Featuring: Gabby and Ty, your favourite News Reports (bringing to you the best of Trainers).
When I first tried using Mega Gallade I figured that it's defense and speed stats were "average" i.e. in the sense that a lot of key threats were also running at roughly those speeds. So KO'ing Mega Gallade was childs play. Later on, through many trials and errors, I learnt that the playing style that makes Mega Gallade shine the brightest was Hyper Offense. And this [Ladies and Gentlemen] has been the core planning for my Gallade.
1) Find out the opponents GXE score.
If it's high, odds are they're good and they'll be predicting.
If it's low, odds are they're decent - terrible battlers and I do not need to predict as much.
This strategy may seems a little arrogant and silly, but when you're battling random strangers online, it at least gives you some data or insight as to how good they are. Then you can start to plan your next moves from that information.
2) Analysis the foes team.
If it's a defensive team, then I can proceed to setting-up and sweeping.
If it's an offensive team, then I should just start attacking immediately, and set-up only when given the opportunity.
Some are for testing teams i.e. trail and errors, trying to draw out a solid team. Whilst the others are for battling and testing out this solid team.
Here are the accounts I use for different purposes:
Trail & Errors account
http://pokemonshowdown.com/users/killlakill117
My Real Account (for the 3DS)
http://pokemonshowdown.com/users/shyhawk
Excalibird (Skarmory) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
Role: Hazard Setter.
I chose an offensive hazard setting set for Skarmory simply because I thought it would suit a hyper offensive team better. It has all the assets to become a pain and taunt to shut down in-coming defoggers and hazard / status users. Shutting down status users allows members of my team to come in and set up (without fearing burns, paralysis, poisoning etc). This set is also somewhat fragile because we do not want to stay in an allow the foe to switch in a spinner. So fainting ASAP is actually a good thing. Brave Bird, plus the attack ev's makes sure it does some good damage. The addition of the Custap Berry makes sure we get an increase chance of laying extra hazards, damaging the foe or taunting them.
Rainrabbit (Azumarill) (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
Role: Set-Up Sweeper.
A Belly Drumming Azumarill is nothing to take lightly. The sheer power it gets as it belly drums allows it to OHKO or 2HKO any foes (baring Unaware users). About the ev's. At first, the amount of speed ev's put into speed seems really irrational, however this allows it to out speed uninvested based 70's, which prevents Politoed from switching in and using encore, Skarmory from defogging or setting up hazards etc.
The move sets are the norm. +6 Aqua jet, plus STAB, and Huge Power is nuclear! It's the move of choice when sweeping teams (as it grabs either OHKO's or 2HKO's). Play Rough is for the pokemon that resist Aqua Jet e.g. Rotom Wash, Dragons etc. Knock Off was chosen over Super power due to it's ability to OHKO most steel types including Ferrothorn (whilst keeping Azumarill nuclear).
Slitherquick (Serperior) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare / Giga Drain
Role: Wall Breaker/ Set-Up Sweeper.
My team needed a wall breaker. However, when it comes to Hyper Offense I've always preferred having members that can sweep teams (barring the single support Pokemon, in this case Skarmory). I read a few non-smogon guides and they suggested that I needed a wall breaker i.e. something that has the instant power to break teams and doesn't fear burns. It took me a while but I eventually figured out that Serperior was perfect! It also forms a great core with Azumarill.
Leaf Storm is powerful and very handy for getting the much needed Sp attack boosts. With powers up our coverage moves i.e. Dragon Pulse and Hidden Power Fire (I considered HP Ground but since my team already runs 3 anti Heatran Pokemon, it seemed like a waste). The choice between Giga Drain and Glare is situational i.e. Giga Drain allows Serperior to heal itself to make up for the life orb damage. Glare can be used to screw over some Pokemon that switch into Serperior with the intent to wall it e.g. Talonflame (I make sure Stealth Rock is up to prevent this).
Superhero (Gallade) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak / Ice Punch / Knock Off
- Zen Headbutt / Psycho Cut
Role: Set-Up Sweeper.
Gallade is the star of the show but the team is not 100% reliant on this gallant Pokemon. It has the coverage and power to sweep teams but it's biggest downfall is its 4 move syndrome and lack of better speed. Sword Dance boosts Mega Gallades defenses to sky high levels, OHKO's Skarmory and many threats via Close Combat. The second choice between Shadow Sneak, Ice Punch and Knock Off depends on what your team needs. Shadow Sneak is helpful for the surprise factor in hitting Psychic types for major damage e.g. Gardeviour, Lati-twins, Starmie etc and other fragile Pokemon e.g. Beedrill. This move is made even more lethal with Skarmory's Stealth Rocks and Spikes hazards. Ice Punch is specifically for the Landorus. It hits Dragon types and Gliscors very hard. Knock Off gives us an option when fighting Sableye who walls Gallade to hell and back. It's also handy for slapping off Leftovers and other helpful items from the foes. Zen Headbutt hits hard and does well against most fairies, but the chances of it missing its target can be catastrophic! Psycho Cut is a more reliable but less powerful option.
Checkmate (Bisharp) (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Role: Set-Up Sweeper / Defog Deterrent.
Bisharp's ability it extremely helpful especially since there are a lot of intimidating Pokemon out there (lol). It also aids in deterring the use of defog and forms a great core of Gallade. Most foes often save their intimidate Pokemon for last in hopes of stopping my Pokemon from setting up. But Bisharp turns this plan into their own misfortune (the number of high leveled matches I've played and Bisharp has sword danced, only to watch the foe switch in many intimidate Pokemon, one after another is hilariously diabolical i.e. Landorus and Mega Manetric).
Lum Berry Bisharp can be game changing due it being able to set up Sword Dance and heal off potential burns instantly, and then retaliate with a powerful Knock Off! This is often how we deal with Defensive Rotom Wash (especially if Serperior is knocked out). Iron Head also aids in stopping fairies. Whilst Sucker Punch makes him to clean up late game.
DracoKnight (Dragonite) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
Role: Revenge killer.
Dragonite is our teams revenge killer and an excellent way for getting rid of the dangerous Talonflame. It also comes with some great coverage moves that my team can take advantage of i.e. fire punch and earthquake (which for some reason catches Ferrothorn and Heatran users off guard, weird).
Outrage is extremely powerful and is useful for sweeping late game if the foe has no fairies or faster Pokemon at their disposal. Extreme Speed is often our move of choice late game. Fire punch is often unexpected or expected, but thanks to choice Band, does more damage than many foes have predicted.
Note:This team does not use any Hazard removers because most of the Pokemon here do not fear hazards terribly. Dragonite is a revenge killer, spams a Choice Banded Extreme Speed and it often comes out last. So Stealth rock isn't too much of an issue. Toxic spikes can be trouble some but we have bisharp and it's preferred over being burned.
Import Team
Threats to the team:
Talonflame
(Stealth Rock is essential and so is Dragonite!)
Unaware Pokemon
(The bane of our team, thankfully most are weak to on the special side, hence we use Serperior)
Ditto
(Never set up as this could lead to our teams defeat)
Mega Medicham
(Fake out and High Jump kicks stops Skarmory and ends most of my Pokemon. Must resort to priority attacks)
Tornadus
(It's faster than all my Pokemon and the following moveset sweeps everything in one or two hits i.e. Hurricane, Heatwave and Super Power)
Multiscale Dragonite
(If Multiscale is not intact. Then we can do something about it thanks to Azumarill. If Multiscale is intact, then Azumarill cannot do anything about and must watch Dragonite's Weakness Policy activate!)
Special Threats:
Bulky Roar users
Haze users (with Scald)
The team in action:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324531939
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324194227
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-322830750
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-322973860
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-323708709
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-323955887
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-323969922
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324194227
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324769560
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324772044
A must visit Pokemon Site for Nicknames:
http://pokemonname-rater.tumblr.com/
Well, first thing's first, I'm a huge fan of the pokemon Gallade. However despite having access to a great offensive move pool and superb offensive stats, it doesn't quite have the traits to make it stand out competitively. But when Mega Gallade was released, it finally received a new leash of live. Ever since then Mega Gallade has just on my mind ever since.
When I first tried using Mega Gallade I figured that it's defense and speed stats were "average" i.e. in the sense that a lot of key threats were also running at roughly those speeds. So KO'ing Mega Gallade was childs play. Later on, through many trials and errors, I learnt that the playing style that makes Mega Gallade shine the brightest was Hyper Offense. And this [Ladies and Gentlemen] has been the core planning for my Gallade.
My team's made up of the following Pokemon:
There are a few steps I take when battle opponents (especially on simulators such as PS). And they go as follows:
1) Find out the opponents GXE score.
If it's high, odds are they're good and they'll be predicting.
If it's low, odds are they're decent - terrible battlers and I do not need to predict as much.
This strategy may seems a little arrogant and silly, but when you're battling random strangers online, it at least gives you some data or insight as to how good they are. Then you can start to plan your next moves from that information.
2) Analysis the foes team.
If it's a defensive team, then I can proceed to setting-up and sweeping.
If it's an offensive team, then I should just start attacking immediately, and set-up only when given the opportunity.
hahaha oh man, well first of all, I'd like to add that I have various PS accounts.
Some are for testing teams i.e. trail and errors, trying to draw out a solid team. Whilst the others are for battling and testing out this solid team.
Here are the accounts I use for different purposes:
Trail & Errors account
http://pokemonshowdown.com/users/killlakill117
My Real Account (for the 3DS)
http://pokemonshowdown.com/users/shyhawk
Sure thing, of course. I've brief you all on the roles and move sets of the Pokemon down below.
Excalibird (Skarmory) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
Role: Hazard Setter.
I chose an offensive hazard setting set for Skarmory simply because I thought it would suit a hyper offensive team better. It has all the assets to become a pain and taunt to shut down in-coming defoggers and hazard / status users. Shutting down status users allows members of my team to come in and set up (without fearing burns, paralysis, poisoning etc). This set is also somewhat fragile because we do not want to stay in an allow the foe to switch in a spinner. So fainting ASAP is actually a good thing. Brave Bird, plus the attack ev's makes sure it does some good damage. The addition of the Custap Berry makes sure we get an increase chance of laying extra hazards, damaging the foe or taunting them.
Rainrabbit (Azumarill) (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
Role: Set-Up Sweeper.
A Belly Drumming Azumarill is nothing to take lightly. The sheer power it gets as it belly drums allows it to OHKO or 2HKO any foes (baring Unaware users). About the ev's. At first, the amount of speed ev's put into speed seems really irrational, however this allows it to out speed uninvested based 70's, which prevents Politoed from switching in and using encore, Skarmory from defogging or setting up hazards etc.
The move sets are the norm. +6 Aqua jet, plus STAB, and Huge Power is nuclear! It's the move of choice when sweeping teams (as it grabs either OHKO's or 2HKO's). Play Rough is for the pokemon that resist Aqua Jet e.g. Rotom Wash, Dragons etc. Knock Off was chosen over Super power due to it's ability to OHKO most steel types including Ferrothorn (whilst keeping Azumarill nuclear).
Slitherquick (Serperior) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare / Giga Drain
Role: Wall Breaker/ Set-Up Sweeper.
My team needed a wall breaker. However, when it comes to Hyper Offense I've always preferred having members that can sweep teams (barring the single support Pokemon, in this case Skarmory). I read a few non-smogon guides and they suggested that I needed a wall breaker i.e. something that has the instant power to break teams and doesn't fear burns. It took me a while but I eventually figured out that Serperior was perfect! It also forms a great core with Azumarill.
Leaf Storm is powerful and very handy for getting the much needed Sp attack boosts. With powers up our coverage moves i.e. Dragon Pulse and Hidden Power Fire (I considered HP Ground but since my team already runs 3 anti Heatran Pokemon, it seemed like a waste). The choice between Giga Drain and Glare is situational i.e. Giga Drain allows Serperior to heal itself to make up for the life orb damage. Glare can be used to screw over some Pokemon that switch into Serperior with the intent to wall it e.g. Talonflame (I make sure Stealth Rock is up to prevent this).
Superhero (Gallade) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak / Ice Punch / Knock Off
- Zen Headbutt / Psycho Cut
Role: Set-Up Sweeper.
Gallade is the star of the show but the team is not 100% reliant on this gallant Pokemon. It has the coverage and power to sweep teams but it's biggest downfall is its 4 move syndrome and lack of better speed. Sword Dance boosts Mega Gallades defenses to sky high levels, OHKO's Skarmory and many threats via Close Combat. The second choice between Shadow Sneak, Ice Punch and Knock Off depends on what your team needs. Shadow Sneak is helpful for the surprise factor in hitting Psychic types for major damage e.g. Gardeviour, Lati-twins, Starmie etc and other fragile Pokemon e.g. Beedrill. This move is made even more lethal with Skarmory's Stealth Rocks and Spikes hazards. Ice Punch is specifically for the Landorus. It hits Dragon types and Gliscors very hard. Knock Off gives us an option when fighting Sableye who walls Gallade to hell and back. It's also handy for slapping off Leftovers and other helpful items from the foes. Zen Headbutt hits hard and does well against most fairies, but the chances of it missing its target can be catastrophic! Psycho Cut is a more reliable but less powerful option.
Checkmate (Bisharp) (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Role: Set-Up Sweeper / Defog Deterrent.
Bisharp's ability it extremely helpful especially since there are a lot of intimidating Pokemon out there (lol). It also aids in deterring the use of defog and forms a great core of Gallade. Most foes often save their intimidate Pokemon for last in hopes of stopping my Pokemon from setting up. But Bisharp turns this plan into their own misfortune (the number of high leveled matches I've played and Bisharp has sword danced, only to watch the foe switch in many intimidate Pokemon, one after another is hilariously diabolical i.e. Landorus and Mega Manetric).
Lum Berry Bisharp can be game changing due it being able to set up Sword Dance and heal off potential burns instantly, and then retaliate with a powerful Knock Off! This is often how we deal with Defensive Rotom Wash (especially if Serperior is knocked out). Iron Head also aids in stopping fairies. Whilst Sucker Punch makes him to clean up late game.
DracoKnight (Dragonite) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
Role: Revenge killer.
Dragonite is our teams revenge killer and an excellent way for getting rid of the dangerous Talonflame. It also comes with some great coverage moves that my team can take advantage of i.e. fire punch and earthquake (which for some reason catches Ferrothorn and Heatran users off guard, weird).
Outrage is extremely powerful and is useful for sweeping late game if the foe has no fairies or faster Pokemon at their disposal. Extreme Speed is often our move of choice late game. Fire punch is often unexpected or expected, but thanks to choice Band, does more damage than many foes have predicted.
Note:This team does not use any Hazard removers because most of the Pokemon here do not fear hazards terribly. Dragonite is a revenge killer, spams a Choice Banded Extreme Speed and it often comes out last. So Stealth rock isn't too much of an issue. Toxic spikes can be trouble some but we have bisharp and it's preferred over being burned.
Import Team
Dragonite (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
Azumarill (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
Serperior (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
Skarmory @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
Gallade @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak / Ice Punch / Knock Off
- Zen Headbutt
Bisharp (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
Azumarill (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
Serperior (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
Skarmory @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
Gallade @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak / Ice Punch / Knock Off
- Zen Headbutt
Bisharp (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Threats to the team:
Talonflame
(Stealth Rock is essential and so is Dragonite!)
Unaware Pokemon
(The bane of our team, thankfully most are weak to on the special side, hence we use Serperior)
Ditto
(Never set up as this could lead to our teams defeat)
Mega Medicham
(Fake out and High Jump kicks stops Skarmory and ends most of my Pokemon. Must resort to priority attacks)
Tornadus
(It's faster than all my Pokemon and the following moveset sweeps everything in one or two hits i.e. Hurricane, Heatwave and Super Power)
Multiscale Dragonite
(If Multiscale is not intact. Then we can do something about it thanks to Azumarill. If Multiscale is intact, then Azumarill cannot do anything about and must watch Dragonite's Weakness Policy activate!)
Special Threats:
Bulky Roar users
Haze users (with Scald)
The team in action:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324531939
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324194227
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-322830750
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-322973860
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-323708709
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-323955887
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-323969922
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324194227
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324769560
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-324772044
A must visit Pokemon Site for Nicknames:
http://pokemonname-rater.tumblr.com/
Last edited: