What Is Gyarados’s Best State? Gyarados is one of the most iconic Pokémon in the world of Pokémon, often remembered for its dramatic transformation from a harmless Magikarp to a fearsome water-and-flying-type creature. Known for its immense power, this Pokémon can dominate in battles when trained correctly. However, to get the best out of Gyarados, you need to know which state it excels in, depending on the scenario, environment, and moveset. In this guide, we’ll explore what is considered Gyarados’s best state in terms of stats, abilities, and forms for competitive play, raids, and more.
Understanding Gyarados’s Stats
Before diving into the best state for Gyarados, it’s crucial to understand its core stats and abilities. Gyarados’s stats include:
- Attack (125): Gyarados shines in its physical attack stat, making it a heavy hitter in battles.
- Defense (79): While not its strongest stat, Gyarados’s defense can still hold its ground against many opponents.
- Special Attack (60): This stat is relatively low, so players usually focus on physical moves for Gyarados.
- Special Defense (100): Gyarados has decent special defense, making it able to withstand special attacks from opposing Pokémon.
- Speed (81): It’s not the fastest Pokémon, but with proper strategy and moves like Dragon Dance, Gyarados can boost its speed effectively.
Now that we’ve broken down Gyarados’s core stats, let’s explore the scenarios where Gyarados can truly shine.
What Is Gyarados’s Best State?
Best State in Competitive Battling
In the world of competitive Pokémon battles, Gyarados is often seen as a top-tier contender. Its best state is when it plays the role of a physical sweeper. By using moves like Dragon Dance, which boosts both attack and speed, Gyarados can quickly overpower its opponents. Here’s how to set up Gyarados in its optimal state for competitive play:
- Nature: Adamant (boosts Attack while lowering Special Attack) or Jolly (boosts Speed while lowering Special Attack) are the best natures.
- EV Spread: Maximize Attack and Speed EVs to make Gyarados a fast and hard-hitting physical attacker. A 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 Special Defense spread is common.
- Ability: Gyarados’s Intimidate ability is often the best choice as it lowers the Attack of the opponent, giving Gyarados extra bulk against physical attackers.
- Moveset:
- Dragon Dance: Increases Gyarados’s Attack and Speed, making it lethal after a few uses.
- Waterfall: A reliable physical Water-type STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move that has a chance to flinch the opponent.
- Earthquake: Covers Electric-types, which are Gyarados’s primary weakness.
- Bounce: A Flying-type STAB move that also grants invulnerability for one turn and has a chance to paralyze.
In this setup, Gyarados’s best state is as a Dragon Dance physical sweeper. After just one or two boosts, it can outpace many threats and deal significant damage.
Best State in Raids (Pokémon GO)
Gyarados is also a fan favorite in Pokémon GO, where its strengths lie in high-damage raids against Legendary Pokémon and other tough foes. For raids, Gyarados’s best state revolves around utilizing its Water-type moves, especially if the raid boss is weak to Water.
Moveset for Raids:
- Waterfall: Fast, consistent damage as Gyarados’s primary fast move.
- Hydro Pump or Crunch: Hydro Pump provides high Water-type damage, while Crunch is useful for Psychic- or Ghost-type raid bosses.
In raids, Gyarados’s best state maximizes its Water-type moves. Players should focus on powering up a Gyarados with high IVs and investing Stardust and Candies to raise its combat power (CP).
Best State with Mega Evolution
When it comes to maximizing Gyarados’s potential, Mega Evolution introduces a whole new level of power. Upon Mega Evolving, Gyarados gains the Dark typing, changing from Water/Flying to Water/Dark. This change gives it additional STAB moves (Same Type Attack Bonus) and more defensive utility. Mega Gyarados becomes a tanky powerhouse with even higher attack and improved bulk.
Mega Gyarados Stats:
- Attack: 155
- Defense: 109
- Special Defense: 130
In its Mega Evolution state, Gyarados’s best role is a physical attacker with more bulk and a wider range of coverage moves. Its Dark-typing removes the 4x weakness to Electric-type moves, making it more durable in battles.
Best Moves for Mega Gyarados:
- Dragon Dance: As with regular Gyarados, this move allows Mega Gyarados to boost its attack and speed.
- Waterfall: STAB Water move, dealing consistent damage.
- Crunch: STAB Dark-type move, which takes advantage of Gyarados’s new type.
- Earthquake: Provides coverage against Electric-types.
In this state, Mega Gyarados can handle a wider range of threats and serve as a late-game sweeper after setting up with Dragon Dance.
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Gyarados’s Best Role in Double Battles
In double battles, Gyarados can also excel, but its best state requires a bit of support. The Intimidate ability is especially valuable in this format since it affects both opposing Pokémon at once, lowering their physical attack stats. Pair Gyarados with a Pokémon that can set up Tailwind (to increase speed) or a Pokémon that can take care of Electric-type threats.
Suggested Moveset:
- Waterfall: STAB move with flinch chance.
- Dragon Dance: Boosts speed and attack, preparing Gyarados to sweep.
- Protect: In doubles, this move allows Gyarados to avoid incoming damage while its partner sets up.
- Earthquake or Bounce: Depending on the team composition and matchups, Earthquake is good for Electric-types, while Bounce provides a Flying-type attack.
In doubles, Gyarados’s best state is as a physical attacker with support from its team. Intimidate adds value, making Gyarados and its partner more durable against physical hits.
Best State Against Type Weaknesses
One important factor when considering Gyarados’s best state is its weaknesses. Gyarados is primarily weak to Electric-type moves, which deal 4x damage due to its Water/Flying typing. This is something trainers must account for when using Gyarados in battles. The best state for Gyarados against its weaknesses is one where it can avoid or counter these Electric-type attacks:
- Pair with Ground-type Pokémon: Ground types, such as Garchomp or Excadrill, can absorb Electric-type moves and remove the threat from Gyarados.
- Use Support Moves: Moves like Substitute or Protect can help Gyarados avoid dangerous Electric-type moves while setting up with Dragon Dance.
Conclusion
Gyarados’s best state largely depends on the context in which you are using it. In competitive play, Gyarados shines as a physical sweeper after setting up Dragon Dance. In raids and Pokémon GO, its best state involves maximizing Water-type moves like Waterfall and Hydro Pump. When Mega Evolving, Gyarados reaches new heights, gaining the Dark typing and boosting its stats significantly. No matter the scenario, Gyarados is a powerful Pokémon that can excel when trained and used correctly.
