The Steel type carries the strongest defensive profile in Pokémon. It shrugs off ten types, blocks Poison entirely, and posts the highest average Defense stat in the games. That durability is the whole appeal of carrying a Steelix, Scizor, or Aegislash, but Steel still folds fast against the right attacks.
Quick answer: Steel-type Pokémon take double damage from Fire, Fighting, and Ground moves, resist ten types, and are immune to Poison. On offense, Steel moves hit Ice, Rock, and Fairy for super-effective damage.
Steel-type weaknesses (Fire, Fighting, Ground)
A pure Steel-type Pokémon has only three weaknesses, and every one of them deals 2× damage. Bring any of these into a fight and a metal Pokémon drops quickly.
| Attacking type | Damage to Steel |
|---|---|
| Fire | 2× (super effective) |
| Fighting | 2× (super effective) |
| Ground | 2× (super effective) |
Note: A Pokémon’s second type changes this math. A Steel/Flying Skarmory ignores Ground entirely, while a Steel/Rock Aggron takes 4× damage from both Fighting and Ground. Always check the full type combination before committing a move.
Best Steel-type counters
The strongest counters carry two of Steel’s three weaknesses, so their attacks stay super effective no matter which move they pick. Pokémon like Primal Groudon (Ground/Fire), Blaziken (Fire/Fighting), and Great Tusk (Ground/Fighting) qualify. Hard-hitting single-weakness options work well too.
| Generation | Counter |
|---|---|
| Gen 1 | Hitmonlee |
| Gen 2 | Typhlosion |
| Gen 3 | Torkoal |
| Gen 4 | Lucario |
| Gen 5 | Chandelure |
| Gen 6 | Diggersby |
| Gen 7 | Salazzle |
| Gen 8 | Grapploct |
| Gen 9 | Annihilape |
For move choices, Earthquake (100% accuracy) and Precipice Blades cover Ground, Close Combat and Focus Blast handle Fighting, and Blast Burn, Pyro Ball, or Blue Flare deliver the Fire damage. The Mold Breaker ability lets an attacker bypass defensive abilities that would otherwise blunt a hit.
Steel-type resistances and Poison immunity
This is where Steel earns its reputation. A Steel-type takes only half damage from ten different types and ignores Poison completely.
| Defense result | Types |
|---|---|
| Resists (½ damage) | Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, Fairy |
| Immune (0 damage) | Poison |
The Poison immunity also blocks the poison status, though the Corrosion ability can bypass that and poison a Steel-type anyway. Steel Pokémon take no chip damage from a sandstorm, which makes them reliable in weather-based teams.
One historical note matters here. From Generation II through V, Steel also resisted Ghost and Dark moves. Generation VI removed both resistances, so those types now deal neutral damage. The Fairy resistance was added in that same generation to balance the change.
Steel-type offensive strengths
On the attacking side, Steel moves are super effective against three types and weak against four. That makes Steel a strong coverage option against Fairy threats in particular.
| Offense result | Types |
|---|---|
| Super effective (2×) | Ice, Rock, Fairy |
| Not very effective (½×) | Fire, Water, Electric, Steel |
Send a Steel-type at Ice, Rock, and Fairy Pokémon such as Articuno, Golem, Onix, Rhydon, Baxcalibur, Sylveon, and Clefable. Avoid throwing Steel moves at Fire, Water, Electric, or other Steel Pokémon, since those barely scratch them.
Strong Steel-type moves
| Move | Category | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gigaton Hammer | Physical | 160 | Cannot be used twice in a row |
| Doom Desire | Special | 140 | Hits two turns later |
| Make It Rain | Special | 120 | Lowers the user’s Sp. Atk |
| Iron Tail | Physical | 100 | May lower Defense (75% accuracy) |
| Meteor Mash | Physical | 90 | May raise the user’s Attack |
| Flash Cannon | Special | 80 | May lower Sp. Def |
| Iron Head | Physical | 80 | May cause flinch |
| King’s Shield | Status | — | Protects and lowers attacker’s Attack on contact |
Tera Types for Steel Pokémon (Scarlet & Violet)
Terastallizing reshapes a Steel Pokémon’s defenses. Picking the right Tera Type can erase a weakness or pile on extra resistances.
| Tera Type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Steel | Boosts Steel moves on top of STAB and clears secondary-type weaknesses |
| Ground | Removes the Ground weakness |
| Fire | Removes the Fire weakness |
| Water | Removes the Fire weakness and resists Steel, Water, and Ice |
Whether you are trying to break through a wall of metal or build around one, the rule stays simple. Lead with Fire, Fighting, or Ground to take Steel down, and lean on its ten resistances and Poison immunity when you want a Pokémon that refuses to fall.
