[OVERVIEW]
At first glance, Magneton appears to be outclassed by Magnezone, which has superior bulk and power; however, Magneton secures a niche over its evolution by virtue of its higher Speed stat. With a Choice Scarf, Magneton outspeeds Pokemon such as Greninja, Tornadus-T, and Weavile, all of which Magnezone cannot outspeed, while still trapping Steel-types. With this being said, Magneton's only viable set is Choice Scarf, as any other set is outclassed by Magnezone. Even with a Choice Scarf, Magneton is unable to outspeed most other Choice Scarf users as well as certain offensive Pokemon such as Ash-Greninja, Mega Alakazam, and +1 Volcarona. Finally, Magneton's terrible bulk means it struggles to switch into most offensive threats despite its decent defensive typing, which prevents it from switching into even resisted hits from Pokemon such as Tapu Lele and Magearna.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is a decently powerful STAB move that grabs momentum, OHKOing Greninja; however, it fails to OHKO bulkier threats such as Keldeo. Hidden Power Fire 2HKOes Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which Magneton is meant to trap and remove. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move that hits most Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde for decent damage, all of which would otherwise try and block Volt Switch. Additionally, Flash Cannon hits common Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth for more damage than any other move. The last move is Thunderbolt, which is Magneton's strongest reliable STAB move and hits other Steel-types such as Skarmory and Celesteela harder than any other move on the set.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack and a Timid nature allow Magneton to hit as hard and fast as possible. Magnet Pull is Magneton's only viable ability and is needed to trap Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Choice Scarf is what gives Magneton its niche over Magnezone, outspeeding offensive threats such as Weavile, Dugtrio, and Greninja.
Usage Tips
========
Be cautious when using Thunderbolt against common Shed Shell users such as Skarmory, as they can escape from Magneton and will often be paired with a Dugtrio to block Volt Switch and therefore trap Magneton. Volt Switch is often a good move to use to gain momentum against frail attackers such as Greninja, but common Ground-types such as Landorus-T are able to block it. When predicting a Ground-type switch-in, use Flash Cannon, as it hits most Ground-types for decent amounts of damage. Additionally, don't switch Magneton directly into attacks, as its mediocre bulk means it struggles to take even resisted hits, so bringing it in from another Volt Switch or a U-turn is recommended. However, switching directly into more passive Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn can be done.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Magneton's Steel-type trapping capabilities, such as Mega Pinsir, Landorus-T, Garchomp lacking Fire-type coverage, and Tapu Lele, make for good teammates. In the same respect, Magneton appreciates Pokemon that can deal with Ground-types that love to switch into it, so Keldeo, Manaphy, and Tangrowth make for good teammates. U-turn users such as Mega Scizor, Tornadus-T, and Landorus-T also make for solid teammates, and they can bait in Steel-types and then U-turn into Magneton, providing it free switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nothing else besides Choice Scarf is worth using on Magneton, as it's the only niche it has over Magnezone.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Ground-types:** Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde can all block Volt Switch and Thunderbolt and OHKO Magneton with a super effective Ground-type move, but they don't appreciate Flash Cannon. Dugtrio can trap Magneton with Arena Trap but loses its Focus Sash if Magneton isn't locked into an Electric-type move.
**Special Walls:** Chansey, Assault Vest Tangrowth, Gastrodon, and Assault Vest Magearna, among others, have no problems taking Magneton's attacks throughout the match, as they have the bulk, coverage moves, and typing to consistently switch into it.
**Faster Pokemon:** Choice Scarf Keldeo, Choice Scarf Garchomp, Ash-Greninja, and Mega Alakazam can all check Magneton due to their coverage moves or raw offensive stats, but none can safely switch in without losing a large chunk of health.
At first glance, Magneton appears to be outclassed by Magnezone, which has superior bulk and power; however, Magneton secures a niche over its evolution by virtue of its higher Speed stat. With a Choice Scarf, Magneton outspeeds Pokemon such as Greninja, Tornadus-T, and Weavile, all of which Magnezone cannot outspeed, while still trapping Steel-types. With this being said, Magneton's only viable set is Choice Scarf, as any other set is outclassed by Magnezone. Even with a Choice Scarf, Magneton is unable to outspeed most other Choice Scarf users as well as certain offensive Pokemon such as Ash-Greninja, Mega Alakazam, and +1 Volcarona. Finally, Magneton's terrible bulk means it struggles to switch into most offensive threats despite its decent defensive typing, which prevents it from switching into even resisted hits from Pokemon such as Tapu Lele and Magearna.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is a decently powerful STAB move that grabs momentum, OHKOing Greninja; however, it fails to OHKO bulkier threats such as Keldeo. Hidden Power Fire 2HKOes Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which Magneton is meant to trap and remove. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move that hits most Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde for decent damage, all of which would otherwise try and block Volt Switch. Additionally, Flash Cannon hits common Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth for more damage than any other move. The last move is Thunderbolt, which is Magneton's strongest reliable STAB move and hits other Steel-types such as Skarmory and Celesteela harder than any other move on the set.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack and a Timid nature allow Magneton to hit as hard and fast as possible. Magnet Pull is Magneton's only viable ability and is needed to trap Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Choice Scarf is what gives Magneton its niche over Magnezone, outspeeding offensive threats such as Weavile, Dugtrio, and Greninja.
Usage Tips
========
Be cautious when using Thunderbolt against common Shed Shell users such as Skarmory, as they can escape from Magneton and will often be paired with a Dugtrio to block Volt Switch and therefore trap Magneton. Volt Switch is often a good move to use to gain momentum against frail attackers such as Greninja, but common Ground-types such as Landorus-T are able to block it. When predicting a Ground-type switch-in, use Flash Cannon, as it hits most Ground-types for decent amounts of damage. Additionally, don't switch Magneton directly into attacks, as its mediocre bulk means it struggles to take even resisted hits, so bringing it in from another Volt Switch or a U-turn is recommended. However, switching directly into more passive Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn can be done.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate Magneton's Steel-type trapping capabilities, such as Mega Pinsir, Landorus-T, Garchomp lacking Fire-type coverage, and Tapu Lele, make for good teammates. In the same respect, Magneton appreciates Pokemon that can deal with Ground-types that love to switch into it, so Keldeo, Manaphy, and Tangrowth make for good teammates. U-turn users such as Mega Scizor, Tornadus-T, and Landorus-T also make for solid teammates, and they can bait in Steel-types and then U-turn into Magneton, providing it free switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nothing else besides Choice Scarf is worth using on Magneton, as it's the only niche it has over Magnezone.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Ground-types:** Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde can all block Volt Switch and Thunderbolt and OHKO Magneton with a super effective Ground-type move, but they don't appreciate Flash Cannon. Dugtrio can trap Magneton with Arena Trap but loses its Focus Sash if Magneton isn't locked into an Electric-type move.
**Special Walls:** Chansey, Assault Vest Tangrowth, Gastrodon, and Assault Vest Magearna, among others, have no problems taking Magneton's attacks throughout the match, as they have the bulk, coverage moves, and typing to consistently switch into it.
**Faster Pokemon:** Choice Scarf Keldeo, Choice Scarf Garchomp, Ash-Greninja, and Mega Alakazam can all check Magneton due to their coverage moves or raw offensive stats, but none can safely switch in without losing a large chunk of health.
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