Overview
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Metagross received a huge buff in ORAS in the form of a new Mega Evolution., Megawhich Metchangross turned Metagross from an unviable Pokemon to a top tier threat. First and foremost, Mega Metagross receive Tough Claws as an ability. Ccoupled with hiMetagross' great physical movepool, many of which make contact, such as Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, Hammer Arm, Ice Punch, and Earthquake, lets Mega Metagross hits insanely hard. As if that weren't enough, he has a great defensive Steel / Psychic typing, which, coupled with his insane 80 / 150 / 110 bulk, allows him to act as a great check for top tier threats such as Latios, Latias, Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, and Keldeo. Mega Metagross also has a great base 110 Speed stat to back it all up, which makes him a very formidable tank. Additionally, Mega Metagross has access to Rock Polish, which turns him from a powerful wallbreaker into a devastating late game cleaner once his checks have been removed from play. However, Metagross does have a few downfalls, such as a mediocre base sSpeed before Mega Evolving and weaknesses to common Dark-, Fire-, and Ground-type attacks. Additionally, Mega Metagross is often pressed for moveslots, meaning that he will always be walled by something no matter what moves he's running.
All-Out Attacker
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name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Ice Punch / Bullet Punch
move 4: Hammer Arm / Earthquake
ability: Clear Body
item: Metagrossite
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
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Meteor Mash is Metagross's main STAB move, as it sportsing great power and hitsting the Fairies he checks super effectively. Zen Headbutt is necessary to take on the Fighting- and Poison-types hMetagross checks, while also scoring a crucial 2HKO against Rotom-W, who would otherwise wall him thanks to a 4x resistance to Steel and great defenses overall. Ice Punch is great for hitting Dragons ands thwell likeas of Landorus-T and Gliscor super effectively, while Bullet Punch can be run instead to hits faster threats such as Rock Polish Mega Diancie, Mega Aerodactyl, Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and Greninja that has changed type. The Last slot is used exclusively for opposing Steel-types. Hammer Arm is the preferred option as it 2HKOes Ferrothorn and offensive Mega Scizor, while also beating Skarmory that lack Counter 1 on 1, thanks to the Speed drop allowing Metagross to hit Skarmory after the Roost. However, Earthquake is a viable alternative if the speed drop is unappealing and hitting Jirachi, Magnezone, Heatran, and opposing Metagross is necessary. Grass Knot is also an option to lure in and hit bulky Water- and Ground-types such as (Mega) Slowbro, Quagsire, Mega Swampert, and Hippowdon super effectively. Finally, Pursuit can be used to trap Latios and Latias, while also getting chip damage against other targets like mMega Gardevoir.
Set Details
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Maximum Attack and Speed investment is needed to hit as hard and fast as possible, while a Jolly nature is used to ensure a Speed tie against opposing base 110 Speed Pokemon at worst. Clear Body is used as the pre-mega ability to prevents stat drops from Intimidate and Sticky Web.
Usage Tips
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This set is best used as an early and mid-game wallbreaker that is capable of checking top tier threats such as Latios, Latias, Mega Sceptile, Mega Venusaur, and assorted Fairy-types, reliably thanks to his great bulk and power. Additionally, hMetagross can clean up weakened teams late game if he opts to run Bullet Punch, so; Healing Wish support in this case is appreciated.
Team Options
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Magnezone is a great partner for Metagross, as he traps and kills the Steel-types that ruin Metagross's day, while also beating Mandibuzz and the bulky Water-types that give Metagross trouble. Landorus-T and Rotom-W also make great teammates, as they can U-turn or Volt Switch him into favorable matchups. Aandditionally, both check Talonflame, which can outspeed Metagross and deal massive damage to Metagrosshim with Flare Blitz. Keldeo is also a great partner to Metagross thanks to excellent type synergy. Keldeo is able to, checking all of Bisharp, Mandibuzz, Mega Scizor, and Greninja, while Metagross handles Fairy-types, Latios, Latias, and bulky Poison-types who give Keldeo trouble. Unaware Clefable also walls Calm Mind Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye, two Pokemon who otherwise give Metagross trouble. Lastly, Metagross appreciates entry hazards to aid in breaking down defensive cores, so Pokemon who lay down Stealth Rock such as Landorus-T and Garchomp make great teammates. For example, Landorus-T can pivot into the Ground-type attacks that target Metagross from the likes of Sand Rush Excadrill or opposing Landorus-T, while Garchomp is able to break down opposing physical walls such as Slowbro and Mega Sableye with a Lum Berry + Swords Dance set. Spikes users like Greninja and Chesnaught help as well. Greninja forces a ton of switches and has a great moveepool to hit checks like Landorus-T and Slowbro super effectively, while tChe lsnaughtter can reliably handle Bisharp.
Rock Polish
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name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Meteor Mash / Iron Head
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Hammer Arm / Earthquake / Ice Punch
ability: Clear Body
item: Metagrossite
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
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Rock Polish turns Metagrdoss from a powerfubl wallbreakers into a dMevastating late-game sweeper. It doubles his' sSpeed, which allows him to outspeed the entire unboosted Mmetagame and thus become a devastating late-game sweeper. Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt are the obligatory STAB moves to make this possible, though Iron hHead over Meteor Mash is an option if missing poses a problem. Metagross's best coverage move in this case is Hammer Arm, as it hits Dark- and Steel-types super effectively, specifically hitting Air Balloon Excadrill, Air Balloon Heatran, Mega Gyarados, and Greninja. The speed drop can be an issue, however, so Earthquake can be used instead if Charizard X and Heatran pose a threat. Additionally, Ice Punch can be used to hits Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Dragon-types, upperwho effectively, asn otherwise they can tank a hit and hit himMetagross back hard, super effectively.
Set Details
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176 Speed EVs with an Adamant let Mega Metagross outpace neutral-natured Base 100 Speed Pokemon after Metagrunbooss Mega Evolvtes,d whileand outspeeding everything up to Adamant Sand Rush Excadrill withen Sand Rushock Polis activatedh. Maximum aAttack is needed to deal as much damage as possible, and the remaining EVs go into HP for extra bulk.
Usage Tips
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Bring Metagross in late-game against something that he forces out to set up a sweep. If a Healing Wish user such as Jirachi or Latias is on his team, Metagross can be used as a wallbreaker early-game, checking threats such as Fairy-types, Latias, lLatios, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Sceptile.
Team Options
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Pokemon who remove Metagross's checks and counters are crucial for a Rock Polish sweep. Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Raikou take on Talonflame well and can provide Metagross a free switch via Volt Switch or U-Turn. Keldeo and Magnezone help break down defensive Steel-types, whileand the former reliably checks Bisharp. Additionally, Spikes Greninja forces a lot of switches and can pressure opposing teams with Spikes to help turn 2HKOes into OHKOes, while also hitting defensive Landorus-T, Slowbro, and Skarmory hard thanks to his great coverage options. Bisharp also makes a great partner as he deters Defog thanks to Defiant and helps keep entry hazards up. Furthermore, strong Swords Dance users such as Garchomp, Terrakion, Explosion Landorus-T, and Bisharp can lure in and weaken opposing physical walls such as (Mega) Slowbro, Skarmory, Alomomola, and Mandibuzz. Finally, a Healing Wish user allows Metagross to be played more recklessly early game and bring him back to full health once he’s ready to sweep.
Other Options
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Metagross doesn't have many viable alternatives. His Mega evolution is the only reason to use him in OU, so not using his Mega Stone is a waste of a teamslot. That being said, Metagross has access to Stealth Rock, so a bulky Stealth Rock set with HP and Attack investment can be used as a hazard setter that helps keep his hazards up through his great offensive presence. Mega Metagross can also use Thunder Punch to hit Skarmory and Bulky Water-types super effectively, though this move is usually inferior to his other coverage options. Toxic can be used to lure in bulky walls such as Cresselia, Alomomola, and Slowbro as well. Finally, Substitute is an option to avoid mind games with Bisharp and avoid a Sucker Punch, as well as avoid status from Pokémon Metagross needs an extra turn against.
Checks & Counters
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**Steel-types**: Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and bulky Mega Scizor can give Metagross trouble, as the former has access to Counter, while the latter two can whittle him down. Bisharp also revenge kills Metagross with Sucker Punch after a little bit of prior damage. However, if Metagross is carrying Hammer Arm, only bulky Mega Scizor can actually wall him, as both Ferrothorn, offensive Mega Scizor, and Skarmory are 2HKOed by it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Slowbro, Alomomola, and Quagsire wall Metagross if he lacks Grass Knot, as they cannot be 2HKOed by any of Metagross's other moves and have recovery moves to heal off any damage taken. Physically defensive Starmie can also check Metagross unless he is running Grass Knot.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Banded Talonflame can OHKO Metagross with Flare Blitz, Choice Scarf Landorus-T can 2HKO Metagross with Earthquake, while also getting an Intimidate off, and Greninja can kill Metagross with Dark Pulse after a bit of prior damage. Additionally, if Metagross is weakened, Pokemon such as Mega Sceptile and Mega Beedrill can pick him off with Hidden Power Fire and Drill Run, respectively.
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Mega Sableye and Cresselia both wall Mega Metagross despite any coverage move he may carry, and the former is also able to burn him, wthoughile the latter can paralyze him wi'th Thunder Wave. However, Cresselia cannot to any meaningful damage backh to Metagross, sbeyond paralyzing him wis the best sThunder cWan dove. Quagsire, Hippowdon, and (Mega) Slowbro all wall Metagross if he lacks Grass Knot, and have reliable recovery to heal off any damage taken. Mandibuzz and physically defensive Landorus-T also switch into Metagross easily, though Ice Punch must be scouted for isf Stealth Rocks areis up. Finally, Skarmory will always beat Mega Metagross that lack Hammer Arm, as he has the physical bulk and recovery to tank any hits that Metagross can throw at him.; Iif Skarmory has Counter, he can simply switch between Roost and Counter to bring Metagross down.