Gonna post two of these for now, I'll get to the rest of my Steel run later.
Pokemon: Empoleon
Ability: Defiant
Moveset: Drill Peck, Waterfall/Aqua Jet, Surf/Brine, Strength/Return, Swords Dance, Bide
Rank: B
Analysis: Although Defiant sounds like an excellent ability for the first few chapters of the game (it is), Empoleon soon loses anything it could have going once opponents stop using moves like Growl and Tail Whip. With a measly 60 base speed, it's not really set up to sweep, but with 88 and 101 for physical/special defenses respectively it's not really meant to take a hit either, especially in a steel run. As alluded to earlier, Defiant becomes a stick in the mud after it has fully evolved since you must rely on a lucky boost/swords dance and then use Aqua Jet as Empoleon's main STAB, but with an 86 Attack stat it won't really do much. Using Drill Peck as a main physical attack to harness Defiant until Empoleon finally got access to HM Waterfall later in game, using this Emperor Penguin reliably was challenging. Although I certainly don't recommend this for say, a water run, Empoleon will eventually get use of its decent 111 Special Attack and access to Brine and later Surf are positives, especially in this run. With 4/5 of my other team members weak to fire and all 5 weak to ground, Empoleon is able to take care of Steel's weaknesses with its Physical/Special water moves. Although this thing has it's ups and downs, once you can tutor it swords dance and get HM waterfall, it will cover its team's weaknesses.
Pokemon: Steelix
Ability: Sheer Force/Sturdy(if you need Sturdy for a battle or two)
Moveset: Dig/Bulldoze, Screech, Iron Tail, Crunch, Rock Slide Rank: A
Analysis: Although I was stupid and didn't know that this thing got Sheer Force until AFTER I finished my Steel run to E15, Steelix actually has a lot of powerful moves to take advantage of it. Although it admittedly sucks as an Onix, once you can Compoundeyes farm a Metal Coat from a Magnemite and Trade Stone it, Steelix will soon become a defensive tank as well as an offensive presence due to its ability. With a massive 200 defense and a mediocre but usable 65 special defense (and 75 HP), Steelix will be able to take hits physically, and if it's really having trouble specially you can ability capsule it to Sturdy. There really isn't much else to say about Steelix's defensive presence other than that it can survive earthquakes and punches. With use of Sheer Force, you can power up most of its strong level up moves at the cost of their secondary effects (which aren't that great anyways). Although Stone Edge has 100 BP, Rock Slide is boosted to a nice 97.5 power but you get 10% more hits based on accuracy. Crunch loses its occasional defense drop and is boosted to 104 BP, which is certainly a strong non-STAB dark move. Iron Tail will become the main crux of the set, and if you give Steelix one of the accuracy raising items, it will become a fairly accurate 130 BP steel move that will leave holes in.... Everything. Overall Steelix, although being crap at first, is a defensive tank that can use Sheer Force to destroy its opponents.