Mega Steelix is currently one of the most dominant Pokémon in Pokémon Legends EA's ranked battles. With its mix of high damage output and solid defensive stats, it has proven itself a formidable contender in the game’s meta. Let's dive into why Mega Steelix is such a powerhouse and how you can make the most of it in battle.
The Power of Bulk Over Speed
One of Mega Steelix's most significant strengths is its bulk. Although Steelix's low speed may seem like a disadvantage, it actually works in its favor in Pokémon Legends EA due to the unique mechanics of the game's speed system. In this game, speed only affects the cooldowns of moves. For example, moves like Dig, Earthquake, and Iron Tail have base cooldowns of 12, 10, and 10 seconds, respectively.
If Steelix had more speed, these cooldowns would decrease, allowing it to perform consecutive attacks faster. However, even with its slow speed, Steelix remains an effective battler because its moves are strong enough to carry it through. You don't always need rapid move cycles—what matters is the sheer damage output. With moves like Curse to boost its attack and defense, Steelix can sweep through opponents even without speed.
Move Pool and Strategy: Curse, Dig, and Earthquake
Steelix’s move pool is tailor-made for Pokémon Legends EA. The setup move Curse is especially valuable. It increases Steelix's attack and defense, making it a threat to any opponent that dares face it. Setup moves like Curse are generally difficult to punish in this game since they can be used from a distance, giving Steelix a chance to safely power up before engaging in combat.
Once Steelix sets up with Curse, it can use a devastating combo of moves to finish off opponents. Dig is great for dodging attacks while dealing damage, particularly to fire-weak Pokémon like Chandelure and Delphox. On top of that, Earthquake, which benefits from Steelix's Ground typing, is a powerful Area of Effect (AoE) move that wreaks havoc on clustered enemies. With a base power of 100, it can hit multiple opponents hard, especially in closed spaces.
Steelix also has access to Steel-type moves like Iron Tail and Heavy Slam, which are invaluable for taking down popular meta picks like Xerneas and Metagross. Given the prevalence of Steel-type Pokémon in the current meta, it’s critical to include one of these moves in your Steelix build to ensure you can handle threats like Xerneas, which tends to be faster than Steelix.
Battle Strategy: Taking Down the Meta
Steelix’s ability to deal with the top meta Pokémon is what makes it a top-tier pick. With Iron Tail and Heavy Slam, Steelix can easily eliminate Xerneas, a top-tier Pokémon in ranked battles. Additionally, Steelix can deal with Metagross, another commonly used Pokémon, by using Earthquake, which is super effective against it.
If you're running Steelix, here's a suggested build for maximizing its effectiveness:
EV Spread: 252 HP / 22 Attack with an Adamant Nature
Moveset: Curse, Dig, Earthquake, Iron Tail (or Heavy Slam)
This setup focuses on maximizing Steelix's bulk and attack, ensuring it can tank hits while dishing out heavy damage. Speed isn't as important for Steelix, given that its main role is to set up and deal massive damage with its powerful moves. The rest of the EVs should go into bulk to keep Steelix tanky and able to survive longer in battle.
How to Counter Opposing Threats
While Steelix is incredibly strong, it isn't invincible. It struggles against fast, special-attacking Pokémon like Delphox and Chandelure, which can hit Steelix hard with their powerful Fire-type moves. This is where having a good team around Steelix can make all the difference.
One great option is Gyarados. Gyarados is an excellent counter to Fire-types like Delphox and Chandelure, especially when using a Wacan Berry to tank Electric-type moves. This synergy between Steelix and Gyarados helps ensure that your team can handle a wide range of threats.
Building Your Team Around Steelix
For optimal performance in ranked battles, pair Steelix with Pokémon that can complement its strengths and cover its weaknesses. For example, having a strong special attacker like Ampharos or a versatile screen setter like Ferrothorn can add much-needed variety to your team, allowing you to take on different kinds of threats.
The key to making Steelix work is proper synergy. With the right team composition, Steelix can dominate the battlefield, dealing with physical and special attackers alike, while also supporting your team with its bulk.
In conclusion, Mega Steelix is one of the most powerful and versatile Pokémon in Pokémon Legends EA right now. Its bulk, combined with a strong move pool and synergy with other Pokémon, makes it an excellent choice for ranked battles. Whether you're setting up with Curse, dodging attacks with Dig, or wreaking havoc with Earthquake, Steelix has the tools to dominate in every phase of the battle.
If you’re looking to add Mega Steelix to your team and need to get your hands on shiny variants, you can always consider buying shiny Pokémon for Pokémon Legends ZA from trusted platforms like U4GM. With the right team and strategy, Steelix can be a game-changer in your ranked battles.