p2
Banned deucer.
QC 3/3: unfixable / Eevee General / ellipse
GP 2/2: P Squared / TDP
[OVERVIEW]
Gyarados is an extremely potent threat both offensively and defensively in STABmons. Its typing allows it to resist common offensive moves such as Earthquake, Iron Head, Origin Pulse, and Close Combat and gives it access to Roost, which greatly helps its walling and sweeping capabilities and allows it to check common attackers such as Mega Scizor and Heatran. Access to Intimidate further increases its ability to check physically offensive threats and provides it with more opportunities to set up.
Access to Dragon Dance also allows Gyarados to be an extremely powerful offensive threat. Its Dark typing gained upon Mega Evolving gives Gyarados access to STAB on Crunch, which allows it to beat the likes of Slowbro easily. Gyarados also gains Mold Breaker when Mega-Evolved, which allows it to set up against Unaware users such as Quagsire and Clefable and hit Levitate users such as Rotom-W with Earthquake. Additionally, its Water / Flying typing gives it access to powerful STAB moves such as Crabhammer and Dragon Ascent. Its naturally high bulk and access to Roost make it difficult to revenge kill.
However, Gyarados still has several exploitable weaknesses. Most notable is its 4x weakness to Electric, which is a common attacking type in STABmons. Gyarados's Mega Evolution also gives it a weakness to U-turn and Close Combat. Additionally, its coverage options are not strong enough to get past walls such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory. A weakness to Stealth Rock and common Rock-type coverage in Diamond Storm also reduces its longevity and forces it to Roost often to keep its HP up. It can also be checked by priority status users such as Thundurus and Sableye if it does not have a Substitute set up.
[SET]
name: Mono-attacking Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Taunt
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 108 Def / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance is necessary to boost Gyarados's Attack and Speed and allow it to sweep. Waterfall is the preferred STAB move due to its decent power and flinch rate. Crunch can also be used as an attacking move, but Water has better coverage. Roost is necessary to keep Gyarados's health up so it can heal off weaker hits in the early-game and boost through the opposing team in the late-game. Roost also allows Gyarados to come in multiple times before attempting a sweep and handle Fake Out + Extreme Speed easily because of its massive bulk. Substitute is useful to stop status, prevent Gyarados from being revenge killed by Fake Out + Extreme Speed, and prevent Prankster users from stopping its sweep. Finally, Taunt can also be used to stop status and phazing, but Substitute is usually more useful, as it prevents revenge killing.
Set Details
========
152 Speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed maximum Speed Thundurus after one Dragon Dance. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP and Defense, along with an Impish nature, to maximize Gyarados's bulk and to provide easy setup opportunities; for example, Silk Scarf Ursaring's -1 Extreme Speed does 33% maximum, and 42% with Guts activated. Gyarados can also easily run a fully physically defensive spread to make it even harder to revenge kill, but this weakens its sweeping capabilities. Intimidate is the preferred ability before Mega Evolving because it gives Gyarados more opportunities to set up. After Mega Evolving, Gyarados gains Mold Breaker, which gives it the ability to break through Unaware, Sturdy, Water Absorb, and Storm Drain.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be used as a late-game cleaner against offensive teams. Therefore, do not allow it to be crippled by status moves. As non-Mega Gyarados has an arguably better defensive typing and access to Intimidate, it is better to keep Gyarados in its regular forme until it is ready to sweep. The immunity to Ground also makes it much easier to set up on Pokemon such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. When Gyarados has Mega Evolved, it can easily set up on Slowbro and Slowking. When Gyarados ready to sweep, try to keep a Substitute up if possible so it can't get hit by Will-O-Wisps or Thunder Waves from Sableye or Thundurus, respectively, which can prevent its sweep. Substitute will also prevent Gyarados from being revenge killed by Fake Out + Extreme Speed and is able to block Transform from Chansey, allowing Gyarados to 2HKO it. Mega Gyarados can also be used as a powerful stallbreaker, as its high bulk and access to Roost make it difficult for stall teams to take down.
Team Options
========
Mega Gyarados needs help clearing bulky Water-types and bulky Grass-types before it can sweep. Thundurus is excellent for this job because it can easily plow through those Pokemon with its STAB moves. Rotom-H and Raikou are good teammates because they can check the Electric-types that threaten Gyarados, and they can also use Volt Switch to gain momentum. Because Gyarados is weak to Stealth Rock, some form of entry hazard control is usually needed on your team. Excadrill is a good option to keep it off the field with Rapid Spin, and it can also provide offensive pressure. Alternatively, Landorus-T and Zapdos are good Defog users that can also use U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively, to gain momentum. Gyarados may also need a cleric if it gets hit by a status move before it has the opportunity to get a Substitute up. Clefable and Porygon2 are good defensive options, while Latios and Latias can provide support in the form of Lunar Dance while also providing Defog support. Stoutland is a great hazard remover with Rapid Spin, which can help Gyarados switch in easily. Serperior is a great teammate for Mega Gyarados, as it can break teams Gyarados struggles with, especially ones with faster revenge killers and physically defensive Pokemon. Kyurem-B is an amazing teammate for its ability to either clean weakened teams with a Choice Scarf set, heavily weaken teams with a powerful special attacking set, or overwhelm the opposing team with double Dragon Dance.
[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Crunch / Earthquake
move 4: Roost / Taunt / Substitute
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance boosts Gyarados's Attack and Speed to threatening levels. Waterfall is the preferred STAB move, as it hits hard and has solid coverage in the metagame. The second attacking move helps Gyarados get through some of its checks. Crunch is a solid STAB move that allows Gyarados to deal a large amount of damage to bulky Water- and Grass-types such as defensive Gyarados, Venusaur, and Ferrothorn and allows it to OHKO Latios and Latias. Earthquake hits more relevant threats such as Rotom-W and Heatran, and it is able to avoid the Attack drop from King's Shield on Steel-types, though Earthquake is generally weaker than Crunch. The last move gives Gyarados some utility. Roost allows Gyarados to keep its health up throughout the game and allows it to be played more defensively in checking threats. Taunt allows Gyarados to switch into defensive Pokemon easily and force them out, creating easy setup opportunities. Finally, Substitute helps it be more resistant to revenge killing; however, it costs 25% of its HP, which can make Gyarados a lot easier to handle considering it has no recovery.
Set Details
========
This set aims to maximize Gyarados' Attack while taking advantage of its natural bulk to set up. Running 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allows Gyarados to deal as much damage as possible. 152 Speed EVs ensure Gyarados outspeeds maximum Speed Thundurus after one boost. The rest of the EVs are put into HP to maximize bulk. Intimidate is the preferred ability, as it makes it easier to switch into physical attackers and set up on them. Moxie can be used to allow Gyarados to steamroll through weakened teams, but it does not create any additional setup opportunities. Gyaradosite allows Gyarados to Mega Evolve, gaining Mold Breaker and Dark typing along with STAB on Crunch. This allows it to break through Unaware and Sturdy, as well as hitting Levitate users such as Rotom-W with Earthquake, while being able to heavily damage Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Serperior with Crunch. Leftovers can be used over Gyaradosite if the Mega slot is occupied, which allows it to run Substitute with less risk.
Usage Tips
========
This set is an extremely potent cleaner against weakened teams. However, running two attacks means it can only afford one moveslot for a utility move, meaning you need to take more care when using offensive Gyarados to sweep. Try to make sure that all of Gyarados's checks and counters are weakened to the point where they can be KOed after a Dragon Dance, and do not attempt to set up if the opponent has a fast status user that can shut down Gyarados. If it is running Roost as its utility move, you can afford to use Gyarados as a check to certain threats and you can switch Gyarados in directly. Otherwise, make sure Gyarados does not take any unnecessary damage. If running Taunt, try to switch into slower threats that Gyarados can force out as, they will not be able to phaze or inflict status on it, and if running Substitute, try to keep the Substitute up prior to Prankster users coming in to avoid their priority Thunder Waves and Will-O-Wisps.
Team Options
========
Mega Gyarados has high power and decent coverage, but it prefers to have the opposing team weakened before it sweeps. Thundurus is a great teammate that can easily deal with many of the Pokemon that give Gyarados trouble, such as Mega Venusaur, Skarmory, and defensive Gyarados. Raikou and Thundurus-T can easily counter Thundurus that try to revenge kill Gyarados. Landorus-T and Zapdos are good options for entry hazard removal, and they can both grant you momentum with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Offensive Gyarados also highly appreciates cleric support from its team, as it has fewer options to protect itself than mono-attacking Gyarados. Latios is a great offensive option that provides Defog support as well as cleric support in the form of Lunar Dance. Serperior is a great teammate for this set, as it helps clean late-game and breaks teams that are capable of handling Mega Gyarados with its threatening Substitute + Spore set.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Roar / Dragon Tail
item: Leftovers / Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost restores Gyarados's HP, which allows it to continually check opposing threats. Waterfall is pretty powerful despite lacking investment, gives Gyarados an offensive presence, and has solid neutral coverage on the metagame. Thunder Wave allows Gyarados to cripple opposing sweepers and makes it easier for the rest of the team to deal with them. Roar and Dragon Tail both allow Gyarados to phaze sweepers, but both have drawbacks. Roar is the preferred phazing move, but it is stopped by Taunt, while Dragon Tail can be stopped by Substitute and Fairy-types and can miss.
Set Details
========
This set maximizes Gyarados's physical bulk to allow it to continuously check common physical threats such as Excadrill and various Fake Out + Extreme Speed users. 8 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Adamant Azumarill. Gyarados can also run a specially defensive spread to check Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Heatran better, but a physically defensive spread is usually preferred, as physically defensive Gyarados checks many more threats, takes better advantage of Intimidate, and still handles said Pokemon because Gyarados takes 41% at most from Mega Charizard Y's Blue Flare in sun. Leftovers keeps Gyarados healthy, though Rocky Helmet can be run to wear down opposing physical attackers. Gyaradosite can be used to boost Gyarados's bulk, but it takes up the Mega slot.
Usage Tips
========
Gyarados's great typing and defensive stats allow it to easily switch into threats such as Mega Scizor and Heatran and threaten them back by hitting them with its strong STAB moves or crippling them with Thunder Wave. Gyarados can use Roar to stop opposing Pokemon from setting up and potentially spread status throughout the opposing team. Because this set doesn't rely on massive damage output, avoiding status moves isn't as important. Intimidate makes it easier for Gyarados to check physical threats, but the given EV spread means that Gyarados can be taken down by strong physical threats if it has taken prior damage. As such, it is necessary to use Roost to keep Gyarados' health up from damage taken from attacks and Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Gyarados benefits from Stealth Rock users, as it can use Roar to rack up hazard damage. Ferrothorn is a good entry hazard setter that has good defensive synergy with Gyarados, as it can take the Electric- and Rock-type moves that Gyarados has trouble with. Ferrothorn can also act as a cleric with Aromatherapy. Celebi can provide momentum with U-turn and Baton Pass, as well as provide helpful Spore support. Heatran is another good defensive option, as it offers phazing and Stealth Rock support for Gyarados, and Gyarados can take the Fighting-, Ground-, and Water-type moves that hurt Heatran. Gyarados also greatly appreciates a way to keep entry hazards off the field. Landorus-T is a great Defog user that can check Rock-types such as Tyranitar and Terrakion, which give Gyarados trouble. As Gyarados has no way of removing status from itself, it is useful to have a cleric on your team. Chansey is a good cleric that can tank extremely strong special hits, while Clefable is another option that can handle sweepers that get out of hand.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Dragon Dance + 3 attacks set can be run for better coverage and more damage, but it gets easily worn down, revenge killed, or hit by status moves from Prankster users. Also, additional coverage moves such as Stone Edge and Ice Fang do not grant Gyarados much more relevant coverage than it already has, as Waterfall + Earthquake or Crunch covers most of the metagame already. Similarly, Gyarados can run 252 Atk / 252 Spe for maximum offensive presence, but this reduces its ability to switch into resisted moves and makes it more vulnerable to revenge killing. Gyarados can run a RestTalk + Dragon Dance set effectively, which gives it a way to remove status from itself, but it has less room than a Roost + Dragon Dance set for other moves. Gyarados can also run Water Shuriken for priority, but it is only +1 priority, so it does not help against Extreme Speed; however, the only other +1 priority move you will run into is Terrakion's Mach Punch, which is quite weak, and besides, having a couple of Dragon Dance boosts accomplishes a very similar result to using Water Shuriken. Gyarados is also fast enough after one boost to not really need priority moves. Defensively, Gyarados has access to Defog, but it takes away a moveslot from other useful support moves, and it is somewhat risky to run Defog on a Pokemon that is fairly slow and weak to Stealth Rock, as it can be pressured very easily. Scald can also be run to give Gyarados a chance to burn its foe, but it is weak and highly luck based. Brave Bird can be used on the Offensive Dragon Dance set as a solid STAB move to use prior to Mega Evolving.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types are especially threatening if Gyarados lacks Crunch. Pokemon such as Mega Blastoise and Slowbro can easily take a Waterfall and hit back with strong attacks or try to burn Gyarados with Scald. Rotom-W can easily wall Gyarados if it lacks Earthquake and can Volt Switch out to gain momentum. Quagsire can also easily wall non-Mega Gyarados sets.
**Electric-types**: Electric-type moves can easily OHKO Gyarados and can prevent offensive variants from setting up. Prankster Thundurus can use Thunder Wave to stop Gyarados's sweep short. Fast Pokemon such as Thundurus and Raikou can easily come in before Gyarados has boosted and OHKO it.
**Physical Walls**: Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn can take even boosted hits from Gyarados, and they can be a huge nuisance if Gyarados lacks Taunt. Skarmory can easily phaze or use status moves on Gyarados to stop it from sweeping.
**Fast Status Users**: Prankster status users such as Sableye and Thundurus can shut down Gyarados's sweep if it doesn't have a Substitute up. Also, fast Pokemon such as Darkrai, Gengar, and Mega Sceptile can outspeed bulky Gyarados variants even after a boost and status it to stop its sweep. Focus Sash Alakazam is also a viable option, as it is a great answer to sweepers that lack multi-hit moves.
GP 2/2: P Squared / TDP
[OVERVIEW]
Gyarados is an extremely potent threat both offensively and defensively in STABmons. Its typing allows it to resist common offensive moves such as Earthquake, Iron Head, Origin Pulse, and Close Combat and gives it access to Roost, which greatly helps its walling and sweeping capabilities and allows it to check common attackers such as Mega Scizor and Heatran. Access to Intimidate further increases its ability to check physically offensive threats and provides it with more opportunities to set up.
Access to Dragon Dance also allows Gyarados to be an extremely powerful offensive threat. Its Dark typing gained upon Mega Evolving gives Gyarados access to STAB on Crunch, which allows it to beat the likes of Slowbro easily. Gyarados also gains Mold Breaker when Mega-Evolved, which allows it to set up against Unaware users such as Quagsire and Clefable and hit Levitate users such as Rotom-W with Earthquake. Additionally, its Water / Flying typing gives it access to powerful STAB moves such as Crabhammer and Dragon Ascent. Its naturally high bulk and access to Roost make it difficult to revenge kill.
However, Gyarados still has several exploitable weaknesses. Most notable is its 4x weakness to Electric, which is a common attacking type in STABmons. Gyarados's Mega Evolution also gives it a weakness to U-turn and Close Combat. Additionally, its coverage options are not strong enough to get past walls such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory. A weakness to Stealth Rock and common Rock-type coverage in Diamond Storm also reduces its longevity and forces it to Roost often to keep its HP up. It can also be checked by priority status users such as Thundurus and Sableye if it does not have a Substitute set up.
[SET]
name: Mono-attacking Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Roost
move 4: Substitute / Taunt
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 108 Def / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance is necessary to boost Gyarados's Attack and Speed and allow it to sweep. Waterfall is the preferred STAB move due to its decent power and flinch rate. Crunch can also be used as an attacking move, but Water has better coverage. Roost is necessary to keep Gyarados's health up so it can heal off weaker hits in the early-game and boost through the opposing team in the late-game. Roost also allows Gyarados to come in multiple times before attempting a sweep and handle Fake Out + Extreme Speed easily because of its massive bulk. Substitute is useful to stop status, prevent Gyarados from being revenge killed by Fake Out + Extreme Speed, and prevent Prankster users from stopping its sweep. Finally, Taunt can also be used to stop status and phazing, but Substitute is usually more useful, as it prevents revenge killing.
Set Details
========
152 Speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed maximum Speed Thundurus after one Dragon Dance. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP and Defense, along with an Impish nature, to maximize Gyarados's bulk and to provide easy setup opportunities; for example, Silk Scarf Ursaring's -1 Extreme Speed does 33% maximum, and 42% with Guts activated. Gyarados can also easily run a fully physically defensive spread to make it even harder to revenge kill, but this weakens its sweeping capabilities. Intimidate is the preferred ability before Mega Evolving because it gives Gyarados more opportunities to set up. After Mega Evolving, Gyarados gains Mold Breaker, which gives it the ability to break through Unaware, Sturdy, Water Absorb, and Storm Drain.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be used as a late-game cleaner against offensive teams. Therefore, do not allow it to be crippled by status moves. As non-Mega Gyarados has an arguably better defensive typing and access to Intimidate, it is better to keep Gyarados in its regular forme until it is ready to sweep. The immunity to Ground also makes it much easier to set up on Pokemon such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. When Gyarados has Mega Evolved, it can easily set up on Slowbro and Slowking. When Gyarados ready to sweep, try to keep a Substitute up if possible so it can't get hit by Will-O-Wisps or Thunder Waves from Sableye or Thundurus, respectively, which can prevent its sweep. Substitute will also prevent Gyarados from being revenge killed by Fake Out + Extreme Speed and is able to block Transform from Chansey, allowing Gyarados to 2HKO it. Mega Gyarados can also be used as a powerful stallbreaker, as its high bulk and access to Roost make it difficult for stall teams to take down.
Team Options
========
Mega Gyarados needs help clearing bulky Water-types and bulky Grass-types before it can sweep. Thundurus is excellent for this job because it can easily plow through those Pokemon with its STAB moves. Rotom-H and Raikou are good teammates because they can check the Electric-types that threaten Gyarados, and they can also use Volt Switch to gain momentum. Because Gyarados is weak to Stealth Rock, some form of entry hazard control is usually needed on your team. Excadrill is a good option to keep it off the field with Rapid Spin, and it can also provide offensive pressure. Alternatively, Landorus-T and Zapdos are good Defog users that can also use U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively, to gain momentum. Gyarados may also need a cleric if it gets hit by a status move before it has the opportunity to get a Substitute up. Clefable and Porygon2 are good defensive options, while Latios and Latias can provide support in the form of Lunar Dance while also providing Defog support. Stoutland is a great hazard remover with Rapid Spin, which can help Gyarados switch in easily. Serperior is a great teammate for Mega Gyarados, as it can break teams Gyarados struggles with, especially ones with faster revenge killers and physically defensive Pokemon. Kyurem-B is an amazing teammate for its ability to either clean weakened teams with a Choice Scarf set, heavily weaken teams with a powerful special attacking set, or overwhelm the opposing team with double Dragon Dance.
[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Crunch / Earthquake
move 4: Roost / Taunt / Substitute
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance boosts Gyarados's Attack and Speed to threatening levels. Waterfall is the preferred STAB move, as it hits hard and has solid coverage in the metagame. The second attacking move helps Gyarados get through some of its checks. Crunch is a solid STAB move that allows Gyarados to deal a large amount of damage to bulky Water- and Grass-types such as defensive Gyarados, Venusaur, and Ferrothorn and allows it to OHKO Latios and Latias. Earthquake hits more relevant threats such as Rotom-W and Heatran, and it is able to avoid the Attack drop from King's Shield on Steel-types, though Earthquake is generally weaker than Crunch. The last move gives Gyarados some utility. Roost allows Gyarados to keep its health up throughout the game and allows it to be played more defensively in checking threats. Taunt allows Gyarados to switch into defensive Pokemon easily and force them out, creating easy setup opportunities. Finally, Substitute helps it be more resistant to revenge killing; however, it costs 25% of its HP, which can make Gyarados a lot easier to handle considering it has no recovery.
Set Details
========
This set aims to maximize Gyarados' Attack while taking advantage of its natural bulk to set up. Running 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allows Gyarados to deal as much damage as possible. 152 Speed EVs ensure Gyarados outspeeds maximum Speed Thundurus after one boost. The rest of the EVs are put into HP to maximize bulk. Intimidate is the preferred ability, as it makes it easier to switch into physical attackers and set up on them. Moxie can be used to allow Gyarados to steamroll through weakened teams, but it does not create any additional setup opportunities. Gyaradosite allows Gyarados to Mega Evolve, gaining Mold Breaker and Dark typing along with STAB on Crunch. This allows it to break through Unaware and Sturdy, as well as hitting Levitate users such as Rotom-W with Earthquake, while being able to heavily damage Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Serperior with Crunch. Leftovers can be used over Gyaradosite if the Mega slot is occupied, which allows it to run Substitute with less risk.
Usage Tips
========
This set is an extremely potent cleaner against weakened teams. However, running two attacks means it can only afford one moveslot for a utility move, meaning you need to take more care when using offensive Gyarados to sweep. Try to make sure that all of Gyarados's checks and counters are weakened to the point where they can be KOed after a Dragon Dance, and do not attempt to set up if the opponent has a fast status user that can shut down Gyarados. If it is running Roost as its utility move, you can afford to use Gyarados as a check to certain threats and you can switch Gyarados in directly. Otherwise, make sure Gyarados does not take any unnecessary damage. If running Taunt, try to switch into slower threats that Gyarados can force out as, they will not be able to phaze or inflict status on it, and if running Substitute, try to keep the Substitute up prior to Prankster users coming in to avoid their priority Thunder Waves and Will-O-Wisps.
Team Options
========
Mega Gyarados has high power and decent coverage, but it prefers to have the opposing team weakened before it sweeps. Thundurus is a great teammate that can easily deal with many of the Pokemon that give Gyarados trouble, such as Mega Venusaur, Skarmory, and defensive Gyarados. Raikou and Thundurus-T can easily counter Thundurus that try to revenge kill Gyarados. Landorus-T and Zapdos are good options for entry hazard removal, and they can both grant you momentum with U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Offensive Gyarados also highly appreciates cleric support from its team, as it has fewer options to protect itself than mono-attacking Gyarados. Latios is a great offensive option that provides Defog support as well as cleric support in the form of Lunar Dance. Serperior is a great teammate for this set, as it helps clean late-game and breaks teams that are capable of handling Mega Gyarados with its threatening Substitute + Spore set.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Roar / Dragon Tail
item: Leftovers / Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost restores Gyarados's HP, which allows it to continually check opposing threats. Waterfall is pretty powerful despite lacking investment, gives Gyarados an offensive presence, and has solid neutral coverage on the metagame. Thunder Wave allows Gyarados to cripple opposing sweepers and makes it easier for the rest of the team to deal with them. Roar and Dragon Tail both allow Gyarados to phaze sweepers, but both have drawbacks. Roar is the preferred phazing move, but it is stopped by Taunt, while Dragon Tail can be stopped by Substitute and Fairy-types and can miss.
Set Details
========
This set maximizes Gyarados's physical bulk to allow it to continuously check common physical threats such as Excadrill and various Fake Out + Extreme Speed users. 8 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Adamant Azumarill. Gyarados can also run a specially defensive spread to check Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Heatran better, but a physically defensive spread is usually preferred, as physically defensive Gyarados checks many more threats, takes better advantage of Intimidate, and still handles said Pokemon because Gyarados takes 41% at most from Mega Charizard Y's Blue Flare in sun. Leftovers keeps Gyarados healthy, though Rocky Helmet can be run to wear down opposing physical attackers. Gyaradosite can be used to boost Gyarados's bulk, but it takes up the Mega slot.
Usage Tips
========
Gyarados's great typing and defensive stats allow it to easily switch into threats such as Mega Scizor and Heatran and threaten them back by hitting them with its strong STAB moves or crippling them with Thunder Wave. Gyarados can use Roar to stop opposing Pokemon from setting up and potentially spread status throughout the opposing team. Because this set doesn't rely on massive damage output, avoiding status moves isn't as important. Intimidate makes it easier for Gyarados to check physical threats, but the given EV spread means that Gyarados can be taken down by strong physical threats if it has taken prior damage. As such, it is necessary to use Roost to keep Gyarados' health up from damage taken from attacks and Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Gyarados benefits from Stealth Rock users, as it can use Roar to rack up hazard damage. Ferrothorn is a good entry hazard setter that has good defensive synergy with Gyarados, as it can take the Electric- and Rock-type moves that Gyarados has trouble with. Ferrothorn can also act as a cleric with Aromatherapy. Celebi can provide momentum with U-turn and Baton Pass, as well as provide helpful Spore support. Heatran is another good defensive option, as it offers phazing and Stealth Rock support for Gyarados, and Gyarados can take the Fighting-, Ground-, and Water-type moves that hurt Heatran. Gyarados also greatly appreciates a way to keep entry hazards off the field. Landorus-T is a great Defog user that can check Rock-types such as Tyranitar and Terrakion, which give Gyarados trouble. As Gyarados has no way of removing status from itself, it is useful to have a cleric on your team. Chansey is a good cleric that can tank extremely strong special hits, while Clefable is another option that can handle sweepers that get out of hand.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Dragon Dance + 3 attacks set can be run for better coverage and more damage, but it gets easily worn down, revenge killed, or hit by status moves from Prankster users. Also, additional coverage moves such as Stone Edge and Ice Fang do not grant Gyarados much more relevant coverage than it already has, as Waterfall + Earthquake or Crunch covers most of the metagame already. Similarly, Gyarados can run 252 Atk / 252 Spe for maximum offensive presence, but this reduces its ability to switch into resisted moves and makes it more vulnerable to revenge killing. Gyarados can run a RestTalk + Dragon Dance set effectively, which gives it a way to remove status from itself, but it has less room than a Roost + Dragon Dance set for other moves. Gyarados can also run Water Shuriken for priority, but it is only +1 priority, so it does not help against Extreme Speed; however, the only other +1 priority move you will run into is Terrakion's Mach Punch, which is quite weak, and besides, having a couple of Dragon Dance boosts accomplishes a very similar result to using Water Shuriken. Gyarados is also fast enough after one boost to not really need priority moves. Defensively, Gyarados has access to Defog, but it takes away a moveslot from other useful support moves, and it is somewhat risky to run Defog on a Pokemon that is fairly slow and weak to Stealth Rock, as it can be pressured very easily. Scald can also be run to give Gyarados a chance to burn its foe, but it is weak and highly luck based. Brave Bird can be used on the Offensive Dragon Dance set as a solid STAB move to use prior to Mega Evolving.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types are especially threatening if Gyarados lacks Crunch. Pokemon such as Mega Blastoise and Slowbro can easily take a Waterfall and hit back with strong attacks or try to burn Gyarados with Scald. Rotom-W can easily wall Gyarados if it lacks Earthquake and can Volt Switch out to gain momentum. Quagsire can also easily wall non-Mega Gyarados sets.
**Electric-types**: Electric-type moves can easily OHKO Gyarados and can prevent offensive variants from setting up. Prankster Thundurus can use Thunder Wave to stop Gyarados's sweep short. Fast Pokemon such as Thundurus and Raikou can easily come in before Gyarados has boosted and OHKO it.
**Physical Walls**: Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn can take even boosted hits from Gyarados, and they can be a huge nuisance if Gyarados lacks Taunt. Skarmory can easily phaze or use status moves on Gyarados to stop it from sweeping.
**Fast Status Users**: Prankster status users such as Sableye and Thundurus can shut down Gyarados's sweep if it doesn't have a Substitute up. Also, fast Pokemon such as Darkrai, Gengar, and Mega Sceptile can outspeed bulky Gyarados variants even after a boost and status it to stop its sweep. Focus Sash Alakazam is also a viable option, as it is a great answer to sweepers that lack multi-hit moves.
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