[OVERVIEW]
Mega Gardevoir's access to Pixilate and a high Special Attack stat makes it a unique wallbreaker. However, that is all Mega Gardevoir really has—it faces severe competition with Tapu Lele, even if Fairy-type attacks are much harder to switch into than Psychic-type attacks. Not only does Tapu Lele have a similar stat distribution, but it also has a superior ability and the ability to hold an item. Mega Gardevoir itself struggles in a metagame filled with Steel-types such as Magearna and Celesteela, which are ready to take advantage of it. Mega Gardevoir is also trapped and removed by Dugtrio, which prevents Mega Gardevoir from pressuring bulkier playstyles. Because of these flaws, Mega Gardevoir must be built around creatively. Since Mega Gardevoir does not activate Psychic Terrain like Tapu Lele does, it pairs much better with strong priority users such as Ash-Greninja and Zygarde. Mega Gardevoir also has a wider support movepool than Tapu Lele, the main move being Will-O-Wisp.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Taunt
item: Gardevoirite
ability: Trace
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice is boosted by Pixilate and does massive amounts of damage to most neutral targets. Psyshock prevents Poison-types such as Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, and Amoonguss from walling Mega Gardevoir. It also hits Chansey for decent damage while preventing Volcarona from setting up on it. Focus Blast is the preferred coverage move to prevent Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn from gaining free turns. One of the main tools Mega Gardevoir has over Tapu Lele is Will-O-Wisp, which cripples Pokemon that could normally take advantage of Mega Gardevoir such as Mega Mawile and Celesteela while chipping away at Magearna. Taunt is an option, however, to stop Defog users such as Mew and Mantine, and it allows Mega Gardevoir to defeat Chansey one-on-one.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are mandatory so Mega Gardevoir can hit as hard and be as fast as possible. A Modest nature is preferred for the extra damage output so Mega Gardevoir can OHKO Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and offensive Landorus-T after Stealth Rock damage. A Timid nature is a possibility to Speed tie with Mega Charizard Y and outpace Timid Tapu Lele and Jolly Landorus-T, but the drop in power should be noted. Trace is the best ability before Mega Evolution, letting Gardevoir copy useful abilities such as Flash Fire, Intimidate, and Regenerator.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gardevoir is a wallbreaker, so it should come in as many times as possible and pressure the opponent's team with its strong STAB and coverage moves. Because of the many Steel-types that plague the tier, use Will-O-Wisp early-game to cripple Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Celesteela. Use repetitive Hyper Voices and Focus Blasts later on to prevent them from getting any ground. Mega Gardevoir's special bulk is great for checking Pokemon such as Keldeo and non-Wild Charge Tapu Koko, so try to keep Mega Gardevoir healthy if it is needed to check these threats. If Taunt is ran, Mega Gardevoir can effectively net two KOs on stall teams. With the combination of Psyshock and Taunt, Mega Gardevoir can put Chansey in KO range to entry hazard damage on its next switch in. Mega Gardevoir can then proceed to switch out with Chansey still on the field so it will not be trapped by Dugtrio. The next time Gardevoir comes in freely, it can be used to KO a different Pokemon before being trapped by Dugtrio. Finally, use Gardevoir's ability Trace against Pokemon such as Heatran and Tangrowth. A strategy that can be used against rain teams is to lead with Gardevoir on Pelipper, and due to Gardevoir's copied ability Drizzle activating first, only five turns of rain will be summoned opposed to eight set by Damp Rock Pelipper.
Team Options
========
Mega Gardevoir's poor Defense means it appreciates VoltTurn support from Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Choice Scarf Greninja. Pokemon that can lure in or weaken Steel-types such as Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn are necessary, so Pokemon such as Low Kick Greninja, Continental Crush Tapu Bulu, and Nature's Madness Tapu Koko are options to consider. Dugtrio can work with Gardevoir, as it traps and KOes Magearna, one of the biggest roadblocks to Mega Gardevoir. Unlike Tapu Lele, Mega Gardevoir does not set up Psychic Terrain, so strong priority users such as Ash-Greninja, Choice Band Zygarde, and Bisharp work effectively with it. Ash-Greninja in particular appreciates Mega Gardevoir wearing down and burning a lot of its checks such as Mantine and Assault Vest Magearna.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fire can be used over Focus Blast to hit Mega Scizor, but the prevalence of Substitute Heatran makes it not worth the risk. Mega Gardevoir can try to set up and sweep teams with a set of Substitute, Calm Mind, Hyper Voice, and Focus Blast, but the lack of Psyshock and Will-O-Wisp prevents Gardevoir from pressuring common defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Encore, Thunder Wave, and Healing Wish are all options to differentiate itself from Tapu Lele.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Although most of them fear Will-O-Wisp, Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Mega Scizor, Jirachi, Magearna, Celesteela, and Assault Vest Magnezone can force out Mega Gardevoir with their STAB moves. Heatran and Ferrothorn take quite a bit from Focus Blast, but they can retaliate back with Toxic and Gyro Ball, respectively.
**Chansey**: Chansey walls Mega Gardevoir completely and cripples it with Toxic. Even if Mega Gardevoir is carrying Taunt or Calm Mind, Chansey can put it in a range with Seismic Toss where teammates have a much easier time dealing with it.
**Dugtrio**: Dugtrio traps and eliminates Mega Gardevoir with two Earthquakes thanks to its Focus Sash or can OHKO Mega Gardevoir if it is using Tectonic Rage.
**Faster Attackers**: Mega Gardevoir's Defense is poor, meaning it can easily be OHKOed by Pokemon such as Gunk Shot Greninja, Mega Pinsir, Garchomp, and Weavile, and Choice Scarf users such as Landorus-T.
**Priority Attacks**: Due to its poor Defense, Pokemon such as Mega Scizor, Mimikyu, Choice Band Zygarde, and Mega Mawile can do massive damage to Gardevoir, if not KOing it outright, with their powerful priority attacks.
Mega Gardevoir's access to Pixilate and a high Special Attack stat makes it a unique wallbreaker. However, that is all Mega Gardevoir really has—it faces severe competition with Tapu Lele, even if Fairy-type attacks are much harder to switch into than Psychic-type attacks. Not only does Tapu Lele have a similar stat distribution, but it also has a superior ability and the ability to hold an item. Mega Gardevoir itself struggles in a metagame filled with Steel-types such as Magearna and Celesteela, which are ready to take advantage of it. Mega Gardevoir is also trapped and removed by Dugtrio, which prevents Mega Gardevoir from pressuring bulkier playstyles. Because of these flaws, Mega Gardevoir must be built around creatively. Since Mega Gardevoir does not activate Psychic Terrain like Tapu Lele does, it pairs much better with strong priority users such as Ash-Greninja and Zygarde. Mega Gardevoir also has a wider support movepool than Tapu Lele, the main move being Will-O-Wisp.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Taunt
item: Gardevoirite
ability: Trace
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice is boosted by Pixilate and does massive amounts of damage to most neutral targets. Psyshock prevents Poison-types such as Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, and Amoonguss from walling Mega Gardevoir. It also hits Chansey for decent damage while preventing Volcarona from setting up on it. Focus Blast is the preferred coverage move to prevent Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn from gaining free turns. One of the main tools Mega Gardevoir has over Tapu Lele is Will-O-Wisp, which cripples Pokemon that could normally take advantage of Mega Gardevoir such as Mega Mawile and Celesteela while chipping away at Magearna. Taunt is an option, however, to stop Defog users such as Mew and Mantine, and it allows Mega Gardevoir to defeat Chansey one-on-one.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are mandatory so Mega Gardevoir can hit as hard and be as fast as possible. A Modest nature is preferred for the extra damage output so Mega Gardevoir can OHKO Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and offensive Landorus-T after Stealth Rock damage. A Timid nature is a possibility to Speed tie with Mega Charizard Y and outpace Timid Tapu Lele and Jolly Landorus-T, but the drop in power should be noted. Trace is the best ability before Mega Evolution, letting Gardevoir copy useful abilities such as Flash Fire, Intimidate, and Regenerator.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gardevoir is a wallbreaker, so it should come in as many times as possible and pressure the opponent's team with its strong STAB and coverage moves. Because of the many Steel-types that plague the tier, use Will-O-Wisp early-game to cripple Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Celesteela. Use repetitive Hyper Voices and Focus Blasts later on to prevent them from getting any ground. Mega Gardevoir's special bulk is great for checking Pokemon such as Keldeo and non-Wild Charge Tapu Koko, so try to keep Mega Gardevoir healthy if it is needed to check these threats. If Taunt is ran, Mega Gardevoir can effectively net two KOs on stall teams. With the combination of Psyshock and Taunt, Mega Gardevoir can put Chansey in KO range to entry hazard damage on its next switch in. Mega Gardevoir can then proceed to switch out with Chansey still on the field so it will not be trapped by Dugtrio. The next time Gardevoir comes in freely, it can be used to KO a different Pokemon before being trapped by Dugtrio. Finally, use Gardevoir's ability Trace against Pokemon such as Heatran and Tangrowth. A strategy that can be used against rain teams is to lead with Gardevoir on Pelipper, and due to Gardevoir's copied ability Drizzle activating first, only five turns of rain will be summoned opposed to eight set by Damp Rock Pelipper.
Team Options
========
Mega Gardevoir's poor Defense means it appreciates VoltTurn support from Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Choice Scarf Greninja. Pokemon that can lure in or weaken Steel-types such as Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn are necessary, so Pokemon such as Low Kick Greninja, Continental Crush Tapu Bulu, and Nature's Madness Tapu Koko are options to consider. Dugtrio can work with Gardevoir, as it traps and KOes Magearna, one of the biggest roadblocks to Mega Gardevoir. Unlike Tapu Lele, Mega Gardevoir does not set up Psychic Terrain, so strong priority users such as Ash-Greninja, Choice Band Zygarde, and Bisharp work effectively with it. Ash-Greninja in particular appreciates Mega Gardevoir wearing down and burning a lot of its checks such as Mantine and Assault Vest Magearna.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fire can be used over Focus Blast to hit Mega Scizor, but the prevalence of Substitute Heatran makes it not worth the risk. Mega Gardevoir can try to set up and sweep teams with a set of Substitute, Calm Mind, Hyper Voice, and Focus Blast, but the lack of Psyshock and Will-O-Wisp prevents Gardevoir from pressuring common defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Encore, Thunder Wave, and Healing Wish are all options to differentiate itself from Tapu Lele.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Although most of them fear Will-O-Wisp, Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Mega Scizor, Jirachi, Magearna, Celesteela, and Assault Vest Magnezone can force out Mega Gardevoir with their STAB moves. Heatran and Ferrothorn take quite a bit from Focus Blast, but they can retaliate back with Toxic and Gyro Ball, respectively.
**Chansey**: Chansey walls Mega Gardevoir completely and cripples it with Toxic. Even if Mega Gardevoir is carrying Taunt or Calm Mind, Chansey can put it in a range with Seismic Toss where teammates have a much easier time dealing with it.
**Dugtrio**: Dugtrio traps and eliminates Mega Gardevoir with two Earthquakes thanks to its Focus Sash or can OHKO Mega Gardevoir if it is using Tectonic Rage.
**Faster Attackers**: Mega Gardevoir's Defense is poor, meaning it can easily be OHKOed by Pokemon such as Gunk Shot Greninja, Mega Pinsir, Garchomp, and Weavile, and Choice Scarf users such as Landorus-T.
**Priority Attacks**: Due to its poor Defense, Pokemon such as Mega Scizor, Mimikyu, Choice Band Zygarde, and Mega Mawile can do massive damage to Gardevoir, if not KOing it outright, with their powerful priority attacks.
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