What is a good moveset for Metagross?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Metagross, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Metagross Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

Ik this isn't about a moveset but... why does none of the metagross line get iron fist as an ability? I mean they actually have iron fists... unlike ledian.. who gets iron fist instead of metagross.

Answer 1

This is a bit of a setup variant. It's been working really well for me lately.

Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Dynamic Punch
- Hone Claws

• Meteor Mash (Nice STAB and Base power.)
• Zen Headbutt (Same as Meteor Mash.)
• Dynamic Punch (Very strong move that confuses the opponent.)
• Hone Claws (Raises Attack and Accuracy for these low accuracy moves.)

Metagross is tanky enough to live a hit or two from most so there's time to hone your claws for a bit. After you're done setting up, you blast them away with your STAB moves and DP.

Comments

Dynamic Punch's accuracy is so low that it's far too inconsistent to be viable.

---

"Hone Claws"....

---

If you can get Hone Claws off 6 times.

---

Brick Break is more viable than Dynamic Punch. It has 100 accuracy and breaks through reflects and aurora veils.  the rest is fine

Answer 2

Metagross @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch

This set is simple. Lock yourself on the scarf moves mentioned above, since you wanted a speedy one.

Answer 3

Killer MM

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 188 Atk / 252 Def / 64 Spe
Impish Nature
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch
- Hammer Arm

Moves:
I'll write everything about the moves after all modifiers

Zen Headbutt (160 power ((after STAB and tough claws)), 90% accuracy, 15-24 PP, 20% chance to flinch. awesome with all its physical attack)

Meteor Mash (180 Power ((same with zen headbutt)), 90% accuracy, 10-16 PP, 20% chance to raise it's attack. best steel type move in the game)

Bullet Punch (80 Power ((same with meteor mash)), 100% accuracy, 30-48 PP, priority +1. greta to finish opponents if they are already weakened)

Hammer Arm (133.3333333 Power ((after only tough claws)), 90% accuracy, 10-16 PP, even though it lowers you speed, is grat for killing dark type mons.)

Use this mega metagross. works pretty well

Answer 4

Physically Defensive Mega Metagross Set

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch

-Earthquake (Coverage of Fire, plus 4 other types and has an awesome power. This is the most overrated attack in the game).

-Zen Headbutt (STAB, coverage against Fighting, boosted by the ability, flinch chance. Psycho Cut would be better anyways but since he doesn't learn Psycho Cut, Zen Headbutt does the job well)

-Meteor Mash (That is the best Steel-type move in the game. Decent power, high accuracy, might raise Metagross' attack. Use it to kill opponents you know you can outspeed easily).

-Bullet Punch (STAB priority boosted by the ability, it actually CAN deal a good damage after all. but still, you should most likely use it for finishing opponents without the risk they will kill you before).

Normal Mega Metagross set, but works really nicely on Uber.

Answer 5

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 82 HP / 100 Atk / 100 Def / 228 SpD
Careful Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

• Meteor Mash (STAB and signature move. Destroys, Rock, Ice, and Fairy types)
• Zen Headbutt (STAB. Destroys, Fighting and Poison types)
• Earthquake (destroys, Rock, Fire, Electric, Poison, and Steel types)
• Brick Break (destroys, Notmal, Dark, Ice, Rock, and Steel)

Comments

clear body doesn't protect from burns

Answer 6

Metagross @ Zoom Lens
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe

-Meteor Mash
-Zen Headbutt / Earthquake
-Hammer Arm
-Trick Room/Earthquake

Yep, a Zoom Lens abuser. Now these moves with 90 accuracy have perfect accuracy. Also you can speed control with Trick Room, if you choose to use it.

Comments

I don't believe it can use trick room

Answer 7

Since nobody expects a fast special MM, try this one:

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Timid
EV's: 252 Speed, 252 SpA, 6 HP

Moveset:
Psychic/Psyshock: STAB
Flash Cannon: STAB
Options:
Signal Beam: Covers Dark weakness
Shadow Ball: Covers Ghost weakness
Icy Wind: Covers Ground weakness
Earthquake/Rock Slide: (physical I know but covers Fire weakness)

Paired with a Jolly max speed/max attack Life Orb Garchomp/Scarfchomp in doubles, there's your alternate Fire coverage.

If you've ever tried to beat the Super Double Battle Tree (USUM), then you know it takes all out speed and power to make it far (40+). Personally I would run a Jolly MM with Meteor Mash, Bullet Punch, Ice Punch, and Agility. It sucks getting into the 40's only to get outsped by a Mega Latios and eventually fast scarfed mons. However, even as fast and as strong MM is, I had the best results with Jolly Mega Salamence, Jolly Life Orb Garchomp, Timid Zap Plate Tapu Koko, and Jolly Focus Sash Kartana. Streak of 81, lost on 82 to a scarfed Typhlosion locked into Eruption. It totally caught me off guard.

But yeah, try out the set. If you don't like it, trade it lol

Answer 8

My Metagross set:

MetaSALT @ Icium Z (in case Ice Punch doesn't work out)
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 HP

-Bullet Punch (priority, STAB)
-Meteor Mash (STAB)
-Zen Headbutt (STAB)
-Ice Punch (because everyone uses Mega Ray or Dragon pseudo)

This Metagross is an absolute clap MACHINE, Bullet Punch has priority so it always goes first, and you can follow up with Meteor Mash or Zen Headbutt to deal amazing damage. If/when they pull out a Dragon type, Ice punch can deal with it easy. Icium Z is my personal choice because so many people use Rayquaza and Icium Z straight up makes them regret using it, lol. If you have a Pokemon with Trick Room, then you throw out Metagross to sweep, it lessens your chance of said Rayquaza turning you into melted metal.

Answer 9

(I have not tested this yet, so not my fault if this is bad)
Metagross@ Metagrossite OR Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Def / 4 HP (If using Life Orb, 252 Atk / 120 Def / 136 HP)
-Meteor Mash > STAB
- Zen Headbutt > STAB and has a chance to flinch
-Earthquake/Brick Break > Coverage
-Agility > Speed
Mega Metagross is a powerhouse, it has more than 100 in every one of its base stats except for HP, and even if you are going for the Life Orb, this thing will still be amazing.

Comments

Don't run a pokemon meant to be a bulky attacker without max hp. max hp allows pokemon to take general hits wel, not just one kind of attack

Answer 10

Battle Tree (doubles, but it also works well in singles)

Dex (Metagross) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Rash Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Icy Wind
- Psyshock
- Flash Cannon

I decided to use Metagross for the Battle Tree because I was planning on using a Sylveon, and their typings work nicely together. I was SOS chaining for a Beldum, and I ended up with a Rash one. So I decided to make a special set for it. Since it had a Special Defense lowering nature, I talked with NebbyY about it and he recommended an Assault Vest. Clear Body is for ignoring stat lowering moves and Intimidate. 252 HP is for bulk, 4 Attack is for Bullet Punch, and 252 Special Attack is for a bit more firepower. Bullet Punch is STAB and priority. Icy Wind slows down both of your opponent’s Pokémon in a double battle, and it serves as Ground coverage. Psychock is STAB that hits specially defensive Pokémon better. Flash Cannon is Steel STAB, since Bullet Punch is just to finish things off/get chip damage off.

Thanks Nebby for helping me on this set :)

Answer 11

Metagross @Leftovers

Ability: Clear Body

Nature: Adamant (-sp.a +atk)

EVs: 252 Atk / 129 def / 129 HP

Meteor Mash (chance for atk raise)

Earthquake (high damage ground move)

Ice Punch (dragon counters, +chance to freeze)

Zen Headbutt (good physical psychic type move)

Answer 12

Metagross@Metagrossite
Nature: Jolly
EV spread: 56 HP, 252 Atk, 200 Spe
Ability: Clear Body---> Tough Claws
Moves:
Meteor Mash/Iron Head
Zen Headbutt
Earthquake
Power-Up Punch
This giant enemy spider is one of the most dangerous mega evolutions around, despite sucking in Ubers. Meteor Mash is very strong STAB, and has a 20% chance to raise attack. Zen Headbutt is powerful Psychic STAB and has a chance to flinch. Earthquake is amazing coverage, and Power-Up Punch for guaranteed +1 Attack and does a decent amount of damage against Dark Pokemon.

Answer 13

Metagross @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Agility
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Thunder Punch

You start off with Agility to raise your speed. If you get hit by a super-effective move and aren't knocked out, Weakness Policy will activate, doubling Metagross' Attack stat. Earthquake is a strong move. Meteor Mash is STAB. Thunder Punch since it provides useful coverage with Metagross' ground and tell type attacks.

Answer 14

Gen 7
Metagross @metagrosite
Evs: 252 atk/180 SDef/ 72 HP
Nature: Adamant
trait: clear body (tough claws)
-Ice punch (coverage and boost with tough claws)
-Earthquake (coverage)
-Meteor Mash (Steel STAB, boost by tough claws and chance to boost Physical Attack)
-Thunder punch (boost by tough claws and covers annoying water and flying types)

Answer 15

This is my Gen 8 Metagross set.

EVs: 252 Atk | 100 HP | 100 Sp. Def | 56 Def

Nature: Adamant (+Atk -Sp. Atk)

Ability: Clear Body (Stats can't be lowered by others)

Item: Leftovers (Small healing each turn)

iron head: STAB (Does more damage because same type attack as the user's type)

Self-Destruct: Finishing Off Move (Does lots of damage and may not matter if the user faints)

earthquake: Coverage (Since dark and ghost aren't used much)

ice punch: Coverage (Since dark and ghost aren't used much)

Answer 16

Gen 8 NFE

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Toxic

Earthquake is for coverage. Stealth Rock is to hurt opposing Pokemon switching in. Meteor Mash is STAB. Toxic is to poison Pokemon trying to switch in on Metang.

Answer 17

Metagross @ Occa Berry
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
Role: Tank / Support
Evs: 252 HP, 128 Def, 128 SpD
Ability: Clear Body
Moveset:
Iron Defense
Magnet Rise
Stealth Rock
Ally Switch / Body Press

Answer 18

Metagross @ Air Balloon
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, - SpA)
Role: Physical Attacker
Evs: 252 Hp, 252 Atk, 4 SpD
Ability: Clear Body
Moveset:
Bullet Punch
Zen Headbutt
Brick Break / Thunder Punch / Earthquake
Meteor Mash / Iron Head

Answer 19

Gen 6

Metagross@leftovers/mega stone
EV’s: 252 attack, 126 defense and 126 speed
Ability: clear body
Nature: adamant(+attack -special attack)

Stomping tantrum(coverage)
Iron head(STAB)
Agility( for his bad speed stat)
Zen headbutt( STAB)

Comments

Stomping Tantrum isn't in Gen 6 and Earthquake would be better

---

Oh yeah sry i got the wrong gen

---

But stomping tantrum is better in doubles if you dont want to hit your partner

---

You can edit this you know? Also, you could put Earthquake for singles, Stomping Tantrum for doubles and put Gen 7.

Answer 20

THE MIGHTY METANG @ Life Orb / Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Agility
- Explosion
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake / Zen Headbutt / Brick Break / Ice Punch / Thunder Punch / Pursuit