Zneon
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[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Roost
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Defog
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Static
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 188 Def / 72 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos’s typing, bulk, and reliable recovery all make it a solid defensive presence, being able to check Pokemon like Corviknight, Mega Lopunny, Kartana, and Mega Gyarados on a consistent basis. Discharge is great due to its good paralysis chance, allowing it to cripple Pokemon like Kyurem and Tyranitar. Heat Wave allows Zapdos to threaten Rillaboom, Kartana, Mega Scizor, and especially Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice can consistently threaten Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Gliscor, which would otherwise stuff out Zapdos; however, Defog can be used over it to remove entry hazards against Pokemon like Ferrothorn. Unfortunately, Zapdos has a very poor matchup against many other hazard setters in the tier, most notably Mega Tyranitar and the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp, making it somewhat unreliable as a hazard remover. Static is preferred over Pressure to potentially cripple offensive threats like Mega Lopunny, Mega Gyarados, and Mega Mawile. The EV spread shown allows Zapdos to outspeed Modest Heatran.
Zapdos fits on many team archetypes as a solid defensive presence. It has a pretty bad matchup against the best hazard setters in the metagame such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, so checks to them such as Ice Beam Slowbro and Mega Latias, bulky Kartana, and Tapu Fini are very valuable partners. Zapdos especially has a poor matchup versus Heatran, as it can easily force out Zapdos using Magma Storm and Toxic, giving it an opportunity to set up Stealth Rock. Because of this, checks to Heatran such as Gliscor, Garchomp, and Gastrodon are necessary teammates for Zapdos. Wallbreakers that heavily appreciate Zapdos's paralysis support such as Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham are good partners for it as well.
[SET]
name: Rain Offensive
move 1: Thunder
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Weather Ball
move 4: Roost
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Static
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 108 SpA / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zapdos is a great choice on rain teams, as it provides a buffer against Pokemon like Kartana and Rillaboom while still exerting a great amount of offensive pressure. Weather Ball allows Zapdos to hit Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and especially Heatran super effectively in rain. Roost gives it longevity and allows it to consistently check Pokemon that rain struggles with such as Tangrowth, Kartana, and Rillaboom. The EV spread allows Zapdos to 2HKO Garchomp with Hurricane even without entry hazards up, and the Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Kommo-o and Adamant Mega Medicham, whilst the HP allows Zapdos to check the Pokemon it needs to more efficiently.
Pelipper is a crucial partner for Zapdos, as its rain makes Zapdos's otherwise unreliable STAB moves have perfect accuracy and turns Weather Ball into a Water-type move, letting Zapdos more consistently pressure Pokemon such as Heatran, Garchomp, and Clefable. Zapdos pairs very well with Ferrothorn, as Ferrothorn’s Spikes support makes it harder for Pokemon such as opposing Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Heatran to switch into Zapdos. Additionally, Mega Swampert, Manaphy, and Ash-Greninja heavily benefit from Zapdos resisting Grass and removing Grass-types with Hurricane. Mega Swampert works particularly well, as it is able to overwhelm Pokemon Zapdos struggles with such as Blissey, Mega Tyranitar, and Tyranitar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volt Switch can be used over Discharge to get out of disadvantageous positions while also providing momentum for teammates; however, it makes it harder for Zapdos to beat Pokemon such as Corviknight, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex. Pressure can be used over Static on stall teams to PP stall entry hazards from Clefable, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory for example, but it is very team specific. Thunderbolt can also be used on stall for its significantly lower paralysis chance, since full paralysis can hinder PP stalling, and higher PP. If Zapdos is using Defog over Hidden Power Ice, Hurricane can replace Heat Wave, as it threatens Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor; however, Zapdos loses its ability to heavily damage Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Pokemon like Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Mega Swampert can easily take advantage of Zapdos and force it out, as they can wear it down with Toxic or overwhelm it.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types like Kyurem and Weavile are very problematic for Zapdos, as they can easily KO it. However, neither likes to switch into it, as Kyurem can be crippled with a Discharge paralysis and Weavile falls to two Heat Waves.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off users that Zapdos would otherwise switch into such as Toxapex, Kartana, Rillaboom, and Ferrothorn can remove its Heavy-Duty Boots, potentially making it much less effective and efficient.
**Rock-type Pokemon and Coverage**:Mega Tyranitar and Tyranitar not only take miniscule damage from Zapdos but can force it out by threatening a KO with Stone Edge, so they can easily either set up Stealth Rock or Pursuit trap Zapdos. Additionally, Landorus-T and Garchomp can often force Zapdos out with Continental Crush.
**Blissey and Chansey**: Blissey and Chansey are not threatened in the slightest by Zapdos, especially given their reliable recovery, and freely spread Toxic. Furthermore, Blissey can use Zapdos for momentum for its teammates through Teleport.
**Dragon-types**: Kommo-o, Mega Latias, and Hydreigon aren't threatened by Zapdos's attacks and can use it as entry hazard or setup fodder; however, the latter two do not enjoy a Discharge paralysis.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[Sputnik, 475916], [Guard, 360582], [Solaros & Lunaris, 471780], [Aurodian, 483087]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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