Zapdos (Analysis)

• Put the offensive set above defensive and subroost
• Mention Tspikes support for subroost
• swap U-Turn and Volt Switch on the choice set. I know its nice not to be stopped by Donphan and the like, but being able to do some actual damage to most things as you switch out is pretty nice.
• Donphan can use a sneaky Head Smash and end you, so mention that you need to be careful when taking it on

[Overview]

<p>Zapdos has always been residing in OU Since the dawn of comeptitive competitive Pokemon,<comma> Zapdos has always resided in OU or 'been a familiar face in OU'. However, with all the new threats that arrived with BW, Zapdos has for the first time fallen into the UU tier. Nonetheless, Zapdos has a great Special Attack and a good Speed stat, coupled with a good typing and movepool, making it a Pokemon with great offensive prowess. However, varying up sentence structure Zapdos's secondary typing,<comma> on the other hand, makes it weak to the common Ice- and Rock-type moves, which includes Stealth Rock. And while Zapdos's Speed stat is good by no means bad you use 'good' to describe it above, and it's such a... bland adjective, many Pokemon in the tier are faster and can hit Zapdos and potentially KO it before Zapdos can hit back. Zapdos also faces competition offensively from other Electric-type Pokemon such as Jolteon, which is a lot faster, but Zapdos has something that sets it apart from its fellow Electric-types. Zapdos's secondary typing, good defensive stats,<comma> and access to Roost means or replace 'and' with 'as well as' and keep the singular 'means' - i personally prefer this it isn't limited to only pure offense,<comma> but also defensive play can function defensively as well, making it a huge and unpredictable threat to face.</p>

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Water / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Roost / Volt Switch
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With a Thanks to its great Special Attack stat and good Speed stat, Zapdos is an amazing offensive threat, and can deal massive damage right off the bat. Thunderbolt is Zapdos's best and most reliable option for a STAB move, and hits everything that doesn't resist it hard. Heat Wave is mostly for Grass-types that resists Zapdos's STAB move, but also hits Ice- and Steel-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Hidden Power Water lets Zapdos hit opposing Ground-types, such as Donphan, Mamoswine,<comma> and Rhyperior, while Hidden Power Ice still hits Ground-types, as well as which Hidden Power Water achieves as well, while also dealing super effective damage to Dragon-types, such as Flygon. Roost can be used to recover the health lost to Life Orb recoil or any other damaged suffered, making enabling Zapdos able to continue its putting offensive pressure on the opponent's team. Volt Switch is also a viable option in the last slot, giving;<semicolon> it gives Zapdos an scounting option scouting capability and can deal a decent amount of damage on the switch.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Discharge is a less powerful option to use over Thunderbolt, for the and packs a greater chance of paralyzing the opponent, but the power difference is noticeable. Hidden Power Grass can be used, as it is Zapdos's best weapon against Quagsire. Signal Beam can be used to hit the many Psychic- and Dark-types in the tier, such as Mew and Zoroark, while still hitting Grass-types for super effective damage, but it hits only slightly harder than an ineffective STAB Thunderbolt. Timid is the preferred natured on this set to at least tie with all the 100 Base the numerous base 100 Speed Pokemon, such as Shaymin and Mew, which can be the difference between life and death. However, Modest is still an option for more raw power.</p>

<p>Entry hazards can help secure some needed KOs against bulkier Pokemon such as Snorlax. Roserade is a good choice for this, as it can take care of Rock-types such as Rhyperior with ease. Rapid Spin support is a must, as Zapdos is weak against to Stealth Rock. Hitmontop pairs best with Zapdos as a Rapid Spin user, as it resists Rock-type moves,<comma> and unlike Donphan, doesn't share a Ice-type weakness with Zapdos, unlike Donphan. Choice Scarf Heracross, Choice Scarf Flygon, and Froslass are examples of faster Pokemon that can KO Zapdos with their respective moves. While it needs to be careful when switching in, Darmanitan can take of both Heracross and Froslass with its Flare Blitz, while and Suicune too have has no problems dealing with any of the three. However, Darmanitan needs to be careful when switching in. Though Zapdos can take care of most Donphan relatively easy, Donphan can suprise surprise Zapdos with a Head Smash, ending its sweep early. This makes defensive Water-types, such as Suicune and Milotic, good options to deal with Donphan for more cautious players.</p>

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Toxic / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Roar / Heat Wave
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With good above-average bulk, a good defensive typing, and access to Roost, Zapdos makes a great defensive Pokemon. Thunderbolt is used to gives Zapdos an excellent attacking option, still hitting hard from its and by virtue of Zapdos's great Special Attack stat, even if it's uninvested still does much damage, despite the lack of investment. Toxic is a great move on almost any defensive Pokemon, and Zapdos is no exception. In combination with Roost, Zapdos is able Toxic enables Zapdos to wear down most opponents, while recovering any lost damage maintaining high health. Roar is,<comma> another great move, making Zapdos able allows Zapdos to phazae phaze out the opponent, possibly racking up possible entry hazard damage or removing the opponent's boosts. Hidden Power Ice and Heat Wave are still viable options, though. Hidden Power Ice lets Zapdos deal with pesky Ground-types, such as Donphan, Gligar, Flygon, and Nidoking, which would otherwise cause a lot of trouble for Zapdos,<comma> while Heat Wave hits Grass- and Ice-types, mainly Abomasnow and the rare Ferroseed, for super effective damage.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt for,<comma> allowing Zapdos to provide paralysis support, but it often conflicts with Toxic. The given EVs give Zapdos the best bulk possible, while letting it outrun Adamant Honchkrow and max Speed Abomasnow. The Defense EVs could also go into Special Defense with a Calm nature to make Zapdos specially defensive instead, but given its useful resistances to Fighting- and Ground-type moves, this is not recommended.</p>

<p>Though not as crucially needed as on the more offensive sets, Rapid Spin support is still appecitated appreciated to avoid prevent Zapdos from taking any unnecessary damage. Hitmontop and Donphan are both good choices for this, resiting,<comma> as they resist Rock-type moves and is useful in their own way. Donphan can also set up Stealth Rock alongside providing Rapid Spin support, but shares a Ice-type weakness with Zapdos, making Hitmontop a greater better / superior choice overall. If Zapdos has Roar or lacks Toxic, entry hazards in form of Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Toxic Spikes is recommended. As Roar forces switches, Spikes and Stealth Rock help rack up damage against the opponent's Pokemon. Roserade and Nidoqueen can set up Spikes and Stealth Rock respectively, and if Zapdos lacks Toxic, both of them can set up Toxic Spikes. It is also wise to remove any Pokemon that can threaten Zapdos with strong Rock-type moves. Rhyperior, Heracross, and Flygon are all examples of this, and Pokemon that can easily KO Zapdos with Stone Edge. Suicune can easily handle Rhyperior and Flygon, and to some extent, Heracross. This make Darmanitan a is another great choice for dealing with Heracross.</p>

[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Toxic / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Leftovers
evs: 192 HP / 64 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With a combination of good bulk, Subtitute Substitute, Roost, Pressure, and Toxic, Zapdos can effectively outstall both the opponent's moves and the opponent itself. With Courtesy of its good Speed stat, Zapdos can easily set up a Substitute on slower walls or Pokemon it forces out, while its bulk allows it to keep the Substitute up against weaker attackers. Thunderbolt gives Zapdos a strong and reliable attacking option, making it less suspectable susceptible to Taunt. With proper Toxic Spikes support, Hidden Power Ice is still a viable option to take on various Ground-types, most notably Nidoqueen, Nidoking, and Immunity Gligar.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EV spread can be changed to suit your preference team's needs ; however, max Speed is needed to make allow Zapdos able to get put up Substitute as easily as possible. 248 HP EVs builds on add to Zapdos's overall bulk, making its Substitutes last longer. The 64 Defense EVs can also be moved to Special Defense instead, but Zapdos needs those EVs invested into Defense more, being able to outlive most physical attackers physical bulk is generally preferred.</p>

<p>As stated before, Toxic Spikes support is needed especially if you opt to use Hidden Power Ice over Toxic, actually, Toxic Spikes can or even to ease up the stalling process without Zapdos needing,<comma> as it removes the need for Zapdos to use Toxic itself. Roserade and Nidoqueen are both viable users of Toxic Spikes, and can also take care of Rock Blast Rhyperior carrying Rock Blast fairly easy. Aromatherapy Cleric support is helpful, as Zapdos has no way of removing status itself, and status will ruin its stalling attempts. Chansey is the best choice for this, and will easily take as it can comfortably sponge / tank special moves directed at Zapdos, while Zapdos can take care off of threatning threatening Fighting-types for Chansey. Rapid Spin support will ensure that Zapdos comes it at full health;<semicolon> again, Hitmontop and Donphan are both viable options. Donphan can also,<comma> with the latter also being able to set up Stealth Rock alongside using Rapid Spin. As previously mentioned, something to take care of Rock Blast wielding Rhyperior is helpful, as it will easily break through Zapdos's Substitutes. Other than Roserade and Nidoqueen, Suicune and Milotic can take it on with ease.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Water / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Volt Switch / U-turn
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Zapdos's great Special Attack stat and good Speed stat make it a great user of either Choice Scarf or Choice Specs. With Choice Scarf, Zapdos takes on more of a revenge killing role, easily outspeeding huge parts most of the tier, while with Choice Specs, Zapdos can becomes more of a wallbreaker thanks to the raw power output of Choice Specs. Thunderbolt is Zapdos's best STAB option for a STAB move, and can easily fininsh which depending on Zapdos's held item either enables it to finish off frail Water- and Flying-types,<comma> or plow through dedicated walls, such as Milotic and Suicune. Hidden Power Ice lets Zapdos hit super effectively damage both Ground- and Dragon-types for super effective damage, most notably Gligar, Nidoking, Donphan, and Flygon, while Hidden Power Water is Zapdos best chance against Mamoswine and Rhyperior. Heat Wave hits Grass-types hard, who that resists Zapdos's Thunderbolt, nailing and in the process nails Steel-<space>and Ice-types in the process as well. Volt Switch lets Zapdos scout, dealing and deal some decent damage on the way out. However, Volt Switch is easily stopped by any Ground-types, which makes U-turn a weaker, but more reliable option.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Hidden Power Flying can be a suprising surprising option for a secondary STAB move, and can hit the many Fighting-types in the tier, as well as Ludicolo, for super effective damage. Hidden Power Grass is also an option, as it will hit Quagsire harder than anything other move in Zapdos's arsenal. The choice of nature is mostly determined by what your team needs. If you need and held item depends on whether your team needs Zapdos to outspeed and revenge kill up to Choice Scarf base 100 Speed Pokemon Choice Scarf users, such as Victini and Flygon, or just to plow through the opponent's team with a Modest nature and Choice Specs; any either combination is an option. Rapid Spin support is needed, as Zapdos is going to be switching around a lot. Hitmontop and Donphan is are the best options to choose from between, but has things that make them useful in their own way. Hitmontop;<semicolon> the former doesn't share an Ice-type weakness with Zapdos, unlike Donphan; however, Donphan but the latter can also set up Stealth Rock alongside providing Rapid Spin support, which can be very useful for might allow Zapdos to secure some KOs. Rotom-H resists every move on this set, and needs to be dealth with accordingly specifically. Quagsire is the best option to take care of it, as Quagsire resists or is immune to Rotom-H's STAB moves. Chansey and Snorlax will stop this set with ease, so hard-hitting Fighting-types, such as Heracross, Hitmontop, and Gallade, are all viable options to take care of them.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Zapdos can also support its team with weather, as it can set up both Rain Dance and Sunny Day; Zapdos can even abuse both sun and rain itself;<semicolon> in rain, Zapdos gets a 100% accurate Thunder to dish out. However, Zapdos functions even better in sun, as,<comma> while in sun, Heat Wave gets a power pseudo-STAB optional change boost and it will get easier for Zapdos to deal with Water-types. Zapdos also has access to Baton Pass and Agility to pass Speed boosts, but it's not recommended outside of a Baton Pass chain. A set with Rest and Sleep Talk can also be used, as,<comma> unlike Roost, Rest can also heal status problems conditions unlike Roost. However, this combination is unreliable and,<comma> so it's usually better to stick with Roost.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Since Zapdos is specially offensive a special attacker, specially defensive Pokemon will stop it in its tracks. Chansey has the easiest time against any Zapdos set, as she can not only take any hit Zapdos throws at her and heal any status problem with Aromatherapy, while wearing but also wear down Zapdos with Toxic and Seismic Toss. Snorlax is another Pokemon with a huge HP and Special Defense stats, but unlike Chansey, it can hit Zapdos hard from the start, instead of slowly wearing it down, and recovers can recover damage and health with Rest. Rotom-H resists all of Zapdos possible most of Zapdos's typical moves hidden power water, and can hit really hard does a lot of damage with its STAB Overheat. Opposing Electric-types, such as Jolteon, Manectric, and Electivire, can come in on Zapdos's Electric-type moves, receive a boost of some sort, and then KO Zapdos with Hidden Power Ice and Ice Punch respectively.</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Zapdos receives Lightningrod as its Dream World ability. Lightningrod gives Zapdos an immunity to Electric-type moves and gives it a Special Attack boost when hit by one an Electric-type attack 'one' might refer to 'a special attack boost' .. okay, it's kind of obvious, but any ambiguity is best removed. It's a really useful ability on all sets except the SubRoost set, where Pressure is needed in the stalling process. However, there are drawbacks with using Lightningrod; Heat Wave isn't compatible with Lightningrod,<comma> the greatest one being the loss of Heat Wave.</p>

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"Roost can be used to recover health lost to Life Orb recoil or any other damaged suffered, enabling Zapdos ableto continue putting offensive pressure on the opponent's team. "

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