Overview
Onix is a Rock/Ground-type Pokemon that plays a critical role in the early game of Pokemon Pokopia. It is trapped in a cave northwest of the Withered Wasteland Pokemon Center and must be freed as part of the main story. Onix has the Bulldoze specialty, which is required for rebuilding Pokemon Centers, and the Crush specialty, which is used for producing dyes in the painting system.
How to Free Onix
Onix is trapped behind rocks inside a cave northwest of the Withered Wasteland Pokemon Center. Freeing it requires completing the Rain Dance and humidity puzzle:
Build a habitat for Slowpoke to obtain the humidity mechanic.
Set up a Rain Dance Site (two Castform Weather Charms in Rain Form + food offering + Water-specialty Pokemon).
Trigger rain in the area surrounding the cave.
The rain softens the rocks blocking the cave entrance.
Complete the "Yawn Up a Storm!" quest, which summons Kyogre. Kyogre provides the heavy downpour needed to fully clear the blockage.
Enter the cave and speak to Onix to free it.
The Smooth Rock needed for Onix's habitat is located inside the same cave system. Pick it up while freeing Onix.
Rebuilding the Pokemon Center
After freeing Onix, lead it back to the settlement. Speak to Professor Tangrowth to begin the Pokemon Center rebuild. The Bulldoze specialty is required for this process.
Pokemon Center rebuild requirements:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Bulldoze Pokemon | Onix (or other Bulldoze Pokemon) |
Build Pokemon | Timburr or other Build-specialty Pokemon |
Chop Pokemon | Scyther or other Chop-specialty Pokemon |
20 units | |
20 units | |
Leaves | 10 units |
10 units | |
Total helper Pokemon | 8 (including Bulldoze, Build, and Chop specialists) |
Rebuilding takes one full in-game day (resets at 5:00 AM). A rebuilt Pokemon Center unlocks the PC Terminal, Life Coins challenges, and the trading system for that region.
Bulldoze Specialty
The Bulldoze specialty clears large rock formations and heavy debris that cannot be broken with regular Rock Smash. It is essential for:
Effect | Description |
|---|---|
Pokemon Center rebuilds | Every Pokemon Center reconstruction requires at least one Bulldoze Pokemon. |
Path clearing | Some areas in Rocky Ridges and Sparkling Skylands have rock barriers that only Bulldoze can remove. |
Terrain reshaping | Bulldoze flattens rough terrain into buildable land. |
Crush Specialty
Onix also has the Crush specialty. Give berries or food items to Onix, and it grinds them into colored dyes for the painting system. Crush also converts raw Limestone into Concrete when used with a Concrete Mixer. Onix is one of 20 Pokemon with the Crush specialty.
Details
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Type | Rock/Ground |
Generation | 1 |
Specialties | Bulldoze, Crush |
Habitat | Smooth Rock habitat (requires Smooth Rock from cave) |
Location | Withered Wasteland (cave northwest of Pokemon Center) |
Rarity | Story encounter |
Evolution | Steelix (also has Bulldoze and Crush) |
Tips
Free Onix as soon as you trigger the Kyogre rain sequence. The Pokemon Center rebuild is one of the most important early-game milestones.
Keep Onix stationed near your settlement permanently. Bulldoze is needed for every Pokemon Center rebuild, and there are multiple Centers across the game.
Use Onix's Crush specialty to produce dyes early. Combine it with Smearguru's Paint specialty to start customizing furniture colors.
Pick up the Smooth Rock from inside the cave while freeing Onix. You need it for the habitat and it is easy to miss.