Metal Burst Discussion

Solar Crash

Amongst all of the new moves that I've seen come out with the 4th Gen games, the one that definitely has me most interested has to be Metal Burst, the "absolute counter attack." Here we have a move that can retaliate both physical and special attacks, but with a few rather significant draw-backs:

1. It doesn't always go last. Granted that you could "make it" go last by forcing a Lagging Tail down the user's throat, the concern would probably turn to the next problem:

2. It's only usable by 2 sets of pokemon. The Aggron tree and the Bastiodon tree. Both of these are steel/rock types, having a x4 weakness to both Fighting and Ground moves. While it helps that the two family trees are slow anyway, it doesn't help at the same time for a few other reasons. The high defenses might avoid doing enough damage for Metal Burst to counter for much. Which brings me to point 3.

3. Even if Metal Burst/Focus Sash is pulled off, what happens to the user? They would have to be naturally slow for Metal Burst to be normally usable, and as a result, if they are left with a wee bit of HP from Focus Sash, it's very possible that someone just hops in and knicks off the rest of the health and moves on.

4. Focus Punch shrugs off Metal Burst unless the person is running a Lagging Tail on it, which would probably lead to an OHKO if they did.

Now, while I seem to be bashing the move's existence, which I partially am, I also wonder if it's possible just to use the move as a counter to the group of people who like to set-up with a speed boost. Or better yet, run a partner to the Metal Burst user who is immune to those x4 weaknesses.

Bare with me as I give an example (which I sorta took from the pokemon analysis department) of two guys:

Aggron @ Focus Sash
Sturdy/Rock Head
Adamant/Brave
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 6 Def/SDef
- Metal Burst
- Stone Edge
- Focus Punch/Double-edge
- Curse/Protect

Mismagius @ Wise Glasses
Levitate
Timid
EVs: 252 Spd, 140 SAtk, 116 HP
- Calm Mind
- Will-o-wisp
- Shadow Ball
- HP Fighting/Thunderbolt
(Yes, it's a blatant rip, I apologize)

But the simple strategy here is for Aggron to either Protect/Curse if you don't know what's coming up, Metal Burst if it's something you can take, or swap in Mismagius to set-up. Also if you feel that you don't need to use the Focus Sash, you can swap in Aggron if Mismagius faces a SE hit. Of course, watch out for Pursuit in both cases (Aggron's Focus Sash strategy would become ruined).

Anyway, I guess what I'm looking for is some sort of input on Metal Burst in general. My apologies if a thread like this appeared already, though. I guess I didn't check the depths of the forums in search for one yet. >>
 
It's decent. But I don't think it'll be used as often as it would be. Only two families know it, and both are UU I suppose. >_> Unless you like the element of surprise, don't use it. =/
 
4. Focus Punch shrugs off Metal Burst unless the person is running a Lagging Tail on it, which would probably lead to an OHKO if they did.
Just to pick at this, I'm pretty sure that metal burst would still go first, even if the pokemon is holding a lagging tail, since the finishing of focus punch is in a much lower priority group then metal burst is. I'm pretty sure lagging tail lets you move last in a certain priority group, so even if you hold lagging tail, and use quick attack, it goes before.. tackle.
I'm pretty sure there isn't a discussion about this, but if you need it, theres a search button somewhere up there ^
 
I don't think it will see any use, seeing as anything that Aggron doesn't take minor damage from will kill it. With Bastiodon, however...

Bastiodon @ Leftovers/Focus Sash
Impish/Careful
252 HP/126 Def/126 SDef
- Metal Burst
- Curse
- Protect
- Iron Head/Stone Edge

Comes in on stuff that can't touch it, Curse, Metal Burst. Iron Head is for reliability when Taunted, Stone Edge for coverage and power. Like it'll do anything with attacks anyway.
 
lilwartz said:
4. Focus Punch shrugs off Metal Burst unless the person is running a Lagging Tail on it, which would probably lead to an OHKO if they did.
Just to pick at this, I'm pretty sure that metal burst would still go first, even if the pokemon is holding a lagging tail, since the finishing of focus punch is in a much lower priority group then metal burst is. I'm pretty sure lagging tail lets you move last in a certain priority group, so even if you hold lagging tail, and use quick attack, it goes before.. tackle.
I'm pretty sure there isn't a discussion about this, but if you need it, theres a search button somewhere up there ^
Click to expand...
Correct; I was gonna make the same nitpick but you beat me to it.
 
Ah. I was actually curious about priority with Lagging Tail. Thanks for that piece of info.

As for the fact that it's UU and such, I admit to it. I guess you can say that I'm a sucker UU pokemon, and you'd be right. The opinions count though, so I'm happy to know that it's at least doable, even if barely.
 
How much do the resist berries reduce damage by? The fighting resist one could be a viable strategy, as not many people run more than 1 or 2 fighting moves on a team, and Metal Burst would surely take the opposing poke out.
 
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