NFE Fast Defensive Rocker (Metang) @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 88 Atk / 204 Def / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake / Zen Headbutt / Bullet Punch
- Bullet Punch / Earthquake / Zen Headbutt
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Optional Move(s):
- Agility
- Hammer Arm
- Toxic
Optional Item(s):
- Choice Band
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD (Careful)
- 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe (Adamant / Timid)
- 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe (Adamant)
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Overview: With a good defensive typing and bulk, Metang is a good defensive Stealth Rock user and tank in the tier, capable of checking key threats in the metagame. However, its lack of reliable recovery limits its ability to reliably perform its defensive roles.
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Bulky Offensive Rocker: This bulky offensive Metang set functions as a tank that can take several hits while still having an offensive presence. It can check physical Dragon-, Flying-, and Steel-type attackers such as Sliggoo, Staravia, and Klang, and also special attackers such as Roselia, Electabuzz, and Clefairy. Meteor Mash is Metang's strongest STAB attack and allows it to super effectively hit Fairy-types such as Clefairy and Togetic and it also hits neutral targets for good damage. Earthquake is a good coverage move, which hits Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-types such as Mareanie, Alolan Grimer, opposing Metang, and Torracat hard. However, STAB Zen Headbutt can also be used in order to hit Fighting-types such as Machoke harder while retaining the ability to hit Mareanie super effectively and harder in exchange for coverage on Steel-types. Bullet Punch serves as a good STAB priority attack, which lets Metang get rid of weakened faster threats such as Haunter and Kadabra. Pursuit is viable on this set and lets Metang trap Kadabra or break its Focus Sash. It can also get valuable chip on frail special attackers such as Electabuzz and Frogadier.
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Fast Defensive Rocker: This speedy Metang set outspeeds notable Pokemon such as Roselia and Machoke. This set gives up Attack and HP investment for Speed and Defense investment. Therefore, it checks physical threats better than the other set but can not tank as many special hits.
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Checks and Counters: Bulky physically defensive Grass-types like Ferroseed, Quilladin, and Tangela can easily switch into and exploit Metang by setting up Spikes or clicking Knock Off. Bulky Water-types such as Prinplup, Marshtomp, and Wartortle easily withstand hits from Metang, and can Earthquake or chip it with Scald in return. Bulky Ghost-types like Misdreavus and Dusclops can switch into Metang and threaten it out with either Will-O-Wisp or a STAB attack. Metang also lacks reliable recovery and is susceptible to chip from Spikes. Offensive Dark-, Fire-, and Ground-types such as Monferno, Combusken, Krokorok, Pawniard, and Gabite can pressure and hit Metang for super effective STAB damage.
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Optional EV/IV(s)
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SpDef Rocker: An alternative spread of 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD with a Careful nature is viable for the Stealth Rock, Meteor Mash, Earthquake, and Pursuit Metang set. This set maximises Metang’s special bulk, allowing it to avoid being 2HKOed by strong special attacks such as Choice Specs Electabuzz Thunderbolt, Life Orb Frogadier Dark Pulse, and Choice Specs Combusken / Magmar Fire Blast and hit them hard or achieve a surprise KO on them in return. It also lets Metang eat hits and obtain Pursuit chip on other weaker special attackers.
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Agility: An alternative spread of 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe with an Adamant nature is viable for the Agility, Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, and Earthquake set. The investment in Speed EVs allows it to hit 340 Speed at +2, outspeeding the entire unboosted metagame. This set maximises Metang's Attack, allowing it to hit hard as a setup sweeper.
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