QC: all falls down / scpinion / Wanka
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
**Fighting:**
With its great offensive typing, Attack, and Speed, Mega Gallade features as the best Swords Dance sweeper for Fighting teams. With access to STAB moves such as Drain Punch and Close Combat, Mega Gallade can double as either a sweeper or a wallbreaker depending on its team's needs. Its access to Psychic-type STAB attacks makes it a fantastic check to Mega Venusaur, a big threat due to its bulk. In addition, Mega Gallade is one of the few viable Knock Off users and can run priority moves to take on faster foes, and its passable bulk can allow it to find more opportunities to set up, such as against special attackers such as Meloetta and Landorus. With Inner Focus, Mega Gallade is a soft check to the likes of Choice Scarf Jirachi and Choice Scarf Togekiss, which otherwise might try to make its teammates flinch. Mega Gallade does suffer from four-moveslot syndrome, though, as it can find itself easily revenge killed, whittled down, or lacking in power depending on its choices. Furthermore, most Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade that check Fighting-types also easily check Mega Gallade. While Mega Gallade's Speed is quite good, regular Gallade has rather poor Speed and has a hard time finding safe opportunities to Mega Evolve. It notably faces serious competition for the Mega slot from Mega Medicham, the most powerful wallbreaker for Fighting, although Mega Gallade's ability to compress many offensive roles, especially its ability to sweep Psychic teams with Knock Off, gives it a spot on many teams.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Fighting)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat / Drain Punch
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Knock Off / Shadow Sneak
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Mega Gallade's Attack to allow it to sweep easily. Close Combat is the strongest and most reliable attack Mega Gallade has and can be used to break walls. Drain Punch is an alternative for improved sweeping potential because of the lack of Defense and Special Defense drops and the healing it provides. Zen Headbutt is the preferred Psychic-type STAB attack because it guarantees several KOs, most importantly against Mega Venusaur at +2 and Keldeo, and can neutrally hit Fairy-type Pokemon. Knock Off gives Mega Gallade a way to hit Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon for great damage. After a Swords Dance, Knock Off can OHKO Slowbro after Stealth Rock damage and Mew. Shadow Sneak can be used instead of Knock Off to hit faster threats such as Choice Scarf Gengar and Choice Scarf Victini, but it is far weaker than Knock Off and lacks the general utility that it would bring. As a final alternative, Ice Punch can be used to lure in and KO Flying- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Dragonite, Landorus, and Garchomp, but Mega Gallade will be utterly walled by Psychic-types in exchange.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EV investment and a Jolly nature allow Mega Gallade to take full advantage of its base 110 Speed to outspeed the likes of Keldeo and, at worst, Speed tie with Latios. Investing 252 Attack EVs maximizes Mega Gallade's damage output, helping it sweep and wallbreak. Gallade's ability should be Justified on the very unlikely chance that somehow it gets hit by a Dark-type move on a switch in before it Mega Evolves to get an Attack boost.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gallade should use Swords Dance to set up and sweep but can also use it to become a powerful wallbreaker. For example, a +2 Close Combat has a chance to OHKO Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage, making it risky for Skarmory to switch in. Similarly, a +2 Zen Headbutt OHKOes Mega Venusaur. Depending on whether Close Combat or Drain Punch is used, Mega Gallade can choose to either assist in wallbreaking or dedicate itself to sweeping. Mega Gallade using Close Combat should take advantage of its sheer strength and use it to chip away and weaken its checks so that it can sweep late-game. Mega Gallade does have passable bulk, but if Drain Punch isn't used, it's not recommended to switch into even any unresisted move to maximize its chances to sweep. Mega Gallade must avoid status at all costs, as a crippling burn or paralysis could end any hopes of sweeping. Toxic poison will also slowly wear down Mega Gallade that don't pack Drain Punch. Generally, Mega Gallade should wait until its checks have been worn down or taken out before going for the late-game sweep. While Shadow Sneak lacks power, it can still be used to revenge kill weakened threats. If using Knock Off, Mega Gallade should aim to Knock Off the items of its checks as early as possible to make a sweep much easier to pull off later on. Thanks to its Inner Focus ability, Mega Gallade cannot flinch, allowing it to choose to set up Swords Dance against Choice Scarf Jirachi, as Iron Head fails to 2HKO, and Drain Punch will easily heal back most of the lost health. It also prevents Choice Scarf Togekiss from stopping a +2 Mega Gallade's sweep, as Mega Gallade can survive one Air Slash to Knock Off its Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock support is critical for many KOs. Many walls including Mandibuzz, Mega Venusaur, and Slowbro can be taken out by the appropriate move after the chip damage. Infernape is a phenomenal teammate for setting up the entry hazard while also handling Steel-type foes. It can easily break past the likes of Skarmory and Doublade for Mega Gallade. Cobalion is a great help as well thanks to its Stealth Rock support. It can also spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, bring Mega Gallade in with Volt Switch, and handle Fairy-types with its STAB Iron Head. Choice Specs Keldeo serves to be a great wallbreaker to break down all the common checks to Mega Gallade, such as Doublade and Clefable, with a high-powered Hydro Pump. Choice Scarf Guts Heracross is a great teammate for being able to soak up status for Mega Gallade while also revenge killing faster threats to help set the stage for Mega Gallade's late-game sweep. In the same vein, Choice Scarf Terrakion is especially good for its ability to threaten other Choice Scarf users. Choice Scarf Victini, in particular, is easily revenge killed by Terrakion, helping Mega Gallade that lack Shadow Sneak beat Psychic teams. Terrakion also threatens out most Flying-type foes and appreciates Close Combat Mega Gallade's ability to weaken or outright KO Skarmory. Another setup sweeper can be a great teammate for Mega Gallade. Hawlucha and Swords Dance Lucario share many checks with Mega Gallade, wearing down these shared checks over the course of a battle so that Mega Gallade can more easily sweep. Nasty Plot Lucario and Substitute + Calm Mind Keldeo can also be used because they and Mega Gallade set up on one another's checks quite nicely. Breloom can be useful for its Spore support, giving Mega Gallade free turns to set up, and its Bullet Seed, which can KO Slowbro with ease.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Fighting:**
A Bulk Up sweeper set can be used but is generally inferior to Swords Dance due to the lower Attack boost. With access to status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and other support options such as dual screens and Knock Off, Mega Gallade can take on a more supportive role for its team if desired, although it should usually be sweeper instead, as Fighting teams can rarely take full advantage of its supportive assistance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting:**
**Revenge Killers**: Mega Gallade may have access to Shadow Sneak, but its low Base Power combined with Mega Gallade's poor physical bulk leaves Mega Gallade vulnerable to fast revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Kyurem-B and Choice Scarf Victini that can come in to threaten Mega Gallade out.
**Fairy-types**: Although they do need to be careful of taking boosted Psychic-type STAB attacks, most Fairy-type Pokemon can take one hit and OHKO Mega Gallade back with their own STAB attacks.
**Status**: Paralysis and burns can instantly shut down Mega Gallade and any attempt at sweeping by quartering or halving one of its stats.
**Ditto**: A Ditto that copies a +2 Mega Gallade can be devastating, as thanks to its Choice Scarf, it becomes almost impossible to revenge kill and can take advantage of Mega Gallade's incredible power and Psychic-type STAB attacks to sweep most Fighting teams.
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
**Fighting:**
With its great offensive typing, Attack, and Speed, Mega Gallade features as the best Swords Dance sweeper for Fighting teams. With access to STAB moves such as Drain Punch and Close Combat, Mega Gallade can double as either a sweeper or a wallbreaker depending on its team's needs. Its access to Psychic-type STAB attacks makes it a fantastic check to Mega Venusaur, a big threat due to its bulk. In addition, Mega Gallade is one of the few viable Knock Off users and can run priority moves to take on faster foes, and its passable bulk can allow it to find more opportunities to set up, such as against special attackers such as Meloetta and Landorus. With Inner Focus, Mega Gallade is a soft check to the likes of Choice Scarf Jirachi and Choice Scarf Togekiss, which otherwise might try to make its teammates flinch. Mega Gallade does suffer from four-moveslot syndrome, though, as it can find itself easily revenge killed, whittled down, or lacking in power depending on its choices. Furthermore, most Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade that check Fighting-types also easily check Mega Gallade. While Mega Gallade's Speed is quite good, regular Gallade has rather poor Speed and has a hard time finding safe opportunities to Mega Evolve. It notably faces serious competition for the Mega slot from Mega Medicham, the most powerful wallbreaker for Fighting, although Mega Gallade's ability to compress many offensive roles, especially its ability to sweep Psychic teams with Knock Off, gives it a spot on many teams.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Fighting)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat / Drain Punch
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Knock Off / Shadow Sneak
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Mega Gallade's Attack to allow it to sweep easily. Close Combat is the strongest and most reliable attack Mega Gallade has and can be used to break walls. Drain Punch is an alternative for improved sweeping potential because of the lack of Defense and Special Defense drops and the healing it provides. Zen Headbutt is the preferred Psychic-type STAB attack because it guarantees several KOs, most importantly against Mega Venusaur at +2 and Keldeo, and can neutrally hit Fairy-type Pokemon. Knock Off gives Mega Gallade a way to hit Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon for great damage. After a Swords Dance, Knock Off can OHKO Slowbro after Stealth Rock damage and Mew. Shadow Sneak can be used instead of Knock Off to hit faster threats such as Choice Scarf Gengar and Choice Scarf Victini, but it is far weaker than Knock Off and lacks the general utility that it would bring. As a final alternative, Ice Punch can be used to lure in and KO Flying- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Dragonite, Landorus, and Garchomp, but Mega Gallade will be utterly walled by Psychic-types in exchange.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EV investment and a Jolly nature allow Mega Gallade to take full advantage of its base 110 Speed to outspeed the likes of Keldeo and, at worst, Speed tie with Latios. Investing 252 Attack EVs maximizes Mega Gallade's damage output, helping it sweep and wallbreak. Gallade's ability should be Justified on the very unlikely chance that somehow it gets hit by a Dark-type move on a switch in before it Mega Evolves to get an Attack boost.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gallade should use Swords Dance to set up and sweep but can also use it to become a powerful wallbreaker. For example, a +2 Close Combat has a chance to OHKO Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage, making it risky for Skarmory to switch in. Similarly, a +2 Zen Headbutt OHKOes Mega Venusaur. Depending on whether Close Combat or Drain Punch is used, Mega Gallade can choose to either assist in wallbreaking or dedicate itself to sweeping. Mega Gallade using Close Combat should take advantage of its sheer strength and use it to chip away and weaken its checks so that it can sweep late-game. Mega Gallade does have passable bulk, but if Drain Punch isn't used, it's not recommended to switch into even any unresisted move to maximize its chances to sweep. Mega Gallade must avoid status at all costs, as a crippling burn or paralysis could end any hopes of sweeping. Toxic poison will also slowly wear down Mega Gallade that don't pack Drain Punch. Generally, Mega Gallade should wait until its checks have been worn down or taken out before going for the late-game sweep. While Shadow Sneak lacks power, it can still be used to revenge kill weakened threats. If using Knock Off, Mega Gallade should aim to Knock Off the items of its checks as early as possible to make a sweep much easier to pull off later on. Thanks to its Inner Focus ability, Mega Gallade cannot flinch, allowing it to choose to set up Swords Dance against Choice Scarf Jirachi, as Iron Head fails to 2HKO, and Drain Punch will easily heal back most of the lost health. It also prevents Choice Scarf Togekiss from stopping a +2 Mega Gallade's sweep, as Mega Gallade can survive one Air Slash to Knock Off its Choice Scarf.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock support is critical for many KOs. Many walls including Mandibuzz, Mega Venusaur, and Slowbro can be taken out by the appropriate move after the chip damage. Infernape is a phenomenal teammate for setting up the entry hazard while also handling Steel-type foes. It can easily break past the likes of Skarmory and Doublade for Mega Gallade. Cobalion is a great help as well thanks to its Stealth Rock support. It can also spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, bring Mega Gallade in with Volt Switch, and handle Fairy-types with its STAB Iron Head. Choice Specs Keldeo serves to be a great wallbreaker to break down all the common checks to Mega Gallade, such as Doublade and Clefable, with a high-powered Hydro Pump. Choice Scarf Guts Heracross is a great teammate for being able to soak up status for Mega Gallade while also revenge killing faster threats to help set the stage for Mega Gallade's late-game sweep. In the same vein, Choice Scarf Terrakion is especially good for its ability to threaten other Choice Scarf users. Choice Scarf Victini, in particular, is easily revenge killed by Terrakion, helping Mega Gallade that lack Shadow Sneak beat Psychic teams. Terrakion also threatens out most Flying-type foes and appreciates Close Combat Mega Gallade's ability to weaken or outright KO Skarmory. Another setup sweeper can be a great teammate for Mega Gallade. Hawlucha and Swords Dance Lucario share many checks with Mega Gallade, wearing down these shared checks over the course of a battle so that Mega Gallade can more easily sweep. Nasty Plot Lucario and Substitute + Calm Mind Keldeo can also be used because they and Mega Gallade set up on one another's checks quite nicely. Breloom can be useful for its Spore support, giving Mega Gallade free turns to set up, and its Bullet Seed, which can KO Slowbro with ease.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Fighting:**
A Bulk Up sweeper set can be used but is generally inferior to Swords Dance due to the lower Attack boost. With access to status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and other support options such as dual screens and Knock Off, Mega Gallade can take on a more supportive role for its team if desired, although it should usually be sweeper instead, as Fighting teams can rarely take full advantage of its supportive assistance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting:**
**Revenge Killers**: Mega Gallade may have access to Shadow Sneak, but its low Base Power combined with Mega Gallade's poor physical bulk leaves Mega Gallade vulnerable to fast revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Kyurem-B and Choice Scarf Victini that can come in to threaten Mega Gallade out.
**Fairy-types**: Although they do need to be careful of taking boosted Psychic-type STAB attacks, most Fairy-type Pokemon can take one hit and OHKO Mega Gallade back with their own STAB attacks.
**Status**: Paralysis and burns can instantly shut down Mega Gallade and any attempt at sweeping by quartering or halving one of its stats.
**Ditto**: A Ditto that copies a +2 Mega Gallade can be devastating, as thanks to its Choice Scarf, it becomes almost impossible to revenge kill and can take advantage of Mega Gallade's incredible power and Psychic-type STAB attacks to sweep most Fighting teams.
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