<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you&rsquo;re looking to dominate the waters in Pok&eacute;mon Legends: Z-A, Mega Gyarados is one of the most reliable heavy-hitters you can bring into battle. Known for its sheer power and intimidating presence, this Water/Dark type can turn the tide of any encounter when built for maximum effectiveness. In this guide, I&rsquo;ll break down how to optimize Mega Gyarados for waterfall-centered strategies while sharing some insights for trainers at all levels.



<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why Mega Gyarados?<br data-start="620" data-end="623" /> Mega Gyarados offers a tremendous boost in attack stats, making its Water-type moves exceptionally potent. With Waterfall as a core move, it can hit hard against both wild encounters and other players, especially in areas where strong Water-types are common. Its Dark typing adds a strategic advantage against Psychic and Ghost Pok&eacute;mon, giving it a versatile role in any party.



<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Optimal Build for Waterfall Domination



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Nature and EV Spread:

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Focus on an Adamant or Jolly nature to maximize physical damage output.

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Allocate EVs primarily into Attack and Speed. While Gyarados is bulky, your goal with this build is to strike hard and fast.

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Moveset:

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Waterfall: Your main attack. With Mega Evolution, Waterfall gains extra power and a high chance to flinch opponents, perfect for controlling battles.

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Crunch: Covers Psychic and Ghost threats effectively.

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Ice Fang: Provides coverage against Grass and Dragon types that resist Water.

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Dragon Dance: Boost your Attack and Speed mid-battle, allowing Gyarados to sweep teams.

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Held Items:

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Gyarados benefits most from a Gyaradosite for Mega Evolution.

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Optional support items include Leftovers for sustained battles or Choice Band if you prefer raw offensive power.

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<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Battle Strategy<br data-start="1959" data-end="1962" /> Start by using Dragon Dance to set up if your opponent hasn&rsquo;t built momentum yet. Waterfall should be your primary attack choice, as the flinch chance is particularly useful against opponents with lower Speed. Crunch and Ice Fang are your coverage tools to handle any types that resist Water. This combination ensures Mega Gyarados is a force in both PvE and PvP encounters.



<p style="font-family: Consolas, monospace; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Extra Tips for Trainers<br data-start="2367" data-end="2370" /> While building the perfect Mega Gyarados, you may want to expand your team with rare or shiny Pok&eacute;mon. Many trainers look for ways to buy shiny Pok&eacute;mon or find cheap Legends ZA Pok&eacute;mon to strengthen their lineup efficiently. Sites like U4GM provide resources for acquiring rare Pok&eacute;mon safely and quickly, which can save time for those focused on competitive play.



<p style="color: #000000; font-family: Consolas, monospace; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">In summary, Mega Gyarados with a Waterfall-focused build is an exceptional asset in Pok&eacute;mon Legends: Z-A. With the right setup, careful EV investment, and smart move selection, it can dominate battles and sweep through opponents like a true water titan. For trainers seeking to optimize their teams, combining this powerhouse with rare or shiny Pok&eacute;mon will make your lineup even more formidable.