[OVERVIEW]
Magnezone's ability Magnet Pull, which allows it to trap Steel-types and effectively cripple or remove most of them, is unmatched by any other Pokemon. The consistency that comes with trapping as opposed to luring a target can enable a variety of setup sweepers and physical attackers. In particular, trapping Skarmory, Jirachi, Empoleon, and even Bronzong can be extremely desirable. Magnezone can fit on just about any team thanks to its unparalleled utility. Not to mention, its extremely powerful base 130 Special Attack and desirable Electric-type STAB distinguishes its offensive potential outside of its ability. In addition, Magnezone is the only Electric / Steel type in the metagame—other than its pre-evolutions—that resists the popular BoltBeam coverage, and it has a 4x resistance to Steel-type attacks. In the latter case, Jirachi's Iron Head does barely any damage to Magnezone.
Magnezone's typing is both a blessing and a curse, giving it very useful and unique resistances but also giving it crippling weaknesses to Fire-, Fighting-, and especially Ground-type attacks. Coupled with Magnezone's relatively low Speed, its weaknesses are quite pronounced, meaning many Pokemon can switch in and force Magnezone out. In particular, it has trouble with Ground-, Fire-, Fighting-, and Grass-types. In addition, metagame staples like Latias, Tyranitar, Swampert, and Clefable all match up quite well against Magnezone, threatening it with a variety of status and attacking moves. It can be quite dangerous to solely depend on Magnezone to shut down Skarmory, as it can potentially hold Shed Shell, enabling it to switch out.
[SET]
name: Magnet Rise
move 1: Magnet Rise
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Modest
evs: 32 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Magnezone can maximize its trapping potential by utilizing Magnet Rise, which enables it to effectively remove additional Steel-types like Bronzong and even slower Metagross variants because of the temporary Ground immunity it provides. Furthermore, Magnet Rise provides counterplay to Pokemon like Hippowdon and Flygon. In Bronzong's case, no other trapper can even come close to threatening it, let alone remove it consistently, so this truly distinguishes Magnet Rise Magnezone. Thunderbolt is recommended over a move like Discharge because Magnezone needs all the power it can get against foes like Jirachi and Skarmory. Hidden Power Fire is preferred to devastate Scizor and Forretress, but Hidden Power Grass or even Hidden Power Ice can be used as alternatives. Hidden Power Grass lets Magnezone lure in and remove Swampert while still hitting other Ground-types like Hippowdon super effectively, while Hidden Power Ice allows Magnezone to lure in and KO Gliscor and Flygon while doing nice damage versus Latias and Dragonite.
From there, Magnezone has many different options for its final move. Thunder Wave gives it great consistency versus a myriad of Jirachi variants while crippling Pokemon like Latias and Tyranitar. Toxic can also cripple them, but it has the additional benefit of synergizing with Magnet Rise to beat Hippowdon in a one-on-one matchup. Protect is a great option to scout Choice item users like Flygon, Infernape, and Rotom-A while giving Magnezone greater longevity. It has the added bonus of wearing down foes like Infernape and Latias when under sand. Explosion is a solid alternative that enables Magnezone to deal significant damage to or KO foes like Blissey, Clefable, Latias, and Swampert. However, Explosion is more of a luxury than Thunder Wave or Toxic, as it is on the weaker side, especially with a Modest nature, so you may have to sacrifice Magnezone's Defense or Special Defense to accommodate the move.
If Magnet Rise's utility is not important for your team, you can opt to replace it with a different utility move, such as Thunder Wave or Protect.
Set Details
========
A Modest nature and maximum Special Attack investment are recommended to maximize Magnezone's trapping potential against Steel-types. 220 Speed EVs are used to outspeed foes like defensive Suicune and Machamp. While the HP and Defense EVs are arbitrary, more Speed and a Timid nature can be used to increase the likelihood of outspeeding Metagross, which would allow Magnezone to trap it and use Magnet Rise to avoid an Earthquake, as well as maximum Speed Empoleon, which can commonly be seen as a lead. Additional Speed is recommended when using Hidden Power Grass as well to outspeed maximum Speed Swampert. Leftovers is extremely important to ensure that Magnezone can effectively beat Wish + Protect Jirachi in a one-on-one matchup. Without passive recovery, Jirachi can flinch Magnezone down with Iron Head. Chople Berry can be an alternative item for teams that really need a backup check for Gengar and even Lucario and Infernape, but this should only be done if it's absolutely necessary.
Usage Tips
========
To better confirm your trapping target, keep Magnezone concealed for as long as possible. If your goal is to remove Wish + Protect Jirachi with Magnezone, try to avoid taking status like burn and having Leftovers be removed by Knock Off. Try to scout the movesets of trapping targets as much as you can before sending Magnezone in so you're not caught off guard by something like Hidden Power Ground or U-turn on Jirachi. Be careful when sending Magnezone in against Bronzong, as it may use Earthquake to catch Magnezone on the switch. If using Toxic, concealing it can be beneficial for confirming targets like Hippowdon and Latias. If you opt for Protect, however, using it frequently to wear down foes, scout their moves, and gain passive recovery with Leftovers is strongly recommended.
Team Options
========
Magnezone is much more of a team supporter rather than a Pokemon that requires support to function; however, certain Pokemon can help to make Magnezone's job easier. Knock Off users like Clefable, Gliscor, and even Tentacruel can remove Skarmory's Shed Shell so Magnezone can trap it. Knock Off also helps tremendously to increase Magnezone's odds one-on-one versus Jirachi. U-turn users like Flygon, Jirachi, and Scizor can help Magnezone switch in more safely. Choice item Pokemon with Trick, such as Latias and Jirachi, can create opportunities for Magnezone to switch in and trap a foe by locking it into a move. Spinners like Starmie can synergize nicely with Magnezone, as trapping Skarmory and other potential entry hazard setters like Bronzong and Jirachi and then spinning the entry hazards away can be a huge asset against defensive teams.
There are a large number of Pokemon that can benefit from Magnezone's ability to trap and remove Steel-types. Examples of Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Skarmory and Bronzong are Choice Scarf Flygon, Gliscor, Dragon Dance users, Latias, Metagross, offensive Trick Room Bronzong, Suicune, Nidoqueen, Milotic, and Swampert. Other Pokemon like Tyranitar and Jirachi may have sets that don't match up well against Skarmory and Bronzong, so they can also benefit from Magnet Rise Magnezone.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Explosion / Flash Cannon
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Choice Scarf Magnezone sets itself apart from other Magnezone sets by trapping Lucario and faster variants of Empoleon, guaranteeing paralysis versus Jirachi provided that it switches in safely, and outspeeding Pokemon like Infernape, Latias, and Gengar. Thunderbolt is Magnezone's most consistent STAB move. Hidden Power Fire helps with hazard control by removing Forretress, and it also removes Scizor. In addition, it hits Breloom and other Steel-types for super effective damage. Magnezone makes excellent use of Thunder Wave by paralyzing Jirachi and Latias. Explosion rounds out the set with a hit-all type of approach. While Magnezone's Explosion is not that powerful, it will still do a significant amount of damage to any non-resistant foe. Flash Cannon is an acceptable alternative to Explosion, which can hit Tyranitar, Latias, and Gliscor for decent damage. Toxic can be used to catch Swampert, Gliscor, and Latias off guard, but it's difficult to fit and can be quite risky in the face of setup sweepers.
Set Details
========
Even with Explosion, a Timid nature is recommended here, as sacrificing either one of Magnezone's defensive stats is counterintuitive for its trapping consistency. A Naive nature, for example, will make it significantly more difficult for Magnezone to pivot into Latias's Draco Meteor. A Special Attack-increasing nature is not a good choice here either, as Magnezone will be unable to outspeed Infernape, Latias, and Gengar, and it may have to Speed tie or be outsped by maximum Speed Jirachi.
Usage Tips
========
If you're trying to trap and cripple Jirachi, try not to switch into a Body Slam, Thunder, or Fire Punch, as a Magnezone with no additional bulk can be easily worn down. It is extra important to keep Magnezone around for as long as possible if you solely depend on it to shut down Lucario, so this practice can be ill-advised. You can often make use of Magnezone's great Speed with this set to finish off weakened Steel-types, like Bronzong, Metagross, and even Heatran, so keep that in mind when executing a gameplan. When making use of Thunder Wave, try to make sure a setup sweeper or an already crippled Pokemon cannot properly take advantage of Magnezone being Choice-locked into a non-attacking move. Also, try not to hastily use Explosion, as it is relatively weak, especially with a Timid nature.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Magnezone is much more of a team supporter as opposed to a Pokemon that requires support to function. U-turn users like Jirachi, Celebi, and Scizor can enable Magnezone to come in safely against opposing Jirachi. Pokemon that don't mind Magnezone's lack of Magnet Rise to consistently remove Bronzong but appreciate Magnezone's removal of Skarmory and Lucario are great partners. Scizor comes to mind, as Bronzong can have a lot of difficulty breaking it, while Scizor can consistently wear Bronzong down for Magnezone to finish off later. Swampert and Suicune appreciate Magnezone's removal of Skarmory and can also have a decent matchup versus Bronzong. Knock Off users like Clefable and Gliscor pair quite nicely with Magnezone, which can assist in removing all Steel-types.
[SET]
name: Endure
move 1: Endure
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Explosion / Magnet Rise
item: Custap Berry
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Rash / Modest
evs: 56 HP / 232 SpA / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Endure Magnezone takes a much more offensive approach as opposed to a balanced one and functions as a soft check to Dragon Dance Gyarados and Kingdra through an Endure + Custap Berry strategy. Additionally, this Magnezone has the unique ability to trap and remove Heatran with Hidden Power Ground provided that it enters Custap Berry range. Hidden Power Fire is generally recommended, however, for the removal of Scizor and Forretress as well as the super effective damage against Breloom. Explosion rounds out the set to hopefully take another Pokemon with it when its health is low. Sometimes, Magnet Rise will be desired here to trap and remove Bronzong and maybe even Metagross.
Set Details
========
A Rash nature is recommended to maximize Special Attack while not reducing Explosion's power. While it may seem like a bad idea to reduce either of Magnezone's defensive stats, this set uses Explosion much more often than most other sets, so it usually wants the power. In addition, the Endure + Custap Berry strategy means that it's not usually as concerned about being weakened. 56 HP EVs enable Magnezone to survive Choice Scarf Scizor's Superpower after Stealth Rock damage. This is quite helpful because Magnezone will not need to use Endure against a suspected Choice Scarf Scizor. 220 Speed EVs allow Magnezone to outspeed Machamp and minimum Speed Suicune. The remaining EVs are poured into Special Attack to maximize its power given the constraints.
Usage Tips
========
Don't haphazardly use Endure, as revealing it while not sustaining damage will cause the strategy to go wrong. Try to save it as an emergency option to push back an offensive assault from your opponent and shift momentum in your direction. Even with Hidden Power Ground, do not over-rely on Magnezone to trap and remove Heatran, as moves like Magma Storm can throw a wrench in the strategy, and Lava Plume can inflict a burn. Be careful versus Jirachi, as without Leftovers providing passive recovery or Choice Scarf letting Magnezone outspeed it, Magnezone becomes a lot less consistent against it. Magnezone still has the potential to deal significant damage to Jirachi or even KO it, but to do this you should preserve Magnezone's HP as much as possible.
Team Options
========
Scizor and Jirachi may appreciate the Hidden Power Ground variant of this set, especially the former, as trapping Heatran and providing an emergency check to Gyarados is extremely beneficial to Scizor. A hyper offense team consisting of several physical attackers appreciates Magnezone's ability to trap Skarmory and function as an emergency check to opposing setup sweepers, which can be a great tool to reverse momentum. A team with other Explosion users, like Gengar, Bronzong, and Metagross, can synergize well with Magnezone. Overall, if your team wants Magnezone but needs a backup answer to Dragon Dance sweepers, this set will often be a solid choice.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Substitute can be used to punish Choice-locked Jirachi and Bronzong while levitating with Magnet Rise. This move combines especially well with Charge Beam, as Magnezone can safely boost its Special Attack while behind a Substitute. Discharge is an alternative STAB move that can be used over Thunderbolt for its increased paralysis chance; however, Magnezone usually wants Thunderbolt's additional power to increase its odds in one-on-one matchups against a variety of Steel-types. Refresh is a nifty choice that can enable Magnezone to combat Will-O-Wisp Rotom-A, especially in conjunction with Metal Sound. The latter makes Magnezone quite threatening versus defensive teams thanks to its gargantuan 64 PP. In addition, Metal Sound can be used to check Calm Mind Clefable and even CroCune if you can switch Magnezone in quickly. Psych Up is another interesting choice to mess with the aforementioned Calm Mind sweepers and should be used with Substitute. Mirror Coat can catch opposing Latias, Zapdos, and Kingdra by surprise, but it may not be an overall reliable choice. Magnezone can use Rain Dance to clear the sand for something like Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune, but it should only do this if it can't make too much use of its other utility moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Swampert, Hippowdon, Flygon, Gliscor, and even Mamoswine can give Magnezone a very difficult time. While these Pokemon need to watch out for utility options like Toxic or a super effective Hidden Power, they can typically find many opportunities to come in and force Magnezone out with the threat of a devastating 4x super effective Earthquake.
**Fighting-types**: Infernape, Breloom, and Lucario can devastate Magnezone with their powerful Fighting-type moves. While Infernape and Lucario need to watch out for Choice Scarf Magnezone, they can almost always force Magnezone out provided that they switch in safely. Breloom resists Magnezone's Electric-type attacks, and thanks to Poison Heal, it can block status moves like Thunder Wave and Toxic. While it needs to watch out for Hidden Power Fire, Magnezone is often disadvantaged in the one-on-one matchup.
**Fire-types**: Heatran, Infernape, and other Fire-types can threaten Magnezone with their STAB super effective Fire-type attacks. Heatran in particular has a lot of natural bulk, so it can often switch in safely while healthy into Magnezone's Thunderbolt.
**Electric-immune and -resistant Pokemon**: Ground-, Grass-, and Dragon-types like the aforementioned Ground-types, Breloom, Shaymin, Celebi, Rotom-A, and Latias are immune to or resist Electric-type attacks and can all give Magnezone a hard time. Shaymin and Celebi in particular don't mind status too much thanks to Natural Cure and don't take that much damage from Hidden Power Fire. Latias, especially a Refresh variant, can shrug off status and effectively wall most Magnezone.
**Special Walls**: Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, and other special walls that aren't extremely crippled by status can give Magnezone a very difficult time and often force it out by threatening it with status or chip damage.
**Super Effective Attacks**: While Magnezone's typing is a blessing, it also comes with some nasty weaknesses. Many Pokemon carry super effective, threatening moves that can make Magnezone difficult to use. Examples include but are not limited to: Jirachi's Fire Punch and Hidden Power Ground; Hidden Power Fire from the likes of Roserade, opposing Magnezone, and Latias; and Ground- and Fire-type moves from Tyranitar and Flygon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Excal, 456373]]
- Quality checked by: [[Sakito, 433460], [DeepBlueC, 307789]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Estronic, 240732]]
Magnezone's ability Magnet Pull, which allows it to trap Steel-types and effectively cripple or remove most of them, is unmatched by any other Pokemon. The consistency that comes with trapping as opposed to luring a target can enable a variety of setup sweepers and physical attackers. In particular, trapping Skarmory, Jirachi, Empoleon, and even Bronzong can be extremely desirable. Magnezone can fit on just about any team thanks to its unparalleled utility. Not to mention, its extremely powerful base 130 Special Attack and desirable Electric-type STAB distinguishes its offensive potential outside of its ability. In addition, Magnezone is the only Electric / Steel type in the metagame—other than its pre-evolutions—that resists the popular BoltBeam coverage, and it has a 4x resistance to Steel-type attacks. In the latter case, Jirachi's Iron Head does barely any damage to Magnezone.
Magnezone's typing is both a blessing and a curse, giving it very useful and unique resistances but also giving it crippling weaknesses to Fire-, Fighting-, and especially Ground-type attacks. Coupled with Magnezone's relatively low Speed, its weaknesses are quite pronounced, meaning many Pokemon can switch in and force Magnezone out. In particular, it has trouble with Ground-, Fire-, Fighting-, and Grass-types. In addition, metagame staples like Latias, Tyranitar, Swampert, and Clefable all match up quite well against Magnezone, threatening it with a variety of status and attacking moves. It can be quite dangerous to solely depend on Magnezone to shut down Skarmory, as it can potentially hold Shed Shell, enabling it to switch out.
[SET]
name: Magnet Rise
move 1: Magnet Rise
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Modest
evs: 32 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Magnezone can maximize its trapping potential by utilizing Magnet Rise, which enables it to effectively remove additional Steel-types like Bronzong and even slower Metagross variants because of the temporary Ground immunity it provides. Furthermore, Magnet Rise provides counterplay to Pokemon like Hippowdon and Flygon. In Bronzong's case, no other trapper can even come close to threatening it, let alone remove it consistently, so this truly distinguishes Magnet Rise Magnezone. Thunderbolt is recommended over a move like Discharge because Magnezone needs all the power it can get against foes like Jirachi and Skarmory. Hidden Power Fire is preferred to devastate Scizor and Forretress, but Hidden Power Grass or even Hidden Power Ice can be used as alternatives. Hidden Power Grass lets Magnezone lure in and remove Swampert while still hitting other Ground-types like Hippowdon super effectively, while Hidden Power Ice allows Magnezone to lure in and KO Gliscor and Flygon while doing nice damage versus Latias and Dragonite.
From there, Magnezone has many different options for its final move. Thunder Wave gives it great consistency versus a myriad of Jirachi variants while crippling Pokemon like Latias and Tyranitar. Toxic can also cripple them, but it has the additional benefit of synergizing with Magnet Rise to beat Hippowdon in a one-on-one matchup. Protect is a great option to scout Choice item users like Flygon, Infernape, and Rotom-A while giving Magnezone greater longevity. It has the added bonus of wearing down foes like Infernape and Latias when under sand. Explosion is a solid alternative that enables Magnezone to deal significant damage to or KO foes like Blissey, Clefable, Latias, and Swampert. However, Explosion is more of a luxury than Thunder Wave or Toxic, as it is on the weaker side, especially with a Modest nature, so you may have to sacrifice Magnezone's Defense or Special Defense to accommodate the move.
If Magnet Rise's utility is not important for your team, you can opt to replace it with a different utility move, such as Thunder Wave or Protect.
Set Details
========
A Modest nature and maximum Special Attack investment are recommended to maximize Magnezone's trapping potential against Steel-types. 220 Speed EVs are used to outspeed foes like defensive Suicune and Machamp. While the HP and Defense EVs are arbitrary, more Speed and a Timid nature can be used to increase the likelihood of outspeeding Metagross, which would allow Magnezone to trap it and use Magnet Rise to avoid an Earthquake, as well as maximum Speed Empoleon, which can commonly be seen as a lead. Additional Speed is recommended when using Hidden Power Grass as well to outspeed maximum Speed Swampert. Leftovers is extremely important to ensure that Magnezone can effectively beat Wish + Protect Jirachi in a one-on-one matchup. Without passive recovery, Jirachi can flinch Magnezone down with Iron Head. Chople Berry can be an alternative item for teams that really need a backup check for Gengar and even Lucario and Infernape, but this should only be done if it's absolutely necessary.
Usage Tips
========
To better confirm your trapping target, keep Magnezone concealed for as long as possible. If your goal is to remove Wish + Protect Jirachi with Magnezone, try to avoid taking status like burn and having Leftovers be removed by Knock Off. Try to scout the movesets of trapping targets as much as you can before sending Magnezone in so you're not caught off guard by something like Hidden Power Ground or U-turn on Jirachi. Be careful when sending Magnezone in against Bronzong, as it may use Earthquake to catch Magnezone on the switch. If using Toxic, concealing it can be beneficial for confirming targets like Hippowdon and Latias. If you opt for Protect, however, using it frequently to wear down foes, scout their moves, and gain passive recovery with Leftovers is strongly recommended.
Team Options
========
Magnezone is much more of a team supporter rather than a Pokemon that requires support to function; however, certain Pokemon can help to make Magnezone's job easier. Knock Off users like Clefable, Gliscor, and even Tentacruel can remove Skarmory's Shed Shell so Magnezone can trap it. Knock Off also helps tremendously to increase Magnezone's odds one-on-one versus Jirachi. U-turn users like Flygon, Jirachi, and Scizor can help Magnezone switch in more safely. Choice item Pokemon with Trick, such as Latias and Jirachi, can create opportunities for Magnezone to switch in and trap a foe by locking it into a move. Spinners like Starmie can synergize nicely with Magnezone, as trapping Skarmory and other potential entry hazard setters like Bronzong and Jirachi and then spinning the entry hazards away can be a huge asset against defensive teams.
There are a large number of Pokemon that can benefit from Magnezone's ability to trap and remove Steel-types. Examples of Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Skarmory and Bronzong are Choice Scarf Flygon, Gliscor, Dragon Dance users, Latias, Metagross, offensive Trick Room Bronzong, Suicune, Nidoqueen, Milotic, and Swampert. Other Pokemon like Tyranitar and Jirachi may have sets that don't match up well against Skarmory and Bronzong, so they can also benefit from Magnet Rise Magnezone.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Explosion / Flash Cannon
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Choice Scarf Magnezone sets itself apart from other Magnezone sets by trapping Lucario and faster variants of Empoleon, guaranteeing paralysis versus Jirachi provided that it switches in safely, and outspeeding Pokemon like Infernape, Latias, and Gengar. Thunderbolt is Magnezone's most consistent STAB move. Hidden Power Fire helps with hazard control by removing Forretress, and it also removes Scizor. In addition, it hits Breloom and other Steel-types for super effective damage. Magnezone makes excellent use of Thunder Wave by paralyzing Jirachi and Latias. Explosion rounds out the set with a hit-all type of approach. While Magnezone's Explosion is not that powerful, it will still do a significant amount of damage to any non-resistant foe. Flash Cannon is an acceptable alternative to Explosion, which can hit Tyranitar, Latias, and Gliscor for decent damage. Toxic can be used to catch Swampert, Gliscor, and Latias off guard, but it's difficult to fit and can be quite risky in the face of setup sweepers.
Set Details
========
Even with Explosion, a Timid nature is recommended here, as sacrificing either one of Magnezone's defensive stats is counterintuitive for its trapping consistency. A Naive nature, for example, will make it significantly more difficult for Magnezone to pivot into Latias's Draco Meteor. A Special Attack-increasing nature is not a good choice here either, as Magnezone will be unable to outspeed Infernape, Latias, and Gengar, and it may have to Speed tie or be outsped by maximum Speed Jirachi.
Usage Tips
========
If you're trying to trap and cripple Jirachi, try not to switch into a Body Slam, Thunder, or Fire Punch, as a Magnezone with no additional bulk can be easily worn down. It is extra important to keep Magnezone around for as long as possible if you solely depend on it to shut down Lucario, so this practice can be ill-advised. You can often make use of Magnezone's great Speed with this set to finish off weakened Steel-types, like Bronzong, Metagross, and even Heatran, so keep that in mind when executing a gameplan. When making use of Thunder Wave, try to make sure a setup sweeper or an already crippled Pokemon cannot properly take advantage of Magnezone being Choice-locked into a non-attacking move. Also, try not to hastily use Explosion, as it is relatively weak, especially with a Timid nature.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Magnezone is much more of a team supporter as opposed to a Pokemon that requires support to function. U-turn users like Jirachi, Celebi, and Scizor can enable Magnezone to come in safely against opposing Jirachi. Pokemon that don't mind Magnezone's lack of Magnet Rise to consistently remove Bronzong but appreciate Magnezone's removal of Skarmory and Lucario are great partners. Scizor comes to mind, as Bronzong can have a lot of difficulty breaking it, while Scizor can consistently wear Bronzong down for Magnezone to finish off later. Swampert and Suicune appreciate Magnezone's removal of Skarmory and can also have a decent matchup versus Bronzong. Knock Off users like Clefable and Gliscor pair quite nicely with Magnezone, which can assist in removing all Steel-types.
[SET]
name: Endure
move 1: Endure
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Explosion / Magnet Rise
item: Custap Berry
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Rash / Modest
evs: 56 HP / 232 SpA / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Endure Magnezone takes a much more offensive approach as opposed to a balanced one and functions as a soft check to Dragon Dance Gyarados and Kingdra through an Endure + Custap Berry strategy. Additionally, this Magnezone has the unique ability to trap and remove Heatran with Hidden Power Ground provided that it enters Custap Berry range. Hidden Power Fire is generally recommended, however, for the removal of Scizor and Forretress as well as the super effective damage against Breloom. Explosion rounds out the set to hopefully take another Pokemon with it when its health is low. Sometimes, Magnet Rise will be desired here to trap and remove Bronzong and maybe even Metagross.
Set Details
========
A Rash nature is recommended to maximize Special Attack while not reducing Explosion's power. While it may seem like a bad idea to reduce either of Magnezone's defensive stats, this set uses Explosion much more often than most other sets, so it usually wants the power. In addition, the Endure + Custap Berry strategy means that it's not usually as concerned about being weakened. 56 HP EVs enable Magnezone to survive Choice Scarf Scizor's Superpower after Stealth Rock damage. This is quite helpful because Magnezone will not need to use Endure against a suspected Choice Scarf Scizor. 220 Speed EVs allow Magnezone to outspeed Machamp and minimum Speed Suicune. The remaining EVs are poured into Special Attack to maximize its power given the constraints.
Usage Tips
========
Don't haphazardly use Endure, as revealing it while not sustaining damage will cause the strategy to go wrong. Try to save it as an emergency option to push back an offensive assault from your opponent and shift momentum in your direction. Even with Hidden Power Ground, do not over-rely on Magnezone to trap and remove Heatran, as moves like Magma Storm can throw a wrench in the strategy, and Lava Plume can inflict a burn. Be careful versus Jirachi, as without Leftovers providing passive recovery or Choice Scarf letting Magnezone outspeed it, Magnezone becomes a lot less consistent against it. Magnezone still has the potential to deal significant damage to Jirachi or even KO it, but to do this you should preserve Magnezone's HP as much as possible.
Team Options
========
Scizor and Jirachi may appreciate the Hidden Power Ground variant of this set, especially the former, as trapping Heatran and providing an emergency check to Gyarados is extremely beneficial to Scizor. A hyper offense team consisting of several physical attackers appreciates Magnezone's ability to trap Skarmory and function as an emergency check to opposing setup sweepers, which can be a great tool to reverse momentum. A team with other Explosion users, like Gengar, Bronzong, and Metagross, can synergize well with Magnezone. Overall, if your team wants Magnezone but needs a backup answer to Dragon Dance sweepers, this set will often be a solid choice.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Substitute can be used to punish Choice-locked Jirachi and Bronzong while levitating with Magnet Rise. This move combines especially well with Charge Beam, as Magnezone can safely boost its Special Attack while behind a Substitute. Discharge is an alternative STAB move that can be used over Thunderbolt for its increased paralysis chance; however, Magnezone usually wants Thunderbolt's additional power to increase its odds in one-on-one matchups against a variety of Steel-types. Refresh is a nifty choice that can enable Magnezone to combat Will-O-Wisp Rotom-A, especially in conjunction with Metal Sound. The latter makes Magnezone quite threatening versus defensive teams thanks to its gargantuan 64 PP. In addition, Metal Sound can be used to check Calm Mind Clefable and even CroCune if you can switch Magnezone in quickly. Psych Up is another interesting choice to mess with the aforementioned Calm Mind sweepers and should be used with Substitute. Mirror Coat can catch opposing Latias, Zapdos, and Kingdra by surprise, but it may not be an overall reliable choice. Magnezone can use Rain Dance to clear the sand for something like Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune, but it should only do this if it can't make too much use of its other utility moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Swampert, Hippowdon, Flygon, Gliscor, and even Mamoswine can give Magnezone a very difficult time. While these Pokemon need to watch out for utility options like Toxic or a super effective Hidden Power, they can typically find many opportunities to come in and force Magnezone out with the threat of a devastating 4x super effective Earthquake.
**Fighting-types**: Infernape, Breloom, and Lucario can devastate Magnezone with their powerful Fighting-type moves. While Infernape and Lucario need to watch out for Choice Scarf Magnezone, they can almost always force Magnezone out provided that they switch in safely. Breloom resists Magnezone's Electric-type attacks, and thanks to Poison Heal, it can block status moves like Thunder Wave and Toxic. While it needs to watch out for Hidden Power Fire, Magnezone is often disadvantaged in the one-on-one matchup.
**Fire-types**: Heatran, Infernape, and other Fire-types can threaten Magnezone with their STAB super effective Fire-type attacks. Heatran in particular has a lot of natural bulk, so it can often switch in safely while healthy into Magnezone's Thunderbolt.
**Electric-immune and -resistant Pokemon**: Ground-, Grass-, and Dragon-types like the aforementioned Ground-types, Breloom, Shaymin, Celebi, Rotom-A, and Latias are immune to or resist Electric-type attacks and can all give Magnezone a hard time. Shaymin and Celebi in particular don't mind status too much thanks to Natural Cure and don't take that much damage from Hidden Power Fire. Latias, especially a Refresh variant, can shrug off status and effectively wall most Magnezone.
**Special Walls**: Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, and other special walls that aren't extremely crippled by status can give Magnezone a very difficult time and often force it out by threatening it with status or chip damage.
**Super Effective Attacks**: While Magnezone's typing is a blessing, it also comes with some nasty weaknesses. Many Pokemon carry super effective, threatening moves that can make Magnezone difficult to use. Examples include but are not limited to: Jirachi's Fire Punch and Hidden Power Ground; Hidden Power Fire from the likes of Roserade, opposing Magnezone, and Latias; and Ground- and Fire-type moves from Tyranitar and Flygon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Excal, 456373]]
- Quality checked by: [[Sakito, 433460], [DeepBlueC, 307789]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Estronic, 240732]]
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