Base Stats
HP: 70
Attack: 70
Defense: 115
Sp. Attack: 130
Sp. Def: 90
Speed: 60
Magnet Pull: Prevents Steel-type Pokémon from escaping.
Sturdy: The Pokémon is protected against 1-hit KO attacks.
Analytic (Hidden Ability): If you are last to attack, the move becomes more powerful.
I don't know a lot of people who would say Magnezone is one of their favorite Pokémon. And honestly, I don't blame them. It's weird looking, very slow - especially compared to other Electric types - and does not seem to offer much that other potential teammates cannot do. But Magnezone is actually one of my favorite Pokémon. It really is. Magnezone has consistently been one of the most reliable Pokémon I've ever used and I rarely make a team without it. Now, if you'll indulge me with some of your time, I am going to explain why Magnezone rocks.
Get Ready For The...
The main appeal of Magnezone is in its semi-unique ability Magnet Pull which prevents any Steel-type from switching out while Magnezone is in play. When you combine this with its incredibly high 130 base Sp. Attack and great dual STAB moves Magnezone can work as a great, arguably the best, killer of defensive Steel types. Additionally, Magnezone packs a great degree of natural bulk with an its 70/115/90 defensive stats and some very cool resistances from its spectacular Steel typing. Unfortunately for Magnezone, the only three types that do hit it for super-effective damage are the three most common attacking types in the game - Fighting, Ground, and Fire - but the vast majority of the Pokémon Magnezone will be going up against either don't carry one of these attacking types, or will be destroyed before they can use them. Ultimately, when played smart Magnezone will leave your opponent crippled and in a tight stop for the rest of the match. Let's take a look at the set I run.
Magnezone
Hold Item: Choice Specs
Nature: Modest
EVs: 160 HP/168 Sp. Attack/ 180 Speed
Flash Cannon
Thunderbolt
Volt Switch
Hidden Power Fire/Grass/Ice/Ground
When holding Choice Specs, Magnezone's Special attack reaches scary-high levels, achieving a OHKO or 2HKO on anything that does not resist one of its STAB moves. The EV spread is made to maximize Magnezone's bulk while still allowing it to hit like a truck. The Speed EVs might seem strangely high but they are there to allow Magnezone to outspeed Heatran and Mega-Scizor, both common opponents that would cause the Magnet Pokémon trouble otherwise.
The main attacking moves on this set are Flash Cannon and Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt will be your main tool to defeat Skarmory and will leave a huge dent in any Pokémon that doesn’t resist it. Flash Cannon is a powerful tool that can be used to defeat any number of Fairies running around the tier right now. As Magnezone resists their STAB move, it has many opportunities to switch in and take them out. While many Fairy types have a high Special Defense stat, Magnezone is still capable of scoring a OHKO on many of them, including Clefable, even after it has used Calm Mind. In fact, Magnezone being immune to paralysis, carrying a x4 resistance to Air Slash, and being able to outspeed and OHKO with either STAB move, Magnezone is currently the best Togekiss counter in the game (although any user should watch out for the rare Aura Sphere or Fire Blast).
Volt Switch is to help play mind games with your opponents. If you predict a switch in you can Volt Switch out and, backed by the Choice Specs, take a nasty chunk of HP with you. Additionally, one of the more fun things to do with it is against Heatran. Heatran cannot switch out and you use the Volt Switch to outspeed, damage and switch into a counter before they can leave a scratch on you.
The biggest decision to make when building your Magnezone is your Hidden Power type. Or, in other words, what you need your Magnezone to take out. Each of the above HP types has a very specific purpose and you should think carefully about which one you want. HP Fire is for Ferrothorn, and is the one I run. If Ferrothorn is a Pokemon who gives you trouble, then HP-Fire is the way to lay waste to it every time. In fact, worst case scenario, you switch into Leech Seed and then they use Protect. That is only an inconvenience. Magnezone still comes out on top. HP-Ground is for Heatran. Let's say the aforementioned mind games with Heatran aren't for you. Well, HP-Ground is to trap and KO all defensive Heatrans on the spot. If it runs an Air Balloon you just start with Volt Switch and KO it next time you encounter it. Additionally, it is the best tool to defeat opposing Magnezone. The last two HP types are more about prediction than trapping and slaying Steel-types. If you choose to run HP-Ice for a pseudo-BoltBeam combo, it is because you anticipate a lot of Ground-type switch-ins, particularly Landorus (either forme), Gliscor, and Garchomp. All of these come in on predicted Electric-type moves and HP-Ice will destroy (or close to) all of those on the switch, putting you are a serious advantage. Similarly, Gastrodon and Quagsire are both common switch-ins as they resist both of its STABs. Likewise, HP Grass will make your adversary immediately regret the decision. Due note that, should you not run HP-Ice, you can still deal a large chunk of damage with Flash Cannon to any of those Ground types, but you cannot do the same to Gastrodon or Quagsire.
Magnezone is not a sweeper. However, it is a very strong team player, and there are many allies that it plays well with. Dragon Dance (DD) Dragonite is a phenomenal teammate for Magnezone, the most common set being DD, Dragon Claw, Extreme Speed and Earthquake/Fire Punch. Depending on which coverage move you choose to run, Dragonite could struggle to muscle its way past Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Heatran. What Magnezone can do is defeat any of these Pokemon needed and allow Dragonite to sweep unhindered. The same goes for other setup sweepers, such as Mega-Pinsir, Gyarados, Charizard-X, or Scizor. In additional to this role, Magnezone plays great on defensively-inclined teams and it can demolish a lot of the tougher walls that they struggle to power through.
Wielding the Choice Specs, Magnezone can be a tough Pokemon to switch into. However, there are several Pokemon you should look out for. Any faster Pokemon that carries Earthquake or Earth Power can scare Magnezone out, the most common ones being both formes of Landorus, Gliscor, Garchomp, Excadrill, and Mamoswine. Again though, none of these will want to switch into a STAB Flash Cannon. However, the absolute worst of these is Dugtrio. While the thought of being hit by Earthquake is enough to make Magnezone run in fear, Dugtrio allows no such mercy. The three-pronged mole traps Magnezone right where it stands (er...floats?) and will outspeed, attack and destroy Magnezone every time. Even if it switches into Flash Cannon, many carry Focus Sash and will live to accomplish its goal regardless. Another enemy of the magnet is Blissey and Chansey. There's not much to say about the pink blobs except that they absorb any attack with ease. And don't bother considering HP-Fighting, as it simply does not hit hard enough to be consequential.
In short, if you play Magnezone to its strengths it will not disappoint you, and maybe it will someday be one of your favorite Pokemon, too. I hope this has been informative.
Signing off for now,
- Alltheginjoints
No comments:
Post a Comment