How to beat Metagross

Metagross has 3 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 180 HP as a Metal Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Metagross is weak to Fire and Darkness, so those attacks do double damage. 75 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
2. Don't over-invest. It only gives up 1 Prize card, so avoid spending a big two-Prize attacker on it if a cheaper Pokémon can do the job.
3. Avoid Grass and Fighting attacks. Metagross resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Luster Blast for 200 (4 Energy). 172 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 3 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Fire/Darkness attacks do at least 180 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 180+ damage (after Resistance).

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 200 from Luster Blast and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Metagross card

Damage is the number printed on the card. Attacks marked + or × can do more, and Abilities, Tools and Stadiums can change the maths — always read the card. Energy letters: G Grass, R Fire, W Water, L Lightning, P Psychic, F Fighting, D Darkness, M Metal, N Dragon, C Colorless (any Energy).

Related: all Metagross cards in Standard · how to knock out a 180 HP Pokémon · Fire vs Metal · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides

Questions people ask

What is Metagross weak to?

Metagross is weak to Fire and Darkness, so those attacks do double damage (×2).

How much HP does Metagross have?

Up to 180 HP in Standard (180 on the Chaos Rising version, 180 on the Temporal Forces version, 170 on the Journey Together version).

How many Prize cards does Metagross give up?

1 — it's a regular Pokémon.

What can one-hit KO Metagross?

174 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Ceruledge's Infernal Slash (1 Energy, 440 damage); Centiskorch's Billowing Heat Wave (1 Energy, 260 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 250 damage).

What is Metagross's strongest attack?

Luster Blast, which prints 200 damage for 4 Energy.

What does Metagross resist?

Grass and Fighting — those attacks do less damage to it.