Metal Claw
SteelMetal Claw is a Steel-type physical attack. It has 50 base power, 95% accuracy, 35 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for contact-triggering abilities and items.
Technical data
- Type
- Steel
- Category
- physical
- Power
- 50
- Accuracy
- 95
- PP
- 35
- Priority
- 0
- Target
- adjacent
- Contact
- Yes
- Spread
- No
- Protect blocks
- Yes
- Wide Guard blocks
- No
Competitive value
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder.
How to learn it
Pokémon that can learn or be taught this move, by method.
Level-up79 Pokémon
Metagross Mega
Kingambit
Scizor Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Archaludon
Excadrill Mega
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Empoleon
Charizard Gmax
Aggron Mega
Skarmory Mega
Charizard
Aggron
Weavile
Scizor
Tinkaton
Garbodor
Excadrill
Sneasler
Lucario
Metagross
Garbodor Gmax
Skarmory
Stunfisk Galar
TM / HM108 Pokémon
Metagross Mega
Kingambit
Chesnaught Mega
Scizor Mega
Garchomp Mega Z
Garchomp Mega
Kommo O
Archaludon
Excadrill Mega
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Empoleon
Feraligatr Mega
Rhyperior
Garchomp
Feraligatr
Skarmory Mega
Beartic
Weavile
Scizor
Tinkaton
Chesnaught
Excadrill
Corviknight Gmax
Sneasler
Lucario
Metagross
Sableye Mega
Gliscor
Corviknight
Skarmory
Sableye
Egg move (breeding)21 Pokémon
Charizard Mega Y
Charizard Mega X
Charizard Gmax
Charizard
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Pokémon that use this move
136 Pokémon, sorted by usage
Metagross Mega
Kingambit
Chesnaught Mega
Scizor Mega
Garchomp Mega Z
Garchomp Mega
Charizard Mega Y
Kommo O
Charizard Mega X
Archaludon
Excadrill Mega
Lucario Mega Z
Lucario Mega
Empoleon
Feraligatr Mega
Charizard Gmax
Rhyperior
Garchomp
Aggron Mega
Feraligatr
Skarmory Mega
Charizard
Aggron
Beartic
Weavile
Scizor
Tinkaton
Chesnaught
Garbodor
Excadrill
Corviknight Gmax
Sneasler
Lucario
Metagross
Sableye Mega
Gliscor
Corviknight
Garbodor Gmax
Skarmory
Stunfisk Galar
Pikachu Sinnoh Cap
Sableye
What this move does
Metal Claw is a Steel-type physical attack. It has 50 base power, 95% accuracy, 35 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for abilities and items that trigger on contact. Metal Claw is a Steel-type physical attack. It has 50 base power, 95% accuracy, 35 PP and targets a single adjacent target. It makes contact, which matters for contact-triggering abilities and items.
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder.
When to consider it
Consider Metal Claw when its type and power cover targets your team otherwise struggles with. Single-target attacks are reliable and do not risk your own partner, but they can be redirected by Follow Me or Rage Powder. Evaluate the move alongside your team's speed tiers and overall coverage.
How to evaluate it in team building
In team building, Metal Claw is usually a coverage or primary STAB option. It shines when your team already has speed control or when it patches a matchup hole. Compare it with alternative moves of the same type and category to decide whether the extra power, accuracy or side effect justifies the slot over a more defensive option.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes with Metal Claw include: Using it without a clear plan for the turns it creates. Forgetting that Protect and Detect can block it, wasting a key turn. Spamming it predictably and letting the opponent switch into a resist. Not considering how redirectors like Follow Me and Rage Powder change targeting.
VGC interactions
Protect and Detect block this move. These interactions are situational, so test them in the team builder and matchup analyzer before committing to the moveslot.
Related tools and guides
Use the tools below to test Metal Claw in a full team context and compare it with alternative options.
VGC interactions
- Protect / Detect: blocks this move.
- Wide Guard: does not block this move.
- Follow Me / Rage Powder: spread moves are not redirected.
- Quick Guard: no effect (non-priority).
Frequently asked questions
+Is Metal Claw good in ChampionsVGC?
A coverage or STAB option worth comparing with alternatives of the same type in the team builder. It is blocked by Protect and Detect, which can waste a key turn if predicted.
+Is Metal Claw blocked by Protect?
Yes, Metal Claw is blocked by Protect and Detect.