How to Evolve Beldum

The evolution path for Beldum is strictly tied to level progression. You must raise Beldum to level 20 to trigger its first evolution into Metang. Reaching this threshold requires accumulating exactly 10,000 EXP points due to the species belonging to the Slow growth rate group.

Once the Pokémon evolves into Metang, the second phase requires pushing it to level 45 to evolve into Metagross. Hitting level 45 demands a total of 113,906 EXP points. No Evolution Stones, trading mechanisms, or friendship thresholds are necessary at any point in this sequence.

Because the Beldum line belongs to the Slow experience group, it requires a maximum of 1,250,000 EXP to reach level 100. This makes the climb to level 45 noticeably longer than standard playthrough Pokémon like Staraptor or Luxray. Supplying the Pokémon with Rare Candies or EXP Candies L and XL directly bypasses the mid-game grinding phase.

Initiating the evolution process requires securing a Beldum, which presents a severe mechanical challenge. Beldum has a catch rate of 3, the exact numerical value assigned to legendary Pokémon like Mewtwo or Rayquaza. At full health and using a standard Poké Ball, the base capture probability is exactly 1.2%.

Because Beldum only knows the move Take Down, the standard capture strategy of lowering its HP to 1 using False Swipe frequently fails. Take Down inflicts recoil damage, meaning Beldum will knock itself out upon successfully hitting your Pokémon. Preventing this requires fielding a Ghost-type Pokémon during the wild encounter.

Ghost-types possess total immunity to Normal-type attacks. When Beldum uses Take Down against a Ghost-type, the move fails, dealing zero damage and generating zero recoil. Pokémon like Gengar, Decidueye, or Aegislash fulfill this role perfectly. Once Beldum is locked against a Ghost-type, you can apply Sleep or Paralysis and throw Ultra Balls safely.

Leveling Beldum to 20 is mathematically frustrating because its natural moveset consists solely of Take Down. This Normal-type physical attack has 90 base power, 85% accuracy, and inflicts recoil damage equal to 25% of the damage dealt to the target. Beldum routinely knocks itself out against wild Pokémon before registering any experience points.

In older generations (Gen 3 through Gen 5), the most efficient workaround is the switch-training method. Place Beldum in the first slot of your party, enter a battle, and immediately swap to a stronger Pokémon to secure the knockout. The EXP Yield splits 50/50 between the two active participants, safely pushing Beldum toward level 20.

Modern titles (Gen 6 onward) streamline this process via the party-wide EXP Share. Keeping Beldum safely on the bench allows it to absorb 50% of the battle experience without risking recoil death. Alternatively, equipping the Eviolite item boosts its base 80 Defense and 60 Special Defense by 50%, granting it enough raw bulk to survive its own Take Down recoil if forced into direct combat.

The moment Beldum evolves into Metang at level 20, its movepool expands significantly. Metang immediately learns Confusion, finally providing a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Psychic move. At level 24, it gains Metal Claw, offering a reliable Steel-type attack with a 10% chance to boost its Attack stat by one stage.

Upon reaching level 45 and evolving into Metagross, the Pokémon gains access to its signature high-damage attacks. Meteor Mash (learned at level 48 in most generations) hits with 90 base power and carries a 20% chance to raise Attack by one stage. This specific move turns Metagross into a sweeping threat if the stat boost triggers during a neutral exchange.

Zen Headbutt serves as the primary physical Psychic STAB, providing 80 base power and a 20% flinch rate. Because Metagross operates with a low base 70 Speed, the flinch effect rarely triggers unless the Pokémon equips a Choice Scarf. Mitigating this speed deficit requires teaching it Bullet Punch via TM or Egg Move. This +1 priority Steel move allows Metagross to bypass its speed tier and eliminate weakened targets before they can act.

Evolving Beldum yields Metagross, a top-tier Steel/Psychic physical wallbreaker. We rate Metagross an 8.5/10 for competitive and endgame viability. Its stat distribution heavily favors physical exchanges, boasting a massive 135 base Attack and 130 base Defense.

Metagross excels as a bulky attacker designed to punch holes in enemy defensive cores. Its Clear Body ability grants total immunity to stat-lowering effects like Intimidate or Sticky Web. This mechanic guarantees its Attack stat remains at maximum lethal output during physical trades.

• Pros: Nine type resistances, immunity to Poison, elite physical bulk, access to STAB priority (Bullet Punch), and immunity to Intimidate.
• Cons: A base 70 Speed leaves it outpaced by common offensive threats. It suffers from four critical weaknesses to highly offensive types: Ground, Fire, Dark, and Ghost.

Metagross serves as a reliable switch-in against Flying, Normal, and Fairy-type attacks. It struggles heavily against fast Special Attackers like Gengar or Dragapult, who exploit its lower 90 base Special Defense and hit it with super-effective STAB moves.

Maximizing the payoff of the level 45 evolution requires securing the correct Nature. An Adamant nature (+Attack, -Special Attack) is the optimal choice for a wallbreaker set. It pushes Metagross's maximum Attack stat to 405 at level 100, allowing Meteor Mash to secure one-hit knockouts on neutral targets.

A Jolly nature (+Speed, -Special Attack) acts as the primary alternative. While it sacrifices raw damage output, a Jolly Metagross outspeeds base 115 Speed Pokémon when equipped with a Choice Scarf. This specific speed tier allows it to outpace and eliminate threats like Starmie or Gengar with a fast Earthquake.

For held items, the Choice Band optimizes pure wallbreaking sets, locking Metagross into one move but boosting its Attack by 50%. The Assault Vest patches up its base 90 Special Defense, allowing it to survive super-effective special hits like Flamethrower and retaliate. Leftovers provides passive recovery for bulky pivot sets, synergizing directly with its nine type resistances.