Non-Mega Metagross team
Introduction
Hi, I'm Darkbirt a bit new here, but I want to introduce my team. My favorite Pokémon is Metagross and I tried to build my team around it. However I'm a bit insecure about my team, because it have some issues already when I'm posting it (The major weakness for ground moves is a torn in my eyes. Another issue is that most of my Pokémons are slow.) I thought to ask other people around what I might do better or how I can solve the issues. The VGC is in a couple days and I feel the pressure. I scored not so high in the VGC 2017, around 1525 pts. I hope to do better this year.
The Team
Metagross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
I wanted to make a team with a normal Metagross, not Mega Metagross. The reason is that my Metagross is better with Assault Vest than with it's Mega stone. It has an adamant nature so the Mega stone isn't well suited for it. I've used it every time last year, and it did really well in the International challenges last year. Metagross is my Physical Tank on my team. Earthquake is coverage, Zen Headbutt and Meteor Mash are STAB. I've chosen Meteor Mash above Iron Head, because of it's low speed. A change for raising it's attack stat is beter than the flinching, that won't happen with it's speed. I've chosen bullet Punch for it's priority. A priority move on a slow Pokémon is helpful.
Espeon (M) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Ball
I'm not sure about this Pokémon yet. Having two Psychics on the same team is maybe a bit to much, but this Pokémons ability Magic bounce can disturb the opponents strategy. It's my special sweeper, so off course it has some major attacks, with the purpose of sweeping the opponent. I've also chosen the Z-crystal for it, for the same purpose. Protect is a security. I was considering to put focus Sash on it, because of it's low defense.
Muk-Alola (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Power of Alchemy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak
- Knock Off
- Protect
This was last year a popular Pokémon. I also used it. But I preferred it with the ability Power of Alchemy. It can surprise the opponent when it takes down my other Pokémon, last year I used it a lot with my Porygon-Z's adaptability. With this Muk can take over Magic bounce or Huge Power and this it can start a massacre on the opponents team. However the issue is that an earthquake can destroy it all. Because of it's low speed I've added shadow sneak on it( a lot of breeding), the priority is a savior. Protect is a necessity, to prevent suicide with earthquake from Metagross. And it is needed to win time, for it's ability to succeed.
Mawile-Mega @ Mawilite
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Protect
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
If I don't have Mega Metagross I need another Mega, I've chosen Mega Mawile in combination with Alola Muk. This because of Muks ability, but Mega Mawile also has a nice ability. So, it's my Physical Sweeper( if the opponent uses trick room.) The issue is it's slowness and the fact that i already have a fairy and a steel Pokémon on my team. It has sucker punch for covering up the speed issue Play rough and iron head are stab. However if someone knows a better Mega Pokémon on this team, suggestions are welcome.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 104 HP / 136 Def / 252 SpA / 16 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
- Muddy Water
I like to use this Pokémon as a wall, but it's also a special tank. It's misty surge prevents any status conditions occurring and it removes the psychic surge of Tapu Lele (because Tapu fini is slower), this is for putting my priority moves save. Protect is a must, some will ask why ice beam. Well, this is a surprise and can get the opponent off guard.
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heat Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
- Protect
I use zapdos mainly for coverage of my team. Heat wave is coverage and thunderbolt is stab. Only about signal beam I'm not so sure. Tailwind would be another option.
Conclusion
I hope someone is able to help me to judge my team. If you can overlook some issues or solve them would be great. At least this team is lacking something, I feel it, but I don't know what it is. Every comment is welcome and thanks in advance.
Introduction
Hi, I'm Darkbirt a bit new here, but I want to introduce my team. My favorite Pokémon is Metagross and I tried to build my team around it. However I'm a bit insecure about my team, because it have some issues already when I'm posting it (The major weakness for ground moves is a torn in my eyes. Another issue is that most of my Pokémons are slow.) I thought to ask other people around what I might do better or how I can solve the issues. The VGC is in a couple days and I feel the pressure. I scored not so high in the VGC 2017, around 1525 pts. I hope to do better this year.
The Team
Metagross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
I wanted to make a team with a normal Metagross, not Mega Metagross. The reason is that my Metagross is better with Assault Vest than with it's Mega stone. It has an adamant nature so the Mega stone isn't well suited for it. I've used it every time last year, and it did really well in the International challenges last year. Metagross is my Physical Tank on my team. Earthquake is coverage, Zen Headbutt and Meteor Mash are STAB. I've chosen Meteor Mash above Iron Head, because of it's low speed. A change for raising it's attack stat is beter than the flinching, that won't happen with it's speed. I've chosen bullet Punch for it's priority. A priority move on a slow Pokémon is helpful.
Espeon (M) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Ball
I'm not sure about this Pokémon yet. Having two Psychics on the same team is maybe a bit to much, but this Pokémons ability Magic bounce can disturb the opponents strategy. It's my special sweeper, so off course it has some major attacks, with the purpose of sweeping the opponent. I've also chosen the Z-crystal for it, for the same purpose. Protect is a security. I was considering to put focus Sash on it, because of it's low defense.
Muk-Alola (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Power of Alchemy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak
- Knock Off
- Protect
This was last year a popular Pokémon. I also used it. But I preferred it with the ability Power of Alchemy. It can surprise the opponent when it takes down my other Pokémon, last year I used it a lot with my Porygon-Z's adaptability. With this Muk can take over Magic bounce or Huge Power and this it can start a massacre on the opponents team. However the issue is that an earthquake can destroy it all. Because of it's low speed I've added shadow sneak on it( a lot of breeding), the priority is a savior. Protect is a necessity, to prevent suicide with earthquake from Metagross. And it is needed to win time, for it's ability to succeed.
Mawile-Mega @ Mawilite
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Protect
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
If I don't have Mega Metagross I need another Mega, I've chosen Mega Mawile in combination with Alola Muk. This because of Muks ability, but Mega Mawile also has a nice ability. So, it's my Physical Sweeper( if the opponent uses trick room.) The issue is it's slowness and the fact that i already have a fairy and a steel Pokémon on my team. It has sucker punch for covering up the speed issue Play rough and iron head are stab. However if someone knows a better Mega Pokémon on this team, suggestions are welcome.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 104 HP / 136 Def / 252 SpA / 16 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
- Muddy Water
I like to use this Pokémon as a wall, but it's also a special tank. It's misty surge prevents any status conditions occurring and it removes the psychic surge of Tapu Lele (because Tapu fini is slower), this is for putting my priority moves save. Protect is a must, some will ask why ice beam. Well, this is a surprise and can get the opponent off guard.
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heat Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
- Protect
I use zapdos mainly for coverage of my team. Heat wave is coverage and thunderbolt is stab. Only about signal beam I'm not so sure. Tailwind would be another option.
Conclusion
I hope someone is able to help me to judge my team. If you can overlook some issues or solve them would be great. At least this team is lacking something, I feel it, but I don't know what it is. Every comment is welcome and thanks in advance.