How Does Metagross Evolution Differ Across Pokemon Games?

I've always loved the little wrinkle that Mega Evolution adds to Pokémon battles, and Metagross is a classic example of how that mechanic works. To be clear: Metagross itself evolves normally from Metang by leveling up—nothing about that evolutionary line changes in battle. Mega Evolution is a separate, temporary transformation you can trigger during a fight if the game supports it. So yes, Metagross can become Mega Metagross in battle, but only under specific conditions. If you're playing a main-series title that includes Mega Evolution (it debuted in 'Pokémon X and Y' and was present through several generations after), Metagross can Mega Evolve during battle provided it is holding the Mega Stone called Metagrossite and you trigger Mega Evolution at the start of the turn. That Mega form boosts its stats and usually gives a new Ability, which makes it a powerhouse in formats that allow it. Remember: Mega Evolution isn't permanent—when the battle ends Metagross reverts back to its normal form. One practical caveat I run into when coaching friends: Mega Evolution was removed from later mainline games like 'Sword and Shield' and 'Scarlet and Violet', so you can't use Mega Metagross in those titles unless you're playing an older game or a spin-off that brings it back. Also tournament or online formats may ban Mega Evolution entirely, so always check the rules before assuming you can pop a Metagrossite in battle. I love seeing Mega Metagross smash through teams, but it’s very much a situational, game-specific tool.

I still get a little thrill every time my Beldum finally hits the big number and turns into Metagross — there's something so gratifying about that slow climb to power. To be precise: Beldum evolves into Metang at level 20, and Metang evolves into Metagross when it reaches level 45. That level 45 pop is the one you want to plan for, especially if you're raising one from a traded Beldum or breeding them in 'Pokémon' games. If you're gearing up for that evolution, a couple of practical tips from my grinding sessions: keep a steady EV plan (Attack and Defense are Metagross' bread and butter), give it Exp. Share in the midgame to smooth the process, or use battles in areas with higher XP like late-route trainers or rematches. Also remember Mega Evolution in generations that support it — Metagross can Mega Evolve with Metagrossite in games like 'Pokémon X' and 'Y', but that's a stone-triggered change in battle, not a level requirement. Somewhere between bringing it to level 45 and watching it become this steel/psychic behemoth, there's a small, pure joy only fans who've trained one get — the payoff always makes the grinding worth it.

There’s a real joy in watching a tiny, awkward Beldum turn into a hulking metal brain — the chain is simple but so satisfying. In the mainline 'Pokémon' games the evolution goes Beldum → Metang → Metagross. Beldum levels up to Metang at level 20, and then Metang levels up to Metagross at level 45. All three share the Steel/Psychic typing, which makes them durable and great at both physical offense and special defense roles depending on how you train them. I’ve raised a few of these across different generations: one thing I love is how their movepools shift from raw, single-target hits like 'Take Down' and 'Zen Headbutt' into heavier options like 'Meteor Mash' and 'Earthquake' on Metagross. If you’re playing games with Mega Evolution, Metagross can Mega Evolve using a Metagrossite into Mega Metagross — it becomes a terrifying physical powerhouse that many players slot into competitive teams. Even outside of Mega forms, a fully trained Metagross is a staple; it’s bulky, hits hard, and has a cool robotic aesthetic. If you’re hunting for a complete collection or building a team, start stocking Beldum candy (or just level one up) and plan for that big Metagross at 45. I usually nickname mine something like ‘Forge’ or ‘Cogmind’ and keep it on the front line — feels great when it tanks a hit and knocks the opponent out with Meteor Mash.

I get excited talking about weird regional forms, but the short take is: no, Metagross doesn't have any Galarian regional evolution forms. The Beldum → Metang → Metagross line stays classic Steel/Psychic throughout the games that take place in Galar. I’ve spent too many hours breeding and trading shiny Beldum for my competitive buddies, so I notice when a line gets a new look — and this one never did in 'Pokémon Sword' or 'Pokémon Shield'. Mechanics matter here too: Mega Evolution gave us Mega Metagross back in Gen 6, and that form is iconic for a lot of fans, but Mega Evolution itself isn’t a playable mechanic in the Galar games. That means you won’t find a Mega Metagross popping up during Dynamax raids or in dens. Gigantamax also never applied to Metagross, so there’s no big visually unique G-max version tied to Galar either. If you’re hunting Metagross in Galar-era play, you’re stuck with the normal species — though you can still import or trade one via Pokémon HOME if you want an old Mega-eligible Metagross or a particular nature. Personally I still hope Game Freak teases a regional steel-colossus someday, but until then I’ll keep tinkering with IVs and movesets on the standard Metagross and daydream about what a Galarian spin might even look like.

I get nerdily excited thinking about how Metagross and its evolution line shape tiers, because it’s one of those Pokémon where a single evolutionary step (and the availability of Mega Evolution in a generation) totally changes competitive math. From my cagey ladder days, the way Beldum/Metang/Metagross show up is a story about timing and role-shifting: early on you might be forced to play with Metang’s bulky pivot tools, but once you hit a stage where Metagross (or Mega Metagross) is legal and accessible, the whole team plan pivots. Mechanically, evolution affects raw stats, movepool access, and ability changes that determine whether Metagross is a bulky physical wall, a late-game cleaner, or an immediate sweep threat. The normal Metagross is already a beefy steel/psychic type with huge physical presence and solid defenses; its base kit—strong contact moves, priority options, and utility coverage—lets it survive a lot of hits and punish switch-ins. When Mega Evolution exists in the format, Mega Metagross often gains the kind of attack and speed bump and a game-breaking ability boost (Tough Claws) that moves it away from being a slow tank into a top-tier cleaner or powerful revenge killer. That swing alone can push it up into higher tiers or make it a nearly mandatory consideration for balance teams. Beyond raw power, there are meta-level things: if a generation removes Megas or restricts them (or competitive circuits ban them), Metagross’s placement falls back toward the upper-mid tiers because its power ceiling is reduced. The presence of reliable counters—priority moves, strong special attackers, and hazard control—also alter its viability. So tiering is less about the name 'Metagross' and more about which evolutionary forms and mechanics are allowed, what common teammates and threats exist in the meta, and how easily you can pivot around its strengths. I always enjoy building around whichever form is legal that gen; it feels like solving a fresh puzzle.

If you pop a Beldum line into battle and hit the Mega button, the big thing that changes is the ability — not the hidden stat rules or a whole new move pool midfight. Metagross normally comes with Clear Body (and some variants have Light Metal), which helps it shrug off stat drops and can affect things like weight for certain interactions. Once you Mega Evolve it into Mega Metagross during a battle, its ability becomes Tough Claws for the duration of that battle. Tough Claws boosts the power of contact moves — that’s massive for Metagross because many of its staples, like Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt (and even Earthquake in some sets when it's used through switching), are contact-based and just get noticeably stronger. This change is strictly a battle-time effect: Mega Evolution swaps forms and grants Tough Claws while the Mega form lasts, and when the battle ends (or if the Mega form is canceled), Metagross goes back to its original ability. It also overwrites whichever ability the non-Mega had — so whether your Metagross had Clear Body or Light Metal before, Mega takes over with Tough Claws. Practically speaking, that’s why Mega Metagross hits so hard and became a terrifying presence in formats where Mega Evolution is allowed — the boost to contact moves plus its monstrous attack and decent coverage make for a brutal combination. If you’re theorycrafting or building a team, just remember the ability swap is temporary and gear your moveset and items around the Mega window. I still grin whenever Meteor Mash crits harder under Tough Claws; it feels like everything lines up just right.

I still get a kick out of how straightforward the Beldum line is in most modern Pokémon games: none of the core evolutions for Metagross actually require special evolution items. Generally you just level Beldum up into Metang, and then level Metang up into Metagross — levels, not held items, are the primary trigger in the main series. That’s handy when you’re grinding or breeding; there’s no weird stone or trade condition to worry about. That said, a few items affect things around the evolution process even if they don’t cause it directly. An Everstone will stop any evolution if you don’t want Metang to evolve right away, and Eviolite is a neat trick in competitive or in-game battles because it boosts defenses for an unevolved Pokémon (so running Eviolite on Metang can make it surprisingly bulky). Also, older games that include Mega Evolution let Metagross power up to Mega Metagross if you have the 'Metagrossite' and the trainer’s Key Stone (so in titles that support Mega Evolution, that Mega Stone is the item that influences Metagross’ form in battle). If you’re playing spin-offs, the rules can change: in 'Pokémon GO' you use candies and sometimes special items for evolutions, while in recent mainline titles like 'Sword/Shield' and 'Scarlet/Violet' Mega Evolution is absent (so 'Metagrossite' won’t do anything there). My tip: check the specific game’s mechanics — most of the time, just level up and enjoy seeing that four-armed steel monster show up.

When I’m tuning a Metagross for showdown, IVs feel like the secret seasoning — invisible until you taste the final dish. IVs are individual, hidden values (0–31) attached to each stat of a Pokémon. They don’t change when your Beldum evolves into Metang or Metagross; evolution only swaps the species' base stats. So your Metagross’s Attack IV is the same number whether it’s a Beldum, Metang, or Metagross, but the final Attack you see on the stat screen changes because the evolution gives a higher base Attack to multiply against. In practical terms: IVs plug directly into the stat formula with EVs, level, and nature. At level 100, each IV point equals one stat point, so a 31 IV in Attack yields 31 more Attack than a 0 IV would. At level 50 (common in competitive formats), that 31 IV gap shrinks to about 15 points — still a meaningful difference in damage and one-shot calculations. EV training, natures, and base stat bumps from evolution all interact with the same IVs you had before evolving. If you’re breeding for a perfect Metagross, use items and mechanics that pass IVs (like Destiny Knot and classic breeding tricks) or use Hyper Training (Bottle Caps) later to effectively max IVs on a high-level Pokémon. Mega evolution or form changes don’t rewrite IVs either; they just alter base stats temporarily, on top of whatever IVs your mon has. Personally, I check IVs before evolving if I care about competitiveness — it saves a ton of headache later.