What Are Steven Pokémon'S Signature Pokémon And Moves?

I still get a little giddy whenever Steven's Metagross shows up—it's the clearest signature of his across the games and the anime. For me, Steven = Metagross: a hulking Steel/Psychic beast that usually carries the heavy-hitting Steel move Meteor Mash plus powerful Psychic coverage. In most portrayals you'll also see it use Earthquake for physical coverage or Explosion as a last-ditch, dramatic finishing move. Whether in 'Pokémon Ruby' era battles or later rematches, Metagross is positioned as Steven's ace: tanky, hard-hitting, and a little theatrical when the fight gets intense.

Beyond Metagross, Steven’s core team archetype is very recognizable: lot of Rock- and Steel-types with bulky, defensive options. Skarmory crops up as his flying steel, usually using Steel Wing or Brave Bird and Whirlwind-style support. Aggron (or variants like Armaldo/Cradily in different appearances) brings moves like Iron Tail, Rock Slide, and Earthquake. Claydol or similar grounded psychics fill the annoying status/control role with Psychic, Earthquake, and support moves. In the anime you'll also spot Metagross using Psychic and Meteor Mash theatrically; in the games the precise move list shifts by generation, but Meteor Mash + Psychic + a strong coverage move is the classic Steven blueprint.

If you want to build a Steven-themed team, stack Steel and Rock types, give Metagross Meteor Mash and Psychic (and Earthquake or Explosion for drama), add a Skarmory with Brave Bird/Stealth Rock or Roost, and round it out with a bulky Rock/Steel like Aggron or a fossil Pokémon with Rock Slide and Earthquake. It feels exactly like facing a polished puzzle master who decided to solve fights with raw durability and surgical hits.

I’m the kind of fan who likes to copy other trainers’ teams for fun, and Steven’s lineup has always been a favorite. The single most iconic Pokémon for him is Metagross—no contest. Typical moves you’ll associate with Steven’s Metagross are Meteor Mash (that trademark Steel punch), Psychic for STAB coverage, and something like Earthquake or Hammer Arm (depending on the game) to deal with pesky foes. In a lot of game encounters the Metagross you face ends up being the bulkiest, heaviest hitter on the team.

Outside Metagross, Steven loves Steel and Rock types: Skarmory is his common Steel/Flying choice and often uses Steel Wing or Brave Bird plus defensive support moves. Aggron (or other heavy Rock/Steel options) shows up with Iron Tail or Rock Slide and Earthquake for coverage. He sometimes runs Claydol-like psychic-helpers that pack Psychic, Earthquake, and explosive finishing moves. Across appearances—from 'Pokémon Sapphire' to later rematches—the moves change a bit generation-to-generation, but Meteor Mash + Psychic on Metagross and sturdy, hard-hitting moves on the rest of the roster remain the throughline. If you’re prepping for a Steven-style fight, bring reliable special defense or strong Fighting coverage to crack that Steel/Psychic core.

I always associate Steven with Metagross first, then a supporting cast of Steel/Rock types. Metagross’s classic move set that screams ‘Steven’ is Meteor Mash and Psychic as staples, plus a heavy coverage option like Earthquake or Explosion depending on the era. Other signature teammates include Skarmory (Steel Wing/Brave Bird, Roost), Aggron or similar Rock/Steel (Iron Tail, Rock Slide, Earthquake), and fossil or ancient-plant types like Cradily/Armaldo who use Ancient Power, Giga Drain and Rock Slide. In the anime 'Pokémon' Metagross often dramatizes Meteor Mash and Psychic; in the games the exact moves shift across generations, but the theme—durable steels hitting hard and methodically—stays the same. If you want to channel Steven, lean into bulky Steel, a reliable Meteor Mash Metagross, and wide coverage to handle Fire and Ground threats.