Gyarados (QC: 1/3)

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Take Azelfie

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QC: snake_rattler / * / *
GP: * / *

[OVERVIEW]

  • Good stats all around with devastating Attack, good natural bulk, and an average speed tier that out speeds base 80's.
  • Incredible boosting move in Dragon Dance makes it an incredible sweeper.
  • Many resistances give it an easier time setting up versus Dark- and Fire-types like Bisharp, Collosoil, and Volkraken.
  • Good neutral coverage with Flying / Dark-type and Water STAB in conjunction of its small but effective movepool.
  • Amazing abilities that aid Gyarados in setting up or cleaning more efficiently. Intimidate giving it a better chance against physical attackers, Moxie helps to seal a sweep after KOing a Pokemon or two. Mold Breaker helps to let Mega Gyarados get passed Pokemon that would normally be checks.
  • While it speed tiers is good, is still is slower than most speed boosting sweepers like Aurumoth and Mega Charizard X..
  • Unfortunately is very prone to hazards like Stealth Rock in its base form and Spikes / Toxic Spikes in its mega forms.
  • Has no recovery outside of Rest.

[SET]
name: Mega Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Earthquake / Ice Fang / Substitute
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance is used to boost Gyarados' attack and speed turning it into a powerful sweeper.
  • Crunch is Gyarados' most reliable STAB that also hits Ghost and Psychic-types like Kitsunoh, Aurumoth, and Latios super effectively.
  • Waterfall is a nice secondary STAB that hits Fire and Ground-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Collosoil super effective while also having a nice flinch chance.
  • Earthquake gives Gyarados a better match-up against Keldeo. It also give Gyarados a way to hit Plasmanta and Mollux before Mega Evolving and a way to hit Rotom-Wash when you have mega evolved.
  • Ice Fang hits Dragons like Dragonite, Garchomp and Mega Altaria harder than its STABs.
  • Substitute makes it harder for Gyarados' to be revenge killed while also blocking status like Will-o-Wisp and Thunder Wave.
  • Taunt can be used in the fourth moveslot so it can still stop Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Clefable from crippling it without having to sacrifice HP.

Set Details
========

  • Max speed and attack boost Gyarados' best stats in order to help it sweep.
  • Jolly nature makes sure you always out speed base 80 Pokemon like Mega Altaria and Dragonite.
  • Intimidate is Gyarados' prefered pre-mega ability as it gives it a much easier time setting against opposing physical Pokemon like Garchomp, Weavile, Mega Metagross
  • Mold Breaker allows Gyarados to get through abilities that would stop it normally like Dry Skin, Storm Drain, Water Absorb, and Unaware.

Usage Tips
========

  • Since Gyarados can change its type by mega evolving use this to your advantage. Save your mega evolution so you can come in on Earthquakes easier or mega evolve on Alakazam or Aurumoth to avoid a potential Psychic-type move.
  • You can also save your mega evolution for saving Intimidate, reason being you might want to try setting up later in the game and having Intimidate can help you do so.
  • Keeping Gyarados healthy is the key to making it easier to sweep. If hazards are up on the field limit the amount of Gyarados switching you do in order to keep it from being revenge killed.
  • Along with making sure Gyarados is not taklatter needing some prior chip damageo much damage, it also needs to avoid status. Primarily paralysis and burns. So to be on the safe side you should be using Substitute on slower status and Scald users like Mega Sableye, Chansey, and Slowbro.
  • The best time to set up Gyarados is when all priority users and Choice Scarf users with higher natural speed are gone. This makes it less likely for Gyarados to get stopped during its sweep. Brelloom, Choice Scarf Keldeo and Talonflame can all revenge kill a Gyarados, the latter needing some prior chip damage beforeit can guantee the KO.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados greatly appreciates hazard removal in order to keep it healthy. Some examples are Pokemon like Latias, Tomohawk, Mew, Excadrill, Skarmory and Starmie. The first two also provide Healing Wish support which benefit Gyarados greatly.
  • Pokemon that can beat out Grass-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega-Venusaur, Amoonguss and Brelloom are needed in order to accomplish a sweep. Examples would be Flying-types such as Tornadus-Therian, Talonflame and Tomohawk.
  • Electric immune or resisted Pokemon can help to absorb Electric-type attacks and Thunder Wave as Gyarados is very prone to both. Examples would be Hippowdown, Plasmanta, and Cawmadore.
  • Gyarados aids in removal of Fire-types so Pokemon who can take advantage of this like Aurumoth, Volcarona, and Jirachi are good partners that enjoy Gyarados' presence.
  • Wallbreakers like Kyurem-Black and Choice Band Azumarill help to pave a way for Gyarados to sweep. Both help to remove Dragons but Azumarill also helps to provide a switch in to Fighting-type attack.

[SET]
name: Bulky Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Bounce
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 152 HP / 160 Atk / 196 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance turns Gyarados into a powerful sweeper by boosting its Attack and Speed by 1
  • Waterfall is Gyarados' most reliable STAB hitting a lot of Pokémon neutrally and having the additional flinch chance
  • Bounce is another STAB that hits Grass-types, most importantly Mega Venusaur, for super effective damage.
  • Substitute is used to block status effects such as Will-o-wisp and Thunder Wave coming from passive Pokempn
  • Earthquake is an alternative for hitting Mollux and Plasmanta since non mega Gyarados can't ignore there abilities.

Set Details
========

  • The HP EVs allow Gyarados to live a LO Hurricane and a Nature Power coming from Tomohawk at full HP
  • 160 Attack investment gives Gyarados a boost to its attack
  • The speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny after a Dragon Dance.

Usage Tips
========

  • Gyarados should try to set up once all of its checks and counters are out of the way. This way Gyarados has a lot less likely of a time of getting stopped midway. Also making sure that priority status users are gone also help out in case Gyarados' Substitute were to ever be broken.
  • Gyarados should try to Dragon Dance after settiing up a Substitute. This will allow Gyarados to sponge an extra hit as well as block status.
  • Gyarados can use Pokemon that are more passive like Chansey and Mega Sableye to its advantage by setting up Substitute.
  • Having other teammates remove Stealth Rocks right before you are going to start setting up is optimal so Gyarados doesn't have to take Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados appreciates having partners that remove Stealth Rock in order to keep Gyarados safe. Notable examples are Collosoil, Latios and Tomohawk.
  • Pokemon that have a good match-up against Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Krillowatt are greatly appreciated in aiding Gyarados.
  • Gyarados can help to remove Ground-types so having Pokemon that benefit from that like Mollux and Cyclohm.
  • Ground-types help Gyarados. They can take Electric and Rock-type attacks for Gyarados as well as deal with Mollux and Plasmanta quite easily. Collosoil and Excadrill for example, both of these Pokemon can also remove Stealth Rock for Gyarados
  • Wallbreakers weaken the opponents team making it easier for Gyarados to sweep, Diggersby and Volkraken are options worth noting as they both weaken Ferrothorn and Venusaur which are huge threats to Gyarados.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • A defensive set with Waterfall, RestTalk and other supportive moves like Roar, Scald, Dragon Tail, and Thunder Wave can be used to help check a plethora of physical attackers like Excadrill, Collosoil, and Mega Lopunny but with Electric coverage being extremely common it makes it hard to use.
  • Stone Edge can be used to far better against Tornadus-Therian and Pyroak but it usually isn't worth trading off for the better coverage options.
  • Iron Head can be used to hit Mega Gardevoir, Mega Altaria, and Clefable harder but also isn't usually worth the trade off for the other coverage moves.

Checks and Counters
===================

*Fighting-types** Fighting-types like Tomohawk and Arghonaught can easilly take Mega Gyarados' attacks while more offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Keldeo and Breloom can quickly secure a kill when weakened. Although regular Gyarados does not have to fear Fighting-types due to the resistance from its base form.

**Electric-types** Thunderbolt and Volt Switch severely damage Gyarados, especially when Gyarados has yet to Mega evolve. Fast Electric-types specially since they can out speed an unboosted Gyarados. Cyclohm is also very hard for Gyarados to get around especially if it lacks Earthquake. Static also punishes Gyarados attempting to break through with Ice Fang or Crunch.

**Mega Venusaur** It can absorb most of Gyarados' attacks with ease unless Gyarados has an insane amount of boost. Bounce is the most effective move which is really easy to play around.

**Status** Gyarados suffers from any type of residual damage from Toxic and Will-o-Wisp as well as the stat drops that come with Paralysis and Burn lowering Speed and Attack respectively.

**Residual Damage** Any type of damage hinders Gyarados' ability to set-up. Stealth Rock mostly in its base form and Spikes when Mega Evolved.
 
Last edited:

snake

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CAP Co-Leader
I just skimmed through the analysis, and I wanted to point out a couple things.

Mega Dragon Dance

I'd mention how Mold Breaker hits through Dry Skin Storm Drain, Sturdy, and Unaware in Mega Dragon Dance's Usage Tips, even though its in the Overview.

Bulky Dragon Dance

Scarf Tyranitar is not very common at all, let alone any Tyranitar. If there's another benchmark for Bulky Gyarados' 224 Atk Evs, I'd say that over Scarf Ttar. There might be a more efficient EV spread; there might not.

Conventionally analyses have the number of slashed moves increasing as you go down the set, so Substitute should go under Dragon Dance. Then you'll want to shift the other two moves down and reorder the moves in the description.

C&C

I'd mention Tomohawk somewhere in C&C at the very least. It can switch in with its monstrous defensive stats, Prankster Haze erases all of its boosts, Rocky Helmet can wear it down easily, and it can Roost off any damage it takes. Mention how Bounce hits Tomohawk along with Mega Venusaur too.

List a few examples of each type of check or counter.

If an QC thinks any of this advice is bogus, please correct me!
 
Last edited:

HeaLnDeaL

Let's Keep Fighting
is an Artistis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a CAP Contributor Alumnus
  • Expansive movepoll give it an easierntime sweeping due to the amount of things it can OHKO.
I wouldn't say Gyarados has an expansive movepool at at all. It can get the job done, but it's no Tomohawk.

In the mega set, avoid saying that Crunch is better than Waterfall (calling Crunch primary and Waterfall secondary).

I also agree with the above things snake mentions. Tomohawk should be mentioned under fighting types.
 
For the Bulky DD set, 192 Speed only ties Mega Man/Lop. 196 Speed EVs are needed to outspeed them at +1. I'm unsure about the EV spread as a whole but I'll get back to you on that.
 

cbrevan

spin, spin, spin
is a CAP Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]

  • Great Good stats all around with devastating Attack, good natural bulk, and an average speed tier.
  • Incredible boosting move in Dragon Dance makes it an incredible sweeper.
  • Many resistances give it an easier time setting up.Expand on this more.
  • Expansive movepoll give it an easierntime sweeping due to the amount of things it can OHKO.STABs + Earthquake is expansize? Just say Dark / Flying and Water STAB moves have good neutral coverage in conjunction with a limited but effective coverage pool.
  • Amazing abilities that aid Gyarados in a variety of ways.
  • Intimidate giving it an easier time setting up, Moxie allowing it to get stronger when revenge killing and Mold Breaker in its Mega Forme allows it to not be stopped by Storm Drain, Dry Skin, Unaware, and Sturdy.Just say it has a bunch of useful abilities that help ease setup/sweepmore effectively, you don't need to explain what they all do in the overview.
  • Speed isn't as good as Gyarados would hope for allowing it to get outspeeded before it sets up often as well as being slower than other speed boosting sweepers like????
  • Unfortunately is very prone to hazards like Stealth Rock in its base form a and spikes in its mega forms.
  • Has no recovery outside of Rest.

[SET]
name: Mega Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Earthquake / Ice Fang / Substitute
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance is used to boost Gyarados' attack and speed turning it into a powerful sweeper.
  • Crunch is Gyarados' most reliable STAB that also hits Ghost and Psychic-types like Kitsunoh and Latios super effectively.
  • Waterfall is a nice secondary STAB that hits Fire and Ground-types like Heatran, Volcarona, Collosoil super effective while also having a nice flinch chance.
  • Earthquake gives Gyarados a better match-up against Keldeo. It also give Gyarados a way to hit non Air Balloon Plasmanta and Mollux before Mega Evolving and a way to hit Rotom-Wash when you have mega evolved.
  • Ice Fang hits Dragons like Dragonite, Garchomp and Mega Altaria harder.
  • Substitute makes it harder for Gyarados' to be revenge killed while also blocking status like Will-o-Wisp and Thunder Wave.
  • Taunt can be used instead of Substitute so it can still stop Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Clefable from crippling it without having to sacrifice HP.

Set Details
========

  • Max speed and attack boost Gyarados' best stats in order to help it sweep.
  • Jolly nature makes sure you always out speed base 80 Pokemon like Mega Altaria and Dragonite but Adamant can be used to gain more attack at the cost of not outspending positive natured base 80's.What KOs does Adamant nab? List a few of them.
  • Intimidate is Gyarados' prefered pre-mega ability as it gives it a much easier time setting against opposing Pokemon.
  • Mold Breaker allows Gyarados to get through abilities that would stop it normally like Dry Skin and Storm Drain.As well as Unaware.

Usage Tips
========

  • Since Gyarados can change its type by mega evolving use this to your advantage. Save your mega evolution so you can come in on Earthquakes easier or mega evolve on Latios to avoid a potential Psychic.Why Latios would use Psychic on Gyarados is beyond me, it would just slap it with a Draco Meteor. I'd suggest you give an example of a Psychic-type that would rely on Flying resistant coverage to hit Mega Gyarados, such as Alakazam.
  • You can also save your mega evolution for saving Intimidate, reason being you might want to try setting up later in the game and having Intimidate can help you do so.
  • Keeping Gyarados healthy is the key to making it easier to sweep. If hazards are up on the field limit the amount of Gyarados switching you do in order to keep it from being revenge killed.
  • Along with making sure Gyarados is not taking to much damage, it also needs to avoid status. Primarily paralysis and burns. So to be on the safe side you should be using Substitute on slower status users like Mega Sableye and Chansey.Sub on Scald users.
  • The best time to set up Gyarados is when all priority users and Choice Scarf users with higher natural speed are gone. This makes it less likely for Gyarados to get stopped during its sweep.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados greatly appreciates hazard removal in order to keep it healthy. Some examples are Pokemon like Latias, Tomohawk, Mew, Excadrill, Skarmory and Starmie. The first two also provide Healing Wish support which benefit Gyarados greatly.
  • Pokemon that can beat out Grass-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega-Venusaur, Amoonguss and Brelloom are needed in order to accomplish a sweep. Examples would be Flying-types such as Tornadus-Therian, Talonflame and Tomohawk.
  • Electric immune or resisted Pokemon can help to absorb Electric-type attacks and Thunder Wave as Gyarados is very prone to both. Examples would be Hippowdown, Plasmanta, and Cawmadore.
  • Gyarados aids in removal of Fire-types so Pokemon who can take advantage of this like Aurumoth, Volcarona, and Jirachi are good partners that enjoy Gyarados' presence.
Gyarados is a set up sweeper. Set up sweepers like wallbreakers.

[SET]
name: Bulky Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall / Earthquake
move 3: Bounce / Earthquake
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 88 HP / 224 Atk / 4 Def / 192 Spe
Slashes are weird, I understand Flying / Ground coverage is better than Water / Ground coverage, but does Earthquake need to be slash at all? Bounce still hits Mollux for decent damage after a boost and not all Mollux run Thunderbolt anyways, so Earthquake is primarily just for Plasmanta. IMO either don't mention it or only mention it in moves.

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance turns Gyarados into a powerful sweeper.
  • Waterfall is Gyarados' most reliable STAB.
  • Bounce is another STAB that hits Grass-types, most importantly Mega Venusaur, for super effective damage.
  • Earthquake is an alternative for hitting Mollux and Plasmanta since non mega Gyarados can't ignore there abilities.
  • Substitute is used to block status effects such as Will-o-wisp and Thunder Wave.Set up on Scald users, also helps avoid Toxic.

Set Details
========
These are both very situational benchmarks for the EVs. Try to see if you can optimize it around actually relevant Pokemon.
  • The HP and Defensive investment allows Gyarados to set up a Substitute on a burned Ferrothorn's Power Whip and not have it be broken instantly.
  • 224 Attack investment makes it possible to OHKO Choice Scarf Tyranitar at +1.
  • The speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny after a Dragon Dance.

Usage Tips
========

  • Gyarados should try to set up once all of its counters/checks are out of the way. This way Gyarados has a lot less likely of a time of getting stopped midway. Also making sure that priority status users are gone also help out in case Gyarados' Substitute were to ever be broken.
  • Gyarados should try to Dragon Dance after settiing up a Substitute. This will allow Gyarados to sponge an extra hit as well as block status.
  • Gyarados can use Pokemon that are more passive like Chansey and Mega Sableye to its advantage by setting up Substitute.
  • Having other teammates remove Stealth Rocks right before you are going to start setting up is optimal so Gyarados doesn't have to take Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados appreciates having partners that remove Stealth Rock in order to keep Gyarados safe. Notable examples are Collosoil, Latios and Tomohawk.
  • Pokemon that have a good match-up against Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Krillowatt are greatly appreciated in aiding Gyarados.
  • Gyarados can help to remove Ground-types so having Pokemon that benefit from that like Mollux and Cyclohm.
  • Ground-types help Gyarados. They can take Electric and Rock-type attacks for Gyarados as well as deal with Mollux and Plasmanta quite easily.
Wallbreakers

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • A defensive set with Waterfall, RestTalk and other supportive moves like Roar, Dragon Tail, and Thunder Wave can be used to help check a plethora of physical attackers Such as? but with Electric coverage being extremely common it makes it hard to use.
  • Stone Edge can be used to far better against Tornadus-Therian and Pyroak but it usually isn't worth trading off for the better coverage options.
  • Iron Head can be used to hit Mega Gardevoir, Mega Altaria, and Clefable harder but also isn't usually worth the trade off for the other coverage moves.

Checks and Counters
===================

*Fighting-types** Fighting-types like Conkeldurr and Arghonaught can easilly take Gyarados' attacks while more offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Keldeo and Breloom can quickly secure a kill when weakened.They aren't checking regular Gyarados.

**Electric Coverage** Thunderbolt and Volt Switch severely damage Gyarados, especially when Gyarados has yet to Mega evolve. Fast Electric-types specially since they have the added STAB bonus to there attacks.

**Status** Gyarados suffers from any type of residual damage from Toxic and Will-o-Wisp as well as the stat drops that come with Paralysis and Burn lowering Speed and Attack respectively.

**Residual Damage** Any type of damage hinders Gyarados' ability to set-up. Stealth Rock mostly in its base form and Spikes when Mega Evolved.

**Mega Venusaur** It can absorb most of Gyarados' attacks with ease unless Gyarados has an insane amount of boost. Bounce is the most effective move which is really easy to play around.

This is a good start, now implement this check and tag me when you're done.
 

Take Azelfie

More flags more fun
cbrevan
With the bulky dos spread I had forgotten I had one already made but instead used the one for OU, this one allows Gyarados to live LO Modest Hurricane and Nature Power at full (DD then Bounce)
 

snake

is a Community Leaderis a Top CAP Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
CAP Co-Leader
[OVERVIEW]
  • Good stats all around with devastating Attack, good natural bulk, and an average speed tier. Mention that it outspeeds base 80s and +1 base 80s at +1, etc.
  • Incredible boosting move in Dragon Dance makes it an incredible sweeper.
  • Many resistances give it an easier time setting up versus Dark- and Fire-types like Bisharp and Volkraken. Mention Colossoil at least. Maybe give some more examples
  • Good neutral coverage with Flying / Dark-type and Water STAB in conjunction of its small but effective movepoll. movepool
  • Amazing abilities that aid Gyarados in setting up or cleaning more efficiently. I know cbrevan said to change this, but I think saying something like "Gyarados has great abilities like Intimidate to ease set up and Moxie to facilitate a sweep. Mega Gyarados's ability Mold Breaker helps it break through would-be checks/counters.
  • Speed isn't as good as Gyarados would hope for allowing it to get outspeeded before it sets up often as well as being slower than other speed boosting sweepers like Mega Charizard X and Rock Polish Landorus. Just say that while its Speed is decent (outspeeds base 80s), it gets outsped often
  • Unfortunately is very prone to hazards like Stealth Rock in its base form and spikes in its mega forms. Don't forget Toxic Spikes
  • Has no recovery outside of Rest.

[SET]
name: Mega Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Earthquake / Ice Fang / Substitute
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance is used to boost Gyarados' attack and speed turning it into a powerful sweeper.
  • Crunch is Gyarados' most reliable STAB that also hits Ghost and Psychic-types like Kitsunoh and Latios super effectively. Mention Aurumoth
  • Waterfall is a nice secondary STAB that hits Fire and Ground-types like Heatran, Volcarona, Collosoil super effective while also having a nice flinch chance. Volcarona isn't seen much in CAP, as it is overshadowed by Aurumoth. Mention something else.
  • Earthquake gives Gyarados a better match-up against Keldeo. It also give Gyarados a way to hit non Air Balloon Plasmanta and Mollux before Mega Evolving and a way to hit Rotom-Wash when you have mega evolved. I wouldn't mention Air Balloon; it's such a bad item for them.
  • Ice Fang hits Dragons like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Altaria harder. Harder than what?
  • Substitute makes it harder for Gyarados' to be revenge killed while also blocking status like Will-o-Wisp and Thunder Wave.
  • Taunt can be used instead of Substitute so it can still stop Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Clefable from crippling it without having to sacrifice HP. Replace "instead of Substitute" with "in the fourth moveslot"

Set Details
========

  • Max speed and attack boost Gyarados' best stats in order to help it sweep.
  • Jolly nature makes sure you always out speed base 80 Pokemon like Mega Altaria and Dragonite, but Adamant can be used to gain more attack at the cost of not outspeeding positive natured base 80's or Mega Lopunny and Mega Manectric at +1. What OHKOs/2HKOs does get Adamant that Jolly doesn't?
  • Intimidate is Gyarados' preferred pre-mega ability as it gives it a much easier time setting against opposing Pokemon. Like what? Mention some relevant physical attackers
  • Mold Breaker allows Gyarados to get through abilities that would stop it normally like Dry Skin, Storm Drain, and Unaware. Add Water Absorb for Volcanion

Usage Tips
========

  • Since Gyarados can change its type by mega evolving use this to your advantage. Save your mega evolution so you can come in on Earthquakes easier or mega evolve on Alakazam or Aurumoth to avoid a potential Psychic. These mons use Psyshock more often than Psychic
  • You can also save your mega evolution for saving Intimidate, reason being you might want to try setting up later in the game and having Intimidate can help you do so.
  • Keeping Gyarados healthy is the key to making it easier to sweep. If hazards are up on the field limit the amount of Gyarados switching you do in order to keep it from being revenge killed.
  • Along with making sure Gyarados is not taking too much damage, it also needs to avoid status. Primarily paralysis and burns. So to be on the safe side you should be using Substitute on slower status and Scald users like Mega Sableye, Chansey, and Slowbro. Mega Sableye doesn't use Scald; it uses Will-o-Wisp. Mention slower t-wave users if there are any as well
  • The best time to set up Gyarados is when all priority users and Choice Scarf users with higher natural speed are gone. This makes it less likely for Gyarados to get stopped during its sweep. Mention some of these priority users and scarfers

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados greatly appreciates hazard removal in order to keep it healthy. Some examples are Pokemon like Latias, Tomohawk, Mew, Excadrill, Skarmory, and Starmie. The first two also provide Healing Wish support which benefit Gyarados greatly.
  • Pokemon that can beat out Grass-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega-Venusaur, Amoonguss and Brelloom are needed in order to accomplish a sweep. Examples would be Flying-types such as Tornadus-Therian, Talonflame, and Tomohawk.
  • Electric immune or resisted Pokemon can help to absorb Electric-type attacks and Thunder Wave as Gyarados is very prone to both. Examples would be Hippowdown, Plasmanta, and Cawmadore.
  • Gyarados aids in removal of Fire-types so Pokemon who can take advantage of this like Aurumoth, Volcarona, and Jirachi are good partners that enjoy Gyarados' presence.
  • Wallbreakers like Kyurem-Black and Choice Band Azumarill help to pave a way for Gyarados to sweep. Both help to remove Dragons but Azumarill also helps to provide a switch in to Fighting-type attack.

[SET]
name: Bulky Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Bounce
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 152 HP / 160 Atk / 196 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance turns Gyarados into a powerful sweeper.
  • Waterfall is Gyarados' most reliable STAB.
  • Bounce is another STAB that hits Grass-types, most importantly Mega Venusaur, for super effective damage.
  • Substitute is used to block status effects such as Will-o-wisp and Thunder Wave.
  • Earthquake is an alternative for hitting Mollux and Plasmanta since non mega Gyarados can't ignore there abilities.
This moves section feels lacking; though it is straightforward at the same time

Set Details
========

  • The HP EVs allow Gyarados to live a LO Hurricane and a Nature Power right after from full HP
  • 224 Attack investment gives Gyarados a boost to its attack
  • The speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny after a Dragon Dance.
Fix your attack investment and mention the LO Hurricane and Nature Power are coming from Tomohawk

Usage Tips
========

  • Gyarados should try to set up once all of its checks and counters are out of the way. This way Gyarados has a lot less likely of a time of getting stopped midway. Also making sure that priority status users are gone also help out in case Gyarados' Substitute were to ever be broken.
  • Gyarados should try to Dragon Dance after settiing up a Substitute. This will allow Gyarados to sponge an extra hit as well as block status.
  • Gyarados can use Pokemon that are more passive like Chansey and Mega Sableye to its advantage by setting up Substitute.
  • Having other teammates remove Stealth Rocks right before you are going to start setting up is optimal so Gyarados doesn't have to take Stealth Rock damage.
  • Wallbreakers weaken the opponents team making it easier for Gyarados to sweep, Diggersby and Azumarill are to options worth noting.Why are these wallbreakers good? Diggersby isn't seen that much in CAP. Mention what threats the wallbreakers need to KO.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados appreciates having partners that remove Stealth Rock in order to keep Gyarados safe. Notable examples are Collosoil, Latios, and Tomohawk.
  • Pokemon that have a good match-up against Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Krillowatt are greatly appreciated in aiding Gyarados. Which Pokemon have good match-ups against Electric-types?
  • Gyarados can help to remove Ground-types so having Pokemon that benefit from that like Mollux and Cyclohm.
  • Ground-types help Gyarados. They can take Electric and Rock-type attacks for Gyarados as well as deal with Mollux and Plasmanta quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • A defensive set with Waterfall, RestTalk, and other supportive moves like Roar, Dragon Tail, and Thunder Wave can be used to help check a plethora of physical attackers like Excadrill, Collosoil, and Mega Lopunny but with Electric coverage being extremely common it makes it hard to use.
  • Stone Edge can be used to far better against Tornadus-Therian and Pyroak but it usually isn't worth trading off for the better coverage options.
  • Iron Head can be used to hit Mega Gardevoir, Mega Altaria, and Clefable harder but also isn't usually worth the trade off for the other coverage moves.

Checks and Counters
===================

*Fighting-types** Fighting-types like Conkeldurr and Arghonaught can easilly take Mega Gyarados' attacks while more offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Keldeo and Breloom can quickly secure a kill when weakened. Although regular Gyarados does not have to fear Fighting-types due to the resistance from its base form. Conkeldurr isn't seen in CAP; remove it. Mention Tomohawk in this section, as it can Haze, set up Reflect, Roost off damage, and wear down Gyarados and Mega Gyarados with Rocky Helmet.

**Electric Coverage** Thunderbolt and Volt Switch severely damage Gyarados, especially when Gyarados has yet to Mega evolve. Fast Electric-types specially since they have the added STAB bonus to there attacks. Which fast Electric-types? Also not mentioning Cyclohm is criminal. Change this section to "Electric-types".

**Status** Gyarados suffers from any type of residual damage from Toxic and Will-o-Wisp as well as the stat drops that come with Paralysis and Burn lowering Speed and Attack respectively.

**Residual Damage** Any type of damage hinders Gyarados' ability to set-up. Stealth Rock mostly in its base form and Spikes when Mega Evolved.

**Mega Venusaur** It can absorb most of Gyarados' attacks with ease unless Gyarados has an insane amount of boost. Bounce is the most effective move which is really easy to play around. Move Mega Venusaur under "Electric-types".

Overall, the analysis needs some work. Make sure to distinguish when it is best to stay in base forme and when to mega evolve, especially in C&C. Whenever you say something like "Pokemon help Gyarados in X way" or "Gyarados helps X Pokemon in X ways", make sure to give relevant examples of these Pokemon.


I'd like sparktrain, cbrevan, or HeaLnDeaL to look over my check to make sure it is ok.
 
Last edited:

HeaLnDeaL

Let's Keep Fighting
is an Artistis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a CAP Contributor Alumnus
The check for the most part is decent, but I think it's perfectly fine if the Bisharp and Excadrill mentions stay, since they are viable in CAP despite their current usage. I'd remove your addition that Dragon Dance makes Gyarados "one dimensional", since it gains dimension through its item slot and through its choice of coverage. Also, we shouldn't be forcing people to write in complete, perfect sentences during the first two QCs. If something in particular is hard to understand then you can point that out, but almost no one writes in perfect sentences until after the second QC, including sparktrain, who seems to mix bullets and full sentences together. Lastly, don't focus too much on details that are best done by GP. For one, this is before the first check, and we don't expect things to have good prose until after the second QC check. For two, some of your GP-related suggestions seem to be more limiting to the writer's vocabulary than they are helpful. That said, we should absolutely not give something that is written with an excess of errors a final QC 3/3... But until it's written up, definitely give GP-related flexibility. After all, we're QC not GP.

snake_rattler
 

snake

is a Community Leaderis a Top CAP Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
CAP Co-Leader
The check for the most part is decent, but I think it's perfectly fine if the Bisharp and Excadrill mentions stay, since they are viable in CAP despite their current usage. I'd remove your addition that Dragon Dance makes Gyarados "one dimensional", since it gains dimension through its item slot and through its choice of coverage. Also, we shouldn't be forcing people to write in complete, perfect sentences during the first two QCs. If something in particular is hard to understand then you can point that out, but almost no one writes in perfect sentences until after the second QC, including sparktrain, who seems to mix bullets and full sentences together. Lastly, don't focus too much on details that are best done by GP. For one, this is before the first check, and we don't expect things to have good prose until after the second QC check. For two, some of your GP-related suggestions seem to be more limiting to the writer's vocabulary than they are helpful. That said, we should absolutely not give something that is written with an excess of errors a final QC 3/3... But until it's written up, definitely give GP-related flexibility. After all, we're QC not GP.

snake_rattler
Ah ok, well that's why I asked for someone to check after me; thanks HeaLnDeaL
 

Take Azelfie

More flags more fun
I was waiting for heal to post but it seems that I skipped the notification.

I'll edit it throughout the day and tomorrow
 

HeaLnDeaL

Let's Keep Fighting
is an Artistis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a CAP Contributor Alumnus
No, it's not your fault. Thread owners automatically get highlights and should consistently look at them. Of course, sometimes there's a bit of lag and notifications can get buried, so it's also advised that writers check the subforum every few days.
 

cbrevan

spin, spin, spin
is a CAP Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
I don't have time to look through everything now Take Azelfie but you don't need to include the "on the same level of speed" part in the opening.

snake_rattler if you say Gyarados outspeeds base 80's then its implied it'll still outspeed when they're both boosted the same amount. Neither Pokemon has gained or loss speed in relation to eachoher so Gyarados would still be faster. Don't tell people to say that in future checks since it's a no shit kind of thing.
 

snake

is a Community Leaderis a Top CAP Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
CAP Co-Leader
Sorry about that cbro, it's just that (imo) that 81 Speed stat is what keeps Gyarados still viable. If it had 80 Speed, I doubt it'd would've been OU for so long. But yeah that I was kinda dumb in suggesting that anyways.

Other than that, imo, maybe add Scald to the defensive set? Ik it's special, but it has a 100% chance to burn, so maybe it'd be worth it.

Anyways, QC 1/3

(imagine a cool stamp here)
 
Take Azelfie
[OVERVIEW]

  • Good stats all around with devastating Attack, good natural bulk, and an average speed tier that out speeds base 80's.
  • Incredible boosting move in Dragon Dance makes it an incredible sweeper.
  • Many resistances give it an easier time setting up versus Dark- and Fire-types like Bisharp, Collosoil, and Volkraken.
  • Good neutral coverage with Flying / Dark-type and Water STAB in conjunction of its small but effective movepool.
  • Amazing abilities that aid Gyarados in setting up or cleaning more efficiently. Intimidate giving it a better chance against physical attackers, Moxie helps to seal a sweep after KOing a Pokemon or two. moxie isn't mentioned elsewhere so remove Mold Breaker helps to let Mega Gyarados get passed Pokemon that would normally be checks.
  • While it speed tiers is good, is still is slower than most speed boosting sweepers like Aurumoth and Mega Charizard X..
  • Unfortunately is very prone to hazards like Stealth Rock in its base form and Spikes / Toxic Spikes in its mega forms.
  • Has no recovery outside of Rest.

[SET]
name: Mega Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Earthquake / Ice Fang / Substitute
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance is used to boost Gyarados' attack and speed turning it into a powerful sweeper.
  • Crunch is Gyarados' most reliable STAB that also hits Ghost and Psychic-types like Kitsunoh, Aurumoth, and Latios super effectively.
  • Waterfall is a nice secondary STAB that hits Fire and Ground-types like Heatran, Excadrill, Collosoil super effective while also having a nice flinch chance.
  • Earthquake gives Gyarados a better match-up against Keldeo. It also give Gyarados a way to hit Plasmanta and Mollux before Mega Evolving and a way to hit Rotom-Wash when you have mega evolved.
  • Ice Fang hits Dragons like Dragonite, Garchomp and Mega Altaria harder than its STABs.
  • Substitute makes it harder for Gyarados' to be revenge killed while also blocking status like Will-o-Wisp and Thunder Wave.
  • Taunt can be used in the fourth moveslot so it can still stop Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Clefable from crippling it without having to sacrifice HP.

Set Details
========

  • Max speed and attack boost Gyarados' best stats in order to help it sweep.
  • Jolly nature makes sure you always out speed base 80 Pokemon like Mega Altaria and Dragonite.
  • Intimidate is Gyarados' prefered pre-mega ability as it gives it a much easier time setting against opposing physical Pokemon like Garchomp, Weavile, Mega Metagross
  • Mold Breaker allows Gyarados to get through abilities that would stop it normally like Dry Skin, Storm Drain, Water Absorb, and Unaware.

Usage Tips
========

  • Since Gyarados can change its type by mega evolving use this to your advantage. Save your mega evolution so you can come in on Earthquakes easier or mega evolve on Alakazam or Aurumoth to avoid a potential Psychic-type move.
  • You can also save your mega evolution for saving Intimidate, reason being you might want to try setting up later in the game and having Intimidate can help you do so.
  • Keeping Gyarados healthy is the key to making it easier to sweep. If hazards are up on the field limit the amount of Gyarados switching you do in order to keep it from being revenge killed.
  • Along with making sure Gyarados is not taklatter needing some prior chip damageo much damage, it also needs to avoid status. Primarily paralysis and burns. So to be on the safe side you should be using Substitute on slower status and Scald users like Mega Sableye, Chansey, and Slowbro.
  • The best time to set up Gyarados is when all priority users and Choice Scarf users with higher natural speed are gone. This makes it less likely for Gyarados to get stopped during its sweep. Brelloom, Choice Scarf Keldeo and Talonflame can all revenge kill a Gyarados, the latter needing some prior chip damage beforeit can guantee the KO.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados greatly appreciates hazard removal in order to keep it healthy. Some examples are Pokemon like Latias, Tomohawk, Mew, Excadrill, Skarmory and Starmie. The first two also provide Healing Wish support which benefit Gyarados greatly.
  • Pokemon that can beat out Grass-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega-Venusaur, Amoonguss and Brelloom are needed in order to accomplish a sweep. Examples would be Flying-types such as Tornadus-Therian, Talonflame and Tomohawk.
  • Electric immune or resisted Pokemon can help to absorb Electric-type attacks and Thunder Wave as Gyarados is very prone to both. Examples would be Hippowdown, Plasmanta, and Cawmadore.
  • Gyarados aids in removal of Fire-types so Pokemon who can take advantage of this like Aurumoth, Volcarona, and Jirachi are good partners that enjoy Gyarados' presence.
  • Wallbreakers like Kyurem-Black and Choice Band Azumarill help to pave a way for Gyarados to sweep. Both help to remove Dragons but Azumarill also helps to provide a switch in to Fighting-type attack.

[SET]
name: Bulky Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Bounce
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 152 HP / 160 Atk / 196 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Dragon Dance turns Gyarados into a powerful sweeper by boosting its Attack and Speed by 1
  • Waterfall is Gyarados' most reliable STAB hitting a lot of Pokémon neutrally and having the additional flinch chance
  • Bounce is another STAB that hits Grass-types, most importantly Mega Venusaur, for super effective damage.
  • Substitute is used to block status effects such as Will-o-wisp and Thunder Wave coming from passive Pokempn
  • Earthquake is an alternative for hitting Mollux and Plasmanta since non mega Gyarados can't ignore there abilities.

Set Details
========

  • The HP EVs allow Gyarados to live a LO Hurricane and a Nature Power coming from Tomohawk at full HP
  • 160 Attack investment gives Gyarados a boost to its attack
  • The speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny after a Dragon Dance.

Usage Tips
========

  • Gyarados should try to set up once all of its checks and counters are out of the way. This way Gyarados has a lot less likely of a time of getting stopped midway. Also making sure that priority status users are gone also help out in case Gyarados' Substitute were to ever be broken.
  • Gyarados should try to Dragon Dance after settiing up a Substitute. This will allow Gyarados to sponge an extra hit as well as block status.
  • Gyarados can use Pokemon that are more passive like Chansey and Mega Sableye to its advantage by setting up Substitute.
  • Having other teammates remove Stealth Rocks right before you are going to start setting up is optimal so Gyarados doesn't have to take Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

  • Gyarados appreciates having partners that remove Stealth Rock in order to keep Gyarados safe. Notable examples are Collosoil, Latios and Tomohawk.
  • Pokemon that have a good match-up against Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Krillowatt are greatly appreciated in aiding Gyarados.
  • Gyarados can help to remove Ground-types so having Pokemon that benefit from that like Mollux and Cyclohm.
  • Ground-types help Gyarados. They can take Electric and Rock-type attacks for Gyarados as well as deal with Mollux and Plasmanta quite easily. Collosoil and Excadrill for example, both of these Pokemon can also remove Stealth Rock for Gyarados. i'd add dugtrio here too since this set really needs manta out of the way
  • Wallbreakers weaken the opponents team making it easier for Gyarados to sweep, Diggersby and Volkraken are options worth noting as they both weaken Ferrothorn and Venusaur which are huge threats to Gyarados.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • A defensive set with Waterfall, RestTalk and other supportive moves like Roar, Scald, Dragon Tail, and Thunder Wave can be used to help check a plethora of physical attackers like Excadrill, Collosoil, and Mega Lopunny but with Electric coverage being extremely common it makes it hard to use.
  • Stone Edge can be used to far better against Tornadus-Therian and Pyroak but it usually isn't worth trading off for the better coverage options.
  • Iron Head can be used to hit Mega Gardevoir, Mega Altaria, and Clefable harder but also isn't usually worth the trade off for the other coverage moves.

Checks and Counters
===================

*Fighting-types** Fighting-types like Tomohawk and Arghonaught can easilly take Mega Gyarados' attacks while more offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Keldeo and Breloom can quickly secure a kill when weakened. Although regular Gyarados does not have to fear Fighting-types due to the resistance from its base form. move this below electric-types since fighting is only applicable to mega form while electric threatens them both

**Electric-types** Thunderbolt and Volt Switch severely damage Gyarados, especially when Gyarados has yet to Mega evolve. Fast Electric-types specially since they can out speed an unboosted Gyarados. Cyclohm is also very hard for Gyarados to get around especially if it lacks Earthquake. Static also punishes Gyarados attempting to break through with Ice Fang or Crunch.

**Mega Venusaur** It can absorb most of Gyarados' attacks with ease unless Gyarados has an insane amount of boost. Bounce is the most effective move which is really easy to play around.

**Status** Gyarados suffers from any type of residual damage from Toxic and Will-o-Wisp as well as the stat drops that come with Paralysis and Burn lowering Speed and Attack respectively.

**Residual Damage** Any type of damage hinders Gyarados' ability to set-up. Stealth Rock mostly in its base form and Spikes when Mega Evolved. mention stuff like helmet on chomp/tomo/skarm, ferro's iron barbs, etc since that can cut a gyara sweep short
just a few comments, looks pretty good though! QC 2/3
 
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