[OVERVIEW]
Although the transition to VGC 15 has given Zapdos competition from mainly Thundurus, it is still a threat to consider. Having access to one of the best means of speed control in the metagame, Tailwind, and a solid base Special Attack of 125, Zapdos proves to be both a supportive and offensive threat. An excellent typing that gives it only two weaknesses combined with somewhat solid defensive stats allows Zapdos to stay alive longer than you'd expect. However, Zapdos is terribly weak to Rock Slide, one of the most common moves in VGC.
[SET]
name: Offensive Tailwind
move 1: Tailwind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave
item: Sitrus Berry / Expert Belt
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 100 HP / 252 SpA / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tailwind lets Zapdos double its team's Speed for four turns and is the major selling point of this set. Thunderbolt lets Zapdos hit Water- and Flying-types such as Suicune and Talonflame, respectively, hard. Hidden Power Ice is mainly used to give Zapdos a way to beat Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Garchomp. Alternatively, Heat Wave is an option to give Zapdos a spread move, especially if your team already has these threats covered. It also provides coverage on Grass- and Steel-types such as Amoonguss and Bisharp, respectively. Roost gives Zapdos more longevity. Protect is an option to guard Zapdos against status attacks and double targeting.
Set Details
========
Sitrus Berry gives Zapdos one-time instant recovery. Alternatively, Expert Belt boosts the power of super effective moves, and it is best used when running both Hidden Power Ice and Heat Wave. 156 Speed EVs let Zapdos outrun positive-natured Smeargle. 252 Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature maximize damage output. The rest are dumped into HP for some bulk. An alternative, more bulky spread would be 252 HP / 36 Def / 52 SpA / 148 SpD / 20 Spe. This lets Zapdos survive neutral-natured Kangaskhan's Double-Edge without Sitrus Berry as well as a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor from Hydreigon, and the Speed EVs let Zapdos outspeed neutral-natured Bisharp. Alternatively, 116 Speed EVs allow Zapdos to outspeed positive-natured Breloom.
Usage Tips
========
Using Tailwind on the first turn can give you an advantageous position, which could easily decide the match. However, using Tailwind in the later turns of the match can also provide crucial momentum. If your opponent has Pokemon that often carry Taunt, such as Thundurus and Whimsicott, avoiding the obvious Tailwind and attacking instead will often pay off. Always try to avoid taking too many Rock Slides, as they hit Zapdos harder than it would like. Because Zapdos is also known to run bulky sets, keep in mind that your damage output may catch your opponents off guard.
Team Options
========
Fake Out users such as Mega Kangaskhan and Scrafty are great partners for Zapdos, giving it more freedom to set up Tailwind. Pokemon that enjoy Tailwind such as Breloom, Heatran, Sylveon, and Mega Kangaskhan work well together with Zapdos. To cover Zapdos's weaknesses, Steel-types such as Aegislash and Mega Metagross are great. Wide Guard support is good to block Rock Slide, and Pokemon such as Aegislash and Swampert are good for this. Because Zapdos can easily deal with Suicune, Pokemon that fear Suicune such as Terrakion, Heatran, and Mega Metagross can be good picks for teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choiced variant of Zapdos with either Choice Scarf or Choice Specs is possible. This faces great competition from offensive Thundurus, but it is preferred over Thundurus at times because of Zapdos's access to Heat Wave. When using a more offensive variant, Volt Switch is an option to deal damage upon switching out and potentially get to respond immediately to a switch by the opponent the same turn. Safety Goggles lets Zapdos avoid moves such as Spore and Rage Powder and prevents it from getting worn down by sand and hail. Kee Berry is a niche pick that works for more bulky variants with Roost. Rocky Helmet also pairs well with Roost, punishing physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Spread Attacks**: Spread attacks steadily chip away at Zapdos's HP as well as its teammate's. Zapdos is weak to the most common spread move in the metagame, Rock Slide, and even though they can only hit it neutrally, Pixilate Hyper Voice users also hit Zapdos very hard. Terrakion is probably the best Rock Slide user to stop Zapdos, as unlike many of the other users such as Landorus-T and Garchomp, it does not fear Hidden Power Ice.
**Bulky Attackers**: Bulky attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Venusaur, Heatran, and Sylveon can soak up Zapdos's hits and deal plenty of damage in return.
**Strong Attackers**: Zapdos doesn't have the best of bulk, and powerful neutral STAB attacks such as Mega Kangaskhan's Double-Edge and Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave hit harder than it would like.
**Defensive Typing Advantage**: Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt and don't care about Heat Wave or Hidden Power Ice can easily deal with Zapdos. Rotom-H completely walls Zapdos, and if Zapdos does not carry Hidden Power Ice, Dragon-types don't have a problem either.
Although the transition to VGC 15 has given Zapdos competition from mainly Thundurus, it is still a threat to consider. Having access to one of the best means of speed control in the metagame, Tailwind, and a solid base Special Attack of 125, Zapdos proves to be both a supportive and offensive threat. An excellent typing that gives it only two weaknesses combined with somewhat solid defensive stats allows Zapdos to stay alive longer than you'd expect. However, Zapdos is terribly weak to Rock Slide, one of the most common moves in VGC.
[SET]
name: Offensive Tailwind
move 1: Tailwind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 4: Roost / Heat Wave
item: Sitrus Berry / Expert Belt
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 100 HP / 252 SpA / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tailwind lets Zapdos double its team's Speed for four turns and is the major selling point of this set. Thunderbolt lets Zapdos hit Water- and Flying-types such as Suicune and Talonflame, respectively, hard. Hidden Power Ice is mainly used to give Zapdos a way to beat Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Garchomp. Alternatively, Heat Wave is an option to give Zapdos a spread move, especially if your team already has these threats covered. It also provides coverage on Grass- and Steel-types such as Amoonguss and Bisharp, respectively. Roost gives Zapdos more longevity. Protect is an option to guard Zapdos against status attacks and double targeting.
Set Details
========
Sitrus Berry gives Zapdos one-time instant recovery. Alternatively, Expert Belt boosts the power of super effective moves, and it is best used when running both Hidden Power Ice and Heat Wave. 156 Speed EVs let Zapdos outrun positive-natured Smeargle. 252 Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature maximize damage output. The rest are dumped into HP for some bulk. An alternative, more bulky spread would be 252 HP / 36 Def / 52 SpA / 148 SpD / 20 Spe. This lets Zapdos survive neutral-natured Kangaskhan's Double-Edge without Sitrus Berry as well as a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor from Hydreigon, and the Speed EVs let Zapdos outspeed neutral-natured Bisharp. Alternatively, 116 Speed EVs allow Zapdos to outspeed positive-natured Breloom.
Usage Tips
========
Using Tailwind on the first turn can give you an advantageous position, which could easily decide the match. However, using Tailwind in the later turns of the match can also provide crucial momentum. If your opponent has Pokemon that often carry Taunt, such as Thundurus and Whimsicott, avoiding the obvious Tailwind and attacking instead will often pay off. Always try to avoid taking too many Rock Slides, as they hit Zapdos harder than it would like. Because Zapdos is also known to run bulky sets, keep in mind that your damage output may catch your opponents off guard.
Team Options
========
Fake Out users such as Mega Kangaskhan and Scrafty are great partners for Zapdos, giving it more freedom to set up Tailwind. Pokemon that enjoy Tailwind such as Breloom, Heatran, Sylveon, and Mega Kangaskhan work well together with Zapdos. To cover Zapdos's weaknesses, Steel-types such as Aegislash and Mega Metagross are great. Wide Guard support is good to block Rock Slide, and Pokemon such as Aegislash and Swampert are good for this. Because Zapdos can easily deal with Suicune, Pokemon that fear Suicune such as Terrakion, Heatran, and Mega Metagross can be good picks for teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choiced variant of Zapdos with either Choice Scarf or Choice Specs is possible. This faces great competition from offensive Thundurus, but it is preferred over Thundurus at times because of Zapdos's access to Heat Wave. When using a more offensive variant, Volt Switch is an option to deal damage upon switching out and potentially get to respond immediately to a switch by the opponent the same turn. Safety Goggles lets Zapdos avoid moves such as Spore and Rage Powder and prevents it from getting worn down by sand and hail. Kee Berry is a niche pick that works for more bulky variants with Roost. Rocky Helmet also pairs well with Roost, punishing physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Spread Attacks**: Spread attacks steadily chip away at Zapdos's HP as well as its teammate's. Zapdos is weak to the most common spread move in the metagame, Rock Slide, and even though they can only hit it neutrally, Pixilate Hyper Voice users also hit Zapdos very hard. Terrakion is probably the best Rock Slide user to stop Zapdos, as unlike many of the other users such as Landorus-T and Garchomp, it does not fear Hidden Power Ice.
**Bulky Attackers**: Bulky attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Venusaur, Heatran, and Sylveon can soak up Zapdos's hits and deal plenty of damage in return.
**Strong Attackers**: Zapdos doesn't have the best of bulk, and powerful neutral STAB attacks such as Mega Kangaskhan's Double-Edge and Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave hit harder than it would like.
**Defensive Typing Advantage**: Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt and don't care about Heat Wave or Hidden Power Ice can easily deal with Zapdos. Rotom-H completely walls Zapdos, and if Zapdos does not carry Hidden Power Ice, Dragon-types don't have a problem either.
[OVERVIEW]
[SET]
name: Bulky Tailwind
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 3: Roost / Protect
move 4: Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 52 SpA / 148 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
========
Team Options
========
name: Offensive Tailwind
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 3: Protect / Heat Wave
move 4: Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Expert Belt
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 100 HP / 252 SpA / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
**Spread Attacks**: Spread attacks steadily cripple Zapdos' HP as well as its teammate. There is also not a single good spread attack Zapdos resist (immune to eq though), leaving it to take a lot of damage every time. Also especially weak to Rock Slide. Terrakion is the most scary Rock Slide user, as it has STAB Rock Slide, is not weak to any of Zapdos' moves, and can even Taunt it before it gets up a Tailwind. Garchomp and Landorus-T are also scary, but are afraid of HP Ice
**Bulky Attackers**: Bulky attackers that can soak up Zapdos' hits and deal plenty of damage in return. Pokemon like Mega Kangakshan, Mega Venusaur, Heatran, and Sylveon
**Very hard hitting neutral STAB Attacks**: Zapdos doesn't really have the best of bulk, and the most powerful neutral STAB attacks such as Mega Kangakshan's Double-Edge and Charizard-Y's Heat Wave hit harder than you would like
**Defensive type advantage**: Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt and don't care about Heat Wave or HP Ice can easily deal with Zapdos. Rotom-H completely walls Zapdos, and if Zapdos does not carry HP Ice then Dragon-types don't have a problem either.
- Access to Tailwind, one of the best means of speed control in the metagame
- Solid speed tier with base 100
- Decent bulk with defensive stats of 90 / 85 / 90
- Typing gives it only two weaknesses
- Faces competition with Thundurus, but is still very good
- Really weak to Rock Slide
[SET]
name: Bulky Tailwind
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 3: Roost / Protect
move 4: Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 52 SpA / 148 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Thunderbolt for basic STAB and coverage against Water- and Flying-types
- Hidden Power Ice for Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Salamence
- Heat Wave for spread and coveage against Steel and Grass
- Roost for some instant recovery, best with Rocky Helmet
- Protect to avoid hits, mainly super effetive hits and double targeting
- Tailwind for speed control giving you a lot of momentum
Set Details
========
- Sitrus Berry gives some recovery when you might need it to live the next hit
- Rocky Helmet to punish physical attackers, especially Fake Out since Tailwind setters get Fake Out'ed a lot
- 252 HP to maximize overall bulk
- 36 Defense allows you to never get OHKO'ed by Mega Kangaskhan with neutral Attack nature if you don't have a Sitrus Berry, same with Adamant Landorus-T's Rock Slide never 2HKO'ing you
- 148 Special Defense lets you live Chocie Specs Draco Meteor from Hydreigon, which is very nice for getting up the Tailwind turn one
- 20 Speed lets you outspeed neutral natured base 70 Speed Pokemon like Politoed and Bisharp.
- Dump the rest into Special Attack and a Modest nature for high damage output
========
- Often go for Tailwind first turn to gain momentum
- Lategame Tailwind can also give you crucial momentum to win the game
- If your opponent has a Prankster Pokemon like Thundurus, you can attack turn one predicting the Taunt instead of using Tailwind
- Avoid taking too many Rock Slide's
- If running Rocky Helmet you can preserve it on low health to switch into a physical move, the Rocky Helmet damage can be a game changer for sure
Team Options
========
- Fake Out is honestly nice together with anything that wants to set up something on the first turn, Tailwind is no excepsion. Good users are Kangaskhan (extra points for loving Tailwind) and Scrafty
- Pokemon that enjoy Tailwind. The examples are many, but they include Sylveon, Kangashan, Breloom, and Heatran
- Steel-types resist both its weaknesses, so they can work well. Examples are Aegislash and Metagross
- Wide Guard users are very good for Zapdos, as they can stop Rock Slide and other spread attacks. Swampert and Aegislash are good Pokemon with Wide Guard
- Pokemon that hate Suicune are also nice together with Zapdos, as Zapdos can easily deal with Suicune. These include Heatran, Terrakion, and Metagross
name: Offensive Tailwind
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 3: Protect / Heat Wave
move 4: Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Expert Belt
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 100 HP / 252 SpA / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Thunderbolt for basic STAB and coverage against Water- and Flying-types
- Hidden Power Ice for Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Salamence
- Heat Wave for spread and coveage against Steel and Bug
- Protect to avoid hits, mainly super effetive hits and double targeting
- Tailwind for speed control giving you a lot of momentum
Set Details
========
- Sitrus Berry to gain some instant recovery
- Expret Belt to hit harder when you are super effective, works best if you have both Hidden Power Ice and Heat Wave
- 252 Special Attack to maximize damage output
- 156 Speed to outspeed Smeargle
- The rest is dumped into HP for more bulk
Usage Tips
========
- You can go for Tailwind first turn to gain momentum
- Lategame Tailwind can also give you crucial momentum to win the game
- If your opponent has a Prankster Pokemon like Thundurus, you can attack turn one predicting the Taunt instead of using Tailwind
- Avoid taking too many Rock Slide's
- Try to snag some KO's Zapdos normally could not pull of due to not that much offense investment, to catch the opponent off guard
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A choice set with either Specs or Scarf. The choice set faces great competition with Thundurus, and is maily prefered because of Tailwind
- Volt Switch for a more offensive variant
- Safety Goggles to avoid Spore and other things
- Kee Berry is a very niche pick for items, but can work out well combined with Roost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Spread Attacks**: Spread attacks steadily cripple Zapdos' HP as well as its teammate. There is also not a single good spread attack Zapdos resist (immune to eq though), leaving it to take a lot of damage every time. Also especially weak to Rock Slide. Terrakion is the most scary Rock Slide user, as it has STAB Rock Slide, is not weak to any of Zapdos' moves, and can even Taunt it before it gets up a Tailwind. Garchomp and Landorus-T are also scary, but are afraid of HP Ice
**Bulky Attackers**: Bulky attackers that can soak up Zapdos' hits and deal plenty of damage in return. Pokemon like Mega Kangakshan, Mega Venusaur, Heatran, and Sylveon
**Very hard hitting neutral STAB Attacks**: Zapdos doesn't really have the best of bulk, and the most powerful neutral STAB attacks such as Mega Kangakshan's Double-Edge and Charizard-Y's Heat Wave hit harder than you would like
**Defensive type advantage**: Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt and don't care about Heat Wave or HP Ice can easily deal with Zapdos. Rotom-H completely walls Zapdos, and if Zapdos does not carry HP Ice then Dragon-types don't have a problem either.
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