Is Gardevoir Viable in Gen 8 OU?

Question

I have heard some mixed messages about its viability. Some people say that it is a really good Psychic type with good stats, and others say it's not. Here is the moveset I might use:

1. Psychic
2. Shadow Ball
3. Light Screen / Double Team
4. Energy Ball

Comments

First, why is this flagged?
Second, Gastrodon is in the NU tier but is viable in OU. So tiers and viability are often not the same thing.

---

I don't know why it is flagged. thanks I guess I won't use gardivoir then.

---

@PrimalKyorge Gardevoir isn't in Gen 8 NU, but Gen 8 RU. It probably doesn't have an impact on whether or not Gardevoir is viable in Gen 8 OU.

---

I meant to post that comment on another question. I don't know how sleep-deprived I was when I accidentally posted it here.

---

Oh ok, sorry

Answer 1

Probably not.

As mentioned before, Gardevoir is in RU currently. This should be a pretty big indicator that Gardevoir probably isn't viable in OU.

This is Gardevoir's recommended set from Smogon.

Gardevoir @ Choice Specs
Nature: Timid
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
-Moonblast
-Psyshock
-Shadow Ball
-Mystical Fire

Using this set (generally accepted to be Gardevoir's best set) Gardevoir is destroyed by some very common attackers. (For all of these calcs, I'm using the most common sets.)

252+ Atk Excadrill Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gardevoir: 420-494 (151.6 - 178.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO. (This Excadrill has Leftovers)

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gardevoir: 288-342 (103.9 - 123.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO.

However, Gardevoir does have some wallbreaking potential.

252 SpA Choice Specs Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 246-291 (62.4 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Gardevoir Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 224-266 (73.6 - 87.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery.

Even if these seem underwhelming, a lot of special attackers can't boast the same.

Gardevoir should be used as a wallbreaker and only be switched into a resisted attack or a Pokemon that is Choice locked. It best fits on offensive builds that benefit from Gardevoir's ability to break past bulky offense teams.

Basically, Gardevoir can be good and function well, but it's niche and outclassed.

Sources:
Smogon article on Gardevoir
Pikalytics Gen 8 OU
Pikalytics Damage Calculator

Comments

You forgot that Tapu Lele is now a thing

---

I said Gardevoir is outclassed.

---

That's true. But yeah, you should probably mention that anything Gardevoir can do, Tapu Lele can do it the same or even better. I honestly don't think the 'can be good' part holds true anymore especially since Gardevoir no longer has her mega

---

Thanks for your answer

---

Glad I could help