Dat magnet
Incomplete log dump
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[Overview]
<p>Magneton's had it rough. There were better Electric-types in RBY, and it was still rather outclassed in GSC despite gaining a Steel typing. It enjoyed a brief stint in OU in ADV, but that didn't last with the advent of DPP. Once Magnezone was released, Magneton was forever doomed to the lower tiers, never again to grace even UU with enough usage to move up. But all is not lost for Magneton. Despite being almost entirely outclassed in stats by Magnezone, there is one place where Magneton comes out on top: Speed. Magneton is one of the select few Pokemon with higher Speed than their evolutions, and this is its calling card in OU today. Magneton's Speed allows it to outspeed Pokemon that Magnezone could only dream of outrunning. Magnet Pull puts it in a unique place as the fastest Steel-type trapper in the game, and with the presence of more Steel-types than ever, this gives it an edge over Magnezone. In addition, BW sent out a blessing to NFE Pokemon everywhere—Eviolite, an item that makes Magneton far bulkier than Magnezone. However, even these assets can't always distinguish it from Magnezone; one must play Magneton to its strengths to succeed with it in the harsh metagame known as OU.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With its base 70 Speed and a Choice Scarf equipped, Magneton reaches a surprisingly fast 393 Speed. This allows it to outspeed threats Magnezone could never outrun, including +1 neutral-natured Gyarados and Dragonite, Jolly Dugtrio, and Timid Starmie. Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon serve as Magneton's staple STAB moves, hitting a decent variety of Pokemon for neutral damage. The main coverage move is the Hidden Power of choice. Hidden Power Ice is perhaps the best option here, destroying Dragon-types and providing BoltBeam coverage. While it drops Magneton down to 391 Speed, Hidden Power Fire has its merits in allowing Magneton to trap and KO the Steel-types that Thunderbolt doesn't hit—primarily Ferrothorn, who is 2HKOed in any weather but rain. Volt Switch allows Magneton to take out a weakened opponent and escape from potential danger. It also works as a fail-safe if you're worried about your opponent's response to Magneton, allowing you to bring in a counter, although this requires some prediction on your part. Volt Switch also forms a part of the common VoltTurn combination of alternating between Volt Switch and U-turn to keep up momentum.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Magneton fits onto weather teams well. Tyranitar and Hippowdon's Sand Stream removes opposing rain that hinders Hidden Power Fire, while Politoed's Drizzle removes Magneton's weakness to Fire-type moves. If you run it on a rain team, Thunder and Hidden Power Water are worth consideration over Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Fire or Ice, although Magneton loses some coverage and gets destroyed by sun teams. Magnezone makes a surprisingly great partner to Magneton, as they can work together to wipe out all opposing Steel-types so that Dragon-types can sweep unhindered with their STAB attacks. Ironically, Magnezone is also a huge threat to this set, so using Pokemon that can beat it, such as Terrakion, Jolteon, and Gastrodon, will help you out. Because this is a Choice set and Magneton is locked into one move, it will be switching in and out a lot; a Pokemon capable of using Rapid Spin is therefore a great partner. Among these, Claydol stands out for its resistance to Fighting-type moves and immunity to Ground-type attacks, two of Magneton's weaknesses. Lastly, Hydreigon makes a good partner, luring in Steel-types and U-turning out to Magneton to trap them.</p>
[SET]
name: SubCharge
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Charge Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Flash Cannon / Hidden Power Fire
item: Eviolite
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Magneton's big break this generation came in the form of Eviolite, an item that gives a 50% boost to a Pokemon's defenses if that Pokemon can still evolve. This item makes Magneton's bulk superior to Magnezone's. In fact, the added bulk allows it to survive a +1 Fire Punch from Dragonite. This extra bulk and Magneton's higher Speed stat make a Substitute + Charge Beam set viable. Substitute and Charge Beam make Magneton a more reliable Steel-type killer than the Choice Scarf set, as it can boost up and muscle past even the bulkiest of Steel-types. Magnezone's higher Special Attack is negligible after a few boosts, where both will be KOing things left and right. In fact, Magneton's Speed helps it the most here, as it allows it to outrun threats such as Gliscor, bulky Rotom-W, some Jirachi, neutral-natured Gyarados, Dragonite, Mamoswine, and Choice Specs Politoed, all Pokemon that Magnezone could only hope to outspeed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Magneton has a few choices of Hidden Power types at its disposal if you don't want to run Flash Cannon. Hidden Power Fire makes it a more capable Steel-type killer, smashing through the likes of Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Forretress. Hidden Power Ice allows Magneton to take out Dragon-types more effectively, and has the best neutral coverage with its Electric-type STAB moves. Hidden Power Grass lets Magneton take out Gastrodon, Quagsire, and Lanturn, but doesn't offer much else in the way of coverage. The Special Attack EVs can be moved to HP and Special Defense for more bulk, if you're willing to sacrifice immediate power. Leftovers could be considered over Eviolite, as Magneton will sorely miss Leftovers recovery, but removing Eviolite removes the main advantage Magneton has over a Magnezone running the same set.</p>
<p>Because it lacks Leftovers, Magneton appreciates Wish or Leech Seed support so it can replenish its health after a few Substitutes. This set pairs well with Dragon-types and Speed Boost Sharpedo, taking out the otherwise troublesome Steel-types that pose a threat to these Pokemon. On the other hand, Heatran is perhaps this set's biggest threat—many common Heatran sets can outrun even a Timid max Speed Magneton. Calm Mind boosters such as Latias and Reuniclus can also give this set problems, as they can use the turns that Charge Beam doesn't boost or misses to get a leg up on Magneton with Special Defense boosts.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Magneton's movepool doesn't really go much farther than what's already listed, but it does have a couple of options. Magneton can run Hidden Power Grass over any of the Hidden Powers listed above to take out Gastrodon, who can otherwise tank all of Magneton's attacks. Signal Beam is an interesting option to hit Latios, Latias, and Celebi harder than Hidden Power Ice, but it gets poor coverage elsewhere and is generally an inferior option. Toxic and Thunder Wave allow Magneton to spread status—Toxic for Ground-types (watch out for Gliscor!) and Thunder Wave for general paralysis. Lastly, Metal Sound allows Magneton to punch through special walls such as Blissey and force some switches.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Sadly, Magneton has its counters. Fast or incredibly bulky Pokemon with super effective moves can easily beat it; Terrakion, Heatran, Tyranitar, and fast Gliscor stand out here. Its low Special Defense and HP mean it takes special hits as well as a paper bag. Pokemon immune to Electric-type attacks often wall Magneton, be it through typing or ability. Special mention here goes to Lanturn and Water / Ground types such as Gastrodon, who take a pittance from everything but Hidden Power Grass. Bronzong can be problematic, as it takes very little damage from Magneton's attacks and can KO with Earthquake. Dugtrio can take it out, but has to be wary of Choice Scarf Magneton, who can heavily damage or KO it with Flash Cannon or Hidden Power Ice. In a tragic case of sibling... er, evolutionary rivalry, Magnezone can trap and kill Magneton unless the latter is packing Hidden Power Fire. Virizion and Celebi can take Magneton's attacks and KO it with Close Combat / Focus Blast and Earth Power / Hidden Power Fire, respectively. Chansey and Blissey take next to nothing from its attacks and can beat it with Seismic Toss. Lastly, Latias can boost up against Magneton or just Roar it out.</p>
