QC 3/3: 49 | TDK | Hootie
GP 2/2: TDP | Snobalt
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Earthquake / Zen Headbutt
item: Assault Vest
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 160 Atk / 96 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Pursuit allows Metagross to trap Psychic-types such as Alakazam, Latios, Latias, and Celebi, and Meteor Mash is Metagross's most powerful STAB move and has decent neutral coverage. Bullet Punch is necessary to allow Metagross to pick off weakened Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Tyranitar, Gengar, Latios, Latias, Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, Terrakion, and Tornadus-T. Earthquake has good coverage alongside Meteor Mash, allowing Metagross to hit Pokemon such as Heatran, opposing Metagross, Magnezone, and Jirachi and preventing it from being setup bait for Mega Charizard X. Zen Headbutt can be used to allow Metagross to deal extra damage to Pokemon such as Keldeo, Talonflame, and Mega Venusaur. Hammer Arm is another option that still hits Heatran but also allows Metagross to threaten Spikers such as Ferrothorn and specially defensive Skarmory, which both use Metagross as setup bait. Ice Punch can be used to deal extra damage to Garchomp and Landorus-T, but it isn't usually worth the loss of Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, or Hammer Arm.
Set Details
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252 HP and 96 Special Defense EVs prevent Mega Alakazam's Shadow Ball from 2HKOing Metagross even after Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to help Metagross hit as hard as possible. Assault Vest allows Metagross to easily switch into Fairy- and Psychic-types and threaten them with Meteor Mash or Pursuit. Clear Body lets Metagross avoid stat drops from the likes of Mega Manectric and Landorus-T. 8 Speed EVs can be run to outspeed standard Belly Drum Azumarill.
Usage Tips
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Metagross should be used as an offensive switch-in to the likes of Latios, which Metagross can Pursuit trap easily, as it avoids the 2HKO even from Hidden Power Fire variants. If you predict Latios to stay in, use Meteor Mash instead, which puts it in KO range for Bullet Punch. Metagross should also be used to offensively check Fairy-types such as Clefable and Mega Gardevoir, though this is riskier, as they can heavily cripple Metagross with Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp. Metagross is also a good offensive answer to the likes of Mega Alakazam, as it can switch into any of its moves, with Shadow Ball being unable to 2HKO Metagross, and trap it with Pursuit + Bullet Punch. However, Life Orb Alakazam is capable of 2HKOing Metagross.
Team Options
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Assault Vest Metagross performs best as a tank on offensive and balance teams, as it easily switches into the Pokemon that threaten these playstyles. Pokemon weak to Psychic-type moves such as Mega Venusaur and Keldeo appreciate Metagross's ability to trap Psychic-types for them, while Keldeo can check most Ground- and Fire-types that trouble Metagross. Landorus-T can handle the Pokemon that threaten Metagross such as Garchomp, opposing Landorus-T, and Excadrill. It can also run Hidden Power Ice, which makes handling Garchomp and opposing Landorus-T easier. Garchomp punishes physical attackers such as Bisharp and can run Fire Blast to scare off Skarmory and Ferrothorn.
Common Pokemon on balance or offensive teams such as Hippowdon, Slowbro, Ferrothorn, Clefable, Azumarill, Landorus-T, Latias, and Mega Sableye can all find themselves heavily pressured by Mega Gardevoir, so they all appreciate Metagross being able to switch in and force it out or OHKO it. Metagross also appreciates Thunder Wave support from Clefable, as it slows down threats such as Kyurem-B, Mega Lopunny, and Heatran, which makes it easier for Metagross to pick them off, and it appreciates Hippowdon walling threats that can overwhelm it such as Bisharp, Mega Charizard X, and non-Swords Dance Excadrill. Metagross also functions as an alternate Pursuit trapper compared to Tyranitar or Bisharp, as it still supports Pokemon such as Thundurus, Keldeo, and Mega Charizard Y in addition to being able to switch into common Fairy-types, unlike the two Dark-types. Metagross also offers very solid role compression for offensive teams, as it beats Latios and also checks Mega Venusaur very well, so it works well with the likes of Keldeo, Thundurus lacking Psychic or Hidden Power Flying, and Breloom. It also works well alongside Ferrothorn, Dragalge, Skarmory, and Hippowdon, as it can help keep heavy entry hazard pressure on the opposing team by removing common Defog users such as Latios and Latias. Pairing Metagross with other Pokemon that can Mega Evolve such as Gyarados, Scizor, Alakazam, Latias, Tyranitar, and Slowbro provides a lot of surprise factor and can force your opponent to play guessing games, which can affect the outcome of the game if they expect Mega Metagross over any of the other Mega Evolutions.
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