Gallade Potential Moveset
I was looking at the potential moves Gallade can learn in the main games to try and determine his potential moves in GO, so:
Fast Moves:
-Psychic: Psycho Cut / Confusion
-Fighting: Low Kick*
Charge Moves:
-Psychic: Psychic / Furure Sight / Psyshock
-Fighting: Focus Blast / Close Combat / Brick Break / Low Sweep
* Current fighting-type fast moves are: Counter, Karate Chop, *Low Kick*, and Rock Smash.
Fighting-Type moves learned by Gallade that are not in GO: Drain Punch / Focus Punch.
Drain Punch or Focus Punch could make Gallade pretty good, but the fast moves leave much to be desired unless things are changed. I’m wondering if it will be better used as a Psychic-type, particularly against Machamp raids. Resisting fighting-type moves while dealing STAB SE damage.
Of course this is all speculation, we never know what Niantic will do.
Answers
Compared to Espeon, Gallade has no defensive type advantage against Machamp, they both single resist fighting and are neutral to steel. The differences in resistances and weaknesses don't actually look that relevant to me, Gallade trades weaknesses to dark and bug to flying and fairy and additionally resists rock.
Gallade should only be used as a fighting type. It’s attack is too low for a psychic user. Just like Gardevoir, I hoped would get a quick fairy move in the future, is only a good fairy type. With Mewtwo being the best psychic attacker in all generations, and Alakazam and Espeon being as good as they are, we don’t need any more psychic attackers.
Machamp being as good as it is, the only reason we need something better is to take down Blissey better. Gallade with great moves would be a contender, resisting psychic moves and having more bulk and slightly more attack.
