Onix Discussion

[t3h Icy]

SPOILER: Click to show

Requested by Nerd. ;;>_>

Before starting, it should be known that Onix is a total joke against Special attacks. Tying Dugtrio for lowest HP for final forms and having the lowest Special of all final forms, slightly less than Pidgey and slightly more than Rattata.

Bellsprout's Vine Whip: 277-236 (101%-86%)
Tentacool's Water Gun: 392-333 (144%-122%)
Moltres's Fire Blast: 168-142 (62%-52%)
Golduck's 3x Amnesia Hydro Pump: 3836-3264 (1405%-1196%)

It should also be noted that despite the 458 Defense, Onix's HP doesn't hold up with it well. Onix can still take Physical attacks, but actually takes more damage than Rhydon and Golem. Seismic Toss also KOs in 3 turns, opposed to 4/5. Not good.

Onix also has abysmal Attack, at a mere 188 tying Zubat. His Earthquake has a 9/13 chance to OHKO Pikachu, does under a third to Chansey, and his Explosion does a max of 287 to Alakazam. Also not good.

So for Onix to be used viably (lol) over another Pokemon, he needs to use his Speed and Movepool. Onix is the fastest Rock/Ground, having 238 Speed, outspeeding Lapras, Exeggutor, Golem and Chansey, while tying Cloyster, but why you would want a Rock/Ground against them, I wouldn't know. Onix is also almost guaranteed (35/39) to be OHKO'd by Chansey's Ice Beam, suggesting Onix should use Explosion immediately, doing a max of 499. Perhaps if you switch into a Chansey healing, with your Pokemon having some damage (enough where Golem wouldn't work), then Onix can shine a little. At least in very specific situations and for want of specific typed Pokemon.

Onix also doesn't have many interesting moves outside of Bind and Screech. Bind actually isn't too terrible, but Lickitung can Wrap significantly better. With a Pokemon as frail as Onix, Bind's 75% accuracy is a bit risky.

That leaves Screech, and with some setup, it could be useful. Onix is the only Ground and the only Rock with Screech, so he can have a slight edge on some Pokemon. With Screech, his Attack is 376 which is higher than Rhydon's and significantly higher than Golem's and has Explosion. However, Screech requires a turn, is 85% accurate and the opponent controls the stat change by staying or switching. And with how non threatening Onix's Explosion is, it's easy to switch out.

While Earthquake, Rock Slide, Screech, Explosion is conventional, it's replaceable by Golem and Rhydon. WaterWizard suggests replacing Rock Slide with Substitute and then having a chance to abuse FPs with Screech. WaterWizard made a test log that demonstrates this, but even then Onix went one for one.

While Onix can stall Electrics still, his Attack is bad enough where Reflect Zapdos has a chance to win by spamming Drill Peck (or at least tying), and only pure Electrics without Surf really have any trouble.

I suggest never using Onix.

[Nerd]

lol.

[Zilch]

How about his role in NU, where he can at least do something? Walls Magneton and Electrode, is very good against Scyther, Fearow and Aerodactyl (though watch out for Fire Blast burns), does decent damage against Weezing and Muk, and has a chance to OHKO Gastly. He can also try to paralyze on the switch with Body Slam, though don't expect this to do a lot of damage.

He has trouble with fighting types, especially Machamp, though Submission/Hi Jump Kick/Earthquake won't kill without a critical and he can explode on them before he kicks the ol' dustbucket. He also outspeeds Ivysaur and Vileplume and can explode before they have a chance to rip him to shreads. Abra also hits Onix for big damage, though Explosion can take care of that problem.

Oh, and of course any and all water types completely dominate, though Omastar takes a bit of damage against Earthquake.

In short, play Onix like a defensive Electrode, and don't be afraid to explode prematurely.

[WaterWizard]

mhm, I often use Onix in NU.

I think Onix is even less useful in BL and UU than he is in OU.