Metang (UU Analysis)

Argaraffe

metang.png

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/metang
Overview:
Pros:
-Great defense
-Great typing
-Good movepool
-Pretty good attack
-Slow, making a good choice for a Trick Room team.

Cons:
-Low HP
-Weakness to EQ

[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Zen Headbutt
move 2: Brick Break
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Thunder Punch
item: Life Orb/ Leftovers
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def
ivs: 0 Spe

Why this set deserves to be on-site:
-Slow
-Great movepool allows it to hit top threats in UU, like the Nidos, Venusaur, Milotic, Clefable, Chansey, and more.
-Great typing

Additional Comments:
- Can run Ice Punch to kill Altaria, Dugtrio and others.
- Meteor Mash or Bullet Punch are other stabs that can be used, because it hits everything Iron Head hits, plus more.
- EQ is another option to hit things like Arcanine.

Teammates:
- Wants something to set up Trick Room, of course.
- Something to kill Arcanine (unless it runs Earthquake)
- Something to kill Dugtrio (unless it runs Ice Punch)

Counters:
- Registeel can wall Metang even with Brick Break due to his high defense
- Dugtrio revenge kills it with EQ unless Metang runs Ice Punch
- Arcanine can kill Metang unless it runs Earthquake
- Rotom, just like Metagross
- Rhyperior

--

[SET]
Metang @ Focus Sash
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def, IVs: 0 Spe
Nature: Brave
-Gyro Ball
-Bullet Punch
-Stealth Rock
-Explosion

Why this set deserves to be on-site:
just as Metagross makes a great lead in OU, Metang is great in UU.
- Access to priority
- Steel Type
- Explosion
- Access to Brick Break to kill common Omastar, Persian, and Ambipom leads.

Additional comments:
-Metang is so slow you probably shouldn't attempt to EV Speed, so that's why Speed Ivs aren't there.
-Earthquake is a more powerful option for things like Omastar, but usually Brick Break is the better choice here.
-Also, Trick can be used instead of Brick Break when holding a Choice Scarf.

Teammates:
- Something to abuse SR
- Something to kill Rotoms and others mentioned in the counters of the above set

Counters
Already mentioned on the above set, but most things aren't a problem anymore because Metang can Explode after SR before its usual counters can come in. As long as it sets up SR, which works with Focus Sash, unless with Fake Out, which are disposed by Brick Break, Metang's job is done.

--

[SET]
Name: Rock Polish Sweeper
Move 1: Rock Polish
Move 2: Zen Headbutt
Move 3: Thunder Punch
Move 4: Ice Punch
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/252 Spe

Why this set deserves to be on-site:
- Rock Polish helps bypass Metang's low speed
- Useful resistances
- pretty bulky with 80/100 defenses
- Access to a psuedo - Bolt Beam combination, which is great for an attacker

Additional comments:
- Earthquake can also be used if Registeel gives you the blues.
- Pursuit is another option if you find yourslef forcing switches.
- Meteor Mash is another option, it's a great, powerful STAB and can lower defense, which might cause switches, potentially giving Metang another free Rock Polish

Teammates:
- Something to set up SR
- Something to kill Rotoms and others mentioned in the counters of the first set
- Dual Screen support can also be useful when setting up

Counters:
- When setting up, Alakazam or something can Encore Rock Polish unless Metang has pursuit.
- Everything in the first set, pretty much.

--

Dual Screener potentially coming soon, depends on how people like it.
 
Just a quick comment: why is Meteor Mash not on any set? it's his best STAB move and even though it might have less than great coverage in UU it should still be one of his main attacking options.
 
It also hits as hard as SE Brick Break, while doing some damage to leads like Spiritomb. The lead should probably be Adamant, especially as Sash is the main option. What Metang has over Registeel and Aggron should definitely be emphasised.
 
I really think the only viable sets Metang can use are possibly Trick Room and Lead. Metang is just too weak to pull of a Rock Polish set, in my opinion, base 75 Attack just doesn't cut it (You will find that Meteor Mash isn't hurting very much either). The Trick Room set is only good because you can Explode and give a sweeper a free turn. The only set I semi-like is the lead set, but definitely not with Zen Headbutt and Brick Break, lol. Here's the set I've been using:

Metang @ Focus Sash
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def, IVs: 0 Spe
Nature: Brave
-Gyro Ball
-Bullet Punch
-Stealth Rock
-Explosion

Gyro Ball is there so you can actually hit things quite hard. Like I said, I've been disappointed by Metang using Meteor Mash, and if you can eat a Thunder Wave, you 2HKO Mesprit with Gyro Ball, which is pretty epic (A lot of Mesprits do this for some reason, lol). Taunters like Ambipom get completely wrecked by it. So yeah, this Metang isn't THAT great of a lead, just a reliable Stealth Rocker and that's about it.
 
shrang said:
I really think the only viable sets Metang can use are possibly Trick Room and Lead. Metang is just too weak to pull of a Rock Polish set, in my opinion, base 75 Attack just doesn't cut it (You will find that Meteor Mash isn't hurting very much either). The Trick Room set is only good because you can Explode and give a sweeper a free turn. The only set I semi-like is the lead set, but definitely not with Zen Headbutt and Brick Break, lol. Here's the set I've been using:

Metang @ Focus Sash
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def, IVs: 0 Spe
Nature: Brave
-Gyro Ball
-Bullet Punch
-Stealth Rock
-Explosion

Gyro Ball is there so you can actually hit things quite hard. Like I said, I've been disappointed by Metang using Meteor Mash, and if you can eat a Thunder Wave, you 2HKO Mesprit with Gyro Ball, which is pretty epic (A lot of Mesprits do this for some reason, lol). Taunters like Ambipom get completely wrecked by it. So yeah, this Metang isn't THAT great of a lead, just a reliable Stealth Rocker and that's about it.
Click to expand...
Okay, thanks for your advice.
 
Why would I use Metang when Registeel is available though? Look at their stats:

Metang: 60 HP / 75 Atk / 100 Def / 55 SpA / 80 SpD / 50 Spe

Registeel: 80 HP / 75 Atk / 150 Def / 75 SpA / 150 SpD / 50 Spe

Neutrality to Fighting is completely undermined by a neutrality to Ghost, Dark, and Bug, three of the attacking types that make the rare Steels so valuable in UU. They have basically the exact same movepool but Registeel's is better - Metang's STAB Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt and Bullet Punch off its ridiculously weak Atk stat don't make up for Registeel's Thunder Wave, Shadow Claw, Curse, and Seismic Toss (not to mention it being statistically superior like 3x over). It's too fast to use Gyro Ball well, and Trick Room is its only semi semi semi viable set, and generally you don't want to run suicide TR users because it lasts such a short while, and even if you do you can use something like Healing Wish Mesprit or U-turn or Memento Uxie.

I feel there are much better choices for everything Metang can feasibly do, sorry.
 
Just a couple of notes. First, I would change the set comments so they match the changes on the sets. Also, I think that the Rock Polish and Trick Room sets don't really work too well, and Registeel pretty much completely outclasses Metang's lead set. However, Metang does have a good support movepool, with moves like the Dual Screens, Rain Dance, Sunny Day (just giving an example here, as Sunny Day on Metang=asking for it), Gravity, Trick, and Toxic. I don't know how well it would fare, but a Dual Screener set or Rain Dance set might work, although I'm just giving suggestions. I hope my comments helped!
 
just a note

On the lead set

My calcs tell me that it can't KO ambi with MM/ Gyro Ball (both have very similar Base powers; the latter is 97 as vs. MM's 100) and Bullet punch. Ambipom will always survive with 2 hp at least. This problem's not even eliminated with LO; it doesn't even always KO then, which is ridiculous.

This is not a good lead.
 
I've tested the lead set, and it fared pretty poorly. Therefore, I would recommend scrapping the sets currently up, and replace it with a Supporting set, like a Dual Screen set, which Metang actually might be able to pull off. I might be wrong about its effectiveness, but you never know...
 
I think Bullet Punch is the only thing noteworthy, and then only for a suicide lead of sorts. Is Metang even strong enough to knock any UU lead to its sash??? 75 ATK is just too sad.
 
ChouToshio said:
I think Bullet Punch is the only thing noteworthy, and then only for a suicide lead of sorts. Is Metang even strong enough to knock any UU lead to its sash??? 75 ATK is just too sad.
Click to expand...

Metang has Explosion, which might fit your description. Otherwise...nope.

However, Metang does have good supporting moves, as well as great typing, so it isn't completely worthless. I came up with a quick Dual Screen set, which might or might not work. I'll let you guys decide, since I have stuff to do:

Metang@Light Clay
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD (0 EVs Spe)
Nature: Sassy
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Gyro Ball
-Explosion

Sets up screens, then explodes to allow a teammate to come in. Gyro Ball gives it a STAB move to use when it isn't the best time to Explode, and softens them up for the big "kaboom". Enjoy.
 
Flashrider57 said:
Metang has Explosion, which might fit your description. Otherwise...nope.

However, Metang does have good supporting moves, as well as great typing, so it isn't completely worthless. I came up with a quick Dual Screen set, which might or might not work. I'll let you guys decide, since I have stuff to do:

Metang@Light Clay
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD (0 EVs Spe)
Nature: Sassy
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Gyro Ball
-Explosion

Sets up screens, then explodes to allow a teammate to come in. Gyro Ball gives it a STAB move to use when it isn't the best time to Explode, and softens them up for the big "kaboom". Enjoy.
Click to expand...


Literally anything can do the same though; even effing corsola can do the same and takes nothing from mesprit grass knots as a bonus

List of pokemon who can run the exact same set, but with an arguably poorer typing yet better everything else

Claydol: Also has SR; higher speed, wider movepool, better stabs, etc.
Corsola: Has hustle (CB explosion off 55 base attack basically, though the miss chance is unfortunate)
Solrock: Better in every way, worse typing but good enough; has SR and TR
Lunatone: ^
Exeggutor: Better in every way; quad weakness to u-turn is bad but TR, sleep powder, and 125 base spa are not
Magneton: Better everything; weaker explosion I guess
Magcargo: At least it counters scyther leads, lol; it has SR also

Case in point, don't use it as a lead; DS is bad and Attacking is bad.

Metang sucks. The reason that other pseudos' second forms can work (I.E. Gabite, Shelgon, and Dragonair) is because they have relatively high/at least decent attack and outrage, which is godly in UU due to it being pretty much resisted by two commonly used pokemon - registeel and steelix. Two of them even have Dragon Dance; that alone gives the latter two something to work with.

Wtf does Metang have other than great typing? Just crappy Steel STAB. How exciting.
 
Metang... you look at 75 Attack and you're wondering why don't you use something along the lines of Guts Ursaring... Marowak... Rhyperior... for the Trick Room set.

Trick Room sweeper. You've already mentioned Rhyperior, Registeel and Arcanine as counters.

ThunderPunch vs 248/252 Bold Milotic 34.6% - 40.7% - Recover Stalls
Brick Break / Meteor Mash vs 252/152 Clefable 44.7% - 52.8% Wish+Protect+Leftovers
Meteor Mash vs 252/0 Spiritomb 50.3% - 59.2% Burn
Meteor Mash / Ice Punch vs 52/204 Donphan 35.3% - 41.6% EQ
Zen Headbutt vs 0/0 Moltres 43.9% - 51.7% Fire Blast OHKOs
Meteor Mash vs 0/0 Torterra 46.5% - 55.3% EQ
Meteor Mash vs 252/0 Weezing 38% - 44.9% Burn
Meteor Mash vs 252/228 Tangrowth 25.2% - 29.7% Synthesis
Meteor Mash / Brick Break vs 0/252 Chansey 54.4% - 64.3% Not even a guaranteed 2HKO with Leftovers.
vs Slowbro or Slowking or Steelix? LOL.

Well yeah you might say: Explosion! Camerupt does that too, and attacks from both ends of the spectrum.

Dual Screen set: I agree with Breludicolo's assessment.

Lead:
Ambipom beats this: Fake Out (no more Sash), Taunt (no SR). Gyro Ball does 58.1% - 69.1% and Bullet Punch 24.1% - 28.9%. Doesn't even kill Pom.
Metang Explosion vs Support Uxie: 70.3% - 82.8%
Metang Explosion vs Utility Omastar 39.2% - 46.2%
Metang Explosion vs Utility Cloyster 73.7% - 86.8%

You let Mesprit, Uxie, Omastar, Cloyster, Electrode, Kabutops setup, Qwilfish , Electrode and Alakazam Taunt you... Give me a reason to use Metang over Uxie then.... to explode on the other leads... since you can't hurt them much otherwise? Everyone can see that from a mile away. Even if you Explode, you don't necessarily kill them.
 
Well, Flashrider57 has made me a Dual Screener.
Metang@Light Clay
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD (0 EVs Spe)
Nature: Sassy
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Gyro Ball
-Explosion

I'm starting to think this isn't very good, but doesn't Metang deserve a page o Smogon at least listing his options? You know, like Luvdisc and Farfetch'd. Just a question, how would these sets do in NU?
 
Well Metang isn't even a fully evolved Pokemon. You wanna give Prinplup an analysis next? Marshtomp? Certain NFEs are effective in UU in their own right (Chansey/Machoke/Haunter), but Metang is not one of them. Metang certainly does not have much hope in UU, and even if these sets do well in NU, Smogon does not do articles for NU and thus will not accept any articles for it.

Dual Screen: There are many better Dual Screeners: Uxie, and Claydol/Solrock/Exeggutor can run the same set with DS + Explosion with better stats/secondary attack moves/sleep moves.
 
Unfortunately, I have to agree with YaM. Metang does have great typing, and okay defensive stats to support it, but the offensive stats aren't the best, and it suffers from a bad offensive movepool and not the best support movepool (which would be better if it had Trick Room in my opinion). Therefore, I can't see much hope for it. Sorry, Argaraffe.
 
none of metang's sets are viable hell you could run life orb registeel and be better off 99% of the time. the lead set is probably the "most" viable but even still it is pretty awful - i remember it not 2hkoing ambipom of all things with max attack -_- gyro ball is an interesting solution to that but then unfortunately you can't hit rock types etc

Rejection 1/2

edit: dude flashrider good catch, here are some calcs though
brave 0 speed iv 252 attack gyro ball vs 252/0 regirock: 13.7% - 17%
brave 0 speed iv 252 attack gyro ball vs 136/0 rhyperior: 14.8% - 17.8%
 
Good point, and also many Rock types have high Defence, while Metang has a 75 attack stat. So...yeah.

Edit: Kabutops isn't slow, but I'm just naming an exception of the "slow" part.
 
More to the point, the two most common Rock-typed leads (Omastar and Kabutops) are hit neutral from Gyro Ball due to their secondary Water typing.
 
I know...Be honest, though: Do you think anyone would willingly switch in a Rock-type against a Steel-type? No.
Shame Metang can't learn Trick Room. It actually might have had a chance. If it had it, it would be good on the Lead set over Bullet Punch, but that's just my opinion...
 
Registeel is still a better lead than this thing. Trust me, it sucks hardcore. I've used it and I'd use Registeel any day over this thing. Priority means nothing when you're hitting like a panzy lol.

Definite no from me, sorry.
 
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