[Overview]
When one first sees Zamazenta's well-rounded stats, it may look like an excellent Choice item user; however, Zamazenta is unfortunately hindered by a poor typing and an even worse movepool. Despite having several serviceable coverage moves, Zamazenta can't piece them together in any threatening combination. Therefore, it can't consistently break through defensive cores using common Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Necrozma-DM, and Zygarde-C. Zamazenta's STAB Close Combat also has low PP, which common physical walls such as Xerneas, Zygarde-C, Necrozma-DM, and Eternatus easily exploit. Despite Dauntless Shield and high stats, Zamazenta is paradoxically fragile and struggles to find defensive utility. Lacking reliable recovery or other support options, it cannot take repeated hits from common physical attackers such as Zekrom, Groudon, and Marshadow. Other Choice item users such as Dracovish, Calyrex-I, and Urshifu-S should be considered long before Zamazenta.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Psychic Fangs
move 4: Wild Charge / Iron Head / Ice Fang
item: Choice Band
ability: Dauntless Shield
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
The idea behind this set is pretty straightforward: do as much damage as possible each time Zamazenta can get in. Crunch beats Ghost-types, including Lunala and Calyrex-S, and Psychic Fangs offers a solid answer to Poison-types like Eternatus and Toxapex. The last moveslot depends on what the team needs : Wild Charge is used for Ho-Oh, Iron Head hits Xerneas hard, and Ice Fang pressures Zygarde-C. With great base 138 Speed, Zamazenta is only outsped by Jolly Marshadow, Calyrex-S, offensive Eternatus, and the rare Regieleki and Pheromosa. With a Jolly nature, Zamazenta outspeeds all variants of Marshadow and Eternatus, but an Adamant nature allows it to break through defensive Necrozma-DM more consistently, as well as always 2HKOing physically defensive Eternatus and Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage. While it does have Dauntless Shield, Zamazenta remains fragile, and it should be brought in with a slow pivot or on a non-damaging move. Also, despite it resisting Dark, you should be wary of switching Zamazenta in on Yveltal, since Knock Off cripples it.
Because it struggles to break through physical walls, entry hazard support is invaluable for Zamazenta. Spikes is especially good, since premier physical walls such as Zygarde-C and Necrozma-DM resist Stealth Rock. Ferrothorn, Necrozma-DM, and Eternatus are all great hazard setters, being able to switch into threats that Zamazenta cannot handle like opposing Ferrothorn, Necrozma-DM and Choice Scarf Kyogre. Strong special attackers such as Kyogre, Calyrex-S, and Eternatus also help pressure Zygarde-C and Necrozma-DM. Eternatus, notably, can also spread poison to Zygarde-C. Finally, because it is very weak to status, clerics such as Blissey and Calyrex-S support Zamazenta well. The former is able to tank special hits that Zamazenta cannot handle, and the latter provides great specially offensive pressure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Zamazenta does not have any other viable options.
Checks and Counters
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**Physical Walls**: Without proper coverage and prediction, Zamazenta fails to break through common walls like Ho-Oh, Necrozma-DM, and Zygarde-C. Note that these Pokemon can also cripple Zamazenta with a status move. Further, bulky setup sweepers such as Groudon and Buzzwole can use Zamazenta as setup fodder.
**Pivots**: Bulky Pokemon such as Toxapex and Ho-Oh can scout Zamazenta, as it fails to OHKO them. They can then heal off the damage they have taken with Regenerator or Recover and switch into another threat.
**Status**: Zamazenta hates status. Burn from Toxapex's Scald or Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire negates all damage it may do, paralysis from Zygarde-C's Glare or Ho-Oh's Thunder Wave ruins its great Speed, and poison from Eternatus's Toxic or Toxic Spikes greatly reduces its switch-in opportunities.
**Eternatus**: While it does not want to switch into a Psychic Fangs, Eternatus doesn't mind any of Zamazenta's other moves. Moreover, its Pressure quickly depletes Close Combat's PP. Dynamax Cannon, even from a defensive variant, can chunk Zamazenta. Eternatus can also poison Zamazenta with Toxic or Toxic Spikes, which puts it on timer.
**Xerneas**: Xerneas's great bulk allows it to ignore any attacks coming from Zamazenta bar Iron Head. It can OHKO Zamazenta with its STAB Moonblast. Finally, Geomancy Xerneas can use Zamazenta as setup fodder.
**Faster Pokemon**: Calyrex-S and Choice Scarf Kyogre can threaten Zamazenta with their STAB moves. However, they cannot switch into it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Eledyr, 415367]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aberforth, 249382], [Minority, 222996]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Rabia, 336073]]
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