Ready to unleash one of the most elegant fighters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Gallade, the Blade Pokémon, combines devastating physical attacks with impressive Mega Evolution potential. This Gen IV Psychic/Fighting-type becomes an absolute powerhouse when built correctly. Let’s dive into the optimal setup!
okémon Legends Z-A: Gallade Stats Comparison
| Stat | Base Gallade | Mega Gallade | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 68 | 68 | — |
| Attack | 125 | 165 | +40 ⚔️ |
| Defense | 65 | 95 | +30 |
| Sp. Attack | 65 | 65 | — |
| Sp. Defense | 115 | 115 | — |
| Speed | 80 | 110 | +30 🏃 |
Mega Gallade’s Attack skyrockets to an incredible 165, making it one of the hardest-hitting physical attackers in Legends Z-A. The Speed boost to 110 ensures you’ll outpace most opponents too!
Optimal Moveset for Gallade
The Perfect Four-Move Strategy
| Move | Type | Power | How to Obtain | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swords Dance | Normal | — | TM (Various locations) | Attack amplification |
| Psycho Cut | Psychic | 70 | Level-up (Natural) | Primary STAB |
| Close Combat | Fighting | 120 | Level-up (Natural) | Secondary STAB |
| Night Slash | Dark | 70 | Level-up/TM | Ghost-type coverage |
Move Strategy Breakdown
Swords Dance – Your setup move that transforms Gallade from dangerous to unstoppable. As is the case with most physical attackers in Legends Z-A, this move significantly increases Attack, improving damage output dramatically. After one Swords Dance, Mega Gallade becomes nearly impossible to stop.
Psycho Cut – Your reliable Psychic-type STAB move. With high critical-hit ratio and solid base power, Psycho Cut consistently delivers against Fighting and Poison-types. The move’s energy efficiency in the real-time battle system makes it perfect for sustained fights.
Close Combat – Your nuclear option. This Fighting-type powerhouse deals 120 base damage with STAB bonus, obliterating Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark-types. While it lowers your defenses, Gallade’s Speed ensures you’ll strike first, making the drawback manageable.
Night Slash – Essential coverage against Ghost-types, who can prove to be one of the strongest counters to Gallade. This Dark-type move also has increased critical-hit ratio, synergizing perfectly with Gallade’s offensive playstyle.
Best Nature: Jolly
While Gallade already boasts impressive Attack (125 base, 165 Mega), the Jolly Nature (+Speed, -Special Attack) maximizes its sweeping potential by boosting Speed. This allows even base Gallade to outpace threats before Mega Evolving, and pushes Mega Gallade’s Speed to incredible heights.
How to Get Jolly Mint
Visit the vendor at Vert Sector 6 in Lumiose City to purchase the Jolly Mint. Nature mints are essential for competitive optimization, so stock up for your entire team!
Evolution Path & Galladite Location
Getting Your Gallade
Gallade has a specific evolution requirement:
- Ralts → Evolves into Kirlia at Level 20
- Male Kirlia → Evolves into Gallade when exposed to a Dawn Stone
Important: Only male Kirlia can become Gallade! Female Kirlia evolve into Gardevoir instead.
Mega Evolution Setup
To unlock Mega Gallade’s full potential, you’ll need Galladite, available for purchase at Quasartico Inc. for 240 Mega Shards. Start collecting Mega Shards early by completing Z-A Royale battles and exploration challenges.
Why Gallade Dominates in Legends Z-A
Gallade’s Psychic/Fighting typing provides excellent offensive coverage throughout Lumiose City. The real-time battle system favors Pokémon with:
- High critical-hit moves (Psycho Cut, Night Slash)
- Powerful finishing blows (Close Combat)
- Setup potential (Swords Dance)
Gallade checks all these boxes, making it invaluable for both story progression and competitive ranked battles.
Team Synergy Tips
Gallade pairs exceptionally well with:
- Flying-types to handle Fighting weaknesses
- Dark-types to counter Ghost and Psychic threats
- Support Pokémon that can set up entry hazards
For comprehensive team-building strategies, explore our Pokémon Legends Z-A competitive guide and discover how to build balanced teams that dominate the Z-A Royale meta.
Alternative Move Considerations
Depending on your team needs, consider these alternatives:
- Leaf Blade – Excellent against Water, Ground, and Rock-types
- Thunder Punch – Covers Flying and Water-type threats
- Shadow Sneak – Priority move for finishing weakened opponents
Want to master all aspects of Gallade’s kit? Check out our advanced battle tactics section for frame-perfect timing strategies in the real-time combat system!
Mega Gallade in Competitive Play
Mega Gallade’s 165 Attack and 110 Speed make it a top-tier sweeper in ranked battles. The Jolly nature ensures you outspeed common threats like Greninja and Talonflame, while Swords Dance turns you into a one-Pokémon wrecking crew.
Pro tip: Save your Mega Evolution for crucial moments when you need to break through defensive cores or sweep weakened teams.
*Looking for more Pokémon Legends Z-A guides? Visit TechnoSports for expert strategies, Pokédex entries, and daily updates on mastering Lumiose City’s challenge
FAQs
Q: Can female Kirlia evolve into Gallade in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
A: No, only male Kirlia can evolve into Gallade using a Dawn Stone. Female Kirlia will always evolve into Gardevoir regardless of the evolutionary item used. Make sure to check your Kirlia’s gender before using your Dawn Stone!
Q: Is Gallade or Gardevoir better in Legends Z-A?
A: It depends on your team composition. Gallade excels as a physical sweeper with superior Attack and Speed, particularly after Mega Evolution. Gardevoir shines as a special attacker with better Special Attack and diverse move coverage. For physical-oriented teams, Gallade is generally the stronger choice, especially with access to powerful Fighting-type STAB moves like Close Combat.
