[OVERVIEW]
Psychic
========
Mega Gallade's Fighting typing allows it to heavily pressure the Steel- and Dark-type Pokemon that threaten its teammates. It has an exceptional Attack stat that is only amplified by its access to Swords Dance, which allows it to function as a dominant wallbreaker. In addition to this, Mega Gallade has a good Speed tier that permits it to function as an imposing sweeper. It has access to two strong and reliable STAB attacks that provide coverage only resisted by Psychic and completely walled by Sableye: Zen Headbutt and Close Combat. Furthermore, it is able to cripple the opposing team by removing important items, like Leftovers and Choice items, thanks to its access to Knock Off, which also hits the Psychic-types that resist its STAB moves. Also, Mega Gallade has access to priority through Shadow Sneak, so it can deal with some faster threats or Pokemon it Speed ties with after they have been weakened, notably Latios, Gengar, and Tapu Koko. While Mega Gallade's imposing offensive presence often causes the foe to switch out and allow it to set up, its lackluster physical bulk limits its ability to set up often and causes it to be pressured by powerful priority attacks like Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack, and Scizor's Bullet Punch. While its Speed tier is decent, it Speed ties with many dangerous Pokemon like Gengar, Latios, and Mega Diancie and is outsped and OHKOed by a variety of revenge killers such as Mega Pidgeot and Choice Specs Tapu Koko. Mega Gallade relies heavily on its offensive abilities, so being burned or paralyzed would cripple it, while being poisoned would limit its ability to sweep and wallbreak effectively.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Psychic)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Knock Off
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Mega Gallade's already impressive Attack stat, allowing it to break past Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Toxapex. Close Combat is another strong STAB move and can be used on Pokemon that resist or are immune to Zen Headbutt, such as threatening Dark-types like Bisharp and Tyranitar. Zen Headbutt is a powerful STAB move that allows Mega Gallade to greatly damage Pokemon that do not resist it and deal with Pokemon that resist Close Combat like Flying-types such as Zapdos. Knock Off provides a way to hit the Psychic-types that resist Mega Gallade's dual STAB combination while also taking out Ghost-types and removing items such as Choice Scarf from Landorus-T as it switches-in. Shadow Sneak is another way to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types and has the advantage of priority, thus hitting Choice Scarf users like Gengar, Blacephalon, and Latios before they can attack. It is also able to take out faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko after they've been weakened. However, this move is significantly weaker than Knock Off.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Mega Gallade to efficiently function as a powerful physical sweeper and wallbreaker. Galladite allows Gallade to Mega Evolve, which greatly increases its Speed and Attack. Justified allows Gallade to get an Attack boost when switching in on Dark-type moves like Knock Off. Inner Focus guarantees that Mega Gallade cannot flinch.
Usage Tips
========
Avoid being inflicted by status at all costs because that will completely cripple Mega Gallade. Mega Gallade should only set up in situations where it doesn't risk getting knocked out or afflicted with status. It does this well late-game if revenge killers are eliminated beforehand. Another situation where it should not set up is if there is a Ditto, which can reverse sweep the team with a boosted Knock Off. Use Mega Gallade to force foes to switch out; if the potential switch-ins are unable to handle a boosted Mega Gallade, use Swords Dance on the forced switch. Mega Gallade should not switch in on attacks often because that limits its ability to set up and sweep late-game. Likewise, Mega Gallade should stay healthy against teams with threats like Mega Sharpedo and Bisharp because it can survive a hit from them and OHKO in return. Knock Off should be used to hit predicted Ghost-Type switch-ins or to remove items like Leftovers. Utilize Mega Gallade as a late-game cleaner that takes advantage of slower Pokemon or an early-game wallbreaker to eliminate threatening walls early on. Mega Gallade can be used to punch holes in the opposing team very early in the game, making its partners like Choice Scarf Victini and Latios more threatening. It should be used to quickly break walls that can be problematic in the long run like Rotom-W and Gastrodon. Close Combat should not be used in situations where Zen Headbutt can get the KO, because drops will increase Mega Gallade's vulnerability to priority moves. However, there is a risk of missing Zen Headbutt, so Close Combat would be preferable if that risk is not worth it. Avoid taking residual damage because this also amplifies Mega Gallade's weakness to priority. Shadow Sneak should be used to clean up the opposing team late-game once its revenge killers are weakened.
Team Options
========
Deoxys-S is able to stack entry hazards on the opposing side, which helps Mega Gallade sweep and wallbreak, while also preventing entry hazards on its side with Taunt, limiting the amount of residual damage Mega Gallade suffers. It is also able to set dual screens, which give Mega Gallade a better opportunity to set up. Jirachi helps Mega Gallade by dealing with the Fairy-types that it struggles against, bringing it in safely with U-turn, giving Mega Gallade two chances to sweep by using Healing Wish or healing Gallade with Wish, setting up Stealth Rock for Mega Gallade, and paralyzing faster threats with Thunder Wave. Victini helps break other physical walls, and they complement each other in the Steel-type matchup, with Mega Gallade taking out Heatran for it and Victini removing Pokemon like Celesteela. Choice Band Victini is also able to wallbreak, beating Pokemon that Mega Gallade struggles against like Mega Sableye. Latios and Latias are able to remove entry hazards for Mega Gallade, while it can take out the Dark-types they are vulnerable to like Tyranitar and Bisharp. Moreover, both are able to help it set up with Memento and Healing Wish, respectively. Mew is able to do many helpful things for Mega Gallade; the Mewnium Z set is able to form a powerful sweeping core with it, and Mew's stallbreaker set can help it take on threatening bulky Pokemon such as Skarmory and Mega Slowbro. Focus Sash + Counter Alakazam is able to handle Mega Sharpedo and Bisharp for Mega Gallade if it has taken too much damage in the battle. Meloetta's immunity to Ghost-types attacks allows it to switch in on the Choice Scarf users of this type that threaten non-Shadow Sneak Mega Gallade. The two together for a potent wallbreaking core, with Mega Gallade dealing with special walls like Chansey and Meloetta dealing with physical walls like Skarmory.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychic
--------
Substitute can be used to safely set up against extremely passive Pokemon and gives Mega Gallade a way to deal with revenge killers while being a great help in the Poison matchup. However, this requires Mega Gallade to get rid of an important offensive move, which increases the number of Pokemon that can deal with it, especially Psychic-types. Bulk Up with Drain Punch can be used to give Mega Gallade more longevity, but this requires giving up the immediate power obtained through Swords Dance.
Checks and Counters
===================
Psychic
--------
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye completely walls Mega Gallade, as it is immune to both of Mega Gallade's STAB attacks and takes little from Knock Off while being able to cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot, Tapu Koko, and many Choice Scarf users like Gengar and Latios are able to come in and KO Mega Gallade, especially after a Close Combat drop.
**Status**: Mega Gallade is unable to complete its function after being crippled by a burn or paralysis.
**Fairy-types**: Mega Gallade is unable to beat Mimikyu and Clefable, is outsped and KOed by Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu, and is forced to Speed tie with Mega Diancie.
**Priority Moves**: Powerful priority moves such as Scizor's Bullet Punch, Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, and Bisharp's Sucker Punch greatly damage Mega Gallade, especially with it suffering drops after Close Combat.
Psychic
========
Mega Gallade's Fighting typing allows it to heavily pressure the Steel- and Dark-type Pokemon that threaten its teammates. It has an exceptional Attack stat that is only amplified by its access to Swords Dance, which allows it to function as a dominant wallbreaker. In addition to this, Mega Gallade has a good Speed tier that permits it to function as an imposing sweeper. It has access to two strong and reliable STAB attacks that provide coverage only resisted by Psychic and completely walled by Sableye: Zen Headbutt and Close Combat. Furthermore, it is able to cripple the opposing team by removing important items, like Leftovers and Choice items, thanks to its access to Knock Off, which also hits the Psychic-types that resist its STAB moves. Also, Mega Gallade has access to priority through Shadow Sneak, so it can deal with some faster threats or Pokemon it Speed ties with after they have been weakened, notably Latios, Gengar, and Tapu Koko. While Mega Gallade's imposing offensive presence often causes the foe to switch out and allow it to set up, its lackluster physical bulk limits its ability to set up often and causes it to be pressured by powerful priority attacks like Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack, and Scizor's Bullet Punch. While its Speed tier is decent, it Speed ties with many dangerous Pokemon like Gengar, Latios, and Mega Diancie and is outsped and OHKOed by a variety of revenge killers such as Mega Pidgeot and Choice Specs Tapu Koko. Mega Gallade relies heavily on its offensive abilities, so being burned or paralyzed would cripple it, while being poisoned would limit its ability to sweep and wallbreak effectively.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Psychic)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Knock Off
item: Galladite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Mega Gallade's already impressive Attack stat, allowing it to break past Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Toxapex. Close Combat is another strong STAB move and can be used on Pokemon that resist or are immune to Zen Headbutt, such as threatening Dark-types like Bisharp and Tyranitar. Zen Headbutt is a powerful STAB move that allows Mega Gallade to greatly damage Pokemon that do not resist it and deal with Pokemon that resist Close Combat like Flying-types such as Zapdos. Knock Off provides a way to hit the Psychic-types that resist Mega Gallade's dual STAB combination while also taking out Ghost-types and removing items such as Choice Scarf from Landorus-T as it switches-in. Shadow Sneak is another way to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types and has the advantage of priority, thus hitting Choice Scarf users like Gengar, Blacephalon, and Latios before they can attack. It is also able to take out faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko after they've been weakened. However, this move is significantly weaker than Knock Off.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Mega Gallade to efficiently function as a powerful physical sweeper and wallbreaker. Galladite allows Gallade to Mega Evolve, which greatly increases its Speed and Attack. Justified allows Gallade to get an Attack boost when switching in on Dark-type moves like Knock Off. Inner Focus guarantees that Mega Gallade cannot flinch.
Usage Tips
========
Avoid being inflicted by status at all costs because that will completely cripple Mega Gallade. Mega Gallade should only set up in situations where it doesn't risk getting knocked out or afflicted with status. It does this well late-game if revenge killers are eliminated beforehand. Another situation where it should not set up is if there is a Ditto, which can reverse sweep the team with a boosted Knock Off. Use Mega Gallade to force foes to switch out; if the potential switch-ins are unable to handle a boosted Mega Gallade, use Swords Dance on the forced switch. Mega Gallade should not switch in on attacks often because that limits its ability to set up and sweep late-game. Likewise, Mega Gallade should stay healthy against teams with threats like Mega Sharpedo and Bisharp because it can survive a hit from them and OHKO in return. Knock Off should be used to hit predicted Ghost-Type switch-ins or to remove items like Leftovers. Utilize Mega Gallade as a late-game cleaner that takes advantage of slower Pokemon or an early-game wallbreaker to eliminate threatening walls early on. Mega Gallade can be used to punch holes in the opposing team very early in the game, making its partners like Choice Scarf Victini and Latios more threatening. It should be used to quickly break walls that can be problematic in the long run like Rotom-W and Gastrodon. Close Combat should not be used in situations where Zen Headbutt can get the KO, because drops will increase Mega Gallade's vulnerability to priority moves. However, there is a risk of missing Zen Headbutt, so Close Combat would be preferable if that risk is not worth it. Avoid taking residual damage because this also amplifies Mega Gallade's weakness to priority. Shadow Sneak should be used to clean up the opposing team late-game once its revenge killers are weakened.
Team Options
========
Deoxys-S is able to stack entry hazards on the opposing side, which helps Mega Gallade sweep and wallbreak, while also preventing entry hazards on its side with Taunt, limiting the amount of residual damage Mega Gallade suffers. It is also able to set dual screens, which give Mega Gallade a better opportunity to set up. Jirachi helps Mega Gallade by dealing with the Fairy-types that it struggles against, bringing it in safely with U-turn, giving Mega Gallade two chances to sweep by using Healing Wish or healing Gallade with Wish, setting up Stealth Rock for Mega Gallade, and paralyzing faster threats with Thunder Wave. Victini helps break other physical walls, and they complement each other in the Steel-type matchup, with Mega Gallade taking out Heatran for it and Victini removing Pokemon like Celesteela. Choice Band Victini is also able to wallbreak, beating Pokemon that Mega Gallade struggles against like Mega Sableye. Latios and Latias are able to remove entry hazards for Mega Gallade, while it can take out the Dark-types they are vulnerable to like Tyranitar and Bisharp. Moreover, both are able to help it set up with Memento and Healing Wish, respectively. Mew is able to do many helpful things for Mega Gallade; the Mewnium Z set is able to form a powerful sweeping core with it, and Mew's stallbreaker set can help it take on threatening bulky Pokemon such as Skarmory and Mega Slowbro. Focus Sash + Counter Alakazam is able to handle Mega Sharpedo and Bisharp for Mega Gallade if it has taken too much damage in the battle. Meloetta's immunity to Ghost-types attacks allows it to switch in on the Choice Scarf users of this type that threaten non-Shadow Sneak Mega Gallade. The two together for a potent wallbreaking core, with Mega Gallade dealing with special walls like Chansey and Meloetta dealing with physical walls like Skarmory.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychic
--------
Substitute can be used to safely set up against extremely passive Pokemon and gives Mega Gallade a way to deal with revenge killers while being a great help in the Poison matchup. However, this requires Mega Gallade to get rid of an important offensive move, which increases the number of Pokemon that can deal with it, especially Psychic-types. Bulk Up with Drain Punch can be used to give Mega Gallade more longevity, but this requires giving up the immediate power obtained through Swords Dance.
Checks and Counters
===================
Psychic
--------
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye completely walls Mega Gallade, as it is immune to both of Mega Gallade's STAB attacks and takes little from Knock Off while being able to cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot, Tapu Koko, and many Choice Scarf users like Gengar and Latios are able to come in and KO Mega Gallade, especially after a Close Combat drop.
**Status**: Mega Gallade is unable to complete its function after being crippled by a burn or paralysis.
**Fairy-types**: Mega Gallade is unable to beat Mimikyu and Clefable, is outsped and KOed by Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu, and is forced to Speed tie with Mega Diancie.
**Priority Moves**: Powerful priority moves such as Scizor's Bullet Punch, Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, and Bisharp's Sucker Punch greatly damage Mega Gallade, especially with it suffering drops after Close Combat.
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