Introduction
Have not posted any RMTs before so please excuse if it doesn't look too professional but I'd be glad to receive some tips. Psychic is definitely one of my favourite types and with a DOU background, I am very fond of using mega-metagross. Megagross is unfortunately banned in mono and regular metagross never really picked my interest as when I saw it, it was often only a rocks setter or perhaps a banded attacker and I thoguht of these sets as a bit boring or underwhelming. But after playing around with psy for a while, I noticed that I actually have quite big problems when facing poison teams (the a-muk/m-venu/pex core) and I thought that metagross should be a great asset in breaking that core. That's where the planning for a metagross team begun. Furthermore, I wanted to stray a bit away from what the sample teams are offering.
Teambuilding Process
As testing metagross was my main objective, I of course started with that one. Main objective was to check poison teams effectively.
Unfortunately, metagross is neither very fast nor does it sport a good sp.def. To alleviate these issues, I decided to use a screener and thanks to its great speed as well as other numerous support moves, my choice fell on deoxys.
A-muk is not only a problem on poison but also dark teams. But there, metagross faces more difficult defensive pokemon in mandibuzz and m-sableye. I needed something capable of breaking these walls and as I had never given gardevoira real try before, I thought I may test it simply for its great fairy STAB.
With this, my firepower was already quite good but especially bulky steel mons may simply wall them. Victini was chosen to handle such threats, e.g., celesteela, skarmony, ferrothorn and m-scizor.
At this point, I was still wide-open to damage from entry hazards and needed a reliable defogger. My choice fell on latias because I am quite fond of both its offensive presence as well as supporting moves.
At this point, I still had a mega slot to fill. Since the team was still lacking a good toxic user to break down bulky walls as well as a generally bulky pokemon capable of stopping offense threats and was pretty susceptible to strong ground attacks, I decided to use m-slowbro over more powerful but also frail attackers such as gallade or latios to at least patch up the physical side and be able to hit back.
The Team
Metagross @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Agility
- Zen Headbutt
252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross through Light Screen: 144-169 (47.6 - 55.9%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Diancie-Mega Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross through Light Screen: 125-148 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Metagross Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 12 Def Muk-Alola: 282-332 (68.2 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Metagross Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 174-206 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Metagross Meteor Mash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black: 306-360 (78.2 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-Black Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shuca Berry Metagross: 133-156 (44.1 - 51.8%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Diancie-Mega Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross through Light Screen: 125-148 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Metagross Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 12 Def Muk-Alola: 282-332 (68.2 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Metagross Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 174-206 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Metagross Meteor Mash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black: 306-360 (78.2 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-Black Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shuca Berry Metagross: 133-156 (44.1 - 51.8%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO
Deoxys-Speed @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 144+ SpD Sableye-Mega: 216-254 (71 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz: 318-374 (75.1 - 88.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny-Mega: 312-368 (115.1 - 135.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 334-394 (86.5 - 102%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Gardevoir Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 184+ SpD Heatran: 186-220 (48.1 - 56.9%) -- 39.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Raichu-Alola Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir in Electric Terrain: 227-269 (81.9 - 97.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu-Alola: 172-204 (65.9 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz: 318-374 (75.1 - 88.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny-Mega: 312-368 (115.1 - 135.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 334-394 (86.5 - 102%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Gardevoir Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 184+ SpD Heatran: 186-220 (48.1 - 56.9%) -- 39.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Raichu-Alola Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir in Electric Terrain: 227-269 (81.9 - 97.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu-Alola: 172-204 (65.9 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Victini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Trick
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela: 476-564 (119.5 - 141.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 224 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 278-330 (85 - 100.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Koko: 280-330 (99.6 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 312-367 (98.1 - 115.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 346-408 (111.2 - 131.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Victini Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash in Electric Terrain: 168-198 (55.2 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (the sample team spread, 3HKO for defensive spreads)
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 224 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 278-330 (85 - 100.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Koko: 280-330 (99.6 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 312-367 (98.1 - 115.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 346-408 (111.2 - 131.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Victini Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash in Electric Terrain: 168-198 (55.2 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (the sample team spread, 3HKO for defensive spreads)
Latias @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Defog
- Healing Wish
- Psyshock
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Torkoal: 375-442 (109.3 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Diggersby: 349-412 (112.2 - 132.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 252 HP / 144+ SpD Sableye-Mega: 202-238 (66.4 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (if caught on switchin or by feigning scarf)
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 339-400 (86 - 101.5%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Diggersby: 349-412 (112.2 - 132.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 252 HP / 144+ SpD Sableye-Mega: 202-238 (66.4 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (if caught on switchin or by feigning scarf)
252 SpA Latias Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 339-400 (86 - 101.5%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
Slowbro-Mega @ Slowbronite
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Toxic
252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 79-94 (20 - 23.8%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Diggersby Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 153-180 (38.8 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 116-138 (29.4 - 35%) -- 9.3% chance to 3HKO (->once ferro is burnt, it becomes possible to setup even with leechseed)
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Landorus Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Slowbro-Mega through Light Screen: 137-162 (34.7 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowbro-Mega Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Landorus: 258-306 (80.8 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+6 252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega through Reflect: 167-197 (42.3 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO (-> at least 2 chances to burn or poison)
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Diggersby Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 153-180 (38.8 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 116-138 (29.4 - 35%) -- 9.3% chance to 3HKO (->once ferro is burnt, it becomes possible to setup even with leechseed)
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Landorus Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Slowbro-Mega through Light Screen: 137-162 (34.7 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowbro-Mega Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Landorus: 258-306 (80.8 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+6 252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Mega through Reflect: 167-197 (42.3 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO (-> at least 2 chances to burn or poison)
Conclusion
Thanks to those who read this and even more if you have some advice to offer. Unfortunately, I cannot say too much about the ghost matchup as it happens too rarely but I would assume that I am very vulnerable there. Other than that, problematic troublespots may include, for example, defensive flying teams and steel teams sporting doublade. It's a bit difficult for me to discern which problems actually stem from the team and which from my own bad plays since I still catch myself making wrong moves more often than I should. I can't remember the exact peak of the team but I believe it was around 1810. Tips on how to make it more well-rounded would be greatly appreciated.
Metagross @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Agility
- Zen Headbutt
Deoxys-Speed @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
Victini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Trick
Latias @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Defog
- Healing Wish
- Psyshock
Slowbro-Mega @ Slowbronite
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Toxic
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Agility
- Zen Headbutt
Deoxys-Speed @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
Victini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Trick
Latias @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Defog
- Healing Wish
- Psyshock
Slowbro-Mega @ Slowbronite
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Toxic