Overview
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Magneton has managed to carve itself a solid niche in the RU metagame, albeit a bit of a different niche than it had in the past. While in previous generations Magneton was primarily used as a trapper, in XY RU its main use is as one of the most threatening wallbreakers in the tier. Thanks to its huge Special Attack stat, great STAB combination, and access to STAB Volt Switch, Magneton's Choice Specs set is fantastic at wallbreaking and keeping up momentum. Magneton can also utilize its wonderful defensive typing and good bulk with a solid Eviolite set. However, while its typing grants it the most resistances of any type combination in the game, it also gives it debilitating weaknesses to three of the most common attacking types in RU in Ground, Fighting, and Fire. Magneton is also held back by its mediocre Speed, which leaves it outsped by most offensive threats. Despite this, Magneton remains a solid choice for an RU team that is sure to pull its weight in battle.
Choice Specs
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name: Choice Specs
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
ability: Analytic
item: Choice Specs
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
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Volt Switch gains momentum while dealing quite a bit of damage to anything that doesn't resist it, while Thunderbolt is Magneton's strongest attack against neutral targets. Flash Cannon hits many of the Ground-types that attempt switching into Magneton to block Volt Switch, particularly Rhyperior, and Hidden Power Grass, while situational, nails Seismitoad and the uncommon Gastrodon.
Set Details
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The given EVs are standard for an offensive Pokemon, with Modest as the preferred nature since Timid Magneton does not outspeed anything significant that Modest Magneton does not. Analytic grants Magneton a huge boost in power when the opponent switches, further enhancing its already great wallbreaking potential; Choice Specs increases Magneton's damage output even further.
Usage Tips
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Early- to mid-game, Magneton should break down walls to open up holes for other Pokemon. Magneton should switch in on defensive Pokemon that can't do much damage to it such as Aromatisse or Alomomola, though it should be wary of potential Scald burns. Volt Switch is generally Magneton's safest move to use in most situations, though Pokemon that are immune to it can cause a bit of trouble.
Team Options
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Pokemon that appreciate the opposing team being worn down, particularly frail cleaners such as Sharpedo and Fletchinder, benefit from Magneton as a teammate. Entry hazard support is useful with any wallbreaker, and Magneton is no exception, especially since Volt Switch allows it to wear its counters down more quickly. Examples of good Spikes users for offensive teams include Omastar and Accelgor. Dugtrio is helpful as a partner to remove Registeel and weakened Rhyperior, letting Magneton freely spam Volt Switch.
Other Options
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Choice Scarf is a good option for Magneton, but it isn't that strong and faces competition from other Electric-types, including Jolteon and Choice Scarf Rotom-C. While Magneton may seem like a good trapper with Magnet Pull, almost all relevant Steel-types in RU can either easily KO Magneton before it KOes them, outright wall it, or even switch out, making Magneton an ineffective trapper, especially in comparison to Dugtrio. Life Orb is a decent item on Magneton, but it compromises Magneton's decent bulk quite a bit. Magnet Rise is usable on the Eviolite set in order to deal with Gligar and Rhyperior rather well. Finally, Magneton can run various other Hidden Power types: Hidden Power Ground for Jolteon and opposing Magneton, Hidden Power Fire for Escavalier, or Hidden Power Ice for Gligar. However, these Pokemon are all 2HKOed or 3HKOed by Magneton's STAB moves, so these moves aren't very useful overall.
Checks & Counters
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**Ground-Types**: As they are immune to its Volt Switch, Ground-types such as Gligar, Seismitoad, and Rhyperior are good answers to Magneton. However, the latter two are OHKOed by Hidden Power Grass and Flash Cannon, respectively, so they must be wary when switching in. Dugtrio deserves a special mention for its ability to trap Magneton.
**Registeel**: Registeel shrugs off Magneton's attacks thanks to its absurd special bulk and also can 3HKO Magneton with Seismic Toss.
**Bulky Electric-types**: Bulky Electric-types, such as Lanturn and Assault Vest Eelektross take little damage from any of Magneton's moves thanks to their typing and bulk.
**Faster Fire- and Fighting-types**: While they can't switch in safely, Pokemon such as Moltres, Cobalion, and Hitmonlee can easily make quick work of Magneton with their STAB moves.
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