Gyarados, The Atrocious Pokémon. A tale is told of a town that angered Gyarados. Before the sun rose the next day, flames utterly consumed the town, leaving not a trace behind. There are people who swear that any place Gyarados appears is fated for destruction. It fires hyper beams in all directions, burning the surrounding area to ash. There are some regions where it’s called “the deity of destruction.” The energy from evolution stimulated its brain cells strongly, causing it to become very ferocious.
Overview
Gyarados has definitely been something to watch out for. With Generation 7 closing into its end, Gyarados is still a good sweeper with access to Dragon Dance, a solid typing in Water/Flying, a great physical movepool and balanced stats. It also possesses two incredible abilities in Intimidate and Moxie which provides it with the ability to set up more easily or snowball through the opponent's team, respectively. However, Gyarados' weakness has been and will always be its x4 vulnerability to Electric moves. This changes with its Mega Evolution though, as the extra bulk and the Dark typing change allows it to play mind games with its opponent while bringing in a more reliable STAB in Crunch alongside Mold Breaker, which lets it obliterate Levitators like Rotom-Wash with Earthquake. Gyarados is hurt by its lackluster Speed tier though, with Pokemon like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B outspeeding it before a boost and most common Choice Scarf users and ultra-fast Pokemon like Mega Alakazam outspeeding it after a boost.
Don't be fooled by these flaws though, as Gyarados is still a very powerful sweeper who can cut through opponent's teams like a hot knife cutting through butter with the right support. Underestimate this Leviathan at your own peril.
Positives
A base 95 / 79 / 100 for defensive stats gives Gyarados decent bulk, allowing it to reliably set up on foes.
Gyarados possesses a fantastic base 125 Atk and a great physical movepool that boasts a reliable STAB in Waterfall and options like Bounce, Earthquake, Stone Edge and Ice Fang.
Moxie allows it to snowball the opponent's party by accumulating Attack boosts for every KO. Combine this with a Z-move and Gyarados will find it quite easy to exploit this strategy.
Water / Flying is a great defensive typing allowing Gyarados to switch into Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, Ground and Water attacks.
Negatives
Base 81 Speed is average at best meaning that Gyarados will find itself being outsped by faster threats such as Mega Alakazam or by common Choice Scarfers like Tapu Lele, even after a +1 boost.
Gyarados' defensive typing is amazing but it yields a terrible x4 weakness to Electric attacks, which means that Gyarados will easily become fried tempura fish with almost any Electric attack.
Pokemon like Zapdos and Rotom-Wash can easily wall regular Gyarados thanks to their high defenses and resistance to Supersonic Skystrike.
Movesets
FEELS LIKE THE SKY COULD COME DOWN ON US AT ANY MOMENT
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake / Taunt
Item Attached: Flynium Z
Ability: Moxie
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
Dragon Dance Gyarados has been a staple set in recent years, however, on this generation it received an important upgrade with Z-moves. Dragon Dance allows it to boost its Attack and Speed so that it can punch holes early-on or late game. Bounce, in combination with a Flyinium Z, allows Gyarados to use a 160 base power Supersonic Strike to ravage Tangrowth, Amoonguss, Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur while doing massive damage to opposing Water types like Tapu Fini. However, take into account that once the Z-Crystal is consumed, Gyarados will be left with a two-turn charge STAB. Waterfall is a powerful STAB that allows Gyarados to hit Landorus-Therian for super-effective damage and overall provides it with good neutral coverage. Finally, Earthquake allows Gyarados to hit Toxapex and Magearna for super-effective damage while Taunt allows it to shut down Pokemon like Skarmory, Clefable and Toxapex.
Max Attack is required in order for Gyarados to optimize its sweeping potential. Max Speed with a Jolly nature allows Gyarados to outrun 252 Spe Landorus and +252 Tapu Koko after a +1 boost. Moxie allows Gyarados to fully maximize its sweeping power thanks to its one-time nuke in Supersonic Strike which starts the snowball effect on the opponent's team.
Partners
Latios: It can remove entry hazards which greatly increases Gyarados' life span throughout the match. Thanks to its strong Special Attacks, it can also threaten Pokemon like Zapdos and Rotom-W, which are annoyances for Gyarados. Latias deserves a special mention thanks to Healing Wish which can give Gyarados another chance to sweep.
Ferrothorn: Access to Spikes and Stealth Rock will make Gyarados' job easier as it increases its chance to grab KOs and snowball the opponent's team. Ferrothorn is also a good check to Tapu Koko which can threaten Gyarados if it hasn't obtained a boost yet.
Tyranitar: Thanks to its ability to heavily threaten and potentially trap Zapdos, it is a good partner for Gyarados. It should also be mentioned that Tyranitar adds a mind-game factor by potentially making the opponent guess which of them is the Mega.
Zeraora: Thanks to Volt Absorb, it can switch into the Electric attacks Gyarados doesn't wants to take.
Mega Scizor: Due to its access to U-turn and its ability to lure Heatran in (which is a Pokemon Gyarados can easily beat), it is a great partner thanks to the momentum gained with U-turn.
Other Options
Gyarados can run a bulkier Dragon Dance set with Leftovers in order to set up on Pokemon like Ferrothorn. However, due to the lack of Speed investment and how common Tapu Koko is, this makes it a very undesirable option. Mega Gyarados can also run a third attack using Ice Fang to punish Mega Venusaur while ravaging Landorus-Therian. This is also a highly useful option if Mega Salamence is a factor. Unfortunately, this makes Mega Gyarados more susceptible to burns from Toxapex's Scald or Will-o-Wisp from Rotom-Wash. Gyarados can also run a Choice Scarf set with Moxie, but due to its slow Speed stat, it is heavily outclassed by Tapu Lele and Garchomp. Gyarados can also use a Waterium-Z in order to lure Zapdos and OHKO it after Stealth Rock damage. Groundium-Z allows it to OHKO Toxapex and Magearna without a boost.
Mega Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon. Mega Evolution also affects its brain, leaving no other function except its destructive instinct to burn everything to cinders. Mega Evolution places a burden on its body. The stress causes it to become all the more ferocious. It jets water from the orifices on its sides, streaking above the water surface at supersonic speed. It zooms out of the water at Mach speeds. Even large ships caught in its path are split cleanly in two!
Overview
Gyarados has definitely been something to watch out for. With Generation 7 closing into its end, Gyarados is still a good sweeper with access to Dragon Dance, a solid typing in Water/Flying, a great physical movepool and balanced stats. It also possesses two incredible abilities in Intimidate and Moxie which provides it with the ability to set up more easily or snowball through the opponent's team, respectively. However, Gyarados' weakness has been and will always be its x4 vulnerability to Electric moves. This changes with its Mega Evolution though, as the extra bulk and the Dark typing change allows it to play mind games with its opponent while bringing in a more reliable STAB in Crunch alongside Mold Breaker, which lets it obliterate Levitators like Rotom-Wash with Earthquake. Gyarados is hurt by its lackluster Speed tier though, with Pokemon like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B outspeeding it before a boost and most common Choice Scarf users and ultra-fast Pokemon like Mega Alakazam outspeeding it after a boost.
Don't be fooled by these flaws though, as Gyarados is still a very powerful sweeper who can cut through opponent's teams like a hot knife cutting through butter with the right support. Underestimate this Leviathan at your own peril.
Positives
A fantastic base 155 Attack coupled with two great STABs in Waterfall and Crunch makes Mega Gyarados a fearsome monster. Access to Dragon Dance makes it even more terrifying.
Thanks to Mold Breaker, Mega Gyarados can ignore abilities such as Levitate and destroy Pokemon like Rotom-Wash with Earthquake. It also lets Mega Gyarados ignore abilities such as Sturdy, Water Absorb and Unaware which bolsters its wall-breaking abilities.
The extra bulk gained from Mega Evolution (95 / 109 / 130) makes Gyarados harder to revenge kill and it also removes its x4 weakness to Electric, making it more resilient. The typing change also lets Gyarados play mind-games taking advantage of Flying's resistances and the change to Dark in certain situations.
Pre-Mega Initmidate allows Gyarados to blanket check Pokemon like Weavile and create set-up opportunities.
Negatives
While its weakness to Electric is nerfed to x2, Gyarados also gains weaknesses to Bug, Fight and Fairy type attacks. This means that its counters are different and Pokemon like Mega Scizor, Tapu Fini and Keldeo will be able to keep Mega Gyarados at bay after Mega Evolving.
Base 81 Speed is a sheer disappointment as Scarfed Tapu Lele will still outspeed Gyarados at +1, while Mega Alakazam can revenge kill with a Focus Blast due to its raw Speed.
Unlike regular Gyarados, Mega Gyarados is more easily handled by Grass types such as Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth due to their great bulk and resistance to Waterfall (the former resists Crunch).
Movesets
THE BIG G IN GUTS
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall / Crunch
- Earthquake
- Substitute / Taunt
Item Attached: Gyaradosite
Ability: Mold Breaker (Intimidate before Mega)
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk/4 SpDef/252 Spd
Jolly Nature
Mega Evolution has blessed Gyarados with even higher stats, making it into one of the most dangerous threats in Singles. Dragon Dance boosts Mega Gyarados' Attack and Speed allowing it to set-up late game and sweep. In most cases Mega Gyarados opts for one of its STAB moves rather than both, depending on the format. Waterfall is the primary choice in Battle Spot since Crunch hits very little that isn't already hit by other moves. In other formats, Crunch is the preferred choice to hit Pokemon like Mew and Mega Slowbro super-effectively, while boasting great neutral coverage. Earthquake complements either STAB move as it allows Mega Gyarados to destroy Magearna, Mega Mawile and Toxapex after a boost. Thanks to Mold Breaker, it can hit Rotom-Wash super-effectively while providing neutral coverage vs Tapu Fini and Keldeo without being walled. For the last slot, Substitute protects Gyarados from status ailments, Leech Seed and prevents burn from moves like Lava Plume and Scald. Taunt, on the other hand, lets Mega Gyarados beat Mega Sableye with Mold Breaker while preventing Skarmory and Toxapex from phazing Mega Gyarados.
Maximum Attack investment allows Gyarados to hit as hard as possible, while maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allow it to outspeed Tapu Koko after a Dragon Dance. Intimidate allows Gyarados to check Pokemon like Weavile and generates setup opportunities. Gyaradosite allows Gyarados to Mega Evolve into Mega Gyarados.
Partners
Protean Greninja: Thanks to Extrasensory and Ice Beam, it can lure Pokemon like Toxapex, Tangrowth and Zapdos, weakening them before Gyarados attempts to sweep the opponent's team.
Latios: Due to its ability to efficiently handle Zapdos and remove entry hazards from the field, it makes for a really good partner.
Zapdos: It has the ability to pressure Toxapex, Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth while being able to remove hazards, something that is very appreciated by Mega Gyarados.
Magearna: It synergizes very well with Mega Gyarados by punishing most of its checks with Electrium Z and it can heavily pressure Pokemon like Zapdos and Tangrowth.
Zeraora: Thanks to Volt Absorb it can switch into Electric attacks while being able to pressure its checks with Plasma Fists, Fire Punch or Knock Off.
Tapu Lele: It provides Psychic Terrain which prevents Mega Gyarados from being revenge killed by priority moves if weakened, and in return it can set up on Pokemon like Blacephalon.
Countering Gyarados & Mega Gyarados
Electric types like Rotom-Wash and Zapdos will always be the bane of Gyarados' existence thanks to their great bulk and typing. Both Pokemon will easily beat regular Moxie-Z Gyarados and fry it with Discharge or Thunderbolt. While Zapdos can struggle with Mega Gyarados if Stealth Rock is on the field, it can potentially paralyze it with Static. Rotom-Wash can handle it as long as Mega Gyarados doesn't runs Earthquake.
Bulky Water types like Tapu Fini and Azumarill can handle Mega Gyarados thanks to their secondary STAB. However, take into account that regular Gyarados can heavily damage these Pokemon with Flynium-Z. Toxapex can erase any boost Gyarados has obtained with Haze, however, it becomes a sitting duck if Gyarados carries Substitute and/or Earthquake. Keldeo can revenge kill the Mega set but it will need HP Electric to deal with the regular set.
Revenge killers like Scarf Greninja, Tapu Lele and Garchomp can revenge kill Gyarados. Scarf Greninja and Garchomp do a great job on checking regular Gyarados with Stone Edge while Scarf Lele obliterates the Mega sets. Mega Alakazam deserves a special mention: despite being weak to Mega Gyarados' Crunch, thanks to its impressive base 150 Speed it will even outspeed a +1 Mega Gyarados and revenge kill it with Focus Blast.
Grass types like Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur will be unable to check regular Gyarados due to its access to Supersonic Strike, however they are very capable of checking Mega Gyarados and put it in its place with their STAB Grass moves.
Steel types like Skarmory can phaze away both sets as long as they don't carry Taunt. Ferrothorn does a great job on checking the Mega sets but it must watch out for Supersonic Skystrike.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Evolve Magikarp (Red/Blue)
Fuchsia City (Yellow)
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Lake of Rage, Fuchsia City
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Sootopolis City
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Routes 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21 22, 23 & 25, Cerulean City, Cinnabar Island, Four Island, Fuchsia City, Lavender Town, One Island, Pallet Town, Viridian City, Berry Forest, Bond Bridge, Cape Brink, Cerulean Cave Floor 1 & Basement 1, Five Isle Meadow, Green Path, Icefall Cave Floor 1, Kindle Road, Memorial Pillar, Outcast Island, Resort Gorgeous, Ruin Valley, Safari Zone Areas 1, 2, 3 & Center, Seafoam Island Basements 3 & 4, S.S. Anne, Tanoby Ruins, Trainer Tower, Treasure Beach, Water Labyrinth, Water Path
Colosseum/XD:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/FireRed/LeafGreen
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Route 202, Route 203, Route 204 - South, Route 205 - North, Route 205 - South, Route 208, Route 209, Route 210 - North, Route 212 - North, Route 212 - South, Route 213, Route 214, Route 218, Route 219, Route 220, Route 221, Route 222, Route 223, Route 224, Route 225, Route 226, Route 227, Route 229, Route 229, Route 230, Twinleaf Town, Lake Verity, Oreburgh Gate , Ravaged Path, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks, Eterna City, Mt. Coronet, Lake Valor, Pastoria City, Great Marsh, Celestic Town, Canalave City, Iron Island, Lake Acuity, Sunyshore City, Victory Road, Pokemon League, Sendoff Spring
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Mt. Silver, Lake of Rage, Fuchsia City, Cerulean Cave, Seafoam Islands
Black/White:
Evolve Magikarp
Black 2/White 2:
Nature Preserve
X/Y:
Route 3, Route 22, Friend Safari
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Sootopolis City
Sun/Moon:
Route 7, Route 8, Route 9, Route 13, Route 14, Route 15, Akala Outskirts, Brooklet Hill, Kala'e Bay, Malie Garden, Melemele Sea, Paniola Town, Poni Breaker Coast, Poni Gauntlet, Poni Meadow, Poni Wilds, Seafolk Village, Seaward Cave, Secluded Shore, Vast Poni Canyon
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Route 7, Route 8, Route 9, Route 13, Route 14, Route 15, Akala Outskirts, Brooklet Hill, Kala'e Bay, Malie Garden, Melemele Sea, Paniola Town, Poni Breaker Coast, Poni Gauntlet, Poni Meadow, Seafolk Village, Seaward Cave, Vast Poni Canyon
Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!:
Route 20
Animé Appearences
