Mega Gallade serves two distinct purposes: it’s a high-powered physical attacker immune to two of the most common doubles disruption tools — Fake OutFake OutmoveA +3 priority Normal-type move that does small damage and forces the target to flinch — only usable on the user's first turn out.Click to read more → (which normally flinches) and IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more → (which normally drops Attack). These two tools together normally force a switch or weaken a physical attacker. Mega Gallade ignores both.
At 165 base Attack, Mega Gallade hits extremely hard. Close Combat (Fighting STABSTABmechanicSame-Type Attack Bonus: a move deals ×1.5 damage when its type matches one of the user's types.Click to read more →, 120 base power) and Psycho Cut (Psychic STAB) are its primary options. Swords DanceSwords DancemoveA Normal-type move that sharply raises Attack by two stages — doubling it in one turn.Click to read more → doubles Attack when it gets a setup turn.
Fake Out immunity interaction
Fake Out is a +2 priority move that deals chip damage and flinches. Normally, it forces physical attackers to waste a turn on the turn they enter. Mega Gallade is immune to the flinch effect, so Fake Out just deals chip damage — Gallade still attacks that turn.
Psychic/Fighting offensive coverage
Psychic hits Poison and Fighting for 2×. Fighting hits Normal, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Dark for 2×. Together these two types cover an enormous portion of the meta. Ghost is the main immunity (immune to both Fighting and Normal, and Psychic is hit for 2×).
What stops it
- Ghost-type moves — Ghost hits Psychic for 2×. Ghost types are also immune to Fighting. Gengar and Dragapult counter Mega Gallade.
- Fairy-type moves — Fairy hits Fighting for 2×. Togekiss and Gardevoir threaten with Moonblast.
- Flying-type moves — Flying hits Fighting for 2×. Tornadus and Talonflame are common threats.