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Steel Type Pokemon

#15

Tinkaton

Tinkaton may be inspired by duendes, gnomes or dwarfs, and dwarfs are commonly depicted smithing and using iron tools and weapons. Its habit of attacking Corviknight, a Steel type bird used for taxi services, also recalls gremlins, mischievous creatures once blamed for causing malfunctions in aircraft during World War II. Its Pokedex entry says its hammer tops 220 pounds, yet it gets swung around easily as Tinkaton steals whatever it pleases and carries its plunder back home. (A 0.7 m burglar with a sledgehammer. We would hand over the television.)

Tinkatuff evolves into it at level 38. Its Special Defense, which blunts special attacks, is 105, and its Speed is 94 (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn). Every Pokemon also has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Tinkaton's Mold Breaker lets its moves ignore any ability on the target that would hinder or block them. Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Pickpocket, steals the held item of any Pokemon that touches it, which fits the Pokedex entry.

It is the newest Pokemon on this list, and several players already call it their favorite Steel type, one of them because it looks cute and fierce at the same time.

#14

Magnezone

Magnezone appears to be based on a fused Magneton, with one Magnemite taking a larger form and the other two becoming the smaller bodies on each side. It may also take the form of a flying saucer or a UFO. Its shape and name may come from the Hiragumo chagama, a tea kettle owned by the daimyō Matsunaga Hisahide, who filled it with gunpowder and blew it up to keep Oda Nobunaga from taking it as a prize. (We feel strongly about our kettle too. Within reason.) Its Pokedex entry theorizes that a special magnetic field changed its molecular structure and caused it to evolve, and says it emits strange radio waves toward space from its antenna.

Magneton evolves into it by leveling up at certain magnetic places, Mt. Coronet among them, or with a Thunder Stone. Its Special Attack of 130 powers special moves like Thunderbolt, and its Defense is 115. Sturdy, one of its abilities, keeps it from being knocked out from full HP and leaves it at 1 HP instead. Its other ability, Magnet Pull, stops Steel type opponents from fleeing or switching out, which makes it a trap for its own type. Its hidden ability, Analytic, makes its moves 1.3× as strong when it moves last, a good fit for a Speed of 60.

#13

Corviknight

Corviknight may be based on a raven, a carrion crow or the western jackdaw, all corvids commonly found in Great Britain, and its overall look may come from black knight characters in medieval settings. It may also draw on the Ravens of the Tower of London, a group of at least six ravens believed to protect the Crown and the Tower. Its Pokedex entry says that with their great intellect and flying skills, Corviknight very successfully act as the Galar region's airborne taxi service. (A knight in full armor, reduced to driving people around. We know the feeling.)

Corvisquire evolves into it at level 38. Its HP is 98 and its Defense is 105. Its ability, Pressure, makes any move that targets it cost one extra PP (PP is how many times a move can be used). Its hidden ability, Mirror Armor, bounces any stat-lowering effect back at the Pokemon that tried it.

For a lot of players it was the bird that carried their Sword and Shield team, picked because they wanted it and kept because it was a beast.

#12

Aegislash

Aegislash appears to be based on a possessed sword and shield. It senses an owner's potential as a leader or king, which seems to draw on mythical swords of European legend such as Durendal and Excalibur. Its Pokedex entry is darker: its potent spectral powers allow it to manipulate others, and it once used them to force people and Pokemon to build a kingdom to its liking. (A sword that picks a king and then makes the king build the castle. We have had managers like this.)

Doublade evolves into it with a Dusk Stone, an evolution item. Its Defense and Special Defense are both 140, while its Attack and Special Attack are both 50. Its ability, Stance Change, switches it to Blade Forme before it uses a damaging move and back to Shield Forme before it uses King's Shield, a move that blocks damaging attacks and lowers the attacker's Attack by two stages on contact. It has no hidden ability.

It gets called the best Steel type outright, or at least the best one that is not a legendary.

#11

Bisharp

Bisharp looks and acts like a traditional Japanese bandit leader, with features resembling samurai armor. It may also draw on a chess piece, the bishop, and its evolution follows the rules of the board: a pawn in chess can be promoted into a bishop if it reaches the opponent's side, and Pawniard evolves into Bisharp. Its Pokedex entry says violent conflicts erupt between Bisharp and Fraxure over places where sharpening stones can be found. (Picking a fight with a dragon over a whetstone. We respect wanting nice things.)

Pawniard evolves into it at level 52, the latest evolution level on this list. Its Attack is 125. Its ability Defiant raises its Attack two stages whenever an opponent lowers one of its stats (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle), and its hidden ability is Pressure. It now evolves further too, into Kingambit, once it has defeated three Bisharp.

Not everyone welcomed that new evolution. Some say Bisharp held up fine on its own, and others found the evolution method a slog.

#10

Dialga

Dialga may be based, along with Palkia, on the Shinto legend of Izanami and Izanagi, and its body looks like a short-necked sauropod dinosaur such as Camarasaurus. The turquoise pattern on its body is vaguely reminiscent of clock hands. Its Steel type likely comes from adamant, an archaic word for diamond meaning "unconquerable", where the qualities of hard metal were attributed to it. Its Pokedex entry says it is revered as a deity in Hisuian legend, and that its birth caused the vast river of time to begin flowing. (We cannot keep the microwave clock right after a power cut.)

It is the only legendary Pokemon on this list, and its base stat total of 680 is the highest of the 15. Its Special Attack is 150 and its Attack is 120. Its ability is Pressure. Its hidden ability, Telepathy, protects it from damaging moves used by its own partner, which only matters in battles with two Pokemon on each side.

Empoleon

Empoleon appears to be based on an emperor penguin and an emperor, and its names in various languages point to Napoleon Bonaparte in particular. Its beak looks like both a crown and a trident, the weapon of the Greek sea god Poseidon. Its newest Pokedex entry, from Hisui, says it has been revered since ancient times as the Master of the Waves, and that its wings are a match for even master-crafted blades. (A penguin with a crown and a trident. We have never felt more threatened by a bird.)

Prinplup evolves into it at level 36, and it is the only Steel type in any starter line. Its Special Attack is 111 and its Special Defense is 101. Its ability, Torrent, makes its Water moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Competitive, raises its Special Attack two stages whenever an opponent lowers one of its stats.

The design wins most people over, from the cute Piplup to the strong final form, though at least one player still can't get past a Steel type penguin.

Jirachi

Jirachi appears to be based on wishing upon a star, and its Steel type may be a reference to iron meteorites. The tags of paper on its head resemble tanzaku, strips of paper on which wishes are written during Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival. Its Pokedex entry says it is believed that when it wakes from its 1,000-year slumber, it will grant any wishes written on those notes. (Our wish would be one more hour of sleep. Jirachi would get it.)

It is a mythical Pokemon, and all six of its stats are 100. At 0.3 m tall, it is the smallest Pokemon on this list. Its ability, Serene Grace, doubles the chance of its moves' extra effects (an extra effect is a bonus like a flinch or a burn that a move can cause). Iron Head, for one, has a 30% chance to make the target flinch, and Serene Grace doubles that. It has no hidden ability.

Mawile

Mawile may be based on the futakuchi-onna of Japanese legend, a woman with a mouth in the back of her head. Its mouth resembles a bear trap, which may explain its unexpected Steel type, and that type could also be a nod to the "silk hiding steel" metaphor, a good fit for its category, Deceiver Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says its huge jaws are steel horns that have been transformed. (Cute from the front, bear trap from the back. We have dated this person.)

Its base stat total of 380 is the lowest on this list, and its Attack is 85. Intimidate, one of its abilities, lowers the opponent's Attack one stage the moment it enters battle. Its hidden ability, Sheer Force, makes moves with extra effects 1.3× as strong but drops the extra effects. Its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle) gets Huge Power instead.

That Mega form and its Fairy half turned it from an oddity into a favorite, and its fans often bring up the Mega glow-up first.

Skarmory

Skarmory has much in common with the Andean condor and cranes, birds held in high esteem in Japan. Its concept could be a pun on tsuru (crane) and tsurugi (sword), and its wings resemble a Japanese paper hand fan. Its Pokedex entry says people fashion swords from its shed feathers, so it is a popular element in heraldic designs. (A bird that sheds swords. We shed on the couch and nobody puts us on a crest.)

It shares its Steel and Flying typing with Corviknight at number 13. Its Defense of 140 blunts physical attacks, and its Attack is 80. Its ability Sturdy keeps it from being knocked out from full HP. Its hidden ability, Weak Armor, raises its Speed and lowers its Defense one stage each time a physical move hits it.

It gets picked for doing the same job in each generation, with good typing and a competitive reputation to match.

Aggron

Aggron may be based on the Pulgasari, a monster that eats iron in Korean legend, and its design may also draw on the kaiju genre, a Triceratops and various theropods. As its category, Iron Armor Pokemon, suggests, it may be inspired by plate armor, and its head resembles a knight or gladiator's helmet. Its Pokedex entry says a king long ago wore a helmet meant to resemble Aggron's head, trying to channel its strength. (Dressing up as the thing you fear is a strategy. We are not saying it works.)

Lairon evolves into it at level 42. Its Defense is 180 and its Attack is 110. Its abilities are Sturdy and Rock Head, which protects it from recoil damage (damage a move does to its own user). Its hidden ability, Heavy Metal, doubles its weight, which is already 360 kg, and that helps Heavy Slam, a move that gets stronger the more its user outweighs the target.

Most of its support is about the look, a monster in plate armor, and even a fan who admits it is not the best Steel type ever keeps it on the team.

Scizor

Scizor may draw on mantises or wasp mantidflies. Its arms resemble the pincers of crustaceans like crabs, and the eye-like markings on them make them look like extra heads. (Extra heads on the arms. We would also lead with those.) Its Pokedex entry says it evolved by way of a curious item, and that the shell covering its body has been shown to be stronger than forged steel.

Scyther evolves into it when traded while holding a Metal Coat. Its Attack is 130. Its ability, Technician, makes moves with a base power of 60 or less hit 1.5× as hard (base power is a move's strength before anything else changes it). That pairs with Bullet Punch, a 40-power Steel move that goes first, and players single out Bullet Punch as the move Scizor is known for. Its hidden ability, Light Metal, halves its weight.

Scizor topped our Bug type list and comes fourth here.

Steelix

Steelix, like Onix, may be based on a combination of a snake and an earthworm, and also on the bergstutz or stollwurm, a type of dragon said to burrow. Its silver standard coloration and gold Shiny coloration (a Shiny is a rare alternate-color version of a Pokemon) may refer to its debut games, Pokemon Gold and Silver. (Color-coded to its own launch party. We cannot match our socks.) Its Pokedex entry says its body is coated with steel powder and is so hard that not even diamond can leave a scratch.

Onix evolves into it when traded while holding a Metal Coat, the same item Scizor needs. It is 9.2 m long. Its Defense of 200 is the highest on this list and its Speed of 30 is the lowest. Its abilities are Rock Head and Sturdy, and its hidden ability is Sheer Force.

Much of its support goes back to Gen II, from people who liked Onix and were glad to see it finally evolve.

Metagross

Metagross appears to be based on a robot and a supercomputer, given its mechanical structure and sheer intelligence, and also on a spider. It is reminiscent of a UFO and a lander too, and its face may draw on the largest gear of the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient analog computer. Its Pokedex entry says it is the result of the fusion of two Metang and defeats its opponents through use of its supercomputer-level brain. (Fuse two of us and you get a longer nap.)

Metang evolves into it at level 45, and it weighs 550 kg. Its Attack of 135 is the highest on this list, and its Defense is 130. Its ability, Clear Body, stops other Pokemon from lowering its stats. Its hidden ability is Light Metal, the same one Scizor has.

It finished a single vote behind Lucario, and most of the praise is for what it does in battle, its attacking power and its staying power, more than its looks.

Lucario

Lucario has a jackal-like look that, with its mystical nature, suggests the Egyptian deity Anubis, who judged souls by their purity. That loosely resembles Lucario's sense of justice and its ability to see a life form's aura. It may also draw on the Ōkuchi-no-Magami, a Japanese wolf deity believed to understand human speech and discern a person's true nature, and the markings on its face resemble the eye masks of classic heroes such as Zorro. Its Pokedex entry calls it a most gallant-looking creature that emits energy waves and uses them to sense even faraway beings. (We can sense faraway beings too. It is always the neighbor's dog.)

Riolu evolves into it when leveled up during the day with high friendship. Its Special Attack is 115 and its Attack is 110, which means it hits hard with either kind of move. Its hidden ability, Justified, raises its Attack one stage when a Dark move hits it.

Plenty of players call it the best Steel type and the best Fighting type at once. One holdout would rather see "true steel types" at the top.

Conclusion

Steel type Pokemon take double damage from Fighting, Ground and Fire attacks, and the best ones on this list pick a second type that covers for that. Scizor's Bug half resists Fighting and Ground, which leaves Fire as its only weakness. Skarmory and Corviknight take no damage from Ground thanks to their Flying half, and Metagross's Psychic half resists Fighting.

Aggron went the other way. Its Rock half is also weak to Fighting and Ground, so both hit it four times as hard, and players put it fifth anyway. (We relate most to Steelix. Slowest on the list, still the hardest to scratch.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Steel type Pokemon has all 65, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Steel Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Steel type Pokemon?

Lucario. More players name it as their favorite Steel type than any other.

How many Steel type Pokemon are there?

There are 65 Steel type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Is Lucario a Steel type Pokemon?

Yes. Lucario is a Fighting and Steel type, and it evolves from Riolu.

Best Steel Type Pokemon

Best Steel Type Pokemon

Tinkaton

Magnezone

Corviknight

Aegislash

Bisharp

Dialga

Empoleon

Jirachi

Mawile

Skarmory

Aggron

Scizor

Steelix

Metagross

Lucario

Conclusion

Steel Type Pokemon FAQ

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