BS Gyarados (needs final QC + GP review of changes)



[OVERVIEW]

The atrocious sea monster Gyarados is one of the metagame's most threatening attackers, being able to wreak havoc on many threats, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Blaziken, after a Dragon Dance boost. For an offensive sweeper, Gyarados has excellent bulk thanks to Intimidate, which can be very handy against physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, and Garchomp. This allows Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance more safely and still survive attacks from the opposing threat. Gyarados's Water / Flying typing gives it resistances to Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water and only two weaknesses, to Electric and Rock. Additionally, it has an immunity to Ground-types, which allows it to switch in safely on a predicted Earthquake. Gyarados has access to some nice support moves such as Thunder Wave, Toxic, and Taunt, which allow it to shut down Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, faster Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan, and defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Chansey. After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados has increased bulk, making setting up Dragon Dance even more easy. Furthermore, Mold Breaker allows it to deal with threats such as Rotom-W and Multiscale Dragonite, which previously troubled it.

Unfortunately, Gyarados has no reliable recovery, which is problematic especially when going for a defensive or stall set, and its weakness to Electric-type moves can be troublesome prior to and after Mega Evolving. Mega Gyarados's Dark typing also isn't very useful, as it adds weakness to Fairy, Fighting, and Grass. In a metagame full of fast attackers, Mega Gyarados is stuck with mediocre base 81 Speed and has to rely on Dragon Dance to outpace Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan, though it helps it outspeed Mamoswine, Aegislash, and Tyranitar.

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

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

Dragon Dance boosts Mega Gyarados's Attack and Speed to more fearsome levels, allowing it to act as an efficient setup sweeper. Waterfall hits Rock-, Fire-, and Ground-types such as Tyranitar, Heatran, Talonflame, and Mamoswine, OHKOing the former two after a Dragon Dance boost, and has a chance to flinch the foe. Earthquake checks Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Aegislash, and Heatran. Additionally, after Mega Evolving, Earthquake allows Mega Gyarados to hit Rotom-W due to Mold Breaker bypassing Levitate. Crunch can be used instead of Earthquake, as it hits several threatening Pokemon, most notably Cresselia and Mega Slowbro. Crunch 2HKOes Cresselia on the switch and can also be used instead of Waterfall if Mega Gyarados's teammates can deal with Hippowdon and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives more coverage by checking Dragon-, Flying-, and Grass-types such as Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Gliscor, Landorus-T, Serperior, and Mega Venusaur. Substitute can be used instead to avoid any status ailments and block weak attacks such as Scald burns from the likes of Suicune. This can be used with Dragon Dance so that Mega Gyarados can get a free boost.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs in conjunction with a Jolly nature maximize Mega Gyarados's damage output while still allowing it to outpace threats such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar after a Dragon Dance boost. An Adamant nature can be used instead of Jolly for even more damage output; however, Mega Gyarados won't be able to outspeed most Choice Scarf Pokemon even after a boost.

Intimidate is very useful for Gyarados, as well as its teammates, prior to Mega Evolving, reducing the damage they take from physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Talonflame, and Landorus-T. In particular, the Attack drop prevents Mega Gyarados from being 2HKOed by Adamant Choice Band Talonflame's Brave Bird and Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge after a Fake Out. Gyaradosite is required for Gyarados to Mega Evolve and gain considerable boosts in its offenses and bulk. Lum Berry can be used instead of Gyaradosite to prevent status from crippling Gyarados so it can freely set up a Substitute or a Dragon Dance. After Mega Evolving, Mold Breaker is very useful for Mega Gyarados to hit Levitate users, such as Rotom-W, with Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Gyarados's priority is to set up Dragon Dance and sweep, and therefore it should be brought in after a teammate has fainted so that it doesn't take any damage after switching into a threat. If you're planning on having Mega Gyarados set up, make sure you have powerful attackers such as Choice Scarf Garchomp or even those that can help cripple foes such as Rotom-W or Ferrothorn. Prior to Mega Evolving, Gyarados should always be brought into a physical attacker to weaken it with Intimidate, making setting up much more easier. Gyarados can also use Intimidate to its advantage early-game to assist its teammates. You don't need to Mega Evolve Gyarados right away if you're unsure about the matchup because of the weaknesses that it adds; this is important especially when it's against Fairy-, Fighting-, or Grass-types such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Conkeldurr, Mega Venusaur, Mega Lucario, and Breloom. Mega Evolve Gyarados later in the match if you need Gyarados's Flying typing to handle serious threats for your team. For example, Gyarados can take advantage of its base forme before by setting up or attacking to survive certain hits that its Dark typing wouldn't normally allow, such as non-Choice Specs variants of Sylveon and Blaziken. Other examples include certain Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Pokemon that are Choice locked into a Ground-type move, such as Landorus-T and Garchomp.

Gyarados is still useful prior to Mega Evolving because of Intimidate and its Ground-type immunity. However, be careful not to switch Gyarados in too often because getting worn down isn't good for a setup sweeper like it. Earthquake is mainly used to hit Mega Charizard X, Steel-types, and Rotom-W. Additionally, this keeps Mega Gyarados from being affected by Aegislash's King's Shield or Rocky Helmet. When running Substitute, set up on defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia, Chansey, Ferrothorn, Suicune, and Slowbro. They won't be able to inflict any status condition, and Mega Gyarados can get a free Dragon Dance boost behind the Substitute.

Team Options
========

Steel-types such as Aegislash, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can come into a resisted Fairy-type attack for Mega Gyarados and clear the field of Pokemon such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Clefable. Aegislash can also switch into Fighting-type moves for Mega Gyarados. Heatran, Blaziken, and Talonflame are all helpful partners in removing Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior. Talonflame can support Mega Gyarados with its priority STAB Brave Bird that takes care of Fighting-types such as Mega Heracross and Conkeldurr. In turn, Mega Gyarados can remove threats such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. Fairy-types such as Gardevoir and Sylveon can both threaten Fighting-types such as Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Conkeldurr, and in return, Mega Gyarados can switch into resisted Steel-type moves and take on Heatran and Aegislash. Mega Gyarados appreciates its foes getting burned by the likes of Rotom-H, as this enables it to set up a little more easily, given the physical attackers's Attack is lowered by Intimidate as well. Rotom-H can also take several hits from Talonflame thanks to its resistance to both its STAB moves and its ability to switch into a Will-O-Wisp. Rotom-H can handle Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados and be a good check to Mega Mawile; however, Rotom-H needs to be wary of Knock Off.

Thunder Wave support from the likes of Porygon2, Thundurus, Klefki, and Cresselia can allow Mega Gyarados to outspeed many threats and get free turns to freely set up Dragon Dance. Klefki and Cresselia deserve a special mention because the former can set up dual screens while the latter has access to Lunar Dance, giving Mega Gyarados another chance to sweep. Mega Gyarados appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp, which gives it an easier time to sweep and breaks Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Breloom. Grass-types such as Serperior can deal with other Water-types that Mega Gyarados has trouble against such as Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Suicune. Having Contrary Leaf Storm, Serperior won't have any trouble breaking past physically defensive variants of Rotom-W and Suicune. Raikou can provide dual screen support for Mega Gyarados, which helps it set up Dragon Dance more easily; in turn, Mega Gyarados can eliminate Ground-types that pose as huge threats to Raikou. Gengar can get rid of Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Azumarill with its STAB Sludge Bomb. Gengar also has no problem dealing with Chansey, as it's immune to Seismic Toss and Toxic.

[SET]
name: Defensive Helmet
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 220 HP / 244 Def / 44 Spe

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

Thunder Wave helps Gyarados cripple Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon and Togekiss as well as fast attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Gengar, Blaziken, and Greninja. Additionally, it has a chance to prevent the foe from moving. Waterfall is a nice STAB move used for hitting Talonflame, Heatran, Blaziken, and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives Gyarados coverage against Dragon- and Flying-types such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Landorus-T. Taunt allows Gyarados to shut down defensive Pokemon that tend to inflict status such as Cresselia, Chansey, and Hippowdon.

Set Details
========

220 HP EVs allow Gyarados to take more damage. 244 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Gyarados's defensive capabilities. This spread allows Gyarados to have a very high chance to survive two Double-Edges from Mega Kangaskhan. 44 Speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Cresselia, Suicune, and uninvested Mamoswine. With physical attackers being so common, Rocky Helmet helps Gyarados by passively damaging users of contact moves. Additionally, Rocky Helmet damage KOes non-Will-O-Wisp variants of Talonflame after a Waterfall. Intimidate grants Gyarados a little bit more longevity by allowing it to take physical attacks more easily while also providing support for Gyarados's teammates.

Usage Tips
========

Gyarados can function as a lead thanks to Thunder Wave and Taunt, which works well early-game. Use Taunt on defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn, as the move is used to stallbreak and force them to attack Gyarados and take chip damage by Rocky Helmet. This is also a perfect opportunity to go for a Thunder Wave, predicting they would switch out. When there's no presence of Electric-types on the opponent's side, Gyarados should always cripple faster attackers and Choice Scarf Pokemon with Thunder Wave because paralysis makes the opposing threat vulnerable to the rest of your team. Always switch into physical attackers to cripple them with Intimidate. With this in mind, Gyarados won't be taking much damage from the opposing threat, which in return will take chip damage from Rocky Helmet. Make sure you have an Electric- or Grass-type in order to beat Suicune or Rotom-W because Gyarados is heavily walled by these two.

Team Options
========

Setup sweepers make for excellent partners for Gyarados, as they appreciate foes being crippled by Thunder Wave. Additionally, Gyarados's teammates appreciate Intimidate, as the reduced damage from physical attackers helps them set up more easily. Good examples of sweepers include Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, Mega Heracross, Mega Salamence, and Aegislash. Mega Kangaskhan can set up with Power-Up Punch while the foe is paralyzed and punch holes with powerful attacks such as Double-Edge and Earthquake. In turn, Gyarados can take attacks for Mega Kangaskhan. Mega Blaziken can handle Grass-types that threaten Gyarados such as Serperior and Ferrothorn. Mega Heracross can beat Psychic-types, such as Mega Slowbro and Cresselia, with Pin Missile and Porygon2 with a powerful STAB move in Close Combat. Mega Mawile and Aegislash can both set up Swords Dance and get rid of Fairy-types while these are paralyzed. Mega Salamence can beat Fighting-types such as Breloom. Other sweepers such as Swords Dance Garchomp can be great status absorbers against Thunder Wave users for Gyarados and eliminate Electric-types such as Raikou and Thundurus.

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

Aqua Tail is an alternate STAB attack that hits a little harder than Waterfall. Unfortunately, its low accuracy will give Gyarados a chance to miss its target, creating a possible game-changing situation. Stone Edge allows Gyarados to make quick work of Pokemon such as Thundurus, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y; however, its a chance of missing can give the foe the opportunity to retaliate. Toxic can be used on the defensive set to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Zapdos, Porygon2, Cresselia, and Rotom-W. Rest gives Gyarados a means of recovery and longevity, and it can be used in conjunction with Sleep Talk so that Gyarados won't have to waste turns while asleep. With Rest, Gyarados can go defensive with Thunder Wave and Waterfall, or it can go offensive with Dragon Dance. Leftovers should be used for the defensive set as a way for Gyarados to gain passive recovery to prolong its presence on the field every turn.

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

**Electric-types**: Rotom-W, especially physically defensive variants, can tank several hits from Gyarados's STAB moves and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Raikou, in particular Calm Mind variants, is able to KO Gyarados with Thunderbolt; however, it'll need to be wary about Mega Gyarados already setting up with Dragon Dance. Zapdos can OHKO Gyarados with Thunderbolt, and physically defensive variants carry Rocky Helmet, which can be very troublesome for Mega Gyarados. Thundurus deserves a special mention because it's able to cripple Mega Gyarados with Thunder Wave and defeat it with its STAB Electric-type moves. With access to Intimidate after Mega Evolving, Mega Manectric can also revenge kill Gyarados.

**Fairy-types**: After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados becomes more susceptible to Fairy-types. Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir, and Sylveon can all KO Mega Gyarados with a Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. Both Mega Mawile and Azumarill can get rid of Mega Gyarados with Play Rough. Mawile can get an Intimidate off on Mega Gyarados before Mega Evolving, and Azumarill resists Mega Gyarados's STAB moves, which really leaves Earthquake its only option for dealing damage. Mega Altaria deserves a special mention because it can set up on Mega Gyarados with Dragon Dance, but it needs to be wary of Dragon Dance-boosted Ice Fang.

**Status**: Gyarados cannot afford to be inflicted with burns, paralysis, or poison due to its lack of recovery. Burns cut its Attack in half and paralysis cuts its Speed, hindering its wallbreaking capabilities. Notable Pokemon that can inflict Gyarados with status ailments are Mega Sableye, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Cresselia, Klefki, Thundurus, Porygon2, and Chansey.

**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur, Serperior, and Breloom will give Gyarados a lot of trouble. After Mega Evolving, Mega Venusaur won't take much damage, and Earthquake is the only move Gyarados can use against it to deal significant damage. Serperior can paralyze Gyarados with Glare and proceed to KO it with Leaf Storm.

**Priority Attackers**: Gyarados is susceptible to priority attacks such as Choice Band Adamant Talonflame's Brave Bird, Lucario's ExtremeSpeed or Vacuum Wave, and Breloom's and Conkeldurr's Mach Punch.

**Bulky Physical Walls**: Mega Slowbro and Rotom-W can take several hits from Gyarados even after a couple of Dragon Dance boosts. Rotom-W can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or Volt Switch into a better threat for Gyarados. Mega Slowbro can simply set up with Iron Defense and threaten it with Thunder Wave if Substitute isn't used. Ferrothorn can easily shrug off Gyarados's attacks and deal passive damage with Leech Seed. Skarmory can stall out Gyarados with Toxic + Roost. Additionally, many run Iron Defense, especially Rocky Helmet variants.

**Fighting-types**: Breloom can put Gyarados to sleep with Spore and proceed to use Rock Tomb to decrease its Speed prior to Mega Evolving or easily get rid of it with STAB Bullet Seed. Mega Heracross won't have much of an issue dealing with Gyarados due to having Rock Blast and STAB Pin Missile.
 
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So far so good! Gyrados has a lot of solid other options. Stone Edge is a good alternative move in the offensive set, good to use against Zapdo and Thundy.
 
This is good so far. Have u considered including an Offensive non-Mega DD set? Maybe you could mention it in Other Options. This is because non-Mega Gyarados still functions well with pokemon such as Mixed Mega-Salamence
 

bobochan

slow mo my bobo
is a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]

-The Atrocious sea monster returns to the metagame, still being able to wreck havoc to many threats after setting up with Dragon Dance. An example or two would be great.
Still sounds weird for some reason. Emphasize more on what it does in the metagame, while focusing on its strong points: Bulk/ability/typing etc. (Try to incorporate your next two sentences with this opening one.)

-After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados has increased bulk in order to set up Dragon Dance much more effectively.
Mold Breaker deserves a mention, it serves as a key ability which allows Mega Gyarados to beat Dragonite 1v1 thanks to its awesome Speed tier.
-Unfortunately Gyarados has no reliable recovery outside of Rest, especially when going for a defensive set in stalling the opposing threat.
I wouldn't say Rest is a reliable recovery (unless I misunderstood this sentence). Picture the amount of times RestTalk Suicune has failed you. Instead, you can talk about its 4MSS, makes Gyarados hard to predict what set it is or what coverage move it may be running. (Is it Mega or bulky non-Mega? What STAB is it running? What coverage does it have? [DD/Ice Fang/EQ/Dual STABs/Taunt/Sub?])
-Additionally, that leaves it open towards status moves, which makes Gyarados vulnerable to residual damage.
Status moves hasn't been a problem for Gyarados, thanks to Taunt and Substitute, and the ability to play with typings (Flying/Dark).
-Gyarados also has a problem handling Electric-types such as Raikou, Zapdos, and Rotom-W due to its 4x weakness prior to Mega Evolving.
Prior to Dragon Dance as well, none of these threats can handle Gyarados well after a boost, especially true for Mega.
-In a metagame full of fast attackers, Mega Gyarados is stuck with the mediocre base 81 Speed and has to rely on Dragon Dance for it to outpace Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan.
81 Speed is a surprisingly nice Speed tier. You get the jump on so many things, which include: Dragonite, Altaria, Venusaur, Blaziken, Gardevoir, Medicham, Mamoswine, etc.

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

Optional: I would rename the DD + 3 Attacks to something else. I really want to slash Substitute somewhere in there, it helps with setting up and blocking weak attacks (Scald) so much. Crunch is a also a great option to nail Cresselia/BRO. Currently I'm unsure where the optimal slash for both moves are, so I'll leave this to you or the other QC members.

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


When you talk about Waterfall you mention its nice chance to flinch which can come in handy. (It's been a game saver for me in many matches.)
Give a mention to Dragonite, Mega Venusaur and Mold Breaker under Ice Fang, especially since this is the Mega DD set. If you find there are too many examples, you can remove Hydreigon from the Ice Fang list, since Earthquake can hit it anyway.
As far as covering threats go, mention Mamoswine under Waterfall and Serperior and Ice Fang.


Set Details
========


-A Jolly nature is preferred because it allow Mega Gyarados to outspeed other threats such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan, max Timid Heatran, and Mega Gengar after a Dragon Dance boost.
Got a bit lost there after reading Mega Kangaskhan, since both Mega and non-Mega outspeeds Gyarados, and an Adamant DD can easily outspeed it either way.

Usage Tips
========


-Don't Mega Evolve Gyarados right away if you're unsure about the matchup, especially when it's against Fairy-types such as Sylveon and Mega Gardevoir because of the Dark typing it gains.
There are other cool examples, like with Breloom (Rock Tomb/Bullet Seed), Conkeldurr (Drain Punch/Rock Slide) and more importantly: Aegislash (Sacred Sword/Shadow Ball). I'm missing a few others like Venusaur, Ferrothorn, Mega Lucario but you get the point.
In addition to what you said about not mega evolving right away, you can also say that keeping regular Gyarados is more useful as it provides both Intimidate and Ground-type immunity. With that said, careful not to switch Gyarados into things too often as being worn down is bad for a setup sweeper.


Team Options
========


-Talonflame can support Mega Gyarados with its priority STAB Brave Bird for Fighting-types to fear. Such as Conkeldurr and Mega Heracross.
-Fairy-types such as Mega Mawile and Sylveon can both threaten Dragon- and Fighting-types such as Garchomp and Conkeldurr.
Dragon-types like Garchomp isn't much of a problem due to Ice Fang though.
-Klefki and Cresselia deserves a special mention because the latter can set up dual screens while the former has access to Lunar Dance, giving Mega Gyarados another chance to sweep.
You got the two mixed up, easy fix.

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


-Thunder Wave helps Gyarados cripple Choice Scarf users and fast attackers. Additionally, it'll provide turns that the foe won't be able to attack.
Such as? It's not really clear since Garchomp and Landorus-T are the common Scarfers that come to mind but neither can be neutralised by Thunder Wave. Just mention some normal attackers that lack Taunt like Kangaskhan, Charizard, Blaziken, etc.
Add Blaziken and Mamoswine to the list of things that Waterfall hits. Tyranitar can actually retaliate back with some dangerous Stone Crits so its less relevant.


Set Details
========


I just went into Teambuilder and only 36 EVs are needed to outspeed standard Cresselia. But it doesn't hurt to have slightly more though.

Usage Tips
========


Be careful when you say "paralyze them" because Hippowdon is immune.

-Gyarados shouldn't be switching into repeated attacks due to its lack of recovery.
I'm not sure about this point, I would definitely be switching into physical attackers whenever possible since this set is more "disposable" than the DD set. Bulky attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Mawile really hate this set. (Second QC)

Team Options
========


When talking about Raikou, mention how Gyarados can come in predicted Earthquakes and weaken stuff with Intimidate and Water/Ice-type coverage.
Dragonite is something I often pair up with Gyarados. You can set up on a few Electric-types thanks to Multiscale. And this defensive Gyarados has an easy time switching into physical attackers and neuter defensive threats with Taunt.


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


Aqua Tail isn't worth noting as Waterfall is better in almost every way. Keep it if it does KO some threats that Waterfall doesn't (do mention them though).
Substitute and Crunch are both options I would consider slashing but am unsure at the moment. (Second QC)

-The only notable Pokemon that Crunch is meant for are Mega Gengar, Aegislash, and Cresselia. And Slowbro.
Haven't had much experience with Toxic/Rest/Sleep Talk so I guess I'll leave that to second QC.


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


**Status**: Would be much less of a problem if you had Substitute, but Prankster users are still worth keeping.

**Talonflame**: Not sure how useful Talonflame is in checking a Gyarados (Taunt + Will-O-Wisp is needed, and Talonflame can't even switch in directly). (Second QC)
Instead, you can talk about priority attackers, these include Banded Talon, Mega Lucario, Breloom, Conkeldurr.

**Bulky Physical Walls**: Suicune's Scald is blocked by Sub and you can actually DD behind on sub against it, which is why Substitute is so important/useful. Anyhow, add Slowbro/Mega Slowbro to this list.

Instead of listing Breloom under Grass-types, you can make a new entry on Fighting-types and put Breloom, Conkeldurr and Mega Heracross.


Comments
===================


I believe you have exams also. Good luck Lucy!
Awesome analysis with solid team options C:
Consult with NOVED the GODsend and Psynergy.G for further assistance.
Otherwise, I trust you to go over the changes in red.


1/2
 

[OVERVIEW]

The Atrocious sea monster returns to the metagame, still being able to wreck havoc to many threats after setting up with Dragon Dance such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Blaziken. Gyarados has excellent bulk for an offensive sweeper coupled with Intimidate, which can be very handy against physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, and Garchomp. This allow for Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance more effectively while taking another hit from the opposing threat. Gyarados's Flying / Water typing gives it resistance to Bug-, Fighting-, Fire-, Steel-, and Water-types while only having two weaknesses to Electric- and Rock-types. Additionally, it has an immunity to Ground-types, which would allow it to switch-in safely on a predicted Earthquake. Gyarados has a nice access to some support moves such as Thunder Wave, Toxic, and Taunt, being able to shut down Choice Scarf users, faster Pokemon, and defensive Pokemon such as Hydreigon(I assume you meant this as a scarf user but it sounds weird putting it in the same list as cress and chansey, but thats something GP can probably fix), Cresselia, and Chansey. After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados has increased bulk in order to set up Dragon Dance much more effectively. Gaining the ability Mold Breaker, Mega Gyarados is able to deal with threats such as Rotom-W with Earthquake and Multiscale Dragonite.

Unfortunately Gyarados has no reliable recovery, especially when going for a defensive set in stalling the opposing threat. Gyarados still retains a weakness to Electric-type moves prior to and after Mega Evolving. Mega Gyarados's Dark typing isn't very useful, as it gains weakness to Fairy-, Fighting-, and Grass-types. In a metagame full of fast attackers, Mega Gyarados is stuck with the mediocre base 81 Speed and has to rely on Dragon Dance for it to outpace Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan. However, it helps Mega Gyarados outspeed Mega Altaria, Blaziken, Mamoswine, Venusaur, Gardevoir, and Medicham. (some of these seem kinda irrelevant to mention imo because Blaziken has Speed Boost, Gyara doesn't really wanna take on Venu and some of these are either not really common or gain Speed when they Mega evolve. Mamo is the only one in this list I really like. I would put more relevant stuff like TTar in, and some other slow things are good taunt targets I guess like aegi)

name: Physical Sweeper
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Earthquake
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly Personally I think Jolly should be slashed first, it hits some pretty important speed tiers I think
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

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

Dragon Dance boosts Mega Gyarados's Attack and Speed to more fearsome levels, allowing it to act as an efficient set up sweeper. Waterfall is the main STAB move for Mega Gyarados in order to hit Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-types such as Heatran, Talonflame, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar. Waterfall OHKOes Heatran and Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost. Additionally, it gives a chance to flinch the foe. Ice Fang gives more coverage in checking Dragon-, Flying-, and Grass-types such as Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Gliscor, Landorus-T, Serperior, and Mega Venusaur. Mega Gyarados is also able to Earthquake gives Mega Gyarados a way to check Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Aegislash, and Klefki(I just dont like mentioning Klefki cause it can twave you and kinda ruin your day). This also keeps Azumarill from completely tanking Mega Gyarados's Waterfall and Ice Fang(I dont really like mentioning this either cause Azumarill can still live and just OHKO with Play Rough). Additionally, after Mega Evolving, Earthquake allows for Mega Gyarados to hit Rotom-W due to having Mold Breaker.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed maximizes Mega Gyarados's damage output while outpacing threats such as Adamant Choice Scarf Garchomp and Landorus-T after a Dragon Dance boost. The remaining 4 EVs are invested into Defense so that they're not wasted( i dont think this is necessary to mention). A Jolly nature is preferred(Looks like you did note that Jolly is preferred here, but yeah just make sure it reflects this in the set) because it allow Mega Gyarados to outspeed other threats such as Choice Scarf Garchomp(a lot of these are still Jolly) and Mega Gengar (could add Mega Manectric here too) after a Dragon Dance boost. Adamant nature can be used instead of Jolly nature for even more damage output when running maximum Attack EVs on it.

However, Mega Gyarados won't be able to outspeed Choice Scarf Pokemon even after a boost. Intimidate is very useful for not only Gyarados prior to Mega Evolving, but its teammates as well against pesky physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Talonflame and Landorus-T. Keeping it from being 2HKOed by Adamant Choice Band Talonflame's Brave Bird and from being KOed by Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge after a Fake Out. Gyaradosite is required for Gyarados to gain considerable boosts in its offenses and bulk. After Mega Evolving, Mold Breaker would be very useful for Mega Gyarados due to hitting Levitate Pokemon with Earthquake such as Rotom-W.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Gyarados's priority is to set up Dragon Dance and sweep. So it should be brought in after a fallen teammate so that it doesn't take any damage after switching into a threat. If you're planning on having Mega Gyarados set up, make sure you have powerful attackers such as Choice Scarf Garchomp or even those that can help cripple foes such as Rotom-H(probably mention Rotom-W instead of H, H doesnt need to be crippled really as mega gyara just straight up OHKOs it) or Ferrothorn. Prior to Mega Evolving Gyarados should always be brought into a physical attacker so that they can be crippled after Intimidate actives because it's very useful for Mega Gyarados to set up while taking a hit. Don't Mega Evolve Gyarados right away if you're unsure about the matchup, especially when it's against Fairy-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Conkeldurr, Mega Venusaur, Mega Lucario, and Breloom because of the Dark typing it gains.

Gyarados is still useful prior to Mega Evolution because of Intimidate and its Ground-type immunity. However, be careful not to switch Gyarados in too often because being worn down isn't good for a setup sweeper like Mega Gyarados. Earthquake is mainly used for Mega Gyarados to hit Mega Charizard X, Steel-types, and Rotom-W. Additionally, this keeps Mega Gyarados from not being affected by Aegislash's King's Shield or Rocky Helmet.

Team Options
========

Steel-types such as Aegislash, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can come into a resisted Fairy-type attack for Mega Gyarados and clear the field of Pokemon such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Clefable. Aegislash can switch into Fighting-type moves to keep either from getting hit. Safety Goggles Aegislash is also useful against Spore Breloom if it intends on putting Mega Gyarados to sleep(I feel like goggles aegi is kinda too niche to be mentioned, i think ferro could be fine as it does a similar job, not as well but its just more relevant imo). Heatran, Blaziken, and Talonflame are all helpful partners in removing Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior. Talonflame can support Mega Gyarados with its priority STAB Brave Bird for Fighting-types to fear such as Mega Heracross and Conkeldurr. In turn, Mega Gyarados can remove threats such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. Fairy-types such as Mega Mawile and Sylveon can both threaten Fighting-types such as Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Conkeldurr. Additionally, Mega Mawile can remove Ferrothorn from the field with Fire Fang. In turn, Mega Gyarados can switch into a resisted Steel-type move and take on Heatran and Aegislash for Mega Mawile Sylveon. (Mega Mawile shouldn't be mentioned in the ways you have been the past few sentences, you cant use two megas at once like you seem to be implying)Mega Gyarados appreciates its foes burned from the likes of Rotom-H, as this enables Mega Gyarados to set up a little easier, given the physical attackers's attack is lowered by Intimidate as well. Rotom-H can also take several hits from Talonflame due to resisting both its STAB moves and switch into a Will-O-Wisp.

Thunder Wave support from the likes of Porygon2, Thundurus, Klefki, and Cresselia can give Mega Gyarados speed control(explain why this helpful). Klefki and Cresselia deserves a special mentio because the former can set up dual screens while the latter has access to Lunar Dance, giving Mega Gyarados another chance to sweep. Mega Gyarados appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp, which help give Mega Gyarados an easier time to sweep along with breaking Focus Sash Pokemon such as Breloom. Grass-types such as Serperior can deal with other Water-types that Mega Gyarados has trouble against such as Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Suicune. Having Contrary Leaf Storm, Serperior won't have any trouble breaking past physically defensive variants of Rotom-W and Suicune. Raikou can provide dual screen support for Mega Gyarados, which helps it set up Dragon Dance easier. In turn, Mega Gyarados can eliminate Ground-types that poses a huge threat to Raikou. Gengar can get rid of Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Azumarill with its STAB Sludge Bomb. Gengar also has no problem dealing with Chansey either, as it's immune to Seismic Toss and Toxic if it tends to carry it.

[SET]
name: Defensive Helmet
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 220 HP / 244 Def / 44 Spe

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

Thunder Wave helps Gyarados cripple Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon and Togekiss and fast attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Gengar, and Greninja(add Blaziken in here). Additionally, it'll provide turns that the foe won't be able to attack. Waterfall is needed in hitting Talonflame, Heatran, Blaziken, and Mamoswine(its also just the best STAB option). Ice Fang gives Gyarados coverage against Dragon- and Flying-types such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Landorus-T. Taunt allow for Gyarados to shut down defensive Pokemon and others that tend to inflict status upon it such as Cresselia, Chansey, and Hippowdon.

Set Details
========

220 HP gives Gyarados more hit points in taking the extra damage. 244 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximizes Gyarados's defensive capabilities. Together, it allows Gyarados to have a very high chance in surviving two Double Edges from Mega Kangaskhan. 44 Speed EVs allow for Gyarados to outspeed Cresselia, Suicune, and uninvested Mamoswine. With physical attackers being so common, Rocky Helmet helps Gyarados in giving out passive damage in return. Additionally, Rocky Helmet damage KOes non-Will-O-Wisp variants of Talonflame after a Waterfall. Intimidate grants Gyarados a little bit more longevity in taking another hit or two from physical attackers. Also, with the physical attacker crippled from the ability, it provides support for its teammates.

Usage Tips
========

Gyarados can function as a lead due to having Thunder Wave and Taunt, which works well early-game. Use Taunt on defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn, as the move is used to stallbreak and force themselves to attack Gyarados and get damaged by Rocky Helmet. This is also a perfect opportunity to paralyze Chansey, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn because they'll either stay in and continue to attack or switch out if the foe can't use any of their non-attacking moves(not sure what you mean exactly here, i dont think para is really necessary on most of these, especially against ferro where para'ing it actually makes its gyro stronger. i assume you mean predicting them to switch out after taunt but idk, i dont really get this). When there's no presence of Electric-types from the opponent's side, Gyarados should always cripple faster attackers and Choice Scarf Pokemon with Thunder Wave because paralysis makes the opposing threat vulnerable to the rest of your team. Always switch into physical attackers to get an Intimidate. With this in mind, Gyarados won't be taking much damage from the opposing threat and they'll take damage from Rocky Helmet. Make sure you have an Electric- or Grass-type in order to beat Suicune or Rotom-W because Gyarados is heavily walled by these two.

Team Options
========

Garchomp and Mamoswine are considered great partners for Gyarados because they can freely switch into a Electic-type move for Gyarados and threaten out Pokemon such as Mega Manectric, Raikou, and Tyranitar(When talking about Garchomp I would probably specifically mention Scarf Chomp cause regular can be outsped and taken out by HP Ice sometimes). Additionally, it can set up Stealth Rock to rack up some more passive damage.Gyarados appreciates the presence of Raikou, as bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Rotom-W fears Thunderbolt, especially Calm Mind variants. Steel-types such as Aegislash and Ferrothorn have nothing to fear in switching into a Rock-type move. Aegislash can clear the way of Fairy-types with its powerful STAB Iron Head or Flash Cannon(Why is it important to take out Fairy types?). Ferrothorn can take several hits from Electric-type moves and it has no issue with being paralyzed from Thunder Wave either. Ferrothorn also provides Stealth Rock support and Leech Seed for Gyarados to recover health as well. Mega Gengar can trap Chansey and proceed to eliminate it with Sludge Bomb. Gyarados doesn't have any recovery so Mega Gengar keeps Gyarados from being hit with Seismic Toss every turn while being Taunted(I dont think Chansey is really that threatening tbh, gyara is gonna beat it 1v1). Mega Kangaskhan is a great partner for Gyarados, as it has sheer power in its attacks such as Double Edge in getting rid of other offensive Pokemon. In turn Gyarados can soften attacks with Intimidate and paralyze the foe(Also mention that gyara is great at taking care of blaziken for kanga). Mega Mawile can assist against Dragon-types such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence that tends to threaten Gyarados even with Ice Fang(I dont think Garchomp is really that threatening tbh, if anything its probably more threatening to Mawile). With Gyarados not being able to damage Ferrothorn as much, Mega Mawile can use Fire Fang to deliver a KO on it. (Again I would talk about gyara taking care of Blaziken for Mawile, if anything Gyara is the one that supports Mawile more not the other way around)

In general here I think you need to talk more about what Gyara supports, not so much focusing on what should be supporting Gyara. This defensive set is something you use to help your team, not build your team around. Like, what mons likes having a mon to taunt defensive stuff? What mons like having a great blaziken counter? etc.


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

Substitute allow for Gyarados to avoid any status moves that can severely cripple it or any attack that doesn't get rid of its Substitute. Substitute can be paired in setting up Dragon Dance. Aqua Tail is a much more powerful STAB attack for Gyarados to hit a little harder than Waterfall. Unfortunately, Aqua Tail's accuracy isn't the best and it'll give Gyarados a chance to miss its target, creating a possible game changer. Stone Edge allow for Gyarados to make quick work of Pokemon such as Talonflame, Volcarona, and Mega Charizard Y(Talon and Volc are both taken care of fine by Waterfall imo, i would mention Zapdos and Thundurus instead); however, Stone Edge has a chance of missing, which will give the opposing foe to retaliate. Crunch is a great STAB move for Mega Gyarados after Mega Evolving. However, there's not many Ghost- and Psychic-types that would prove to be troublesome for Mega Gyarados. The only notable Pokemon that Crunch is meant for are Mega Gengar, Aegislash, and Cresselia(Its not really just for Ghost and Psychics, its mostly for the neutral coverage, gives you a STAB to hit Suicune and Ferrothorn for example). Toxic can be used to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Zapdos, Porygon2, Cresselia, and Rotom-W. I can be ran as part of a defensive set. Rest gives Gyarados a means of recovery and logevity. Additionally, Rest can be used together with Sleep Talk so that Gyarados won't have wasted turns while asleep. With Rest, Gyarados can go defensive with Thunder Wave and Waterfall. Or it can go for Dragon Dance.

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

**Electric-types**: Rotom-W, especially physically defensive variants can tank several hits from Gyarados's STAB moves and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Raikou is able to KO Gyarados with Thunderbolt especially Calm Mind variants; however, it'll need to be wary about Mega Gyarados already setting up with Dragon Dance. Physically defensive variants of Zapdos carry Rocky Helmet, which can be very troublesome for Mega Gyarados. I can proceed to take it down with Thunderbolt. Thundurus deserves a special mention because it's able to cripple Mega Gyarados with Thunder Wave and defeat it with its STAB Electric-type moves. With access to Intimidate after Mega Evolving, Mega Manectric can also revenge kill Gyarados.

**Fairy-types**: After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados becomes more susceptible to Fairy-types. Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir, and Sylveon can all KO Mega Gyarados with Pixilate Hyper Voice. Both Mega Mawile and Azumarill can get rid of Mega Gyarados with Play Rough. Mawile can get an Intimidate on Mega Gyarados before Mega Evolving and Azumarill resists its STAB moves, which really leaves Earthquake its only option upon dealing damage. Mega Altaria deserves a special mention because it can set up on just a slight nitpick but it has to be wary of twave on defensive sets so i would just specify here ->(Mega)Gyarados with Dragon Dance but it needs to be wary of Dragon Dance boosted Ice Fang.

**Status**: As mentioned previously, Gyarados cannot afford to be inflicted by burns, paralysis, or poisoned due to having a lack of recovery. Gyarados is especially crippled by burns and paralysis due to burns cutting its Attack in half and paralysis cuts its Speed. Notable Pokemon that induce Gyarados with stats are Mega Sableye, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Cresselia, Klefki, Thundurus, Porygon2, and Chansey.

**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur and Serperior, and Breloom will give Gyarados a lot of trouble. After Mega Evolving, Mega Venusaur won't take much damage from Ice Fang due to Thick Fat(Mega Gyara has Mold Breaker) and Earthquake is the only move for Gyarados to hit Mega Venusaur for more damage. Serperior has a high chance to OHKO Gyarados with Leaf Strom after Mega Evolving. Focus Sash variants of Serperior can revenge kill it. (it doesnt have any chance to OHKO before boosts so dont say that. but do mention that bulky sets can take a hit and glare)

**Priority Attackers**: Gyarados is susceptible to priority attacks such as Adamant Choice Band Talonflame, Extremespeed(i wouldnt mention espeed, it doesnt do that much) and/or Vacuum Wave Mega Lucario, and Mach Punch Breloom and Conkeldurr.

**Bulky Physical Walls**: Mega Slowbro and Rotom-W can take several hits from Gyarados even after a couple of Dragon Dance boosts(Rotom-W has a high chance to be OHKO'd by +1 EQ so dont say that). Rotom-W can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or Volt Switch into a better threat for Gyarados. Mega Slowbro can simply set up with Iron Defense and threaten it with Thunder Wave if Substitute isn't used. Ferrothorn can easily shrug off Gyarados's attacks and deal passive damage with Leech Seed. Skarmory can stall out Gyarados with Toxic + Roost. Additionally, many run Iron Defense, especially Rocky Helmet Variants.

**Fighting-types**: Breloom can put Gyarados to sleep with Spore and proceed to Rock Tomb it prior to Mega Evolving, or easily get rid of it with STAB Bullet Seed. Mega Heracross won't have much of an issue in dealing with Gyarados due to having Rock Blast and STAB Pin Missile.
some comments in bold
 

Theorymon

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I finally got time to check this!

-This is the big one that I might want some QC feedback on: I think Crunch should be the second slash on Mega Gyarados's last slot. Yeah I know it has lower usage than some other options moves, but hear me out: When I've used Mega Gyarados, I've seen this annoying habit of people switching in Cresselia to try and Twave you, which is extremely annoying. With Crunch, you got a 92.2% chance ot 2HKOing Rocky Helmet Cresslia switch ins with a Jolly unboosted Crunch, ruining their chance of checking Mega Gyarados! It also allows you to 2HKO Mega Slowbro after a Dragon Dance and 2HKO regular Slowbro 100% of the time without a boost. Of course, Mega Slowbro is gonna Twave you which is a bummer, but its better than doing nothing! Plus, if you force it to mega evolve, you can chip at it pretty well if it dare switches in.

The big problem of course, is that you lose the ability to OHKO offensive Rotom-W after a Dragon Dance (or the ability to OHKO defensive Rotom-W after Stealth Rock and a Dragon Dance), and Aegislash can now lower you're defenses with King's Shield. This is why Earthquake should be the first slash in, but I feel like screwing with Cresselia (who can be a huge pain in the ass for a lot of good offensive mons) is a great selling point that's worth a slash in compared to some of the higher used other options material.

While I prefer Crunch over Earthquake, bobochan and anirav have argued that it can also go over Ice Fang. I've never tried that personally, but I mean if the other QC people are ok with that, I'm ok with Crunch getting slashed with both moves. Gonna be annoying and highlight other QC on this: cant say Demantoid DragonWhale Hulavuta Psynergy


- Sadly, not even Jolly Mega Gyarados outspeeds Adamant Choice Scarf Garchomp, so I'd remove both mentions of outspeeding Garchomp.

- You sorta imply it in the usage tips for Mega Gyarados, but I'd outright state that sometimes you might want to wait before Mega Evolving. The big example is that Intimidate is an incredible ability that you can abuse early game to help your other mons. However, you can also keep it in base from to take advantage of the different typing, such as if you want a clutch one time chance to set up against certain unboosted Sylveon (Specs Sylveon has a small chance to OHKO regular Gyarados), or a chance to set up against certain Grass-types or choiced Ground moves, etc.

-When you mention Rotom-H as a teammate, I'd also mention that it does really well against Ferrothorn, who can be a problem for Gyarados. Also can check Mega Mawile though Knock Off hurts a lot.

-In the teammates of the bulky set, I'm not sure I'd mention Mega Blaziken as something that benefits from Twave (though totally keep it as a teammate in general), since that thing is already pretty fast with speed boost so Twave isnt a big deal for it. However, Twave is a HUGE deal for Mega Heracross (who can also deal with some problems like Ferrothorn), so I'd totally give that a mention!

Once we figure out the Crunch stuff, just implement the this stuff and I'll give this its final QC stamp!
 

Demantoid

APMS Founder
is a Top Tiering Contributor
I feel that if we slash Crunch we should slash sub too since it has higher usage. I think Crunch could go over Ice Fang but I think it's a lot better using it over EQ.
 

Theorymon

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I feel that if we slash Crunch we should slash sub too since it has higher usage. I think Crunch could go over Ice Fang but I think it's a lot better using it over EQ.
I don't mind slashing Sub, my only thing is that I felt like Sub Gyarados is a lot easier to wall because you either have big issues with Mega Salamence or Rotom-W. I was thinking about testing a weird set of Sub / Dragon Dance / Crunch / Earthquake, but I've never tried nor seen a set, and a Mega Gyarados that doesn't smash Landorus-T or Hippowdown sounds sorta sad to me lol. I do have to admit though, Sub Gyarados in general can be a big surprise that screws over Pokemon that are really reliant on status to beat Gyarados such as Cresselia, getting an extra DD is always nice!
 

Theorymon

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Only extra two things I'd mention now are that Crunch 2HKOs Cresselia on the switch (I think that's an important disction because hitting Cresselia unboosted can be huge since that usually prevents it from Twaving you), and that you might want to set up or attack without mega evolving to survive certain hits that a Dark-typing wouldn't allow (think stuff like setting up on a weakened non Specs Sylveon or taking on Blaziken much better). This isn't always a definative thing, its very much a "depends on the flow of the battle" thing. If you need Gyarados's flying type to survive serious threats for your team you don't have to mega evolve right away.

Once you implement those two things, as far as I'm concerned, this will be QC Approved 2/2 :D
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
hi amcheck, implement what you want :heart:
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

The Atrocious atrocious sea monster Gyarados returns to the metagame, still being is one of the metagame's most threatening attackers, able to wreck havoc to many threats threats, after setting up with Dragon Dance such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Blaziken. Blaziken, after a Dragon Dance boost. Gyarados For an offensive sweeper, Gyarados has excellent bulk coupled with Intimidate, for an offensive sweeper coupled with Intimidate, which can be very handy against physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, and Garchomp. This allow for allows Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance more effectively safely while taking and still live attacks another hit from the opposing threat. Gyarados's Flying / Water typing gives it resistance resistances to Bug-, Fighting-, Fire-, Steel-, and Water-types Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water while only having two weaknesses to Electric- Electric and Rock-types. Rock. Additionally, it has an immunity to Ground-types, which would allow it to switch-in switch in safely on a predicted Earthquake. Gyarados has a nice access to some nice support moves such as Thunder Wave, Toxic, and Taunt, being able to shut down Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, faster Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan, and defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Chansey. After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados has increased bulk in order to set up bulk, making setting up Dragon Dance much more effectively. effective. Gaining the ability Mold Breaker, Mega Gyarados is able Breaker allows it to deal with threats such as Rotom-W with Earthquake and Multiscale Dragonite.

Unfortunately Unfortunately, Gyarados has no reliable recovery, especially when going for a defensive or stall set. set in stalling the opposing threat. Gyarados still retains a weakness to Electric-type moves prior to and after Mega Evolving. Mega Gyarados's Dark typing isn't very useful, as it gains weakness to Fairy, Fighting, and Grass. Fairy-, Fighting-, and Grass-types. In a metagame full of fast attackers, Mega Gyarados is stuck with the mediocre base 81 Speed and has to rely on Dragon Dance for it to outpace Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan. Kangaskhan, though it helps it outspeed Mamoswine, Aegislash, and Tyranitar However, it helps Mega Gyarados outspeed Mamoswine, Aegislash, and Tyranitar.

name: Dragon Dance Sweeper
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance Sweeper

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

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

Dragon Dance boosts Mega Gyarados's Attack and Speed to more fearsome levels, allowing it to act as an efficient set up setup sweeper. Waterfall is the its main STAB move for Mega Gyarados in order to and hit hits Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-types such as Heatran, Talonflame, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar. Waterfall OHKOes Heatran and Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost. Additionally, it gives has a chance to flinch the foe. Mega Gyarados is also able to use Earthquake gives Mega Gyarados a way to check Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Aegislash, and Heatran. Additionally, after Mega Evolving, Earthquake allows for Mega Gyarados to hit Rotom-W due to having Mold Breaker. Breaker bypassing Levitate. Crunch can be used instead of Earthquake, which is great for neutral coverage in as it hits hitting several types Pokemon, most notably along with notable Pokemon such as Cresselia and Mega Slowbro. Crunch 2HKOs 2HKOes Cresselia on the switch. switch and Crunch can also be used instead of Waterfall if Mega Gyarados's teammates can deal with Hippowdon and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives more coverage in checking Dragon-, Flying-, and Grass-types such as Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Gliscor, Landorus-T, Serperior, and Mega Venusaur. Substitute can be used instead for Mega Gyarados to avoid any status ailments and block weak attacks such as Scald burns from the likes of Suicune. This can be used with Dragon Dance for so that Mega Gyarados to can get a free boost. set up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs maximizes maximize Mega Gyarados's damage output while outpacing still allowing it to outpace threats such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T after a Dragon Dance boost. A Jolly nature is preferred because it allow allows Mega Gyarados to outspeed other threats Pokemon (Comment: repetition of threats throughout this analysis) such as Mega Manectric and Mega Gengar after a Dragon Dance boost. Adamant An Adamant nature can be used instead of Jolly nature for even more damage output output; when running maximum Attack EVs on it; however, Mega Gyarados won't be able to outspeed most (Comment: clarity) Choice Scarf Pokemon even after a boost.

Intimidate is very useful for not only Gyarados Gyarados, as well as its teammates, prior to Mega Evolving, but its teammates as well against reducing the damage they take from pesky physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Talonflame Talonflame, and Landorus-T. Keeping Intimidate prevents it from being 2HKOed by Adamant Choice Band Talonflame's Brave Bird and from being KOed by Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge after a Fake Out. Gyaradosite is required for Gyarados to gain considerable boosts in its offenses and bulk. After Mega Evolving, Mold Breaker would be very useful for Mega Gyarados due to hitting Levitate Pokemon Levitate users, such as Rotom-W, with Earthquake Earthquake. such as Rotom-W.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Gyarados's main (Comment: optional) priority is to set up Dragon Dance and sweep. sweep, and therefore, So it should be brought in after a fallen teammate so that it doesn't take any damage after switching into a threat. If you're planning on having Mega Gyarados set up, make sure you have powerful attackers such as Choice Scarf Garchomp or even those that can help cripple foes such as Rotom-W or Ferrothorn. in the back (Comment: optional) Prior to Mega Evolving Evolving, Gyarados should always be brought into a physical attacker so that they can be crippled after Intimidate actives by Intimidate, making setting up much more easier. because it's very useful for Mega Gyarados to set up while taking a hit. Gyarados can abuse use Intimidate to its advantage early-game to assist its other teammates. You don't need to Mega Evolve Gyarados right away if you're unsure about the matchup, matchup because of the Dark typing it gains, especially when it's against Fairy-, Fighting-, and or Grass-types such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Conkeldurr, Mega Venusaur, Mega Lucario, and or Breloom Breloom. because of the Dark typing it gains. Preserve Mega Evolving Evolve Gyarados later in the match if you wish if you need Gyarados's Flying typing to survive handle serious threats for your team. For example, Gyarados can take advantage of its base forme before Mega Evolving to by set setting up or attack attacking to survive certain hits that its Dark typing wouldn't normally allow allow, such as non Choice non-Choice Specs variants of Sylveon and Blaziken. Other examples include certain Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Pokemon that are Choice locked Choice-locked into a Ground-type move move, such as Landorus-T and Garchomp.

Gyarados is still useful prior to Mega Evolution because of Intimidate and its Ground-type immunity. However, be careful not to switch Gyarados in too often because being getting worn down isn't good for a setup sweeper like Mega Gyarados. Earthquake is mainly used for Mega Gyarados to hit Mega Charizard X, Steel-types, and Rotom-W. Additionally, this keeps Mega Gyarados from not being affected by Aegislash's King's Shield or Rocky Helmet. When running Substitute, set up on defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia, Chansey, Ferrothorn, Suicune Suicune, and Slowbro. While behind a Substitute, they They won't be able to inflict any status moves moves, and Mega Gyarados can get a free Dragon Dance boost behind the Substitute.

Team Options
========

Steel-types such as Aegislash, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can come into a resisted Fairy-type attack for Mega Gyarados and clear the field of Pokemon such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Clefable. Aegislash can switch into Fighting-type moves for Mega Gyarados. to keep either from getting hit. Heatran, Blaziken, and Talonflame are all helpful partners in removing Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior. Talonflame can support Mega Gyarados with its priority and STAB Brave Bird for Fighting-types to fear such as Mega Heracross and Conkeldurr. In turn, Mega Gyarados can remove threats such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. Fairy-types such as Gardevoir and Sylveon can both threaten Fighting-types such as Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Conkeldurr. Conkeldurr, and in return, In turn, Mega Gyarados can switch into a resisted Steel-type move moves and take on Heatran and Aegislash for Gardevoir and Sylveon. Mega Gyarados appreciates its foes burned from the likes of Rotom-H, as this enables Mega Gyarados to set up a little easier, given the physical attackers's attack Attack is lowered by Intimidate as well. Rotom-H can also take several hits from Talonflame due thanks to resisting both its STAB moves and its ability switch into a Will-O-Wisp. Rotom-H can handle Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados and be a good check to Mega Mawile; however, Rotom-H needs to be wary of a Knock Off.

Thunder Wave support from the likes of Porygon2, Thundurus, Klefki, and Cresselia can give Mega Gyarados speed control, which help helps it get possible as many turns as possible to freely set up Dragon Dance. Klefki and Cresselia deserves deserve a special mention because the former can set up dual screens while the latter has access to Lunar Dance, giving Mega Gyarados another chance to sweep. Mega Gyarados appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp, which help give Mega Gyarados an easier time to sweep along with breaking by breaking Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Breloom. Grass-types such as Serperior can deal with other Water-types that Mega Gyarados has trouble against such as Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Suicune. Having Contrary Leaf Storm, Serperior won't have any trouble breaking past physically defensive variants of Rotom-W and Suicune. Raikou can provide dual screen support for Mega Gyarados, which helps it set up Dragon Dance easier. In turn, Mega Gyarados can eliminate Ground-types that poses pose a as huge threat threats to Raikou. Gengar can get rid of Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Azumarill with its STAB Sludge Bomb. Gengar also has no problem dealing with Chansey either, as it's immune to Seismic Toss and Toxic if it tends decides to carry it.

[SET]
name: Defensive Helmet
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 220 HP / 244 Def / 44 Spe

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

Thunder Wave helps Gyarados cripple Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon and Togekiss and as well as fast attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Gengar, Blaziken, and Greninja. Additionally, it'll it has a chance to prevent the foe from moving. provide turns that the foe won't be able to attack. Waterfall is a nice STAB move in used for hitting Talonflame, Heatran, Blaziken, and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives Gyarados coverage against Dragon- and Flying-types such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Landorus-T. Taunt allow for allows Gyarados to shut down defensive Pokemon and others that tend to inflict status upon it such as Cresselia, Chansey, and Hippowdon.

Set Details
========

220 HP EVs give gives Gyarados more hit points HP, allowing it to take in taking the extra more damage. 244 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximizes maximize Gyarados's defensive capabilities. Together, it allows Gyarados to have a very high chance in surviving to survive two Double Edges from Mega Kangaskhan. 44 Speed EVs allow for Gyarados to outspeed Cresselia, Suicune, and uninvested Mamoswine. With physical attackers being so common, Rocky Helmet helps Gyarados in giving out passive damage in return. Additionally, Rocky Helmet damage KOes non-Will-O-Wisp variants of Talonflame after a Waterfall. Intimidate grants Gyarados a little bit more longevity in taking another hit or two from physical attackers. Also, with the physical attacker crippled from the ability, it provides support for its Gyarados's teammates.

Usage Tips
========

Gyarados can function as a lead due to having Thunder Wave and Taunt, which works well early-game. Use Taunt on defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn, as the move is used to stallbreak and force themselves to attack Gyarados and get damaged take chip damage by Rocky Helmet. (Comment: what if they use a special move?) This is also a perfect opportunity to go for a Thunder Wave Wave, after Taunting them, predicting they would switch out. When there's no presence of Electric-types from the opponent's side, Gyarados should always cripple faster attackers and Choice Scarf Pokemon with Thunder Wave because paralysis makes the opposing threat vulnerable to the rest of your team. Always switch into physical attackers to get an cripple them with Intimidate. With this in mind, Gyarados won't be taking much damage from the opposing threat and they'll take chip damage from Rocky Helmet. Make sure you have an Electric- or Grass-type in order to beat Suicune or Rotom-W because Gyarados is heavily walled by these two.

Team Options
========

Set up Setup sweepers make excellent partners for Gyarados, as they appreciate foes being crippled by Thunder Wave. Additionally, Gyarados's teammates appreciates appreciate Intimidate, as the reduced damage from physical attackers helps them set up more effectively. Good examples of sweepers include Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, Mega Herracross, Heracross, Mega Salamence, and Aegislash. Mega Kangaskhan can set up with Power-Up Punch while the foe is paralyzed and puncture punch holes with its powerful attacks such as Double Edge and Earthquake. In turn turn, Gyarados can take attacks for Mega Kangaskhan. Mega Blaziken can handle Grass-types that threaten Gyarados such as Serperior and Ferrothorn. Mega Heracross can beat Psychic-types Psychic-types, such as such Pin Missile as Mega Slowbro and Cresselia Cresselia, with Pin Missile and Porygon2 with a powerful STAB move in Close Combat. Mega Mawile and Aegislash can both set up Swords Dance and get rid of Fairy-types while they're paralyzed. Mega Salamence can beat Fighting-types such as Breloom. Other sweepers such as Swords Dance Garchomp can be a great status absorber absorbers against Thunder Wave Pokemon for Gyarados and eliminate Electric-types such as Raikou and Thundurus.

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

Aqua Tail is a much more powerful STAB attack for Gyarados to hit a little harder than Waterfall. Unfortunately, Aqua Tail's accuracy isn't the best and it'll give Gyarados a chance to miss its target, creating a possible game changer. Stone Edge allow for allows Gyarados to make quick work of Pokemon such as Thundurus, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y; however, Stone Edge also has a chance of missing, which will give the opposing foe a chance to retaliate. retaliate if it does happen to miss. Toxic can be used to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Zapdos, Porygon2, Cresselia, and Rotom-W. I It can be ran run as part of a defensive set. Rest gives Gyarados a means of recovery and longevity. Additionally, Rest can be used together with Sleep Talk so that Gyarados won't have wasted turns while asleep. With Rest, Gyarados can go defensive with Thunder Wave and Waterfall. Waterfall, or it Or it can go for offensive with Dragon Dance.

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

**Electric-types**: Rotom-W, especially physically defensive variants variants, can tank several hits from Gyarados's STAB moves and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Raikou Raikou, especially Calm Mind variants, is able to KO Gyarados with Thunderbolt Thunderbolt; especially Calm Mind variants; however, it'll need to be wary about Mega Gyarados already setting up with Dragon Dance. Physically defensive variants of Zapdos carry Rocky Helmet, which can be very troublesome for Mega Gyarados. I It can proceed to take it down with Thunderbolt. Thundurus deserves a special mention because it's able to cripple Mega Gyarados with Thunder Wave and defeat it with its STAB Electric-type moves. With access to Intimidate after Mega Evolving, Mega Manectric can also revenge kill Gyarados.

**Fairy-types**: After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados becomes more susceptible to Fairy-types. Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir, and Sylveon can all KO Mega Gyarados with Pixilate Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. Both Mega Mawile and Azumarill can get rid of Mega Gyarados with Play Rough. Mawile can get an Intimidate on Mega Gyarados before Mega Evolving Evolving, and Azumarill resists its STAB moves, which really leaves Earthquake its only option upon for dealing damage. Mega Altaria deserves a special mention because it can set up on Mega Gyarados with Dragon Dance Dance, but it needs to be wary of Dragon Dance Dance-boosted boosted Ice Fang.

**Status**: As mentioned previously, Gyarados cannot afford to be inflicted by burns, paralysis, or poisoned poison due to having a lack of recovery. Gyarados is especially crippled by burns and paralysis due to burns Burns cutting cut its Attack in half and paralysis cuts its Speed. Speed, hindering it's wallbreaking capabilities. (Comment: something like this, the sentence is too short) Notable Pokemon that induce Gyarados with stats status ailments are Mega Sableye, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Cresselia, Klefki, Thundurus, Porygon2, and Chansey.

**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur Venusaur, and Serperior, and Breloom will give Gyarados a lot of trouble. After Mega Evolving, Mega Venusaur won't take much damage and Earthquake is the only move for Gyarados can use against it to hit Mega Venusaur for more damage. Serperior can paralyze Gyarados with Glare and proceed to KO it with Leaf Storm.

**Priority Attackers**: Gyarados is susceptible to priority attacks such as Adamant Choice Band Talonflame, (Comment: Talonflame is not a move) Extremespeed Extreme Speed or and/or Vacuum Wave Mega Lucario, and Mach Punch Breloom and Conkeldurr.

**Bulky Physical Walls**: Mega Slowbro and Rotom-W can take several hits from Gyarados even after a couple of Dragon Dance boosts. Rotom-W can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or Volt Switch into a better threat for Gyarados. Mega Slowbro can simply set up with Iron Defense and threaten it with Thunder Wave if Substitute isn't used. Ferrothorn can easily shrug off Gyarados's attacks and deal passive damage with Leech Seed. Skarmory can stall out Gyarados with Toxic + Roost. Additionally, many run Iron Defense, especially Rocky Helmet Variants. variants.

**Fighting-types**: Breloom can put Gyarados to sleep with Spore and proceed to Rock Tomb it prior to Mega Evolving, or easily get rid of it with STAB Bullet Seed. Mega Heracross won't have much of an issue in dealing with Gyarados due to having Rock Blast and STAB Pin Missile.
Tagging GatoDelFuego to look over this. Most changes made were rewording either because the original was too wordy / complicated or for clarity. Good job, Misaka :) :toast:
 
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

The atrocious sea monster Gyarados is one of the metagame's most threatening attackers,
being able to wreck havoc to many threats, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Blaziken, after a Dragon Dance boost. For an offensive sweeper, Gyarados has excellent bulk thanks to coupled with Intimidate, which can be very handy against physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, and Garchomp. This allows Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance more safely and still live attacks from the opposing threat. Gyarados's Flying / Water typing gives it resistances to Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water while only having two weaknesses to Electric and Rock. Additionally, it has an immunity to Ground-types, which would allows it to switch-in switch in safely on a predicted Earthquake. Gyarados has access to some nice support moves such as Thunder Wave, Toxic, and Taunt, being able to shut down Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, faster Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan, and defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Chansey. After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados has increased bulk, making setting up Dragon Dance much even more easy effective. Furthermore, gaining the ability Mold Breaker allows it to deal with threats such as Rotom-W and Multiscale Dragonite, which previously troubled it. (i think this last part is the main point)
Unfortunately, Gyarados has no reliable recovery, which is problematic especially when going for a defensive or stall set, (AC) (its not like reliable recovery magically appears if it runs an offensive one) and its Gyarados still retains a (retains implies that there was some kind of change; it should have been ok if the subject was mega gyarados) weakness to Electric-type moves can be trobulesome prior to and after Mega Evolving. Mega Gyarados's Dark typing isn't very useful, as it gains adds weakness to Fairy, Fighting, and Grass. In a metagame full of fast attackers, Mega Gyarados is stuck with mediocre base 81 Speed and has to rely on Dragon Dance for it to outpace Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan, though it helps it outspeed Mamoswine, Aegislash, and Tyranitar.

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

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

Dragon Dance boosts Mega Gyarados's Attack and Speed to more fearsome levels, allowing it to act as an efficient setup sweeper. Waterfall
is its main STAB move for Mega Gyarados and hits Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-types such as Heatran, Talonflame, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar. Waterfall also OHKOes Heatran and Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost. Additionally, it and has a chance to flinch the foe. Mega Gyarados is also able to use Earthquake to checks Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Aegislash, and Heatran. Additionally, after Mega Evolving, Earthquake allows Mega Gyarados to hit Rotom-W due to having Mold Breaker bypassing Levitate. Crunch can be used instead of Earthquake, as it hits several Pokemon, most notably Cresselia and Mega Slowbro. Crunch 2HKOes Cresselia on the switch and can also be used instead of Waterfall if Mega Gyarados's teammates can deal with Hippowdon and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives more coverage in by checking Dragon-, Flying-, and Grass-types such as Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Gliscor, Landorus-T, Serperior, and Mega Venusaur. Substitute can be used instead to avoid any status ailments and block weak attacks such as Scald burns from the likes of Suicune. This can be used with Dragon Dance so that Mega Gyarados can get a free boost.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs i
n conjunction with a Jolly nature maximize Mega Gyarados's damage output while still allowing it to outpace threats such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar after a Dragon Dance boost. A Jolly nature is preferred because it allows Mega Gyarados to outspeed other Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Mega Gengar after a Dragon Dance boost. An Adamant nature can be used instead of Jolly for even more damage output; however, Mega Gyarados won't be able to outspeed most Choice Scarf Pokemon even after a boost.

Intimidate is very useful for Gyarados, as well as its teammates, prior to Mega Evolving, reducing the damage they take from
pesky physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Talonflame, and Landorus-T. In particular, Intimidate prevents it Gyarados (or Mega Gyarados?) from being 2HKOed by Adamant Choice Band Talonflame's Brave Bird and Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge after a Fake Out. Gyaradosite is required for Gyarados to Mega Evolve and gain considerable boosts in its offenses and bulk. After Mega Evolving, Mold Breaker would be is very useful for Mega Gyarados due to hitting to hit Levitate users, such as Rotom-W, with Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Gyarados's priority is to set up Dragon Dance and sweep, and therefore
, (RC) it should be brought in after a fallen teammate has fainted so that it doesn't take any damage after switching into a threat. If you're planning on having Mega Gyarados set up, make sure you have powerful attackers such as Choice Scarf Garchomp or even those that can help cripple foes such as Rotom-W or Ferrothorn. Prior to Mega Evolving, Gyarados should always be brought into a physical attacker to weaken it with so that they can be crippled by Intimidate, making setting up much more easier. Gyarados can also use Intimidate to its advantage early-game to assist its teammates. You don't need to Mega Evolve Gyarados right away if you're unsure about the matchup because of the weaknesses that it adds; this is important its of the Dark typing it gains, especially when it's against Fairy-, Fighting-, or Grass-types such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Conkeldurr, Mega Venusaur, Mega Lucario, or Breloom. Mega Evolve Gyarados later in the match if you need Gyarados's Flying typing to handle serious threats for your team. For example, Gyarados can take advantage of its base forme before Mega Evolving by setting up or attacking to survive certain hits that its Dark typing wouldn't normally allow, such as non-Choice Specs variants of Sylveon and Blaziken. Other examples include certain Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Pokemon that are Choice-locked into a Ground-type move, such as Landorus-T and Garchomp.

Gyarados is still useful prior to Mega
Evolving Evolution because of Intimidate and its Ground-type immunity. However, be careful not to switch Gyarados in too often because getting worn down isn't good for a setup sweeper like it Mega Gyarados. Earthquake is mainly used for Mega Gyarados to hit Mega Charizard X, Steel-types, and Rotom-W. Additionally, this keeps Mega Gyarados from not being affected by Aegislash's King's Shield or Rocky Helmet. When running Substitute, set up on defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia, Chansey, Ferrothorn, Suicune, and Slowbro. They won't be able to inflict any status condition moves, and Mega Gyarados can get a free Dragon Dance boost behind the Substitute.

Team Options
========

Steel-types such as Aegislash, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can come into a resisted Fairy-type attack for Mega Gyarados and clear the field of Pokemon such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Clefable. Aegislash can switch into Fighting-type moves for Mega Gyarados. Heatran, Blaziken, and Talonflame are all helpful partners in removing Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior. Talonflame can support Mega Gyarados with its priority and STAB Brave Bird
for that takes care of Fighting-types such as Mega Heracross and Conkeldurr. In turn, Mega Gyarados can remove threats such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. Fairy-types such as Gardevoir and Sylveon can both threaten Fighting-types such as Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Conkeldurr, and in return, Mega Gyarados can switch into resisted Steel-type moves and take on Heatran and Aegislash for Gardevoir and Sylveon. Mega Gyarados appreciates its foes burned from the likes of Rotom-H, as this enables it Mega Gyarados to set up a little more easily easier, given the physical attackers's Attack is lowered by Intimidate as well. Rotom-H can also take several hits from Talonflame thanks to resisting both its STAB moves and its ability switch into a Will-O-Wisp. Rotom-H can handle Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados and be a good check to Mega Mawile; however, Rotom-H needs to be wary of Knock Off.

Thunder Wave support from the likes of Porygon2, Thundurus, Klefki, and Cresselia can
give allow Mega Gyarados to outspeed many threats and get free turns to speed control, which helps it get as many turns as possible to freely set up Dragon Dance. Klefki and Cresselia deserve a special mention because the former can set up dual screens while the latter has access to Lunar Dance, giving Mega Gyarados another chance to sweep. Mega Gyarados appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp, which give Mega Gyarados an easier time to sweep by breaking Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Breloom. Grass-types such as Serperior can deal with other Water-types that Mega Gyarados has trouble against such as Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Suicune. Having Contrary Leaf Storm, Serperior won't have any trouble breaking past physically defensive variants of Rotom-W and Suicune. Raikou can provide dual screen support for Mega Gyarados, which helps it set up Dragon Dance more easily easier; (SC) in turn, Mega Gyarados can eliminate Ground-types that pose as huge threats to Raikou. Gengar can get rid of Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Azumarill with its STAB Sludge Bomb. Gengar also has no problem dealing with Chansey either, as it's immune to Seismic Toss and Toxic if it decides to carry it.

[SET]
name: Defensive Helmet
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 220 HP / 244 Def / 44 Spe

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

Thunder Wave helps Gyarados cripple Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon and Togekiss as well as fast attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Gengar, Blaziken, and Greninja. Additionally, it has a chance to prevent the foe from moving. Waterfall is a nice STAB move used for hitting Talonflame, Heatran, Blaziken, and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives Gyarados coverage against Dragon- and Flying-types such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Landorus-T. Taunt allows Gyarados to shut down defensive Pokemon that tend to inflict status
upon it such as Cresselia, Chansey, and Hippowdon.

Set Details
========

220 HP EVs give Gyarados more HP, allowing it to take more damage. 244 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Gyarados's defensive capabilities.
Together, it This spread allows Gyarados to have a very high chance to survive two Double- Edges Double Edges from Mega Kangaskhan. 44 Speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Cresselia, Suicune, and uninvested Mamoswine. With physical attackers being so common, Rocky Helmet helps Gyarados by passively damaging users of contact moves in giving out passive damage in return. Additionally, Rocky Helmet damage KOes non-Will-O-Wisp variants of Talonflame after a Waterfall. Intimidate grants Gyarados a little bit more longevity by allowing it to take in taking another hit or two from physical attackers. Also, with the physical attacker crippled from the ability, it provides support for Gyarados's teammates.

Usage Tips
========

Gyarados can function as a lead
due to having thanks to Thunder Wave and Taunt, which works well early-game. Use Taunt on defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn, as the move is used to stallbreak and force them themselves to attack Gyarados and take chip damage by Rocky Helmet. This is also a perfect opportunity to go for a Thunder Wave, predicting they would switch out. When there's no presence of Electric-types from on the opponent's side, Gyarados should always cripple faster attackers and Choice Scarf Pokemon with Thunder Wave because paralysis makes the opposing threat vulnerable to the rest of your team. Always switch into physical attackers to cripple them with Intimidate. With this in mind, Gyarados won't be taking much damage from the opposing threat, which in return will take and they'll take chip damage from Rocky Helmet. Make sure you have an Electric- or Grass-type in order to beat Suicune or Rotom-W because Gyarados is heavily walled by these two.

Team Options
========

Setup sweepers make
for excellent partners for Gyarados, as they appreciate foes being crippled by Thunder Wave. Additionally, Gyarados's teammates appreciate Intimidate, as the reduced damage from physical attackers helps them set up more easily effectively. Good examples of sweepers include Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, Mega Heracross, Mega Salamence, and Aegislash. Mega Kangaskhan can set up with Power-Up Punch while the foe is paralyzed and punch holes with its powerful attacks such as Double-Edge Double Edge and Earthquake. In turn, Gyarados can take attacks for Mega Kangaskhan. Mega Blaziken can handle Grass-types that threaten Gyarados such as Serperior and Ferrothorn. Mega Heracross can beat Psychic-types, such as Mega Slowbro and Cresselia, with Pin Missile and Porygon2 with a powerful STAB move in Close Combat. Mega Mawile and Aegislash can both set up Swords Dance and get rid of Fairy-types while these they're paralyzed. Mega Salamence can beat Fighting-types such as Breloom. Other sweepers such as Swords Dance Garchomp can be great status absorbers against Thunder Wave Pokemon for Gyarados and eliminate Electric-types such as Raikou and Thundurus.

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

Aqua Tail is a much more powerful STAB attack
for Gyarados to hit that hits a little harder than Waterfall. Unfortunately, Aqua Tail's accuracy isn't the best and it'll give Gyarados a chance to miss its target, creating a possible game-changing situation game changer. Stone Edge allows Gyarados to make quick work of Pokemon such as Thundurus, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y; however, Stone Edge also has a chance of missing, which will give the opposing foe the opportunity a chance to retaliate if it does happen to miss. Toxic can be used on the defensive set to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Zapdos, Porygon2, Cresselia, and Rotom-W. It can be run as part of a defensive set. Rest gives Gyarados a means of recovery and longevity, (AC) and it can be used in conjunction with Additionally, Rest can be used together with Sleep Talk so that Gyarados won't have to waste wasted turns while asleep. With Rest, Gyarados can go defensive with Thunder Wave and Waterfall, or it can go offensive with Dragon Dance.

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

**Electric-types**: Rotom-W, especially physically defensive variants, can tank several hits from Gyarados's STAB moves and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Raikou,
especially in particular Calm Mind variants, is able to KO Gyarados with Thunderbolt; however, it'll need to be wary about Mega Gyarados already setting up with Dragon Dance. Zapdos can OHKO Gyarados with Thunderbolt, and physically Physically defensive variants of Zapdos carry Rocky Helmet, which can be very troublesome for Mega Gyarados. It can proceed to take it down with Thunderbolt. Thundurus deserves a special mention because it's able to cripple Mega Gyarados with Thunder Wave and defeat it with its STAB Electric-type moves. With access to Intimidate after Mega Evolving, Mega Manectric can also revenge kill Gyarados.

**Fairy-types**: After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados becomes more susceptible to Fairy-types. Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir, and Sylveon can all KO Mega Gyarados with
a Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. Both Mega Mawile and Azumarill can get rid of Mega Gyarados with Play Rough. Mawile can get an Intimidate on Mega Gyarados before Mega Evolving, and Azumarill resists its Mega Gyarados's STAB moves, which really leaves Earthquake its only option for dealing damage. Mega Altaria deserves a special mention because it can set up on Mega Gyarados with Dragon Dance, but it needs to be wary of Dragon Dance-boosted Ice Fang.

**Status**:
previously, Gyarados cannot afford to be inflicted by burns, paralysis, or poisoned poison due to having a lack of recovery. Burns cut its Attack in half and paralysis cuts its Speed, hindering it's its wallbreaking capabilities. Notable Pokemon that induce Gyarados with status ailments are Mega Sableye, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Cresselia, Klefki, Thundurus, Porygon2, and Chansey.

**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur, Serperior, and Breloom will give Gyarados a lot of trouble. After Mega Evolving, Mega Venusaur won't take much damage and Earthquake is the only move Gyarados can use against it
to deal significant damage for more damage. Serperior can paralyze Gyarados with Glare and proceed to KO it with Leaf Storm.

**Priority Attackers**: Gyarados is susceptible to priority attacks such as
Adamant Choice Band Adamant Talonflame's Brave Bird, Extreme Speed or Vacuum Wave Mega Lucario's ExtremeSpeed or Vacuum Wave, and Mach Punch Breloom's and Conkeldurr's Mach Punch.

**Bulky Physical Walls**: Mega Slowbro and Rotom-W can take several hits from Gyarados even after a couple of Dragon Dance boosts. Rotom-W can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or Volt Switch into a better threat for Gyarados. Mega Slowbro can simply set up with Iron Defense and threaten it with Thunder Wave if Substitute isn't used. Ferrothorn can easily shrug off Gyarados's attacks and deal passive damage with Leech Seed. Skarmory can stall out Gyarados with Toxic + Roost. Additionally, many run Iron Defense, especially Rocky Helmet variants.

**Fighting-types**: Breloom can put Gyarados to sleep with Spore and proceed
to use Rock Tomb to decrease its Speed Rock Tomb it prior to Mega Evolving, (RC) or easily get rid of it with STAB Bullet Seed. Mega Heracross won't have much of an issue dealing with Gyarados due to having Rock Blast and STAB Pin Missile.


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Lumari

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remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

The atrocious sea monster Gyarados is one of the metagame's most threatening attackers, being able to wreck havoc to many threats, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Blaziken, after a Dragon Dance boost. For an offensive sweeper, Gyarados has excellent bulk thanks to Intimidate, which can be very handy against physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, and Garchomp. This allows Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance more safely and still live survive attacks from the opposing threat. Gyarados's Flying / Water / Flying typing gives it resistances to Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water while only having and only two weaknesses, (AC) to Electric and Rock. Additionally, it has an immunity to Ground-types, which allows it to switch in safely on a predicted Earthquake. Gyarados has access to some nice support moves such as Thunder Wave, Toxic, and Taunt, being able which allow it to shut down Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, faster Pokemon such as Mega Kangaskhan, and defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Chansey. After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados has increased bulk, making setting up Dragon Dance even more easy. Furthermore, gaining Mold Breaker allows it to deal with threats such as Rotom-W and Multiscale Dragonite, which previously troubled it.

Unfortunately, Gyarados has no reliable recovery, which is problematic especially when going for a defensive or stall set, and its weakness to Electric-type moves can be trobulesome troublesome prior to and after Mega Evolving. Mega Gyarados's Dark typing also isn't very useful, as it adds weakness to Fairy, Fighting, and Grass. In a metagame full of fast attackers, Mega Gyarados is stuck with mediocre base 81 Speed and has to rely on Dragon Dance to outpace Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Kangaskhan, though it helps it outspeed Mamoswine, Aegislash, and Tyranitar.

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

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

Dragon Dance boosts Mega Gyarados's Attack and Speed to more fearsome levels, allowing it to act as an efficient setup sweeper. Waterfall hits Rock-, Fire-, and Ground-, and Rock-types such as Tyranitar, Heatran, Talonflame, and Mamoswine, and Tyranitar. Waterfall also OHKOes Heatran and Tyranitar OHKOing the former two after a Dragon Dance boost, (AC) and has a chance to flinch the foe. Earthquake checks Steel-types such as Mega Mawile, Aegislash, and Heatran. Additionally, after Mega Evolving, Earthquake allows Mega Gyarados to hit Rotom-W due to Mold Breaker bypassing Levitate. Crunch can be used instead of Earthquake, as it hits several threatening Pokemon, most notably Cresselia and Mega Slowbro. Crunch 2HKOes Cresselia on the switch and can also be used instead of Waterfall if Mega Gyarados's teammates can deal with Hippowdon and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives more coverage by checking Dragon-, Flying-, and Grass-types such as Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite, Gliscor, Landorus-T, Serperior, and Mega Venusaur. Substitute can be used instead to avoid any status ailments and block weak attacks such as Scald burns from the likes of Suicune. This can be used with Dragon Dance so that Mega Gyarados can get a free boost.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs in conjunction with a Jolly nature maximize Mega Gyarados's damage output while still allowing it to outpace threats such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar after a Dragon Dance boost. An Adamant nature can be used instead of Jolly for even more damage output; however, Mega Gyarados won't be able to outspeed most Choice Scarf Pokemon even after a boost.

Intimidate is very useful for Gyarados, as well as its teammates, prior to Mega Evolving, reducing the damage they take from physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Talonflame, and Landorus-T. In particular, Intimidate the Attack drop prevents Mega Gyarados from being 2HKOed by Adamant Choice Band Talonflame's Brave Bird and Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge after a Fake Out. Gyaradosite is required for Gyarados to Mega Evolve and gain considerable boosts in its offenses and bulk. After Mega Evolving, Mold Breaker is very useful for Mega Gyarados to hit Levitate users, such as Rotom-W, with Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Gyarados's priority is to set up Dragon Dance and sweep, and therefore it should be brought in after a teammate has fainted so that it doesn't take any damage after switching into a threat. If you're planning on having Mega Gyarados set up, make sure you have powerful attackers such as Choice Scarf Garchomp or even those that can help cripple foes such as Rotom-W or Ferrothorn. Prior to Mega Evolving, Gyarados should always be brought into a physical attacker to weaken it with Intimidate, making setting up much more easier. Gyarados can also use Intimidate to its advantage early-game to assist its teammates. You don't need to Mega Evolve Gyarados right away if you're unsure about the matchup because of the weaknesses that it adds; this is important especially when it's against Fairy-, Fighting-, or Grass-types such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, Conkeldurr, Mega Venusaur, Mega Lucario, or and Breloom. Mega Evolve Gyarados later in the match if you need Gyarados's Flying typing to handle serious threats for your team. For example, Gyarados can take advantage of its base forme before by setting up or attacking to survive certain hits that its Dark typing wouldn't normally allow, such as non-Choice Specs variants of Sylveon and Blaziken. Other examples include certain Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Pokemon that are Choice locked (RH) into a Ground-type move, such as Landorus-T and Garchomp.

Gyarados is still useful prior to Mega Evolving because of Intimidate and its Ground-type immunity. However, be careful not to switch Gyarados in too often because getting worn down isn't good for a setup sweeper like it. Earthquake is mainly used to hit Mega Charizard X, Steel-types, and Rotom-W. Additionally, this keeps Mega Gyarados from not being affected by Aegislash's King's Shield or Rocky Helmet. When running Substitute, set up on defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia, Chansey, Ferrothorn, Suicune, and Slowbro. They won't be able to inflict any status condition, and Mega Gyarados can get a free Dragon Dance boost behind the Substitute.

Team Options
========

Steel-types such as Aegislash, Ferrothorn, and Heatran can come into a resisted Fairy-type attack for Mega Gyarados and clear the field of Pokemon such as Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Clefable. Aegislash can also switch into Fighting-type moves for Mega Gyarados. Heatran, Blaziken, and Talonflame are all helpful partners in removing Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior. Talonflame can support Mega Gyarados with its priority and STAB Brave Bird that takes care of Fighting-types such as Mega Heracross and Conkeldurr. In turn, Mega Gyarados can remove threats such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. Fairy-types such as Gardevoir and Sylveon can both threaten Fighting-types such as Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Conkeldurr, and in return, Mega Gyarados can switch into resisted Steel-type moves and take on Heatran and Aegislash. Mega Gyarados appreciates its foes getting burned from by the likes of Rotom-H, as this enables it to set up a little more easily, given the physical attackers's Attack is lowered by Intimidate as well. Rotom-H can also take several hits from Talonflame thanks to resisting its resistance to both its STAB moves and its ability to switch into a Will-O-Wisp. Rotom-H can handle Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados and be a good check to Mega Mawile; however, Rotom-H needs to be wary of Knock Off.

Thunder Wave support from the likes of Porygon2, Thundurus, Klefki, and Cresselia can allow Mega Gyarados to outspeed many threats and get free turns to freely set up Dragon Dance. Klefki and Cresselia deserve a special mention because the former can set up dual screens while the latter has access to Lunar Dance, giving Mega Gyarados another chance to sweep. Mega Gyarados appreciates Stealth Rock support from Garchomp, which give Mega Gyarados gives it an easier time to sweep by breaking and breaks Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Breloom. Grass-types such as Serperior can deal with other Water-types that Mega Gyarados has trouble against such as Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Suicune. Having Contrary Leaf Storm, Serperior won't have any trouble breaking past physically defensive variants of Rotom-W and Suicune. Raikou can provide dual screen support for Mega Gyarados, which helps it set up Dragon Dance more easily; in turn, Mega Gyarados can eliminate Ground-types that pose as huge threats to Raikou. Gengar can get rid of Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Azumarill with its STAB Sludge Bomb. Gengar also has no problem dealing with Chansey, as it's immune to Seismic Toss and Toxic.

[SET]
name: Defensive Helmet
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Fang
move 4: Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 220 HP / 244 Def / 44 Spe

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

Thunder Wave helps Gyarados cripple Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon and Togekiss as well as fast attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Gengar, Blaziken, and Greninja. Additionally, it has a chance to prevent the foe from moving. Waterfall is a nice STAB move used for hitting Talonflame, Heatran, Blaziken, and Mamoswine. Ice Fang gives Gyarados coverage against Dragon- and Flying-types such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Landorus-T. Taunt allows Gyarados to shut down defensive Pokemon that tend to inflict status such as Cresselia, Chansey, and Hippowdon.

Set Details
========

220 HP EVs give Gyarados more HP, allowing it allow Gyarados to take more damage. 244 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Gyarados's defensive capabilities. This spread allows Gyarados to have a very high chance to survive two Double-Edges (remove space) from Mega Kangaskhan. 44 Speed EVs allow Gyarados to outspeed Cresselia, Suicune, and uninvested Mamoswine. With physical attackers being so common, Rocky Helmet helps Gyarados by passively damaging users of contact moves. Additionally, Rocky Helmet damage KOes non-Will-O-Wisp variants of Talonflame after a Waterfall. Intimidate grants Gyarados a little bit more longevity by allowing it to take physical attacks more easily (I think?) Also, with the physical attacker crippled from the ability, it provides while also providing support for Gyarados's teammates.

Usage Tips
========

Gyarados can function as a lead thanks to Thunder Wave and Taunt, which works well early-game. Use Taunt on defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn, as the move is used to stallbreak and force them to attack Gyarados and take chip damage by Rocky Helmet. This is also a perfect opportunity to go for a Thunder Wave, predicting they would switch out. When there's no presence of Electric-types on the opponent's side, Gyarados should always cripple faster attackers and Choice Scarf Pokemon with Thunder Wave because paralysis makes the opposing threat vulnerable to the rest of your team. Always switch into physical attackers to cripple them with Intimidate. With this in mind, Gyarados won't be taking much damage from the opposing threat, which in return will take chip damage from Rocky Helmet. Make sure you have an Electric- or Grass-type in order to beat Suicune or Rotom-W because Gyarados is heavily walled by these two.

Team Options
========

Setup sweepers make for excellent partners for Gyarados, as they appreciate foes being crippled by Thunder Wave. Additionally, Gyarados's teammates appreciate Intimidate, as the reduced damage from physical attackers helps them set up more easily. Good examples of sweepers include Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Mawile, Mega Heracross, Mega Salamence, and Aegislash. Mega Kangaskhan can set up with Power-Up Punch while the foe is paralyzed and punch holes with its powerful attacks such as Double-Edge and Earthquake. In turn, Gyarados can take attacks for Mega Kangaskhan. Mega Blaziken can handle Grass-types that threaten Gyarados such as Serperior and Ferrothorn. Mega Heracross can beat Psychic-types, such as Mega Slowbro and Cresselia, with Pin Missile and Porygon2 with a powerful STAB move in Close Combat. Mega Mawile and Aegislash can both set up Swords Dance and get rid of Fairy-types while these are paralyzed. Mega Salamence can beat Fighting-types such as Breloom. Other sweepers such as Swords Dance Garchomp can be great status absorbers against Thunder Wave Pokemon users for Gyarados and eliminate Electric-types such as Raikou and Thundurus.

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

Aqua Tail is a much more powerful an alternate (contradiction here) STAB attack that hits a little harder than Waterfall. Unfortunately, Aqua Tail's accuracy isn't the best and it'll its low accuracy will give Gyarados a chance to miss its target, creating a possible game-changing situation. Stone Edge allows Gyarados to make quick work of Pokemon such as Thundurus, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y; however, Stone Edge also has its a chance of missing, which will can give the opposing foe the opportunity to retaliate if it does happen to miss. Toxic can be used on the defensive set to cripple defensive Pokemon such as Zapdos, Porygon2, Cresselia, and Rotom-W. Rest gives Gyarados a means of recovery and longevity, and it can be used in conjunction with Sleep Talk so that Gyarados won't have to waste turns while asleep. With Rest, Gyarados can go defensive with Thunder Wave and Waterfall, or it can go offensive with Dragon Dance.

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

**Electric-types**: Rotom-W, especially physically defensive variants, can tank several hits from Gyarados's STAB moves and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Raikou, in particular Calm Mind variants, is able to KO Gyarados with Thunderbolt; however, it'll need to be wary about Mega Gyarados already setting up with Dragon Dance. Zapdos can OHKO Gyarados with Thunderbolt, and physically defensive variants carry Rocky Helmet, which can be very troublesome for Mega Gyarados. Thundurus deserves a special mention because it's able to cripple Mega Gyarados with Thunder Wave and defeat it with its STAB Electric-type moves. With access to Intimidate after Mega Evolving, Mega Manectric can also revenge kill Gyarados.

**Fairy-types**: After Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados becomes more susceptible to Fairy-types. Mega Altaria, Mega Gardevoir, and Sylveon can all KO Mega Gyarados with a Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. Both Mega Mawile and Azumarill can get rid of Mega Gyarados with Play Rough. Mawile can get an Intimidate off on Mega Gyarados before Mega Evolving, and Azumarill resists Mega Gyarados's STAB moves, which really leaves Earthquake its only option for dealing damage. Mega Altaria deserves a special mention because it can set up on Mega Gyarados with Dragon Dance, but it needs to be wary of Dragon Dance-boosted Ice Fang.

**Status**: Gyarados cannot afford to be inflicted with burns, paralysis, or poison due to having a its lack of recovery. Burns cut its Attack in half and paralysis cuts its Speed, hindering its wallbreaking capabilities. Notable Pokemon that can induce inflict Gyarados with status ailments are Mega Sableye, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Cresselia, Klefki, Thundurus, Porygon2, and Chansey.

**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur, Serperior, and Breloom will give Gyarados a lot of trouble. After Mega Evolving, Mega Venusaur won't take much damage, (AC) and Earthquake is the only move Gyarados can use against it to deal significant damage. Serperior can paralyze Gyarados with Glare and proceed to KO it with Leaf Storm.

**Priority Attackers**: Gyarados is susceptible to priority attacks such as Choice Band Adamant Talonflame's Brave Bird, Lucario's ExtremeSpeed or Vacuum Wave, and Breloom's and Conkeldurr's Mach Punch.

**Bulky Physical Walls**: Mega Slowbro and Rotom-W can take several hits from Gyarados even after a couple of Dragon Dance boosts. Rotom-W can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or Volt Switch into a better threat for Gyarados. Mega Slowbro can simply set up with Iron Defense and threaten it with Thunder Wave if Substitute isn't used. Ferrothorn can easily shrug off Gyarados's attacks and deal passive damage with Leech Seed. Skarmory can stall out Gyarados with Toxic + Roost. Additionally, many run Iron Defense, especially Rocky Helmet variants.

**Fighting-types**: Breloom can put Gyarados to sleep with Spore and proceed to use Rock Tomb to decrease its Speed prior to Mega Evolving or easily get rid of it with STAB Bullet Seed. Mega Heracross won't have much of an issue dealing with Gyarados due to having Rock Blast and STAB Pin Missile.
 
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cant say

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I have not read all of this but no mention of Lum on the DD set, or Lefties on the Defensive set (or even in Other Options) is concerning to me. I would very much prefer we work them into the analysis before I upload it.
 

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