Discussion Viability of Ancient Trait Metagross

[Ghazernado]

I've been looking into the ability of AT Metagross from Ancient Origins/Bandit Ring. If you don't already know, this thing is a 150 HP monster, with Theta Double. The real attack to look at with Metagross is Machine Gun Stomp, a DCE for 20, so on its own, pretty bad. But the effect is what makes it work, the attack does 10 more damage for each card in your hand. If you play a sycamore, excluding tool cards, you're already doing 90 damage for a DCE. Also, since Seismitoad is going to disappear because of the impending rotation and the amount of grass decks showing up, you can use Rare Candy to get a Metagross going faster. So, what do you think? Could this be a viable deck?

 

[DarkMatterGaming]

Here are my issues:

• Swinging for 90 in an EX dominant meta isn't fantastic
• Aegislash EX would make the DCE useless, meaning you'd need to run basic energies
• Vileplume AOR and Broken Vine Space exist
• Presuming it's weak to fire, Flareon AOR alongside any Stage 1 will make short work of it

 

[MaD_DoG]

This could work with Slurpuff PHF and Unknown AOR. The only problem would be getting Metagross into play. On top of that, now that N has rotated once you are set up you will be consistently dealing out more and more damage each turn because your hand size won't be limited

 

[Pinecone]

Attacks that deal damage based on hand size are tricky, because you may need to play some cards and it could ruin the entire damage output. Such a strategy needs to focus on reliable 2shots.

I like Gourgeist PHF better. A stage 1 and when it's ability is triggered can usually tank a hit from anything not hitting it for weakness. Partners include Buneary FLF and/or Slurpluff PHF. Losing N is great for this decks strategy but I don't expect it to suddenly be viable. A fun concept to play regardless.