i gave this card away as a kid and i regret it so much its unreal
Pre-Mega Abilities: Synchronize / Trace / Telepathy
Pre-Mega Stats: 68 / 65 / 65 / 125 / 115 / 80 (518)
Mega Ability: Pixilate
Mega Stats: 68 / 85 / 65 / 165 / 135 / 100 (618)
Primary STAB Moves: Hyper Voice, Psyshock, Psychic Noise
Niche STAB Moves: Psychic, Draining Kiss
Useful Moves:
Focus Blast
Mystical Fire
Calm Mind
Taunt
Will-O-Wisp
Healing Wish
Shadow Ball
Destiny Bond
Thunderbolt
Energy Ball
Vacuum Wave
Knock Off
Aura Sphere
Mystical Fire
Calm Mind
Taunt
Will-O-Wisp
Healing Wish
Shadow Ball
Destiny Bond
Thunderbolt
Energy Ball
Vacuum Wave
Knock Off
Aura Sphere
Pros:
+ Nuclear Special Attack stat combined with Pixilate lets it fire off powerful, no-drawback Hyper Voices
+ Decent coverage, with options for both reliability and power
+ Surprisingly good utility movepool lets it act as a Calm Mind sweeper or disruptor with options like Taunt and Will-O-Wisp
Cons:
- Made of paper; while 135 Special Defense is nothing to sneeze at, it's undermined by its low HP and Defense
- 100 Speed, while decent, just isn't that fast anymore. As such, Mega Gardevoir often finds itself outrun by offensive threats
- Faces rough competition from Mega Alakazam and Mega Floette, who have much more power outside of Hyper Voice
- Underwhelming defensive typing leaves it vulnerable to common threats like Mega Froslass and (Mega) Scizor
- seriously why did they give mega garde 20 points to phys attack
Sample Set
Stallbreaker (Gardevoir) @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psychic Noise
- Mystical Fire / Focus Blast / Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt
Potential Teammates
Non-Mega Special Attackers (
)Because Mega Gardevoir will likely function best as a stallbreaker with Taunt and Psychic Noise, these guys will likely appreciate special walls like Toxapex and Clefable being worn down and neutered
Late-Game Physical Cleaners (
)By punching holes through defensive mons and shutting them down with Taunt and Psychic Noise, Mega Garde can enable physical setup sweepers to clean house later on
Hazard Stackers (
)These guys like Gardevoir neutering Defog users and opposing Taunt users, and in return Gardevoir can help further wear down the opposing team with Hyper Voice spam while denying recovery with Psychic Noise
Provides much-appreciated hazard control and can handle physical threats like Scizor and Kingambit. Additionally, its access to a slow U-Turn lets Corviknight give Gardevoir safe switch-ins
Checks and Counters
Steel-types (
)In addition to resisting both of Gardevoir's STABs, many Steel-types have the bulk to take Gardevoir's coverage before punishing it, if not outright outspeeding and revenge killing it. That being said, Scizor and Aegislash need to be wary of Mystical Fire, while Hisuian Goodra and Kingambit don't like taking a Focus Blast to the face.
Fire-Types (
)While not a fan of being Taunted or having its Slack Offs being shut down by Psychic Noise, Skeledirge can take Gardevoir's most common moves with a smile before hitting it with a one-two punch of Torch Song and Hex, assuming Gardevoir hasn't already been worn down. Meanwhile, Volcarona can take a Psychic Noise and set up Quiver Dance before roasting Gardevoir with Fiery Dance.
Priority (
)Gardevoir's poor Defense and lack of resistances to priority (excluding Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave) makes it vulnerable to being picked off by strong priority moves from the likes of Dragonite and Ceruledge, especially if it has taken chip damage from hazards.
Faster Attackers (
etc.)Gardevoir sits in a crowded and heavily-powercrept speed tier. This, paired with its low bulk, makes it vulnerable to fast and strong attackers like Dragapult and Starmie-Mega. Additionally, many Choice Scarf users can get the jump on, and pick off, Gardevoir, with some potential examples being Hydreigon and Quaquaval.
Prognosis
Mostly outclassed, but might have a niche as things settle down
Unfortunately, Mega Gardevoir faces harsh competition as a Psychic-type Mega from Alakazam, who is significantly faster, bears similar coverage, and has access to Nasty Plot to shred through teams. Even if Mega Alakazam gets banned, Mega Delphox is another strong Psychic Mega that also has Nasty Plot, in addition to a strong Fire-type secondary STAB. Mega Floette is another Mega that gives Gardevoir competition due to its hydrogen bomb-level Fairy attacks thanks to Fairy Aura, though its movepool is quite shallow. As more bans occur and the metagame settles down, I believe that Gardevoir could eventually have a niche as a stallbreaker thanks to its utility movepool, though it'll be a tough sell for a mega slot.
