A multivalent successor to lithium ion batteries will likely incorporate a metal anode. However, many electrodeposition processes are prone to energy losses from side reactions and overpotentials for plating or stripping. To develop a link between the kinetics of crystal growth/dissolution with electrochemical data, we have followed electrodeposition of Mg and Zn with operando x-ray diffraction using a variety of electrolytes and current collectors. In some cases we find that alloying or passivation competes with metal deposition and can dramatically alter the morphology of the deposited metal, as seen by texture analysis of the diffraction.