[OVERVIEW]
With a unique typing, solid bulk backed by Eviolite, and a useful support movepool, Metang finds its niche as a unique glue for bulkier teams that can stop many of the wallbreakers that otherwise threaten them, such as Jynx, Tauros, and Archeops. Unlike most other Steel-types, Metang lacks a Fighting weakness, meaning that it can check Archeops and Jynx more effectively, making it one of the few reliable checks to them. However, despite these traits, Metang is not without its flaws; chief among them being its vulnerability to many common attacking types, most notably Dark, Fire, and Ground. In particular, Metang's weakness to Dark-type attacks is especially troublesome due to its vulnerability to Knock Off, as Metang heavily relies on its Eviolite to effectively take hits. Furthermore, Metang's ability to take hits is undermined by its lack of raw bulk and susceptibility to being worn down, be it by burns, entry hazards, or repeated attacks. Despite its high-Base Power moves in Meteor Mash and Earthquake, Metang tends to be passive due to its abysmal Attack; this becomes particularly evident when Metang goes up against a foe that is not crippled by Toxic, such as Malamar or Ferroseed. Moreover, Metang faces stiff competition as both a Stealth Rock user and as a bulky Steel-type from Pokemon like Rhydon and Ferroseed, respectively, which fit on a wider array of teams and check a different set of threats.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic / Bullet Punch
item: Eviolite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 32 Atk / 56 Def / 172 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock lets Metang support its team by whittling down the foe as it switches in. Meteor Mash is Metang's primary STAB attack, having solid power, reliability, and the ability to hit foes such as Mega Audino and Jynx super effectively. Earthquake allows Metang to hit Fire- and Steel- types, which take little damage from Meteor Mash. Toxic allows Metang to cripple Musharna and Scyther, which otherwise use it as setup fodder, as well as foes like Quagsire, Gourgeist-XL, and Prinplup, which otherwise entirely wall Metang. Alternatively, Metang could run Bullet Punch to pick off a weakened foe, but Toxic better suits Metang's role as a utility attacker.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment alongside 56 Defense EVs and an Impish nature allows Metang to avoid the 2HKO from Archeops's Earthquake, while the Attack investment allows it to have a good chance of 3HKOing Klinklang with Earthquake. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Defense to take on special attackers such as Vivillion and Jynx more effectively. Eviolite is mandatory, as Metang's defensive prowess is entirely undermined without it. Although it will rarely come into play, Clear Body prevents Metang's stats from being lowered.
Usage Tips
========
In most situations, Metang will want to set up Stealth Rock early-game in order to start whittling the foes down as early as possible. Metang should typically be sent in on Pokemon that do not threaten it such as Jynx, Klinklang, and Vivillion. While it is capable of switching into these threats, Metang should avoid being directly switched into these attackers multiple times, as it finds itself being easily overwhelmed after repeated switches in. Be wary that Pokemon Metang would typically check often have means to get around or cripple it, such as Hidden Power Ground from Life Orb Mesprit and Lovely Kiss from Jynx. Toxic should be used to punish bulkier foes such as Quagsire, Musharna, and Gourgeist-XL on the switch. If Bullet Punch is used, however, it should usually only be used on foes that it hits super effectively, such as Aurorus and Jynx, as it does pitiful damage against most targets; in fact, even some targets hit super effectively take underwhelming damage from Bullet Punch, most notably Archeops.
Team Options
========
Mega Audino stands out as an incredible partner to Metang, being able to check the Electric- and Dark-types, bar Pawniard and Skuntank, that trouble it and utilize Wish to alleviate Metang's tendency to get worn down easily, while in return, Metang checks the Steel-types, most notably Klinklang and Mawile, that use Mega Audino as setup fodder. Fighting-types such as Sawk, Hariyama, and Hitmonchan check the Dark-types that trouble Metang, while Metang checks Flying- and Psychic-types in return. Hariyama in particular is a stellar teammate to Metang, as it checks Fire-types as well. Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL, Tangela, and Shiftry beat the Ground- and Water-types that trouble Metang while appreciating its resistance to Ice-type attacks. Be aware that this compounds a vulnerability to Fire-types, so the team should address this accordingly. Bulky Water-types such as Lanturn and Poliwrath make for commendable partners to Metang, checking the Water- and Fire-types that plague it. Poliwrath also makes for an effective check to the Dark- and Ground-types that Metang struggles against.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Metang can run Pursuit to trap the Psychic-types it checks, most notably Jynx and Mesprit, but this role is better suited to Pokemon like Liepard and Skuntank, which get STAB on the move aswell as higher Attack. Zen Headbutt is an alternative STAB attack that Metang can utilize in order to hit the Water- and Fighting-types that it otherwise cannot hit for significant damage, but this moveslot could typically be put to better use. An EV spread utilizing either maximum Special Defense or Defense could be used to maximize Metang defensive capabilities in one category; however, Metang finds itself unable to check many of the threats it otherwise could due to the decrease in its other defensive stat.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Samurott and Ludicolo make for effective stops to Metang, resisting its primary STAB attacks while taking insignificant damage from Earthquake and retaliating for a hefty chunk of damage with their STAB Hydro Pump. Prinplup in particular can remove Metang's Stealth Rock with Defog, invalidating one of its few uses. Moreover, Quagsire resists Steel and can use Metang as setup fodder thanks to Curse. However, all of these Pokemon hate being crippled by Toxic.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Magmortar, Ninetales, and Pyroar can all easily OHKO Metang with Fire Blast, resist its Steel-type attacks, and can take at least one Earthquake, making them all decent offensive checks to Metang.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types, particularly Golurk and Sandslash, take insignificant damage from Meteor Mash while being able to set up Stealth Rock or punish Metang with Earthquake. Sandslash and Claydol can also use Rapid Spin to remove the Stealth Rock Metang might have set.
**Rotom**: As it resists Steel and is immune to Earthquake, Rotom entirely walls Metang and can easily hit it with a super effective Shadow Ball for sizable damage.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Cacturne, Shiftry, and Pawniard can hit Metang super effectively with their respective STAB moves, either OHKOing or crippling it for the rest of the battle.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Vileplume, Gourgeist-XL, and Ferroseed take insignificant amounts of damage from Metang's attacks and can easily wear it down and beat it. Ferroseed in particular makes for an effective check to Metang, as it resists Steel and can use it as fodder to set up Leech Seed or Spikes.
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