[OVERVIEW]
Metagross was blessed with a Mega Evolution that makes it a top tier threat. It possesses many key traits that make it a prominent threat in the OU metagame. Its great ability, Tough Claws, boosts contact moves' power by 33%, which pairs very well with its great movepool. Furthermore, Mega Metagross has a great typing and stellar 80 / 150 / 110 bulk, which provides it with numerous switch in opportunities to switch in. Finally, Mega Metagross's offenses are great; its high base 145 Attack stat coupled with its blazing base 110 Speed makes it a very fast, (AC) hard-hitting (add hyphen) tank. However, Mega Metagross does suffer from a few glaring flaws. Its base Speed before Mega Evolving is subpar at best, and it is also incredibly susceptible to status effects because the Pokemon it enjoys switching in on, such as Mega Gardevoir and Clefable, often carry moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave, respectively. (Garde and Clef are just examples, so technically you can't be this specific in the main clause) Furthermore, Mega Metagross lacks reliable recovery, so it has trouble staying healthy throughout the match, especially against teams that utilize Spikes. Despite these flaws, Mega Metagross is able to capitalize on its strengths very well, which enables it to put pressure onto its foes when played correctly.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Hammer Arm
move 4: Grass Knot / Ice Punch / Bullet Punch / Pursuit
item: Metagrossite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Meteor Mash is the obligatory Steel STAB move that hits non resists Pokemon that don't resist it exceptionally hard, while Zen Headbutt deals good damage to Pokemon that do (contrast) resist Meteor Mash, such as Rotom-W. Hammer Arm hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Heatran for super effective damage and receives a Tough Claws boost, but Earthquake can be used instead for a harder hit on to hit Heatran harder (RC) while also having the notable advantage of hitting and, notably, hit Mega Charizard X, Victini, Jirachi, and opposing Mega Metagross super effectively. The last slot rounds off Mega Metagross's coverage. Grass Knot enables Mega Metagross to break past Hippowdon, Quagsire, and Slowbro. Ice Punch is Metagross's only reliable way of reliably of killing to KO defensive Garchomp, and it has the notable advantage of also hitting Landorus-T and Gliscor for major damage. Thunder Punch is an option to muscle past Slowking, an otherwise 100% full counter to Mega Metagross, while also hitting Skarmory and Talonflame super effectively. Bullet Punch is great for revenge killing faster Pokemon, but the loss of a coverage move is often not worth it.
Finally, Pursuit is a great option for Mega Metagrossto support its team. It enables Metagross to remove problematic Pokemon for its common partners to facilitate a sweep later on in the game. For example, Mega Metagrossis often paired with Keldeo, so Metagross and it is able to Pursuit trap common answers to Keldeo such as Celebi, Latios, and Latias, as it naturally checks them. Furthermore, Pursuit is great for getting chip damage on forced switches, such as against Mega Gardevoir or and Choice Specs Raikou locked into Hidden Power Ice. Should Pursuit be run, be wary of the loss of coverage, however.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment in tandem with a Jolly nature investment capitalizes on Mega Metagross's offensive capabilities. However Alternatively, ("however ... but" kinda rubs me the wrong way) an Adamant nature can be used for more power, but the inability to outspeed metagame staples such as Keldeo and positive-natured (add hyphen) Mega Charizard Y makes it an inferior option most of the time. A Naive nature is also an option if Grass Knot is used, but the loss of special bulk can be troublesome during matches and the power increase is isn't always necessary.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Metagross is a great check to many prominent Fairy-types in the tier such as Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, and Azumarill, although each one has a way of crippling Metagross should it be played recklessly. Mega Metagross's primary role is to punch holes into opposing teams, so bringing it in against defensive Pokemon that are unable to touch it is advisable. Similarly, switching Metagross into resisted hits is a great way to get it into play.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that are able to defeat Mega Metagross's most prominent checks, such as Skarmory, Jirachi, and Mega Scizor, are heavily appreciated. Talonflame, Keldeo, Choice Specs Magnezone, and Heatran are good options for this role. Manaphy and Choice Band Azumarill are great wallbreakers that are able to break through Mega Metagross's checks and thus make for good teammates. On sets lacking Grass Knot, good partners include Will-O-Wisp Talonflame, Swords Dance Landorus-T, and Swords Dance Terrakion because they wear down Hippowdon, Garchomp, and defensive Landorus-T. Metagross appreciates entry hazards to ensure certain KOs it would otherwise be unable to achieve, so setters such as Garchomp and Heatran make for good partners. Latias is an excellent teammate for Mega Metagross because she it can effectively provide Metagross with a second life with Healing Wish.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Ice Punch / Hammer Arm / Earthquake
item: Metagrossite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish enables Mega Metagross to outspeed the entire metagame after a boost. Meteor Mash is Metagross's obligatory Steel STAB that move and has a decent chance to raise its Attack by one stage. Should accuracy pose a concern, Iron Head is a viable alternative. Zen Headbutt is needed to power through Rotom-W and other Pokemon that resist Steel resists, and it sports a decent flinch chance that works pairs well with Mega Metagross's high Speed. Ice Punch is needed to be able to break through defensive Garchomp, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Gliscor, (comma) while Hammer Arm is useful for breaking through Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Heatran. Alternatively, Earthquake nets super effective hits on Jirachi, Victini, and Mega Charizard X, but it is otherwise inferior to Hammer Arm, despite the latter move's Speed drop.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Attack investment enables Mega Metagross to hit as hard as possible while still hitting the very important base 110 Speed benchmark. Should Speed not be as critical, an alternative EV spread of 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe with an Adamant nature outspeeds allows Mega Metagross to outspeed neutral-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon before a Rock Polish (RC) and everything relevant in the metagame after a boost. Clear Body is the ability of choice to aid in the process of setting up against Intimidate users.
Usage Tips
========
Early-game,(add hyphen) use Metagross to break down walls or revenge kill slower Pokemon. Then, when it is time to go for a sweep late-game and Mega Metagross's checks and counters have been sufficiently weakened, bring Metagross in on Fairy-types that it forces out to gain a free turn to set up. However, it must be wary of Thunder Wave Clefable and Will-O-Wisp Mega Gardevoir. This should only be done once Metagross's checks and counters have been sufficiently weakened. Holding off on Mega Evolving allows Metagross to bypass Intimidate users that try to weaken lower its Attack stat. Setting up before Mega Evolving isn't too difficult, (AC) as it still possesses a decent Speed tier after a boost and is still quite bulky.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that are able to defeat Mega Metagross's most prominent checks, such as Skarmory, Jirachi, and Mega Scizor, are heavily appreciated. Talonflame, Keldeo, Choice Specs Magnezone, and Heatran are good options for this role. Manaphy and Choice Band Azumarill are great wallbreakers that are able to break through Mega Metagross's checks and thus make for good teammates. Mega Metagross appreciates entry hazards to ensure certain KOs it would otherwise be unable to achieve, so setters such as Garchomp and Heatran make for good partners. Latias is an excellent teammate for Mega Metagross because she it can use Healing Wish and to effectively provide Mega Metagross with a second life.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Assault Vest is a decent option on non-Mega (clarity) Metagross that allows it to act as a good Fairy check and Pursuit trapper. The combination of Substitute and Power-Up (add hyphen) Punch on lets Mega Metagross lets it use weaker defensive Pokemon as setup bait, since as they are usually unable to break Mega Metagross's Substitute. Substitute on the All-Out (add hyphen) Attacker set gives Mega Metagross a buffer against status effects and makes it harder to revenge kill, but it must forgo a valuable coverage move to fit it onto its set. Hidden Power Fire enables Mega Metagross to bypass an otherwise solid counter in (to whatever extent this holds true, but I recall from the suspect thread that this was its best counter so wouldn't hurt pointing that out) Mega Scizor, but it has no use outside of that and is very weak. For example, it is unable to 2HKO standard Ferrothorn or specially defensive Skarmory.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Hippowdon, Garchomp, Quagsire, Landorus-T, and Gliscor are able to take on Mega Metagross's STAB moves. However, Hippowdon and Quagsire lose to Grass Knot, while Gliscor, Garchomp, and Landorus-T lose to Ice Punch.
**Dark-types**: Choice Scarf Tyranitar is capable of outspeeding Mega Metagross (RC) and, (AC) with prior damage, is capable of knocking it out with a super effective attack. Life Orb Bisharp is capable of KOing Mega Metagross with Sucker Punch after minimal prior damage. Mandibuzz is able to take on any attacks that Metagross throws at it and defeat it with Foul Play, but Stealth Rock cannot be on the field.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Physically defensive Mew, Slowbro, Slowking, and Cresselia are able to wall most variants of Mega Metagross that lack Substitute. Mew is able to cripple Metagross with a Will-O-Wisp, while Slowbro and Slowking can whittle away at it with Scald and eventually burn it. However, Slowbro must be wary of Grass Knot, while Slowking does not enjoy facing Mega Metagross that carry Thunder Punch. Cresselia is also able to wall Mega Metagross, as despite it not having a way of doing any meaningful damage to it, Cresselia is capable of crippling it with a Thunder Wave.
**Steel-types**: Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and defensive Jirachi all take on Mega Metagross quite easily, as they are able to eat up Hammer Arms and whittle Mega Metagross down with their moves. While Jirachi must be wary of Earthquake, it is able to take on variants that lack it and cripple Metagross with a Thunder Wave.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Tangrowth and physically defensive Celebi are able to take any hit Mega Metagross throws at them, including Ice Punch, and either cripple it with Sleep Powder or Thunder Wave (respectively), or simply wear it down throughout the match. They must watch out for Attack boosts from Meteor Mash, however.
**Status effects**: Status effects such as burn and paralysis really hamper Mega Metagross's effectiveness. Pokemon with access to moves that inflict these status effects make for decent answers to Mega Metagross, especially if Metagross normally is able to switch into them. Good examples of this are Will-O-Wisp Gardevoir and Thunder Wave Clefable.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Tyranitar, Overheat Mega Manectric, Sand Rush Excadrill, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Choice Specs Raikou, Life Orb Starmie, and Life Orb Tornadus-T carrying Heat Wave are able to outspeed and either knock out or severely cripple Mega Metagross with super effective or hard-hitting moves.
