[OVERVIEW]
Mega Gyarados finds its niche on offense and balance teams for its ability to break past stall teams thanks to Mold Breaker. It also helps against more offensive teams, as it can check some threats such as Arceus-Ghost, Lunala, and Primal Groudon. Note that Gyarados, if played carefully, can also check Mega Lucario, which is a threat to balanced teams. Gyarados finds opportunities to set up thanks to its Flying typing, Intimidate, and its decent bulk after it Mega Evolves, and it hits hard with its base 155 Attack. Unfortunately, Gyarados is threatened by common threats such as Xerneas and Mega Salamence, vulnerable to other strong attackers such as Arceus, weak to Stealth Rock before Mega Evolving, and easily worn down by status and residual damage, which means it needs solid support to perform well.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Waterfall / Earthquake
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance increases Gyarados's Speed and firepower, allowing it to have a better matchup against offense teams and the potential role of a late-game sweeper. Crunch is Gyarados's most powerful physical Dark-type attack and gains STAB after it Mega Evolves, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Lunala, Mega Gengar, and Giratina-O super effectively. Taunt stops slower defensive foes from freely recovering and phazing Gyarados, attackers from setting up, and Pokemon like support Arceus formes and Lugia from statusing it. Waterfall is Gyarados's best Water-type attack and hits Pokemon such as Arceus-Ground and Ho-Oh; it's also useful for hitting Dark- and Fairy-types that resist Crunch and also comes with a slight chance to flinch. Earthquake is used to hit Primal Groudon, Magearna, and Alolan Muk super effectively.
Set Details
========
Intimidate lowers the foe's Attack, which lets Gyarados set up more comfortably on physical attackers or check them. The EV spread maximizes Gyarados's Attack and Speed. An Adamant nature is used to score some crucial OHKOs after Stealth Rock on defensive threats such as Lugia, Giratina-O, and Magearna. Alternatively, a Jolly nature allows Gyarados to outspeed Smeargle, Cloyster, and Adamant Excadrill before a boost and Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, neutral-natured Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T at +1. Gyaradosite is necessary in order for Gyarados to Mega Evolve, giving it Mold Breaker to break defensive threats such as Lugia, Mega Sableye, and Clefable.
Usage Tips
========
Take advantage of Intimidate and Gyarados's Ground-type immunity when switching it in. After it Mega Evolves, you can switch it in to shrug off Ghost-type attacks. Otherwise, avoid switching Gyarados into an attack, as it is easily worn down due to its average defenses. Take into consideration that Gyarados will lose its Ground immunity and Intimidate if it Mega Evolves, but it doesn't have a resistance to Ghost until it Mega Evolves. Avoid switching Gyarados in on Stealth Rock, as it lowers its health quickly. Avoid status at all costs, as it prevents Mega Gyarados from setting up effectively, sweeping decently, and breaking bulky teams. Against stall teams, Gyarados can set up on the likes of Clefable and Arceus-Ground before Mega Evolving, but it should Mega Evolve to ensure it will beat them. It can also set up against Lugia and Mega Sableye after Mega Evolving. Just make sure that the opposing Pokemon can't deal huge damage to Gyarados. You can also save Gyarados as your last Pokemon to ensure it will not be phazed by the likes of Giratina and Zygarde-C. Against offensive teams, save Gyarados to check Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ghost, and Lunala. Don't Mega Evolve it, as Gyarados's Intimidate can serve as an emergency check to physical attackers if it can beat them after a Dragon Dance. Take into consideration that Gyarados won't be able to beat Primal Groudon in a one-on-one scenario if it doesn't run Earthquake; it is only worth doing to weaken Primal Groudon to ease a Xerneas sweep.
Team Options
========
On balance teams, Gyarados should be paired with a solid Xerneas check such as Magearna, defensive Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, or Ferrothorn; the last pairs up very well with Gyarados and can provide entry hazard stacking support in Spikes. Xerneas is a good teammate for Gyarados, as it can act as a cleric with Aromatherapy and pressure Dragon- and Dark-types such as Mega Salamence and Yveltal with its powerful STAB Moonblast. Tapu Lele and Deoxys-A are two good teammates that provide huge offensive presence. Gyarados can pressure their common checks such as bulky Steel-types and defensive cores, while Deoxys-A threatens most of Gyarados's checks, and Gyarados also profits from Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain. Gyarados needs hazard setters to perform well as a setup sweeper. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Cloyster, and Ferrothorn fit well with Gyarados. Giratina-O, Arceus-Ground, and Excadrill can provide hazard removal support. Extreme Killer Arceus profits from Mega Gyarados's presence, as it beats Ghost-types that could check Arceus otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Fang can be used to hit Mega Salamence and Zygarde-C super effectively. Aqua Tail can be used with an Adamant nature to OHKO Ho-Oh and special Arceus-Ground after a Dragon Dance. Iron Tail is a coverage option to hit Fairy-types super effectively; it has a chance to OHKO Geomancy Xerneas and Clefable and can deal heavy damage to Arceus-Fairy at +1.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Choice Scarf Xerneas variants outspeed Mega Gyarados at +1 and OHKO it with Moonblast, while Z-Geomancy Xerneas can easily set up on it. Other variants of Xerneas, Magearna, and Arceus-Fairy can all tank Waterfall from +1 Mega Gyarados and OHKO or 2HKO it with their Fairy-type STAB attacks, though Magearna will get OHKOed by +1 Earthquake.
**Mega Salamence**: Salamence lowers Gyarados's Attack and can proceed to set up on it, as Mega Salamence is bulky enough to set up two Dragon Dances on -1 Mega Gyarados, and OHKO it with Return at +1. However, Salamence still fears Ice Fang from Gyarados. Defensive Mega Salamence can easily tank Mega Gyarados's STAB attacks at +1 and phaze it with Dragon Tail.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C can tank any hit from Mega Gyarados thanks to its massive bulk and phaze it with Dragon Tail, but it dislikes Taunt, which prevents it from recovering.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn tanks Crunch at +1 and can beat Mega Gyarados with Power Whip; otherwise, Ferrothorn can't bypass Mega Gyarados if it doesn't pack Power Whip.
**Yveltal**: Defensive Yveltal utterly walls Gyarados without Waterfall and cripples it with Rocky Helmet and Foul Play. Offensive variants beat Gyarados with Oblivion Wing if it doesn't run Waterfall.
**Fast Attackers**: Fully invested Deoxys-A, Pheromosa, and Choice Scarf Lunala can all outspeed Mega-Gyarados at +1 and beat it with super effective attacks. Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Gengar all can outspeed and beat +1 Adamant Mega Gyarados.
**Priority**: Arceus and Rayquaza can revenge kill a weakened Gyarados with Extreme Speed.
Mega Gyarados finds its niche on offense and balance teams for its ability to break past stall teams thanks to Mold Breaker. It also helps against more offensive teams, as it can check some threats such as Arceus-Ghost, Lunala, and Primal Groudon. Note that Gyarados, if played carefully, can also check Mega Lucario, which is a threat to balanced teams. Gyarados finds opportunities to set up thanks to its Flying typing, Intimidate, and its decent bulk after it Mega Evolves, and it hits hard with its base 155 Attack. Unfortunately, Gyarados is threatened by common threats such as Xerneas and Mega Salamence, vulnerable to other strong attackers such as Arceus, weak to Stealth Rock before Mega Evolving, and easily worn down by status and residual damage, which means it needs solid support to perform well.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Waterfall / Earthquake
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance increases Gyarados's Speed and firepower, allowing it to have a better matchup against offense teams and the potential role of a late-game sweeper. Crunch is Gyarados's most powerful physical Dark-type attack and gains STAB after it Mega Evolves, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Lunala, Mega Gengar, and Giratina-O super effectively. Taunt stops slower defensive foes from freely recovering and phazing Gyarados, attackers from setting up, and Pokemon like support Arceus formes and Lugia from statusing it. Waterfall is Gyarados's best Water-type attack and hits Pokemon such as Arceus-Ground and Ho-Oh; it's also useful for hitting Dark- and Fairy-types that resist Crunch and also comes with a slight chance to flinch. Earthquake is used to hit Primal Groudon, Magearna, and Alolan Muk super effectively.
Set Details
========
Intimidate lowers the foe's Attack, which lets Gyarados set up more comfortably on physical attackers or check them. The EV spread maximizes Gyarados's Attack and Speed. An Adamant nature is used to score some crucial OHKOs after Stealth Rock on defensive threats such as Lugia, Giratina-O, and Magearna. Alternatively, a Jolly nature allows Gyarados to outspeed Smeargle, Cloyster, and Adamant Excadrill before a boost and Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, neutral-natured Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T at +1. Gyaradosite is necessary in order for Gyarados to Mega Evolve, giving it Mold Breaker to break defensive threats such as Lugia, Mega Sableye, and Clefable.
Usage Tips
========
Take advantage of Intimidate and Gyarados's Ground-type immunity when switching it in. After it Mega Evolves, you can switch it in to shrug off Ghost-type attacks. Otherwise, avoid switching Gyarados into an attack, as it is easily worn down due to its average defenses. Take into consideration that Gyarados will lose its Ground immunity and Intimidate if it Mega Evolves, but it doesn't have a resistance to Ghost until it Mega Evolves. Avoid switching Gyarados in on Stealth Rock, as it lowers its health quickly. Avoid status at all costs, as it prevents Mega Gyarados from setting up effectively, sweeping decently, and breaking bulky teams. Against stall teams, Gyarados can set up on the likes of Clefable and Arceus-Ground before Mega Evolving, but it should Mega Evolve to ensure it will beat them. It can also set up against Lugia and Mega Sableye after Mega Evolving. Just make sure that the opposing Pokemon can't deal huge damage to Gyarados. You can also save Gyarados as your last Pokemon to ensure it will not be phazed by the likes of Giratina and Zygarde-C. Against offensive teams, save Gyarados to check Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ghost, and Lunala. Don't Mega Evolve it, as Gyarados's Intimidate can serve as an emergency check to physical attackers if it can beat them after a Dragon Dance. Take into consideration that Gyarados won't be able to beat Primal Groudon in a one-on-one scenario if it doesn't run Earthquake; it is only worth doing to weaken Primal Groudon to ease a Xerneas sweep.
Team Options
========
On balance teams, Gyarados should be paired with a solid Xerneas check such as Magearna, defensive Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, or Ferrothorn; the last pairs up very well with Gyarados and can provide entry hazard stacking support in Spikes. Xerneas is a good teammate for Gyarados, as it can act as a cleric with Aromatherapy and pressure Dragon- and Dark-types such as Mega Salamence and Yveltal with its powerful STAB Moonblast. Tapu Lele and Deoxys-A are two good teammates that provide huge offensive presence. Gyarados can pressure their common checks such as bulky Steel-types and defensive cores, while Deoxys-A threatens most of Gyarados's checks, and Gyarados also profits from Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain. Gyarados needs hazard setters to perform well as a setup sweeper. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Cloyster, and Ferrothorn fit well with Gyarados. Giratina-O, Arceus-Ground, and Excadrill can provide hazard removal support. Extreme Killer Arceus profits from Mega Gyarados's presence, as it beats Ghost-types that could check Arceus otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Fang can be used to hit Mega Salamence and Zygarde-C super effectively. Aqua Tail can be used with an Adamant nature to OHKO Ho-Oh and special Arceus-Ground after a Dragon Dance. Iron Tail is a coverage option to hit Fairy-types super effectively; it has a chance to OHKO Geomancy Xerneas and Clefable and can deal heavy damage to Arceus-Fairy at +1.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Choice Scarf Xerneas variants outspeed Mega Gyarados at +1 and OHKO it with Moonblast, while Z-Geomancy Xerneas can easily set up on it. Other variants of Xerneas, Magearna, and Arceus-Fairy can all tank Waterfall from +1 Mega Gyarados and OHKO or 2HKO it with their Fairy-type STAB attacks, though Magearna will get OHKOed by +1 Earthquake.
**Mega Salamence**: Salamence lowers Gyarados's Attack and can proceed to set up on it, as Mega Salamence is bulky enough to set up two Dragon Dances on -1 Mega Gyarados, and OHKO it with Return at +1. However, Salamence still fears Ice Fang from Gyarados. Defensive Mega Salamence can easily tank Mega Gyarados's STAB attacks at +1 and phaze it with Dragon Tail.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C can tank any hit from Mega Gyarados thanks to its massive bulk and phaze it with Dragon Tail, but it dislikes Taunt, which prevents it from recovering.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn tanks Crunch at +1 and can beat Mega Gyarados with Power Whip; otherwise, Ferrothorn can't bypass Mega Gyarados if it doesn't pack Power Whip.
**Yveltal**: Defensive Yveltal utterly walls Gyarados without Waterfall and cripples it with Rocky Helmet and Foul Play. Offensive variants beat Gyarados with Oblivion Wing if it doesn't run Waterfall.
**Fast Attackers**: Fully invested Deoxys-A, Pheromosa, and Choice Scarf Lunala can all outspeed Mega-Gyarados at +1 and beat it with super effective attacks. Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Gengar all can outspeed and beat +1 Adamant Mega Gyarados.
**Priority**: Arceus and Rayquaza can revenge kill a weakened Gyarados with Extreme Speed.
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