[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Psychic)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Knock Off / Shadow Sneak
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
An excellent Speed tier, a sky-high Attack stat, and a great secondary type in Fighting that aids greatly against Steel and Dark teams make Mega Gallade an amazing physical wallbreaker on Psychic teams. Swords Dance allows Mega Gallade to further increase its already high Attack stat, allowing it to easily break through a majority of teams and walls like Celesteela. Close Combat is Mega Gallade's primary STAB option, dealing with troublesome Steel-, Dark-, Normal-, and Rock-types like Bisharp, Urshifu-S, Porygon2, and Tyranitar. Zen Headbutt allows it to deal with Poison- and Fighting-types like Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and Keldeo. Psycho Cut can be used in lieu of Zen Headbutt at the cost of some Base Power as a more accurate option that also avoids damage from Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, as well as Poison from Toxapex's Baneful Bunker. Knock Off helps against opposing Psychic-types like Slowbro and Victini that resist both of Mega Gallade's STAB options while also helping with Ghost-types like Galarian Corsola and Aegislash. Knock Off also gets rid of items like Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots, crippling the foe as a result. Shadow Sneak can be used instead of Knock Off as a form of priority that also helps against fast Psychic- and Ghost-types like Latios, Spectrier, and Choice Scarf Blacephalon. However, Knock Off is generally preferred for the increased power against bulky Psychic- and Ghost-types like Slowbro and Galarian Corsola, and Shadow Sneak proves to be counter-productive when paired with Tapu Lele. Justified, prior to Mega Evolution, allows Gallade to switch into weak Dark-type moves like Mega Sableye's Knock Off and gain an Attack boost. Maximum Speed investment along with a Jolly nature makes Mega Gallade outspeed threats like Choice Specs Blacephalon, Keldeo, and Landorus.
All of Mega Gallade's teammates appreciate its ability to deal with Dark-types like Hydreigon and Mega Tyranitar. Steel-types like Jirachi and Metagross pair up well with Mega Gallade, as they deal with Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Clefable that threaten it, and they can better handle Dragon-type attacks like Draco Meteor from Latios and Latias while also being able to provide Stealth Rock support. Victini and Mega Gallade form a formidable physical wallbreaking core while also synergizing well against Steel teams, as Victini deals with threats like Celesteela, while Mega Gallade in return takes care of Heatran reliably. Latios and Latias act as the most reliable Choice Scarf users on Psychic-type teams and can provide Defog support. Latias in particular can provide Healing Wish support for Mega Gallade, which it appreciates greatly. Fairy-types like Hatterene and Tapu Lele further improve the Dark matchup while also dealing with Dragon-type threats like Mega Altaria and Dragonite. Slowbro provides a reliable defensive pivot, can act as a reliable Fire-resistant Pokemon against Pokemon like Cinderace, and is also able to bring Mega Gallade safely into the field thanks to Teleport. Celebi is a great teammate, as it reliably deals with Water- and Ground-types that threaten Mega Gallade such as Mega Swampert and Excadrill. Deoxys-S breaks through Flying-type teams thanks to its BoltBeam coverage in conjunction with Nasty Plot. Albeit not common, Meloetta can provide a reliable switch-in against Ghost-type attacks directed at Mega Gallade from the likes of Spectrier, Gengar, and Blacephalon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychic
--------
Mega Gallade can opt to run Bulk Up and Drain Punch in lieu of Swords Dance and Close Combat; Drain Punch acts as a form of passive recovery, while Bulk Up makes Mega Gallade even tougher for physical attackers to deal with. However, the immediate damage output from Swords Dance and Close Combat is generally preferred. Substitute may be used to help Mega Gallade set up against passive Pokemon like Toxapex while avoiding status conditions from foes like Mega Sableye and Rotom-W, and it is opted for on Bulk Up sets, but it forces Mega Gallade to give up Knock Off or Shadow Sneak which are preferred in most cases.
Checks and Counters
===================
Psychic
--------
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Mimikyu can threaten to OHKO Mega Gallade with their powerful STAB moves. However, Mega Diancie needs to be wary of Mega Gallade winning the speed tie, while Mimikyu is easily threatened if Disguise is broken. Bulky Fairy-types like Hatterene can also check Mega Gallade effectively.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-type Pokemon such as Gengar, Spectrier, and Choice Scarf Blacephalon can outspeed and OHKO Mega Gallade with their Ghost-type STAB moves. However, they need to be wary of Shadow Sneak.
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Physically defensive walls such as Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye can easily switch in against Mega Gallade and proceed to burn it with Scald or Will-O-Wisp, respectively. Mega Sableye in particular is immune to both of Mega Gallade's STAB options and takes reduced damage from Knock Off, completely walling Mega Gallade.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers such as Mega Lopunny, Zeraora, Tapu Koko, and Choice Scarf Latios can all threaten to KO Mega Gallade after very little chip damage. However, Pokemon weak to Shadow Sneak like Latios need to watch out for it.
**Status**: All forms of status can cripple Mega Gallade greatly. Poison puts Mega Gallade on a timer, limiting its ability to act as a reliable wallbreaker. Paralysis allows Mega Gallade to easily be revenge killed. Burn greatly weakens it as a wallbreaker.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Maple, 473171]]
- Psychic analysis by: [[Maple, 473171]]
- Quality checked by: [[maroon, 305839], [Rotten, 491896]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [Finland, 517429]]
name: Swords Dance (Psychic)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Knock Off / Shadow Sneak
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
An excellent Speed tier, a sky-high Attack stat, and a great secondary type in Fighting that aids greatly against Steel and Dark teams make Mega Gallade an amazing physical wallbreaker on Psychic teams. Swords Dance allows Mega Gallade to further increase its already high Attack stat, allowing it to easily break through a majority of teams and walls like Celesteela. Close Combat is Mega Gallade's primary STAB option, dealing with troublesome Steel-, Dark-, Normal-, and Rock-types like Bisharp, Urshifu-S, Porygon2, and Tyranitar. Zen Headbutt allows it to deal with Poison- and Fighting-types like Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and Keldeo. Psycho Cut can be used in lieu of Zen Headbutt at the cost of some Base Power as a more accurate option that also avoids damage from Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, as well as Poison from Toxapex's Baneful Bunker. Knock Off helps against opposing Psychic-types like Slowbro and Victini that resist both of Mega Gallade's STAB options while also helping with Ghost-types like Galarian Corsola and Aegislash. Knock Off also gets rid of items like Leftovers and Heavy-Duty Boots, crippling the foe as a result. Shadow Sneak can be used instead of Knock Off as a form of priority that also helps against fast Psychic- and Ghost-types like Latios, Spectrier, and Choice Scarf Blacephalon. However, Knock Off is generally preferred for the increased power against bulky Psychic- and Ghost-types like Slowbro and Galarian Corsola, and Shadow Sneak proves to be counter-productive when paired with Tapu Lele. Justified, prior to Mega Evolution, allows Gallade to switch into weak Dark-type moves like Mega Sableye's Knock Off and gain an Attack boost. Maximum Speed investment along with a Jolly nature makes Mega Gallade outspeed threats like Choice Specs Blacephalon, Keldeo, and Landorus.
All of Mega Gallade's teammates appreciate its ability to deal with Dark-types like Hydreigon and Mega Tyranitar. Steel-types like Jirachi and Metagross pair up well with Mega Gallade, as they deal with Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Clefable that threaten it, and they can better handle Dragon-type attacks like Draco Meteor from Latios and Latias while also being able to provide Stealth Rock support. Victini and Mega Gallade form a formidable physical wallbreaking core while also synergizing well against Steel teams, as Victini deals with threats like Celesteela, while Mega Gallade in return takes care of Heatran reliably. Latios and Latias act as the most reliable Choice Scarf users on Psychic-type teams and can provide Defog support. Latias in particular can provide Healing Wish support for Mega Gallade, which it appreciates greatly. Fairy-types like Hatterene and Tapu Lele further improve the Dark matchup while also dealing with Dragon-type threats like Mega Altaria and Dragonite. Slowbro provides a reliable defensive pivot, can act as a reliable Fire-resistant Pokemon against Pokemon like Cinderace, and is also able to bring Mega Gallade safely into the field thanks to Teleport. Celebi is a great teammate, as it reliably deals with Water- and Ground-types that threaten Mega Gallade such as Mega Swampert and Excadrill. Deoxys-S breaks through Flying-type teams thanks to its BoltBeam coverage in conjunction with Nasty Plot. Albeit not common, Meloetta can provide a reliable switch-in against Ghost-type attacks directed at Mega Gallade from the likes of Spectrier, Gengar, and Blacephalon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychic
--------
Mega Gallade can opt to run Bulk Up and Drain Punch in lieu of Swords Dance and Close Combat; Drain Punch acts as a form of passive recovery, while Bulk Up makes Mega Gallade even tougher for physical attackers to deal with. However, the immediate damage output from Swords Dance and Close Combat is generally preferred. Substitute may be used to help Mega Gallade set up against passive Pokemon like Toxapex while avoiding status conditions from foes like Mega Sableye and Rotom-W, and it is opted for on Bulk Up sets, but it forces Mega Gallade to give up Knock Off or Shadow Sneak which are preferred in most cases.
Checks and Counters
===================
Psychic
--------
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Mimikyu can threaten to OHKO Mega Gallade with their powerful STAB moves. However, Mega Diancie needs to be wary of Mega Gallade winning the speed tie, while Mimikyu is easily threatened if Disguise is broken. Bulky Fairy-types like Hatterene can also check Mega Gallade effectively.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-type Pokemon such as Gengar, Spectrier, and Choice Scarf Blacephalon can outspeed and OHKO Mega Gallade with their Ghost-type STAB moves. However, they need to be wary of Shadow Sneak.
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Physically defensive walls such as Mega Slowbro and Mega Sableye can easily switch in against Mega Gallade and proceed to burn it with Scald or Will-O-Wisp, respectively. Mega Sableye in particular is immune to both of Mega Gallade's STAB options and takes reduced damage from Knock Off, completely walling Mega Gallade.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster revenge killers such as Mega Lopunny, Zeraora, Tapu Koko, and Choice Scarf Latios can all threaten to KO Mega Gallade after very little chip damage. However, Pokemon weak to Shadow Sneak like Latios need to watch out for it.
**Status**: All forms of status can cripple Mega Gallade greatly. Poison puts Mega Gallade on a timer, limiting its ability to act as a reliable wallbreaker. Paralysis allows Mega Gallade to easily be revenge killed. Burn greatly weakens it as a wallbreaker.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Maple, 473171]]
- Psychic analysis by: [[Maple, 473171]]
- Quality checked by: [[maroon, 305839], [Rotten, 491896]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [Finland, 517429]]
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