[OVERVIEW]
Mega Gallade is a fast physical attacker that can't flinch, which at first appears to provide a niche for it in Doubles OU, and it boasts nice Attack and Special Defense stats as well. However, Mega Gallade is not as viable as it appears on the surface and is let down by its poor defensive typing and lack of bulk that make it very difficult to switch in even on neutral attacks. Gallade is also quite slow and frail before Mega Evolution, so it has to Protect in order to receive its better stats, which can kill momentum for any team. Mega Gallade is also easily worn down by common Intimidate users like Landorus-T and Gyarados while also facing very difficult matchups against common threats such as Talonflame, Aegislash, Gardevoir, and Sylveon. Even its niche as a check to Mega Kangaskhan isn't necessary when other Mega Evolutions such as Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie can check Mega Kangaskhan while also providing more to support the rest of the team. The Mega Evolution slot for a powerful attacker is often better used on Mega Diancie, Mega Kangaskhan, or even Mega Metagross, rather than spending it on Mega Gallade.
[SET]
name: Mega Attacker
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Quick Guard / Feint
move 4: Protect
item: Galladite
ability: Justified / Steadfast
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is the primary STAB move and hits Steel- and Normal-types for a lot of damage. Zen Headbutt is a STAB option that doesn't lower Mega Gallade's stats and hits Fighting- and Poison-types, such as Amoonguss and Keldeo, for super effective damage. Quick Guard allows Mega Gallade to block all Fake Out users barring Weavile as well as shield its teammate from Talonflame, while Feint allows Mega Gallade to break through Protect, Quick Guard, and Wide Guard for its teammate to pick off an otherwise protected target. Protect allows Gallade to scout opposing Pokemon's moves, gain its full Speed after Mega Evolution, and stall out field conditions while its partner may be able to handle potential threats.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature allow Mega Gallade to outspeed Keldeo and Terrakion while Speed tying with Mega Diancie and Latios. Maximum Attack lets Mega Gallade hit as hard as possible. Neither pre-Mega ability is very good, as many common Dark-type attacks that would activate Justified can be potential 2HKOs on Gallade, while activating the Speed boost from Steadfast requires reading a Fake Out correctly and staying non-Mega for longer, which is not a safe option.
Usage Tips
========
Non-Mega Gallade is really bad, so Mega Evolving into the still-mediocre Mega Gallade is important and should be done at the first safe opportunity. Mega Gallade operates at its best when faster threats have been removed, so it often is best used in the mid- or late-game, but it can also be used to punch holes in the early-game. Don't recklessly switch Gallade into attacks, as its low HP stat leaves it fairly frail. Switching into Dark-type attacks to get the Justified boost isn't advised, as many common Dark-type attacks will 2HKO it, such as Hydreigon's Dark Pulse, or even OHKO it, like Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury.
Team Options
========
Steel-types such as Aegislash and Heatran are able to take on the Fairy-types that threaten Mega Gallade, such as Gardevoir and Diancie. Bisharp gets a special mention, as it also deters Intimidate and is able to beat Ghost-types. These Steel-types also appreciate Mega Gallade's ability to threaten opposing Steel-types. Kyurem-B is able to deal with Flying-types such as Landorus-T and Thundurus that can be bothersome for Mega Gallade, while Mega Gallade is able to threaten Fighting- and Steel-types that deter Kyurem-B. Rain teams appreciate Mega Gallade's ability to deal with common checks to rain such as Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and Dragon-types. Checks to Aegislash and Talonflame are a must-have. Both of these shut Mega Gallade down, so Dark-types such as Hydreigon and Bisharp can be used as checks to Aegislash, and Pokemon such as Rotom-W and bulky Thundurus can be used to check Talonflame.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off allows Mega Gallade to punish Aegislash (but it still loses this matchup) and Latios (which it Speed ties with). Stone Edge lets Mega Gallade hit Flying-types such as Charizard and Gyarados. Ice Punch lets Mega Gallade hit Landorus-T and Thundurus.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Intimidate and Burns**: Like any physical attacker, Mega Gallade can be worn down pretty easily by Intimidate and burns. Landorus-T, Gyarados, Rotom-W, and Gengar can all threaten to lower Mega Gallade's Attack and can all take a hit to do so.
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Gardevoir in particular completely shuts down Mega Gallade, while other Fairy-types such as Azumarill and Diancie are equally threatening for Mega Gallade and are not threatened to be KOed by it in return.
**Speed Control**: Thunder Wave, Tailwind, and Trick Room all threaten to make Mega Gallade move last and take away its niche as a fast Fighting-type. Mega Gallade's underwhelming bulk does not let it take neutral hits well, so moving last is detrimental to Mega Gallade's utility. Pokemon like Cresselia, Thundurus, and Suicune can all consistently give speed control against Mega Gallade, which becomes very problematic.
**Talonflame**: As the only common user of Flying-type STAB and priority attacker, Talonflame is extremely threatening to Mega Gallade, as it can OHKO it with Brave Bird and will always move first.
**Aegislash**: Boasting an immunity and a resistance to Mega Gallade's STAB moves and impressive stats both offensively and defensively, Aegislash is a hard counter to Mega Gallade. It easily switches in on any attack and can fire back with Shadow Ball to KO it or lower Mega Gallade's Attack two stages with King's Shield.
**Psychic-type Pokemon**: Bulky Psychic-types such as Cresselia offer a host of problems to Mega Gallade, as they can continuously take hits from Mega Gallade and set up Calm Minds or a potential Trick Room. Faster offensive Psychic-types like Deoxys-A also threaten to KO Mega Gallade before it can attack.
Mega Gallade is a fast physical attacker that can't flinch, which at first appears to provide a niche for it in Doubles OU, and it boasts nice Attack and Special Defense stats as well. However, Mega Gallade is not as viable as it appears on the surface and is let down by its poor defensive typing and lack of bulk that make it very difficult to switch in even on neutral attacks. Gallade is also quite slow and frail before Mega Evolution, so it has to Protect in order to receive its better stats, which can kill momentum for any team. Mega Gallade is also easily worn down by common Intimidate users like Landorus-T and Gyarados while also facing very difficult matchups against common threats such as Talonflame, Aegislash, Gardevoir, and Sylveon. Even its niche as a check to Mega Kangaskhan isn't necessary when other Mega Evolutions such as Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie can check Mega Kangaskhan while also providing more to support the rest of the team. The Mega Evolution slot for a powerful attacker is often better used on Mega Diancie, Mega Kangaskhan, or even Mega Metagross, rather than spending it on Mega Gallade.
[SET]
name: Mega Attacker
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Quick Guard / Feint
move 4: Protect
item: Galladite
ability: Justified / Steadfast
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is the primary STAB move and hits Steel- and Normal-types for a lot of damage. Zen Headbutt is a STAB option that doesn't lower Mega Gallade's stats and hits Fighting- and Poison-types, such as Amoonguss and Keldeo, for super effective damage. Quick Guard allows Mega Gallade to block all Fake Out users barring Weavile as well as shield its teammate from Talonflame, while Feint allows Mega Gallade to break through Protect, Quick Guard, and Wide Guard for its teammate to pick off an otherwise protected target. Protect allows Gallade to scout opposing Pokemon's moves, gain its full Speed after Mega Evolution, and stall out field conditions while its partner may be able to handle potential threats.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature allow Mega Gallade to outspeed Keldeo and Terrakion while Speed tying with Mega Diancie and Latios. Maximum Attack lets Mega Gallade hit as hard as possible. Neither pre-Mega ability is very good, as many common Dark-type attacks that would activate Justified can be potential 2HKOs on Gallade, while activating the Speed boost from Steadfast requires reading a Fake Out correctly and staying non-Mega for longer, which is not a safe option.
Usage Tips
========
Non-Mega Gallade is really bad, so Mega Evolving into the still-mediocre Mega Gallade is important and should be done at the first safe opportunity. Mega Gallade operates at its best when faster threats have been removed, so it often is best used in the mid- or late-game, but it can also be used to punch holes in the early-game. Don't recklessly switch Gallade into attacks, as its low HP stat leaves it fairly frail. Switching into Dark-type attacks to get the Justified boost isn't advised, as many common Dark-type attacks will 2HKO it, such as Hydreigon's Dark Pulse, or even OHKO it, like Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury.
Team Options
========
Steel-types such as Aegislash and Heatran are able to take on the Fairy-types that threaten Mega Gallade, such as Gardevoir and Diancie. Bisharp gets a special mention, as it also deters Intimidate and is able to beat Ghost-types. These Steel-types also appreciate Mega Gallade's ability to threaten opposing Steel-types. Kyurem-B is able to deal with Flying-types such as Landorus-T and Thundurus that can be bothersome for Mega Gallade, while Mega Gallade is able to threaten Fighting- and Steel-types that deter Kyurem-B. Rain teams appreciate Mega Gallade's ability to deal with common checks to rain such as Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and Dragon-types. Checks to Aegislash and Talonflame are a must-have. Both of these shut Mega Gallade down, so Dark-types such as Hydreigon and Bisharp can be used as checks to Aegislash, and Pokemon such as Rotom-W and bulky Thundurus can be used to check Talonflame.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off allows Mega Gallade to punish Aegislash (but it still loses this matchup) and Latios (which it Speed ties with). Stone Edge lets Mega Gallade hit Flying-types such as Charizard and Gyarados. Ice Punch lets Mega Gallade hit Landorus-T and Thundurus.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Intimidate and Burns**: Like any physical attacker, Mega Gallade can be worn down pretty easily by Intimidate and burns. Landorus-T, Gyarados, Rotom-W, and Gengar can all threaten to lower Mega Gallade's Attack and can all take a hit to do so.
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Gardevoir in particular completely shuts down Mega Gallade, while other Fairy-types such as Azumarill and Diancie are equally threatening for Mega Gallade and are not threatened to be KOed by it in return.
**Speed Control**: Thunder Wave, Tailwind, and Trick Room all threaten to make Mega Gallade move last and take away its niche as a fast Fighting-type. Mega Gallade's underwhelming bulk does not let it take neutral hits well, so moving last is detrimental to Mega Gallade's utility. Pokemon like Cresselia, Thundurus, and Suicune can all consistently give speed control against Mega Gallade, which becomes very problematic.
**Talonflame**: As the only common user of Flying-type STAB and priority attacker, Talonflame is extremely threatening to Mega Gallade, as it can OHKO it with Brave Bird and will always move first.
**Aegislash**: Boasting an immunity and a resistance to Mega Gallade's STAB moves and impressive stats both offensively and defensively, Aegislash is a hard counter to Mega Gallade. It easily switches in on any attack and can fire back with Shadow Ball to KO it or lower Mega Gallade's Attack two stages with King's Shield.
**Psychic-type Pokemon**: Bulky Psychic-types such as Cresselia offer a host of problems to Mega Gallade, as they can continuously take hits from Mega Gallade and set up Calm Minds or a potential Trick Room. Faster offensive Psychic-types like Deoxys-A also threaten to KO Mega Gallade before it can attack.
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