Sevi 7
Semi-retired
[OVERVIEW]
Gyarados is one of the best tanks and wallbreakers in UU. Thanks to its well-rounded stats and strong movepool, Gyarados can easily survive most attacks and immediately threaten back with either a Body Slam paralysis or a powerful attack of its own. Gyarados' attacks can cut through some of the tiers bulkier Pokemon, and it can customize itself to cover a wide range of threats. Gyarados uses Blizzard to OHKO Dragonite and 2HKO Venusaur and Tangela, Gyarados can run Thunderbolt to 3HKO Tentacruel and Omastar, Hyper Beam has a tiny chance to OHKO Kadabra, and Hydro Pump OHKOes Dugtrio and 2HKOes Kangaskhan and Persian. Gyarados is also one of the tier's premium Dugtrio checks. Gyarados can switch into Earthquake and then paralyze or KO Dugtrio. Dugtrio can fight back with Rock Slide or Slash, but they only 4HKO, and Dugtrio is forced to switch-out most of the time. Therefore, as long as there is a healthy Gyarados around, Dugtrio cannot sweep or revenge kill, and its usefulness is severely limited. Gyarados is thus a respectable answer to most of the metagame and can be a difficult Pokemon to prepare for.
Not everything is great for Gyarados though. Its Flying-type is both a blessing and a curse. Although Gyarados is immune to Earthquake, it takes double super-effective damage from Thunderbolt, is weak to Rock Slide, and is the only Water-type that takes neutral damage from Blizzard. Gyarados can also only switch-in so many times until its lack of speed and recovery put it into KO range itself. Consequently, Gyarados' defensive capabilities are somewhat limited and should only be brought in when you don't have any other answers to your opponent's current threat. However, even with that said, Gyarados is still one of the best Pokemon in the tier and should be feared and respected.
[SET]
set name: All-Out-Attacker
name 1: Body Slam
name 2: Blizzard
name 3: Hyper Beam / Hydro Pump
name 4: Thunderbolt / Hydro Pump
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Body Slam is Gyarados' main physical attack and helps Gyarados spread paralysis. Many of Gyarados’ common answers, such as Electabuzz and Tentacruel, absolutely hate getting paralyzed, making Body Slam one of Gyarados’ safest options. Blizzard is ran to OHKO Dragonite, while also doing super-effective damage against Grass- and Flying-type Pokemon as well. Hyper Beam is Gyarados’ most powerful physical attack and with a massive 125 Attack stat, Hyper Beam can KO several Pokemon from high percentages. For example, Body Slam and Hyper Beam KOes Kadabra, and a critical hit Body Slam or Thunderbolt and a Hyper Beam KOs Tentacruel. Also, after two Seismic Tosses, Hyper Beam will KO Hypno half the time. Thunderbolt is Gyarados' coverage move to 2HKO opposing Gyarados and reliably damages other bulky waters. Tentacruel, Omastar and Dewgong are all 3HKOed by Thunderbolt, and Vaporeon is 4HKOed. Hydro Pump can replace Hyper Beam or Thunderbolt, in order to do massive special damage. Hydro Pump is Gyarados' strongest special attack and 2HKOes Kangaskhan and Persian, and OHKOes Dugtrio, Aerodactyl and Golem. It also 3HKOes Hypno, Haunter, Omastar and Electabuzz. Running Hydro Pump does mean giving up Gyarados' most powerful physical attack or coverage against bulky Water-type Pokemon. Therefore, Hydro Pump is best used on teams weak Normal-types Pokemon, particularity Kangaskhan.
Gyarados is usually a team's main check to Dugtrio, who can otherwise ravage some teams with STAB Earthquake. Although Gyarados does need to be careful about switching in against Rock Slide or Slash, it can play mind games with whether or not Dugtrio should use Earthquake or not. Just the threat of Gyarados switching in and making the opponent unwilling to select Earthquake can tilt the game in Gyarados' favor. Gyarados’ effect on a game needs to be understood to get the most out of it. That being said, even if an opponent doesn't have a ground-type, Gyarados still switch-in to non-super Effective attacks and at least 3HKO almost every Pokemon in the metagame. Gyarados can wallbreak and wear down a team. This is why Gyarados fits well on a variety of teams and strategies and should often be considered for a team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gyarados can drop Blizzard for Thunderbolt; however, Gyarados does not have a reliable way to check Dragonite or Grass-type Pokemon then. Thunder can replace Thunderbolt. It has a small chance to OHKO opposing Gyarados, a chance to 2HKO Omastar and Dewgong, and always 3HKOs Vaproeon and Articuno. However, the 70% accuracy is less than desirable, especially on a Pokemon that does not have any form of recovery. Rest can be used as form of recovery. However, Gyarados may have a hard time waking up. Switching a sleeping Gyarados into Wrap or against an opponent's sleeping Pokemon to burn off sleep turns may be needed. Fire Blast can work to compress the roles of Blizzard and Hydro Pump into one move. Fire Blast does super-effective damage against Grass-types. Meanwhile a burn stops: Dragonite from using Agility and Wrap, Kangaskhan and Dodrio from doing too much damage, and Tentacruel from Wrapping and pivoting. However, it is far better to KO Pokemon than to burn them and burning some Pokemon, like Kadabra, can be extremely problematic. Toxic can be used to stop Dragonite and Dragonair’s Agility and Wrap combo. Toxic has a better chance of hitting Dragonite than Blizzard does to OHKO and a critical hit is needed to OHKO Dragonair. However, Blizzard also does good damage against Grass-types and its chance to freeze is unmatched, making Blizzard the better choice in most match ups.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Thunderbolt and Thunder Users**: Gyarados’ biggest weakness is Thunderbolt. Even Pokemon like Clefable can 2HKO Gyarados with a Thunderbolt, and many more can OHKO with Thunder. Out of all of the tier’s Thunderbolt users, Haunter is the worst for Gyarados. It is completely immune to Body Slam and Hyper Beam and is only 3HKOed by Hydro Pump. Meanwhile, Haunter outspeeds and can use Hypnosis, predicting a switch, without much fear. Electabuzz, Raichu and Electrode outspeed Gyarados and can OHKO it with STAB Thunderbolt. They are not as solid of a check as Haunter though, as they have to be wary about switching in on Gyarados’s Body Slam, especially because a critical hit Body Slam followed by a Hydro Pump or Hyper Beam will KO. If they can come in safely though, Gyarados is immediately scared out by their presence. Persian, Raticate and Clefable can switch in against Body Slam, not fear paralysis, and 2HKO with Thunderbolt. Persian and Raticate are faster than Gyarados, but they are 2HKOed by Hydro Pump or Hyper Beam. Meanwhile, Clefable is slower than Gyarados, but Gyarados can only 3HKO Clefable. Persian, Raticate and Clefable shouldn't be your first choice as a Gyarados check, but they can be used as such, if needed.
**Rock Slide Users**: Gyarados does get worn down by Rock Slide. Dugtrio, Golem and Kangaskhan
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon can be a problem for Gyardos, especially if Gyarados doesn't have Thunderbolt. So, they can be a safe defensive pivot or even be enough to finish off a weakened Gyarados. Tentacruel outspeeds Gyarados and can whittle it down with Wrap, or pivot into something with Thunderbolt. However, Tentacruel absolutely hates getting paralyzed by Body Slam, so Tentacruel must be wary. Vaporeon, Dewgong and Omastar can come in safely on Thunderbolt-less Gyarados. Omastar is 3HKOed by Hydro Pump though, so it must rely on Hydro Pump’s less than perfect accuracy until it can stall out Hydro Pump’s low PP. However, these Pokemon cannot do much in return though, so it’s probably best to use them as a defensive pivot and double switch into something that can take Gyarados’ Thunderbolt. That being said, they can wear down Gyarados or try to paralyze it with Body Slam. Since Gyarados has no way to restore HP or cure status, this can work if needed.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sevi 7, 505149]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Gyarados is one of the best tanks and wallbreakers in UU. Thanks to its well-rounded stats and strong movepool, Gyarados can easily survive most attacks and immediately threaten back with either a Body Slam paralysis or a powerful attack of its own. Gyarados' attacks can cut through some of the tiers bulkier Pokemon, and it can customize itself to cover a wide range of threats. Gyarados uses Blizzard to OHKO Dragonite and 2HKO Venusaur and Tangela, Gyarados can run Thunderbolt to 3HKO Tentacruel and Omastar, Hyper Beam has a tiny chance to OHKO Kadabra, and Hydro Pump OHKOes Dugtrio and 2HKOes Kangaskhan and Persian. Gyarados is also one of the tier's premium Dugtrio checks. Gyarados can switch into Earthquake and then paralyze or KO Dugtrio. Dugtrio can fight back with Rock Slide or Slash, but they only 4HKO, and Dugtrio is forced to switch-out most of the time. Therefore, as long as there is a healthy Gyarados around, Dugtrio cannot sweep or revenge kill, and its usefulness is severely limited. Gyarados is thus a respectable answer to most of the metagame and can be a difficult Pokemon to prepare for.
Not everything is great for Gyarados though. Its Flying-type is both a blessing and a curse. Although Gyarados is immune to Earthquake, it takes double super-effective damage from Thunderbolt, is weak to Rock Slide, and is the only Water-type that takes neutral damage from Blizzard. Gyarados can also only switch-in so many times until its lack of speed and recovery put it into KO range itself. Consequently, Gyarados' defensive capabilities are somewhat limited and should only be brought in when you don't have any other answers to your opponent's current threat. However, even with that said, Gyarados is still one of the best Pokemon in the tier and should be feared and respected.
[SET]
set name: All-Out-Attacker
name 1: Body Slam
name 2: Blizzard
name 3: Hyper Beam / Hydro Pump
name 4: Thunderbolt / Hydro Pump
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Body Slam is Gyarados' main physical attack and helps Gyarados spread paralysis. Many of Gyarados’ common answers, such as Electabuzz and Tentacruel, absolutely hate getting paralyzed, making Body Slam one of Gyarados’ safest options. Blizzard is ran to OHKO Dragonite, while also doing super-effective damage against Grass- and Flying-type Pokemon as well. Hyper Beam is Gyarados’ most powerful physical attack and with a massive 125 Attack stat, Hyper Beam can KO several Pokemon from high percentages. For example, Body Slam and Hyper Beam KOes Kadabra, and a critical hit Body Slam or Thunderbolt and a Hyper Beam KOs Tentacruel. Also, after two Seismic Tosses, Hyper Beam will KO Hypno half the time. Thunderbolt is Gyarados' coverage move to 2HKO opposing Gyarados and reliably damages other bulky waters. Tentacruel, Omastar and Dewgong are all 3HKOed by Thunderbolt, and Vaporeon is 4HKOed. Hydro Pump can replace Hyper Beam or Thunderbolt, in order to do massive special damage. Hydro Pump is Gyarados' strongest special attack and 2HKOes Kangaskhan and Persian, and OHKOes Dugtrio, Aerodactyl and Golem. It also 3HKOes Hypno, Haunter, Omastar and Electabuzz. Running Hydro Pump does mean giving up Gyarados' most powerful physical attack or coverage against bulky Water-type Pokemon. Therefore, Hydro Pump is best used on teams weak Normal-types Pokemon, particularity Kangaskhan.
Gyarados is usually a team's main check to Dugtrio, who can otherwise ravage some teams with STAB Earthquake. Although Gyarados does need to be careful about switching in against Rock Slide or Slash, it can play mind games with whether or not Dugtrio should use Earthquake or not. Just the threat of Gyarados switching in and making the opponent unwilling to select Earthquake can tilt the game in Gyarados' favor. Gyarados’ effect on a game needs to be understood to get the most out of it. That being said, even if an opponent doesn't have a ground-type, Gyarados still switch-in to non-super Effective attacks and at least 3HKO almost every Pokemon in the metagame. Gyarados can wallbreak and wear down a team. This is why Gyarados fits well on a variety of teams and strategies and should often be considered for a team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gyarados can drop Blizzard for Thunderbolt; however, Gyarados does not have a reliable way to check Dragonite or Grass-type Pokemon then. Thunder can replace Thunderbolt. It has a small chance to OHKO opposing Gyarados, a chance to 2HKO Omastar and Dewgong, and always 3HKOs Vaproeon and Articuno. However, the 70% accuracy is less than desirable, especially on a Pokemon that does not have any form of recovery. Rest can be used as form of recovery. However, Gyarados may have a hard time waking up. Switching a sleeping Gyarados into Wrap or against an opponent's sleeping Pokemon to burn off sleep turns may be needed. Fire Blast can work to compress the roles of Blizzard and Hydro Pump into one move. Fire Blast does super-effective damage against Grass-types. Meanwhile a burn stops: Dragonite from using Agility and Wrap, Kangaskhan and Dodrio from doing too much damage, and Tentacruel from Wrapping and pivoting. However, it is far better to KO Pokemon than to burn them and burning some Pokemon, like Kadabra, can be extremely problematic. Toxic can be used to stop Dragonite and Dragonair’s Agility and Wrap combo. Toxic has a better chance of hitting Dragonite than Blizzard does to OHKO and a critical hit is needed to OHKO Dragonair. However, Blizzard also does good damage against Grass-types and its chance to freeze is unmatched, making Blizzard the better choice in most match ups.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Thunderbolt and Thunder Users**: Gyarados’ biggest weakness is Thunderbolt. Even Pokemon like Clefable can 2HKO Gyarados with a Thunderbolt, and many more can OHKO with Thunder. Out of all of the tier’s Thunderbolt users, Haunter is the worst for Gyarados. It is completely immune to Body Slam and Hyper Beam and is only 3HKOed by Hydro Pump. Meanwhile, Haunter outspeeds and can use Hypnosis, predicting a switch, without much fear. Electabuzz, Raichu and Electrode outspeed Gyarados and can OHKO it with STAB Thunderbolt. They are not as solid of a check as Haunter though, as they have to be wary about switching in on Gyarados’s Body Slam, especially because a critical hit Body Slam followed by a Hydro Pump or Hyper Beam will KO. If they can come in safely though, Gyarados is immediately scared out by their presence. Persian, Raticate and Clefable can switch in against Body Slam, not fear paralysis, and 2HKO with Thunderbolt. Persian and Raticate are faster than Gyarados, but they are 2HKOed by Hydro Pump or Hyper Beam. Meanwhile, Clefable is slower than Gyarados, but Gyarados can only 3HKO Clefable. Persian, Raticate and Clefable shouldn't be your first choice as a Gyarados check, but they can be used as such, if needed.
**Rock Slide Users**: Gyarados does get worn down by Rock Slide. Dugtrio, Golem and Kangaskhan
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon can be a problem for Gyardos, especially if Gyarados doesn't have Thunderbolt. So, they can be a safe defensive pivot or even be enough to finish off a weakened Gyarados. Tentacruel outspeeds Gyarados and can whittle it down with Wrap, or pivot into something with Thunderbolt. However, Tentacruel absolutely hates getting paralyzed by Body Slam, so Tentacruel must be wary. Vaporeon, Dewgong and Omastar can come in safely on Thunderbolt-less Gyarados. Omastar is 3HKOed by Hydro Pump though, so it must rely on Hydro Pump’s less than perfect accuracy until it can stall out Hydro Pump’s low PP. However, these Pokemon cannot do much in return though, so it’s probably best to use them as a defensive pivot and double switch into something that can take Gyarados’ Thunderbolt. That being said, they can wear down Gyarados or try to paralyze it with Body Slam. Since Gyarados has no way to restore HP or cure status, this can work if needed.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sevi 7, 505149]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Last edited: