[OVERVIEW]
What stands out most about Metagross is its sky-high base 135 Attack stat and high-powered STAB move in Meteor Mash, which, in conjunction with a Choice Band and its solid bulk, lets it OHKO common offensive Pokemon such as Primarina, Latias, and Hydreigon after Stealth Rock. This ability to stay in and do big damage gives it a valid niche among the tier's many offensive Steel-types, mainly Scizor, which doesn't have a STAB move as powerful as Meteor Mash. Metagross's movepool and other stats are also decent, which allows it to serve niche support roles as needed, either as a bulky Stealth Rock setter or as an offensive lure. Thanks to its bulk and power, it is unique among offensive Stealth Rock setters in its ability to soft check Pokemon such as Mega Altaria and Latias much more proficiently than its closest analog in Cobalion. These niches help it distinguish itself from Scizor, Cobalion, and Bisharp, which otherwise thoroughly outclass it as a strong offensive Steel-type due to their ability to set up while being forced out by much less of the tier. Metagross also suffers from a mediocre base 70 Speed, a lack of recovery, and a glaring weakness to common offensive types in Fire, Ground, and Dark, which makes it easy to overwhelm with strong attacks, entry hazards, and the ever-present Pursuit.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Meteor Mash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Explosion / Bullet Punch / Trick
item: Choice Band
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
The sheer power of Meteor Mash is what sets Choice Band Metagross apart from its primary competition in Scizor. It is very spammable because of this power, its decent neutral coverage, and its chance to raise Metagross's Attack stat. Earthquake synergizes well offensively with Meteor Mash due to its ability to hit most Steel-resistant Pokemon for super effective damage. Scizor, Cobalion, and Volcanion are all otherwise decent switch-ins to Meteor Mash that are crushed by Earthquake. Pursuit provides Metagross with crucial offensive utility that capitalizes off of the many switches it forces by virtue of its bulk and typing, allowing it to trap Psychic-type such as Latias and Celebi quite convincingly. Explosion lets Metagross get off a massive neutral hit in exchange for it bring KOed, which can prove key in supporting its teammates by crippling or eliminating threats to your team. Rotom-H, Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Alomomola all take ridiculous damage from Explosion, with Rotom-H being outright OHKOed and all other examples being OHKOed after relatively little chip damage. Bullet Punch provides key revenge killing power that Metagross would otherwise lack, letting it scare out worn-down offensive Pokemon such as Mamoswine and Mega Aerodactyl. It is worth noting, though, that it is considerably weaker than Scizor's Bullet Punch. Trick exchanges Metagross's long-term wallbreaking power for the opportunity to lure in and cripple a switch-in by removing its item and giving it a Choice Band. This can prove extremely useful in longer games against teams that rely on bulky Water- and Ground-types such as Alomomola, Suicune, Hippowdon, and Gligar to keep physical attackers at bay.
Set Details
========
216 Speed EVs give Metagross the jump on Jolly Crawdaunt and Adamant Scizor, allowing it to outspeed both and 2HKO them with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
Use Metagross's bulk and typing to apply immediate pressure and spam Meteor Mash early-game to soften up its switch-ins and clear the way for a teammate. If you are carrying Trick and do not feel Metagross will be useful in the long run, try to give a switch-in its Choice Band with Trick. Crippling an Alomomola or Hippowdon early-game will often get you much more mileage out of Metagross than being walled indefinitely. This same result can also be achieved with Explosion, though at a higher cost. Feel free to go for Explosion if you feel Metagross has outlived its usefulness or if it is at low HP. Avoid switching directly into attacks Metagross doesn't necessarily have to take, especially if its bulk is needed to soft-check an offensive Pokemon later. Dragon Dance Mega Altaria and Calm Latias, for example, do not need much chip damage at all to KO Metagross with +1 Earthquake or +1 Devastating Drake, respectively. Unnecessary damage can be avoided with VoltTurn support from Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Hydreigon. All of Metagross's moves are exploitable to some capacity, so be discerning with which move you lock it into. Calm Mind Slowbro or Calm Mind Suicune, for example, can set up on Metagross locked into Meteor Mash or Earthquake, while going for Pursuit will leave Metagross a sitting duck versus virtually anything that comes in.
Team Options
========
Choice Band Metagross fits best on bulky offense teams that can support slow wallbreakers and compensate for Metagross's relative lack of staying power with healing support and entry hazard removal. Wish users such as Alomomola and Florges are effective at counteracting Metagross's longevity issues as well as the shortcomings of its defensive typing, with each example also acting as consistent switch-ins to a good number of Metagross's offensive checks, such as Hydreigon in the case of Florges and Krookodile and Doublade in the case of Alomomola. Alomomola also tends to bait in Pokemon that will allow Metagross in for free, such as Latias, while Florges is capable of luring Scizor and removing it with Hidden Power Fire. Defensive answers to the common Ground-, Dark-, and Fire-type Pokemon looking to force Metagross ensure that Metagross does not forfeit free turns to them. Kommo-o, Hydreigon, and Chesnaught all comfortably handle the likes of Krookodile, Bisharp, and Crawdaunt to some capacity, while also providing team support by annoying special walls with Taunt and Spikes, respectively. Many setup Pokemon appreciate Metagross's wallbreaking ability between Meteor Mash and Explosion. For example, Nasty Plot Infernape and Calm Mind Suicune are much tougher to handle if Metagross has handled an opposing Latias or Mega Altaria, and Mega Sharpedo can clean up late-game after Metagross has softened up opposing bulky Pokemon with repeated Meteor Mashes. Offensive pivots such as Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Mega Manectric can bring in Metagross for free on their switch-ins, most of which are threatened by Choice Band-boosted Meteor Mash. Their Speed also helps take offensive pressure off Metagross by revenge killing opposing fast Pokemon capable of revenge killing it. Rotom-H is an extremely effective defensive pivot that shuts down most Ground-types that would otherwise feast on Metagross as well as Scizor, and they can force them out to bring Metagross in with Volt Switch. in return, Metagross is a decent soft answer to the Dragon-types that come in to sponge Rotom-H's Volt Switch.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Explosion / Bullet Punch
item: Life Orb / Shuca Berry / Colbur Berry
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Meteor Mash is Metagross's best option for its Steel-type STAB move, and its very useful chance to raise its Attack makes it decently spammable. Earthquake is necessary coverage to not be walled by Fire- and Steel-types and does decent neutral damage to bulky Water-types. Volcanion, Cobalion, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix all take massive damage from Earthquake but would be able to switch in consistently to Meteor Mash otherwise. Bullet Punch allows Metagross to act as a revenge killer or get last-ditch chip damage versus Pokemon about to KO it, meaning that faster Pokemon weak to Steel such as Mamoswine, Togekiss, and Mega Aerodactyl aren't safe bets for revenge killing Metagross. Explosion allows Metagross to get off a massive nuke once you feel like it has outlived its usefulness, allowing it to support its teammates by crippling Pokemon such as Suicune and Hippowdon in exchange for KOing itself. Pursuit is an alternative option that lets Metagross trap Pokemon it checks by virtue of its typing, such as Latias and Celebi, but this isn't always ideal because of its lack of power, overcompression of roles sacrificing general utility and coverage, and chip damage from Life Orb. The latter issue will often lead to a Metagross carrying both Stealth Rock and Pursuit often having to choose between one or the other, due to how quickly it is worn down.
Set Details
========
The Speed investment in conjunction with Life Orb is necessary for Metagross to outspeed and 2HKO Crawdaunt and offensive Scizor with Earthquake. If running a damage reduction Berry, the choice between Shuca and Colbur Berry will determine which of two pools of threats Metagross can stay in against for that one turn. This greatly improves its utility as an offensive glue.
Usage Tips
========
Use Metagross's typing to your advantage and switch it into Pokemon such as Latias, Klefki, Florges, and Amoonguss, provided something has been put to sleep in the case of the latter, to set up Stealth Rock. Do note, though, that Metagross should not be your primary switch-in to such Pokemon due to how quickly it is worn down. If the opponent is carrying a Pokemon that can take advantage of Metagross, either pick up the slack with aggressive play or apply offensive pressure by firing off attacks so Pokemon can't come in completely for free. If Rotom-H comes in to Defog away Stealth Rock, for example, you can lure it in and remove it from play with Explosion. Preserve Metagross's HP and Berry, if using one, so it can stay in against a foe using either Ground- or Dark-type attacks. This can prove useful for beating massive threats such as Mamoswine and Bisharp one-on-one that would otherwise force Metagross out.
Team Options
========
Despite being a predominantly offensive Pokemon, Metagross's defensive qualities make it a decent glue for more frail offensive teams that need a lot of utility poured into one teamslot. Its bulk lets it act as an emergency check to the likes of Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Altaria, and Mega Sceptile, as well as a serviceable check to Dragon- and Fairy-types such as Latias, Florges, Mega Altaria. Late-game sweepers such as Dragon Dance Kommo-o, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Sceptile appreciate Metagross's ability to wallbreak and soft-check Fairy- and Dragon-types, as well as softening up walls with Meteor Mash. Since Metagross can only tank one or two particularly strong attacks, backup offensive checks to the aforementioned Fairy- and Dragon-types are needed to handle them reliably. Such Pokemon include Mamoswine, Rotom-H, and Mega Beedrill. Metagross's subpar Speed stat and general role on offensive teams almost always calls for a Choice Scarf user to help alleviate offensive pressure. Its common weaknesses to Fire, Dark, Ghost, and Ground makes Hydreigon an absolutely excellent option in this role, as it covers for all of these shortcomings. Choice Scarf Infernape is an effective revenge killer that handles most of such Pokemon decently well. Both of these Pokemon can use U-turn to bait opposing Fairy-types that Metagross can beat. Fire-resistant bulky attackers such as Mega Altaria, Swampert, Nihilego, and Mega Aerodactyl do a good job keeping opposing Fire-types from taking advantage of this set if one manages to come in on Metagross for free. Pokemon capable of exploiting bulky Water- and Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Slowbro are also necessary so they cannot freely exploit Metagross. Calm Mind Latias, Taunt Kommo-o, and Celebi are capable of reliably beating such Pokemon while making for solid wallbreakers in their own right. They also do well on frail offense teams, as their defensive qualities mesh well with Metagross's and make for a decent defensive backbone.
[SET]
name: Mixed Offensive Lure
move 1: Meteor Mash / Explosion
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Clear Body
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Meteor Mash provides Metagross with a STAB move to threaten opposing Fairy-types and special walls, which it otherwise can't do much against with its coverage moves. Explosion is a viable alternative, as on top of being a massively powerful nuke when boosted by Life Orb, it provides you with a free switch to a teammate in exchange for Metagross being KOed. Hidden Power Fire is necessary for this set to lure in and KO opposing Scizor, one of the biggest threats in the tier, while also hitting other Steel-types for decent damage. Grass Knot allows Metagross to damage Ground-types, OHKOing Swampert and Quagsire and crippling Hippowdon. Stealth Rock is run because Metagross is an excellent user of the move, setting it up for free on forced switches against Latias, Klefki, Sylveon, and Blissey.
Set Details
========
The lack of Attack investment doesn't affect the power of Metagross's physical moves that drastically, as Explosion and Meteor Mash are still extremely strong coming off its high Attack stat with a Life Orb boost. A Hasty nature is used over Naive because Metagross's physical bulk is still high enough despite the stat drop to take the physical hits it needs to, namely Scizor's Bullet Punch. It also appreciates having more Special Defense to switch into attacks such as Draco Meteor from Latias and Moonblast from Florges if it needs to. Life Orb is essential to power up Metagross's special attacks to the level necessary to KO the threats it needs to, guaranteeing the OHKO on offensive Scizor with Hidden Power Fire and giving a chance to OHKO defensive Scizor after Stealth Rock with Hidden Power Fire. It also allows Grass Knot to OHKO Swampert the vast majority of the time and 2HKO any Hippowdon variant. Alternatively, Expert Belt can be used to bluff a different set and achieve many of the OHKOs and 2HKOs that Life Orb achieves, but it does not do so as reliably, and lacking Life Orb makes its neutral attacks far weaker.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Metagross in on foes it checks by virtue of its typing, such as Latias and Klefki, to set up Stealth Rock or fire off an attack. Don't do this frequently, however, as the lack of bulk investment means Metagross doesn't take many hits, and it needs HP to fire off as many Life Orb-boosted attacks as possible. Precise prediction is necessary to get the most damage out of Metagross and cripple or eliminate the targets it is intended to lure. Predict obvious switch-ins to the likes of Scizor, Hippowdon, Swampert, and Doublade early on so that Metagross's teammates can do work unhindered by their defensive checks. If carrying Explosion, be extremely selective with its use and designate a threat you want to use it on, as you can only use it once. It should generally be saved for a Pokemon Metagross cannot hurt otherwise, such as Blissey or Tentacruel, or if you desperately need to get a teammate in for free on your chosen target. Note that without Meteor Mash, Explosion is this set's only real way to threaten special walls, so be careful not to reveal your coverage until an opportune time unless you decide to target a specially bulky Pokemon with Explosion.
Team Options
========
Mixed Metagross makes for a great offensive support Pokemon because of the common threats it lures by virtue of its typing and coverage. For this reason, offensive Pokemon that need bulky Pokemon put in KO range of their attacks such as Terrakion and Dragon Dance Altaria make excellent partners, as they greatly appreciate Metagross's ability to lure Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Quagsire, and Scizor, as well as bringing them in for free on weakened targets with Explosion. Metagross's lack of bulk investment means it generally lacks defensive utility despite being a Steel-type. Klefki does an excellent job picking up the slack, as it not only switches reliably into opposing Dragon- and Fairy-types but can also set up Spikes, which gives Metagross a decent chance to OHKO defensive Scizor and guarantees the OHKO on Swampert with Grass Knot. Due to Metagross's low Speed, lack of longevity, and weaker Meteor Mash, it is bait for most of the tier's Dark-types, making checks to them essential so they cannot capitalize on the free turns Metagross gives to them. Mega Altaria, Terrakion, and Togekiss all appreciate lure Metagross's support while also keeping Dark-types at bay.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Agility Metagross with Meteor Mash, Thunder Punch, and Ice Punch holding either Steelium Z or Life Orb can act as an interesting late-game cleaner, but such a set is generally outdone by fellow offensive Steel-types Bisharp, Cobalion and Scizor, which have better offensive typings, access to Swords Dance, and stronger coverage to make them far more effective. Choice Band Metagross can run Zen Headbutt over a coverage move to lure and OHKO Rotom-H, as well as have neutral STAB coverage against most Water-types, but Explosion generally has broader applications due to its drastically higher power and broader array of neutral targets. Assault Vest Metagross is one of the best Fairy- and Psychic-type counters the tier has available, but the sheer lack of utility or role compression provided outside of the ability to force these Pokemon out generally makes it inferior to other checks to such Pokemon such as Scizor. It is also drastically weaker without a boosting item, making it setup fodder for Pokemon Choice Band Metagross would stand a chance against, such as Scizor, Bisharp, and Cobalion.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Unless Metagross is running Life Orb-boosted Grass Knot, most bulky Ground-types can eat any hit from it, beat it down even if it's running a Shuca Berry, and recover off the damage. Offensive Ground-types like and Nidoking and Krookodile must watch out for Shuca Berry, though, or risk taking heavy damage.
**Fire-types**: Though they are quickly worn down by Stealth Rock and cannot reliably switch into Metagross's coverage, Fire-types resist Meteor Mash and are strong enough to OHKO Metagross with their STAB moves. Moltres and Rotom-H in particular can keep it at bay as long as Stealth Rock is down and Metagross doesn't use Explosion, scare it out with Fire-type moves, and use the free turn to either use Defog or fire off a free attack. Moltres must be careful, though, to avoid using Roost as Metagross uses Earthquake.
**Bulky Water-types**: Metagross not carrying Grass Knot or Explosion are taken advantage of by bulky Water-types quite easily, as they don't care about any other move Metagross could throw at them. They must scout for the aforementioned moves, however, or risk being crippled by them.
**Dark-types**: Hydreigon, Krookodile, Bisharp, and Mega Sharpedo all outspeed Metagross and can OHKO it with little to no chip damage if it is not carrying a Colbur Berry. Even Colbur Berry variants struggle to beat them one-on-one in return, though Meteor Mash and Earthquake do a good chunk of damage to most of them if they attempt to switch in directly.
**Steel-types**: Despite the threat of Choice Band-boosted Earthquake or, in the case of Scizor, most Steel-types can come in quite comfortably on Meteor Mash and take advantage of Metagross. Cobalion, Bisharp, Mega Aggron, and Scizor can use Metaross locked into Meteor Mash as an opportunity to set up, attack, set up Stealth Rock, or in the case of Bisharp and Scizor, Pursuit trap it. Scizor must be mindful of mixed Metagross, as it is crushed by Hidden Power Fire and should scout accordingly.
**Strong Attackers**: Though Metagross is quite bulky even without investment, it's not enough to be considered a wall, and it is easily overwhelmed by common wallbreakers such as Cobalion, Hydreigon, Volcanion, and Infernape. Most of these examples also target Metagross's much lower Special Defense, making it quite helpless versus them once they're in versus it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[eht, 237235]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Surgeon, 347604], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
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