Stats & Training
Attack and Defense carry most of Metagross's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Near-impossible to catch and yields 3 Defense EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Because the magnetic powers of these Pokémon get stronger in freezing temperatures, Metagross living on snowy mountains are full of energy.
Metagross is the result of the fusion of two Metang. This Pokémon defeats its opponents through use of its supercomputer-level brain.
Metagross Weakness
Metagross is weak to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark. On the flip side, it's immune to Poison-type moves entirely. With 9 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Metagross's physical bulk (base 130 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Grass, Ice, Flying, Rock, Dragon, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Psychic |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
In Sword & Shield, Runerigus's Poltergeist hits Metagross for 56-67%. Dusknoir's Poltergeist hits Metagross for 81-96%.
 Runerigus GroundGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityWanderingspirit ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Metagross View Runerigus builds →Poltergeist 2x56-67% | ||
 Dusknoir Ghost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFrisk ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Metagross View Dusknoir builds →Shadow Sneak 2x30-36% Poltergeist 2x81-96% Earthquake 2x49-58% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Metagross View Clefable builds →Moonblast10-12% Knock Off 2x16-19% | ||
 Incineroar FireDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemSitrus Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Metagross View Incineroar builds →Knock Off 2x53-63% Flare Blitz 2x97-115%KO | ||
 Skuntank PoisonDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityAftermath ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves View Skuntank builds →
| ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
End of the line. Metagross caps a three-stage chain that started at Beldum. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are takes forever to hatch. Attack grew the most through evolution (+80 over Beldum), and Metagross peaks at 600 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Metagross is genderless — breed with Ditto to produce Beldum eggs. Part of the Mineral egg group.
Ditto onlySword & Shield Metagross Best Moveset
This build takes hits and hits back. Assault Vest provides a special bulk boost with no status moves allowed, Clearbody supports the gameplan, and max Attack without Speed EVs mean Metagross doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus the remaining moves backing it up.
Best Build
Metagross best EVs are Attack and Sp. Def
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Bullet Punch
- Iron Head
- Psycho Cut
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Meteor Mash
- Ice Punch
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Agility
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Metagross cleanly, with Steel Roller and Psychic anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Metagross in Sword & Shield
Can't catch Metagross directly. Start with Beldum at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 45. The 3-stage chain from Beldum to Metagross is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Metagross in Sword & Shield
To get Metagross, start by catching Beldum through walking encounters at Lv. 60-65. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch BeldumSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice100%PostSandstormSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice100%PostRainingSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice100%PostThunderstormSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice100%PostSandstormSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice100%PostRainingSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice100%PostThunderstormSnowslide SlopeSwordGrass Lv.60-65 Ice33%PostHeavy FogSnowslide SlopeShieldGrass Lv.60-65 Ice33%PostHeavy FogSnowslide SlopeShieldGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostNormal WeatherSnowslide SlopeShieldGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostSnowstormSnowslide SlopeSwordGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostSnowingSnowslide SlopeSwordGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostOvercastSnowslide SlopeSwordGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostNormal WeatherSnowslide SlopeSwordGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostSnowstormSnowslide SlopeShieldGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostSnowingSnowslide SlopeShieldGrass Lv.60-65 Ice25%PostOvercastSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostNormal WeatherSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostHeavy FogSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostOvercastSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostNormal WeatherSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostIntense SunSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostHeavy FogSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostIntense SunSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice24%PostOvercastSnowslide SlopeSwordGrass Lv.60-65 Ice20%PostIntense SunSnowslide SlopeShieldGrass Lv.60-65 Ice20%PostIntense SunSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice19%PostSnowstormSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice19%PostSnowingSnowslide SlopeShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice19%PostSnowingSnowslide SlopeSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Ice14%PostSnowstorm
Step 2Evolve into Metang
Step 3Metagross ✓
Metagross Guide
For Sword & Shield, we rate Metagross B-Tier: a solid option in Sword & Shield for the right team. At 600 BST, it fits the wallbreaker role. Bullet Punch with Assault Vest is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Sword & Shield, but Metagross does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Metagross hits 700 BST.
Clear Body is the go-to ability for Metagross. It prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon. Its hidden ability Light Metal can work in specific setups.
Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Metagross is a physical attacker with base 135 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Metagross has appeared in 16 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves