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[OVERVIEW]
Metang solidifies itself as an excellent Stealth Rock user thanks to its offensive utility, solid Eviolite-boosted bulk, and decent defensive typing. Moreover, Metang separates itself from other Steel-type Stealth Rock users such as Mawile and Probopass thanks to its ability to check Fairy- and Psychic-types such as Mr. Mime and Exeggutor offensively. In addition, Metang is significantly less passive than Bronzor due to its decent Attack stat and coverage options, which makes it a better fit on offensive teams. Similarly, Metang's defensive typing and bulk make it a nice glue for balanced and offensive teams alike, especially alongside Silvally formes such as Fighting, Dragon, and Water. However, Metang's typing and low Speed leave it vulnerable to potent wallbreakers such as Golem, Rapidash, and Swords Dance Pinsir. Furthermore, Metang's reliance on Eviolite makes it susceptible to Knock Off, which is extremely common on Pokemon such as Leafeon, Komala, and Machoke. In addition, Metang's lack of recovery means that it is especially easy to wear down, which limits its ability to switch into resisted attacks repeatedly. Lastly, entry hazard removers such as Silvally-Dark, Sandslash, and Silvally-Ground easily force Metang out and remove the Stealth Rock it sets, severely limiting Metang's effectiveness.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Meteor Mash
move 3: Thunder Punch / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic / Bullet Punch
item: Eviolite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Meteor Mash enables Metang to check Pokemon such as Choice Specs Exeggutor and Granbull effectively. Thunder Punch is the preferred coverage move because it allows Metang to OHKO any Swanna set and also helps against other Water-types such as Simipour and Silvally-Water. However, Earthquake can be used to hit Pokemon such as Muk, Mawile, Rapidash, and Pawniard for super effective damage. Toxic is the preferred option in the fourth moveslot because it allows Metang to cripple entry hazard removers such as Sandslash, Silvally-Water, and Rotom-S and wear down bulky Pokemon such as Pyukumuku and Gourgeist-XL. Bullet Punch can be used over Toxic to pick off weakened threats such as Kadabra and Golem that would otherwise threaten Metang.
Set Details
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252 HP EVs maximize Metang's natural bulk and allow it to switch into Pokemon such as Silvally and Swanna more comfortably. Clear Body is useful against Intimidate users such as Mawile and Choice Band Granbull and also allows Metang to block Parting Shot from Pokemon such as Silvally-Water, which gives Metang a free turn to set Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
========
Metang should not lead against opposing entry hazard setters such as Golem, Crustle, and Bronzor, as they can force it out and prevent it from setting Stealth Rock or heavily damage it and hinder its ability to check threats such as Swanna and defensive Granbull. Similarly, Metang should be wary of entry hazard removers such as Sandslash, Silvally-Dark, and Silvally-Water, as they can freely switch into any of its moves outside of Toxic. Be aware that Silvally-Dark can also Pursuit trap Metang to shave off almost half its health. As a result, Metang should predict incoming switch-ins and cripple them with Toxic. If Bullet Punch is used over Toxic, Metang can play more aggressively, because without the ability to cripple its switch-ins, Metang often needs to double switch to a teammate. Moreover, Bullet Punch enables Metang to revenge kill weakened foes such as Kadabra and Mr. Mime rather than trade damage or be forced out by Trick. Metang should be extremely wary of Knock Off from Pokemon such as Pawniard, Kecleon, and Komala because it needs Eviolite to check opposing attackers. Moreover, Metang is prone to being worn down and, as a result, should watch out for coverage moves from attackers such as Chatot and Mr. Mime. Furthermore, Metang's lack of reliable recovery exacerbates this issue, so it is crucial that Metang conserve its health to check select attackers.
Team Options
========
Knock Off switch-ins are essential to use with Metang, so Pokemon such as Silvally-Fighting, Silvally-Dark, and Shiinotic pair well. Silvally formes also protect Metang from Trick and Switcheroo users such as Mr. Mime and Floatzel. Pokemon such as Leafeon and Swanna pair well with Metang because of their ability to check Ground- and Fire-type Pokemon such as Golem and Combusken. Pokemon such as Sandslash, Silvally-Water, and Komala complement Metang's Stealth Rock support by providing entry hazard removal. In addition, they are able to check Golem, Crustle, and Bronzor. Wallbreakers such as Choice Band Floatzel, Leafeon, and Swords Dance Silvally-Fighting appreciate Metang's ability to set Stealth Rock and get rid of Swanna, and they also help check Fire-, Ground-, and Dark-types for it. Similarly, setup sweepers such as Z-Celebrate Leafeon and Dragon Dance Hakamo-o appreciate Metang's ability to check defensive Granbull and Kadabra.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Zen Headbutt can be used as a fourth move in order to check Poison-types such as Muk and Mareanie more effectively. The move also gives Metang a better matchup against Fighting-types such as Machoke and Silvally-Fighting, which would easily switch into it otherwise. Pursuit can be used to trap frail attackers such as Kadabra, Mr. Mime, and Electivire, but it is too inconsistent and hits a minimal number of threats. Also, Metang fails to Pursuit trap Ghost-type Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL, which can burn it with Will-O-Wisp. Explosion can be used over Toxic or Bullet Punch on more offensive teams, as it helps Metang keep up momentum and prevent incoming entry hazard removers from removing Stealth Rock. Metang can run 124 Speed EVs to outspeed Assault Vest Komala lacking Speed investment so it can use Explosion to prevent Rapid Spin.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Eviolite Removers**: Knock Off users such as Leafeon, Choice Band Komala, Kecleon, and Machoke can remove Metang's Eviolite, which greatly hinders its ability to check Ice-, Psychic-, and Normal-type Pokemon. Moreover, Knock Off from these Pokemon can usually 2HKO Metang. In addition, Trick and Switcheroo users such as Rotom-S, Mr. Mime, and Floatzel can swap their Choice items with Eviolite and cripple Metang for the rest of the game.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Golem, Sandslash, Silvally-Ground, and Marowak are able to switch into Metang and 2HKO it. Moreover, Sandslash and Silvally-Ground are able to remove Stealth Rock and prevent Metang from performing its job. However, all of these Pokemon must be wary of Toxic.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Combusken, Rapidash, Simisear, and Monferno can OHKO Metang after it has been weakened. However, Metang can absorb a hit if it's healthy and potentially KO them back with Earthquake.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: Defog users such as Silvally-Water and Silvally-Dragon can easily use Defog on Metang. Similarly, Sandslash and Komala can use Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock and threaten Metang with Earthquake or Knock Off Komala can also heal off chip damage with Wish. However, most entry hazard removers must be wary of Toxic, as they are easy to wear down in combination with Stealth Rock chip damage.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulky Pokemon such as Pyukumuku, Dusclops, Bronzor, Altaria, and Lickilicky completely wall Metang and have the means to play around Toxic. However, they cannot prevent Metang from setting Stealth Rock and tend to invite in strong wallbreakers.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5gen, 296755]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aaronboyer, 239454], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Empress, 175616], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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