Zekrom [ QC 2/3 ] (Not ready for 3rd check)

[EsojestMort]

This is my first analysis, input is very welcome, especially considering the order sets are listed.

"How do you like the powerful form of the Pokémon who appears before and fights beside the hero that will lead the way to a new world?" - N

Overview
########

Bursting out of Unova's lightning clouds, Zekrom enters the X/Y metagame to assist those who want to build an ideal world, a world inhabitable for the legendary birds of Ubers. With its physical STAB moves and a sky-high attack stat to back them up, Zekrom is able to serve as a check to many of Ubers' biggest threats when equipped with a Choice Scarf, including but not limited to Ho-Oh, Yveltal, Lugia, Kyogre and Mewtwo. Unlike most dragons in the tier, the advent of Fairy-types was not as bad for Zekrom, as neither of them enjoy taking its STAB Bolt Strike on the switch. Zekrom can also run mixed sets very well, able to lure in some of its usual checks and smack them with special attacks. Futhermore, it has some utility moves like Volt Switch, Dragon Tail, Substitute and Tailwind in its movepool to take advantage of the many switches it forces. Being immune to paralysis only further enhances its ability to clean up weakened teams late game. The slower nature of the X/Y metagame also gives Zekrom many more opportunities to come in and do its job. That being said, Zekrom does have its downfalls: Base 90 speed is still amongst the slowest Pokemon in Ubers and Zekrom will often have to rely on a Choice Scarf to patch up its speed. Being choice-locked into either of its STABs can be a huge disadvantage, since there are immunities to both of them now in Ground and Fairy. For a physically-oriented dragon it's also a shame Zekrom doesn't get Dragon Dance and its only boosting move is the mediocre Hone Claws. These downfalls, however, do not prevent Zekrom from being the anti-metagame Pokemon it is. Play it to its strenghs, and it will definitely help you shape your ideal world.


Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Volt Switch / Dragon Claw
move 4: Dragon Claw / Draco Meteor / Sleep Talk
ability: Teravolt
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naughty / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Bolt Strike is Zekrom's Electric-type STAB of choice as it hits everything in the tier that doesn't resist it for massive amounts of damage. With Bolt Strike, Zekrom is able to revenge kill popular threats such as Ho-Oh, Yveltal, Kyogre, Lugia and Mewtwo. It will also do massive amounts of damage to anything that is neutral to it, almost achieving a 2HKO on max. HP Arceus, while actually achieving the 2HKO with Stealth Rocks up. Outrage gives Zekrom neutral coverage on any Pokemon in the metagame bar Ferrothorn while packing almost as much power. The last two slots are not used to gain additional coverage but rather to gain utility that Bolt Strike and Outrage lack. Volt Switch allows you to keep momentum by taking advantage of the many switches Zekrom forces. Dragon Claw is a decently powerful STAB option Zekrom can use early game when it's too early to lock yourself into Outrage, especially when you don't know the opponent's Arceus forme. Draco Meteor in conjuction with the listed EVs allows you to take advantage of Groudon's lower special defense while dealing the same amount of damage as Dragon Claw. to Arceus. Draco Meteor, however, comes with the nasty downside that it makes you complete Mega Gengar fodder after it halved your special attack. If you don't need an additional Dragon-type STAB, Sleep Talk allows Zekrom to serve as your team's sleep absorber and Darkrai check. It must be noted, though, that a Zekrom using Sleep Talk will be a pretty shaky check to the Pokemon it's supposed to check normally.


Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Attack and Speed alongside an attack boosting nature are preferred as this allows Zekrom to outspeed everything up to Mega Mewtwo Y. Keep in mind that without a speed boosting nature Zekrom will not outspeed maximum speed Deoxys-A. If your team lacks priority to take Deoxys down, a Naive nature can be used as well. However, Naive Zekrom will miss out on the 2HKO on Max HP Arceus which can be important as well. A nature that decreases Zekroms special defense is preferred since every priority attack commonly used in Ubers is physical. If you run neither Volt Switch nor Draco Meteor, and Adamant or Jolly nature is perfectly fine.

Usage Tips
========

• Really, just click the appropriate move and watch things get decimated
• Prediction is VERY important because of all the immunities around
• That said, once your opponent sees what you've locked yourself into, it's easy to play around Zekrom

Team Options
========

• Kyogre can handle Groudon and Groundceus well. Kyogre and Zekrom can also take many hits aimed at the other
• hazard support is nice - ferrothorn, skarmory and forretress can take dragon and fairy type attacks aimed at Zekrom
• Mega Gengar works well as it is able to trap and kill fairies - before megaevolving, gengar is also immune to ground type attacks, acting as a one time switch in allowing it to evolve

Mixed Attacker
########
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Dragon Claw / Volt Switch
ability: Teravolt
item: Life Orb
nature: Lonely / Naughty
evs: 104 HP / 148 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

Moves
========

• Bolt Strike has nice coverage in ubers, OHKOing popular threats such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, Kyogre and Yveltal while also hitting the two new fairies, Xerneas and Arceus for good damage (will provide calcs)
• Draco Meteor provides nice coverage alongside BS and hits Physical walls such as Groudon hard (54.4 - 64.1% to 252 HP / 0 SpDef)
• Focus Blast is Zekrom's best option against the rare Ferrothorn. If Ferro isn't a concern to your team otherwise, Crunch is a solid option to hit the Psychic types in Ubers as well as Giratina hard after a SpA drop from DM
• The final slot gives Zekrom a solid physical STAB option in Dragon Claw, allowing to hit many ubers on their weaker defense stat. Since Zekrom hits most of its switch-ins hard with BS or DM anyway, Volt Switch allows you to gain momentum on predicted switches.

Set Details
========

• Lonely is the preferred nature. since most Ubers are specially based you want to keep at least some special bulk. most physical attackers are faster anyway and have an SE coverage move (EKiller, Rayquaza)
• listed EVs let Zekrom take two max attack LO Ho-Oh brave birds after switching into rocks one time
• alternate Spread of 252 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe can be used if you want more power. if you want to keep the bulk, you can also shift some SpA EVs to Atk or speed.
• Roost is another solid option for the last slot that allows Zekrom to take advantage of the many switches it forces agains defensive teams

Usage Tips
========

• Excellent Groudon lure. Can also very effectively hit Giratina forms who try to WoW it
• makes a good mid game poke able to capitalize on slower walls or other pokes it forces out
• prediction is important, since there are immunities to both of its STABs

Team Options
========

• Water types are good partners since Zekrom still appreciates Groudon being removed (so do water types since they don't appreciate the sun it brings). Waters can also take Ice type attacks aimed at Zekrom. Zekrom can also use predicted Electric type attacks to switch in, not fearing paralysis. Scarf Kyogre in particular can get rid of Ground Arceus, Zekroms biggest counter
  
• Arceus-Grass can take on offensive Kyogres as well as faster dragons Zekrom struggles with. Arceus also appreciates flying types gone
• Spikes support is actually more appreciated in the case of Zekrom than SR as Zekrom OHKOes most flying types anyway.
• Wish support is not mandatory but nice. Jirachi can take many attacks aimed at Zekrom
• Mega Gengar for the same reasons as the scarf set

Tailwind
########
name: Tailwind
move 1: Tailwind
move 2: Bolt Strike
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Volt Switch / Outrage / Focus Blast
ability: Teravolt
item: Life Orb
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 80 SpA / 176 Spe

Moves
========

• Tailwind gives Zekrom a nice Boost to its speed allowing it to strike before many otherwise faster pokes such as Xerneas, Scarfed Dragons and Arceus
• BS and DM serve the same purposes as the mixed attacker set
• Volt Switch lets Zekrom get out of danger while allowing other teammates to make use of tailwind
• Outrage has more use on this set as the speed boost allows Outrage to be a solid late game move after the opponent's fairy type has been removed. Focus Blast helps Zekrom get past the occasional Ferrothorn

Set Details
========

• Speed EVs allow Zekrom to outspeed anything up to base 108 scarfers (Terrakion)
• if terrakion isn't a concern, you can alternatively 136 EVs into speed to get the jump on Scarf Garchomp under tailwind.
• you can also go the other way with a Naive nature and a spread of 252 Atk / 40 SpA / 216 Spe to outspeed scarf mewtwo although DM's power loss is noticable
  
• -SpD nature is preferred here since this Zekrom set is more likely to be taking priority attacks which are exclusively physical in ubers

Usage Tips
========

• Nice endgame poke able to break through weakened physical walls and sweep with bolt strike
• mid game it can lure in groudon and deal decent damage to it
• can support slow and powerfull teammembers with it's tailwind, either by volt switching out or sacrificing itself after using the move

Team Options
========

• Specs Kyogre really appreciates tailwind
• so do slow attackers such as groudon
• even faster pokes like mewtwo and deoxys-a appreciate tailwind since it temporarily lets them outspeed the opponents scarfer
• Mega Gengar for the same reasons as the scarf set

Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Volt Switch
ability: Teravolt
item: Choice Band
nature: Lonely / Naughty
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe

Moves
========

• CB Bolt Strike has massive damage output, always OHKOing 4 HP / 0 Def Xerneas, any common Palkia set and dealing massive damage even to its resists (39.7 - 46.8% vs 252 HP / 0 Def Ferrothorn and 37.1 - 43.9% to 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus Grass)
• Outrage also has ridiculous power, always 2HKOing 252 / 252+ Hippowdon after a round of leftovers recovery as well as having a 84% chance to 2HKO 252 / 252+ Groudon after a round of leftovers with no hazards up at all
• DC allows to soften up the opponents team early and mid game without having to lock yourself into OR right away
• Volt switch allows you to keep momentum on predicted switches

Set Details
========

• max attack for max power, 252 HP to be able to take at least one hit, since Zekrom is really slow anyway
• there's really no other options considering the moveset
• HP evs can be shifted into speed, making a speed boosting nature viable -> Hasty / Naive

Usage Tips
========

• this Zekrom is meant to be played aggressively. instead of luring in your usual checks like Groudon, Hippo and Ferrothorn and hitting them, you'll aim to just power through them for your teammates to finish the job
• be careful staying in for more than one turn though, since there are immunities to all of your moves
• very reliant on prediction

Team Options
========

• Zekrom appreciates being paired with pokes that are able to capitalize on those pokemon afterwards. again, scarfed kyogre enjoys having opposing weather starters weakened, as does the specs set
• Ho-Oh enjoys Groudon and Hippo getting weakened
• Mega Gengar for the same reasons as the scarf set

Other Options
########

• Substitute
• Hone Claws
• Roost
  
• Hopefully some other moves it gets in X/Y
• Dragon Tail can be used on the Mixed set to force opposing switch ins like groundon into KO range of DM easier

Checks & Counters
########

• Arceus-Ground is the only full counter
• Arceus-Grass
  
• Groudon
• Gliscor
• Ferrothorn
• Really, Most defensive Arceus formes with WoW
• Giratina / Giratina-O (WoW)
• Scarfed / Faster dragons
• Xerneas / Fairy Arceus

Skeleton:

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Overview
########

• Although the newly introduced fairy type nerfed dragon types, Zekrom actually improved a lot during the generation shift
• unlike most dragons and special attacks, Zekroms strongest STAB option, Bolt Strike, was not nerfed
• the slower, yet still offensively inclined metagame is a not as hostile to Zekrom as the B/W meta
• With the rising popularity of Ho-Oh and Lugia as well as Yveltal, Zekrom serves as a fine check to all of those pokes
• With most of the metagame specially oriented, Zekrom is also one of the premier physical attackers
• Zekrom can fulfill roles as a mixed attacker, Choice Band/Scarf user also has some utility moves like Volt Switch, Substitute and Tailwind in its movepool
• Furthermore, Zekrom cannot be paralyzed, which is huge on Scarf/Tailwind sets
  
• that said, Zekrom, especially choiced variants are incredibly reliant on prediction sometimes, since there are immunities to both of its STABs now
  
• No boosting moves outside of Hone Claws
• Base 90 is still a bad speed tier by uber's standards
• gained an additional weakness to fairy type moves

Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Volt Switch / Dragon Claw
move 4: Dragon Claw / Draco Meteor / Sleep Talk
ability: Teravolt
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naughty / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

• Bolt Strike is a strong STAB option that hits many popular threats in the X/Y meta for super effective damage
• Outrage is a strong and reliable move that lets Zekrom clean late game if the opponent's dragon check (fairy types in particular) has been removed
• The presence of Outrage forces people to keep their fairy type or a bulky steel type alive
  
• Volt Switch to keep momentum
• Dragon Claw is a better option than Outrage early game. DM hits Arceus Ground for about the same damage while hitting Groudon slightly harder. Sleep Talk is nice if you want Zekrom to be your sleep absorber. The last two moves, however, tend to make you Mega Gengar fodder.
• Naive / Hasty / Jolly allows Scarf Zekrom to outspeed Deoxys-A but doesn't do anything outside of that

Set Details
========

• Max Attack to hit as hard as possible
• Max Speed is important to be able to speed tie with opposing base 90 Scarfers late game (Kyogre and Zekrom in particular)
• Attack boosting nature ensures the 2HKO vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 222-262 (50 - 59%)
  
• Running Sleep Talk let's you switch into darkrai very easily
• EVs can be shifted into SpA to give DM more power, although you generally want to keep max speed

Usage Tips
========

• Really, just click the appropriate move and watch things get decimated
• Prediction is VERY important because of all the immunities around
• That said, once your opponent sees what you've locked yourself into, it's easy to play around Zekrom

Team Options
========

• Kyogre can handle Groudon and Groundceus well. Kyogre and Zekrom can also take many hits aimed at the other
• hazard support is nice - ferrothorn, skarmory and forretress can take dragon and fairy type attacks aimed at Zekrom
• Mega Gengar works well as it is able to trap and kill fairies - before megaevolving, gengar is also immune to ground type attacks, acting as a one time switch in allowing it to evolve

Mixed Attacker
########
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Dragon Claw / Volt Switch
ability: Teravolt
item: Life Orb
nature: Lonely / Naughty
evs: 104 HP / 148 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

Moves
========

• Bolt Strike has nice coverage in ubers, OHKOing popular threats such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, Kyogre and Yveltal while also hitting the two new fairies, Xerneas and Arceus for good damage (will provide calcs)
• Draco Meteor provides nice coverage alongside BS and hits Physical walls such as Groudon hard (54.4 - 64.1% to 252 HP / 0 SpDef)
• Focus Blast is Zekrom's best option against the rare Ferrothorn. If Ferro isn't a concern to your team otherwise, Crunch is a solid option to hit the Psychic types in Ubers as well as Giratina hard after a SpA drop from DM
• The final slot gives Zekrom a solid physical STAB option in Dragon Claw, allowing to hit many ubers on their weaker defense stat. Since Zekrom hits most of its switch-ins hard with BS or DM anyway, Volt Switch allows you to gain momentum on predicted switches.

Set Details
========

• Lonely is the preferred nature. since most Ubers are specially based you want to keep at least some special bulk. most physical attackers are faster anyway and have an SE coverage move (EKiller, Rayquaza)
• listed EVs let Zekrom take two max attack LO Ho-Oh brave birds after switching into rocks one time
• alternate Spread of 252 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe can be used if you want more power. if you want to keep the bulk, you can also shift some SpA EVs to Atk or speed.
• Roost is another solid option for the last slot that allows Zekrom to take advantage of the many switches it forces agains defensive teams

Usage Tips
========

• Excellent Groudon lure. Can also very effectively hit Giratina forms who try to WoW it
• makes a good mid game poke able to capitalize on slower walls or other pokes it forces out
• prediction is important, since there are immunities to both of its STABs

Team Options
========

• Water types are good partners since Zekrom still appreciates Groudon being removed (so do water types since they don't appreciate the sun it brings). Waters can also take Ice type attacks aimed at Zekrom. Zekrom can also use predicted Electric type attacks to switch in, not fearing paralysis. Scarf Kyogre in particular can get rid of Ground Arceus, Zekroms biggest counter
  
• Arceus-Grass can take on offensive Kyogres as well as faster dragons Zekrom struggles with. Arceus also appreciates flying types gone
• Spikes support is actually more appreciated in the case of Zekrom than SR as Zekrom OHKOes most flying types anyway.
• Wish support is not mandatory but nice. Jirachi can take many attacks aimed at Zekrom
• Mega Gengar for the same reasons as the scarf set

Tailwind
########
name: Tailwind
move 1: Tailwind
move 2: Bolt Strike
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Volt Switch / Outrage / Focus Blast
ability: Teravolt
item: Life Orb
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 80 SpA / 176 Spe

Moves
========

• Tailwind gives Zekrom a nice Boost to its speed allowing it to strike before many otherwise faster pokes such as Xerneas, Scarfed Dragons and Arceus
• BS and DM serve the same purposes as the mixed attacker set
• Volt Switch lets Zekrom get out of danger while allowing other teammates to make use of tailwind
• Outrage has more use on this set as the speed boost allows Outrage to be a solid late game move after the opponent's fairy type has been removed. Focus Blast helps Zekrom get past the occasional Ferrothorn

Set Details
========

• Speed EVs allow Zekrom to outspeed anything up to base 108 scarfers (Terrakion)
• if terrakion isn't a concern, you can alternatively 136 EVs into speed to get the jump on Scarf Garchomp under tailwind.
• you can also go the other way with a Naive nature and a spread of 252 Atk / 40 SpA / 216 Spe to outspeed scarf mewtwo although DM's power loss is noticable
  
• -SpD nature is preferred here since this Zekrom set is more likely to be taking priority attacks which are exclusively physical in ubers

Usage Tips
========

• Nice endgame poke able to break through weakened physical walls and sweep with bolt strike
• mid game it can lure in groudon and deal decent damage to it
• can support slow and powerfull teammembers with it's tailwind, either by volt switching out or sacrificing itself after using the move

Team Options
========

• Specs Kyogre really appreciates tailwind
• so do slow attackers such as groudon
• even faster pokes like mewtwo and deoxys-a appreciate tailwind since it temporarily lets them outspeed the opponents scarfer
• Mega Gengar for the same reasons as the scarf set

Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Volt Switch
ability: Teravolt
item: Choice Band
nature: Lonely / Naughty
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe

Moves
========

• CB Bolt Strike has massive damage output, always OHKOing 4 HP / 0 Def Xerneas, any common Palkia set and dealing massive damage even to its resists (39.7 - 46.8% vs 252 HP / 0 Def Ferrothorn and 37.1 - 43.9% to 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus Grass)
• Outrage also has ridiculous power, always 2HKOing 252 / 252+ Hippowdon after a round of leftovers recovery as well as having a 84% chance to 2HKO 252 / 252+ Groudon after a round of leftovers with no hazards up at all
• DC allows to soften up the opponents team early and mid game without having to lock yourself into OR right away
• Volt switch allows you to keep momentum on predicted switches

Set Details
========

• max attack for max power, 252 HP to be able to take at least one hit, since Zekrom is really slow anyway
• there's really no other options considering the moveset
• HP evs can be shifted into speed, making a speed boosting nature viable -> Hasty / Naive

Usage Tips
========

• this Zekrom is meant to be played aggressively. instead of luring in your usual checks like Groudon, Hippo and Ferrothorn and hitting them, you'll aim to just power through them for your teammates to finish the job
• be careful staying in for more than one turn though, since there are immunities to all of your moves
• very reliant on prediction

Team Options
========

• Zekrom appreciates being paired with pokes that are able to capitalize on those pokemon afterwards. again, scarfed kyogre enjoys having opposing weather starters weakened, as does the specs set
• Ho-Oh enjoys Groudon and Hippo getting weakened
• Mega Gengar for the same reasons as the scarf set

Other Options
########

• Substitute
• Hone Claws
• Roost
  
• Hopefully some other moves it gets in X/Y
• Dragon Tail can be used on the Mixed set to force opposing switch ins like groundon into KO range of DM easier

Checks & Counters
########

• Arceus-Ground is the only full counter
• Arceus-Grass
  
• Groudon
• Gliscor
• Ferrothorn
• Really, Most defensive Arceus formes with WoW
• Giratina / Giratina-O (WoW)
• Scarfed / Faster dragons
• Xerneas / Fairy Arceus

 

[orch]

The order should be:
Scarf
CB
Mix
Tailwind

Just an IMO, for the effectiveness in meta.

 

[Hack]

Scarf must be the first set because of how (anti) metagame defining it is in a way. Without a resist to Electric on your team, Zekrom will outspeed and 2HKO almost all Pokémon in the game, including almost getting that 2HKO on max HP Arceus. Even against teams with a Elec resist, like a Grassceus, Zekrom will easily build momentum with Volt Switch, which is really underrated as it can bring in things like Mega Blaze and Gengar to get a free turn to mega evolve. In short, the ability to revenge kill a whole bunch of threats, Yveltal, Ho-oh, Lugia, Kyogre as well as 2HKOing even Arceus-formes is so defining in a meta that revolves a lot around these five mons I mentioned.

The order of set must IMO be:
1. Scarf- for reasons above
2. Mix- It's a nice lure
3. Tailwind- I kinda think this is better than mix in most cases as the 4th move on mixed is very situational+mix is really too slow.
4. CB- It might not deserve a set imo. Scarf does better as it gets many 2HKOs and outspeeds support Arceus that tries to burn you. Surely hitting Groudon hard with Outrage has a lot of merit, but you get a stuck between Xerneas and Groudon most of the time just like scarf can- without the speed scarf gives you.

Now onto your sets:

Mixed- You shouldn't slash Crunch. Ever. It does less damage than Bolt Strike vs Ghost and Psychic types. It's a waste of a moveslot. I kinda doubt this sets effectiveness when compared to mixed Tailwind simply because Ferro is rarer which kinda leaves you without the need of Focus Blast. With mixed Tailwind you can still run a lot more satk than 80 if you want and Draco lures Groudon really well and you also have the speed boosting thing as an ace in the whole. Idk what the qc team thinks but I would do extensive testing before saying this set is better than mixed Tailwind (and it's quite obviously not as good as scarf in this meta).

Tailwind- Looks pretty good, I'd slash Lonely nature with Naughty just like on mixkrom (Naughty might be the best nature for both sets). There is always a possibility of investing more EVs in satk due to Life Orb boosting those strong Bolt Strikes. A stronger Draco is always welcome to smash Groudon harder.

Scarf- Must look like:
move 1: Bolt Strike
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Volt Switch / Sleep Talk

Your third moveslot was a complete waste, neither Fusion Bolt or Crunch is worth using. Sleep Talk is move you can have on Zekrom to absorb Dark Void, but usually you want the Volt Switch momentum. Draco Meteor can be mentioned for this set as well, it hits Groudon decently.

Choice Band- Same problem with moveslot 3, it's a waste. The set should look like scarf, without Sleep Talk slash. I'm iffy about the effectiveness of this set. I know I question a lot of sets right now, but I think the discussion is very necessary- there were a lot of shitty sets on the BW Ubers analyses, and most of the time some the sets were never ever worth using over the mon's best sets.

Good luck!

 

[Unowninator]

unlike most dragons and special attacks, Zekroms strongest STAB option, Bolt Strike, was not nerfed

We don't know that yet. Though I would like to point out that it can't be paralyzed anymore.

Also, I'm considering an Assault Vest on one of these things. Should I go for it?

 

[orch]

IMO, Draco Meteor over Dclaw on scarf set, since DClaw is generally only used for anticipated ground-types, so hitting them harder and switching out is just better.

 

[EsojestMort]

Changes implemented. Changed DClaw to DM on the Scarf set, since it hit's Groudon harder and Groundceus as hard as DClaw and you are indeed switching out of those two afterwards anyway. I slashed DClaw though, since in some situations its a better cleaning move that Outrage.

Mentioned tailwind before Mixkrom since I do believe Tailwind is better. I can change the order of those two if people think that's better.

Added set comments to scarf. Have not added comments to Band yet. I don't like it at all to be honest and only mentioned it because it was in the B/W analysis. If you think it's worth mentioning, I'll add set comments, but generally it's just too slow and can't take a hit to be worth mentioning IMO.

I'm thinking of adding a LO Sub/Roost set. Since Zekrom easily forces things out this gen, it doesn't seem to bad.

 

[Hack]

Life Orb Sub Roost is very interesting. It also needs a lot of playtesting, so you'd better get some replays of it functioning etc.

 

[Donkey]

I'm pretty sure Volt Switch is core for Scarf Zekrom. If you need to run Sleep Talk on Zekrom, chances are you are weaker to Darkrai than Groudon, so I'd probably run it over DM/DClaw anyways. It's really hard to pass up Volt Switch for Sleep Talk, especially with the new sleep mechanics. Sleep Talk and Draco Meteor are also bait for Mega Gengar (if you KO something with Draco).

Also, Adamant is the best nature on Scarf Zekrom (unless you are using Draco Meteor, in which case I would run Naughty).

Something neat about the tailwind set is that it counters Sticky Web, although that strategy is pretty hard to pull off.

Regarding the LO Sub/Roost set: there are a lot of opportunities to set up subs but I'm not sure if there will be as many to roost. There aren't that many mons besides Lando-T and Groudon that you can't 2hko.

 

[Jimmyftw]

The order should be:
Scarf
CB
Mix
Tailwind

Just an IMO, for the effectiveness in meta.

I agree with Orch here. Banded Zekrom is a massive threat that hits incredibly hard, feeding off of peoples' assumption that it is scarfed. With a Choice Band equipped, Zekrom turns 2hko's into ohko's and 3hko's into 2hko's. Among the most notable are a 2hko on Groudon and Landorus-T as well as possible ohko on Arceus forms and Xerneas after SR. The following calculation demonstrates this point:

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Groudon: 204-241 (50.4 - 59.6%) -- 84% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Groudon: 124-147 (30.6 - 36.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 180+ Def Landorus-T: 196-232 (51.3 - 60.7%) -- 92.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

-1 252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 180+ Def Landorus-T: 120-142 (31.4 - 37.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 331-391 (74.5 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 202-238 (45.4 - 53.6%) -- 38.7% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Xerneas: 406-478 (103 - 121.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Xerneas: 246-291 (62.4 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

As seen from the above calculations, Banded Zekrom power output over it's Scarf counterpart is massive and as such, the counters/checks to Scarfed Zekrom are no longer counters/checks to a Banded one, hence Banded Zekrom provide not only unbelievable power but surprise factor as well.

 

[Donkey]

I agree with Orch here. Banded Zekrom is a massive threat that hits incredibly hard, feeding off of peoples' assumption that it is scarfed. With a Choice Band equipped, Zekrom turns 2hko's into ohko's and 3hko's into 2hko's. Among the most notable are a 2hko on Groudon and Landorus-T as well as possible ohko on Arceus forms and Xerneas after SR. The following calculation demonstrates this point:

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Groudon: 204-241 (50.4 - 59.6%) -- 84% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Groudon: 124-147 (30.6 - 36.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 180+ Def Landorus-T: 196-232 (51.3 - 60.7%) -- 92.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

-1 252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Outrage vs. 252 HP / 180+ Def Landorus-T: 120-142 (31.4 - 37.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 331-391 (74.5 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 202-238 (45.4 - 53.6%) -- 38.7% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Xerneas: 406-478 (103 - 121.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Xerneas: 246-291 (62.4 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

As seen from the above calculations, Banded Zekrom power output over it's Scarf counterpart is massive and as such, the counters/checks to Scarfed Zekrom are no longer counters/checks to a Banded one, hence Banded Zekrom provide not only unbelievable power but surprise factor as well.

no

1. zekrom is electric dragon

2. fairy types are immune to dragon

3. ground are immune to electric

4. both are very common types

conclusion: even if you predict right they will just switch into their immunity

keep hacks order

 

[EsojestMort]

Pretty much that.
Outrage is also not a move you should ever consider on a non-scarf/tailwind set since zekrom is just too slow to clean with, and early game you're almost never getting a chance to lock yourself into it.

anyway, recent changes:
- mentioned paralysis immunity in OV since this is pretty important for a scarfer / tailwind sweeper
- moved VS into the 3rd slot on scarf and slashed DC, I believe running a set of BS / OR / DC / ST has its merits if you're more concerned about Darkrai
- slashed the 4th slot DC / DM / ST, added explanations
- are those slashes too complicated? :S
- Changed natures for scarf to Naughty / Adamant
- removed OR from the mixed set
- added skeleton for CB (I still don't like CB Zekrom though)
- added Substitute, Hone Claws and Roost to OO

so, this took me a while to update. I'm pretty busy with real life things atm, but I'l have the time to do this in 2014.
suggestions, as always, are welcome, I believe this is almost QC ready now.
thanks a lot for all the input guys, really appreciate it on my first analysis!

 

[EsojestMort]

Realised the item for the CB was Scarf, haha. Changed that now.

This is QC ready

 

[Hack]

You should probably switch the order of TW and mix as donkey requested.

 

[EsojestMort]

done
don't really agree with that, though

 

[polop]

Mention Arceus-Grass in counters (resists BS and WoW annoys, Outrage doesn't do enough).

Outrage is kind of risky but after discussion on IRC I'm fine with where it is. On scarf mention it pressure ppl to keep fairy alive and should only be used late game.

This really applies to all mentions of Outrage, but ya only use if fairy is dead or does not exist.

Mention Mega Gengar as a team mate for all sets since it can remove fairies so it can actually use Outrage.

Add Dragon Tail in other options. It can shuffle sets + punish incoming counters and with some hazard support forces them into Draco Meteor range, but its extremely reliant on prediction (you must hit the hippo as it comes in).

Mention Jolly / Naive / Hasty in Set Details of Choice Scarf (don't slash it on though) since it buffs Zekrom's speed enough to the point it can outspeed deoxys-a, but does nothing really outside of that.

After you implement these changes,

QC: 1/3

 

[Fireburn]

I would give Roost a Set Details mention in the second set since it allows Zekrom to last a lot longer against more defensive teams.

QC: 2/3

 

[EsojestMort]

Changes implemented, I will start writing this weekend.

 

[MMII]

Um real quick, I prefer DM over Dclaw since it hits pretty much everything you would use Dclaw for plus those ground types. I'll comment more once it is written up though I guess, so I can stamp it then.

 

[Jimmyftw]

Hello. I really don't see the point of running Volt Switch on Banded Zekrom. Why would you want to Volt Switch out when you get Banded Zekrom in safety? Every time you get Banded Zekrom in safety you should be aiming to deal huge amount of damage to the opponent, not Volt Switching out. I understand Volt Switch on Scarf Zekrom, but on a Banded one what are you Volt Switching out of? Xerneas? Fairyceus? If you predict those mons and go for Volt Switch, why not just Bolt Strike them instead? Xerneas will get OHKO, Fairyceus cannot afford to switch in even with access to Will-O-Wisp unless 252/252+ defensive investment. A better move in my opinion would be Sleep Talk, which allows you to switch in on Darkrai's Dark Void and fake a Scarf.

Choice Band
~ Bolt Strike
~ Outrage
~ Dragon Claw
~ Sleep Talk / Volt Switch

 

[Furai]

what if something like arceus-grass comes in? you can simply volt switch out to something like scarf yveltal and be an immediate threat. it's even better if you then put arceus-grass etc at hazard range. sleep talk is far more niche than volt switch on band.

legitimate concern, but no legitimate enough to make the change. keep the current slashing.

scarf yveltal is a p cute partner btw

 

[Jibaku]

If Arceus Grass switches in you try to nail it with Outrage. Even DClaw does a respectable amount.

If you're using CB Zekrom, trying to predict a switch with Volt Switch is one of the most awful ways to gain momentum because the difference of power is so huge. I'd rather have Fusion Bolt for the accuracy + non contact move for Aegislash than Volt Switch.

 

[-Leon-]

Whimsicott can check/counter Zekrom,so I think it deserves a mention in CC section.
252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 94-111 (29.1 - 34.3%) -- 99.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Whimsicott: 135-159 (41.7 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Whimsicott: 148-175 (45.8 - 54.1%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 104-123 (32.1 - 38%) -- 0.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[nmitchell890]

We don't know that yet. Though I would like to point out that it can't be paralyzed anymore.

Also, I'm considering an Assault Vest on one of these things. Should I go for it?

No, don't go for Assault Vest. Zekrom needs 160 SDef EVs to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Scarf Kyogre Ice Beam. It will be worn down quickly and won't do enough damage without Life Orb after that many EVs have been taken away.

 

[MMII]

EsojestMort How is it going?