[OVERVIEW]
Metagross has an incredible offensive presence which goes even further with Tough Claws, as 3/4 of Metagross' moveset are contact. Its movepool gives it sufficient coverage of the metagame which can often get OHKOs given Metagross' huge attack stat. Part Steel typing and natural bulk lets Metagross comfortably switch-in to a variety of moves without having to worry about gradual chip damage. Metagross however can't cover all threats in one moveset and is prone to being revenge killed by Ghost-type Pokemon including Mimikyu, Aegislash and Mega-Gengar.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses. Note that Metagross is extremely versatile, so coverage options can be changed around to suit your team.
[SET]
name: AoA (All Out Attacker)
move 1: Zen Headbutt
move 2: Bullet Punch / Meteor Mash / Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake / Hammer Arm
move 4: Ice Punch / Hammer Arm
item: Metagrossite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Zen Headbutt is the primary STAB which deals with bulky Poison-type pokemon such as Mega-Venusaur and Toxapex, while also providing a 2HKO on Buzzwole. Provides coverage on Rotom-W and Rotom-H as well which are otherwise big threats to Metagross, whilst also really benefiting from the power boost given by Psychic Terrain.
* Bullet Punch provides a means of priority while hitting faster Pokemon such as Pheromosa, Tapu Koko and Mega-Gengar. Meteor Mash smashes Fairy-types such as Tapu Lele and Mimikyu while also able to break Porygon2 that isn't carrying Shadow Ball. Iron Head can also be used for an accurate and reliable STAB alternative to Meteor Mash, whilst also providing a 30% flinch chance.
* Earthquake can OHKO opposing threats including Excadrill and Heatran, while most notably hitting Aegislash. Hammer Arm can 2HKO Porygon2 and OHKO Mega-Kangaskhan both Hydreigon but makes Metagross prone to being revenge killed due to the speed drop.
* Ice Punch is coverage for Ground and Dragon-type Pokemon, notably Landorus-Therian, Mega-Salamence and Garchomp.
* Thunder Punch can be used to hit Bulky Waters like Tapu Fini, Suicuine and Gyarados, but can be quite underwhelming in terms of damage.
* Brick Break remains an option of Fighting-type coverage which doesn't lower speed and can be used to break to break Light Screen, Reflect, and Aurora Veil at the cost of some power.
* The given spread allows Metagross to be as fast and as powerful as possible, while Jolly lets Metagross outspeed non-Choice Scarf Garchomp.
* Metagross appreciates a Ground-type resist or immunity as while it can usually take one super effective hit, it would much rather prefer not to.
[SET]
name: Substitute Hone Claws
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Hone Claws
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Meteor Mash
item: Metagrossite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Substitute is the focus of this set, giving Metagross the ability to setup against opponents which can't break Metagross' substitute such as Cresselia, Tapu Fini, and non boosted Suicune. Adds a layer of protection against Will-O-Wisp as well which would otherwise cripple Metagross heavily.
* Hone Claws boosts Metagross' attack and accuracy, making Zen Headbutt and Meteor Mash a guaranteed hit after one boost.
* Zen Headbutt lets Metagross hits Rotom-H, Suicune and Rotom-W while Meteor Mash takes Cresselia and Hydregion and grants a slightly more powerful STAB option.
* Earthquake ensures that Metagross isn't walled by the likes of Excadrill, Heatran and Aegislash.
* The given EV spread allows a fast substitute while maximum HP investment compliments Metagross' natural bulk.
* As coverage options change with the use of Zen Headbutt / Meteor Mash, teammates should be Pokemon which deal with whichever Pokemon wall Metagross depending on which move you use.
Metagross has an incredible offensive presence which goes even further with Tough Claws, as 3/4 of Metagross' moveset are contact. Its movepool gives it sufficient coverage of the metagame which can often get OHKOs given Metagross' huge attack stat. Part Steel typing and natural bulk lets Metagross comfortably switch-in to a variety of moves without having to worry about gradual chip damage. Metagross however can't cover all threats in one moveset and is prone to being revenge killed by Ghost-type Pokemon including Mimikyu, Aegislash and Mega-Gengar.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses. Note that Metagross is extremely versatile, so coverage options can be changed around to suit your team.
[SET]
name: AoA (All Out Attacker)
move 1: Zen Headbutt
move 2: Bullet Punch / Meteor Mash / Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake / Hammer Arm
move 4: Ice Punch / Hammer Arm
item: Metagrossite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Zen Headbutt is the primary STAB which deals with bulky Poison-type pokemon such as Mega-Venusaur and Toxapex, while also providing a 2HKO on Buzzwole. Provides coverage on Rotom-W and Rotom-H as well which are otherwise big threats to Metagross, whilst also really benefiting from the power boost given by Psychic Terrain.
* Bullet Punch provides a means of priority while hitting faster Pokemon such as Pheromosa, Tapu Koko and Mega-Gengar. Meteor Mash smashes Fairy-types such as Tapu Lele and Mimikyu while also able to break Porygon2 that isn't carrying Shadow Ball. Iron Head can also be used for an accurate and reliable STAB alternative to Meteor Mash, whilst also providing a 30% flinch chance.
* Earthquake can OHKO opposing threats including Excadrill and Heatran, while most notably hitting Aegislash. Hammer Arm can 2HKO Porygon2 and OHKO Mega-Kangaskhan both Hydreigon but makes Metagross prone to being revenge killed due to the speed drop.
* Ice Punch is coverage for Ground and Dragon-type Pokemon, notably Landorus-Therian, Mega-Salamence and Garchomp.
* Thunder Punch can be used to hit Bulky Waters like Tapu Fini, Suicuine and Gyarados, but can be quite underwhelming in terms of damage.
* Brick Break remains an option of Fighting-type coverage which doesn't lower speed and can be used to break to break Light Screen, Reflect, and Aurora Veil at the cost of some power.
* The given spread allows Metagross to be as fast and as powerful as possible, while Jolly lets Metagross outspeed non-Choice Scarf Garchomp.
* Metagross appreciates a Ground-type resist or immunity as while it can usually take one super effective hit, it would much rather prefer not to.
[SET]
name: Substitute Hone Claws
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Hone Claws
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Meteor Mash
item: Metagrossite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Substitute is the focus of this set, giving Metagross the ability to setup against opponents which can't break Metagross' substitute such as Cresselia, Tapu Fini, and non boosted Suicune. Adds a layer of protection against Will-O-Wisp as well which would otherwise cripple Metagross heavily.
* Hone Claws boosts Metagross' attack and accuracy, making Zen Headbutt and Meteor Mash a guaranteed hit after one boost.
* Zen Headbutt lets Metagross hits Rotom-H, Suicune and Rotom-W while Meteor Mash takes Cresselia and Hydregion and grants a slightly more powerful STAB option.
* Earthquake ensures that Metagross isn't walled by the likes of Excadrill, Heatran and Aegislash.
* The given EV spread allows a fast substitute while maximum HP investment compliments Metagross' natural bulk.
* As coverage options change with the use of Zen Headbutt / Meteor Mash, teammates should be Pokemon which deal with whichever Pokemon wall Metagross depending on which move you use.
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