Summary
Gallade is a mediocre Pokémon in its singles tier of RU, however, its many coverage moves and good defensive typing are much better appreciated in the VGC Metagame. It's strange combination of high attack and special defense, great dual STABs in psychic and fighting, and variety of coverage moves.
Unfortunately, the Blade Pokémon is not without its flaws. It mediocre Base 80 speed puts it in a bad position in or out of Trick Room, its weaknesses to the now-common flying and fairy types leave it open to attack, and it has a serious case of Four Move Slot Syndrome, preventing it from covering all the relevant threats.
Overall, Gallade is a useful, but not perfect, Pokémon for VGC 2014.
Changes from Generation V to Generation VI
The loss of two of Gallade's best recovery moves in the form of Wish and Drain Punch hurt it a lot. Without a reliable source of recovery, Gallade has a much harder time taking advantage of his strengths. Fortunately, Gallade got a few new items and moves to take advantage of. The addition of Power-Up Punch and the Assault Vest. He has gotten Earthquake, one of the most powerful physical moves in the game. In addition, Gallade has great coverage moves to take down any counter to him or his partner.
Usable Moves
Gallade can use a variety of moves (by type):
Attacking Moves
Normal:
Facade - A good all purpose move at 70 base power, but a great counter to one of Gallade's least favorite statuses, burning.
Return - At 102 base power, this simple move can do a lot of damage with excellent neutral coverage, but it may not be as useful as Facade.
Fighting:
Power-Up Punch - A great move to use to boost Gallade's power. It gives a boost to other physical moves. Unfortunately, the base power is only 40.
Brick Break - A basic 75 base power STAB move which has the nice boost of destroy screen based strategy.
Close Combat - Although not one of the best users of Close Combat, it can be surprisingly powerful at 120 base power.
Psychic:
Psycho Cut - A simple and effective psychic STAB. The high critical hit rate is a nice bonus.
Dark:
Night Slash - A simple and effective dark move, high critical hit rate is nice, not a great type for covering Gallade's weaknesses, hitting only one of them super-effectively.
Bug:
X-Scissor - A basic base 80 power move with no real value, it could be used to support a teammate, but it doesn't benefit Gallade itself.
Ground:
Bulldoze - A lower power ground type attack, at only 60 Base Power, but also slows every Pokémon who is hit.
Earthquake - A very powerful ground attack with 100 base power.
Poison:
Poison Jab - A decent, 80 Base Power, poison-type coverage move. It is Gallade's only option against fairy types.
Grass:
Leaf Blade - A great attack with 90 Base Power, increased critical chance, and a relatively good typing. It is able to hit Rotom-W super-effectively, and hits many common threats which cannot be hit by Gallade's STAB attacks.
Non-attacking Moves
Normal:
Protect - Allows Gallade to take free hits, leaving its partner open to attacking. A basic move for anyone in VGC.
Swords Dance - Gallade's offensive power is doubled in one turn.
Fire:
Will-o-Wisp - Quickly shuts down physical attackers, patching up Gallade's less than perfect Defense stat.
Usage Stats for Gallade in VGC 2014
Movesets
Power-Up Booster
Gallade is a mediocre Pokémon in its singles tier of RU, however, its many coverage moves and good defensive typing are much better appreciated in the VGC Metagame. It's strange combination of high attack and special defense, great dual STABs in psychic and fighting, and variety of coverage moves.
Unfortunately, the Blade Pokémon is not without its flaws. It mediocre Base 80 speed puts it in a bad position in or out of Trick Room, its weaknesses to the now-common flying and fairy types leave it open to attack, and it has a serious case of Four Move Slot Syndrome, preventing it from covering all the relevant threats.
Overall, Gallade is a useful, but not perfect, Pokémon for VGC 2014.
Changes from Generation V to Generation VI
The loss of two of Gallade's best recovery moves in the form of Wish and Drain Punch hurt it a lot. Without a reliable source of recovery, Gallade has a much harder time taking advantage of his strengths. Fortunately, Gallade got a few new items and moves to take advantage of. The addition of Power-Up Punch and the Assault Vest. He has gotten Earthquake, one of the most powerful physical moves in the game. In addition, Gallade has great coverage moves to take down any counter to him or his partner.
Usable Moves
Gallade can use a variety of moves (by type):
Attacking Moves
Normal:
Facade - A good all purpose move at 70 base power, but a great counter to one of Gallade's least favorite statuses, burning.
Return - At 102 base power, this simple move can do a lot of damage with excellent neutral coverage, but it may not be as useful as Facade.
Fighting:
Power-Up Punch - A great move to use to boost Gallade's power. It gives a boost to other physical moves. Unfortunately, the base power is only 40.
Brick Break - A basic 75 base power STAB move which has the nice boost of destroy screen based strategy.
Close Combat - Although not one of the best users of Close Combat, it can be surprisingly powerful at 120 base power.
Psychic:
Psycho Cut - A simple and effective psychic STAB. The high critical hit rate is a nice bonus.
Dark:
Night Slash - A simple and effective dark move, high critical hit rate is nice, not a great type for covering Gallade's weaknesses, hitting only one of them super-effectively.
Bug:
X-Scissor - A basic base 80 power move with no real value, it could be used to support a teammate, but it doesn't benefit Gallade itself.
Ground:
Bulldoze - A lower power ground type attack, at only 60 Base Power, but also slows every Pokémon who is hit.
Earthquake - A very powerful ground attack with 100 base power.
Poison:
Poison Jab - A decent, 80 Base Power, poison-type coverage move. It is Gallade's only option against fairy types.
Grass:
Leaf Blade - A great attack with 90 Base Power, increased critical chance, and a relatively good typing. It is able to hit Rotom-W super-effectively, and hits many common threats which cannot be hit by Gallade's STAB attacks.
Non-attacking Moves
Normal:
Protect - Allows Gallade to take free hits, leaving its partner open to attacking. A basic move for anyone in VGC.
Swords Dance - Gallade's offensive power is doubled in one turn.
Fire:
Will-o-Wisp - Quickly shuts down physical attackers, patching up Gallade's less than perfect Defense stat.
Usage Stats for Gallade in VGC 2014
Movesets
Power-Up Booster
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