“Choiced” Gardevoir

Gardevoir is a third generation Pokémon that was made relevant again in Pokémon X and Y, with the introduction of a Mega Evolution. However, Gardevoir is most efficient when it holds a Choice item instead of a Mega Stone; either a Choice Scarf or the Choice Specs. These items boost a stat by 50% with the cost of only being able to choose a move once. After your initial decision, you can only use the move you chose on the first turn. Mega Gardevoir is one of the less useful Mega Evolutions in the game. The stats are sub par for a Mega, especially the lacking base 100 speed and no bulk to speak of. The Ability Pixilate would be decent if Gardevoir learned any good Normal-type special attacks. The only viable option for a Pixilate boost is Hyper Voice, and even that isn’t that good. Using a Choice item (either the Scarf to boost Speed, or the Specs to boost Special Attack) gives you better stats than Mega Gardevoir right off the bat, and on top of that, a Choiced Gardevoir doesn’t take up the Mega slot on your team. With moves like Psyshock, Moonblast, and Thunderbolt, Gardevoir has very good type coverage. Its Special Attack stat is very good to begin with, and can be even better when boosted by the Choice Specs. Its Ability Trace, which copies the opponent’s Ability, can be very powerful, especially if you switch in on something like a Mega Kangaskhan that has a very overpowered Ability itself.

Strategy

Gardevoir can be essentially used at any time during the battle to eradicate a particularly threatening opponent. As mentioned before. if you can switch Gardevoir in against an opponent with a powerful ability such as Intimidate, Parental Bond, or even Speed Boost, that would be ideal. However, this is not entirely necessary for Gardevoir to succeed. Once Gardevoir has switched in, use the move that you think will do the most damage. Be careful, a lot of prediction must go into this decision. If you use Psyshock, but your opponent switches into a Dark type, then you will be at a large disadvantage. You have to take a chance, and try to guess your opponent’s next move. When in doubt, go for the safest play, which will often be Moonblast. While Gardevoir’s other three moves have no effect on a certain type, Moonblast doesn’t have this kind of problem. Gardevoir may be able to stay in for a little while, and possibly take out multiple Pokemon, but as soon as it becomes ineffective, it should be switched out.

Things to Watch Out For

1. Dark, Normal and Ground types. These Pokemon all have immunities to one of Gardevoir’s moves. If you know your opponent has one of these types on their team, avoid using the move they are immune to.
2. Special Walls. These Pokemon can easily take a hit from Gardevoir due to their high Sp. Def, and are better dealt with by using a physical attacker.
3. Bullet Punch. This move is a priority Steel-type attack, so no matter how fast your Gardevoir is, Bullet Punch will go first, and most likely do a ton of damage. Pokémon that normally carry this move are Scizor, Metagross, and Lucario.

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