(VGC 2017) Metagross - Physical Attacker Movesets
(VGC 2017) Metagross - Physical Attacker Movesets
![[Image: metagross_sig_by_supersleuth10-d4cxzff.png]](http://orig02.deviantart.net/980e/f/2011/288/3/5/metagross_sig_by_supersleuth10-d4cxzff.png)
Deviant Art by supersleuth10
Metagross has certainly had its up and downs over the years though this VGC 17 format seems promising to make it return to its former glory. While being rather slow, Metagross is one of the most bulky offensive Pokemon with a defensive BST of 80 HP, 130 Defense, 90 Special Defense, and an Attack stat of 135. With its Steel/Psychic pairing, Metagross has nine overall resistances and one immunity to poison making it capable of checking certain threats on the field. Coverage-wise, Metgross can still pack a punch against opposing Pokemon with the combination of Steel-, Psychic-, Ground-, and Fighting type moves to hit most relevant Pokemon with at least neutrally. With the Clear Body ability, Pokemon with the Intimidate ability can't drop Metagross rather high base 135 attack stat and will always hit rather for notable damage. Though most Metagross sets encompass the same movesets at times, they all function unique and independent usually taking advantage of Metagross offensive potential or bulk.
What makes Metagross threatening in this format compared to previous years is the introduction to a new partner: Tapu Lele. Thanks to the Psychic Terrain, Metagross receives a 50% increase to all its Psychic-based attacks and can threaten opposing targets for heavy damage. In return, Metagross serves as an excellent partner to Tapu Lele for handling opposing Fairy-types or the Tapus who attempt to gain Terrain advantage. The damage output from both Zen Headbutt and the potential Shatter Psyche makes Metagross an incredible threat to consider when facing one in Psychic Terrain. Keep in mind Metagross is rather slow enough to abuse a potential Trick Room option to allow it to "outspeed" faster threats and potentially overwhelm the opposing side.
Even with most of these traits, Metagross has some notable flaws going against it. Since Gen 6, Metagross received two extra weaknesses in Dark-, and Ghost-type alongside the rather common Ground- and Fire-types making it more easier to target down with super effective attacks. Recall Metagross is a rather slow Pokemon with a base 70 speed so chances are it will get hit first before it can retaliate. Though not considerably a weakness, most of Metagross main attacks such as Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, or Hammer Arm are all 90% accurate making its rather inconsistent when it comes to connecting attacks. Even so, Metagross is definite a strong Steel type to consider in battle and can carry the weight of its teammates in battle.
![[Image: metagross.png]](http://pokemonforever.com/images/pokeimages/gen3/metagross.png)
Metagross
Type:
Base Stats: 80 HP / 135 Attack / 130 Defense / 95 Special Attack / 90 Special Defense / 70 Speed
Weaknesses:
x2 
x2 
x2 
x2Resistances:
x0.25 
x0.5 
x0.5 x0.5 
x0.5 
x0.5 
x0.5 
x0.5 
x0.5Immunities:
Abilities: Clear Body - Prevents Stat Changes except from the User
Hidden Ability: Light Metal - Halves the User's Weight
Psychium Z
Metagross @ Psychium Z
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 36 Def / 12 SpD / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake / Hammer Arm
- Protect
Milestones:
- Z-Move Shattered Psyche under Psychic Terrain can OHKO many common threats if used sucessfully.
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 36 Def / 12 SpD / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake / Hammer Arm
- Protect
Milestones:
- Z-Move Shattered Psyche under Psychic Terrain can OHKO many common threats if used sucessfully.
Here we have the Psychium Z Metagross set with a standard three attacks options. In retrospects, Metagross is a rather simple Pokemon to use in terms of movepool, though most of the attacks listed do have specific intentions. STAB Meteor Mash allows Metagross to hit opposing Fairy-, Rock-, and Ice-type Pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales, Gigalith, Tapu Lele, etc for heavy damage with the chance to rais the attack stat by one stage. Zen Headbutt is another STAB option that's now potentially "stronger" in due part of the presense of Tapu Lele's ability to summon Psychic Terrain. Under the field condition, Zen Headbutt hits a 120 Base Power which can do some a considerable damage against opposing Pokemon, though not enough for the OHKO. The last two slots are between Earthquake or Hammer Arm which both have their merits. Earthquake allows Metagross to his opposing Electric-, Fire-, and Steel-types for super effective damage meanwhile Hammer Arm hits opposing Normal-types like Snorlax and Porygon2 hard.
One of Metagross's best selling points is to use the Psychium Z item in conjunction with Clear Body and the Psychic Terrain. Under the field condition, Z-Zen Headbutt, or Shattered Psyche reaches a base power of 240 before STAB, making this one of the strongest Z-attacks in the format. Given how Metagross has a base attack of 130 and an ability which prevent stat drops, a Shattered Psyche from this Pokemon will hurt even the bulkiest of walls. In order to achieve this feat, make sure to pair Metagross with Tapu Lele to summon the Psychic Terrain. Even so, Tapu Lele is a great partner to pair with Metagross as it covers it Dark type weakness while form part of a Steel-Dragon-Fairy core. The speed investment listed allows Metagross to outspeed neutral base 80s, though more can be added if chosen.
One of Metagross's best selling points is to use the Psychium Z item in conjunction with Clear Body and the Psychic Terrain. Under the field condition, Z-Zen Headbutt, or Shattered Psyche reaches a base power of 240 before STAB, making this one of the strongest Z-attacks in the format. Given how Metagross has a base attack of 130 and an ability which prevent stat drops, a Shattered Psyche from this Pokemon will hurt even the bulkiest of walls. In order to achieve this feat, make sure to pair Metagross with Tapu Lele to summon the Psychic Terrain. Even so, Tapu Lele is a great partner to pair with Metagross as it covers it Dark type weakness while form part of a Steel-Dragon-Fairy core. The speed investment listed allows Metagross to outspeed neutral base 80s, though more can be added if chosen.
Offensive Calcs
Defensive Calcs
Assault Vest
Metagross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 36 Def / 92 SpD / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
Milestones:
-Same Offensive Achievements
-AV to take Special Attacks Better
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 36 Def / 92 SpD / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
Milestones:
-Same Offensive Achievements
-AV to take Special Attacks Better
This Metagross set is built towards takes more specially-based hits while dish out damage against the opposing side. One of the most common and threatening special attackers in the VGC 17 format is Tapu Lele thanks to its Psychic Terrain-boosted STABs which can 2HKO, or potentially OHKO any target. With the Assault Vest and the double resistance to Psychic STAB, Assault Vest Metagross makes for one of the best Tapu Lele responses. In addition, Metagross can survive a number of specially-based Z move attacks such as the Hydro Vortex in the Rain from Duck, an Eruption from Drought Torkoal, 2 Thunderbolts from Tapu Koko in Electric Terrain, and a host of other attacks. In terms of movepool, most of Metagross's attacks are largely unchange from the first set, except Bullet Punch is opted for priority. For a list of damage calculations with the Assault Vest, refer down below:
Offensive Calcs:
Defensive Calcs
Choice Band
Metagross @ Choice Band
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch / Hammer Arm
Milestones:
-Guaranteed OHKO against "frail" Tapu Koko, Alolan Raichu, and Xurkitree with CB Earthquake
- With Psychic Terrain, has a 15/16th chance to OHKO Garchomp with Zen Headbutt
-Can 2HKO most Pokemon with approriate attack.
-Can 2HKO most Pokemon with approriate attack.
With the base 135 attack stat, Metagross makes for a great Choice Band user who can essentially hit many targets its STAB and coverage options listed down. Choice Band Meteor Mash has essentially OHKO most Fairy-types in the format bar Tapu Fini, not to mention has a 20% chance to raise Metagross Attack further. As mentioned before, if Psychic Terrain is up, Zen Headbutt will deal further damage, and pairing it with the Choice Band can net some rather crazy OHKOs. Some examples of these offensive feats include Choice Band Psychic Terrain Zen Headbutt OHKOing Gyarados, Arcanine Salamence, and even 2HKOing most non fully defensive Porygon2. Unlike the previous two sets, Choice Band Earthquake is able net the OHKOs against many frail Electric, Poison, and some Fire-type Pokemon while dealing a decent chunk against opposing Steel-types. The last moveslot is Bullet Punch so Metagross can use to priority purposes, though remember that Psychic Terrain will render it useless, so use with caution. Hammer Arm can be used to hit opposing Normal-, Dark-, and Steel-types like Porygon2, Snorlax, Kartana, and etc.
The idea of using Choice Band Metagross is essentially to hit as hard as possible while maintain offensive pressure. One, if not Metagross best partners to pair is Tapu Lele as both receive an increase in STAB Psychic-type moves and can make a "Psychic Spam" team. If anyone does any of the damage calculations for Choice Band Zen Headbutt under Psychic Terrain, most are either 2HKOs dealing about least ~60% damage to almost, if not straight up OHKOs most of the neutral format. Note the Clear Body ability prevents any imposed stat changes, so any "Intimidate" shuffling won't work against Metagross, which will only hit just as consistently hard. The only notable thing to address with this Choice Band Metagross is to definitely consider what move it will "choice lock" itself into until Metagross either switches, gets the Choice Band removed, or faints.
The EV Spread listed on this set allows Metagross to hit as hard as possible with the Choice Band while outspeed neutral base 70s and potential speed creep mons. Some of the best partners to pair with Choice Band Metagross are predominately offensive Pokemon (Tapu Lele, Pelipper, Golduck, etc) or Trick Room setters (Porygon2, Mimikyum Oranguru, etc) to maintain offensive pressure and speed control prespectively.
The idea of using Choice Band Metagross is essentially to hit as hard as possible while maintain offensive pressure. One, if not Metagross best partners to pair is Tapu Lele as both receive an increase in STAB Psychic-type moves and can make a "Psychic Spam" team. If anyone does any of the damage calculations for Choice Band Zen Headbutt under Psychic Terrain, most are either 2HKOs dealing about least ~60% damage to almost, if not straight up OHKOs most of the neutral format. Note the Clear Body ability prevents any imposed stat changes, so any "Intimidate" shuffling won't work against Metagross, which will only hit just as consistently hard. The only notable thing to address with this Choice Band Metagross is to definitely consider what move it will "choice lock" itself into until Metagross either switches, gets the Choice Band removed, or faints.
The EV Spread listed on this set allows Metagross to hit as hard as possible with the Choice Band while outspeed neutral base 70s and potential speed creep mons. Some of the best partners to pair with Choice Band Metagross are predominately offensive Pokemon (Tapu Lele, Pelipper, Golduck, etc) or Trick Room setters (Porygon2, Mimikyum Oranguru, etc) to maintain offensive pressure and speed control prespectively.
Offensive Calcs:
Potential Teammates include, but aren't limited to:
- Water Types - Two of Metagross's notable weakness as of late have been both the Fire- and Ground-types and can chunk, if not OHKO Metagross with their STAB moves. Water-type Pokemon not only threaten both of these types, but exclusive rain-based teams can reduce the Fire-type damage output. (Ex. Pelipper, Milotic, Politoed, Aranaquid, Gastrodon, Gyrados, etc ).
- Fairy-Types - With the recent introduction and prevalence of Poison-types and respective coverage moves, Metagross takes no damage and can threaten them with a STAB Psychic STAB. In turn, Fairy-type Pokemon can deal with opposing Dark-types who can check Metagross. (Ex. Tapus, Mimikyu)
- Dragon-Types - Some Dragon-type Pokemon such as Salamence or Garchomp offer Metagross unique defensive synergy against some neutral types while cover for Fairy-types. (EX. Salamence, Garchomp, Goodra, Dragonite, etc)
- Intimidate Support - Helps with Metagross's Defensive bulk and do offer some unique defensive type synergy. (Ex. Salamence, Arcanine, Krookodile, Gyarados, Granbull, etc )
- Tapu Lele - Exclusive partner to Metagross who can boost the power of STAB Psychic moves by 50% while Metagross can take opposing Steel- and Poison-types.
- Fire-types - Arcanine, Alolan Marowak, Salazzle, Incineroar, Talonflame, etc
- Ground-types - Garchomp, Krookodile, Mudsdale, Gastrodon, etc
- Ghost-types - Gengar, Dhelmise, Sableye, Mimikyu, etc
- Dark-types - Alolan Muk, Krookodile, Incineroar, Alolan Persian, etc.
- Powerful Special hits if not Assault Vest.
- Burn Status
- Type-Reducing Berries are useful to cover against Metagross weakness ( Occa, Shuca, Colbur, and Kasib Berry)
- Weakness Policy can increase Metagross attack stats by +2 if hit by a super effective attack.
- Air Balloon can give Metagross a Pseudo Ground-type immunity.
Might be the last Pokemon Analysis of this year on my end (literally is), though there will be many... many more to follow in the future so stay tune. Either way, have a great day!
