Funbot28
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
Melmetal is a centralizing force in the LGOU metagame thanks to many unique attributes that let it fulfill an invaluable role on every team. As one of the only viable Steel-types in the tier, Melmetal can take on menacing threats such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, Mega Alakazam, and Dragonite. This, coupled with its incredible HP, Attack, and Defense, enables it to perform as one of the best tanks in the tier. Melmetal's coverage options also let it hit the majority of the metagame for super effective damage, as BoltBeam and Earthquake coverage in tandem with Double Iron Bash threatens any potential switch-in. However, a lack of reliable recovery can significantly wear down Melmetal over the course of the match, especially when it repeatedly comes in against strong physical wallbreakers and entry hazards. Melmetal's low Speed also usually forces it to take a hit before doing any damage itself, meaning that it needs to be kept at a significant amount of health if it wants to counteract the opposing Pokemon it's facing. This, coupled with a subpar Special Defense stat, also makes specially offensive threats such as Mew, Mega Gengar, and Mega Charizard X ever more dangerous. Even though its typing is amazing defensively, it still leaves Melmetal weak to common offensive coverage moves like Earthquake and Flamethrower, which can be seen on common threats like Dragonite and Mew, respectively, used specifically to take it on.
[SET]
name: Offensive Tank
move 1: Double Iron Bash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Thunder Punch / Superpower
move 4: Ice Punch
nature: Adamant / Impish
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Information
========
Double Iron Bash is a powerful, spammable STAB move that has the added chance of causing flinch to Melmetal's foes, which may come in handy when combined with Thunder Wave support. Earthquake covers Fire- and Steel-type Pokemon that would likely want to switch into Melmetal's STAB attack. Thunder Punch lets Melmetal cover Water-type switch-ins such as Gyarados, Starmie, and Poliwrath. Superpower may be used instead as a more powerful option against Mega Gyarados and opposing Melmetal specifically, although the reduced stats after every use tend to force Melmetal out. Ice Punch works great in conjunction with Thunder Punch, forming solid BoltBeam coverage that may defeat common switch-ins such as Zapdos. Rest is a form of semi-reliable recovery, although it requires mandatory support via Eevee-S thanks to Sparkling Swirl, as Melmetal becomes too vulnerable otherwise. Facade can be used as a means to work around status moves that are commonly inflicted onto Melmetal, especially when facing common users such as Mew, Starmie, and Eevee-S. An Adamant nature enables Melmetal to dish out as much damage as possible, most notably having a better chance to 2HKO Poliwrath and Mega Gyarados with Thunder Punch. Impish can be used as an alternative to better take on threats such as Mega Beedrill and Mega Aerodactyl. Careful is another option as a nature to help improve Melmetal's poor special bulk; however, Melmetal still struggles to take on threats such as Mega Gengar and Mew.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to Melmetal's phenomenal physical bulk, it can often be brought in against the majority of physical attackers in the tier, with the best examples being Mega Beedrill, Mega Gyarados, and Snorlax. However, Melmetal must always be wary of coverage options such as Earthquake, Drill Run, and Fire Blast, which can threaten to wear it down significantly. Melmetal tends to spam Double Iron Bash the majority of the time due to its significant damage output against any foe that does not resist it; however, coverage moves such as Thunder Punch and Ice Punch should be used to dent common Pokemon that resist Steel, like Poliwrath and Zapdos. Rest should be reserved for when Melmetal gets low on health or inflicted by status, as otherwise the burden of bringing in Eevee-S in order to remove the sleep ailment becomes too much of a burden.
Team Options
========
Melmetal pairs well with offensive threats that appreciate its ability to take on physical hits in a pinch. Notable examples include Mega Gengar, Mega Beedrill, and Dragonite, as they can help take on threats to Melmetal such as Starmie, Mew, and Alolan Dugtrio. Mew is also a solid partner for Melmetal, as it can take physical hits for Melmetal that may wear it down overtime if it is forced to come in too frequently. Mew can also provide support via slow U-turn pivoting, enabling Melmetal to come in without risking taking a hit. Defensive Water-types such as Mega Gyarados, Poliwrath, and Starmie can form a solid defensive core with Melmetal, as they can help check Fire- and Ground-types. Flying-types such as Mega Aerodactyl and Zapdos are also appreciated, as they can come in on Earthquake, a common coverage move carried by the majority of physical attackers in the tier, while Melmetal can switch in on Rock-type moves. Eevee-S is a mandatory partner if Melmetal is using Rest, as it becomes too passive otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave is an option with Double Iron Bash's flinch chance, as it can help paraflinch through Melmetal's checks; however, Melmetal's low Speed prevents it from outspeeding the majority of offensive threats even after the Speed reduction from paralysis. Toxic is another utility option that can catch switch-ins such as Zapdos and Mew off guard, wearing them down periodically throughout the match. Self-Destruct can be utilized as a powerful last-ditch option when Melmetal is weakened; however, coverage moves are generally preferred.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados, Poliwrath, and Starmie can switch in on Double Iron Bash and threaten Melmetal out with their own STAB moves or other coverage options. However, they all fear coming in against Thunder Punch, which can threaten a 2HKO after Stealth Rock.
**Zapdos**: Zapdos is a great check to Melmetal, as it resists Double Iron Bash and Superpower and is immune to Earthquake. Zapdos's great Special Attack can exploit Melmetal's poor special bulk in return. However, Ice Punch can 2HKO Zapdos after Stealth Rock.
**Mew**: Defensive Mew carrying Will-O-Wisp can come in against any of Melmetal's coverage options and threaten to significantly cripple it with a burn while also wearing Melmetal down with a super effective Flamethrower. However, it must watch out for a boosted Facade.
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Mega Gengar, Mega Alakazam, and Clefable can take advantage of Melmetal's low special bulk and severely dent it. However, none of them can come in against Melmetal safely.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types specifically immune to Earthquake such as Mega Charizard X before Mega Evolving and Moltres can take on Melmetal and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[aim, 53807], [Yoshi, 322194], [Hayburner, 291554]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476 ], [Electrolyte, 148071]
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