Gardevoir, the Embrace Pokémon. To protect its Trainer, it will expend all its psychic power to create a small black hole. It unleashes psychokinetic energy at full power when protecting a Trainer it has bonded closely with.
Overview
Gardevoir has enchanted trainers for generations ever since its introduction in the third Generation as Wally’s ace and has a lot to warrant such attention. Its Special Attack is fantastic, equivalent to famed staples like Zapdos and Moltres who are renowned for being dangerous even without investment in their offenses, further accentuated by access to Calm Mind. Gardevoir takes this up a notch with its absurd coverage. Not only does Gardevoir possess a somewhat synergistic STAB combination, but it also possesses ludicrous amounts of Special coverage. Aura Sphere and Mystical Fire for the Steels that do resist its STABs, Shadow Ball for opposing Psychic types, alongside Thunder Bolt and Energy Ball for added coverage in general and there is nothing Gardevoir can’t hit hard. What is even more potent is Gardevoir’s huge status movepool. Everything you could ask for, from disruption in Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, Trick and Encore, to team support in screens, Wish and Healing Wish to even pivoting with Teleport. Gardevoir’s unpredictability means you often don’t know if it has the move to ruin your check until you have seen its entire set, often too late at that.
Sadly, Gardevoir can struggle to exercise the full extent of its abilities. 68 HP and 65 Defense are incredibly paltry, with only Gardevoir’s decent Base 115 Special Defense giving it any defensive merit. This makes Gardevoir’s average Base 80 Speed a huge liability, having Gardevoir struggle to make an impact against the many faster offensive threats running around. For all Gardevoir’s amazing flexibility, it still loses out against more specialized Pokémon, especially faster attackers like Iron Crown, Latios, and Enamorus, and support Pokémon like Glarian Slowking, and Alolan Ninetales who all perform Gardevoir’s prospective roles more efficiently than it. Gardevoir is not a fit for every team, and those who look to make the most of it must judiciously exercise Gardevoir’s unpredictability.
Positives
Base 125 Special Attack is immense even before boosting with Calm Mind, guaranteeing Gardevoir is never passive.
Incredible coverage options on top of Synergistic STABs gives Gardevoir potent offense that can threaten most Pokémon.
Absurd support movepool with just about every option you could ask for available, affording Gardevoir many niches over being a generic attacker.
Negatives
Physically frail with poor HP and Defense and few resistances leave Gardevoir struggling to get in and stick around.
Base 80 Speed, while not technically slow, still falls short of many offensive threats that can outspeed and eliminate Gardevoir.
Not as effective as Pokémon more specialized for the roles it tries to fill.
Movesets
Bundled In Grace
-Moonblast
-Psyshock
-Trick
-Healing Wish
Ability: Trace
Item: Choice Scarf
EVs and Nature:
252 SAtk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Scarf Gardevoir addresses one of Gardevoir's bigger flaws, its lackluster speed, allowing it to exercise its prowess as revenge killer, disruption, and support. Moonblast is Gardevoir's primary STAB given its immense base power and superb coverage that Fairy boasts. Psyshock compliments Moonblast well, hitting Fairy resistant Poison types like Amoonguss and Fezandipiti as well as bypass specially defensive sponges and Calm Mind users like Blissey, and Araquanid. In turn, Moonblast eviscerates Psychic immune Dark types, leaving as few safe answers as possible in only two moves. Trick is amazing disruption against bulkier teams or the defensive backbone of a balanced one, crippling the oft slow Pokémon that need to be able to change moves on the fly to wall effectively. Healing Wish is a great way to turn a game around once Gardevoir's own usefulness has expired, bringing a crippled sweeper or tank back in for another go round.
Trace is the best ability for Gardevoir and offers it significant niches though it can be tricky to use and reliant on the opponent. Scarf Gardevoir is especially adept at revenge KOing weather sweepers like Swift Swim Basculegion and Floatzel, Chlorophyll Hisuian Lilligant and Venusaur, and Slush Rush Cetitan; its Scarf plus the same weather boost making it easy to outspeed and KO such fierce threats. Tracing defensive abilities such as Overqwill's Intimidate, Thundurus Therian's Volt Absorb, and Gastrodon's Storm Drain, greatly easing switching in, while copying Cyclizar's Regenerator keeps Gardevoir healthy in the face of hazards, enabling it to repeatedly come and revenge KO.
Tera Types:
This Gardevoir set isn't that reliant on Terastalization; it is not meant to take hits and given the power of Gardevoir when it comes in, its targets are usually well within KO range or about to be Tricked. In a pinch, offensively Terastalizing to Fairy or Psychic can give Gardevoir's STABs the push they need to clear a KO threshold.
EVs and Items:
Standard sweeper allotment of max Special Attack and Speed. Timid is preferred for outspeeding as many Pokémon as possible, but the power boost from Modest is tantalizing as well. If you go down to Modest, you are outsped by neutral Dragon Dance Gyarados and Scarf Slither Wing, Jolly Barraskewda, and Jolly Dragon Dance Feraligator. Modest on the other hand guarantees the OHKO against Barraskewda, almost always OHKO Maushold after Stealth Rocks + 1 layer of Spikes, makes it probable against Assault Vest Cyclizar after Stealth Rocks, guarantees KOs from Hippowdon, Blastoise and Basculegion at 50% health, etc. Scarf is the namesake of the set. One in theory could substitute Choice Specs to become an immediate wallbreaker, but Gardevoir badly needs the extra speed in most cases.
Partners:
As this Gardevoir regularly struggles against Steel types, even with Mystical Fire, having an ally that can cover them is greatly appreciated when Gardevoir is locked into the wrong move. Krookodile performs this role well, its STAB Earthquake and Knock Off destroying Steel and Armarouge, while being great at softening up foes for Gardevoir to revenge KO. Its Intimidate provides even more synergy, making it easier for Gardevoir to get in safely. Moltres is another great anti Steel Pokémon, with its Flame Body providing similar utility to Krookodile's Intimidate.
Pivot Pokémon also work well with Scarf Gardevoir, able to bring Scarf Gardevoir in on an opponent they just softened for a quick Knock Out. Flip Turn Tentacruel is a good example, able to pivot out while drawing opposing Psychic types whose assaults Gardevoir can resist, or Hazard clearers that Gardevoir can punish with Trick Choice Scarf. Raikou and Thundurus Therian are more conventional pivots whose high offense makes them great for opening holes for Gardevoir to capitalize on, though their high speed makes it more difficult for Gardevoir to get in safely.
Other Options:
Psychic is a good deal stronger than Psyshock and can better handle high Defense Fire and Poison types.
Destiny Bond is a great option against offensive teams. If you expect Gardevoir to be KOd any ways, this has Gardevoir take its opponent down with it.
Mystical Fire and Aura Sphere are Gardevoir's best options against Steel types. Mystical Fire is preferred given it hits Bronzong, Forretress and Revavroom over Aura Sphere covering Empoleon while having a useful rider effect.
Classic Calm Mind
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Psychic Noise
-Mystical Fire
Ability: Trace
Item: Life Orb
EVs and Nature:
252 SAtk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Calm Mind Gardevoir plies its trade as a wallbreaker, using its boosts and wide coverage to muscle past the sturdiest of walls. Calm Mind suits Gardevoir well, boosting its already excellent Special Attack and Special Defense to fantastic heights. Moonblast is the preferred Fairy STAB given its absurd power and fantastic coverage, with almost no safe switch ins after a Calm Mind. Psychic Noise is what helps Gardevoir pull ahead of opposing walls, preventing them from healing, enabling Gardevoir to grind them down. Mystical Fire provides vital coverage against Steel types like Bisharp, giving Gardevoir almost no blind spots while further inuring Gardevoir to Special Attacks.
Tera Types:
This Gardevoir set is more reliant on Terastalization, both defensively for accruing boosts and offensively for pushing past its targets. Defensive Teras like Steel or Water are great for pivoting out of a weakness, helping Gardevoir safely grab multiple boosts. Tera Fairy is a noticeable offensive Tera, pushing Gardevoir’s Fairy STABs to dizzying heights while removing Gardevoir’s Ghost weakness and Dark neutrality. Tera Fighting is a niche offensive option, but vital for boosting Aura Sphere to muscle past sponges like Empoleon and Chansey.
EVs and Items:
Max Speed and Special Attack are again recommended. Gardevoir’s lacking Defense make it hard to justify bulk investment, with it better to place everything to speed. Special Attack investment is recommended to get the most out of Calm Mind boosts, requiring the fewest Calm Minds to break through walls. Life Orb is recommended given the power boost and flexibility it provides. If you don’t want Gardevoir to tear itself apart while setting up, Fairy Feather is a good backup, giving a bump to Gardevoir’s Fairy STABs.
Partners:
Pokémon that can reliably take on and cripple physical attackers are amazing for this set, given Calm Mind Gardevoir can’t really answer such threats on its own. Entei is notable for this given its STAB Sacred Fire not only doing horrific damage, but burning such threats, leaving them easy pickings if not setup fodder for Gardevoir later. Will-O-Wisp Moltres also fulfills this distinct niche, but trades damage for durability and pivoting with U-Turn.
Partners that offer Speed control are also greatly valued given Gardevoir’s unimpressive base speed. Rotom Heat is a clear standout with its access to Thunder Wave and ability to obliterate Steel types, while being bulky enough to handle most offensive teams.
Other Options:
Draining Kiss is far weaker than Moonblast, but offers recovery to this set, further helping Gardevoir out in grinding down walls.
Psyshock helps Gardevoir win Calm Mind wars against other setup sweepers like Enamorus-Therian and to a lesser extent Armarouge and Cresselia.
Shadow Ball is fantastic against many of the defensive psychic types including Armarouge and Cresselia.
Aura Sphere and Focus Blast offer alternative coverage for Steel types, better hitting Empoleon, Kingambit and Blissey as opposed to Mystical Fire
Vacuum Wave gives this set utility against more offensive teams, offering a viable priority attack that bypasses Gardevoir’s speed issues, but requires Tera Fighting to be truly effective.
Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple physical attackers that think they can come in for free
Doubles and VGC Options
Gardevoir suffers from direct comparisons with Flutter Mane given their shared Fairy typing, and similar stat distributions focusing on Special Attack, Special Defense and Speed. Unfortunately, Gardevoir is left wanting with poorer typing and stats while being weak to Flutter Mane’s secondary STAB making it easy fodder. Flutter Mane’s dominance further strains Gardevoir’s tenuous position, as teams prepared for Flutter Mane are often prepared for Gardevoir in turn. While Gardevoir offers incredible flexibility in both the utility of Trace or the friendly fire immunity of Telepathy and its amazing movepool, it is not a Pokémon one can throw on any team and must be carefully planned around to get the most out of.
Fairy Weird
-Expanding Force
-Moonblast
-Dazzling Gleam
-Trick
Ability: Telepathy
Item: Choice Scarf
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs and Nature:
252 SAtk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Gardevoir has a small niche on Expanding Force teams, being an Exapanding Force user that does not immediately fold to opposing Dark types, and in fact counters them given its own Fairy STABs and should be used if expecting a Dark or Tera Dark type, as well as being capable of stymying weather strategies. Expanding Force is still a brutal STAB move, especially when empowered by Gardevoir’s fantastic Special Attack and Psychic Terrain. Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam pull double duty for Fairy coverage, being single target and spread alternatively, depending on the situation. Tricking a Choice Scarf can be just as brutal in Doubles as it is in Singles, completely crippling support Pokémon, and sealing off many Pokémon from their support moves like Protect, Rage Powder or Follow Me, though giving certain Pokémon a speed boost may backfire, so be careful when using Trick.
Max Speed and Special Attack with Timid Nature are recommended again. With Timid, Gardevoir is guaranteed to outspeed unboosted Flutter Mane. Tera Fairy is recommended to remove opposing Dark types as quickly as possible, though the stacking boosts from Tera Psychic + Psychic Terrain on Expanding Force deal horrific damage that compromise whatever it hits for the rest of the battle.
Other Options & Partners:
The lone passive Psychic Terrain setter, Indeedee-F is the crux of this set. You aren’t bringing Gardevoir without Indeedee-F, Psychic Terrain does too much, offering valuable priority immunity and a power boost to Gardevoir’s already vicious STAB. Indeedee offers a lot too, with Follow Me keeping the frail Gardevoir alive and Helping Hand to help Gardevoir pick up KOs out of nowhere.
Gardevoir and Indeedee also pair well with Tyranitar and Excadrill, offering resists and reliable answers into the Fighting attacks that trouble Tyranitar on top of the priority blocking Psychic Terrain protecting Excadrill.
Trace is also quite excellent in doubles given the prevalence of weather strategies and Intimidate, though there are also a lot of opponents where Trace will do nothing, and can be unreliable as a result.
Trick Room also offers a fair bit of speed control, though not on Choice Scarf Gardevoir.
Protect is the best move in Doubles and should always be considered if not running Assault Vest or a Choice Item.
Imprison works pairs well with any set running Protect and Trick Room, though limits Gardevoir to a single STAB.
Countering Gardevoir
Gardevoir’s difficulty comes from its huge movepool. Its STABs and coverage threaten just about everything and status moves can completely ruin otherwise solid counters. Defensively checking Gardevoir is not recommended, between the sheer power of Choice Specs, Calm Mind being able to boost out of control, and being tricked a Choice item worse than ruinous for many defensive Pokémon, turning them into outright setup fodder.
That is not to say that defensive Pokémon don’t have their uses. Steel types are incredibly valuable against Gardevoir, able to switch into either of its STABs and threaten with their oft physical STABs. Empoleon does exceptionally well given its high Special Defense and Competitive harshly punishing Mystical Fire, though Calm Mind sets can be annoying if they get too many boosts. Armarouge performs similarly given its resistance to both STABs, but also cannot afford to let the Calm Mind variant get too many boosts.
Faster attackers, especially physical, are the way to go to answer Gardevoir, preventing it from dipping into whatever horrible surprise it has for you by eliminating it outright. The sheer speed that Choice Scarf offers makes that difficult, and Gardevoir’s ability to copy Speed Boosting abilities even more so. Power Priority, like Tera Normal Banded Entei’s and Lucario’s Extreme Speed, First Impression Slither Wing, and Tera Rock Lycanroc Dusk’s Accelrock are prime examples. Resorting to naturally faster Scarf users like Revavroom, Kleavor, and Hisuian Zoroark can also stop Scarf Gardevoir before it inflicts too much damage.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Evolve Kirlia
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
Colosseum/XD:
Evolve Kirlia (XD)
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Evolve Kirlia
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Kirlia
Black/White:
Evolve Kirlia (White)
Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Kirlia
X/Y:
Evolve Kirlia
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Evolve Kirlia
Sun/Moon:
Trade from Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Evolve Kirlia
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Dusty Bowl, Lake of Outrage, Rolling Fields, Forest of Focus, Training Lowlands
Max Raid Battles: Bridge Field, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, Rolling Fields, Stony Wilderness, Watchtower Ruins, Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Forest of Focus, Challenge Beach, Training Lowlands, Stepping-Stone Sea, Insular Sea
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Evolve Kirlia
Legends: Arceus:
Alabaster Icelands: Heart's Crag or nearby, Massive Mass Outbreak
Scarlet/Violet:
Glaseado Mountain, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods
Tera Raid Battles: 5 Star Raid Battles, 6 Star Raid Battles
Anime Appearences
