Gen 6 what makes the metagross [DONE]

[aerobee]

[SET]
name: Prankster Substitute + Baton Pass
move 1: Dark Void / Taunt
move 2: Coil / Minimize
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
in-battle alt: Mega

[SET COMMENTS]
Prankster Mega Metagross is an effective Substitute + Baton Pass user due to its good defensive typing into most Wonder Guard and -ate users, decent overall bulk, and Prankster + Dark Void effortlessly giving it free turns for setup. Dark Void and Coil synergize well because Coil boosting accuracy remedies Dark Void's accuracy problems. Dark Void allows Mega Metagross to disrupt non-Magic Bounce switch-ins thanks to priority from Prankster and often lets it Baton Pass both a Substitute and Coil boosts to a teammate. Likewise, Taunt and Minimize work well together because Taunt disables Prankster Giratina’s moves, allowing Mega Metagross can rack up evasion boosts, as most opposing attacks either miss or fail to break Substitute. Substitute is essential to Mega Metagross's purpose, as offensive teammates enjoy being able to take a hit from most revenge killers while attempting to set up and sweep. Leftovers keeps Mega Metagross healthy and allows it to use Substitute more frequently over the course of the game; in the majority of games, it is sufficient recovery for Mega Metagross to function effectively. Prankster Mega Metagross differentiates itself from Wonder Guard Substitute + Baton Pass users by preventing Prankster Giratina from immediately forcing it out with Encore or Spore. A specially defensive EV spread is used so Mega Metagross's Substitute can take a hit from unboosted Xerneas's Moonblast and Sky Plate Mega Rayquaza's Oblivion Wing and so it can more effectively tank Boomburst from users like Pixilate Mega Diancie and Arceus.

Setup Mold Breaker users appreciate Mega Metagross's ability to pass them Substitutes and Coil or evasion boosts immensely. In return, they can threaten Magic Bounce users that can come in on Mega Metagross and bounce back Dark Void or Taunt. Dark Void + Oblivion Wing Mega Rayquaza in particular is a great teammate, as it appreciates both Coil's accuracy increase allowing it to use Dark Void against foes with impunity and Minimize boosts putting Prankster Giratina in a bind due to Oblivion Wing offsetting damage from Curse, therefore forcing it to use Encore—which can miss—instead. Bulkier offensive Pokemon, like Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, work well with both Coil and Minimize Mega Metagross because Defense boosts from Coil make them harder to revenge kill, while Minimize boosts allow them to fish for misses against Prankster Giratina's Encore and attacks from revenge killers. Magic Bounce Giratina excellently Imposter-proofs Mega Metagross, though the need for robust revenge killers due to forgoing Prankster Giratina means it is difficult to fit. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users that threaten Giratina, namely Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Gengar, are also valuable teammates due to their ability to switch into Huge Power or Protean-boosted coverage moves that Mega Metagross may defensively struggle with. Prankster Giratina, support Wonder Guard users, and revenge killers are essential due to their ability to switch into offensive Mold Breaker users, remove entry hazards and act as clerics, and offensively check most opposing attackers, respectively.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Mega Metagross can opt to run a physically defensive spread to more easily rack up boosts against Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, like Mega Diancie, Slaking, Regigigas, and Mega Abomasnow, as well as take Huge Power Mega Gyarados's Water Shuriken more easily. Mega Metagross can also run a moveset of Spore / Taunt / Substitute / Baton Pass to more easily pass Substitute against the majority of teams, though running this instead of the standard moveset means Metagross can't pass boosts, and it leaves it vulnerable to Beat Up Mega Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo X, both of which commonly run Lum Berry. Alternative boosting moves, like Shell Smash and Cotton Guard, are usable, but they don't synergize as well with Dark Void or Taunt, and non-Coil and Minimize Mega Metagross is largely outclassed by Baton Pass Wonder Guard users.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Magic Bounce or Magic Coat Users**: Magic Bounce users can come in on Mega Metagross and bounce Dark Void or Taunt back if either move was used that turn. Magic Bounce Ghost-types like Giratina can use Curse to passively chip Mega Metagross and any Baton Pass recipient as well; however, they are easily pressured by offensive teammates. Similarly, Wonder Guard users like Mega Audino, Slaking, and Mega Scizor can sometimes carry Magic Coat, which reflects Mega Metagross's Dark Void and Taunt. However, Magic Coat on Wonder Guard users is rather hard to fit, and they can only handle Mega Metagross in the long-term with Magic Coat in addition to Chatter or Whirlwind.

**Imposter**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Mega Metagross and potentially pass a Substitute and boosts of its own. Additionally, teammates that Imposter-proof Mega Metagross are typically forgone due to being very hard to fit, allowing Chansey to usually Baton Pass to a teammate with impunity.

**Lum Berry Users**: Lum Berry users, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, can take a Dark Void and heavily damage or OHKO Mega Metagross. Mega Mewtwo X and Knock Off or Beat Up Gyarados in particular can threaten Taunt Mega Metagross effectively in a one-on-one scenario, as they are able to OHKO it. However, these are only short-term checks to Dark Void Mega Metagross due to Lum Berry being one-time use.

**Multi-hit Moves**: Multi-hit move users, in particular Beat Up Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Gyarados, are able to break Mega Metagross's Substitute and threaten an OHKO on it. However, Dark Void Mega Metagross can put them to sleep if they lack a way to circumvent it, and multi-hit moves may miss against boosted Minimize sets.

**Faster Prankster Users**: Faster Prankster users, like Arceus and opposing speed-crept Mega Metagross, can disrupt Mega Metagross with Taunt, Encore, or Spore. However, these are very hard to fit and are difficult to justify using outside of being a Mega Metagross check.

**Status Orb Users**: Toxic Orb and Flame Orb users, such as Magic Guard Ho-Oh and Poison Heal Mega Gyarados, can check Dark Void Mega Metagross due to not being affected by sleep. Ho-Oh and Yveltal can offensively threaten it with Flare Blitz and Knock Off, respectively. However, these are hard to fit due to being vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, and they are largely ineffective against Minimize sets.

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Quality checked by:
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Grammar checked by:
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[NToTheN]

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QC

[SET]
name: Prankster Substitute + Baton Pass
move 1: Dark Void / Taunt
move 2: Coil / Minimize
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Metagross is an effective Prankster Substitute + Baton Pass user due to its good defensive typing into most Wonder Guard and -ate users, (AC) decent physical and special bulk, and Prankster + Dark Void effortlessly giving it free turns for setup. change if "bulk on both sides" is more appropriate and anything else if it flows better and decent bulk on both sides. Dark Void and Coil synergize well because Coil boosting accuracy largely remedies Dark Void's accuracy problems. In return, Dark Void allows Metagross to annoy disrupt thought this was more accurate, change back if necessary non-Magic Bounce switch-ins thanks to its priority from Prankster and, often, lets it Baton Pass both a Substitute and Coil boosts to a teammate. Likewise, Taunt and Minimize work well together because Metagross can rack up evasion boosts as most opposing attacks either miss or fail to break Substitute. Substitute gives Metagross a way to fish for misses on Minimize sets, and is always valuable because setup Mold Breaker teammates value being allowed turns to set up. I'd change the order here to emphasize that passing sub in general is more important than being able to fish for misses Baton Pass lets Metagross pass boosts or a Substitute to a teammate. Leftovers keeps Metagross healthy and allows it to use Substitute more easily over the course of the game; in the majority of games it is sufficient recovery for Metagross to function effectively. Prankster Metagross differentiates itself from Wonder Guard Substitute + Baton Pass users by preventing Prankster Giratina from immediately forcing it out with Encore or Spore. A specially defensive EV spread is used so Metagross' Substitute can take a hit from unboosted Xerneas' Moonblast and Sky Plate Mega Rayquaza's Oblivion Wing, and to more effectively tank Boomburst from users like Arceus and Pixilate Mega Diancie.

Setup Mold Breaker users appreciate Metagross' ability to pass them Substitutes and Coil or evasion boosts immensely. In return, they can threaten Magic Bounce users that can come in on Metagross and bounce back Dark Void or Taunt. Dark Void Oblivion Wing Mega Rayquaza in particular is a great teammate, as it appreciates both Coil's accuracy increase, allowing it to Dark Void foes with impunity, and Minimize boosts, which puts opposing Prankster Giratina in a bind due to Oblivion Wing offsetting damage from Curse, therefore forcing it to use Encore instead. Bulkier offensive Pokemon, like Mold Breaker Primal Groudon work well with Coil Metagross because the passed defense boosts make them harder to revenge kill. and Mold Breaker Xerneas, work well with Coil Metagross because they take multi-hit moves, in particular Mega Gyarados' Water Shuriken and Mega Mewtwo X's and Gyarados' Beat Up, relatively well. pdon doesn't take water shuriken well at all and needs defense boosts to survive, and if xern takes them well why does it need the defense boost? please tell me if I miss the point of this Magic Bounce Giratina is an excellent Imposter-proof to Metagross, though the need for robust revenge-killers due to forgoing Prankster Giratina means it is difficult to fit. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users that threaten Giratina, namely Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Gengar, are also valuable teammates due to their ability to switch into Huge Power or Protean coverage that Metagross may defensively struggle with. Prankster Giratina, support Wonder Guard users, and revenge-killing teammates are essential due to their ability to switch into offensive Mold Breaker users, remove hazards and act as clerics, and offensively check most opposing attackers, respectively.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Metagross can opt to run a physically defensive spread to more easily rack up boosts against FakeSpeed users like Mega Diancie, Slaking, Regigigas, and Mega Abomasnow, as well as take Huge Power Gyarados' Water Shuriken more easily. However, the benefits that come with running a specially defensive spread usually make it the superior option. Metagross can also run a Spore / Taunt / Substitute / Baton Pass set to more easily pass Substitutes against the majority of teams, though running this instead means Metagross can't pass boosts, and leaves it vulnerable to Beat Up Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo X, both of which commonly run Lum Berry. Alternative boosting moves, like Shell Smash and Cotton Guard, are usable, but they don't synergize as well with Dark Void or Taunt, and non-Coil or Minimize Metagross is largely outclassed by Baton Pass Wonder Guard users. you could add something about gear grind or a coverage here so that it doesnt get completely shut down by all magic bounce ever

Metagross can run Huge Power, Mold Breaker, and offensive Shadow Tag sets, but these are outclassed by more powerful, already sufficiently bulky attackers like Mega Mewtwo X, Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and Mega Latios. no it can't


Checks and Counters
===================

**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce users can come in on Metagross and bounce Dark Void or Taunt back if used that turn. Magic Bounce Giratina and Aegislash can use Curse to passively chip Metagross and any Baton Pass recipient as well. However, these are easily pressured by offensive teammates. AEGISLASH

(i am going to cry)

**Imposter**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Metagross and potentially pass a Substitute and boosts of its own. Additionally, Imposter-proofs for Metagross are usually forgone due to being very hard to fit, allowing Chansey to usually Baton Pass to teammates with impunity.

**Lum Berry Users**: Lum Berry users, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, can take a Dark Void and heavily damage or KO Metagross. Mega Mewtwo X and Knock Off or Beat Up Gyarados in particular can threaten Taunt Metagross effectively in a one-on-one scenario, as they are able to OHKO it. However, these are only short-term checks to Dark Void Metagross due to Lum Berry being one-time use.

**Multi-hit Moves**: Multi-hit move users, in particular Beat Up Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Gyarados, are able to break Metagross' Substitute and threaten an OHKO on it. However, Dark Void Metagross can put them to sleep if lacking a way to circumvent sleep, and multi-hit moves may miss against boosted Minimize sets.

**Faster Prankster Users**: Faster Prankster users like Arceus can disrupt Metagross with Taunt, Encore, or Spore. However, these are very hard to fit and are difficult to justify using outside of being a Metagross check.

**Status Orb Users**: Toxic Orb and Flame Orb users, such as Magic Guard Ho-Oh and Poison Heal Yveltal, can check Dark Void Metagross due to not being affected by sleep. Ho-Oh and Yveltal can offensively threaten it with Flare Blitz and Knock Off, respectively. However, these are largely ineffective against Minimize sets. I'd probably mention somewhere that these are pretty rare

**Magic Coat**: Wonder Guard users with Magic Coat like Mega Audino, Slaking, or Mega Scizor can sometimes carry Magic Coat, which reflects Mega Metagross' Dark Void and Taunt. They must be careful to not let it set up despite this, however. I imagine something like this works? You could also add this to Magic Bounce section

[CREDITS] remember new credits format and add me
- Written by: [[aerobee, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

Really good, just a few things I think should be added before I give stamp

edit: QC 1/2

 

[RL]

Add Remove Comment

QC2/2

[SET COMMENTS]
Prankster Mega Metagross is an effective Substitute + Baton Pass user due to its good defensive typing into most Wonder Guard and -ate users, decent overall bulk, and Prankster + Dark Void effortlessly giving it free turns for setup. Dark Void and Coil synergize well because Coil boosting accuracy largely remedies Dark Void's accuracy problems. In return, Dark Void allows Metagross to disrupt non-Magic Bounce switch-ins thanks to priority from Prankster and, often, lets it Baton Pass both a Substitute and Coil boosts to a teammate. Likewise, Taunt and Minimize work well together because Metagross can rack up evasion boosts as most opposing attacks either miss or fail to break Substitute. Substitute is essential to Metagross' purpose, as offensive teammates enjoy being able to take a hit from most revenge-killers while attempting to set up and sweep. Leftovers keeps Metagross healthy and allows it to use Substitute more easily over the course of the game; in the majority of games it is sufficient recovery for Metagross to function effectively. Prankster Metagross differentiates itself from Wonder Guard Substitute + Baton Pass users by preventing Prankster Giratina from immediately forcing it out with Encore or Spore. A specially defensive EV spread is used so Metagross' Substitute can take a hit from unboosted Xerneas' Moonblast and Sky Plate Mega Rayquaza's Oblivion Wing, and to more effectively tank Boomburst from users like Pixilate Mega Diancie and Arceus.

Setup Mold Breaker users appreciate Metagross' ability to pass them Substitutes and Coil or evasion boosts immensely. In return, they can threaten Magic Bounce users that can come in on Metagross and bounce back Dark Void or Taunt. Dark Void Oblivion Wing Mega Rayquaza in particular is a great teammate, as it appreciates both Coil's accuracy increase, allowing it to Dark Void foes with impunity, and Minimize boosts, which puts opposing Prankster Giratina in a bind due to Oblivion Wing offsetting damage from Curse, therefore forcing it to use Encore instead which can miss. Bulkier offensive Pokemon, like Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, work well with both Coil and Minimize Metagross because defense boosts from Coil make them harder to revenge kill, and Minimize boosts allow them to fish for misses against Prankster Giratina's Encore and attacks from revenge-killers. Magic Bounce Giratina is an excellent Imposter-proof to Metagross, though the need for robust revenge-killers due to forgoing Prankster Giratina means it is difficult to fit. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users that threaten Giratina, namely Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Gengar, are also valuable teammates due to their ability to switch into Huge Power or Protean coverage that Metagross may defensively struggle with. Prankster Giratina, support Wonder Guard users, and revenge-killing teammates are essential due to their ability to switch into offensive Mold Breaker users, remove hazards and act as clerics, and offensively check most opposing attackers, respectively.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Metagross can opt to run a physically defensive spread to more easily rack up boosts against FakeSpeed users like Mega Diancie, Slaking, Regigigas, and Mega Abomasnow, as well as take Huge Power Gyarados' Water Shuriken more easily. However, the benefits that come with running a specially defensive spread usually make it the superior option. Metagross can also run a Spore / Taunt / Substitute / Baton Pass set to more easily pass Substitutes against the majority of teams, though running this instead means Metagross can't pass boosts, and leaves it vulnerable to Beat Up Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo X, both of which commonly run Lum Berry. Alternative boosting moves, like Shell Smash and Cotton Guard, are usable, but they don't synergize as well with Dark Void or Taunt, and non-Coil or Minimize Metagross is largely outclassed by Baton Pass Wonder Guard users.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce users can come in on Metagross and bounce Dark Void or Taunt back if used that turn. Magic Bounce Ghost-types like Giratina can use Curse to passively chip Metagross and any Baton Pass recipient as well. However, these are easily pressured by offensive teammates. Similarly, Wonder Guard users like Mega Audino, Slaking, or Mega Scizor can sometimes carry Magic Coat, which reflects Mega Metagross' Dark Void and Taunt. However, Magic Coat on Wonder Guard users is rather hard to fit, and they can only handle Metagross in the long-term with Magic Coat + Chatter or Whirlwind.

**Imposter**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Metagross and potentially pass a Substitute and boosts of its own. Additionally, Imposter-proofs for Metagross are usually forgone due to being very hard to fit, allowing Chansey to usually Baton Pass to teammates with impunity.

**Lum Berry Users**: Lum Berry users, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, can take a Dark Void and heavily damage or KO OHKO (I think it is better/helpfull to precise it) Metagross. Mega Mewtwo X and Knock Off or Beat Up Gyarados in particular can threaten Taunt Metagross effectively in a one-on-one scenario, as they are able to OHKO it. However, these are only short-term checks to Dark Void Metagross due to Lum Berry being one-time use.

**Multi-hit Moves**: Multi-hit move users, in particular Beat Up Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Gyarados, are able to break Metagross' Substitute and threaten an OHKO on it. However, Dark Void Metagross can put them to sleep if lacking a way to circumvent sleep, and multi-hit moves may miss against boosted Minimize sets.

**Faster Prankster Users**: Faster Prankster users like Arceus or other Metagross (8 speed Metagross is a thing ngl) can disrupt Metagross with Taunt, Encore, or Spore. However, these are very hard to fit and are difficult to justify using outside of being a Metagross check.

**Status Orb Users**: Toxic Orb and Flame Orb users, such as Magic Guard Ho-Oh, Poison Heal Gyarados-Mega, (Better Pheal than Yveltal in the current meta) and Poison Heal Yveltal, can check Dark Void Metagross due to not being affected by sleep. Ho-Oh and Yveltal can offensively threaten it with Flare Blitz and Knock Off, respectively. However, these are hard to fit due to being vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, and are largely ineffective against Minimize sets.

[CREDITS]
- Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aerobee.515077/
- Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
2 https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
- Grammar checked by:
1

Well Done! nothing more to add, QC2/2

 

[Rose]

add remove comment

aerobee, post: 9615453, member: 515077

[SET]
name: Prankster Substitute + Baton Pass
move 1: Dark Void / Taunt
move 2: Coil / Minimize
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Prankster Mega Metagross is an effective Substitute + Baton Pass user due to its good defensive typing into most Wonder Guard and -ate users, decent overall bulk, and Prankster + Dark Void effortlessly giving it free turns for setup. Dark Void and Coil synergize well because Coil boosting accuracy largely remedies Dark Void's accuracy problems. In return, Dark Void allows Metagross to disrupt non-Magic Bounce switch-ins thanks to priority from Prankster and, (RC) often, (RC) lets it Baton Pass both a Substitute and Coil boosts to a teammate. Likewise, Taunt and Minimize work well together because Metagross can rack up evasion boosts as most opposing attacks either miss or fail to break Substitute. Substitute is essential to Metagross' Metagross's purpose, as offensive teammates enjoy being able to take a hit from most revenge-killers revenge killers while attempting to set up and sweep. Leftovers keeps Metagross healthy and allows it to use Substitute more easily frequently over the course of the game; in the majority of games battles it is sufficient recovery for Metagross to function effectively. Prankster Metagross differentiates itself from Wonder Guard Substitute + Baton Pass users by preventing Prankster Giratina from immediately forcing it out with Encore or Spore. A specially defensive EV spread is used so that Metagross' Metagross's Substitute can take a hit from unboosted Xerneas' Xerneas's Moonblast and Sky Plate Mega Rayquaza's Oblivion Wing, and to so it can more effectively tank Boomburst from users like Pixilate Mega Diancie and Arceus.

Setup Mold Breaker users appreciate Metagross' Metagross's ability to pass them Substitutes and Coil or evasion boosts immensely. In return, they can threaten Magic Bounce users that can come in on Metagross and bounce back Dark Void or Taunt. Dark Void + Oblivion Wing Mega Rayquaza in particular is a great teammate, as it appreciates both Coil's accuracy increase, (RC) allowing it to Dark Void foes with impunity, (RC) and Minimize boosts, which puts putting opposing Prankster Giratina in a bind due to Oblivion Wing offsetting damage from Curse, therefore forcing it to use Encore, (RC)—which can miss, (RC)—instead. Bulkier offensive Pokemon, like Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, work well with both Coil and Minimize Metagross because defense Defense boosts from Coil make them harder to revenge kill, and while Minimize boosts allow them to fish for misses against Prankster Giratina's Encore and attacks from revenge-killers revenge killers. Magic Bounce Giratina is an excellent Imposter-proof to Metagross, though the need for robust revenge-killers revenge killers due to forgoing Prankster Giratina means it is difficult to fit. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users that threaten Giratina, namely Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Gengar, are also valuable teammates due to their ability to switch into Huge Power or Protean coverage that Metagross may defensively struggle with. Prankster Giratina, support Wonder Guard users, and revenge-killing teammates are essential due to their ability to switch into offensive Mold Breaker users, remove hazards and act as clerics, and offensively check most opposing attackers, respectively.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Metagross can opt to run a physically defensive spread to more easily rack up boosts against FakeSpeed Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, (AC) like Mega Diancie, Slaking, Regigigas, and Mega Abomasnow, as well as take Huge Power Gyarados' Mega Gyarados's Water Shuriken more easily. However, the benefits that come with running a specially defensive spread usually make it the superior option. Metagross can also run a moveset of Spore / Taunt / Substitute / Baton Pass set to more easily pass Substitutes against the majority of teams, though running this instead means Metagross can't pass boosts, and it leaves it vulnerable to Beat Up Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo X,—both of which commonly run Lum Berry. Alternative boosting moves, like Shell Smash and Cotton Guard, are usable, but they don't synergize as well with Dark Void or Taunt, and non-Coil or and Minimize Metagross is largely outclassed by Baton Pass Wonder Guard users.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce users can come in on Metagross and bounce Dark Void or Taunt back if either move was used that turn. Magic Bounce Ghost-types like Giratina can use Curse to passively chip Metagross and any Baton Pass recipient as well.; (period to semicolon) However however, these they are easily pressured by offensive teammates. Similarly, Wonder Guard users like Mega Audino, Slaking, or and Mega Scizor can sometimes carry Magic Coat, which reflects Mega Metagross' Metagross's Dark Void and Taunt. However, Magic Coat on Wonder Guard users is rather hard to fit, and they can only handle Metagross in the long-term with Magic Coat + in addition to Chatter or Whirlwind.

**Imposter**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Metagross and potentially pass a Substitute and boosts of its own. Additionally, Imposter-proofs for teammates that Imposter-proof Metagross are usually forgone due to being very hard to fit, allowing Chansey to usually typically Baton Pass to teammates a teammate with impunity.

**Lum Berry Users**: Lum Berry users, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, can take a Dark Void and heavily damage or OHKO KO Metagross. Mega Mewtwo X and Knock Off or Beat Up Gyarados in particular can threaten Taunt Metagross effectively in a one-on-one scenario, as they are able to OHKO it. However, these are only short-term checks to Dark Void Metagross due to Lum Berry being one-time use.

**Multi-hit Moves**: Multi-hit move users, in particular Beat Up Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Gyarados, are able to break Metagross' Metagross's Substitute and threaten an OHKO on it. However, Dark Void Metagross can put them to sleep if lacking they lack a way to circumvent sleep it, and multi-hit moves may miss against boosted Minimize sets.

**Faster Prankster Users**: Faster Prankster users, like Arceus and opposing speed crept Metagross, can disrupt Metagross with Taunt, Encore, or Spore. However, these are very hard to fit and are difficult to justify using outside of being a Metagross check.

**Status Orb Users**: Toxic Orb and Flame Orb users, such as Magic Guard Ho-Oh and Poison Heal Mega Gyarados, can check Dark Void Metagross due to not being affected by being immune to sleep. Ho-Oh and Yveltal can offensively threaten it with Flare Blitz and Knock Off, respectively. However, these are hard to fit due to being vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, and are largely ineffective against Minimize sets.

[CREDITS]
- Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aerobee.515077/
- Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
- Grammar checked by:
1

AM GP Check; implement changes as desired.

 

[UT]

GP Team

 

[Rose]

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aerobee, post: 9615453, member: 515077

[SET]
name: Prankster Substitute + Baton Pass
move 1: Dark Void / Taunt
move 2: Coil / Minimize
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Prankster Mega Metagross is an effective Substitute + Baton Pass user due to its good defensive typing into most Wonder Guard and -ate users, decent overall bulk, and Prankster + (removal was unnecessary) Dark Void effortlessly giving it free turns for setup. Dark Void and Coil synergize well because Coil boosting accuracy remedies Dark Void's accuracy problems. Dark Void allows Mega Metagross to disrupt non-Magic Bounce switch-ins thanks to priority from Prankster and often lets it Baton Pass both a Substitute and Coil boosts to a teammate. Likewise, Taunt and Minimize work well together because Mega Metagross can rack up evasion boosts, (comma) as most opposing attacks either miss or fail to break Substitute. (you didn't mention how Taunt helps here) Substitute is essential to Mega Metagross's purpose, as offensive teammates enjoy being able to take a hit from most revenge killers while attempting to set up and sweep. Leftovers keeps Mega Metagross healthy and allows it to use Substitute more frequently over the course of the game; in the majority of battles games, (comma) (change wasn't necessary; keep it if you want to avoid repetition) it is sufficient recovery for Mega Metagross to function effectively. Prankster Mega Metagross differentiates itself from Wonder Guard Substitute + Baton Pass users by preventing Prankster Giratina from immediately forcing it out with Encore or Spore. A specially defensive EV spread is used so that (additional was unecassary) Mega Metagross's Substitute can take a hit from unboosted Xerneas's Moonblast and Sky Plate Mega Rayquaza's Oblivion Wing, (comma) and so it can more effectively tank Boomburst from users like Pixilate Mega Diancie and Arceus.

Setup Mold Breaker users appreciate Mega Metagross's ability to pass them Substitutes and Coil or evasion boosts immensely. In return, they can threaten Magic Bounce users that can come in on Mega Metagross and bounce back Dark Void or Taunt. Dark Void + Oblivion Wing Mega Rayquaza in particular is a great teammate, as it appreciates both Coil's accuracy increase allowing it to use Dark Void against foes with impunity and Minimize boosts (space) putting Prankster Giratina in a bind due to Oblivion Wing offsetting damage from Curse, therefore forcing it to use Encore—which can miss—instead. Bulkier offensive Pokemon, like Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, work well with both Coil and Minimize Mega Metagross because Defense boosts from Coil make them harder to revenge kill, while Minimize boosts allow them to fish for misses against Prankster Giratina's Encore and attacks from revenge killers. Magic Bounce Giratina is an excellent Imposter-proof to excellently Imposter-proofs Mega Metagross, though the need for robust revenge killers due to forgoing Prankster Giratina means it is difficult to fit. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users that threaten Giratina, namely Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Gengar, are also valuable teammates due to their ability to switch into Huge Power or Protean Protean-boosted coverage moves that Mega Metagross may defensively struggle with. Prankster Giratina, support Wonder Guard users, and revenge-killing teammates revenge killers are essential due to their ability to switch into offensive Mold Breaker users, remove entry hazards and act as clerics, and offensively check most opposing attackers, respectively.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Mega Metagross can opt to run a physically defensive spread to more easily rack up boosts against Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, like Mega Diancie, Slaking, Regigigas, and Mega Abomasnow, as well as take Huge Power Mega Gyarados's Water Shuriken more easily. Mega Metagross can also run a moveset of Spore / Taunt / Substitute / Baton Pass to more easily pass Substitutes Substitute against the majority of teams, though running this instead of the standard moveset means Metagross can't pass boosts, and it leaves it vulnerable to Beat Up Gyarados and Mega Mewtwo X, both of which commonly run Lum Berry. Alternative boosting moves, like Shell Smash and Cotton Guard, are usable, but they don't synergize as well with Dark Void or Taunt, and non-Coil and Minimize Mega Metagross is largely outclassed by Baton Pass Wonder Guard users. (extra indent)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Magic Bounce or Magic Coat Users**: Magic Bounce users can come in on Mega Metagross and bounce Dark Void or Taunt back if either move was used that turn. Magic Bounce Ghost-types like Giratina can use Curse to passively chip Mega Metagross and any Baton Pass recipient as well; however, they are easily pressured by offensive teammates. Similarly, Wonder Guard users like Mega Audino, Slaking, or and Mega Scizor can sometimes carry Magic Coat, which reflects Mega Metagross's Dark Void and Taunt. However, Magic Coat on Wonder Guard users is rather hard to fit, and they can only handle Mega Metagross in the long-term with Magic Coat in addition to Chatter or Whirlwind.

**Imposter**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Mega Metagross and potentially pass a Substitute and boosts of its own. Additionally, teammates that Imposter-proof Mega Metagross are usually forgone due to being very hard to fit, allowing Chansey to typically usually (change wasn't necessary; keep if you want to avoid repetition) Baton Pass to a teammate with impunity.

**Lum Berry Users**: Lum Berry users, such as Mega Mewtwo X, Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, can take a Dark Void and heavily damage or KO OHKO (bad change; it avoided repetition but changed the original meaning) Mega Metagross. Mega Mewtwo X and Knock Off or Beat Up Gyarados in particular can threaten Taunt Mega Metagross effectively in a one-on-one scenario, as they are able to OHKO it. However, these are only short-term checks to Dark Void Mega Metagross due to Lum Berry being one-time use.

**Multi-hit Moves**: Multi-hit move users, in particular Beat Up Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Gyarados, are able to break Mega Metagross's Substitute and threaten an OHKO on it. However, Dark Void Mega Metagross can put them to sleep if they lack a way to circumvent it, and multi-hit moves may miss against boosted Minimize sets.

**Faster Prankster Users**: Faster Prankster users, like Arceus and opposing speed crept speed-crept Mega Metagross, can disrupt Mega Metagross with Taunt, Encore, or Spore. However, these are very hard to fit and are difficult to justify using outside of being a Mega Metagross check.

**Status Orb Users**: Toxic Orb and Flame Orb users, such as Magic Guard Ho-Oh and Poison Heal Mega Gyarados, can (removal wasn't really necessary) check Dark Void Mega Metagross due to being immune to not being affected by (change was really unecessary) sleep. Ho-Oh and Yveltal can offensively threaten it with Flare Blitz and Knock Off, respectively. However, these are hard to fit due to being vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, and they are largely ineffective against Minimize sets.

[SET CREDITS]
- Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aerobee.515077/
- Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
- Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wrathoftheleopard.511181/

Fixing a one-and-a-half-month old amcheck. GP Team done

 

[aerobee]

done

 

[Gangsta Spongebob]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/xy/pokemon/metagross/pure-hackmons/ Up

In the future, make sure to put Set Credits under the set, not strategy comments