[OVERVIEW]
Although Zapdos didn't gain any notable new tools with the addition of Tradebacks, its still just as terrifying as it is in standard OU. Being the best Electric-type in the game thanks to its powerful STAB Thunderbolt, Drill Peck and good mixed bulk. It also has access to Agility to let it outspeed faster foes and ignore the Speed drop from paralysis, letting it sweep effectively even if paralyzed. Only a scant few Pokemon can face Zapdos head to head and come out on top. Even if Zapdos does get taken down, it usually ends up taking one or more foes down with it, severly incapacitating the enemy team.
However, Zapdos is utterly helpless vs Rhydon and Golem, doing next to nothing to them as they threaten to 2HKO it with Rock Slide in return. Zapdos also needs the support of its team to paralyze and chip most foes beforehand so that it can effectively sweep.
[SET]
name: Mixed Agility Sweeper
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Drill Peck
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Agility
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Thunderbolt is Zapdos' strongest STAB move against most foes, having a 23.3% chance to OHKO Cloyster, 2HKOing Starmie, Slowbro Lapras, and being favored to 2HKO Persian, 3HKOing Tauros and Jynx, and having an 18.6% chance to 3HKO Snorlax. It also does good damage to other foes such as Hypno, Jynx, and Alakazam, although Drill Peck does more damage than Thunderbolt to the latter two. Drill Peck hits Exeggutor for supereffective damage and does good damage to physically frailer foes, 2HKOing Exeggutor 47.1% of the time, 3HKOing, Alakazam, Gengar, Jynx, and having a 76.2% chance to 3HKO Chansey. Thunder Wave lets Zapdos paralyze potential switchins such as Alakazam and Chansey. It also lets it force paralysis onto faster foes that usually dislike taking paralysis, such as Tauros and the aformentioned Alakazam, as foes slower than Zapdos risk getting crit or fully paralyzed. Agility lets Zapdos become a threat to behold, with a +2 Zapdos outspeeding every single foe. It also lets Zapdos ignore the Speed drop from paralysis, which it typically ends up taking.
Zapdos should generally be played as a lategame sweeper and finisher, as its amazing at finishing off foes that have been paralyzed and chipped beforehand. Pokemon such as Alakazam, Chansey, and Snorlax threaten to stop Zapdos from sweeping if healthy. Rhydon and Golem need to be eliminated before Zapdos can effectively sweep, as if the enemy team has one of them it accomplishes nothing, Zapdos should generally also be kept hidden from the foe until Rhydon or Golem has been scouted for. However, that doesnt mean Zapdos cant be used in the early or mid-game, as it can punch a major hole in the enemy team and paralyze many key foes that would otherwise attempt to steer clear of paralysis, such as Alakazam, Starmie, and Tauros.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest can be used in place of Agility to help Zapdos be more of a lasting presence throughout the game, being able to recover off stray hits and paralysis. However, Zapdos is quite exploitable while resting as it lets in foes such as Tauros, Alakazam, and Snorlax. Thunder can be used in place of Thunderbolt as it OHKOes Cloyster, has a 69.2% chance to OHKO Starmie, 2HKOes Tauros, and 3HKOes Snorlax. However, its lower PP and 70% accuracy make it quite unreliable. Reflect or Light Screen can be used in place of Agility or Thunder Wave to let Zapdos tank physical or special hits. However, due to Zapdos' lack of recovery outside of Rest it finds it hard to take full advantage of the defensive boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rhydon and Golem**: Zapdos is utterly helpless infront of Rhydon and Golem, with them being immune to Thunderbolt and Thunder Wave and taking next to nothing from Drill Peck as they threaten to 2HKO Zapdos with Rock Slide in return.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Jolteon resist both of Zapdos's attacking moves and threaten it back with Thunderbolt, although unlike Ground-types they can be paralyzed.
**Sandslash**: Sandslash is immune to Thunderbolt and Thunder Wave and its Substitute isnt broken by Zapdos' Drill Peck, letting it set up for free, with a +2 Rock Slide 2HKOing Zapdos. However, Sandslash takes 41.9% minimum from a crit Drill Peck.
**Chansey**: Chansey can comfortably take one Zapdos Drill Peck and recover off the damage immediatly after, and threatens Zapdos with a 3HKO from Ice Beam and a 4HKO from Seismic Toss. However, Chansey risks getting fully paralyzed or crit while attempting to do so.
**Explosion**: Pokemon with access to Explosion or Self-Destruct such as Snorlax and Exeggutor can put Zapdos into KO range of revenge killers such as Tauros and Alakazam.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/notverycake.625260/
Quality checked by:
Grammer checked by:
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