Steel Types in Pokémon GO Meta: past, present, and future

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The Steel type Pokemon weren’t around until Gen 2, when they were first put into the Pokemon main series games with Gold and Silver. Now there are a total of 50 (including Gen VII) in the Pokemon Universe.

Naturally, Steel types are very defense based. Yet, with a pool of good moves, they can still pack a punch. Up until Gen 7, Steel was only super effective against Ice and Rock types. Now with the addition of the very powerful Fairy typing, Steel Pokemon have found another vital role in the Pokemon meta.

There are only 27 current Steel moves available. With such a minimal pool to choose from, it doesn’t make Steel Pokemon that diverse offensively. That is unless they have a dual typing, but that’s for another article. Let’s strictly talk about Steel types and their effectiveness from Gen 1 to Gen 6 (Gen 7 database on the Hub isn’t quite finished yet).

Thankfully, we already have access to some of the strongest Steel Pokemon in the game! Yet, below are some upcoming Pokemon you can be excited for. Including some Legendary and Mythical meta game changers. Time to dive in and see what’s in store!

Pokemon ATK DEF STA CP Gen
Steelix Steel  Ground 148 333 150 2439 2
Scizor Bug Steel 236 191 140 2801 2
Aggron Steel Rock 198 314 140 3004 3
Metagross Steel Psychic 257 247 160 3637 3
Registeel Steel 143 285 160 2261 3
Jirachi Steel Psychic 210 210 200 3093 3
Magnezone Electric Steel 238 217 140 2996 4
Dialga Steel Dragon 302 242 200 4654 4
Heatran Fire Steel 251 213 182 3521 4
Cobalion Steel Fighting 192 260 182 3009 5
Genesect (Normal) Bug Steel 252 199 142 3056 5
Aegislash Steel Ghost 97 291 120 1421 6

Mega Evolutions

We can’t forget a few Pokemon on this list do indeed mega evolve. Steelix, Aggron, Scizor and Metagross all mega evolve making them have even MORE of an impact on the meta game. Currently, we have no idea how mega evolutions are going to work in Pokemon GO, nor do we know how the stat increases will be implemented. Because of this, it is safe to say that saving candies for these four Pokemon would be a great idea going forward.

Move Predictions

There are quite a few Pokemon past Gen 3 that are listed above whom we don’t know moves they will have. More notably, the upcoming Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. Perhaps we will see the implementation of signature moves as seen in the code for Jirachi (Doom Desire). By the way, if you’ve forgot some of the moves from Steelix, Scizor, Aggron, Metagross or Jirachi, simply click on their name and you’ll be sent to their page for a full breakdown. Now, let’s take a look at the best possible potential move sets from Gen 4 to Gen 6.

Pokemon Potential Quick move Potential Charge Move
Magnezone
  • Thundershock Electric
  • Spark Electric
  • Electroweb Electric
  • Flash Cannon Steel
  • Gyro Ball Steel
  • Zap Cannon Electric
Dialga
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • Iron Tail Steel
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Flash Cannon Steel
  • Dragon Claw Dragon
  • Roar of Time* Dragon
Heatran
  • Fire Spin Fire
  • Fire Fang Fire
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Magma Storm* Fire
  • Overheat Fire
Cobalion
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • Double Kick Fighting
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Flash Cannon Steel
  • Sacred Sword Fighting
Genesect (Normal)
  • Metal Claw Steel
  • Fury cutter Bug
  • Fell Stinger Bug
  • Flash Cannon Steel
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Bug buzz Bug
Aegislash
  • Shadow Claw Ghost
  • Fury cutter Bug
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Shadow Sneak Ghost
  • Sacred Sword Fighting

* Signature move of that Pokemon.

Notice some Pokemon above have no possible Steel quick move potential. Although disappointing, the moves they can still learn are powerful and deal STAB. Definitely looking forward to Dialga!

Steel Types in the Meta

With the addition of some strong Steel types from Gen 3 in Pokemon GO, the meta has been shaken up a bit. Just as stated above, Steel types bring a tanky-ness aspect to the game.

Pure Steel types are weak against Fighting, Fire and Ground. Which doesn’t bode well with the addition of Groudon for example. These three common types makes it easy to counter Steel Pokemon.

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Fitz City
Fitz City
Been playing and following Pokemon ever since I was 10 years old. I'm also a Pokemon GO content creator on YouTube - FitzCity. Outside of Pokemon, I'm an Electrical Engineer who also loves to golf and stream on Twitch - Fitzcity40

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