Paste: https://pokepast.es/0b442b81fc67b1fb
Metagross @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 100 HP / 228 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 172 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Iron Head
- Stomping Tantrum
- Ice Punch
The main Dynamaxer and core of the team. The set is extremely standard and the EVs allow:
- 75% to 2HKO 252HP Glastrier (75% to OHKO 252 Glastrier after WP)
- The rest is literally in bulk really, but I'll list some calcs anyways
- 252 Atk Urshifu-Gmax Wicked Blow vs. 100 HP / 4 Def Dynamax Metagross on a critical hit: 168-198 (50 - 58.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Charcoal Torkoal Eruption (139 BP) vs. 100 HP / 4 SpD Dynamax Metagross in Sun: 288-342 (85.7 - 101.7%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO (after Brutal Swing from Tornadus)
- 252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 100 HP / 4 Def Metagross: 120-144 (71.4 - 85.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 4 SpA Life Orb Spectrier Max Phantasm vs. 100 HP / 4 SpD Dynamax Metagross: 283-338 (84.2 - 100.5%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
- +1 252 SpA Moltres-Galar Max Darkness vs. 100 HP / 4 SpD Dynamax Metagross: 302-356 (89.8 - 105.9%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
*172 in speed outspeed Scarf Landorus in Tailwind
As you can see, Metagross is highly vulnerable to mons such as Galar-Moltres or Spectrier.
My personal thoughts about Metagross:
Against anything that isn't Spectrier/Moltres, I have been able to win most of the time due to Metagross' superior bulk after dynamax which allows it to survive another hit or two after dynamax, which in itself is extremely impressive. Against Landorus/anything that can be KOd by Metagross, I tailwind with Tornadus turn 1 to surprise the opponent and quickly pick off a KO.
However, against anything that is Spectrier/Moltres, Metagross becomes a fiasco - it's completely shut down. I have even once tried to use Dragapult + Terrakion to solve this issue, but my plays became too predictable.
Paste of the team is here for reference:
https://pokepast.es/dc4a9117b2bc471f
Tornadus (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 92 HP / 4 Def / 156 SpA / 4 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Brutal Swing
- Air Slash
I won't drone on about things that are unnecessary:
- Spread outspeed Kartana.
- Tailwind for speed control as Metagross lacks it to function sucessfully.
- 156 spA investments KOs Urshifu 100% of the time
- 92/4/4 defense lives Urshifu Surging Strike
- Brutal Swing to activate weakness Policy.
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 4 Atk / 156 Def / 92 SpD / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Fake Out
- Darkest Lariat
- U-turn
I wasn't too sure about AV Incineroar at the start, but to make up for Metagross' lack of special defense, Incineroar will just have to cover up for it. The spread lives Urshifu(Rapid) + Close Combat.
- 252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 228 HP / 156+ Def Incineroar on a critical hit: 180-216 (90.4 - 108.5%) -- approx. 18.8% chance to OHKO
- 252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 228 HP / 156+ Def Incineroar: 174-206 (87.4 - 103.5%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
Because Metagross is significantly liable to Spectrier, in a 1v1 situation, Incineroar should be able to 2HKO Spectrier with Darkest Lariat. I am mulling over whether I should use snarl, but Darkest Lariat has also been a great matchup against Dusclops. Not too sure about the AV overall, but it does allow Incineroar to be within 3HKO range of Moltres' Airstream.
-252 SpA Moltres-Galar Max Airstream vs. 228 HP / 92 SpD Assault Vest Incineroar: 67-79 (33.6 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
- 2HKO at max from specs Fini (3HKO from some Finis)
- 252+ Atk Glastrier Max Quake vs. 228 HP / 156+ Def Incineroar: 148-176 (74.3 - 88.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Pretty bulky overall.
Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 12 HP / 244 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 244 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
244 speed outspeeds mons who outspeed 100 by 1 stat. Rest is in attack.
When I realized that I couldn't have Tornadus use protect because of its diverse movepool, I was required to be prepared for Fake Out. Tornadus will most likely get KOd by Regieleki, Rocks and Glastrier/Mamoswine. Against Regieleki and rocks, Garchomp would be a good switch in. Rocky Helmet Ferrothorn made its debut in VGC 2014 against Mega-Khangaskan, being able to deal 29% for each hit it takes. I thought this could be nice, especially against a mon such as Incineroar as it could be followed up by an E-quake which can typically score an OHKO on some Incins.
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 84 Def / 84 SpA / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
*Outspeeds Jolly Dragapult and lives non-banded Rillaboom Grassy Glide
I wanted a fast, offensive mon which could clean up late-game and also prevent fake outs. Although Fini could arguably be better, Lele is much more offensive but this slot is definitely malleable.
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike-Gmax @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Thunder Punch
- Aqua Jet
Urshifu is in the team as water-coverage but mainly a decent check to a majority of the Meta. Urshifu/Metagross cover for each other's weaknesses pretty well and I only wished that Urshifu could be sashed.
Essentially, if Metagross can not set up properly or faces a difficult match up, things tend to snowball quickly. My lack of protect is worrying and I was wondering how I could make things go my favour. I've thought of using parting shot Incineroar as a lead and switching into Metagross against Spectrier/Moltres teams but Metagross still doesn't enjoy tanking 30-35% from Max Airstream from Moltres on the switch in. I was wondering if I should revert back to a Terrakion/Metagross team.
Looking forward to advice!
