Metagross is quite a behemoth with its high Attack and Defense. This makes it one of the most reliable Stealth Rock users in the game. It can also sweep late-game with Agility thanks to its decent movepool. The fifth generation however, has given it some trouble. The introduction of Volcarona and both formes of Landorus have hindered its effectiveness. Garchomp moving down from ubers did it no favors either. It didn't gain much other than Hone Claws. Finally, its biggest new problem the fifth generation has given it is the nerf of the once most powerful Explosion in the game. It also has to deal with its old problems, such as its middling speed and four-moveslot syndrome. Metagross can still be quite a menace to unprepared teams, as it can check some top threats like Alakazam, Tyranitar, and Terrakion.
Abilities
Clear Body: Prevents stat drop from opposing Pokemon. This is the only ability you should be using. Its pretty good considering Gyarados is a common switch-in to Metagross.It can also allow Metagross kill a Landorus-T below 45% provided Metagross is running a Choice Band set.
Light Metal: Halves your weight. Fairly useless considering the difference of damage of Low Kick and Grass Knot is not very different.
Stealth Rock Lead
Ability: Clear Body
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
- Bullet Punch / Thunderpunch
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm
- Stealth Rock
Slightly modified lead set from last generation. Due to Metagross' massive physical defense, it does not take much damage from opposing lead Pokemon. This allows it to get Stealth Rock down quite easily. It can then dish out damage with its base 135 Attack stat and possibly even take down the opposing lead. Bullet Punch allows Metagross to KO weakened or frail opposing Pokemon. Meteor Mash is there to give Metagross a powerful STAB move, and it even has a 30% chance to give Metagross a boost in its already high attack. Hammer Arm is there to hit anything that resists Meteor Mash, such as catching Heatran on the switch or destroying a Skarmory that decides to Roost.
There are also a few other moves to consider. Thuderpunch prevents Gyarados from setting up on Metagross, so it could be used over Bullet Punch. Ice Punch OHKOs Gliscor who could also annoy Metagross with Protect and Substitute. Rock Slide is another option to hit Volcarona on the switch or expecting Metagross to switch out, as Thunderpunch only does about 1/5 to the most common bulky Volcarona, but that isn't seen too often.
Common switch-in to this Metagross are Skarmory and Forretress, who both take little from all of Metagross' moves and can use it as setup bait. Heatran and Magnezone are good teammates that can trap or force these two out. Heatran can also switch into a Fire-type move that is directed at Metagross.
Choice Band
Ability: Clear Body
Item: Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch
- Hammer Arm
- Thunderpunch / Zen Headbutt / Pursuit
Arguably the most powerful Metagross. Similar coverage moves, but a few differences. Zen Headbutt gives Metagross a powerful move to hit Rotom-W and Ho-Oh switch-ins fairly hard. Pursuit can catch frail threats like Jolteon and Alakazam switching out. Trick can also be considered to cripple Skarmory, but Metagross generally enjoys Choice Band's boost too much to waste it, and Metagross has coverage issues with Trick.
Agility
Ability: Clear Body
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly / Adamant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Meteor Mash / Ice Punch
- Zen Headbutt / Ice Punch / Thunderpunch
- Earthquake
- Agility
This is Metagross' best attempt at a sweep. Metagross can get an Agility in fairly easily thanks to the switches it causes with its ability to take a hit or two. a +2 Metagross is fast enough to outpace +1 base 108 Pokemon, and outpace base 110s using Hidden Power Fire.
Other Options
Metagross has a decent base 95 Special Attack stat and special moves to use it with them such as Grass Knot, Psychic, and Hidden Power, so it can run a decent mixed set to surprise switch-ins expecting physical Metagross.
Magnet Rise can be used in either tier Metagross is allowed in to foil Garchomp, both formes of Landorus, and Groudon, but as mentioned before, Metagross lacks the coverage to give up a moveslot for it. Hone Claws boosts Metagross' already great attack stat, and Metagross will have the power to make up for the loss in coverage, but it is too slow to use it and is easily revenge killed by threats such as Heatran. Choice Scarf Metagross outpaces everything up to the base 129 mark, but it must have a Jolly nature, so it is generally outclassed by the Agility set and other faster Choice Scarf users.
Counters
Countering Metagross generally comes down to what moves it has, but there is one Pokemon that comes very close to being a universal counter: Slowbro. It only fears max Attack Choice Band Thunderpunch, which has a small chance of 2HKOing, but Slowbro can simply switch out, activating Regenerator. In return, it can paralyze it if it's an Agility set, burn it. Slowbro however, is always 2HKOd by Grass Knot, so be sure what set it is running. Garchomp can easily check a mixed set, but it must be careful of Ice Punch, as Choice Scarf Garchomp doesn't OHKO it with Earthquake. Almost any variant of Landorus or Landorus-T will give Metagross trouble as well, even coming in for free if it uses Thunderpunch. Thundurus-T and in Ubers, Thundurs can prey on Metagross' lower Special defense and destroy in with their STAB moves. All four must watch out for Ice Punch though. Gliscor can wear it down with Earthquake due to the iron creature having no form of recovery. Rotom-W also mains it with its STAB and resists most of Metagross' moves. Metagross' old nemesis, Heatran is an even bigger threat due to the introduction of Air Balloon, which allows it to come in on Earthquake for free. Volcarona can switch in as Metagross uses Stealth Rock and set up in its face if it lacks Thunderpunch or Rock Slide. In Ubers, Metagross' biggest problems are Groudon and Ho-Oh, who take little from most of Metagross' moves, and take it out with their STABs.
