[OVERVIEW]
Gallade's Mega Evolution grants it a crucial Speed boost and a massive Attack increase that meshes well with its expansive movepool to make for a worthy addition to any offensive team. Mega Gallade's versatility is unparalleled, boasting great boosting moves such as Swords Dance and Bulk Up, as well as great utility options such as Will-O-Wisp and Skill Swap. Mega Gallade's well-round stats allow it to take some hits with its respectable bulk and still hit hard even without a boost. However, Mega Gallade sits at the crowded base 110 Speed tier, meaning that facing common Pokemon such as Gengar, Latios, and Latias requires it to take a gamble. Mega Gallade is also rather weak when not Mega-Evolved, which can be problematic if the opponent is able to constantly apply pressure. In addition to this, Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye are perfect checks to Mega Gallade, and they are quite common in the OU tier.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Drain Punch / Close Combat
move 3: Ice Punch / Knock Off / Shadow Sneak
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is used to boost Mega Gallade's Attack, making it even harder to switch into. Drain Punch is Mega Gallade's main STAB attack, providing it with both offensive presence and longevity. Close Combat can be used for wallbreaking purposes, hitting insanely hard even without an Attack boost; however, this comes with the risk of foes taking advantage of the defense drops. Ice Punch gives Mega Gallade the ability to get past Garchomp, Gliscor, and Landorus-T more easily. Knock Off gives Mega Gallade decent coverage by hitting Psychic-types and is a good move to spam in general. Shadow Sneak improves Mega Gallade's matchup against offensive threats such as Starmie, Alakazam, and Mega Alakazam while not risking Speed ties with Gengar, Latios, and Latias. Zen Headbutt rounds off Mega Gallade's moveset with a strong STAB move to smack Fairies and threats such as Mega Venusaur and Keldeo. Alternatively, if your team already has answers to these, Substitute can be used to capitalize on all the switches that Mega Gallade forces.
Set Details
========
The EV spread is standard for a physical attacker, with maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allowing Mega Gallade to maintain its great Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Keldeo, and Garchomp and Speed tying with Latios, Latias, Gengar, and Mega Metagross. Justified allows Mega Gallade to switch into weak or non-STAB Dark-type moves such as Knock Off and gain a free +1 Attack boost. An Adamant nature can be used to increase Mega Gallade's wallbreaking potential, allowing it to OHKO or 2HKO several bulkier Pokemon such as maximum HP Mega Altaria and Magic Guard Clefable with Zen Headbutt and defensive Garchomp and defensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock with Close Combat. The loss of Speed, however, will allow Pokemon such as Keldeo and Landorus to outspeed Mega Gallade.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gallade's nice special bulk allows it to switch into weak special attacks even before Mega Evolving. Either way, Gallade should Mega Evolve as soon as possible to gain the crucial stat boosts, especially to its Speed, which otherwise sits at a mediocre base 80. Swords Dance can be set up rather easily against defensive teams; against more offensive teams, Mega Gallade should just start attacking straight away. Physical Dark-type attacks will still hurt, so don't switch into strong Knock Off users recklessly for the Justified boost.
Team Options
========
Bisharp and Mega Gallade form an excellent core, as both members can easily remove their counterpart's checks. Heatran can slow down Unaware Clefable and provides both a reliable Talonflame check and a much-needed Fairy resistance while being able to set up Stealth Rock. Entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Tyranitar work well to whittle down foes while also handling some of Mega Gallade's checks such as Talonflame, Gengar, Latios, and Latias. Klefki and Ferrothorn can provide Spikes and Thunder Wave support for Mega Gallade to take advantage of mid- to late-game to sweep or to Mega Evolve more easily. Rotom-W and Landorus-T form a VoltTurn core that can also lure in Pokemon that Mega Gallade can take advantage of, such as Mega Venusaur, Ferrothorn, and Chesnaught. Teammates that can beat or take advantage of Mega Gallade's biggest checks in Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye make great partners, including Sylveon, Talonflame, Volcarona, Gliscor, and Calm Mind + Magic Guard Clefable,. Dragalge and Tentacruel can use Toxic Spikes, which can rack up damage very quickly as Mega Gallade forces switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Gallade's movepool contains many utility moves and usable options, most of which can be situationally useful. Taunt can be used to stallbreak or prevent a foe from setting up for free, Skill Swap completely shuts down Mega Sableye, Bulk Up can be used on a more bulky set, Leaf Blade can be used to deal slightly more damage to Mega Slowbro, Will-O-Wisp can be used to catch common switch-ins such as Azumarill, and Destiny Bond can be used to let Mega Gallade try to bring a foe down with it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Azumarill, Whimsicott, Sylveon, Togekiss, and Clefable resist Close Combat and Knock Off while being able to hit Mega Gallade super effectively.
**Revenge Killers**: Common priority moves can finish off a weakened Mega Gallade or outright OHKO it, as its Defense isn't too good. Talonflame and Mega Pinsir always have a form of Flying-type priority, so these two are extremely dangerous to Mega Gallade. In addition, faster Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Tornadus-T, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Pidgeot can come in and revenge kill Mega Gallade.
**Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye**: These two Pokemon resist almost everything Mega Gallade can throw at them and can use most variants as setup fodder.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Bulky Psychic-types such as stallbreaker Mew and Cresselia can easily heal off the damage from Knock Off and whittle Mega Gallade down or force it out. If Mega Gallade fails to set up Swords Dance, Slowbro can slow it down with Thunder Wave.
Gallade's Mega Evolution grants it a crucial Speed boost and a massive Attack increase that meshes well with its expansive movepool to make for a worthy addition to any offensive team. Mega Gallade's versatility is unparalleled, boasting great boosting moves such as Swords Dance and Bulk Up, as well as great utility options such as Will-O-Wisp and Skill Swap. Mega Gallade's well-round stats allow it to take some hits with its respectable bulk and still hit hard even without a boost. However, Mega Gallade sits at the crowded base 110 Speed tier, meaning that facing common Pokemon such as Gengar, Latios, and Latias requires it to take a gamble. Mega Gallade is also rather weak when not Mega-Evolved, which can be problematic if the opponent is able to constantly apply pressure. In addition to this, Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye are perfect checks to Mega Gallade, and they are quite common in the OU tier.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Drain Punch / Close Combat
move 3: Ice Punch / Knock Off / Shadow Sneak
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is used to boost Mega Gallade's Attack, making it even harder to switch into. Drain Punch is Mega Gallade's main STAB attack, providing it with both offensive presence and longevity. Close Combat can be used for wallbreaking purposes, hitting insanely hard even without an Attack boost; however, this comes with the risk of foes taking advantage of the defense drops. Ice Punch gives Mega Gallade the ability to get past Garchomp, Gliscor, and Landorus-T more easily. Knock Off gives Mega Gallade decent coverage by hitting Psychic-types and is a good move to spam in general. Shadow Sneak improves Mega Gallade's matchup against offensive threats such as Starmie, Alakazam, and Mega Alakazam while not risking Speed ties with Gengar, Latios, and Latias. Zen Headbutt rounds off Mega Gallade's moveset with a strong STAB move to smack Fairies and threats such as Mega Venusaur and Keldeo. Alternatively, if your team already has answers to these, Substitute can be used to capitalize on all the switches that Mega Gallade forces.
Set Details
========
The EV spread is standard for a physical attacker, with maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allowing Mega Gallade to maintain its great Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Keldeo, and Garchomp and Speed tying with Latios, Latias, Gengar, and Mega Metagross. Justified allows Mega Gallade to switch into weak or non-STAB Dark-type moves such as Knock Off and gain a free +1 Attack boost. An Adamant nature can be used to increase Mega Gallade's wallbreaking potential, allowing it to OHKO or 2HKO several bulkier Pokemon such as maximum HP Mega Altaria and Magic Guard Clefable with Zen Headbutt and defensive Garchomp and defensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock with Close Combat. The loss of Speed, however, will allow Pokemon such as Keldeo and Landorus to outspeed Mega Gallade.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gallade's nice special bulk allows it to switch into weak special attacks even before Mega Evolving. Either way, Gallade should Mega Evolve as soon as possible to gain the crucial stat boosts, especially to its Speed, which otherwise sits at a mediocre base 80. Swords Dance can be set up rather easily against defensive teams; against more offensive teams, Mega Gallade should just start attacking straight away. Physical Dark-type attacks will still hurt, so don't switch into strong Knock Off users recklessly for the Justified boost.
Team Options
========
Bisharp and Mega Gallade form an excellent core, as both members can easily remove their counterpart's checks. Heatran can slow down Unaware Clefable and provides both a reliable Talonflame check and a much-needed Fairy resistance while being able to set up Stealth Rock. Entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Tyranitar work well to whittle down foes while also handling some of Mega Gallade's checks such as Talonflame, Gengar, Latios, and Latias. Klefki and Ferrothorn can provide Spikes and Thunder Wave support for Mega Gallade to take advantage of mid- to late-game to sweep or to Mega Evolve more easily. Rotom-W and Landorus-T form a VoltTurn core that can also lure in Pokemon that Mega Gallade can take advantage of, such as Mega Venusaur, Ferrothorn, and Chesnaught. Teammates that can beat or take advantage of Mega Gallade's biggest checks in Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye make great partners, including Sylveon, Talonflame, Volcarona, Gliscor, and Calm Mind + Magic Guard Clefable,. Dragalge and Tentacruel can use Toxic Spikes, which can rack up damage very quickly as Mega Gallade forces switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Gallade's movepool contains many utility moves and usable options, most of which can be situationally useful. Taunt can be used to stallbreak or prevent a foe from setting up for free, Skill Swap completely shuts down Mega Sableye, Bulk Up can be used on a more bulky set, Leaf Blade can be used to deal slightly more damage to Mega Slowbro, Will-O-Wisp can be used to catch common switch-ins such as Azumarill, and Destiny Bond can be used to let Mega Gallade try to bring a foe down with it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Azumarill, Whimsicott, Sylveon, Togekiss, and Clefable resist Close Combat and Knock Off while being able to hit Mega Gallade super effectively.
**Revenge Killers**: Common priority moves can finish off a weakened Mega Gallade or outright OHKO it, as its Defense isn't too good. Talonflame and Mega Pinsir always have a form of Flying-type priority, so these two are extremely dangerous to Mega Gallade. In addition, faster Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Tornadus-T, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Pidgeot can come in and revenge kill Mega Gallade.
**Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye**: These two Pokemon resist almost everything Mega Gallade can throw at them and can use most variants as setup fodder.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Bulky Psychic-types such as stallbreaker Mew and Cresselia can easily heal off the damage from Knock Off and whittle Mega Gallade down or force it out. If Mega Gallade fails to set up Swords Dance, Slowbro can slow it down with Thunder Wave.
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