What is the steel Pokémon weakness? Many trainers assume that the steel-type weakness is electric, and while that’s a solid guess, it’s not. Steel ‘mon are among the very best defensively, but there are some holes in that armor, so let’s look at what they are, dive into what they’re resistant to, and discuss their strengths, too.
If you do want a steel-type on your team, our steel Pokémon (including Scyther’s evolution) guide can help you decide which one. We also have fire Pokémon, grass Pokémon, dark Pokémon, and ghost Pokémon guides if you want to see what other ‘mon from the Pokédex make a great addition to any team.
Here’s what you need to know about the steel Pokémon weakness:
What are steel Pokémon weaknesses?
Steel Pokémon are weak against fire-, fighting-, and ground-types. Having just three weaknesses is one of the reasons we highly recommend you have a beast like Steelix on your team, and when you see the number of resistances this type has, you’ll realize just how incredible they truly are. To discover how to bear the three steel Pokémon weaknesses, give our fire Pokémon weakness, ground Pokémon weakness, and fighting Pokémon weakness guides a read.
Best steel Pokémon counters
It goes without saying that the best counters for steel Pokémon are creatures such as Blaziken, Talonflame, and Machamp. Here are some other great counters to steel-types:
- Gen 1 Pokémon Hitmonlee
- Gen 2 Pokémon Typhlosion
- Gen 3 Pokémon Torkoal
- Gen 4 Pokémon Lucario (our how to evolve Riolu guide can help you get one)
- Gen 5 Pokémon Chandelure (our Lampent evolution guide can help you get one)
- Gen 6 Pokémon Diggersby
- Gen 7 Pokémon Salazzle (our Salandit evolution guide can help you get one)
- Gen 8 Pokémon Grapploct
- Gen 9 Pokémon Annihilape (our how to evolve Primeape guide can help you get one)
Why are steel-types not weak to electric?
While many metals do conduct electricity, there are some that don’t: tungsten, bismuth, lead, and titanium, for instance. So, while it’s fair to assume steel is weak to electric, that’s not the case. It looks like the steel Pokémon must be made out of one of the aforementioned metals.

What are steel Pokémon resistances?
- Bug Pokémon
- Dragon Pokémon
- Fairy Pokémon
- Flying Pokémon
- Grass Pokémon
- Steel Pokémon
- Ice Pokémon
- Rock Pokémon
- Normal Pokémon
- Psychic Pokémon
- Poison Pokémon
Steel Pokémon are resistant to 11 types, including normal, rock, steel, ice, grass, flying, fairy, psychic, poison, grass, and dragon. If you were hesitant about getting a steel-type, I seriously hope you now see how great they are.
If you want to not only be resistant but strong against these ‘mon, you should check out our poison Pokémon weakness, rock Pokémon weakness, psychic Pokémon weakness, ice Pokémon weakness, flying Pokémon weakness, and dragon Pokémon weakness articles to learn how to beat some of them.
Why is steel immune to poison?
Steel Pokémon are immune to poison because they are not organic creatures. Toxins and poisons can only harm organic matter, making metal beings completely immune to them.
What are steel Pokémon strengths?
- Ice Pokemon
- Rock Pokémon
- Fairy Pokémon
Steel Pokémon are strong against ice, rock, and fairy Pokémon, meaning that creatures like Sylveon, Articuno, Golem, Onix, Dewgong, Clefable, Baxcalibur, and Rhydon are no match against your pokéballs of steel.
Well, there you have it. You now know what the steel Pokémon weakness is. Should you be in need of an antidote, check out our normal Pokémon weakness. We also have dark Pokémon weakness and ghost Pokémon weakness articles to help you against those that lurk in the shadows. We even boast electric Pokémon weakness and water Pokémon weakness guides if you want to cause a spark.