Project Victim of the Week

[Salemance]

Hmm, MegaDos' time to dance all over our faces? Seems appropriate enough, but will the third premier Dragon Dancing Mega be next to grace us or will he come later? xD

Picking a counter for this thing is a little silly, but this is always a rather fun one for me to run:

Counter
The Bell Tolls (Ferrothorn) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Protect

Ah, good ol Ferrothorn. Was Gyarados' enemy last gen, and now that it doesn't run Bounce to hit it harder, makes Ferro's job of stomaching hits a bit better, and even more so since Ferro can deal massive damage with his Power Whip as its now super effective compared to neutral. But how Can Ferro do against a +1 Gyara as it switches in?

+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 48+ Def Ferrothorn: 141-167 (40 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

On which Ferro goes to seed, heals comfortably, or he can go for broke and attempt his 2HKO with Power Whip:

4 Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 230-272 (69.2 - 81.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Or if you are really cutting it close with him at plus +3 (not +4 cause after SR he might be able to OHKO) you can just end up T-Waving the mighty best. Overall a very great check as even after a few boosts Gyara is gonna need a lot of help to get past the mighty spiked demon.

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Check

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell

Hyper voice does pretty good damage pre mega evo: 4 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 138-163 (41.5 - 49%) 2hkos with just little prior damage.

Once Gyarados mega evos you can do a lot more damage.
4 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 218-260 (65.6 - 78.3%) Possible ohko after SR in normal form

In return:
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sylveon: 154-183 (39 - 46.4%)
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sylveon: 231-273 (58.6 - 69.2%)
+2 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sylveon: 307-363 (77.9 - 92.1%)
+3 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sylveon: 384-453 (97.4 - 114.9%)

There is no ohko even at +2 and even +3 isn't a guarantee.
You do have to watch out for flinch tho

Sylveon does not counter tho as it cannot come into a +1 megados as it will be 2hko and can't ohko back.

 

[Berry Juice]

Ferro can deal massive damage with his Power Whip as its now super effective compared to not very

Small nitpick, but Grass is neutral when used against Gyarados, instead of not very effective

 

[Salemance]

oh hah. im silly

 

[Parker.]

Counter

Gourgeist-XL @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed
- Seed Bomb / Phantom Force
- Phantom Force / Shadow Sneak / Pain Split / Trick-Or-Treat

Mega Gyarados cannot really do anything to Gourgeist Huge. +1 Ice Fang can't 2HKO after Leftovers (as long as Gourgeist is at full health) and Gourgeist can Leech Seed/Will-O-Wisp in return. Seed Bomb usually 2HKO's in return as well.

+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 168-198 (44.9 - 52.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 162-192 (48.7 - 57.8%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO

 

[Rostam]

Slowbro@Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
Evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Toxic
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Psyshock/Ice Beam

I'm going to give slowbro as a counter to mega gyarados. Slowbro takes negligible damage from all of gyarados's attacks, even at +1. From there, slowbro can easily toxic gyarados and stall it out with slack off. With regenerator, it is pretty easy to conserve slowbro throughout the match and prevent a gyarados sweep.

Calcs:

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 92-109 (23.3 - 27.6%) -- 6.6% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 138-163 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[Sidnv]

Interestingly, all of these counters except Sylveon and Gourgeist can be trapped and killed by Gothitelle, a common partner to Gyarados. Sylveon can also be crippled by tricking it a Choice Specs. Gourgeist is good though because it's a ghost and hence can't be trapped

I was wondering what other Gyarados checks and counters could also deal with Specs Gothitelle with Psychic/Thunderbolt/HP Fire/Trick.

 

[Jukain]

Check (only labeled as such because it doesn't have reliable recovery to come in so many times, but it's a hard check, the best there is)
Azumarill @ Assault Vest
248 HP / 236 Atk / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off / Superpower

As I was looking through these Pokemon, I realized Ferrothorn was probably the best defensive pick. However, there were no good picks for offensive teams. Azumarill is a solid Mega Gyara answer, not really carrying about much even at +1, while being able to OHKO in return, unlike Ferrothorn, and being able to deal with the likes of Specs Goth which is nifty and generally an enormous threat to typical Gyara teammates, especially if it runs Superpower for Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn is trapped by Goth and less of an overall threat, which makes Azumarill overall its probable best offensive answer.

 

[Mowtom]

Counter

Skarmory @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Whirlwind / Taunt
- Toxic / Stealth Rock / Counter
(note: set stolen from WIP analysis)


Skarmory can switch into Mega Gyarados without fear. If it comes in on a DD, this happens:

+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 139-165 (41.7 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

If it switches into an attack, this happens:

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 93-111 (27.9 - 33.3%) -- 93.2% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock

In either case, the KO is avoided. Skarmory can then Roost off the damage, or use Whirlwind, Taunt, Toxic, or Counter to either stop the boosts, remove them, hit very hard, or stall it to death. Skarmory does have to watch out for variants which use Taunt over Ice Fang (though those have been more rare since the BP limit), but ohter than that, it is a great way to deal with Mega Gyarados.

 

[Inspirited]

Name: Venusaur

Counter

unbeleafably plantastic
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll -> Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder / Leech Seed / Hidden Power [Fire]

Gyarados NEEDS to Mega Evolve in order for it to do any significant of damage to Mega Venusaur due to Thick Fat giving it neutrality to the pitifully weak Ice Fang. Mold Breaker allows Gyarados to bypass this, but it also allows Venusaur dish out a very large amount of damage with a now super effective STAB Giga Drain. The amount Venusaur recovers from Giga Drain also saves it from a 2HKO from +1 Ice Fang and will even save it from +2 Ice Fang 2HKO a healthy amount of the time. Venusaur can even escape the encounter relatively unscathed by using Sleep Powder to incapacitate Gyarados for a few turns while Venusaur goes to work on it. Of course this requires your opponent to not have used anything as sleep fodder anything before hand. Gyarados can attempt to set up in its base forme in order to avoid a super effective Giga Drain as long as possible. Sludge Bomb still does around 30-40% though, and its high chance to poison makes this an unfavorable match up for Gyarados no matter what it tries to do.

Calculations

Gyarados:

• 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Mega Venusaur: 112-134 (30.8 - 36.9%) -- 67.4% chance to 3HKO
• +1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Mega Venusaur: 168-198 (46.2 - 54.5%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO
• +2 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Mega Venusaur: 224-264 (61.7 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Venusaur:

• 0 SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 152-182 (44.5 - 53.3%) -- 30.1% chance to 2HKO (Venusaur will regain 76 HP minimum)
• 0 SpA Mega Venusaur Sludge Bomb vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[dwarfstar]

WreckDra I'd classify that as a hard check, as opposed to a counter, because Venusaur (Mega or otherwise) can't switch in on a +1 Ice Fang. It's practically guaranteed to beat a +1 Gyarados 1v1, but a counter must be able to switch in on, and avoid the 2HKO from, ALL of its target's moves. Mega-Venusaur is a good defensive check, but not truly a counter.

 

[Inspirited]

WreckDra I'd classify that as a hard check, as opposed to a counter, because Venusaur (Mega or otherwise) can't switch in on a +1 Ice Fang. It's practically guaranteed to beat a +1 Gyarados 1v1, but a counter must be able to switch in on, and avoid the 2HKO from, ALL of its target's moves. Mega-Venusaur is a good defensive check, but not truly a counter.

Venusaur doesn't need to switch in on +1 Ice Fang given Gyarados needs the turn to set up. This turn of set up is when Venusaur should come in, not the turn after. I honestly can't think of a situation where Venusaur would need to come in on a +1 Ice Fang if played correctly.

 

[dwarfstar]

Makes sense, I suppose. Anyway, here's a check:

Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Ice

Can't switch in on Earthquake (or on Waterfall pre-Mega), but once you've done that, Manectric can be a thorn in Gyarados' side, dropping its Attack with Intimidate and smacking it with Thunderbolt. If Gyarados switches out, then you've still done your job and stopped the sweep, and can either hard-switch or Volt Switch away. I'll edit this later with more information.

 

[InvisibleWater]

Throwing my hat into the ring here:

Check

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Superpower

Has trouble switching in on Waterfall or a boosted Earthquake, especially pre-Mega, but once it does, it can easily 1HKO, with or without boosts.

Calculations

Gyarados

• 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Scizor: 123-145 (43.7 - 51.6%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO
• 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Scizor: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  
• 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Scizor: 33-39 (11.7 - 13.8%) -- possible 8HKO

Scizor

• 252+ Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 55-66 (16.5 - 19.8%) -- possible 6HKO
• 252+ Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bug Bite vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 336-396 (101.2 - 119.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
• 252+ Atk Mega Scizor Superpower vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 296-350 (89.1 - 105.4%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
• +2 252+ Atk Mega Scizor Superpower vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 592-698 (178.3 - 210.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Parker.]

Throwing my hat into the ring here:

Counter

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Superpower

This isn't really a counter; the fact that Scizor is 2HKOed unboosted with any prior damage AND has to already be mega-evolved to even have the slimmest of chances to survive the 2HKO means it's not a counter. Check? Sure.

 

[Zebstrika]

The Scizor user also has to force Gyarados to mega because water/flying resists all 3 of those moves.

 

[Arkian]

Hard Check

Alomomola @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 36 HP / 220 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect / Magic Coat
- Scald
- Toxic

Alomomola is a hard check and not a counter because it doesn't hit Gyarados nearly hard enough to prevent it from getting to +3, at which it can easily 2HKO the thing with Earthquake. However, it is a hard check in that it can fish for a Scald burn in those turns, and if it gets it (which is very likely), it can wall Gyarados with ease while healing itself with Wish. Alomomola switches in on Gyarados as it boosts, it then has a couple of chances to get a Scald burn since even a +2 Mega Gyarados fails to 2HKO this thing more than half the time. If it gets a Scald burn, Alomomola can proceed to Wish stall it until it dies because a burned +6 Mega Gyarados has a 41% chance to 2HKO Alomomola, and while this seems like a lot, this is reduced because of the extra turns of Lefties recovery that Protect provides. If Alomomola can't get a burn before Mega Gyarados reaches +3, it's in trouble because it is now 2HKOed and the rest of its team needs to face a +3 Mega Gyarados, thus making it a hard check instead of an outright counter.

calcs

+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 36 HP / 220+ Def Alomomola: 175-206 (36.4 - 42.9%) -- 97.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 36 HP / 220+ Def Alomomola: 233-275 (48.5 - 57.2%) -- 46.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+3 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 36 HP / 220+ Def Alomomola: 291-343 (60.6 - 71.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+6 252+ Atk Mold Breaker burned Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 36 HP / 220+ Def Alomomola: 232-274 (48.3 - 57%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Gr3gory]

Chesnaught @ Leftovers
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 200 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Def / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Hammer Arm
- Earthquake
- Spiky Shield

Feel this is a COUNTER to gyara-m. When Gyarados megas, he gets SEd to Grass and fighting as well. Chesnaught can go in on a switch and 0HKO with Wood Hammer. Of course, we need some calcs:

252+ Atk Chesnaught Wood Hammer vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 350-414 (102.6 - 121.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Chesnaught Hammer Arm vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 290-344 (85 - 100.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 200 HP / 40 Def Chesnaught: 146-172 (39.7 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Let's agree, this works if you know how to use it well.

 

[Thunderorange]

Check

Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor

If given a free switch he can easily kill Mega Gyarados with CC. Even if Mega Gyarados gets off a dragon dance he is still outsped because of scarf. He is only a check because he can't switch in as mentioned before.

 

[Lolme]

Chesnaught @ Leftovers
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 200 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Def / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Hammer Arm
- Earthquake
- Spiky Shield

Feel this is a COUNTER to gyara-m. When Gyarados megas, he gets SEd to Grass and fighting as well. Chesnaught can go in on a switch and 0HKO with Wood Hammer. Of course, we need some calcs:

252+ Atk Chesnaught Wood Hammer vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 350-414 (102.6 - 121.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Chesnaught Hammer Arm vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 290-344 (85 - 100.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 200 HP / 40 Def Chesnaught: 146-172 (39.7 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Let's agree, this works if you know how to use it well.

Well M-Gyara usually carry Ice Fang and some may even run Bounce for Mega Venusaur, how well could it take both attacks?

 

[Sergeant Spooky]

Well M-Gyara usually carry Ice Fang and some may even run Bounce for Mega Venusaur, how well could it take both attacks?

Bounce (Gyarados doesn't actually use this btw) is blocked by Spiky shield and Chesnaught is bulky enough to take an un-STABed Ice Fang, especially if you run a spread with more bulk than what he's using.

 

[Liarliarpantsonfire]

Poliwrath, the hard counter:

Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Circle Throw
- Scald

You can't get much closer to a counter than this. If Gyarados Mega Evolves it's vulnerable to a SE Circle Throw, phazing it out and removing any possible DD boosts. Alternatively, you can repeatedly Scald it and fish for a burn. Too bad Mold Breaker cancels out Water Absorb, but oh well. If Gyarados doesn't Mega Evolve right away it is vulnerable to SR damage and repeated phazing will wear it down quickly. RestTalk allows Poliwrath to come in on Mega Gyara throughout the match without any worries, and it takes care of status.

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Aragorn the King

Lot of people are suggesting in the Aegis suspect thread that Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, and Mega Gardevoir will be uncounterable with Aegis banned. So for the next victim may I suggest one of those pokemon as the next victim to prove they have counters outside of Aegis?​

 

[qways]

Cheack:

Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Knock Off
- Recover

after gyara is at +1 on the switch in, you either taunt or wow. even if you mispredict, your going to win in both cases if you do the other attack on the next turn, wow hits and he doesnt get a crit.

 

[Aragorn the King]

Aragorn the King

Lot of people are suggesting in the Aegis suspect thread that Mega Medicham, Mega Heracross, and Mega Gardevoir will be uncounterable with Aegis banned. So for the next victim may I suggest one of those pokemon as the next victim to prove they have counters outside of Aegis?​

Sounds good to me!