Metal Claw

Steel

Metal Claw is a Fast Attack of type Steel in Pokémon GO. In Gym and Raid battles, it deals 6 damage and it generates 5 energy. In GO Battle League, Metal Claw deals 5 damage and generates 7 energy. Explore its damage and energy stats in battles, its effectiveness against various Pokémon types, and see which Pokémon wield it best.

Metal Claw effectiveness against other Pokémon types

NormalFightingFlyingPoisonGroundRockBugGhostSteelFireWaterGrassElectricPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy
Steel×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.0×1.6×1.0×1.0×0.6×0.6×0.6×1.0×0.6×1.0×1.6×1.0×1.0×1.6

Metal Claw Adventure Effects

Metal Claw has no Adventure Effects.

Metal Claw in Gym and Raid Battles

Gym and Raid Battles Stats

CategoryFast Attack
TypeSteel
Power6
Energy5
Animation Duration0.5s
Damage Window0.2s - 0.4s
DPS12 Damage per second
DPE1.2 Damage per Energy
EPS10 Energy per second

Similar moves in Gym and Raid Battles

SteelMetal Claw650.5s1012
SteelBullet Punch10111.0s1110
SteelSteel Wing1481.0s814
SteelIron Tail1461.0s614
SteelMetal Sound460.5s128

Metal Claw in Trainer Battles

Trainer Battles Stats

CategoryFast Attack
TypeSteel
Power5
Energy7
Duration2 Turns
DPT2.5 Damage per turn
EPT3.5 Energy per turn
DPE0.71 Damage per Energy
TagsFast Charge

Special effects

Metal Claw has no special effects.

Similar moves in Trainer Battles

SteelMetal ClawFast Charge2.53.5571s
SteelBullet PunchGeneral3.53.5771s
SteelSteel WingHeavy Damage3.52.5751s
SteelIron TailGeneral3.332.331071.5s
SteelMetal SoundFast Charge2.54581s

Strongest Pokémon with Metal Claw

1.Crowned Sword Zacian (Crowned Sword)Crowned Sword ZacianSteelMetal ClawSteelBehemoth Blade20.1821.99558.87724s25
2.Dawn Wings Necrozma (Dawn Wings)Dawn Wings NecrozmaSteelMetal ClawGhostMoongeist Beam19.9922.16471.57733s30
3.Crowned Shield Zamazenta (Crowned Shield)Crowned Shield ZamazentaSteelMetal ClawSteelBehemoth Bash19.8721.59568.05735s25
4.Dusk Mane Necrozma (Dusk Mane)Dusk Mane NecrozmaSteelMetal ClawSteelSunsteel Strike19.0821.02476.44767s30
5.Origin Forme Dialga (Origin)Origin Forme DialgaSteelMetal ClawDragonRoar of Time17.2918.93461846s31
6.Shadow Dialga  (Shadow)Shadow Dialga SteelMetal ClawDragonDraco Meteor17.2819.4370.7849s39
7.Shadow Excadrill (Shadow)Shadow ExcadrillSteelMetal ClawGroundScorching Sands15.3918.13244.9956s59
8.DialgaDialgaSteelMetal ClawDragonDraco Meteor14.9516.48377.86979s38
9.Shadow Empoleon (Shadow)Shadow EmpoleonSteelMetal ClawWaterHydro Cannon14.6216.82267.411,004s54
10.Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) (Hero)Zacian (Hero of Many Battles)SteelMetal ClawFairyPlay Rough13.6615.07344.331,071s42

Best Great League Pokémon with Metal Claw

Great League
1117.FerroseedFerroseed48.1SteelMetal ClawSteelIron HeadNormalReturn
1134.Shadow Ferroseed (Shadow)Shadow Ferroseed42.5SteelMetal ClawSteelIron HeadSteelGyro Ball

Best Ultra League Pokémon with Metal Claw

Ultra League
748.Crowned Sword Zacian (Crowned Sword)Crowned Sword Zacian59.9SteelMetal ClawFightingClose CombatSteelBehemoth Blade

Best Master League Pokémon with Metal Claw

Master League
2.Crowned Sword Zacian (Crowned Sword)Crowned Sword Zacian97.8SteelMetal ClawFightingClose CombatSteelBehemoth Blade

All Pokémon that can learn Metal Claw

27Alolan Sandshrew (Alola)Alolan SandshrewSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
27Shadow Alolan Sandshrew (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan SandshrewSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
28SandslashSandslashSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
28Alolan Sandslash (Alola)Alolan SandslashSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
28Shadow Alolan Sandslash (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan SandslashSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
28Shadow Sandslash (Shadow)Shadow SandslashSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
50Alolan Diglett (Alola)Alolan DiglettSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
50Shadow Alolan Diglett (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan DiglettSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
51Alolan Dugtrio (Alola)Alolan DugtrioSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset
51Shadow Alolan Dugtrio (Alola Shadow)Shadow Alolan DugtrioSteelMetal ClawReleasedStandard learnset

Metal Claw FAQ

How does Metal Claw compare with other moves of the same type?

In raids, Metal Claw has lower move-only DPS compared with Steel Wing: 12 versus 14. This compares damage during the attack animation, not a Pokémon’s complete moveset.

In Trainer Battles, Metal Claw deals less damage per turn compared with Bullet Punch (2.5 versus 3.5 DPT) and generates the same energy per turn (3.5 versus 3.5 EPT). Its duration is the same (2 versus 2 turns). Shorter attacks offer more flexibility when switching or timing a Charged Attack.

Alternatives have the same type and attack category and at least one released Pokémon that learns them. The raid comparison uses the alternative with the highest move-only DPS; the PvP comparison uses the highest DPT for Fast Attacks or DPE for Charged Attacks. Stats alone do not account for buffs, debuffs, typing, or the other moves a Pokémon can learn.

How are the best PvP users selected?

These tables show Pokémon whose recommended moveset in our imported PvPoke rankings includes this move as the Fast Attack or either Charged Attack. The rank is their position in the full league ranking, not just among users of this move. Both recommended Charged Attacks are shown. Being able to learn the move does not automatically make a Pokémon a recommended user.

How are the strongest Pokémon with Metal Claw ranked?

Pokémon are ranked by eDPS (effective DPS), which accounts for damage, survivability, and time lost when rejoining. The default ranking uses Level 40 attackers and average raid boss weaknesses. Every moveset includes this attack. TTW estimates the time to win, and faints estimates how many attackers faint during the battle. Changing the settings can change the order.

How are tiers assigned?

Tiers group attackers by similar scores, emphasizing differences near the top. We use eight groups, labelled SS, S, A, B, C, D, E and F, when there are enough distinct scores; otherwise, fewer tiers are used. Group sizes are determined by the scores, not fixed rank cutoffs. Tiers update with the simulation settings and stay the same when you sort or change pages.

How do opponent choice and rejoin time affect the rankings?

Scores attackers against the configured T4+ raid boss pool, including Mega, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Outgoing damage reflects how effective each move type is against the bosses; incoming damage reflects the attacker’s resistances to their moves. Per-type rankings use bosses weak to that type. Types without super-effective matchups use the full pool. Unavailable Pokémon are excluded from the boss pool.

The dummy boss uses neutral effectiveness (1.0×) for every move, with incoming damage based on Defense alone. This can favor attackers whose moves the raid pool resists, or whose weaknesses make them take more damage in raids. The dummy has a fixed 25,000 HP, regardless of raid tier.

Time to return after a team of six faints. Applies to eDPS and estimated battle time.

How do Mega and Primal Pokémon boost Metal Claw?

The Pokémon in the Mega and Primal section above boost other Trainers’ Metal Claw damage by 30% (1.3×) in Raid Battles. The boost follows the attack’s type, not the attacking Pokémon’s type.

Standard Mega Pokémon must be on the battlefield. Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and Mega Rayquaza provide their boost while in the current battle party, including after fainting. Multiple Mega or Primal boosts do not stack; the strongest applicable boost is used.

Explore all Mega and Primal type boosts

Does the ranking include Mega and Primal boosts to teammates?

No. The Mega Level setting adjusts the attacker’s own bonuses. Damage boosts provided to teammates are not included in this ranking.

What does the complete learnset list include?

It includes all Pokémon and forms that have access to Metal Claw, whether they have been released in Pokémon GO or not.

What do legacy and exclusive moves mean?

Legacy moves were once available to a Pokémon but can no longer be learned through standard methods, such as a regular TM. Legacy and exclusive moves may require an event, an Elite TM, or another special method to obtain. Some legacy moves cannot be taught with an Elite TM.