[OVERVIEW]
<p>Metagross is often considered king of bulky offence and with a monstrous 135 base attack plus defences of 80/130/95 it's not hard to see why. As there is a lack of defensive pokemon in the tier, bulky attackers can be very important in doubles, especially when they hold great resistances to prolific types like ice, rock and dragon. It's overlooked in singles because of its middling speed, poor STAB coverage and a horrible case of 'Four Move Slot Syndrome' but, thanks to the doubles environment, these holes can be patched up easily by team support, either by offering speed control or by providing more coverage, making it incredibly effective. Finally, it's ability, Clear Body, means that it is one of only a few physical attackers not scared of intimidaters making it even harder to check. Metagross is a pokemon who can fit on almost any playstyle and so should always should be considered for a teamslot.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Bullet Punch/Zen Headbutt
move 3: Zen Headbutt/ Earthquake/ Explosion
move 4: Protect
Iiem: Occa Berry/ Shuca Berry/ Steel Gem
nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is the standard bulky offence set and even without any power boosting items it hits hard as hell. Meteor Mash is the STAB move of choice because a base 100 power move coming from Metagross is life crushing, especially if it gets an attack raise. Bullet Punch is great for grabbing KOs on faster threats but having two offensive steel moves can really limit your coverage. Zen Headbutt is another incredibly powerful moves on gross which can destroy any fighting types (including an OHKO on standard hitmontop). Earthquake is the preferred coverage move as it allows you to hit steels, notably Heatran, for super effective or neutral damage and it's Gross' best option for a spread move. However, Explosion can be very very effective in grabbing free switches and KOing threats which are a nuisance to your team. A well timed Explosion can really turn a battle around. Occa berry and Shuca berry are there to cover one of its two weaknesses making it harder to take down. Steel gem however is for quickly dispatching or denting bulky mons like Dusclops and Cresselia who can survive for large portions of the game causing trouble. In a similar vein, psychic gem can be used for OHKOs on annoying pokes like Amoonguss and Conkeldurr. EVs let it outspeed 0 speed heatran and outspeed max speed base 120s after a tailwind, survive a modest Heatran heat wave, life orb adamant earthquake from Excadrill and modest hydro pump in rain from Kingdra.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Speed control such as tailwind or icy wind is great for Metagross as its only downside is its speed stat. Beacuse of this, a different EV spread with more speed investment can be used. As Metagross deals with hail so well thanks to his typing, he pairs well with tailwind setters like Zapdos, Salamence and Tornadus who are all scared of multiple blizzards. Mamoswine is another great option as it can easily deal with some of Gross' main threats like Heatran and Landorus. Gross can also lend a hand (giant metal fist) to Mamo in taking out any fighting types on the field.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Meteor Mash/ Zen Heabutt/ Iron Head
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Earthquake/ Explosion
move 4: Trick
Iiem: Choice band
nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 HP/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is one of the hardest hitting sets in the doubles metagame. And with a STAB priority move in the form of bullet punch, it can be incredibly dangerous. As bullet punch is probaly the most important move on this set, meteor mash is no longer completely necessary as, again, it would limit your coverage having two offensive steel moves, and because on repeated use, having mediocre accuracy is not nice. Thanks to the choice band, iron head is a viable option on this set, trading 15 base power for perfect accuracy. Trick is essential for the final moveslot as it can give this set some versatility as well as rendering support pokes such as Cresselia useless. Don't use this set if you don't have the team members to suport it though. The fact that you have to drop protect means that whenever any threat comes in, you will be forced to switch or dispatch of it quickly. Make sure you have answers for Gross' checks. </p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Zen Headbutt/ Meteor Mash
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Earthquake/ Explosion
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/ 240 Spd/ 16 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Choice scarf may be unconventional in doubles, but for Metagross, it can work fantastically because it has the coverage to beat all of its checks as well as having access to the move trick. With zen headbutt as the main STAB move, any levitating steel resist such as Gyarados can be hit hard unsuspectingly. Earthquake is there mainly for fire types that may usually outspeed and kill Gross like Heatran or Chandelure. Ice Punch is possibly the most important move on the set because it destroys ground types that love to threaten Gross. Ice punch is an OHKO on both Landoruses (Landori?), Garchomp and Shaymin-Sky, all of which are outsped with this EV spread.</P>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<P>A trick room spread with 0 speed EVs, IVs and a brave nature is perfectly viable, but there are a set of slower, possibly more powerful pokes that can do the job better. Hammer arm can be used to hit annoying pokes like Ferrothorn harder but earthquake is generally the better option because it hits both opponents, has 100% accuracy and doesn't involve a speed reduction. Thunder punch gives Gross SE coverage on waters, specifically gyarados, who can check it fairly well with the steel resist but because of its low base power, giving up a moveslot generally isn't worth it. Normal gem in conjunction with explosion will do huge damage to anything in the way but with Metagross' massive attack, it normally already scores KOs making it unnecessary.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Neither of Metagross' STAB moves hit steel types making most of them good checks to it, especially Bronzong who isn't hit by any of the coverage moves Metagross generally carries. Other pokes that resist steel and levitate can work very well in checking any gross that doesn't carry ice punch or zen headbutt including Zapdos, Thundurus and Gyarados who are commonplace in doubles. Almost all fire types have a good time facing Metagross as they resist its main StAB move and can hit back hard on Metagross weaker side as the most common fire move in doubles (heat wave) is special. To a lesser extent, strong earthquake users such as Landorus and Garchomp often force out Metagross but must be wary of an ice punch coming their way - Metagross has 130 base defence and can often tank the physical moves giving it a chance to retaliate... hard. Finally, anything with a decent speed stat can check Metagross by revenge killing it without fear of being outsped.</p>
Skeleton:
<p>Metagross is often considered king of bulky offence and with a monstrous 135 base attack plus defences of 80/130/95 it's not hard to see why. As there is a lack of defensive pokemon in the tier, bulky attackers can be very important in doubles, especially when they hold great resistances to prolific types like ice, rock and dragon. It's overlooked in singles because of its middling speed, poor STAB coverage and a horrible case of 'Four Move Slot Syndrome' but, thanks to the doubles environment, these holes can be patched up easily by team support, either by offering speed control or by providing more coverage, making it incredibly effective. Finally, it's ability, Clear Body, means that it is one of only a few physical attackers not scared of intimidaters making it even harder to check. Metagross is a pokemon who can fit on almost any playstyle and so should always should be considered for a teamslot.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Bullet Punch/Zen Headbutt
move 3: Zen Headbutt/ Earthquake/ Explosion
move 4: Protect
Iiem: Occa Berry/ Shuca Berry/ Steel Gem
nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is the standard bulky offence set and even without any power boosting items it hits hard as hell. Meteor Mash is the STAB move of choice because a base 100 power move coming from Metagross is life crushing, especially if it gets an attack raise. Bullet Punch is great for grabbing KOs on faster threats but having two offensive steel moves can really limit your coverage. Zen Headbutt is another incredibly powerful moves on gross which can destroy any fighting types (including an OHKO on standard hitmontop). Earthquake is the preferred coverage move as it allows you to hit steels, notably Heatran, for super effective or neutral damage and it's Gross' best option for a spread move. However, Explosion can be very very effective in grabbing free switches and KOing threats which are a nuisance to your team. A well timed Explosion can really turn a battle around. Occa berry and Shuca berry are there to cover one of its two weaknesses making it harder to take down. Steel gem however is for quickly dispatching or denting bulky mons like Dusclops and Cresselia who can survive for large portions of the game causing trouble. In a similar vein, psychic gem can be used for OHKOs on annoying pokes like Amoonguss and Conkeldurr. EVs let it outspeed 0 speed heatran and outspeed max speed base 120s after a tailwind, survive a modest Heatran heat wave, life orb adamant earthquake from Excadrill and modest hydro pump in rain from Kingdra.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Speed control such as tailwind or icy wind is great for Metagross as its only downside is its speed stat. Beacuse of this, a different EV spread with more speed investment can be used. As Metagross deals with hail so well thanks to his typing, he pairs well with tailwind setters like Zapdos, Salamence and Tornadus who are all scared of multiple blizzards. Mamoswine is another great option as it can easily deal with some of Gross' main threats like Heatran and Landorus. Gross can also lend a hand (giant metal fist) to Mamo in taking out any fighting types on the field.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Meteor Mash/ Zen Heabutt/ Iron Head
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Earthquake/ Explosion
move 4: Trick
Iiem: Choice band
nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 HP/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is one of the hardest hitting sets in the doubles metagame. And with a STAB priority move in the form of bullet punch, it can be incredibly dangerous. As bullet punch is probaly the most important move on this set, meteor mash is no longer completely necessary as, again, it would limit your coverage having two offensive steel moves, and because on repeated use, having mediocre accuracy is not nice. Thanks to the choice band, iron head is a viable option on this set, trading 15 base power for perfect accuracy. Trick is essential for the final moveslot as it can give this set some versatility as well as rendering support pokes such as Cresselia useless. Don't use this set if you don't have the team members to suport it though. The fact that you have to drop protect means that whenever any threat comes in, you will be forced to switch or dispatch of it quickly. Make sure you have answers for Gross' checks. </p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Zen Headbutt/ Meteor Mash
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Earthquake/ Explosion
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/ 240 Spd/ 16 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Choice scarf may be unconventional in doubles, but for Metagross, it can work fantastically because it has the coverage to beat all of its checks as well as having access to the move trick. With zen headbutt as the main STAB move, any levitating steel resist such as Gyarados can be hit hard unsuspectingly. Earthquake is there mainly for fire types that may usually outspeed and kill Gross like Heatran or Chandelure. Ice Punch is possibly the most important move on the set because it destroys ground types that love to threaten Gross. Ice punch is an OHKO on both Landoruses (Landori?), Garchomp and Shaymin-Sky, all of which are outsped with this EV spread.</P>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<P>A trick room spread with 0 speed EVs, IVs and a brave nature is perfectly viable, but there are a set of slower, possibly more powerful pokes that can do the job better. Hammer arm can be used to hit annoying pokes like Ferrothorn harder but earthquake is generally the better option because it hits both opponents, has 100% accuracy and doesn't involve a speed reduction. Thunder punch gives Gross SE coverage on waters, specifically gyarados, who can check it fairly well with the steel resist but because of its low base power, giving up a moveslot generally isn't worth it. Normal gem in conjunction with explosion will do huge damage to anything in the way but with Metagross' massive attack, it normally already scores KOs making it unnecessary.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Neither of Metagross' STAB moves hit steel types making most of them good checks to it, especially Bronzong who isn't hit by any of the coverage moves Metagross generally carries. Other pokes that resist steel and levitate can work very well in checking any gross that doesn't carry ice punch or zen headbutt including Zapdos, Thundurus and Gyarados who are commonplace in doubles. Almost all fire types have a good time facing Metagross as they resist its main StAB move and can hit back hard on Metagross weaker side as the most common fire move in doubles (heat wave) is special. To a lesser extent, strong earthquake users such as Landorus and Garchomp often force out Metagross but must be wary of an ice punch coming their way - Metagross has 130 base defence and can often tank the physical moves giving it a chance to retaliate... hard. Finally, anything with a decent speed stat can check Metagross by revenge killing it without fear of being outsped.</p>
Skeleton:
Doing this on Laga's orders :]. Sorry if I've done this wrong/ missed stuff out.
[Overview]
Name: Bulky Attacker
Move 1: Meteor Mash
Move 2: Bullet Punch/Zen Headbutt
Move 3: Earthquake/ Zen Headbutt/ Explosion
Move 4: Protect
Item: Occa Berry/ Shuca Berry/ Steel Gem
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[Set comments]
Name: Choice Band
Move 1: Meteor Mash/ Zen Heabutt/ Iron Head
Move 2: Bullet Punch
Move 3: Earthquake/ Explosion
Move 4: Trick
Item: Choice band
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 HP/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[Set comments]
Name: Choice Scarf
Move 1: Meteor Mash/ Zen Heabutt
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Ice Punch/ Explosion
Move 4: Trick
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/ 240 Spd/ 16 HP
[Set Comments]
[Checks and counters]
[Overview]
- Can fit on any form of speed control team.
- High attack and good bulk, only 2 weaknesses.
- Resistances to important types like rock, ice and dragon.
- Immunity to intimidate and icy wind with clear body.
Name: Bulky Attacker
Move 1: Meteor Mash
Move 2: Bullet Punch/Zen Headbutt
Move 3: Earthquake/ Zen Headbutt/ Explosion
Move 4: Protect
Item: Occa Berry/ Shuca Berry/ Steel Gem
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[Set comments]
- Hits really hard
- King of 'Bulky Offense'.
- Occa berry is used to cover its worst weakness as fire generally hits the special side, its inferior defensive stat.
- Steel Gem can secure KOs on bulky Pokemon like Cresselia and dusclops to shut down opposing strategies.
- Protect is a staple on any doubles poke, it allows a free turn to get up tailwind, icy wind, etc.
- Bullet Punch helps it nab KOs without having to rely on imperfect accuracy or speed.
- Meteor mash is the best STAB option as it has a high base power, decent accuracy and nice chance for attack boosting.
- Earthquake is the preferred coverage move as it allows gross to hit steels for SE damage as well as hit multiple opponents.
- Zen Headbutt is the more powerful option but doesn't provide much coverage. OHKOs standard top. Hits threats like thunderus, zapdos, gyarados and rotom w.
- Well timed explosions can change the momentum of a game. However, gives gross very little coverage.
- Psychic Gem can also be used for OHKOs on pokes like Amoongus and Conkeldurr.
- EVs let it outspeed 0 speed heatran, survive a modest heatran heat wave, life orb adamant earthquake from excadrill and mosest hydro pump in rain from kingdra.
- Speed control is necessary to cover up middling speed stat.
- Can run max speed to combat faster threats after speed control.
- Ice punch is another good option for taking out many of gross' threats (landorus, garchomp, etc) but the fact that gross has to take a powerful earthquake to get off this attack discourages its usage.
- Pairs well with Zapdos and Salamence who can set up tailwind and hit opposing steels with heat wave. Also both ate immune to earthquake.
- Deals with Tyranitar well allowing pokes like Cresselia and Shaymin-sky to shine.
- Incidentally, Cress is a great support poke for Metagross as it levitates and can icy wind opponents.
- Mamoswine is perfect for dealing with Gross' top threats like Heatran, Garchomp and Landorus. Gross can also destroy opposing fighting types with zen heabutt that would normally threaten mamo.
- Water types such as jello cent and Keldeo can deal with fire types for gross.
- Tornadus is a nice option as it can speed gross up with tailwind, hit opposing steels with superpower (or focus blast) and because gross deals with hail, and the blizzspam that comes with that, extremely well.
Name: Choice Band
Move 1: Meteor Mash/ Zen Heabutt/ Iron Head
Move 2: Bullet Punch
Move 3: Earthquake/ Explosion
Move 4: Trick
Item: Choice band
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 196 HP/ 252 Atk/ 60 Spd
[Set comments]
- Hits like a truck.
- Explosion kills everything with a band attached.
- Bullet Punch becomes more useful on a choice band set as its low base power is less of a problem with the attack boost.
- Trick can be used to screw over utility pokes.
- Loss of Protect can be horrible for it.
Name: Choice Scarf
Move 1: Meteor Mash/ Zen Heabutt
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Ice Punch/ Explosion
Move 4: Trick
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/ 240 Spd/ 16 HP
[Set Comments]
- Still powerful
- On repeated use, 5% accuracy boost from zen Headbutt may be more desirable.
- Out speeds and kills some major threats to it like Heatran, Landorus and Garchomp which it wouldn't normally do without scarf.
- Speed EVs are enough to outspeeds max speed timid shaymin sky by one point.
- Still has a fair amount of bulk without HP investment but its survivability is significantly reduced, especially with the loss of protect.
- Fast explosions can catch opponents completely off guard to heavily alter a game in your favor (favour *sigh*).
- TR spread 0 speed IVs & EVs
- Hammer Arm
- Thunder Punch
- Normal Gem Explosion
[Checks and counters]
- Steel types
- Levitating steel resists (zapdos, thunderus, gyarados etc)
- Heat wave
- Earthquake
- Things with decent speed
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