Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 64 HP / 240 Atk / 28 SpD / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Superpower
- Stomping Tantrum / Thousand Waves / Dragon Tail
Recently surging in prominence, Choice Band Zygarde has excelled in breaking down opposing teams in the DOU metagame. While Zygarde's other known set, Dragon Dance, is about trying to win games by setting up, Choice Band Zygarde is all about softening up opposing squads, Thousand Arrows shining because virtually nothing resists it in the metagame outside of Tapu Bulu; this set is effective in dealing notable chip damage to foes in the early- to mid-game, which can be useful for picking off threats, breaking through them, or sweeping with teammates later on. This set also has an assortment of situational moves, but note that being locked into a move that's not Thousand Arrows can cause you to lose momentum. With the support of Tailwind, Zygarde can become a dangerous threat that can end games by cleaning through weakened teams, making Pokemon that can set it such as Zapdos and Mega Salamence nifty to have. Teaming Zygarde with Volt Switch or U-turn users such as Mega Manectric, Landorus-T, and Tapu Koko is also recommended, as they can get Zygarde into a favorable position to fire off Thousand Arrows. Like all physical attackers in DOU, answers to Landorus-T such as Tapu Fini, Kyurem-B, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross are generally appreciated.
The featured spread survives Timid Tapu Lele's unboosted Moonblast, makes Ice Punch-less Mega Metagross 3HKO with its main STAB attacks, and outruns Modest Kingdra out of rain. Dragon Tail is an option over either secondary Ground move for stopping Trick Room setters, shuffling them out before they set it.
Want to see Choice Band Zygarde in action? Watch this SPL Week 3 DOU match where it's used by MajorBowman against marilli:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7doublesou-344281
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 64 HP / 240 Atk / 28 SpD / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Superpower
- Stomping Tantrum / Thousand Waves / Dragon Tail
Recently surging in prominence, Choice Band Zygarde has excelled in breaking down opposing teams in the DOU metagame. While Zygarde's other known set, Dragon Dance, is about trying to win games by setting up, Choice Band Zygarde is all about softening up opposing squads, Thousand Arrows shining because virtually nothing resists it in the metagame outside of Tapu Bulu; this set is effective in dealing notable chip damage to foes in the early- to mid-game, which can be useful for picking off threats, breaking through them, or sweeping with teammates later on. This set also has an assortment of situational moves, but note that being locked into a move that's not Thousand Arrows can cause you to lose momentum. With the support of Tailwind, Zygarde can become a dangerous threat that can end games by cleaning through weakened teams, making Pokemon that can set it such as Zapdos and Mega Salamence nifty to have. Teaming Zygarde with Volt Switch or U-turn users such as Mega Manectric, Landorus-T, and Tapu Koko is also recommended, as they can get Zygarde into a favorable position to fire off Thousand Arrows. Like all physical attackers in DOU, answers to Landorus-T such as Tapu Fini, Kyurem-B, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross are generally appreciated.
The featured spread survives Timid Tapu Lele's unboosted Moonblast, makes Ice Punch-less Mega Metagross 3HKO with its main STAB attacks, and outruns Modest Kingdra out of rain. Dragon Tail is an option over either secondary Ground move for stopping Trick Room setters, shuffling them out before they set it.
Want to see Choice Band Zygarde in action? Watch this SPL Week 3 DOU match where it's used by MajorBowman against marilli:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7doublesou-344281
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