Aggron, The Iron Armor Pokémon. It claims an entire mountain as its own. The more wounds it has, the more it has battled, so don't take it lightly. While seeking iron for food, it digs tunnels by breaking through bedrock with its steel horns.You can tell its age by the length of its iron horns. It claims an entire mountain as its territory.
Overview
Aggron is a pretty cool Pokemon. It is one of those 'mons that you would probably never use on a serious team. No one ever says "You're weak to X, stick Aggron in there to cover that weakness". No, Aggron is a more straightforward Pokemon. If you put Aggron on your team you do so for one and only one reason... Head Smash. Aggron Head Smash hits with such terrifying power that it actually hits with over 99% the power of Jolly Kyurem Black Outrage. Did I mention Rock Head prevents all recoil? Head Smash annihilates literally everything that doesn't resist it including things like Skarmory and Gliscor. If this isn't enough Aggron has 3 moveslots left to cover the exceedingly small number of Pokemon that can switch in on Head Smash. It isn't all good news for the armored titan. While its Head Smash would make even Gipsy Danger shudder its typing is terrible. Shockingly enough Steel and Rock, the two toughest sounding types totally suck together. Yeah yeah Aggron has 180 base defense but that usually just means you can survive a weak Earthquake instead of dropping in one hit to one like Heatran. On the Special side Aggron takes hits only a little better than... Breloom? Aggron is the Pokemon equivalent of Artillery. It can't take a hit, might miss, and requires extensive support but if it scores a direct hit something is probably going down. Aggron is not, and never will be a top tier threat but the steel kaiju is certainly usable and a LOT of fun when it works.
Positives
- Choice Banded Head Smash levels cities. You have to resist it and invest heavily in defenses to not have it rip over half your health away.
- Steel typing offers Aggron numerous resistances. Very few neutral hits can break 180 base defense. Stealth Rock resistance and Toxic immunity further adds to Aggron's longevity.
- Rock typing offers Aggron STAB Head Smash as well as the ability to take advantage of Sandstorm's Sp Def boost to rock types.
- Rock Head removes Head Smash's recoil. This makes it much harder to wear down.
- The decline of fighting types, rise of fairies, and Talonflame all make Aggron slightly better in 6th gen than it was in 5th. Slightly.
Negatives
- Rock / Steel leaves Aggron 4x weak to Fighting and Ground. 180 base defense does nothing to stop the Earthquakes and Close Combats most physical attackers run.
- Aggron is slow. While it is fast enough to outrun walls it will usually have to tank a hit before retaliating.
- Despite having more physical defense than Skarmory, Aggron takes special hits as well as a wet paper bag.
- Most of Aggron's coverage moves have yet to be released due to Pokebank's delay, and if you want to run the set in official competitions, you'll need to work out alternatives. Please understand.
Abilities
Sturdy: The Pokémon is unaffected by One Hit Knock Out moves and in Generation V, the Pokémon cannot be knocked out when it has full Hit Points. A decent ability... if not for Rock Head.
Rock Head: Does not receive recoil damage from recoil-causing damages. Effectively gives you a 150 base power Stone Edge. Aggron isn't amazing but a drawback free Head Smash is pretty huge.
Hidden Ability (Available):
Heavy Metal: This Pokémon's weight is doubled. Don't bother with this. Unless you really like Heavy Slam you're better off just Head Smashing.
Movesets
Knifehead
- Head Smash
- Ice Punch
- Aqua Tail / Fire Punch
- Superpower
Item Attached: Choice Band
Ability: Rock Head
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Speed / 252 Atk
Adamant Nature
This is it, Aggron's flagship set. Destroyer of worlds, the great Head Smasher... Choice Band Aggron. As talked about before Banded Head Smash is what makes Aggron usable at all. I'll get into Head Smash again later. Ice Punch is probably going to be your most used secondary move due to its ability to completely shred Gliscor and Landorus-T as well as catch Garchomp and Zygarde switch in for easy OHKOs. Landorus-T is the only one of those 4 that will survive a hit after Stealth Rocks and even it will take well over 70%. Aqua Tail can be used to 2HKO Hippowdon but it is pretty much useless against everything else. Fire Punch rips apart Ferrothorn and Scizor before they can do much. Superpower is a solid high damage move that hits pretty much everything that would try to counter Aggron hard. But in general most of the time you should just be using Head Smash. Speaking of Head Smash here are some damage calculations to show its power.
Banded Head Smash vs...
252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 204-241 (61.07 - 72.15%)
252 HP / 40+ Def Gliscor: 261-307 (73.72 - 86.72%)
180 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 331-390 (85.75 - 101.03%)
252 HP / 172 Def (Intimidate) Landorus-T: 219-258 (57.32 - 67.53%)
4 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 120-141 (42.55 - 50%) *4x resistance means nothing to this machine
4 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 709-835 (108.74 - 128.06%)
252 HP / 4 Def Goodra: 477-562 (124.21 - 146.35%)
252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 340-402 (88.08 - 104.14%)
4 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 195-231 (60.18 - 71.29%)
252 HP / 4 Def Latias: 390-459 (107.14 - 126.09%)
252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 246-291 (80.92 - 95.72%)
252 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 358-423 (104.06 - 122.96%)
252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist: 225-265 (60.16 - 70.85%)
(Burned Aggron) vs 0 HP / 0 Def Delphox through Reflect: 235-277 (80.75 - 95.18%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
.
Other Options
Autotomize, Metal Burst, Curse, Hone Claws, Thunder Wave, Substitute + Focus Punch, and Choice Scarf.
Autotomize can be paired with Weakness Policy and Sturdy to make a surprising sweeper. However it is utterly useless against any team with priority
Metal Burst can do some solid damage especially with Sturdy but Aggron's low HP makes this less reliable.
Curse could work except it boosts the stats Aggron already has, but doesn't fix your speed and special defense.
Hone Claws gives you +1 100% accurate Head Smashes. This does nothing to fix your speed though.
Speaking of speed Thunder Wave can screw over Fighting type counters. It does nothing to ground types like Garchomp or Hippowdon though.
Substitute + Focus Punch can surprise some counters but generally Head Smash will do more to all of them anyway.
Choice Scarf can outpace a few things but running Jolly nature and losing the Choice Band boost generally isn't worth it.
Double & Triple Battle Options
None. Earthquake will end you.
Countering Aggron
Hippowdon is pretty much THE counter. High defenses and resistance to Head Smash lets it take any move Aggron could run except Banded Aqua Tail. Gliscor and Landorus T do okay, though a hit from Head Smash will do a ton. Fighting types like Lucario also work even though Head Smash will probably do at least 60%. Aegislash shrugs off basically every move Aggron gets except Earthquake and Fire Punch.
Walling Aggron is nearly impossible. However it is very easy to revenge kill with its two 4x weaknesses and paper special defense. Earthquake, Close Combat, Focus Blast, Surf etc.
Overview
Mega Aggron is hilarious. 230 base Defense alongside passable HP and an ability that further improves its ability to take hits? This thing shrugs off physical his so well it is actually laughable. Yeah Mega Aggron loses STAB recoil-less Head Smash but it literally turns into a steel wall. Its Special Defense isn't as amazing but it is certainly passable and with certain EV spreads is surprisingly durable (in the right circumstance Genesect Flamethrower only 4HKOs). Mega Aggron isn't really THAT great but it has a lot of potential uses. Watching a Gliscor Earthquake critical hit not even slightly phase you is one of the greatest moments in Pokemon.
Positives
- Mega Aggron's physical defense is astronomical. Imagine a Registeel with 80 more defense points and Filter. Imagine something that can laugh off Banded Close Combats. This is a Pokemon where the words "its super effective" are meaningless if you try to take it from the physical side.
- 140 base attack is strong. Uninvested you reach 316 which is about as much as an offensive Jirachi. Not bad.
- Did I mention how physically bulky this thing is? well I'm going to again... This thing has so much bulk that Choice Band Garchomp Earthquake will never 2HKO you.
- Mega Stone makes you immune to Trick. An overlooked buff but certainly a useful boost.
- Its Japanese name is MegaBossgodora. Aggron is a lame name.
Negatives
- No recovery at all besides Rest + Sleep Talk. It can't even hold Leftovers.
- Mega Aggron starts off the game as a normal Aggron meaning you can't just switch in on Earthquakes freely on the first turn.
- To keep Mega Aggron alive team support is essential. It's pretty hard to do without making use of a Wish passing Fairy.
Abilities
Filter: Damage by super-effective moves is reduced by 25%. When Gliscor uses Earthquake and you only take 27% you will finally understand what it means to be Mega Aggron, and completely ignore physical hits.
Movesets
Leatherback
- Dragon Tail / Roar
- Heavy Slam
- Rest / Stealth Rock
- Sleep Talk / Thunder Wave
Item Attached: Aggronite
Ability: Filter (Sturdy on Aggron)
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
Since gen 1 people always talked about what a physical Chansey would be like. Mega Aggron is probably the closest we will ever get to that. There isn't really much to say here. The goal is simple. Tank hits, hit back, Rest, Sleep Talk until you wake up, repeat. There are quite a few ways to play out the tank Mega Aggron set. The primary is Rest + Sleep Talk paired with Heavy Slam and a phasing move. Dragon Tail does solid damage but Roar can bypass Substitute and Fairy Pokemon. It also can't miss. If you think you can support Aggron with sufficient Wish support you can run Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave in the last slots. Here are some damage calculations just to show you how invincible this thing can be.
0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Filter Aggron: 60-72 (17.44 - 20.93%)
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Filter Aggron: 96-114 (27.9 - 33.13%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Scizor Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Filter Aggron: 126-148 (36.62 - 43.02%)
252 Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Aggron: 51-60 (14.82 - 17.44%)
252+ Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Filter Aggron: 91-109 (26.45 - 31.68%)
252 Atk Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Filter Aggron: 114-135 (33.13 - 39.24%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Kyurem-B Fusion Bolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Aggron: 85-100 (24.7 - 29.06%)
.
Cherno Alpha
- Curse / Dragon Tail
- Heavy Slam
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Item Attached: Aggronite
Ability: Filter (Sturdy on Aggron)
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
One route not commonly traveled is a Specially Defensive spread. You gain something like 45% more sp def at the loss of barely 20% physical defense so this set is statistically far more efficient than the tank spread. However the Physically Defensive tank spread takes priority since Mega Aggron shouldn't really be taking special attacks to begin with. Anyhow, this set is simple enough. Use Curse then sweep. Despite the low raw stats Aggron can shrug off special attacks from bad Pokemon like Growlithe, Delphox, and the mighty Sunflora. You lose a fair amount of physical bulk but you retain enough to still be borderline immune to them. If running Curse isn't your thing you can simply run Dragon Tail to keep yourself from being set up on. .
Other Options
Metal Burst, Ice Punch, Earthquake, and Iron Head.
While it is bad on standard Aggron, Mega Aggron can easily last a long time even against its counters so you could actually make use of Metal Burst.
Ice Punch slams Gliscor, Garchomp, Zygarde and Landorus preventing them from countering you.
Earthquake has decent coverage alongside Heavy Slam and does a lot to Heatran and Lucario.
Iron Head is basically just for Kyurem Black, which Heavy Slam can't do much against. It also pairs well with Thunder Wave.
Double & Triple Battle Options
Not much. Unlike Aggron, Mega Aggron doesn't even have very good offensive typing. It's also vulnerable to being worn down by Special Attacks like Heat Wave and Surf.
Countering Mega Aggron
Well first off don't use physical moves if you can help it. With the exception of like, Mega Lucario Close Combat or something boosted by Swords Dance that's also Super effective you probably won't be able to break Mega Aggron's shell very easily. Heatran, Volcarona, and Landorus-I can do lethal damage with super-effective STAB special moves while Aggron generally can't do much back. Skarmory takes effectively no damage from Aggron's attacks and can set up Spikes on, then Whirlwind away the metal titan. Landorus-T and Garchomp can both sort of counter Aggron, though neither of them can take an Ice Punch and Garchomp will hate coming in on Dragon Tail (or even Heavy Slam, which will 2HKO). Rotom Wash can at leas force it to Rest, though Aggron has a chance of PP stalling Hydro Pump.
Mega Aggron is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the game so simply listing off counters is deceptively difficult on paper. In reality it is far more easy to wear down with Spikes, Leech Seed, and repeated hits. Make no mistake Mega Aggron is tough and if used well it will probably be the last thing on the team to faint.
Aron-ymous
- Endeavor
- Protect
- Toxic
- Hidden Power
Item Attached: Shell Bell
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 1
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Speed
Timid Nature
We cannot have an article about Aggron without mentioning its pre-evolution. If set up well, Aron is one of the most formidable Pokémon known to exist. With its ability Sturdy, it is capable of surviving any hit, which will certainly hit first. From that, you can use Endeavor to make any non-Ghost-type opponent drop down to 1 Hit Point with the Shell Bell bringing Aron back up to full Hit Points. If Aron is in a sandstorm, this will kill any non-Ground, Rock or Steel Pokémon without Leftovers. Protect can be used to Protect itself while waiting for it to take out another Pokémon and Toxic can be used to Poison the foe and take it out and Hidden Power will just take out one Hit Point of any Pokémon, causing it to be able to finish off a Pokémon. I have seen many teams swept by an Aron in the past. It is truly a cute, brutal, little Pokémon.
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Evolve Lairon
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/XD
Colosseum/XD:
Evolve Lairon (XD)
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (Colosseum)
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Evolve Lairon (Diamond / Platinum)
Trade from Diamond, Platinum, HeartGold or SoulSilver (Pearl)
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Lairon
Black/White:
Evolve Lairon (White)
Trade from White, Black 2 or White 2 (Black)
Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Lairon
X/Y:
Evolve Lairon
Animé Appearences
