QC Checks: radianthero156/---
Final QC Check: ---
GP Checks: ---/---
Overview
########
+Recently demoted from OU, so its got some power left in its punches
+New Super-effective powers against fairy type
+Massive attack stat and above average defenses
+Wide variety of sets and strategies
+Now has access to Assualt Vest, which covers up its lacking Special Defense.
-New weakness to Dark type, especially the newly-spammable Knock Off.
-New weakness to Ghost-type
-Weak to Fire-type attacks, a common attacking type in UU.
-Terrible speed
Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Zen Headbutt / Stealth Rock
move 4: Bullet Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Assault Vest / Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Meteor Mash does immense amounts of damage with STAB plus 90 BP.
- Earthquake can help Metagross get through Steel-type and Fire-types, since both of these resist Meteor Mash, which is Metagross's main attack.
- Zen Headbutt is a powerful, STAB move that can also help get through fighting-types, which can often carry Knock-Off.
- Stealth Rock deals damage upon opposing switch in, which helps to discourage constant switching
- Bullet Punch is Metagross's priority move, allowing it to move first despite its lacking Speed. It even hits some Pokemon hard, like Mega Aerodactyl.
Set Details
========
- As usual, maximum Attack goes a long way in improving the impact that Metagross can have in the field. Maximum HP EVs help to better increase overall bulk. The rest can go into Special Defense in order to increase Assault Vest's effect.
- Assault Vest bolsters Metagross's lackluster Special Defense, giving it the ability to survive both ends of attacking much better. It does, however, mean that Metagross can't use any moves that aren't attacking moves, which severely limits options.
- Adamant boosts attack at the expense of special attack.
- Alternatively, an EV spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 SpD can be run in order to better check several special attacking threats.
- NOTE: Stealth Rock cannot be used with Assault Vest. If using Stealth Rock, run leftovers.
Usage Tips
========
- Metagross is notorious for being incapable of tanking special attack. With an Assault Vest, it avoids that weakness and becomes a threat to Pokemon that it was afraid of before.
- Metagross is tankier than sometimes perceived. Don't be afraid to take a hit if Metagross can return the damage better.
- Avoid switching into Knock Offs. With absolutely nothing invested into Defense, a solid Knock Off can tear through Metagross's health and remove it's item.
- Meteor Mash tends to be the most powerful choice when everything is hitting neutrally. It is the most important move to Metagross and is extremely useful.
Team Options
========
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Wallbreaker Mixgross
########
name: Wallbreaker Mixgross
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Bullet Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Life Orb
evs: 224 Atk / 160 SpA / 124 Spe
nature: Naughty
Moves
========
- Meteor Mash does immense amounts of damage with STAB plus 90 BP.
- Earthquake helps Mixgross power through Steel-types and Fire-types that it can't break through otherwise.
- Grass Knot can defeat Slowbro, Suicune, Swampert, and Quagsire, all of which would otherwise wall Metagross.
- Hidden Power Fire is pretty much for Forretress, if it comes up.
- If Forretress isn't a problem for your team, Bullet Punch gives a bit of priority that can help Metagross get around its poor Speed.
Set Details
========
- 160 Special Attack EVs are enough 2HKO suicune with Grass Knot. 124 Speed is enough to outspeed Suicune. The rest should be put into Attack, since that is where the bulk of the damage that Metagross can deal is concentrated.
- Naughty boosts Attack at the expense of Special Defense, since Metagross should be dependent on Physical bulk instead of Special Defense.
- Naughty leaves Metagross extremely vulnerable to special attacks. If it fits better with your team, a Lonely nature, boosting Attack at the expense of Defense, might be the preferable option.
- Life Orb really helps with the mixed damage that can be dealt.
- Clear Body prevents any stats from being lowered.
Usage Tips
========
- Metagross is a lure. It attracts Water-types, which are hit hard by Grass Knot. It brings in Forretress, which falls to Hidden Power Fire. This set is meant to surprise and take down the enemy.
- When all moves hit neutrally, know that Meteor Mash hits the hardest.
- Only use Hidden Power Fire when it will be 4x super effective, otherwise it won't be enough of a source of damage to threaten anything.
- Be careful what moves Metagross is switched in on. Unfortunately, EVs are invested in offenses, so defenses can be lacking.
Team Options
========
- Some Pokemon appreciate Metagross's ability to take down certain threats. Pokemon that have trouble getting through bulky Water-types, like Mega Houndoom, Darmanitan, and Snorlax, appreciate this set.
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Unfortunately, this set can still leave a hole in it's ability to deal with Grass-types. So, another Pokemon that can deal with these would be pretty cool.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Bullet Punch / Trick / Thunder Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Meteor Mash has STAB, and deals massive damage to Florges, the most commonly used Pokemon in UU
- Earthquake helps to deal with Steel-type and Fire-types that otherwise wall Metagross.
- Zen Headbutt can be used to deal with the common Figthing-type and Poison-type Pokemon, while also receiving the boost from STAB.
- Bullet Punch helps Metagross go around its poor Speed and hit fast threats like Mega Aerodactyl.
- Trick can be used to exchange Metagross's Choice Band with another Pokemon's item. This can force an opponent into some tough situations.
- Thunder Punch helps to get through Water-type Pokemon, particularly Slowbro, who can really wall Metagross.
Set Details
========
- Max out Attack for power and HP to give it increased bulk, putting one point in defense to bolster its strong defense.
- Choice Band amplifies its attacking power.
- Clear Body prevents any stats from being lowered, like Intimidate from Arcanine and Krookodile.
- Adamant increases Attack at the expense of special attack
Usage Tips
========
- This Metagross set is meant to hit hard. It can tear through some bulky walls because of the crazy power that it can put out.
- Be cautious of what move you choose to lock into, as this can be played around. Count the cost to yourself before attacking
- When in doubt, Meteor Mash is probably the best spammable move, since it is the move with the highest BP that is STAB and it has a 20% chance of raising Metagross's attack.
- Use Trick onto Pokemon that really need access to four moves, mainly stalling Pokemon.
Team Options
========
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Something that can set hazards helps Metagross sweep through Pokemon that it might not have the power to completely blow past, as it doesn't have to option of changing to a different super-effective move to help out.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Agility
########
name: Agility
move 1: Agility
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Zen Headbutt
ability: Clear Body
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
- Agility raises Metagross's speed by two stages, initially doubling it.
- Meteor Mash does immense amounts of damage with STAB plus 90 BP.
- Earthquake can help Metagross get through Steel-type and Fire-types, since both of these resist Meteor Mash, which is Metagross's main attack.
- Zen Headbutt is a powerful, STAB move that can also help get through fighting-types, which can often carry Knock-Off.
Set Details
========
- Attack and Speed should be maxed out. These Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Metagross to outspeed base 80 Speed Pokemon before the Agility boost and Choice Scarf Meinshao after the boost.
- Life Orb increases Metagross's damage output.
- Clear Body prevents any stats from being lowered.
Usage Tips
========
- This Metagross acts like a set up sweeper. It gets off one Agility, then fights through any Pokemon that it comes against.
- When Metagross is safely in, be careful about using Agility. Don't use it Agility if it's suicide, and don't be afraid to switch out once you've used it. If Metagross is your best shot at winning, keeping it safe is more important than keeping it boosted.
- That being said, try to avoid setting up if there are still Pokemon that wall you. It's a waste of turns.
Team Options
========
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Other Options
########
- Metagross can utilize a Choice Scarf to make a better Trick set, since it will almost always get the Trick off before the enemy moves. This set lacks offensive power, though.
- Metagross has access to Gyro Ball, which can deal a hefty amount of damage, considering Metagross's horrid Speed, and works well with a Trick Room team.
- Pursuit can be used to help it hit Psychic- and Ghost-types as they switch out, but it doesn't deal much reliable damage.
- Metagross has access to Light Screen and Reflect, although other Pokemon, such as Bronzong, generally do this job better.
- Metagross can induce Rain or Sun, but is outclassed in this role by other Pokemon.
- Metagross has access to Gravity, an uncommon move that has several uses. This could be useful, especially on Ground-type weak teams.
Checks & Counters
########
**Bulky Water-types**: Unless Metagross is running Grass Knot, Water-type Pokemon can be very difficult to power through. In a tier riddled with Blastoise, Swampert, Slowbro, and Suicune, Water can be a serious problem.
**Ground-types**: Considering Metagross's weakness to Ground-type moves, it must watch out for these, as it has no solid means of taking out Ground-type Pokemon. Also considering its low Special Defense, it is especially weak to Nidoking's and Nidoqueen's Earth Power, although these Pokemon must avoid an Earthquake.
**Fire-types**: Although Metagross has Earthquake, which would hit most Fire-types harder than they could handle, it is outsped and takes a lot of damage from almost all of them. Rotom-H is especially a problem, as it isn't even hit by Earthquake.
**Knock Off**: Although Metagross can defeat some of these Pokemon rather quickly, they still provide the initial threat of super-effective damage and the removal of an item.
**Status**: Burns or sleep, or moves that have similar effects, can really trouble Metagross, since it really needs full strength at every turn to be much of a threat to most Pokemon.
Final QC Check: ---
GP Checks: ---/---
Overview
########
+Recently demoted from OU, so its got some power left in its punches
+New Super-effective powers against fairy type
+Massive attack stat and above average defenses
+Wide variety of sets and strategies
+Now has access to Assualt Vest, which covers up its lacking Special Defense.
-New weakness to Dark type, especially the newly-spammable Knock Off.
-New weakness to Ghost-type
-Weak to Fire-type attacks, a common attacking type in UU.
-Terrible speed
Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Zen Headbutt / Stealth Rock
move 4: Bullet Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Assault Vest / Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Meteor Mash does immense amounts of damage with STAB plus 90 BP.
- Earthquake can help Metagross get through Steel-type and Fire-types, since both of these resist Meteor Mash, which is Metagross's main attack.
- Zen Headbutt is a powerful, STAB move that can also help get through fighting-types, which can often carry Knock-Off.
- Stealth Rock deals damage upon opposing switch in, which helps to discourage constant switching
- Bullet Punch is Metagross's priority move, allowing it to move first despite its lacking Speed. It even hits some Pokemon hard, like Mega Aerodactyl.
Set Details
========
- As usual, maximum Attack goes a long way in improving the impact that Metagross can have in the field. Maximum HP EVs help to better increase overall bulk. The rest can go into Special Defense in order to increase Assault Vest's effect.
- Assault Vest bolsters Metagross's lackluster Special Defense, giving it the ability to survive both ends of attacking much better. It does, however, mean that Metagross can't use any moves that aren't attacking moves, which severely limits options.
- Adamant boosts attack at the expense of special attack.
- Alternatively, an EV spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 SpD can be run in order to better check several special attacking threats.
- NOTE: Stealth Rock cannot be used with Assault Vest. If using Stealth Rock, run leftovers.
Usage Tips
========
- Metagross is notorious for being incapable of tanking special attack. With an Assault Vest, it avoids that weakness and becomes a threat to Pokemon that it was afraid of before.
- Metagross is tankier than sometimes perceived. Don't be afraid to take a hit if Metagross can return the damage better.
- Avoid switching into Knock Offs. With absolutely nothing invested into Defense, a solid Knock Off can tear through Metagross's health and remove it's item.
- Meteor Mash tends to be the most powerful choice when everything is hitting neutrally. It is the most important move to Metagross and is extremely useful.
Team Options
========
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Wallbreaker Mixgross
########
name: Wallbreaker Mixgross
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Bullet Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Life Orb
evs: 224 Atk / 160 SpA / 124 Spe
nature: Naughty
Moves
========
- Meteor Mash does immense amounts of damage with STAB plus 90 BP.
- Earthquake helps Mixgross power through Steel-types and Fire-types that it can't break through otherwise.
- Grass Knot can defeat Slowbro, Suicune, Swampert, and Quagsire, all of which would otherwise wall Metagross.
- Hidden Power Fire is pretty much for Forretress, if it comes up.
- If Forretress isn't a problem for your team, Bullet Punch gives a bit of priority that can help Metagross get around its poor Speed.
Set Details
========
- 160 Special Attack EVs are enough 2HKO suicune with Grass Knot. 124 Speed is enough to outspeed Suicune. The rest should be put into Attack, since that is where the bulk of the damage that Metagross can deal is concentrated.
- Naughty boosts Attack at the expense of Special Defense, since Metagross should be dependent on Physical bulk instead of Special Defense.
- Naughty leaves Metagross extremely vulnerable to special attacks. If it fits better with your team, a Lonely nature, boosting Attack at the expense of Defense, might be the preferable option.
- Life Orb really helps with the mixed damage that can be dealt.
- Clear Body prevents any stats from being lowered.
Usage Tips
========
- Metagross is a lure. It attracts Water-types, which are hit hard by Grass Knot. It brings in Forretress, which falls to Hidden Power Fire. This set is meant to surprise and take down the enemy.
- When all moves hit neutrally, know that Meteor Mash hits the hardest.
- Only use Hidden Power Fire when it will be 4x super effective, otherwise it won't be enough of a source of damage to threaten anything.
- Be careful what moves Metagross is switched in on. Unfortunately, EVs are invested in offenses, so defenses can be lacking.
Team Options
========
- Some Pokemon appreciate Metagross's ability to take down certain threats. Pokemon that have trouble getting through bulky Water-types, like Mega Houndoom, Darmanitan, and Snorlax, appreciate this set.
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Unfortunately, this set can still leave a hole in it's ability to deal with Grass-types. So, another Pokemon that can deal with these would be pretty cool.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Bullet Punch / Trick / Thunder Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Meteor Mash has STAB, and deals massive damage to Florges, the most commonly used Pokemon in UU
- Earthquake helps to deal with Steel-type and Fire-types that otherwise wall Metagross.
- Zen Headbutt can be used to deal with the common Figthing-type and Poison-type Pokemon, while also receiving the boost from STAB.
- Bullet Punch helps Metagross go around its poor Speed and hit fast threats like Mega Aerodactyl.
- Trick can be used to exchange Metagross's Choice Band with another Pokemon's item. This can force an opponent into some tough situations.
- Thunder Punch helps to get through Water-type Pokemon, particularly Slowbro, who can really wall Metagross.
Set Details
========
- Max out Attack for power and HP to give it increased bulk, putting one point in defense to bolster its strong defense.
- Choice Band amplifies its attacking power.
- Clear Body prevents any stats from being lowered, like Intimidate from Arcanine and Krookodile.
- Adamant increases Attack at the expense of special attack
Usage Tips
========
- This Metagross set is meant to hit hard. It can tear through some bulky walls because of the crazy power that it can put out.
- Be cautious of what move you choose to lock into, as this can be played around. Count the cost to yourself before attacking
- When in doubt, Meteor Mash is probably the best spammable move, since it is the move with the highest BP that is STAB and it has a 20% chance of raising Metagross's attack.
- Use Trick onto Pokemon that really need access to four moves, mainly stalling Pokemon.
Team Options
========
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Something that can set hazards helps Metagross sweep through Pokemon that it might not have the power to completely blow past, as it doesn't have to option of changing to a different super-effective move to help out.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Agility
########
name: Agility
move 1: Agility
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Zen Headbutt
ability: Clear Body
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
- Agility raises Metagross's speed by two stages, initially doubling it.
- Meteor Mash does immense amounts of damage with STAB plus 90 BP.
- Earthquake can help Metagross get through Steel-type and Fire-types, since both of these resist Meteor Mash, which is Metagross's main attack.
- Zen Headbutt is a powerful, STAB move that can also help get through fighting-types, which can often carry Knock-Off.
Set Details
========
- Attack and Speed should be maxed out. These Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Metagross to outspeed base 80 Speed Pokemon before the Agility boost and Choice Scarf Meinshao after the boost.
- Life Orb increases Metagross's damage output.
- Clear Body prevents any stats from being lowered.
Usage Tips
========
- This Metagross acts like a set up sweeper. It gets off one Agility, then fights through any Pokemon that it comes against.
- When Metagross is safely in, be careful about using Agility. Don't use it Agility if it's suicide, and don't be afraid to switch out once you've used it. If Metagross is your best shot at winning, keeping it safe is more important than keeping it boosted.
- That being said, try to avoid setting up if there are still Pokemon that wall you. It's a waste of turns.
Team Options
========
- Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate, like Aerodactyl or Hydreigon, respectively, help deal with Ground-type attacks
- Arcanine or bulky Water-types like Swampert and Suicune can take Fire-type attacks.
- Pokemon that don't mind taking a Knock Off, like Arcanine, Mega Blastoise, or Chesnaught, help to alleviate prediction.
- Metagross appreciates clerical support from Pokemon like Florges, due to its vulnerability to status moves and its lack of recovery.
Other Options
########
- Metagross can utilize a Choice Scarf to make a better Trick set, since it will almost always get the Trick off before the enemy moves. This set lacks offensive power, though.
- Metagross has access to Gyro Ball, which can deal a hefty amount of damage, considering Metagross's horrid Speed, and works well with a Trick Room team.
- Pursuit can be used to help it hit Psychic- and Ghost-types as they switch out, but it doesn't deal much reliable damage.
- Metagross has access to Light Screen and Reflect, although other Pokemon, such as Bronzong, generally do this job better.
- Metagross can induce Rain or Sun, but is outclassed in this role by other Pokemon.
- Metagross has access to Gravity, an uncommon move that has several uses. This could be useful, especially on Ground-type weak teams.
Checks & Counters
########
**Bulky Water-types**: Unless Metagross is running Grass Knot, Water-type Pokemon can be very difficult to power through. In a tier riddled with Blastoise, Swampert, Slowbro, and Suicune, Water can be a serious problem.
**Ground-types**: Considering Metagross's weakness to Ground-type moves, it must watch out for these, as it has no solid means of taking out Ground-type Pokemon. Also considering its low Special Defense, it is especially weak to Nidoking's and Nidoqueen's Earth Power, although these Pokemon must avoid an Earthquake.
**Fire-types**: Although Metagross has Earthquake, which would hit most Fire-types harder than they could handle, it is outsped and takes a lot of damage from almost all of them. Rotom-H is especially a problem, as it isn't even hit by Earthquake.
**Knock Off**: Although Metagross can defeat some of these Pokemon rather quickly, they still provide the initial threat of super-effective damage and the removal of an item.
**Status**: Burns or sleep, or moves that have similar effects, can really trouble Metagross, since it really needs full strength at every turn to be much of a threat to most Pokemon.
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