Mega Steelix and the Shifting Ranked Meta in Pokémon Legends

[Logan]

If you’ve spent any time in ranked battles recently, you’ve probably noticed one thing: Mega Steelix is everywhere. And honestly, it’s not surprising. After watching the recent gameplay breakdown, I realized just how perfectly Mega Steelix fits into the current balance of Pokémon Legends ZA. Its raw durability and damage output turn it into a walking fortress, and the game’s unique speed mechanics actually work in its favor instead of holding it back.

Below is a full breakdown of what makes Mega Steelix so strong right now, how players are building their teams around it, and why this meta might stay relevant even as new updates approach.

Why Speed Doesn’t Matter Much for Steelix

One of the most interesting mechanics in Legends ZA is that speed doesn’t affect turn order—it affects cooldowns. For fast Pokémon, this is great, but for something as slow as Steelix, it usually sounds like a death sentence.

But in practice, Mega Steelix doesn’t suffer much from it.

Most of its essential moves—Dig, Earthquake, Iron Tail—already hit so hard that you don’t need to cycle them quickly. Steelix usually enters a fight, drops a Curse, and then unloads its entire rotation in a single brutal sequence. By the time your cooldowns matter again, the battle is usually already decided.

This is what makes Steelix feel so reliable. Instead of worrying about speed, you can invest fully in bulk and Attack, which makes every hit land like a hammer.

Steelix’s Moves Hit the Current Meta Perfectly

Steelix’s strongest selling point is its moveset. Curse is extremely strong in this game because buffs are difficult to interrupt—opponents rarely reach you in time to punish your setup. Combine that with Dig, Earthquake, and a steel-type finisher like Iron Tail or Heavy Slam, and you get a Pokémon that can shred even the bulkiest threats.

And right now, the ranked ladder is full of exactly the kinds of Pokémon Steelix loves to fight.

Xerneas and Metagross are two of the most common picks, and Steelix checks both. Earthquake absolutely deletes Metagross, and Iron Tail or Heavy Slam hits Xerneas for huge damage. If you’ve played any match on a tight or enclosed map, you’ve probably noticed Earthquake doing absurd work. Sometimes Steelix hits three or four targets without even trying.

This is also the point in the game where some players think about whether they should buy shiny pokemon za to build themed Steelix teams. Personally, I prefer earning my Pokémon in-game, but I get why collectors enjoy decorating their lineup.

Building a Team Around Steelix

From the gameplay analysis, it’s clear that Mega Steelix thrives when paired with Pokémon that cover its few weaknesses. The player uses Gyarados and Ampharos to handle threats like Delphox, Chandelure, and Garchomp—matchups that Steelix doesn’t always enjoy.

Gyarados
The Wacan Berry setup is both clever and essential. A charged Thunderbolt from an Ampharos can normally one-shot Gyarados, but the berry helps it survive long enough to retaliate with Waterfall or Crunch. Ice Fang provides extra coverage against Garchomp, which appears frequently in ranked matches.

Ampharos
This Pokémon brings screens, pressure, and the ability to force out enemy Gyarados. Charge + Thunderbolt hits far harder than most players expect, and combining screens with Steelix’s natural bulk makes every fight easier to control.

The video shows how these three Pokémon complement each other: Steelix crushes grounded targets, Gyarados sweeps fragile threats, and Ampharos acts as the glue that holds everything together.

There was also a brief mention of in-game trading where some players look for shiny pokemon for sale, especially when trying to recreate teams they admire. It’s not something I personally use, but it definitely pops up often in the community.

Cooldown Management and Positioning Still Matter

Even though Steelix doesn’t rely heavily on speed, it still requires good timing. The gameplay shows several moments where Dig is used not just as an attack, but as a dodge to avoid dangerous moves from Chandelure or Delphox. In tight matches, a single well-timed Dig can completely turn a fight around.

Mega timing is another big factor. The player misses a few chances to Mega Evolve early enough at key moments, which shows just how important it is to watch your mega gauge. A late Mega Steelix can survive nearly anything, but a pre-mega Steelix can still be chipped down faster than you’d like.

Proper positioning, especially around enclosed maps or choke points, makes Earthquake feel like a guaranteed KO machine. If enemies clump up or chase each other too closely, Steelix can wipe entire squads in seconds.

Looking Ahead: Updates, DLC, and Changing Strategies

A quick mention at the end of the video highlights upcoming updates, including Mega Chesnaught and the early December DLC drop. While these additions might shake the meta slightly, Steelix’s fundamental strengths don’t rely on niche interactions or specific counters.

Unless new Pokémon directly punish setup moves or have natural immunity to Steelix’s strongest attacks, Mega Steelix will likely stay at the top for a while.

Players who enjoy structured team building, predictable damage rotations, and strong defensive play will feel right at home with this strategy. And as more content releases, it’ll be interesting to see whether other bulky attackers rise to the same level.


Mega Steelix is a powerhouse in the current state of Pokémon Legends ZA. Its combination of smart cooldown mechanics, incredible bulk, and a near-perfect move pool makes it one of the most reliable picks for ranked battles. With the right partners—like Gyarados and Ampharos—it becomes the center of a highly adaptable and surprisingly aggressive team composition.

Whether you’re climbing the ranked ladder or just exploring new builds, Steelix deserves a place on your radar.