[OVERVIEW]
Mega Gardevoir is a dangerous wallbreaker in Battle Spot Singles, capable of threatening most switch-ins with powerful Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voices. Its Psychic typing sets it apart from other Fairy-types such as Sylveon, preventing it from being a safe switch-in for Poison-types like Gengar and Mega Venusaur that struggle to survive STAB Psyshock. A useful ability in Trace also allows it to copy more useful abilities such as Speed Boost and Intimidate before Mega Evolving, which it can then use against the foe. Beyond functioning as a wallbreaker as a Mega Evolution, Gardevoir can also run a Choice Scarf set to function as a revenge killer with moderate surprise factor, as most opponents will expect a Gardevoir to Mega Evolve.
Gardevoir is somewhat reliant on speed control such as paralysis support, since base 100 is a risky Speed tier for such a physically frail Mega Evolution. This makes it easy to revenge kill Gardevoir with priority or just fast physical attackers. Speed tying with Mega Kangaskhan and being outsped by Garchomp also make it difficult for Mega Gardevoir to threaten some of the most common Pokemon even though few things can switch into Pixilate Hyper Voice. As a Mega Evolution, it relies more on team support than the likes of Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Blaziken to be successful, while Sylveon gives it competition as a special Fairy-type without requiring a Mega Stone.
[SET]
name: Mega Wallbreaker
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Taunt / Focus Blast
move 4: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
item: Gardevoirite
ability: Trace
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyper Voice is boosted by Pixilate and functions as Mega Gardevoir's primary Fairy-type STAB move. It also hits a foe behind a Substitute, which is useful against the likes of Whimsicott and Gyarados. Psyshock hits Poison-types such as Gengar and also gives Mega Gardevoir an STAB move to use against Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona and hits Chansey through its weaker Defense. Taunt is useful for preventing status moves from the likes of Chansey and Cresselia and also prevents Calm Mind users such as Suicune and Raikou from setting up so that Mega Gardevoir can beat them more easily. Tracing Prankster also allows Gardevoir to Taunt Klefki before it can use Thunder Wave. Focus Blast hits Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn, which otherwise wall Mega Gardevoir completely. Hidden Power Fire lets Mega Gardevoir beat both Ferrothorn and Scizor, though Scizor can OHKO Mega Gardevoir with Bullet Punch, so this is best used as it switches in. Hidden Power Ground is an alternative that hits Heatran without the risk of missing like Focus Blast but misses out on hitting Ferrothorn and doesn't do as much damage to other Steel-types. If Taunt's utility isn't necessary, running both Focus Blast and Hidden Power is viable as well, letting Mega Gardevoir cover Steel-types more thoroughly.
Set Details
========
Gardevoirite is necessary to Mega Evolve, which is important for allowing Gardevoir to make use of Pixilate Hyper Voice. Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment allows Mega Gardevoir to hit as fast and hard as possible. Trace lets Gardevoir copy a more useful ability to use against the foe before it Mega Evolves, such as Intimidate, Prankster, Speed Boost, or Volt Absorb. A Modest nature is preferred to boost Mega Gardevoir's huge Special Attack further and is ideally used with paralysis support from the likes of Thundurus and Serperior. Alternatively, Timid allows Mega Gardevoir to Speed tie with the numerous Pokemon in the base 100 Speed tier such as Mega Kangaskhan and both Mega Charizard formes. It also allows Gardevoir to outspeed Breloom before Mega Evolving. If you're running Hidden Power Ground, 4 EVs should be moved from Special Attack to Defense to avoid wasting EVs. Likewise, an EV spread of 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 4 SpD / 248 Spe should be used with Hidden Power Fire.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Gardevoir is a wallbreaker, so it should be primarily used against slower, bulkier teams; switching into Mega Gardevoir is difficult, so capitalizing on Hyper Voice's power is important. An opponent is generally more likely to bring a Steel-type just to have a switch-in for Mega Gardevoir, so bringing teammates that handle the likes of Aegislash and Heatran helps to take advantage of how threatening Pixilate Hyper Voice is for most foes. Mega Gardevoir works well early-game to weaken bulky threats such as Slowbro and Suicune for a sweeper like Talonflame or Garchomp. It's best to bring Mega Gardevoir in on a foe that can't threaten it much, such as a Garchomp or Dragonite locked into Outrage or a more passive threat such as Rotom-W or Slowbro. This is especially useful because it often creates a free turn to hit a potential switch-in with a powerful Hyper Voice. Mega Gardevoir also works well late-game against weakened teams, though it needs support to handle faster threats, since it does not fare well against faster physical attackers. Physical priority is also a huge problem for Mega Gardevoir, so it's usually better not to bring Gardevoir along against teams with many powerful priority users such as Talonflame and Scizor.
Team Options
========
Mega Gardevoir greatly appreciates paralysis support, so Zapdos, Ferrothorn, Thundurus, Serperior, and Rotom-W are effective partners. Serperior in particular can paralyze Garchomp and Landorus-T with Glare, which both otherwise threaten Mega Gardevoir. Meanwhile, Zapdos, Thundurus, and Rotom-W can handle Talonflame, with the former having Heat Wave to hit Steel-types as well. Ferrothorn can also offer Stealth Rock support to help break through bulkier threats more effectively. Partners that can beat Scizor such as Heatran and Aegislash are useful for Mega Gardevoir. Both have generally great matchups against opposing Steel-types as well, which reduces the need for Mega Gardevoir to rely on its own coverage moves to beat them. Late-game sweepers and cleaners appreciate Mega Gardevoir's ability to break down bulkier teams; Talonflame and Choice Scarf Garchomp are effective cleaners alongside Mega Gardevoir, and they also make up for Gardevoir's lack of Speed.
Intimidate Pokemon such as Gyarados and Landorus-T help Gardevoir take physical attacks better and can also chip away at Mega Kangaskhan with Rocky Helmet. They also fare well against most priority users. Similarly, Suicune can take on most physical attackers that threaten Mega Gardevoir and checks Talonflame while being able to patch up Mega Gardevoir's vulnerability to physical attacks with Scald burns or even Reflect. Blaziken is also an effective teammate for Mega Gardevoir, potentially functioning as a secondary Mega option due to its ability to beat Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Gengar more reliably. Alternatively, Life Orb Blaziken can also deal with Aegislash well with Overheat, while Baton Pass variants can give Mega Gardevoir the Speed to sweep on its own.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Trick
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Trace
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast is Gardevoir's primary STAB move, hitting Dragon-types such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Hydreigon. This is generally the safest move to lock into due to its superior coverage over Psyshock and its decent chance to lower the Special Attack of a possible switch-in. Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that allows Gardevoir to revenge kill Poison-types such as Gengar and Mega Venusaur, though Moonblast is better against most Fighting-types due to its greater coverage and ability to hit Dark-types. Choice Scarf Gardevoir doesn't wallbreak, so Psychic is a viable alternative that hits physically defensive threats like defensive Mega Venusaur and Rotom-W harder. Trick allows Gardevoir to be useful against bulkier threats if it doesn't need its Choice Scarf anymore, crippling the likes of Cresselia and Ferrothorn, as well as Klefki after Tracing Prankster. Destiny Bond allows Gardevoir to take down a threat with it if the ability to revenge kill Dragon-types and the surprise factor of Choice Scarf are no longer useful. Choice Scarf Gardevoir often finds itself unable to beat Pokemon that aren't weak to its STAB moves, so Destiny Bond allows it to take down a threat that it wouldn't beat otherwise.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf allows Gardevoir to function as a revenge killer and offers notable surprise factor due to most opponents expecting Mega Gardevoir. Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment allows Gardevoir to hit as hard as possible while outspeeding as many threats as possible with a Choice Scarf. Trace allows Gardevoir to copy a more useful ability and use it against the foe, such as Speed Boost or Levitate, which makes it more difficult to revenge kill. A Timid nature allows Gardevoir to outspeed Modest Choice Scarf Rotom-W and Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T as well as the occasional Mega Lopunny and Mega Sceptile to revenge kill them with Moonblast. It also allows Gardevoir to keep up with Life Orb Blaziken if it Traces Speed Boost.
Usage Tips
========
As a dedicated revenge killer, Gardevoir should primarily come in as after a partner has been KOed. However, bringing Gardevoir in against a faster threat such as Garchomp or Salamence might make the opponent suspect it is holding Choice Scarf, so try to avoid making that too obvious. While not always ideal, leading with Choice Scarf Gardevoir is effective at catching an opponent off-guard, since they are less likely to suspect the Choice Scarf. Do note that this is dependent on the opponent's lead being favorable for Gardevoir, so avoid doing so unless Gardevoir has a generally favorable matchup against the opposing team. Trick should only be used against bulky Pokemon that Gardevoir can't break on its own, but Choice Scarf Gardevoir generally should not be brought against very bulky teams, since it struggles to win against most bulky threats even once it Tricks its Choice Scarf away. Destiny Bond makes Gardevoir useful even against teams that aren't weak to its STAB moves, so Gardevoir can still be useful even if its STAB combination isn't very helpful. However, sacrificing Gardevoir too early can put you at a disadvantage if the revenge killing utility is still useful, so Destiny Bond should not be used recklessly.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Gardevoir is primarily used to support teams, so it's more important that the team appreciates Gardevoir's utility than it appreciates the utility that its teammates offer. This Gardevoir fits primarily on offensive teams, so it should be paired with wallbreakers and sweepers such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Kangaskhan, and Blaziken. Blaziken in particular can deal with opposing Mega Mawile and Mega Kangaskhan, both of which have priority moves to pick off Gardevoir that Blaziken resists. Pokemon that are troubled by Dragon-types such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y also appreciate Gardevoir's ability to surprise Garchomp and Mega Salamence.
Priority users are a huge problem for Gardevoir, since they hit its weaker Defense, which makes its job as a revenge killer more difficult. Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Heatran deal with Talonflame and Scizor, while Ghost-types such as Aegislash can deal with Extreme Speed users. Zapdos can also deal with Azumarill and can wear foes down with Rocky Helmet. Suicune can generally switch into most priority users safely and can wear down physical attackers to help Gardevoir clean late-game. Stealth Rock support is also useful for letting Gardevoir clean a weakened team late-game, so Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Garchomp are effective partners that can also wear teams down with Rocky Helmet.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychic is an alternative to Psyshock on Mega Gardevoir; while Psyshock covers Chansey, Psychic allows Gardevoir to hit physically defensive Mega Venusaur harder and is slightly stronger than Psyshock. Substitute is also an option on Mega Gardevoir that can punish switches and give it a buffer against status while also letting it safely take on faster threats such as Garchomp, Mega Salamence, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Will-O-Wisp can be used to catch physical attackers off guard and helps mitigate Gardevoir's issues with taking physical attacks, though this works best on switches and most physical attackers that beat Gardevoir are not likely to risk switching into Hyper Voice. Similarly, Thunder Wave lets Gardevoir paralyze switch-ins on its own to beat otherwise faster threats, though most threats that can switch into Gardevoir still win even after being paralyzed. Encore allows Mega Gardevoir to punish slower foes attempting to set up as it switches in, which can create a free turn for it to fire off a powerful Hyper Voice. Calm Mind alongside Taunt lets Mega Gardevoir set up and sweep on its own, though base 100 Speed isn't conducive to sweeping with something as physically frail as Mega Gardevoir. Shadow Sneak is an unusual option that can be used to pick off a foe relying on its Focus Sash to beat Mega Gardevoir, but it has no other realistic use and it's difficult to justify a moveslot just for this. Healing Wish is an option on the Choice Scarf set to give a teammate a second chance to wallbreak after being weakened, but Lunar Dance Cresselia usually outclasses this. Memento is another option to create an easy setup opportunity for a teammate, but Gardevoir is usually better off bring something down with it, so Destiny Bond tends to be better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority Users**: Gardevoir is very physically frail and vulnerable to most forms of priority, so priority moves from Talonflame, Scizor, Dragonite, Mega Kangaskhan, and Mega Mawile all deal with Gardevoir. Using priority moves also reduces the risk of being picked off by a surprise Choice Scarf Gardevoir and can KO Gardevoir before it can attempt to use Destiny Bond.
**Faster Physical Attackers**: While Mega Gardevoir threatens many Pokemon with Hyper Voice, its Speed tier leaves it outsped by important threats such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence. It also Speed ties with Mega Kangaskhan at best and usually can't keep up with Blaziken even if it Traces Speed Boost, usually leaving Gardevoir outsped and OHKOed due to its poor physical bulk.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types that don't mind Hyper Voice, such as Gengar and Aegislash, give Gardevoir trouble, since it's outsped by the former and walled by the latter. Aegislash also has Shadow Sneak to pick it off without taking extra damage and can get a Weakness Policy boost from Hidden Power variants. Gengar must still be wary of Choice Scarf Gardevoir if it lacks Focus Sash, since it's weak to Psyshock.
**Steel-types**: Mega Gardevoir often runs coverage for Steel-types, but it usually can't cover everything at once. Mega Lucario outspeeds Mega Gardevoir and can threaten to OHKO it with either Bullet Punch or Flash Cannon, although it can't switch into Hyper Voice. Scizor only fears switching into Hidden Power Fire and otherwise threatens Gardevoir with Bullet Punch. Ferrothorn also wins against variants lacking Hidden Power Fire and usually survives one Focus Blast regardless. Heatran also beats variants lacking Hidden Power Ground or Focus Blast.
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