Everyone has that one Pokémon they’ve been sitting on for years. You know the one. It’s that 100% IV Beldum you hatched back in 2019, or maybe a shiny one with decent stats that you’ve dumped hundreds of Rare Candies into just because it looks cool. We’ve all been waiting. The anticipation for Mega Metagross Pokémon GO debut has been a slow burn, honestly bordering on agonizing for the hardcore raiding community.
It isn't just another entry in the Mega Pokédex.
When you look at the landscape of the Master League or the high-tier Raid circuit, Metagross has always been the reliable backbone of most teams. But the Mega Evolution changes the math entirely. We aren’t just talking about a slight bump in CP. We’re talking about a statistical monster that redefines what a Steel-type attacker can actually do. If you think Meteor Mash was scary before, you haven't seen anything yet.
The Raw Power of a Supercomputer
Let’s get into the weeds for a second. Metagross is canonically a fusion of four Metang, which basically makes it a sentient supercomputer with four brains. In Pokémon GO, that intelligence translates into a massive Attack stat. When it Mega Evolves, those numbers skyrocket. We are looking at an Attack stat that rivals some of the strongest Legendaries in the game, including Mega Rayquaza and Primal Groudon.
While most players fixate on the offensive pressure, the real secret sauce of Mega Metagross Pokémon GO utility is its typing. Steel and Psychic is a defensive masterpiece. You get resistances to almost everything common: Dragon, Fairy, Ice, Rock, and even Grass. It’s basically a tank that hits like a freight train.
Most Megas are "glass cannons." They come in, do a ton of damage, and faint before the boss even hits its second Charged Move. Not this one. Mega Metagross has the bulk to stay on the field for an extended period, which is crucial because of the Mega Raid Bonus. As long as it’s out there, everyone else’s Steel and Psychic moves are getting a 30% boost. In a 20-person raid, that’s an astronomical amount of extra damage.
Meteor Mash is Non-Negotiable
If you are planning to use a Metagross without Meteor Mash, honestly, don't bother.
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I know that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Meteor Mash is one of the most busted moves Niantic ever programmed into the game. It has an absurd damage-to-energy ratio. Without it, you’re stuck with Flash Cannon, which feels like throwing a wet paper towel at a brick wall by comparison.
If you have a high-stat Metagross that doesn't have the move, you need an Elite Charged TM. Period. There’s no way around it unless there’s an event where evolving a Metang grants the move. Given how rare those events are, just burn the TM. It’s the single best investment you can make for your Steel-type roster.
How to Handle the Mega Raid
Don't go into this solo. You’ll lose.
Even with a team of three high-level players, a Mega Metagross Pokémon GO raid is a legitimate challenge. It’s a Tier 6 Mega Raid, similar to Mega Latios or Latias, meaning it has significantly more HP than a standard Mega. You need numbers. You also need a very specific set of counters because Metagross is surprisingly difficult to take down quickly.
- Mega Charizard Y: The undisputed king of Fire attackers. Use Fire Spin and Blast Burn. It melts the steel plating faster than anything else.
- Primal Groudon: If you have Fire Punch or Precipice Blades, Groudon is a monster here. It resists almost nothing Metagross throws, but its raw stats allow it to survive long enough to deal massive chunks of damage.
- Mega Gengar/Mega Banette: High risk, high reward. They deal insane Ghost-type damage (Shadow Claw/Shadow Ball), but they will get deleted if Metagross is running Psychic moves.
- Hydreigon: Use Brutal Swing. It’s fast, it’s Dark-type, and it resists Metagross’s Psychic-type attacks.
It is worth noting that if the weather is Windy, Metagross gets a boost. That’s bad for you. It means its Zen Headbutt or Psychic moves will shred your fighting and poison types instantly. If it’s Snowing, Meteor Mash becomes a one-hit-KO for almost anything that isn't a dedicated tank. Watch the weather icons before you jump in.
The Master League Meta Shift
PvP is a different beast entirely. While Mega Evolutions aren't allowed in standard GBL (Go Battle League), they occasionally pop up in Mega Master League rotations. When that happens, Mega Metagross becomes the "Pokémon to beat."
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It shuts down Xerneas. It laughs at Togekiss. It can even go toe-to-toe with Dialga if you time your shields right. The sheer pressure of Meteor Mash forces opponents to use shields early, leaving them vulnerable to your back-line closers.
However, it isn't invincible. Ground types are its Achilles' heel. A well-placed High Horsepower or Earthquake will end your run real quick. The nuance of using Mega Metagross Pokémon GO in a competitive setting is knowing when to switch. Don't be a hero. If you see an Excadrill lead, get out of there immediately.
Investing Your Mega Energy Wisely
Mega Energy is a finite resource until you’ve evolved a specimen once. After that, you can walk it as your buddy to earn more.
The smartest move is to Mega Evolve your best Metagross as soon as you have the 200 or 300 energy required. Then, start the "Mega Level" grind. You want to get to Mega Level 3 as fast as possible. Why? Because the bonuses are insane. At Level 3, you get a massive boost to XL Candy chances when catching Steel or Psychic types.
If there is a Beldum Community Day Classic or a Steel-themed event, having a Level 3 Mega Metagross active is the difference between getting 20 XL Candies and getting 100. It’s the ultimate farming tool.
Common Misconceptions and Blunders
I see people making the same mistakes constantly. First: powering up a 12/12/12 shiny just because it’s shiny. Please, don't. Metagross is a "breakpoint" Pokémon. It needs high Attack stats to hit specific damage numbers against Raid bosses. If you have a 15-attack non-shiny and a 12-attack shiny, the non-shiny is objectively better for gameplay.
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Second: the second move unlock. A lot of players think they only need Meteor Mash. That’s a mistake. You need Earthquake as a secondary move. This gives you coverage against other Steel types and Fire types that think they can switch in for free. It’s an expensive investment (100k Stardust and 100 candies), but it’s mandatory for any serious player.
Third: ignoring the Psychic typing. While Metagross is best known as a Steel attacker, it’s actually a top-tier Psychic attacker too. If you’re short on Mewtwos, a Mega Metagross with Zen Headbutt and Psychic can fill a hole in your team against Fighting or Poison-type raid bosses. It's versatile. Use that.
Putting Together the Perfect Team
When you’re building a team around Mega Metagross Pokémon GO, you need to cover its weaknesses. Since it struggles against Fire, Ground, and Ghost, you want partners that can soak up those hits.
- Kyogre: A perfect partner. It handles the Fire and Ground types that threaten Metagross.
- Dragonite: Resists Fire and Ground and provides huge neutral pressure.
- Zarude or Darkrai: Great for handling the Ghost and Dark types that might try to chip away at your Metagross.
Actually, the "Steel Wing" buff a while back made some people reconsider the fast move. Honestly? Stick to Bullet Punch. The energy generation is just better for getting to those Meteor Mashes. Consistency wins games, and Bullet Punch is the definition of consistent.
Actionable Steps for Success
To truly maximize your experience with this Pokémon, you need a plan. Don't just wander into raids and hope for the best.
- Audit your Beldum candy: You’re going to need hundreds of candies to get to level 40, and nearly 300 XL candies to get to level 50. If you’re short, start walking a Metagross now.
- Save your Elite TMs: If you catch a high IV Metagross from a raid, it likely won't have Meteor Mash. Be prepared to use a TM immediately.
- Coordinate with a local group: Mega Metagross is too tanky for random invites to always work. Use Discord or Campfire to ensure you have at least 5-6 reliable trainers.
- Prioritize the Mega Level: Even if you don't need to use it in battle, Mega Evolve it every single day that the cooldown allows. Getting to that Max Level is the most important long-term goal for resource gathering.
- Check your storage for Shadow Metagross: A Shadow Metagross is technically stronger in terms of raw DPS than the Mega, but the Mega provides the team boost. The ultimate "Steel" team consists of one Mega Metagross and five Shadow Metagross. That is the gold standard for damage.
The arrival of this Mega is a shift in the power balance of the game. It’s a Pokémon that rewards long-term prep and punished those who haven't been paying attention to their IVs. Get your team ready, stockpile those Max Revives, and make sure your best Metagross is ready for the transformation. It is, without a doubt, the king of its class.