Approved by Molk.
Choice Band
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name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Ice Punch
ability: Justified
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Close Combat is Gallade's main Fighting-type STAB attack, heavily damaging a large portion of the unresisted tier, including Pokemon such as Cobalion, Drapion, and Bronzong; it also has great coverage in conjunction with Knock Off. Zen Headbutt serves as Gallade's main Psychic-type STAB attack, hitting Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Aromatisse, Weezing, Virizion, and opposing Gallade hard. Knock Off lets Gallade hit Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokemon, such as Doublade, Banette, Slowking, Reuniclus, and Meloetta, as well as cripple Pokemon reliant on their item; for example, Gallade KOes Gligar with Ice Punch after its Eviolite has been Knocked Off. Ice Punch hits the aforementioned Gligar, as well as Pokemon such as Druddigon, without lowering Gallade's defenses, which can be crucial in some situations.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread is used so that Gallade hits as hard as possible while outspeeding as many Pokemon as it can. Choice Band is used to boost Gallade's Attack by a large margin, although it locks Gallade into one move. An Adamant nature is used because it gives Gallade some important KOs, although a Jolly nature can be used if you want more Speed.
Usage Tips
========
Gallade should be coming in on resisted hits, as it finds it difficult to come in on even neutral physical attacks; however, it can take some special hits surprisingly well due to its good Special Defense, and it can take advantage of attacks such as Clawitzer's Dark Pulse with Justified. Gallade serves as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker with its high Attack and STAB combination. Gallade shouldn't be staying in for too long due to Close Combat's side effects coupled with its somewhat low Speed, which can put it at a disadvantage.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support is appreciated from Pokemon such as Omastar, Accelgor, and Kricketune; Kricketune gets a special mention as it fixes Gallade's issue of mediocre Speed with Sticky Web support. Pokemon that can beat Flying-types, such as Rhyperior or Jolteon make good partners, as Pokemon such as Braviary are some of the best checks to this set. Pokemon such as Moltres that can beat Doublade, or at least weaken it to a point where Knock Off will KO it work well with this set, as Doublade can switch into all of Gallade's other moves with ease. Pokemon that can take out physically defensive Aromatisse, such as Doublade and Escavalier, are good partners, as Aromatisse can take most of Gallade's attacks fairly well, recover the damage off with Wish, and retaliate with Moonblast. Pokemon that can beat Spiritomb, such as Cobalion and Moltres, also make for good partners, as Spiritomb is immune to both of Gallade's STAB attacks, can burn it, and can Pursuit trap it.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Ice Punch
ability: Justified
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Close Combat is Gallade's main Fighting-type STAB attack, heavily damaging a large portion of the unresisted tier, including Pokemon such as Cobalion, Drapion, and Bronzong; it also has great coverage in conjunction with Knock Off. Zen Headbutt serves as Gallade's main Psychic-type STAB attack, hitting Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Aromatisse, Weezing, Virizion, and opposing Gallade hard. Knock Off lets Gallade hit Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokemon, such as Doublade, Banette, Slowking, Reuniclus, and Meloetta, as well as cripple Pokemon reliant on their item; for example, Gallade KOes Gligar with Ice Punch after its Eviolite has been Knocked Off. Ice Punch hits the aforementioned Gligar, as well as Pokemon such as Druddigon, without lowering Gallade's defenses, which can be crucial in some situations.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread is used so that Gallade hits as hard as possible while outspeeding as many Pokemon as it can. Choice Band is used to boost Gallade's Attack by a large margin, although it locks Gallade into one move. An Adamant nature is used because it gives Gallade some important KOs, although a Jolly nature can be used if you want more Speed.
Usage Tips
========
Gallade should be coming in on resisted hits, as it finds it difficult to come in on even neutral physical attacks; however, it can take some special hits surprisingly well due to its good Special Defense, and it can take advantage of attacks such as Clawitzer's Dark Pulse with Justified. Gallade serves as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker with its high Attack and STAB combination. Gallade shouldn't be staying in for too long due to Close Combat's side effects coupled with its somewhat low Speed, which can put it at a disadvantage.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support is appreciated from Pokemon such as Omastar, Accelgor, and Kricketune; Kricketune gets a special mention as it fixes Gallade's issue of mediocre Speed with Sticky Web support. Pokemon that can beat Flying-types, such as Rhyperior or Jolteon make good partners, as Pokemon such as Braviary are some of the best checks to this set. Pokemon such as Moltres that can beat Doublade, or at least weaken it to a point where Knock Off will KO it work well with this set, as Doublade can switch into all of Gallade's other moves with ease. Pokemon that can take out physically defensive Aromatisse, such as Doublade and Escavalier, are good partners, as Aromatisse can take most of Gallade's attacks fairly well, recover the damage off with Wish, and retaliate with Moonblast. Pokemon that can beat Spiritomb, such as Cobalion and Moltres, also make for good partners, as Spiritomb is immune to both of Gallade's STAB attacks, can burn it, and can Pursuit trap it.
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