Kukui & Lycanroc and Steven & Metagross are two new Sync Pairs that are coming to Pokémon Masters. Are these two Sync Pairs worth rolling for?
If you’ve missed the Solgaleo event, then it’s REALLY worth rolling for Steven & Metagross, but even if you haven’t it still might be worth it to roll for them. As for Kukui & Lycanroc, however, players should save their gems.
Kukui & Lycanroc (Midday Form) Details
This Sync Pair will have a banner and be released on January 30, 2020.
Role: Tech
Type: Rock
Weakness: Water
Base / Max Potential Stats
HP: 533 / 633
ATK: 244 / 284
DEF: 165 / 205
SP. ATK: 80 / 120
SP. DEF: 159 / 199
SPD: 407 / 447
Moveset
Move 1: Rock Tomb | Rock, Physical, Pokémon
Lowers the target’s Speed.
Power: 39 | Accuracy: 95 | Gauge: 2 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: –
Move 2: Accelerock | Rock, Physical, Pokémon
No additional effect.
Power: 75 | Accuracy: 100 | Gauge: 0 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: 3
Tags: Quick Move
Move 3: Woo! Refreshing! | —, Status, Trainer
Refreshes the number of times the user can use its quick moves by three. Sharply raises the user’s Attack.
Power: 0 | Accuracy: 0 | Gauge: 0 | Target: Self | Max uses: 2
Move 4: Leer | Normal, Status, Pokémon
Lowers the target’s Defense.
Power: 0 | Accuracy: 100 | Gauge: 1 | Target: All opponents | Max uses: –
Sync Move: Island Splintered Stormshards | Rock, Physical, Pokémon
Removes physical and special damage-reducing effects from the opponents’ field of play.
Power: 250 | Accuracy: 0 | Gauge: 0 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: –
Passives
Passive 1: Surging Sand 5
Powers up moves in a sandstorm.
Passive 2: Unflappable
Prevents the Pokémon from flinching.
(source)
Is it worth rolling for Kukui & Lycanroc?
The answer is no. Even though Lycanroc has a new move, Accelerock, involving a new mechanic called “Quick Move,” (which is basically an attack move that has no gauge cost), I believe that something like this doesn’t benefit this non-Striker. A Quick Move would benefit a Striker much more.
Players are better off rolling for and using Olivia & Lycanroc, which remains a top-tier DPS (damage-per-second) Sync Pair. Kukui & Lycanroc will be reserved for specific EX Challenges and generally won’t be useful elsewhere.
Steven & Metagross Details
This Sync Pair will have a banner and be released on January 30, 2020, also.
Role: Strike (Physical)
Type: Steel
Weakness: Ghost
Base / Max Potential Stats (with Mega-Evolved Stats)
HP: 443 / 543
ATK: 384 / 424 (460 / 508)
DEF: 170 / 210 (187 / 231)
SP. ATK: 125 / 165
SP. DEF: 166 / 206 (182 / 226)
SPD: 222 / 262
Moveset
Move 1: Meteor Mash | Steel, Physical, Pokémon
Has a small chance of raising the user’s Attack.
Power: 55 | Accuracy: 90 | Gauge: 2 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: –
Move 2: X Attack | —, Status, Pokémon
Sharply raises the user’s Attack.
Power: 0 | Accuracy: 0 | Gauge: 0 | Target: Self | Max uses: 2
Move 3: Iron Head | Steel, Physical, Pokémon
Has a moderate chance of making the target flinch.
Power: 92 | Accuracy: 100 | Gauge: 3 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: –
Move 4: Best There Is! | —, Status, Trainer
Raises the user’s Defense. Ensures that the user’s next attack will be a critical hit. If Metagross has Mega Evolved, makes the user able to endure the next hit it takes.
Power: 0 | Accuracy: 0 | Gauge: 0 | Target: Self | Max uses: 2
Mega-Evolved:
Move 1: Iron Head | Steel, Physical, Pokémon
Has a moderate chance of making the target flinch.
Power: 92 | Accuracy: 100 | Gauge: 3 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: –
Move 3: Bullet Punch | Steel, Physical, Pokémon
No additional effect.
Power: 75 | Accuracy: 100 | Gauge: 0 | Target: An opponent | Max uses: 3
Tags: Quick Move
Passives
Passive 1: Power Chain 3
Powers up moves when unity bonus is in effect.
Passive 2: Impervious
Stats cannot be lowered.
(source)
Is it worth rolling for Steven & Metagross?
Metagross’s offensive capabilities are actually quite high, putting its Mega Evolution at number one for the highest ATK stat. Mega Evolving generally takes a while to get to, since you’ve got to build up to your Sync Move, however, Steven & Metagross have the move Best There Is!, which gives Metagross Defense and Endure to ensure a successful Mega Evolution.
There’s also a lack of Steel-type Strikers in general (disregarding Player & Solgaleo because some players may have missed the event). So, it’s a good idea to scout some in case an EX Challenge comes out that requires Steel-type Sync Pairs, or perhaps Steel-types will be needed in the upcoming Battle Villa.
Closing Remarks
That’s all for now. It’s possible that your favorite character in the Pokémon series is Professor Kukui, and so you’ll likely dismiss my advice, and that’s not a problem! If you’ve got extra gems to spare or you’re feeling extra lucky, then go ahead and spend your gems. Have fun with the game the way you want to.
Alongside the release of these two Sync Pairs, a new Legendary Sync Pair will arrive to Pasio, Zinnia & Rayquaza. Check out this article to find out if Zinnia & Rayquaza is a good Sync Pair!