Metagross Movesets and Best Builds

This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Metagross in competitive play for the games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Tera Type, and Held Items to use with Metagross, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Metagross - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle

Metagross Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Blueberry #139		Type
Metagross
		Abilities
		Clear Body Light Metal (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Metagross

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Metagross

Bulky Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 187 / Atk 205 / Def 150 / Sp. Def 111 / Speed 90
Ability	Clear Body
Tera Type
Held Item	Choice Band / Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Meteor Mash ・ Psychic Fangs ・ Earthquake / Ice Punch ・ Bullet Punch

Summary

Great natural bulk and attack stats. Steel/Psychic typing gives it a lot of natural resistances. Clear Body prevents its stats from being dropped.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Clear Body	Choice Band Assault Vest

The Ability chosen for this build is Clear Body. This will protect Metagross from having its stats dropped from Pokemon like Landorus Therian.

Metagross can either use a Choice Band or an Assault Vest for this build. Choice Band is the more offensive option while Assault Vest is the more defensive option.

Moves Breakdown

Meteor Mash is its best Steel-type STAB attack that has a 20% chance of increasing Metagross' Attack by one stage.

Psychic Fangs is its strongest Psychic-type STAB attack that also destroys the opponent's screens, unless the target is a Dark-type like Grimmsnarl.

Earthquake or Ice Punch are its best coverage moves that let Metagross check some of its weaknesses. Earthquake is used to counter Fire-types while Ice Punch is used to counter Ground-types.

Bullet Punch lets Metagross threaten a quick knockout on low-health targets or frail attackers like Flutter Mane and Chien-Pao.

Best Tera Type: Steel or Water

Steel Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Water Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)

Like its item choice, Metagross can use a Steel Tera Type as an offensive option or a Water Tera Type as a defensive option. Steel will boost the damage of Metagross' Steel-type attacks while Water will remove its weaknesses and turn Fire-type attacks into a resist.

As a bonus, these two Tera Typings are considered to be some of the best defensive types in the game.

Best Tera Types: Best Pokemon to Terastallize

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are put into Metagross' HP and Attack to make it as bulky as possible while still being able to hit hard. The extra 4 EVs are placed in its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

An Adamant nature is preferred to maximize Metagross' damage output.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Metagoss
80 HP｜84 Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Jolly) Item: Cornerstone Mask	Meteor Mash 204 ~ 240 (130.7 ~ 153.8%) Guaranteed 2HKO after Sturdy w/ Embody Aspect Def Boost 134 ~ 162 (85.8 ~ 103.8%) 25% Chance to OHKO
100 HP｜100 Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP (Jolly) Item: Punching Glove	Psychic Fangs 164 ~ 194 (93.1 ~ 110.2%) 62.5% Chance to OHKO
55 HP｜55 Def No Defensive EV Investment (Timid) Item: Booster Energy	Bullet Punch 126 ~ 150 (96.9 ~ 115.3%) 81.3% Chance to OHKO
Damage Received by Metagoss
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Hearthflame Mask	Ivy Cudgel 156 ~ 186 (83.4 ~ 99.4%) Guaranteed 2HKO +1 Ivy Cudgel 312 ~ 368 (166.8 ~ 196.7%) Guaranteed 2HKO
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk (Modest) Item: Assault Vest	Earth Power 126 ~ 150 (67.3 ~ 80.2%) Guaranteed 2HKO
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk (Jolly) Item: Focus Sash	Sucker Punch 122 ~ 146 (65.2 ~ 78%) Guaranteed OHKO

These calculations were made with an Assault Vest Metagross. Damage dealt and received would go up if it were holding a Choice Band unless Metagross was hit with a physical attack.

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Stellar Tera Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 187 / Atk 205 / Def 150 / Sp. Def 111 / Speed 90
Ability	Clear Body
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Bullet Punch ・ Psychic Fangs ・ Earthquake ・ Ice Punch

Summary

Great natural bulk and attack stats. A lot of resistances, which is great for a Stellar Tera. Clear Body prevents its stats from being dropped.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Clear Body	Assault Vest

The Ability chosen for this build is Clear Body. This will protect Metagross from having its stats dropped from Pokemon like Landorus Therian or Incineroar.

The item chosen for this build is an Assault Vest. This helps Metagross better tank special attacks, especially ones meant for its allies when used as a defensive pivot.

Moves Breakdown

Bullet Punch is its best Steel-type STAB move because it threatens a quick knockout on low-health targets or frail attackers like Flutter Mane and Chien-Pao.

Psychic Fangs is its strongest Psychic-type STAB attack that also destroys the opponent's screens, unless the target is a Dark-type like Grimmsnarl.

Earthquake is its main coverage move that is used to counter Steel-types that resist Metagross' STAB moves and Fire-types that threaten it for super-effective damage.

Ice Punch is its other coverage move that counters Ground-types that Metagross is weak to. It also hits a very wide range of Pokemon for super-effective damage.

Best Tera Type: Stellar

Stellar Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Stellar is the best Tera Type for this build because it will boost the damage of Metagross attacks without it having to commit to a single Tera Type.

Note that even if it's a Stellar Type, it will keep the defensive properties of its Steel/Psychic typing.

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are put into Metagross' HP and Attack to make it as bulky as possible while still being able to hit hard. The extra 4 EVs are placed in its Sp. Def to help round out its bulk.

An Adamant nature is preferred to maximize Metagross' damage output.

Other Viable Moves

Doubles Movesets for Metagross

Physically Offensive Metagross Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	172 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 Sp. Def / 76 Spe
Final Stat Values	177 HP / 205 Atk / 151 Def / 111 Sp. Def / 100 Spe
Ability	Clear Body
Tera Type
Held Item	Metal Coat
Moveset	・ Bullet Punch ・ Psychic Fangs ・ Heavy Slam ・ Protect

Summary

Great natural bulk and attack stats. Steel/Psychic typing gives it a lot of natural resistances and is good offensive coverage. Clear Body prevents its stats from being dropped.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Clear Body	Metal Coat

The Ability chosen for this build is Clear Body. This will protect Metagross from having its stats dropped from Pokemon like Landorus Therian.

Metal Coat is a valuable damage modifier that can let Metagross score important KOs.

Moves Breakdown

Bullet Punch lets Metagross threaten a quick knockout on low-health targets or frail attackers like Flutter Mane or Chien-Pao.

Psychic Fangs is an upgrade to its previous Psychic-type STAB Move, Zen Headbutt. It has a higher base power of 85, with the ability to remove Screens.

Heavy Slam is important for Metagross to score decisive KOs on bulky Pokemon such as Rillaboom. This build prioritizes consistency over coverage and may affect Metagross's matchup against Heatran and Incineroar, in which case, teammates who match up favourably may prove useful.

Protect can help Metagross out on turns where it is threatened to get KOd.

Best Tera Type: Steel

Steel Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Steel Tera can increase the effectiveness of its Steel-type Moves, as well as remove Metagross's weaknesses from its Psychic-typing.

Best Steel Type Pokemon for Ranked Battle

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are put into Metagross's Attack to maximize its offensive capabilities. 172 HP EVs are given and 4 EVs each to Defense and Special Defense to give Metagross added bulk. 76 Speed EVs puts it at 100 total Speed, allowing it to outspeed Pokemon with Base Speed lower than 130 in Tailwind.

An Adamant nature is preferred to maximize Metagross' damage output.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Metagross
55 HP | 55 Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Booster Energy	Bullet Punch 150 - 176 (115.3 ~ 135.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
100 HP | 90 Def Defensive EV Investment: 204 HP Item: Miracle Seed	Tera Type: Heavy Slam 204 ~ 240 (101.4 ~ 119.4%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Received by Metagross
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk	Shadow Ball 152 ~ 182 (85.8 ~ 102.8%) 12.5% Chance to OHKO
145 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk	Stomping Tantrum 114 ~ 134 (64.4 ~ 75.7%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk	Ivy Cudgel 156 ~ 186 (88.1 ~ 105%) 25% Chance to OHKO
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Life Orb	Heat Wave 190 ~ 226 (107.3 ~ 127.6%) Guaranteed OHKO

How to Use Metagross Effectively

Identify Metagross' Role Against Your Opponent's Team

Metagross can fulfil both an attacking and defensive role on your team. Metagross should be able to flexibly change roles depending on your opponent's team composition.

If your opponent cannot easily deal with Metagross, then it may be better to use it as a defensive pivot rather than an attacker.

How to Build a Team with Metagross

Use bulky Pokemon that can pivot around with Metagross to cover for its weaknesses.

Sample Singles Team

Offensive Lead	Physical Attacker	Special Attacker
Rillaboom	Metagross	Bloodmoon Ursaluna

These three Pokemon are all very bulky and can cover for each other's weaknesses. Switch in and out Pokemon to gain a favourable matchup while also looking to punish your opponent when to have a bad switch in.

Sample Doubles Team

Special Attacker	Physical Attacker
Landorus (Incarnate Forme)	Metagross
Special Attacker	Support / Physical Attacker
Flutter Mane	Rillaboom

Landorus-I is a great partner for Metagross, as it can give your team a way to effectively damage Archaludon, Heatran, as well as Incineroar, who it matches up favourably against.

Flutter Mane and Rillaboom are strong Pokemon to have late-game, as Flutter Mane has Speed, while Rillaboom has priority with Grassy Glide. Additionally, Rillaboom's Grassy Surge can improve the team's matchup against bulky Water-types.

Counters for Metagross

Outspeed Metagross With Fast Attackers

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Forces Metagross to Terastallize or it will get OHKO'd by Wicked Blow. ・Can get a follow-up KO with priority Sucker Punch. ▶️ Urshifu Single Strike Best Movesets
Ogerpon (Hearthflame Mask)	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Both STAB typings cover Metagross' normal and Tera typings. ・Can get punished by Metagross with Tera Water + Earthquake if it Terastallizes. ▶️ Hearthflame Ogerpon Best Movesets
Gholdengo	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists both of Metagross' STAB attacks. ・Can use an Air Balloon to become immune to Earthquake. ▶️ Gholdengo Best Movesets

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