Standard Metagross/Necrozma

[kishido1205]

Here's the deck I've used for a couple of local tournaments. Got me 14th/18 and 15th/17th placing. Any improvements?

btw here's the matchup and my win/loss on each

Golisopod/Garbodor - 2 Loss
Total Command Empoleon - 1 Win / 3 Loss
Dusk Mane / Magnezone - 2 Win / 3 Loss
Ho-oh Kiawe - 2 Loss
Sylvally - 2 Wins
Buzzwole / Lycanroc - 2 Loss
Zoroark / Decidueye - 2 Wins

**** ****

##Pokémon - 18

* 4 Beldum GRI 83
* 2 Metang GRI 84
* 4 Metagross-GX GRI 85
* 1 Dusk Mane Necrozma-GX UPR 90
* 1 Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX UPR 63
* 1 Necrozma-GX BUS 134
* 1 Tapu Lele-GX GRI 137
* 1 Solgaleo ◇ UPR 89
* 1 Dhelmise GRI 59
* 2 Alolan Vulpix GRI 21

##Trainer Cards - 32

* 3 Rare Candy SUM 129
* 3 Max Potion BKP 103
* 2 Professor Sycamore PHF 101
* 3 N DEX 96
* 3 Cynthia UPR 119
* 3 Guzma BUS 115
* 2 Brigette BKT 134
* 4 Ultra Ball SLG 68
* 1 Float Stone BKT 137
* 3 Choice Band GRI 121
* 2 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130
* 3 Field Blower GRI 125

##Energy - 10

* 6 Metal Energy SUM 171
* 4 Psychic Energy SUM 168

Total Cards - 60

**** Deck List Generated by DeckBox ****

 

[Kyle Busch]

I love playing Metagross! Those results sound disappointing! I agree with pretty much every trainer choice you have, maybe adding a fourth rare candy will boost consistency. In my list I either run 4 Rare candy/2 metang or 3 Rare candy/3 metang. I think your problem is splitting energies. I would go straight metal with maybe 1 psychic. Regular necrozma GX just doesn't run well at all. What you should consider is using dialga GX to cover fire weakness, and use its GX attack. In my opinion, dhelmise isn't needed and clogs the bench for me, but if you like it keep it. I would add a forth Guzma and get rid of dawn wkngs and the float stone. I also see the allure of dusk mane for huge knockouts, but I feel Metagross runs better when you hit 180 with choice band and just max potion every turn. Add some sycamores to get those energies in the discard. Here's my suggestion in general:

-1 dusk mane necrozma GX
-1 dawn wings necrozma GX
-1 dhelmise
-1 necrozma GX
-1 float stone
-1 Cynthia
-3 psychic energy

+1 Guzma
+1 Rare candy/metang
+1 dialga GX
+1 Tapu lele GX
+3 metal energy
+2 Professor Sycamore

I also find 1 heavy ball and 1 Skyla sometimes helps, but with those changes is closeness to whatvi run. Hope this helps a bit and good luck!

 

[Ecko9i6]

I love playing Metagross! Those results sound disappointing! I agree with pretty much every trainer choice you have, maybe adding a fourth rare candy will boost consistency. In my list I either run 4 Rare candy/2 metang or 3 Rare candy/3 metang. I think your problem is splitting energies. I would go straight metal with maybe 1 psychic. Regular necrozma GX just doesn't run well at all. What you should consider is using dialga GX to cover fire weakness, and use its GX attack. In my opinion, dhelmise isn't needed and clogs the bench for me, but if you like it keep it. I would add a forth Guzma and get rid of dawn wkngs and the float stone. I also see the allure of dusk mane for huge knockouts, but I feel Metagross runs better when you hit 180 with choice band and just max potion every turn. Add some sycamores to get those energies in the discard. Here's my suggestion in general:

-1 dusk mane necrozma GX
-1 dawn wings necrozma GX
-1 dhelmise
-1 necrozma GX
-1 float stone
-1 Cynthia
-3 psychic energy

+1 Guzma
+1 Rare candy/metang
+1 dialga GX
+1 Tapu lele GX
+3 metal energy
+2 Professor Sycamore

I also find 1 heavy ball and 1 Skyla sometimes helps, but with those changes is closeness to whatvi run. Hope this helps a bit and good luck!

Those are definitely some great recommendations! I never got around to playing Metagross GX when it first came out, but it sure looked like a fun and powerful deck. I've seen that in the current meta it has fallen off quite a bit. I think it's probably due to the fact that it only hits for 150 (180 with choice band) so it isn't 1 shotting things like it used to. The meta is shifting to a 2HKO format which makes me think that Metagross can make a comeback!

In your list, do you run more than 1 Tapu Lele GX? I feel like you would need at least 3 if you're only using 2 Brigette like OP is doing in his list. Sometimes I'll switch it up and play 2 Lele and 3 brigette since bench space can be pretty limited. What about playing Zoroark GX in this list? I feel like having a secondary attacker is a great idea and Dialga GX almost feels a bit mediocre to me (just my opinion). I would suggest something like this:

Pokemon
4 x Beldum
1 x Metang
3 x Metagross GX
3 x Zorua
3 x Zoroark GX
2 x Tapu Lele GX

Item/Supporter/Stadium
3 x Cynthia
2 x N
3 x Professor Sycamore
4 x Guzma
3 x Brigette
2 x Skyla
4 x Ultra Ball
3 x max potion
1 x Rescue Stretcher
3 x Field Blower
4 x Rare Candy

Energy
8 x Metal Energy - Secret Rare - Basic
4 x Double Colorless Energy - Special

Keep in mind this is completely untested and I am just giving my thoughts. Perhaps this doesn't work at all, but maybe it'll give someone an idea

 

[AFEX]

Here's the deck I've used for a couple of local tournaments. Got me 14th/18 and 15th/17th placing. Any improvements?

btw here's the matchup and my win/loss on each

Golisopod/Garbodor - 2 Loss
Total Command Empoleon - 1 Win / 3 Loss
Dusk Mane / Magnezone - 2 Win / 3 Loss
Ho-oh Kiawe - 2 Loss
Sylvally - 2 Wins
Buzzwole / Lycanroc - 2 Loss
Zoroark / Decidueye - 2 Wins

**** ****

##Pokémon - 18

* 4 Beldum GRI 83
* 2 Metang GRI 84
* 4 Metagross-GX GRI 85
* 1 Dusk Mane Necrozma-GX UPR 90
* 1 Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX UPR 63
* 1 Necrozma-GX BUS 134
* 1 Tapu Lele-GX GRI 137
* 1 Solgaleo ◇ UPR 89
* 1 Dhelmise GRI 59
* 2 Alolan Vulpix GRI 21

##Trainer Cards - 32

* 3 Rare Candy SUM 129
* 3 Max Potion BKP 103
* 2 Professor Sycamore PHF 101
* 3 N DEX 96
* 3 Cynthia UPR 119
* 3 Guzma BUS 115
* 2 Brigette BKT 134
* 4 Ultra Ball SLG 68
* 1 Float Stone BKT 137
* 3 Choice Band GRI 121
* 2 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130
* 3 Field Blower GRI 125

##Energy - 10

* 6 Metal Energy SUM 171
* 4 Psychic Energy SUM 168

Total Cards - 60

**** Deck List Generated by DeckBox ****

Awesome build, this will do great in a (slightly) more Metal eccentric format.

 

[TrevGallade]

I love playing Metagross! Those results sound disappointing! I agree with pretty much every trainer choice you have, maybe adding a fourth rare candy will boost consistency. In my list I either run 4 Rare candy/2 metang or 3 Rare candy/3 metang. I think your problem is splitting energies. I would go straight metal with maybe 1 psychic. Regular necrozma GX just doesn't run well at all. What you should consider is using dialga GX to cover fire weakness, and use its GX attack. In my opinion, dhelmise isn't needed and clogs the bench for me, but if you like it keep it. I would add a forth Guzma and get rid of dawn wkngs and the float stone. I also see the allure of dusk mane for huge knockouts, but I feel Metagross runs better when you hit 180 with choice band and just max potion every turn. Add some sycamores to get those energies in the discard. Here's my suggestion in general:

-1 dusk mane necrozma GX
-1 dawn wings necrozma GX
-1 dhelmise
-1 necrozma GX
-1 float stone
-1 Cynthia
-3 psychic energy

+1 Guzma
+1 Rare candy/metang
+1 dialga GX
+1 Tapu lele GX
+3 metal energy
+2 Professor Sycamore

I also find 1 heavy ball and 1 Skyla sometimes helps, but with those changes is closeness to whatvi run. Hope this helps a bit and good luck!

I play Metagross too, and have to disagree with your comment of Necrozma GX not running well AT ALL. I play a deck focused around just Necrozma GX and Metagross, and (unless I deadraw) it works amazingly. I do feel that it wouldn't work in this variant though, as it's too psychic centered. As for the original post, I agree with the rest of Kyle's recommendations. Going pure steel will probably work better than what you originally had, and Dialga GX could be fun, and replace the Psychic mon's utility of countering fire. The only thing I would like to add is that playing 4 rare candy tends to help set up Metagross faster, but that's my opinion.

 

[kishido1205]

I love playing Metagross! Those results sound disappointing! I agree with pretty much every trainer choice you have, maybe adding a fourth rare candy will boost consistency. In my list I either run 4 Rare candy/2 metang or 3 Rare candy/3 metang. I think your problem is splitting energies. I would go straight metal with maybe 1 psychic. Regular necrozma GX just doesn't run well at all. What you should consider is using dialga GX to cover fire weakness, and use its GX attack. In my opinion, dhelmise isn't needed and clogs the bench for me, but if you like it keep it. I would add a forth Guzma and get rid of dawn wkngs and the float stone. I also see the allure of dusk mane for huge knockouts, but I feel Metagross runs better when you hit 180 with choice band and just max potion every turn. Add some sycamores to get those energies in the discard. Here's my suggestion in general:

-1 dusk mane necrozma GX
-1 dawn wings necrozma GX
-1 dhelmise
-1 necrozma GX
-1 float stone
-1 Cynthia
-3 psychic energy

+1 Guzma
+1 Rare candy/metang
+1 dialga GX
+1 Tapu lele GX
+3 metal energy
+2 Professor Sycamore

I also find 1 heavy ball and 1 Skyla sometimes helps, but with those changes is closeness to whatvi run. Hope this helps a bit and good luck!

yeah, I joined those tournaments with confidence on my deck (even tho its my first time xD) and the results put me right back to earth. haha

Anyway, I've added the 3 Necrozmas on my deck because I was thinking of having a side attacker that can 1HKO anyone. The Dawn Wings is there so I can continouosly retreat-attack with my Metagross (if not enough damage). Although, I always find myself keeping them in hand rather than playing them to avoid Guzma into 1HKO since they barely have 200HP

I agree with your statement on the split energy. I've found myself not having enough metal or psychic energy on my discard pile to get the attack and damage I want (e.g. my active pokemon is Necrozma but I only have 1 psychic energy, or I have Metagross but only have psychic energy on discard pile) So I was considering going straight metal also.

As for Dhelmise, I've added it because of Ho-oH and Empoleon so Metagross can hit 190 and 160 damage and do a 1HKO on those pokemon, especially Ho-oH.

Any alternative for an additional Lele? cause right now, I can't afford getting another one

 

[kishido1205]

Those are definitely some great recommendations! I never got around to playing Metagross GX when it first came out, but it sure looked like a fun and powerful deck. I've seen that in the current meta it has fallen off quite a bit. I think it's probably due to the fact that it only hits for 150 (180 with choice band) so it isn't 1 shotting things like it used to. The meta is shifting to a 2HKO format which makes me think that Metagross can make a comeback!

In your list, do you run more than 1 Tapu Lele GX? I feel like you would need at least 3 if you're only using 2 Brigette like OP is doing in his list. Sometimes I'll switch it up and play 2 Lele and 3 brigette since bench space can be pretty limited. What about playing Zoroark GX in this list? I feel like having a secondary attacker is a great idea and Dialga GX almost feels a bit mediocre to me (just my opinion). I would suggest something like this:

Pokemon
4 x Beldum
1 x Metang
3 x Metagross GX
3 x Zorua
3 x Zoroark GX
2 x Tapu Lele GX

Item/Supporter/Stadium
3 x Cynthia
2 x N
3 x Professor Sycamore
4 x Guzma
3 x Brigette
2 x Skyla
4 x Ultra Ball
3 x max potion
1 x Rescue Stretcher
3 x Field Blower
4 x Rare Candy

Energy
8 x Metal Energy - Secret Rare - Basic
4 x Double Colorless Energy - Special

Keep in mind this is completely untested and I am just giving my thoughts. Perhaps this doesn't work at all, but maybe it'll give someone an idea

This really got me thinking. I also want to try Zoroark GX with Metagross but not really sure if they can go well together. I guess I can playtest this on next week's tournament!

 

[kishido1205]

I play Metagross too, and have to disagree with your comment of Necrozma GX not running well AT ALL. I play a deck focused around just Necrozma GX and Metagross, and (unless I deadraw) it works amazingly. I do feel that it wouldn't work in this variant though, as it's too psychic centered. As for the original post, I agree with the rest of Kyle's recommendations. Going pure steel will probably work better than what you originally had, and Dialga GX could be fun, and replace the Psychic mon's utility of countering fire. The only thing I would like to add is that playing 4 rare candy tends to help set up Metagross faster, but that's my opinion.

My previous iteration wherein I run 3 Necrozma GX instead of having the Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane actually went well during playtest. On that deck (I have 8 Psychic energy and 2 metal energy). The problem I got was that I often found myself having Metagross only on the field and no Metal Energy to attack (either prized or haven't drawn yet)

 

[TrevGallade]

My previous iteration wherein I run 3 Necrozma GX instead of having the Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane actually went well during playtest. On that deck (I have 8 Psychic energy and 2 metal energy). The problem I got was that I often found myself having Metagross only on the field and no Metal Energy to attack (either prized or haven't drawn yet)

Ah, that sucks. I run 5 and 5 for energy counts, and I never deal with that problem. As for the Dhelmise, I personally would only keep it in if you really think you'll use Metagross that much, which you don't really need to with Dusk Mane Necrozma imo.