[OVERVIEW]
* Gyarados finds its niche on offensive and balanced teams for its ability to break past stall teams thanks to Mold Breaker. It also helps against more offensive teams, as it can check some threats such as Arceus-Ghost, Lunala, and Primal Groudon.
* Gyarados find opportunities to set up thanks to its Flying typing, Intimidate, and its decent bulk after it Mega Evolves, and it hits hard with its base 155 Attack.
* Gyarados is threatened by common threats such as Xerneas and Mega Salamence, and it is vulnerable to other strong attackers such as Arceus-Normal.
* Gyarados is weak to Stealth Rock before Mega Evolving and easily worn down by status and residual damage, which means it needs solid support to perform well.
* Lastly, using Mega Gyarados removes the possibility of running Mega Lucario or Mega Gengar, which have much better utility in general.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Waterfall / Earthquake
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dragon Dance increases Gyarados's Speed and firepower, allowing it to have a better matchup against offensive teams and the potential role of a late-game sweeper.
* Crunch is Gyarados's most powerful physical Dark-type attack and becomes STAB-boosted after it Mega Evolves.
* Taunt stops slower defensive foes from freely recovering and phazing it, attackers from setting up, and Pokemon like support Arceus and Lugia from statusing it.
* Waterfall is Gyarados's best Water-type attack; it's useful for hitting Dark- and Fairy-types that resist Crunch and also comes with a slight flinch chance.
* Earthquake is used to hit super effectively Primal Groudon, Magearna, and Alolan Muk.
Set Details
========
* Intimidate lowers the foe's Attack, which lets Gyarados set up more comfortably on physical attackers or check them.
* The EV spread maximizes Gyarados's Attack and Speed. An Adamant nature is used to score some crucial OHKOs after Stealth Rock on defensive threats such as Lugia, Giratina-O, and Magearna. Alternatively, a Jolly nature allows it to outspeed Smeargle, Cloyster, and Adamant Excadrill before a boost and Mega Gengar, Mewtwo, neutral-natured Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T at +1.
* Gyaradosite is necessary in order for Gyarados to Mega Evolve, giving it Mold Breaker to break defensive threats such as Lugia, Mega Sableye, and Clefable.
Usage Tips
========
* Take advantage of Intimidate or Gyarados's Ground-type immunity when switching it in. After it Mega Evolves, you can switch it in to shrug off Ghost-type attacks. Otherwise, avoid switching Gyarados into an attack, as it easily worn down due to its average defenses.
* Avoid switching Gyarados in on Stealth Rock, as it lowers its health quickly.
* Avoid status at any cost, as it prevents Mega Gyarados from setting up effectively, sweeping decently, and breaking bulky teams.
* Against stall teams, Gyarados can set up on the likes of Clefable and Arceus-Ground before Mega Evolving, but it should Mega Evolve to ensure it will beat them. It can also set up against Lugia and Mega Sableye after Mega Evolving. Just make sure that the opposing Pokemon can't deal huge damage to Gyarados. You can also save Gyarados as your last Pokemon to ensure it will not be phazed by the likes of Giratina and Zygarde-C.
* Against offensive teams, save Gyarados to check Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ghost, and Lunala. Don't Mega Evolve it, as Gyarados's Intimidate can serve as an emergency check to physical attackers.
Team Options
========
* On balanced teams, Gyarados should be paired with a solid Xerneas check such as Magearna, defensive Primal-Groudon, Ho-Oh, or Ferrothorn; the last pairs up very well with Gyarados and can provide hazard stacking support in Spikes.
* Xerneas is a good teammate for Gyarados, as it can act as a cleric with Aromatherapy and pressure Dragon- and Dark-types such as Mega Salamence and Yveltal with its powerful STAB move.
* Because Gyarados's Flying typing makes it weak to Stealth Rock, Defog users such as Giratina-O and support Arceus are appreciated.
* Otherwise, Gyarados needs hazard setters to perform well as a setup sweeper. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Ferrothorn fit well with Gyarados.
* Swords Dance Arceus profits from Mega Gyarados's presence, as it beats Ghost-types that could check Arceus-Normal otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Ice Fang can be used to hit super effectively Mega Salamence and Zygarde-C.
* Aqua Tail can be used with an Adamant nature to OHKO Ho-Oh and special Arceus-Ground after a Dragon Dance.
* Iron Tail is a coverage option to hit Fairy-types super effectively, as it has a chance to OHKO Geomancy Xerneas and Clefable and can deal heavy damage to Arceus-Fairy at +1.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Choice Scarf Xerneas variants outspeed Mega Gyarados at +1 and OHKO it with Moonblast, while Z-Geomancy Xerneas can easily set up on it. Other variants of Xerneas, Magearna, and Arceus-Fairy can all tank Waterfall from +1 Mega Gyarados and OHKO or 2HKO with their Fairy-type STAB attacks, though Magearna will get OHKOed by +1 Earthquake.
**Mega Salamence**: Salamence lowers Gyarados's Attack and can proceed to set up on it, as Mega Salamence is enough bulky to set up two Dragon Dances on -1 Mega Gyarados and can OHKO it with Return at +1. However, Salamence still fears Ice Fang from Gyarados. Defensive Mega Salamence can easily tank Mega Gyarados's STAB attacks at +1 and phaze it with Dragon Tail.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C can tank any hit from Mega Gyarados thanks to its massive bulk and phaze it with Dragon Tail, but it dislikes Taunt, which prevents it from recovering.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn tanks Crunch at +1 and can beat Mega Gyarados with Power Whip; otherwise, Ferrothorn can't bypass Mega Gyarados if it doesn't pack Gyro Ball.
**Yveltal**: Defensive Yveltal utterly walls Gyarados without Waterfall and cripples it with Rocky Helmet and Foul Play. Offensive variants beat Gyarados with Oblivion Wing if it doesn't run Waterfall.
**Fast Attackers**: Fully invested Deoxys-A, Pheromosa, and Choice Scarf Lunala can all outspeed Mega-Gyarados at +1 and beat it with super effective attacks.
**Priority**: Arceus-Normal and Rayquaza can revenge kill a weakened Gyarados with Extreme Speed.
* Gyarados finds its niche on offensive and balanced teams for its ability to break past stall teams thanks to Mold Breaker. It also helps against more offensive teams, as it can check some threats such as Arceus-Ghost, Lunala, and Primal Groudon.
* Gyarados find opportunities to set up thanks to its Flying typing, Intimidate, and its decent bulk after it Mega Evolves, and it hits hard with its base 155 Attack.
* Gyarados is threatened by common threats such as Xerneas and Mega Salamence, and it is vulnerable to other strong attackers such as Arceus-Normal.
* Gyarados is weak to Stealth Rock before Mega Evolving and easily worn down by status and residual damage, which means it needs solid support to perform well.
* Lastly, using Mega Gyarados removes the possibility of running Mega Lucario or Mega Gengar, which have much better utility in general.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Waterfall / Earthquake
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dragon Dance increases Gyarados's Speed and firepower, allowing it to have a better matchup against offensive teams and the potential role of a late-game sweeper.
* Crunch is Gyarados's most powerful physical Dark-type attack and becomes STAB-boosted after it Mega Evolves.
* Taunt stops slower defensive foes from freely recovering and phazing it, attackers from setting up, and Pokemon like support Arceus and Lugia from statusing it.
* Waterfall is Gyarados's best Water-type attack; it's useful for hitting Dark- and Fairy-types that resist Crunch and also comes with a slight flinch chance.
* Earthquake is used to hit super effectively Primal Groudon, Magearna, and Alolan Muk.
Set Details
========
* Intimidate lowers the foe's Attack, which lets Gyarados set up more comfortably on physical attackers or check them.
* The EV spread maximizes Gyarados's Attack and Speed. An Adamant nature is used to score some crucial OHKOs after Stealth Rock on defensive threats such as Lugia, Giratina-O, and Magearna. Alternatively, a Jolly nature allows it to outspeed Smeargle, Cloyster, and Adamant Excadrill before a boost and Mega Gengar, Mewtwo, neutral-natured Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T at +1.
* Gyaradosite is necessary in order for Gyarados to Mega Evolve, giving it Mold Breaker to break defensive threats such as Lugia, Mega Sableye, and Clefable.
Usage Tips
========
* Take advantage of Intimidate or Gyarados's Ground-type immunity when switching it in. After it Mega Evolves, you can switch it in to shrug off Ghost-type attacks. Otherwise, avoid switching Gyarados into an attack, as it easily worn down due to its average defenses.
* Avoid switching Gyarados in on Stealth Rock, as it lowers its health quickly.
* Avoid status at any cost, as it prevents Mega Gyarados from setting up effectively, sweeping decently, and breaking bulky teams.
* Against stall teams, Gyarados can set up on the likes of Clefable and Arceus-Ground before Mega Evolving, but it should Mega Evolve to ensure it will beat them. It can also set up against Lugia and Mega Sableye after Mega Evolving. Just make sure that the opposing Pokemon can't deal huge damage to Gyarados. You can also save Gyarados as your last Pokemon to ensure it will not be phazed by the likes of Giratina and Zygarde-C.
* Against offensive teams, save Gyarados to check Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ghost, and Lunala. Don't Mega Evolve it, as Gyarados's Intimidate can serve as an emergency check to physical attackers.
Team Options
========
* On balanced teams, Gyarados should be paired with a solid Xerneas check such as Magearna, defensive Primal-Groudon, Ho-Oh, or Ferrothorn; the last pairs up very well with Gyarados and can provide hazard stacking support in Spikes.
* Xerneas is a good teammate for Gyarados, as it can act as a cleric with Aromatherapy and pressure Dragon- and Dark-types such as Mega Salamence and Yveltal with its powerful STAB move.
* Because Gyarados's Flying typing makes it weak to Stealth Rock, Defog users such as Giratina-O and support Arceus are appreciated.
* Otherwise, Gyarados needs hazard setters to perform well as a setup sweeper. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Ferrothorn fit well with Gyarados.
* Swords Dance Arceus profits from Mega Gyarados's presence, as it beats Ghost-types that could check Arceus-Normal otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Ice Fang can be used to hit super effectively Mega Salamence and Zygarde-C.
* Aqua Tail can be used with an Adamant nature to OHKO Ho-Oh and special Arceus-Ground after a Dragon Dance.
* Iron Tail is a coverage option to hit Fairy-types super effectively, as it has a chance to OHKO Geomancy Xerneas and Clefable and can deal heavy damage to Arceus-Fairy at +1.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Choice Scarf Xerneas variants outspeed Mega Gyarados at +1 and OHKO it with Moonblast, while Z-Geomancy Xerneas can easily set up on it. Other variants of Xerneas, Magearna, and Arceus-Fairy can all tank Waterfall from +1 Mega Gyarados and OHKO or 2HKO with their Fairy-type STAB attacks, though Magearna will get OHKOed by +1 Earthquake.
**Mega Salamence**: Salamence lowers Gyarados's Attack and can proceed to set up on it, as Mega Salamence is enough bulky to set up two Dragon Dances on -1 Mega Gyarados and can OHKO it with Return at +1. However, Salamence still fears Ice Fang from Gyarados. Defensive Mega Salamence can easily tank Mega Gyarados's STAB attacks at +1 and phaze it with Dragon Tail.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C can tank any hit from Mega Gyarados thanks to its massive bulk and phaze it with Dragon Tail, but it dislikes Taunt, which prevents it from recovering.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn tanks Crunch at +1 and can beat Mega Gyarados with Power Whip; otherwise, Ferrothorn can't bypass Mega Gyarados if it doesn't pack Gyro Ball.
**Yveltal**: Defensive Yveltal utterly walls Gyarados without Waterfall and cripples it with Rocky Helmet and Foul Play. Offensive variants beat Gyarados with Oblivion Wing if it doesn't run Waterfall.
**Fast Attackers**: Fully invested Deoxys-A, Pheromosa, and Choice Scarf Lunala can all outspeed Mega-Gyarados at +1 and beat it with super effective attacks.
**Priority**: Arceus-Normal and Rayquaza can revenge kill a weakened Gyarados with Extreme Speed.
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