Metagross
Metagross is arguably the best Steel type in the game right now and even if Zacian (Crowned) or Solgaleo take away the crown that Metagross rules with an iron fist, this arachnid metal behemoth will always remain a viable Pokémon due to its exceptional stats, moveset and mega evolution.
But this pseudo legendary mon is much more. It is among the best monsters to use in the Master League and is infamous for seamlessly fitting into many teams. With the Master League getting more dynamic with each passing season, Metagross has been a constant mainstay with its steely resolve and battling prowess.
This article will analyse Metagross’ standing in the ML Classic and ML Open leagues and display just how good (or bad) it is against various match-ups. Let’s go!
Typing, Strengths and Weaknesses
Metagross is a Steel/Psychic type Pokémon and as such, is weak to the Dark, Fire, Ghost and Ground types.
Being a Steel type, it is bound to be blessed with a good number of resistances and that’s exactly how it is!
| 0.391x damage taken | 0.625x damage taken |
| Poison | Dragon |
| Psychic | Fairy |
| Grass | |
| Ice | |
| Normal | |
| Rock | |
| Steel |
Phew! 10 impressive resistances!
It is quite obvious that Metagross’ resistances and offenses make it a tailor-made partner for Dragon types. Not only does it resist the Dragon, Fairy, Ice and Rock types that dragons like Garchomp, Palkia or Dragonite are usually weak to, it also deals super=effective damage to the Fairy, Ice and Rock types.
Metagross may be one of the only two non-dragon pseudo legendaries at the moment but it sure does complement them very well with exceptional team synergy!
Stats
Metagross has the following stats in Pokémon Go:
|
Metagross
SteelPsychic
|
|||||
| Max CP at Level 40 3791 | Max CP at Level 50 4286 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATK 254 | DEF 228 | HP 190 | |||
| Weak to | Strong Against | ||||
| Dark Fire Ghost Ground | Fairy Ice Rock Fighting Poison | ||||
Being a pseudo legendary monster, Metagross has fantastic stats! What makes it truly remarkable is the fact that while Steel types are generally reputed for their defensive prowess, Metagross has the ATK stat to make a huge impact.
But this arachnid is notorious for having an absolutely fantastic movepool. Let’s check it out!
Moveset Analysis
Metagross learns the following moves in Pokémon Go:
| Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|
|
|
*denotes a legacy move
Fast move analysis
| Fast move | Damage Per Turn [DPT] | Energy Per Turn [EPT] | Cooldown |
| Bullet Punch | 3.00 | 3.50 | 1.00 sec |
| Zen Headbutt | 2.66 | 2.00 | 1.50 sec |
While both fast moves gain STAB, Zen Headbutt is a really bad one in PvP.
Bullet Punch, on the other hand, has a decent [DPT/EPT] set of [3.00/3.50] and is the unanimous way to go.
Charged move analysis
| Charged move | Damage | Energy required |
| Flash Cannon | 110 | 70 |
| Meteor Mash | 100 | 50 |
| Earthquake | 120 | 65 |
| Psychic | 90 | 55 |
Meteor Mash, Metagross’ Community Day exclusive move is not only a strict upgrade over Flash Cannon but is also one of the best charged moves in the game. This move alone is responsible for making Metagross an incredible generalist and also the premier Steel type.
Why Earthquake > Psychic?
Earthquake and Psychic are both viable secondary charged moves. While Psychic has STAB and is also a cheaper move in comparison to Earthquake, the latter is the better one at the end of the day.
Sure Psychic helps Metagross have an edge in certain matchups but Earthquake has many more positive matchups, including the Steel types. As it is quite obvious, Earthquake is Metagross’s only stance in the mirror match as this Pokémon resists both Steel and Psychic type moves. The ability to cancel out Steel Pokémon is a major asset in any league. As such, Earthquake is the way to go when it comes to giving Meteor Mash Metagross a secondary charged move.
What about Metagross without Meteor Mash?
Without Meteor Mash, Metagross can possibly work with Earthquake and Psychic but it’s just so underwhelming!
Metagross is one of those non-legendaries who are totally worth receiving an Elite Charged TM. So if you can spare one and have a Metagross with minimum stats of 15 ATK, 14 DEF and 13 HP, then you don’t even have to think twice before giving it Meteor Mash. Just make sure that you make it a Best Buddy.
In a nutshell, always go with Meteor Mash Metagross.
So what is Metagross’ ideal moveset?
Taking all factors into account, Bullet Punch paired with Meteor Mash and Earthquake is the ideal moveset for Metagross.
Performance in the Master League Classic
Metagross has the following battle profile for (1-1) and (0-0) shield scenarios in the ML Classic:
- Beats Togekiss in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Zacian (Hero) in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Zamazenta (Hero) in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
- Beats Excadrill in (0-0)
- Beats Dragon Tail Garchomp in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Dragonite in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Counter Haxorus in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Dragon Tail Haxorus in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Goodra in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Palkia in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
- Beats Dialga in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Machamp in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Conkeldurr in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Zarude in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
- Beats Shadow Ball Mewtwo in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Dragon Breath Hydreigon in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
- Beats Bite Hydreigon in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Mud-Slap Rhyperior in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Smack Down Rhyperior in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Smack Down Tyranitar in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Bite Tyranitar in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Landorus (Therian) in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
Performance in the Open Master League
Metagross has the following battle profile for (1-1) and (0-0) shield scenarios in the Open ML:
- Beats Togekiss in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Zacian (Hero) in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Loses to Zamazenta (Hero) in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Excadrill in (0-0)
- Beats Dragon Tail Garchomp in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Dragonite in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Counter Haxorus in (0-0) and (1-1)
- Beats Dragon Tail Haxorus in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Goodra in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Loses to Palkia in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Dialga in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Machamp in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Conkeldurr in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Zarude in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
- Beats Shadow Ball Mewtwo in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Dragon Breath Hydreigon in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
- Beats Bite Hydreigon in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Mud-Slap Rhyperior in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Smack Down Rhyperior in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Smack Down Tyranitar in (1-1) and (0-0)
- Beats Bite Tyranitar in (0-0) but loses in (1-1)
- Beats Landorus (Therian) in (1-1) but loses in (0-0)
A note on Mega Metagross
ATK: 300
DEF: 289
HP: 190
Max CP (LVL 50): 5552
Max CP (LVL 40): 4911
Note: These stats are subject to change. They may or may not remain the same upon release.
Zacian Crowned has an ATK stat of 332 and if its signature move, Behemoth Blade, is better than Meteor Mash, it will surpass Mega Metagross.
Solgaleo has a much lower ATK stat of 255 and Sunsteel Strike has to be OP in order to surpass Mega Metagross.
But regardless of anything taking cover Mega Metagross’ crown, this destructive monster will be among the cream of the Steel meta. A 300 ATK stat powered Meteor Mash is a devastating nail in the coffin of its opponents. You can count on that!
Parting Words
Metagross is a highly reliable mon that won’t disappoint you. With superb performance in both PvP and PvE, it is easy to see why it’s a huge favourite!
With a lip-smacking blend of both offense and bulk, a powerful mega evolution and a guaranteed presence among the top echelon of Steel type, this is among the most bankable pocket monsters in the franchise.
Go power up your Metagross to LVL 50 and Best Buddy it… you are going to be amazed at how disgustingly good (gross?) it is and just how it grosses the meta figures of the game on a consistent basis!
