[OVERVIEW]
Unlike most Dragon Dance users, Gyarados has great bulk and Intimidate, which allow it to set up more easily; however, this comes at the cost of its Speed, a painfully slow base 81. Like most physically oriented setup sweepers, Gyarados is heavily crippled by Intimidate, burns, and paralysis. When equipped with Gyaradosite, common Gyarados switch-ins, mainly Rotom-W, aren't a problem anymore due to Mold Breaker, which allows Mega Gyarados to hit the former for super effective damage. Its drastic type change with its Mega Evolution can allow Gyarados to better take on Rock-types and gives it an immunity to Psychic-types. Additionally, Gyarados has a pretty great support movepool, allowing it to perform either as a sweeper or a supporter.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Earthquake / Ice Fang / Stone Edge
move 3: Dragon Dance
move 4: Protect
item: Gyaradosite / Lum Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Gyarados's most reliable Water-type STAB attack. Earthquake should be used when running Gyaradosite as the item, while Ice Fang is a nice alternative move to hit opposing Dragon-types that can tank a Waterfall, such as Salamence and Latios. Stone Edge allows Gyarados to OHKO Mega Charizard Y unboosted and Thundurus after one Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance further increases Gyarados's power and Speed and is highly necessary because Gyarados's Speed is very low. Protect allows Gyarados to scout foes and protects against potential status.
Set Details
========
244 Speed with a Jolly nature allows Gyarados to outrun Adamant max Speed Choice Scarf Landorus-T after one Dragon Dance. An Adamant nature can be used for maximum damage output; however, a Jolly nature is preferred because with an Adamant nature, Gyarados can be revenge killed even after a Dragon Dance by Choice Scarf Landorus-T with Superpower or Rock Slide depending on whether it has Mega Evolved or not, respectively. Maximum Attack EVs guarantee maximum damage output. The remaining 12 EVs are put into HP. Intimidate is by far the best ability for Gyarados, as it allows Gyarados to set up Dragon Dances easier against physical attacker. Gyaradosite allows Gyarados to Mega Evolve and gain boosted stats as well as beat non-Mega Gyarados checks, such as Rotom-W. Lum Berry is a nice item choice to heal from status conditions such as burn and paralysis that will severly cripple Gyarados; using it will also open up a slot for a Mega Evolution on your team.
Usage Tips
========
It is better at times to delay Gyarados's Mega Evolution due to Intimidate and its type change. For example, against a Pokemon such as Ludicolo, it is best to Dragon Dance before Mega Evolving because, unlike Mega Gyarados, regular Gyarados isn't weak to Grass-type attacks. Pay attention to what Pokemon are currently out on the field, as you can use Gyarados's type change to your advantage. For example, you can Mega Evolve Gyarados on an incoming Psychic-type attack.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with access to Follow Me, such as Clefairy and Clefable, are great partners for Mega Gyarados because they can help it set up easier by redirecting super effective hits, such as Close Combat, and statuses away from Gyarados. Talonflame is a nice partner because it can check Grass-types that Gyarados has trouble hitting for massive damage. Talonflame is also immune to Earthquake, which can allow Gyarados to use it freely without worrying about damaging its partner, and is benefited greatly by Gyarados's ability to remove Rotom-W, Rotom-H, and opposing Rock-types. Aegislash can switch into Fighting-, Fairy-, and Rock-type attacks aimed at Gyarados while also being able to provide Wide Guard support for moves such as Rock Slide. Aegislash can also check Terrakion and Virizion, both of which are problems for Gyarados if it has not set up a Dragon Dance yet. Ground-types are really good partners for Gyarados. Landorus-T can switch into Fighting- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Gyarados while also being able to force out opposing Electric- and Rock-type Pokemon. Landorus is also benefited greatly by Gyarados's ability to remove Rotom-W. Mamoswine can force out Electric- and Rock-type Pokemon that threaten Gyarados; it is also able to deal massive damage to opposing Dragon-type Pokemon, such as Mega Salamence and Hydreigon, that Gyarados can't hit hard. If using non-Mega Gyarados, both Mega Metagross and Mega Venusaur are great partners for it. Gyarados plows through Fire-types that Metagross has trouble hitting, such as Heatran, as well as Ground-types like Landorus. Metagross, in turn, checks Rock-types, such as Terrakion, that give Gyarados troubles. These two together put a lot of pressure on the opponent's team. Mega Venusaur breaks through bulky Water-types that generally wall regular Gyarados, such as Rotom-W, and Rock-types. Gyarados, in turn, checks Fire-types, such as Heatran and Rotom-H, that threaten Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Bulky Support
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Protect / Stone Edge
item: Sitrus Berry / Wacan Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 52 Atk / 108 Def / 44 SpD / 52 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Gyarados's most reliable Water-type STAB attack and gives it some offensive presence. Taunt shuts down opposing Trick Room and status users, such as Cresselia and Amoonguss. Thunder Wave provides a form of speed control. Protect allows Gyarados to scout for Taunt or super effective attacks. Stone Edge can be used to OHKO Mega Charizard Y, which allows Gyarados to further support Steel-types.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP EVs with 108 Defense and an Impish nature optimize Sitrus Berry recovery and guarantee that a -1 Adamant Mega Kangaskhan's Double-Edge will only be a 3HKO after Sitrus Berry. 52 Attack EVs give Gyarados some offensive presence. 44 Special Defense EVs guarantee that Hydreigon won't OHKO with a Modest Choice Specs Draco Meteor and Sylveon will not 2HKO with Hyper Voice after Sitrus Berry. 52 Speed EVs allow Gyarados to outrun 80 Speed Heatran, Cresselia, and 0 Speed Rotom-A so that it can use Taunt. An alternative spread with 236 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature can be used to outrun positive max Speed base 80s such as Smeargle and Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T after it has been hit with an Icy Wind. Intimidate is by far the best ability as it increases Gyarados's bulk and cripples opposing physical attackers. Sitrus Berry is the preferred item, as it gives a one-time 25% HP boost unlike the passive recovery afforded by Leftovers. Lum Berry is an option if Sitrus Berry is already being used because it allows Gyarados to shut down Smeargle. Wacan Berry can help Gyarados tank an Electric-type attack that would otherwise OHKO or deal massive damage to it.
Usage Tips
========
Be sure to switch Gyarados in and out as required to Intimidate shuffle and cripple opposing physical attackers. Gyarados can switch into many physical attackers and cripple them, such as Talonflame and Mawile. Gyarados also works really well as a lead against Trick Room teams because it can Taunt the Trick Room user before they are able to set up.
Team Options
========
Strong attackers that benefit from the support that Gyarados provides generally make good partners. Mega Kangaskhan is benefits greatly from the Intimidate and speed control support that Gyarados provides, allowing it to outspeed threats that it normally wouldn't, such as Terrakion. Mega Charizard Y is also greatly benefited by Gyarados's speed control options as well as its ability to hit Heatran and Rotom-H for super effective damage. Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Garchomp are nice Gyarados partners, as they not only benefit from benefited by the support that Gyarados provides but also compliment it really well by being able to switch into Rock- and Electric-type attacks. Mega Metagross synergizes really well with Gyarados, as it is able to check Rock-types that threaten Gyarados, thus increasing Gyarados's longevity and allowing Gyarados to further support its teammates. Gyarados can open opportunities for Mega Metagross to sweep by crippling faster threats with Thunder Wave and weakening their Attack with Intimidate. Mega Venusaur forms a really bulky anti-meta core with Gyarados because it is able to threaten and cripple common Pokemon such as Landorus-T. Mega Venusaur can check bulky Water-types that wall Gyarados while Gyarados checks Fire-types that wall Mega Venusaur.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Crunch is an alternative STAB move for Mega Gyarados. Safety Goggles makes Gyarados immune to Spore, thus allowing it to further set up on Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Breloom. A Choice Band set can be used to further increase Gyarados's damage output. Icy Wind is an alternative speed control option.
Checks & Counters
=================
**Intimidate and Burns**: Intimidate and burns will lower Gyarados's damage output greatly, forcing it to Dragon Dance more should it want to continue doing damage. Pokemon such as opposing Gyarados and Gengar can outspeed and cripple Gyarados before it sets up a Dragon Dance with Intimidate and Will-O-Wisp, respectively.
**Electric-types**: If using non-Mega Gyarados, many common Electric-types can threaten it out pretty easily, such as Thundurus or Mega Manectric. In fact, non-Mega Gyarados cannot do anything to Rotom-W. Even Mega Gyarados, before a Dragon Dance, will take massive amounts of damage from an Electric-type attack.
**Speed Control**: Gyarados's Speed isn't the greatest in the world, so common speed control moves such as Icy Wind and Thunder Wave will cripple Gyarados immensely. Suicune, Cresselia, and Thundurus are huge threats to Gyarados, as Gyarados cannot OHKO Suicune and Cresselia, while Thundurus has access to priority Thunder Wave.
**Grass-types**: Common Grass-types such as Virizion, Amoonguss, and Ferrothorn threaten Gyarados. Although Virizion doesn't appreciate an Ice Fang, it is able to tank Waterfall and Earthquake pretty easily while also being able to force Mega Gyarados out with its STAB options. Amoonguss and Ferrothorn both can tank Gyarados's attacks with relative ease. Amoonguss can shut Gyarados down with Spore, while Ferrothorn can essentially stall it out with Leech Seed. More support-oriented Grass-types, however, struggle against the supporting set because it is able to shut them down with Taunt.
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