The latest suspect is upon us. Based on discussion in the community and the council, we've decided to suspect Mega Metagross. Mega Metagross has always been a powerful threat in the National Dex Doubles metagame, but the release of the Indigo Disk gave Mega Metagross access to the extremely powerful Heavy Slam, a move that hits at 120 base power to a sizeable chunk of the metagame due to Mega Metagross' immense weight and is further bolstered by Tough Claws and a colossal 145 Attack stat. Paired with incredible defensive stats and a solid defensive typing, Mega Metagross can be a dangerous threat that's extremely difficult to remove from the game.
Mega Metagross also manages to check several Pokemon that would nominally be a threat to it, such as Flutter Mane, due to its access to a strong priority option in Bullet Punch. While Bullet Punch doesn't kill most threats on its own, it can easily clean up a Pokemon that's taken damage throughout the match. Counterplay to Mega Metagross usually involves swapping in Intimidate setters to limit Mega Metagross' ability to cripple a team, or using fast Special Attackers that can scare out Mega Metagross. However, it's difficult to switch a Pokemon into Mega Metagross' powerful moves, as Mega Metagross has a wide array of movepool options that can kill various threats, and enough damage can place a Pokemon in the dangerous range of Mega Metagross' aforementioned Bullet Punch.
Additionally, Mega Metagross lacks native recovery, meaning that it can be worn down over the course of a match. However, the wide array of support options present in National Dex Doubles can help overcome this issue. Rillaboom's Grassy Terrain can provide passive recovery over time. Other support options can help boost Mega Metagross' already high stats, with screens making it extremely hard to break down over time, and Howl boosting an already incredible attack stat.
As usual, a 60% ban vote must be achieved in order to ban Mega Metagross.
Suspect Test Information
- Reading this is mandatory to participate in the suspect test. The voting requirements are a minimum GXE of 80 with at least 50 games played. In addition, you may play 1 less game for every 0.2 GXE you have above 80 GXE, down to a minimum of 30 games at a GXE of 84. Also, needing more than 50 games to reach 80% GXE will suffice.
GXE | minimum games |
84 | 30 |
83.8 | 31 |
83.6 | 32 |
83.4 | 33 |
83.2 | 34 |
83 | 35 |
82.8 | 36 |
82.6 | 37 |
82.4 | 38 |
82.2 | 39 |
82 | 40 |
81.8 | 41 |
81.6 | 42 |
81.4 | 43 |
81.2 | 44 |
81 | 45 |
80.8 | 46 |
80.6 | 47 |
80.4 | 48 |
80.2 | 49 |
80 | 50 |
- You must use a fresh account that begins with the given prefix for this suspect test. That prefix is NDDMM. For example, I could signup and qualify with the name NDDMM big pichu.
- Laddering with an account that impersonates, mocks, or insults another Smogon user or breaks Pokemon Showdown! rules may be disqualified from voting and infracted. Moderator discretion will be applied here. If there is any doubt or hesitance when making the alt, just pick another name. There are infinite possibilities and we have had trouble for this repeatedly. If you wish to participate in the suspect, you should be able to exhibit decent enough judgement here. We will not be lenient.
- We will be using the regular National Dex Doubles ladder for this suspect test. We will not be creating a new Suspect Ladder. At the beginning of every battle, there will be an announcement denoting the ongoing suspect with a link to this thread.
- The element being tested, Mega Metagross, will be allowed on the ladder.
- Any form of voting manipulation will result in swift and severe punishment. You are more than welcome to state your argument to as many people as you so please, but do not use any kind of underhanded tactics to get a result you desire. Bribery, blackmail, or any other type of tactic used to sway votes will be handled and sanctioned.
- Do not attempt to cheat the ladder. We will know if you did not actually achieve voting requisites, so don't do it. Harsh sanctions will be applied.
- We will be posting the voting identification thread immediately after this thread. Your voting requisites will be confirmed by a Council member or National Dex Doubles moderator, to which we will edit in confirmation. Please avoid playing more games before getting confirmed. You will be notified when you are confirmed by moderator edit.
- The suspect test will begin at Thursday April 4th, 4AM UTC (Thursday April 4th, 12AMEDT) and go on for roughly 16 days, lasting until Saturday April 20th, 4AM UTC (Saturday April 20th, 12AM EDT) , and then we will put up the voting thread in the Blind Voting subforum.
Tagging Kris and Marty to let them know about this.