>>51454395Because Onix was designed to be the first boss in the game.
Its like you never played Red/Green/Blue.
Early game you barely have access to special moves until you're level
8 - Charmander
9 - Squirtle
13 - Bulbasaur
The game is specifically designed to make you grind to get those moves, because not a single other mon can learn a special move to hit Onix's weak special stat outside of Butterfree getting confusion at level 12.
You learn the moves that are physical that don't hit onix for shit, and you learn the moves that are special that tear through him like paper even if "not very effective."
Brock's Onix runs Bide, Tackle, and Screech specifically to be a battle of attrition if you use physical as bide will hit you like a fucking truck from all your little tackles and scratches, tackle to deal direct damage, and Screech to essentially double Onix's shit attack.
People getting mad because the mon was specifically made to teach you how to play the game are dumb. Its like they don't realize that Misty was the 2nd gym leader specifically to teach you typing relative to your Rock--paper-scissors pick.
First gym teaches you physical-special, second gym teaches you type.