[MnM] Zygarde

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Ready for GP!

QC Stamps: Quantum Tesseract / nv / InfernapeTropius11
GP Stamps: Sobi / Kris

Overview

Zygarde-C is one of the bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks to its amazing bulk, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams. It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou. Zygarde can also act as a great offensive threat in its base forme with a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate-boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.

However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental 4x Ice-type weakness that allows offensive threats such as Weavile, Manaphy, and Glalilite Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily. It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning that Zygarde must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity. Its Pinsirite set also faces competition from other setup sweepers such as Lucario, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it harder to justify on many teams.

Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves

Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing non-grounded Pokemon. However, Thousand Waves can be used instead to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey. Toxic is a great tool to cripple and whittle down incoming switch-ins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive. Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon, Swords Dance Cobalion, and Nasty Plot Thundurus. Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic, since Rest allows it not to use up PP while asleep.

Set Details

EVs are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Close Combat from Terrakion. Power Contruct allows Zygarde to transform into its Complete forme when at 50% health or less at the end of the turn. Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to switch in more easily.

Usage Tips

Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Kartana, Arceus-Ghost, and Terrakion, so try and switch it in against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility that it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa. If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder. This is especially highlighted when using Rest; therefore, it should only be used when necessary. Zygarde-C also struggles to check many special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.

Team Options

Due to Zygarde-C's nasty 4x Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Arceus-Water and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the former's ability to remove entry hazards and the latter's ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C. Specially defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, Cresselia, and Magearna can also be useful partners, as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas, which all threaten Zygarde-C. Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, meaning that Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switch-ins against these threats. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazards. Heal Bell support from clerics such as Togekiss and Blissey can also be advantageous, as they can cure Zygarde-C's status, especially since it is usually asleep when using Rest.

Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously. Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move, as it is boosted by Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A, which would otherwise threaten to KO it. Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage. Return can be used instead as another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal consistent damage, avoiding the effects of Outrage locking it in into a Dragon-type move. This can help prevent it from being used as setup fodder versus Fairy- and Steel-types such as Mimikyu, Xerneas, and Metagross. Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Rock, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the last two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified, which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.

Set Details

EVs have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly nature in order to maximize Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities. An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output, giving it the chance to OHKO faster threats such as Absolite Hoopa-U and Mega Gengar with Extreme Speed after Stealth Rock damage. However, it leaves Zygarde outsped by opposing Jolly Zygarde and Pinsirite Lucario.

Usage Tips

Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late-game may be more optimal against less defensive teams. Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to outprioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde does not garner any boosts—however, Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost—so be wary of leaving Zygarde in against these threats. Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Zygarde, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these threats. Zygarde can also be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde. Zygarde can choose not to Mega Evolve immediately to conserve the STAB boost on Thousand Arrows, allowing it to deal more damage against targets such as Zapdos and Arceus-Rock.

Team Options

Team members that can switch-in on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Manaphy, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks. Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful, as they allow Zygarde to have an easier time with breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia. Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a Stealth Rock weakness upon Mega Evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory. Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switch-in on certain status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave, which would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde. Pokemon with similar checks and counters such as Cobalion, Archeops, and Lucario pair well with this to wear down shared answers.

Groundium Z Sweeper
Zygarde-Complete @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Thousand Waves / Outrage

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde-C to become a potent wallbreaker that is difficult to check. Thousand Arrows is an amazing STAB move, allowing Zygarde-C to hit every popular threat in the metagame. It also enables it to fire off a powerful 180-Base Power Tectonic Rage. Extreme Speed is a great utility move that allows Zygarde-C to pick off weakened foes that can outspeed it, preventing them from dealing significant damage against Zygarde-C. Rest can be used instead, allowing Zygarde-C to sustain itself, which can especially be useful when trapping defensive walls that can threaten to status it. However, Zygarde-C can easily be overwhelmed by many offensive threats in the two turns that it is asleep, making the option very much lackluster. Thousand Waves is a secondary Ground-type STAB move that helps Zygarde-C trap and set up versus more passive threats. Outrage is another STAB option for Zygarde-C, allowing it to hit threats that resist Ground-type attacks such as Golisopod. It also allows Zygarde-C to hit defensive threats such as other Zygarde-C, Zapdos, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.

Set Details

Groundium Z enables Zygarde-C to use Tectonic Rage, allowing it to break past common checks such as Arceus-Fairy and 2HKOing other common defensive walls such as Blissey, Suicune, and Cresselia at +1. Power Construct is needed to let Zygarde transform into its Complete forme after being at below 50% HP at the end of a turn. EVs have been invested into Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to amplify Zygarde's sweeping capabilities. 24 EVs have been placed in Special Defense to ensure that Zygarde survives a Judgment from Arceus-Fairy. A Jolly nature with full Speed investment can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to outspeed threats such as Jolly Zygarde and Timid Deoxys-A after a +1 boost.

Usage Tips

Dragon Dance Zygarde-C is such a formidable threat due to it possessing such great bulk, which lets it be a very difficult target to revenge kill. Groundium Z also helps boost its wallbreaking capabilities, meaning that common defensive answers cannot check it as easily. Tectonic Rage should be used when Zygarde-C is facing defensive walls such as Arceus-Fairy, Vaporeon, and other Zygarde-C, due to Zygarde-C having a difficult time breaking through such answers without the use of this Z-Move. Offensive threats such as Glalilite Weavile and Arceus-Ghost still threaten to revenge kill Zygarde-C due to the former's access to Refrigerate-boosted Fake Out and Feint and the latter's immunity to Extreme Speed. However, Zygarde-C can still threaten to OHKO Arceus-Ghost with a Tectonic Rage if it acquires a Dragon Dance boost beforehand. Thousand Waves should be used to trap passive walls such as Blissey, Vaporeon, and Zapdos (after it has been knocked down by Thousand Arrows), as Zygarde-C can proceed to start setting up without fearing to be dented too much by the aforementioned Pokemon. Zygarde-C can be quite weak without any boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Zapdos, and Cresselia with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde-C.

Team Options

Zygarde-C's 4x Ice-type weakness necessitates the use of team members that can switch comfortably into these attacks. Therefore, Pokemon such as Suicune, Magearna, and Red Orb Togekiss can be great partners. Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful, as they allow Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia. Status absorbers such as Toxapex and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have due to them being able to switch in on certain status moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, which would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde if it chooses to not run Rest. Lastly, wallbreakers such as Pheromosa, Genesect, Hoopa-U, and Tapu Koko are all great partners, as they can wear down common defensive threats such as Blissey, Skarmory, and Arceus-Ghost, which all have the potential to wall Zygarde-C if it has already used its Z-Move, while in return, Zygarde-C can help break through offensive threats after a Dragon Dance boost.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work, as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune. Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia on the switch in. Dragonium Z can be used over Groundium Z to ensure that Zygarde-C OHKOes threats such as other Zygarde-C and Zapdos with a +1 Devestating Drake; however, Tectonic Rage generally provides Zygarde-C with more capabilities to sweep due to it being better offensive coverage.

Checks and Counters

Ice-type Moves: Ice-type Pokemon such as Weavile and Mamoswine can threaten and force out Zygarde sets. Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can also carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken or KO Zygarde.

Fairy-types: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

Aerilate Checks: Bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Ground, and defensive Yveltal can survive any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can heavily damage it in return.

Powerful Special Attacks: Special attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful attacks due to its lower special bulk.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: None
GP Stamps: None

Overview
  • Zygarde-C is one of the most bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks it is amazing HP stat and great defensive stats, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams.
  • It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou.
  • It can also act as a great offensive threat with its 50% forme holding a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.
  • However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental x4 Ice-type weakness across all its sets that allow offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily.
  • It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning it must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity.
  • Its Pinsirite set also is outclassed by other setup sweepers such as Dragonite, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it to be harder to justify on many teams.
Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing Flying-type immunity and Levitate.
  • Thousand Waves can be used as a STAB option instead to allow Zygarde-C to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey.
  • Toxic is a great tool to cripple and weaken down incoming switchins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze out threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon, Shift Gear Genesect, and Calm Mind Arceus-Ground.
  • Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic.
Set Details
  • EV's are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Brave Bird from Ho-Oh.
  • Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to sustain itself a bit more.
  • A Chesto Berry can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to wake up immediately when using Rest, however it can only be used once and generally less optimal then Leftovers.
Usage Tips
  • Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Arceus-Ghost, and Pinsirite Dragonite, so try and switchin Zygarde-C against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa respectably.
  • If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder.
  • Zygarde-C also struggles to check many Special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.
Team Options
  • Due to Zygarde-C's nasty x4 Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Venusaurite Zapdos and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the formers ability to remove hazards and the latters ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C.
  • Specially Defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, and Magearna can also be useful partners as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas that all threaten Zygarde-C.
  • Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, where Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switchins against these threats.
  • Hazard removal from pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazard chip damage.
Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously.
  • Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move as it is affected by the effects of Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A that would otherwise threaten to KO it.
  • Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Steel, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the ladder two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.

Set Details
  • EV's have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly Nature in order to extenuate Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities.
  • An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output, however it leaves it to be outspeed by Jolly Zygarde.
  • A Salamencite can be used alternatively to give Zygarde a bit more bulk which can help it set up a bit better, but the better increase of power from the Pinsirite is generally more beneficial to help Zygarde net more KOs.
Usage Tips
  • Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late game may be more optimal against less defensive teams.
  • Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to out prioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde did not garner any boosts (however Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost).
  • Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Dragon-types such as Zygarde and Dragonite, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these aforementioned threats.
  • Zygarde can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde.
Team Options
  • Team members that can switchin on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Venusaurite Zapdos, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Dragonite, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a x2 Stealth Rock weakness upon mega evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory.
  • Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde.

Strategy Comments
Other Options

  • An offensive Zygarde-C Dragon Dance set with Groundzium Z can also work quite well due to Zygarde-C being able to OHKO targets such as Arceus-Fairy, Manaphy, and Blissey with a +1 Tectonic Rage.
  • A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune.
  • Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia.
  • A defensive Venusaurite set can also work as it gives Zygarde only two weaknesses in Fairy and Dragon-type moves, although Zygarde-C outclasses these sets by quite a margin.
Checks and Counters

[Ice-type coverage]:
Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken Zygarde, preventing it from performing its role.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

[Mandibuzz]: Mandibuzz can live any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can threaten to deal loads of damage to Zygarde with Foul Play.

[Powerful Specially Offensive Attacks]: Specially offensive attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, Manaphy, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful special attacks due to it pertaining lower special bulk.
Zygarde is ready for QC checking
 
Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: None
GP Stamps: None

Overview
  • Zygarde-C is one of the most bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks it is amazing HP stat and great defensive stats, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams.
  • It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou.
  • It can also act as a great offensive threat with its 50% forme holding a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.
  • However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental x4 Ice-type weakness across all its sets that allow offensive threats such as Pheromosa Different example, maybe weavile, because it doesn't beat aerilate, Manaphy, and Glalilite Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily.
  • It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning it must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity.
  • Its Pinsirite set also is outclassed by other setup sweepers such as Dragonite, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it to be harder to justify on many teams.
Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing Flying-type immunity and Levitate.
  • Thousand Waves can be used as a STAB option instead to allow Zygarde-C to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey.
  • Toxic is a great tool to cripple and weaken down incoming switchins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze out threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon, Shift Gear Genesect Dragon Dance Dragonite, and Calm Mind Arceus-Ground Nasty Plot Thundurus.
  • Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic. Elaborate (On how it doesn't use pp)
Set Details
  • EV's are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Brave Bird from Ho-Oh.
  • Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to sustain itself a bit more. switch in more easily.
  • A Chesto Berry can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to wake up immediately when using Rest, however it can only be used once and generally less optimal then Leftovers.
  • Power construct...
Usage Tips
  • Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Arceus-Ghost, and Pinsirite Dragonite, so try and switchin Zygarde-C against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa. respectably.
  • If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder.
  • Zygarde-C also struggles to check many Special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.
Team Options
  • Due to Zygarde-C's nasty x4 Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Venusaurite Zapdos and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the formers ability to remove hazards and the latters ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C.
  • Specially Defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, and Magearna can also be useful partners as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas that all threaten Zygarde-C.
  • Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, where Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switchins against these threats.
  • Hazard removal from pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazard chip damage.
  • Heal Bell support from...
Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously.
  • Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move as it is affected by the effects of Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A that would otherwise threaten to KO it.
  • Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Rock, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the ladder two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.

Set Details
  • EV's have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly Nature in order to extenuate Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities. Give a bullet for attack and speed
  • An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output, however it leaves it to be outspeed by opposing Jolly Zygarde and Pinsirite Lucario, .
  • A Salamencite can be used alternatively to give Zygarde a bit more bulk which can help it set up a bit better, but the better increase of power from the Pinsirite is generally more beneficial to help Zygarde net more KOs. No, offstab espeed is worthless
Usage Tips
  • Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late game may be more optimal against less defensive teams.
  • Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to out prioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde did not garner any boosts (however Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost). This is a statement, not a usage tip. I'm sure exactly the point you're trying to make here, but reword.
  • Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Dragon-types such as Zygarde and Dragonite, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these aforementioned threats.
  • Zygarde can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde.
  • Not mega avolving immediately lets zygarde keep STAB on thousand arrows and lets it better take on Flying-type resistances such as Arceus-Rock.
Team Options
  • Team members that can switchin on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Venusaurite Zapdos, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Dragonite, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a x2 Stealth Rock weakness upon mega evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory.
  • Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde.
  • Pokemon with similar checks and counters such as Dragonite, Archeops, and Lucario pair well with this to wear down shared answers.

Strategy Comments
Other Options

  • An offensive Dragon Dance Zygarde-C set with Groundzium Z can also work quite well due to Zygarde-C being able to OHKO targets such as Arceus-Fairy, Manaphy, and Blissey with a +1 Tectonic Rage.
  • A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune.
  • Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia.
  • A defensive Venusaurite set can also work as it gives Zygarde only two weaknesses in Fairy and Dragon-type moves, although Zygarde-C outclasses these sets by quite a margin.
Checks and Counters

[Ice-type Moves]: Ice-type Pokemon such as Weavile and Mamoswine carry can threatern and force out Zygarde sets.
Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can also carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken or KO Zygarde.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

[Aerilate Checks]: Bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Ground, and defensive Yveltal can live any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can heavily damage it in return.

[Powerful Specially Offensive Attacks]: Specially offensive attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, Manaphy, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful special attacks due to its pertaining lower special bulk.
Nice work, 1/3.
 

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: Quantum Tesseract / /
GP Stamps: None

Overview
  • Zygarde-C is one of the most bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks it is amazing HP stat and great defensive stats, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams.
  • It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou.
  • It can also act as a great offensive threat with its 50% forme holding a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.
  • However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental x4 Ice-type weakness across all its sets that allow offensive threats such as Weavile, Manaphy, and Glalilite Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily.
  • It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning it must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity.
  • Its Pinsirite set also is outclassed by other setup sweepers such as Dragonite, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it to be harder to justify on many teams.
Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing Flying-type immunity and Levitate.
  • Thousand Waves can be used as a STAB option instead to allow Zygarde-C to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey.
  • Toxic is a great tool to cripple and weaken down incoming switchins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze out threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Nasty Plot Thundurus.
  • Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic, since Rist allows you to not use up PP while asleep.
Set Details
  • EV's are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Brave Bird from Ho-Oh.
  • Power Contruct allows Zygarde to transform into its Complete form when at 50% health or less at the end of the turn.
  • Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to switch in more easily.
  • A Chesto Berry can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to wake up immediately when using Rest, however it can only be used once and generally less optimal then Leftovers.
Usage Tips
  • Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Arceus-Ghost, and Pinsirite Dragonite, so try and switchin Zygarde-C against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa respectably.
  • If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder.
  • Zygarde-C also struggles to check many Special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.
Team Options
  • Due to Zygarde-C's nasty x4 Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Venusaurite Zapdos and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the formers ability to remove hazards and the latters ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C.
  • Specially Defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, and Magearna can also be useful partners as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas that all threaten Zygarde-C.
  • Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, where Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switchins against these threats.
  • Hazard removal from pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazard chip damage.
  • Heal Bell support from clerics such as Togekiss and Blissey can also be advantageous, as they can cure Zygarde-C from status moves, especially since it is usually asleep when using Rest.
Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously.
  • Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move as it is affected by the effects of Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A that would otherwise threaten to KO it.
  • Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Rock, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the ladder two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.

Set Details
  • EV's have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly Nature in order to extenuate Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities.
  • An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output, however it leaves it to be outspeed by opposing Jolly Zygarde and Pinsirite Lucario.
Usage Tips
  • Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late game may be more optimal against less defensive teams.
  • Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to out prioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde did not garner any boosts (however Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost), so be weary of leaving Zygarde in against these threats.
  • Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Dragon-types such as Zygarde and Dragonite, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these aforementioned threats.
  • Zygarde can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde.
  • Zygarde can choose not to mega evolve immediately to conserve STAB on Thoudand Arrows, allowing it to deal more damage against targets such as Zapdos and Arceus-Rock.
Team Options
  • Team members that can switchin on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Venusaurite Zapdos, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Dragonite, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a x2 Stealth Rock weakness upon mega evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory.
  • Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde.
  • Pokemon with similar checks and counters such as Dragonite, Archeops, and Lucario pair well with this to wear down shared answers.

Strategy Comments
Other Options

  • An offensive Dragon Dance Zygarde-C set with Groundzium Z can also work quite well due to Zygarde-C being able to OHKO targets such as Arceus-Fairy, Manaphy, and Blissey with a +1 Tectonic Rage.
  • A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune.
  • Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia.
  • A defensive Venusaurite set can also work as it gives Zygarde only two weaknesses in Fairy and Dragon-type moves, although Zygarde-C outclasses these sets by quite a margin.
Checks and Counters

[Ice-type Moves]: Ice-type Pokemon such as Weavile and Mamoswine carry can threatern and force out Zygarde sets.
Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can also carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken or KO Zygarde.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

[Aerilate Checks]: Bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Ground, and defensive Yveltal can live any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can heavily damage it in return.

[Powerful Specially Offensive Attacks]: Specially offensive attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful special attacks due to its lower special bulk.
Ok first check implemented
 

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: Quantum Tesseract / /
GP Stamps: None

Overview
  • Zygarde-C is one of the most bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks it is amazing HP stat and great defensive stats, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams.
  • It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou.
  • It can also act as a great offensive threat with its 50% forme holding a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.
  • However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental x4 Ice-type weakness across all its sets that allow offensive threats such as Weavile, Manaphy, and Glalilite Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily.
  • It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning it must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity.
  • Its Pinsirite set also faces competition from other setup sweepers such as Lucario, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it to be harder to justify on many teams.
Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing Flying-type immunity and Levitate.
  • Thousand Waves can be used as a STAB option instead to allow Zygarde-C to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey.
  • Toxic is a great tool to cripple and weaken down incoming switchins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze out threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon, Swords Dance Cobalion and Nasty Plot Thundurus.
  • Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic, since Rist allows you to not use up PP while asleep.
Set Details
  • EV's are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Brave Bird from Ho-Oh.
  • Power Contruct allows Zygarde to transform into its Complete form when at 50% health or less at the end of the turn.
  • Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to switch in more easily.
  • A Chesto Berry can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to wake up immediately when using Rest, however it can only be used once and generally less optimal then Leftovers.
Usage Tips
  • Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Arceus-Ghost, and Terrakion so try and switchin Zygarde-C against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa.
  • If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder.
  • Zygarde-C also struggles to check many Special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.
Team Options
  • Due to Zygarde-C's nasty x4 Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Venusaurite Zapdos and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the formers ability to remove hazards and the latters ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C.
  • Specially Defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, and Magearna can also be useful partners as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas that all threaten Zygarde-C.
  • Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, where Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switchins against these threats.
  • Hazard removal from pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazard chip damage.
  • Heal Bell support from clerics such as Togekiss and Blissey can also be advantageous, as they can cure Zygarde-C from status moves, especially since it is usually asleep when using Rest.
Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously.
  • Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move as it is affected by the effects of Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A that would otherwise threaten to KO it.
  • Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Rock, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the ladder two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.

Set Details
  • EV's have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly Nature in order to extenuate Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities.
  • An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output, however it leaves it to be outspeed by opposing Jolly Zygarde and Pinsirite Lucario.
Usage Tips
  • Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late game may be more optimal against less defensive teams.
  • Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to out prioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde did not garner any boosts (however Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost), so be weary of leaving Zygarde in against these threats.
  • Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Zygarde, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these aforementioned threats.
  • Zygarde can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde.
  • Zygarde can choose not to mega evolve immediately to conserve STAB on Thoudand Arrows, allowing it to deal more damage against targets such as Zapdos and Arceus-Rock.
Team Options
  • Team members that can switchin on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Venusaurite Zapdos, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a x2 Stealth Rock weakness upon mega evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory.
  • Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde.
  • Pokemon with similar checks and counters such as Cobalion, Archeops, and Lucario pair well with this to wear down shared answers.
Offensive Groundium Z
Zygarde-Complete @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Thousand Waves / Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is an amazing STAB move, allowing Zygarde-C to hit every popular threat in the metagame. It also enables it to fire off a powerful 180 BP Tectonic Rage.
  • Thousand Waves is a secondary Ground-type STAB move that helps Zygarde-C setup versus more passive threats.
  • Outrage is another STAB option for Zygarde-C's allowing it to hit threats that resist Ground-type attacks such as Golisopod,, It also allows Zygarde-C to hit defensive threats such as other Zygarde-C, Zapdos, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Extreme Speed is a great coverage move that allows Zygarde-C to pick off faster foes such as Pheromosa, Absolite Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A, preventing them from dealing significant damage against Zygarde-C.
  • Rest can be used instead, allowing Zygarde-C to sustain itself, which can especially be useful when trapping defensive walls that can threaten to status it. However, Zygarde-C can easily be overwhelmed by many offensive threats the two turns that it is asleep, making the option very much lackluster.
  • Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde-C to become a potent wallbreaker that is difficult to check.

Set Details
  • Groundium Z enables Zygarde-C to use Tectonic Rage, allowing it to break past common checks such as Arceus-Fairy and allows it to 2HKO other common defensive walls such as Blissey, Suicune, and Cresselia at +1.
  • Power Construct is needed to let Zygarde transform into its Complete form after being at below 50% at the end of a turn.
  • EV's have been invested in Attack in Speed with an Adamant Nature in order to amplify Zygarde's sweeping capabilities. While 24 EVs have been placed in Special Defense to ensure that Zygarde lives a Judgement from Arceus-Fairy.
  • An Jolly nature with full Speed investment can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to outspeed threats such as Jolly Zygarde and Timid Deoxys-A after a +1 boost.
Usage Tips
  • Dragon Dance Zygarde-C is such a formidable threat due to it possessing such great bulk, which lets it be a very difficult target to revenge kill. Groundium Z also helps boost its wallbreaking capabilities, meaning that common defensive answers cannot check it as easily.
  • Tectonic Rage should be used when Zygarde-C is facing defensive walls such as Arceus-Fairy, Vaporeon, and other Zygarde-C, due to Zygarde-C having a difficult time breaking through such answers without the use of this Z-Move.
  • Offensive threats such as Glalilite Weavile and Arceus-Ghost still threaten to revenge kill Zygarde-C, due to the formers access to Ice-type Fake Out and Feint and the ladders immunity to Extreme Speed.
  • Thousand Waves should be used to trap passive walls such as Blissey, Vaporeon, and Zapdos (after it has been knocked down by Thousand Arrows), as Zygarde-C can proceed to start setting up without fearing to be dented too much by the aforementioned Pokemon.
  • Zygarde-C can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Zapdos, and Cresselia with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde-C.
Team Options
  • Zygarde-C's 4x Ice-type weakness necessitates the use of teammembers who can switch in comfortably into these attacks. Therefore, Pokemon such as Suicune, Magearna, and Red Orb Togekiss can be great partners.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Status absorbers such as Toxic and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Toxic and Will-o-Wisp that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde if it chooses to not run Rest.
  • Wallbreakers such as Pheromosa, Genesect, Hoopa-U, and Tapu Koko are all great partners, as they can wear down common defensive threats such as Blissey, Skarmory, and Arceus-Ghost that all have the potential to wall Zygarde-C if it has already used its Z-Move. While Zygarde-C can help break through offensive threats after a Dragon Dance boost in return

Strategy Comments
Other Options

  • A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune.
  • Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia.
  • Dragonium Z can be used over Groundium Z to ensure Zygarde-C OHKOes threats such as other Zygarde-C and Zapdos with a +1 Devistating Drake, however Tectnoic Rage generally provides Zygarde-C more capabilities to sweep due to it being better offensive coverage.
Checks and Counters

[Ice-type Moves]:
Ice-type Pokemon such as Weavile and Mamoswine carry can threatern and force out Zygarde sets. Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can also carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken or KO Zygarde.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

[Aerilate Checks]: Bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Ground, and defensive Yveltal can live any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can heavily damage it in return.

[Powerful Specially Offensive Attacks]: Specially offensive attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful special attacks due to its lower special bulk.
Ok nv, InfernapeTropius11 I added Groundium Z sweeper as a main set after talking to QT. Also removed mentions of Dragonite (which the other analyses should be updated to do the same as well)
 
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nv

The Lost Age
is a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: Quantum Tesseract / /
GP Stamps: None

Overview
  • Zygarde-C is one of the most bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks it is amazing HP stat and great defensive stats, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams.
  • It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou.
  • It can also act as a great offensive threat with its 50% forme holding a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.
  • However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental x4 Ice-type weakness across all its sets that allow offensive threats such as Weavile, Manaphy, and Glalilite Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily.
  • It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning it must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity.
  • Its Pinsirite set also faces competition from other setup sweepers such as Lucario, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it to be harder to justify on many teams.
Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing Flying-type immunity and Levitate.
  • Thousand Waves can be used as a STAB option instead to allow Zygarde-C to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey.
  • Toxic is a great tool to cripple and weaken down incoming switchins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze out threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon, Swords Dance Cobalion and Nasty Plot Thundurus.
  • Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic, since Rist allows you to not use up PP while asleep.
Set Details
  • EV's are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Brave Bird from Ho-Oh.
  • Power Contruct allows Zygarde to transform into its Complete form when at 50% health or less at the end of the turn.
  • Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to switch in more easily.
  • A Chesto Berry can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to wake up immediately when using Rest, however it can only be used once and generally less optimal then Leftovers.
I would mention a different threat over Ho-oh as Ho-oh isn't the best example to show Zygarde's tanking ability due to its lacking presence in the metagame. I would also remove the mention of a Chesto Berry as it serves 0 purpose on the defensive set; however, it fits more appropriately on an offensive set utilizing Rest which this set isn't.

Usage Tips
  • Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Arceus-Ghost, and Terrakion so try and switchin Zygarde-C against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa.
  • If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder.
  • Zygarde-C also struggles to check many Special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.
Remove the Ho-oh mention for the same reasoning I provided in the Set Details. Mention that it should only use Rest when necessary as it can cause those situations where Zygarde-Complete becomes setup fodder and thus makes its job as a wall a lot harder.

Team Options

  • Due to Zygarde-C's nasty x4 Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Venusaurite Zapdos and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the formers ability to remove hazards and the latters ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C.
  • Specially Defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, and Magearna can also be useful partners as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas that all threaten Zygarde-C.
  • Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, where Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switchins against these threats.
  • Hazard removal from pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazard chip damage.
  • Heal Bell support from clerics such as Togekiss and Blissey can also be advantageous, as they can cure Zygarde-C from status moves, especially since it is usually asleep when using Rest.
Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously.
  • Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move as it is affected by the effects of Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A that would otherwise threaten to KO it.
  • Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Rock, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the ladder two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.
I would make a mention about Return over Outrage / Extreme Speed just for the principle of secondary STAB / priority vs. power as Return can help Zygarde break a lot more easily and locking into Outrage can also allow Fairy-types in for free to revenge it or, in the case of Pokemon such as Metagrossite Mimikyu, set up and sweep.

Set Details

  • EV's have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly Nature in order to extenuate Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities.
  • An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output, however it leaves it to be outspeed by opposing Jolly Zygarde and Pinsirite Lucario.
Usage Tips
  • Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late game may be more optimal against less defensive teams.
  • Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to out prioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde did not garner any boosts (however Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost), so be weary of leaving Zygarde in against these threats.
  • Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Zygarde, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these aforementioned threats.
  • Zygarde can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde.
  • Zygarde can choose not to mega evolve immediately to conserve STAB on Thoudand Arrows, allowing it to deal more damage against targets such as Zapdos and Arceus-Rock.
Team Options
  • Team members that can switchin on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Venusaurite Zapdos, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a x2 Stealth Rock weakness upon mega evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory.
  • Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde.
  • Pokemon with similar checks and counters such as Cobalion, Archeops, and Lucario pair well with this to wear down shared answers.
Groundium Z Sweeper
Zygarde-Complete @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Thousand Waves / Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance

Set Comments

Moves
  • Thousand Arrows is an amazing STAB move, allowing Zygarde-C to hit every popular threat in the metagame. It also enables it to fire off a powerful 180 BP Tectonic Rage.
  • Thousand Waves is a secondary Ground-type STAB move that helps Zygarde-C setup versus more passive threats.
  • Outrage is another STAB option for Zygarde-C's allowing it to hit threats that resist Ground-type attacks such as Golisopod,, It also allows Zygarde-C to hit defensive threats such as other Zygarde-C, Zapdos, and Arceus-Ground for more damage.
  • Extreme Speed is a great coverage move that allows Zygarde-C to pick off faster foes such as Pheromosa, Absolite Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A, preventing them from dealing significant damage against Zygarde-C.
  • Rest can be used instead, allowing Zygarde-C to sustain itself, which can especially be useful when trapping defensive walls that can threaten to status it. However, Zygarde-C can easily be overwhelmed by many offensive threats the two turns that it is asleep, making the option very much lackluster.
  • Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde-C to become a potent wallbreaker that is difficult to check.

Set Details
  • Groundium Z enables Zygarde-C to use Tectonic Rage, allowing it to break past common checks such as Arceus-Fairy and allows it to 2HKO other common defensive walls such as Blissey, Suicune, and Cresselia at +1.
  • Power Construct is needed to let Zygarde transform into its Complete form after being at below 50% at the end of a turn.
  • EV's have been invested in Attack in Speed with an Adamant Nature in order to amplify Zygarde's sweeping capabilities. While 24 EVs have been placed in Special Defense to ensure that Zygarde lives a Judgement from Arceus-Fairy.
  • An Jolly nature with full Speed investment can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to outspeed threats such as Jolly Zygarde and Timid Deoxys-A after a +1 boost.
Usage Tips
  • Dragon Dance Zygarde-C is such a formidable threat due to it possessing such great bulk, which lets it be a very difficult target to revenge kill. Groundium Z also helps boost its wallbreaking capabilities, meaning that common defensive answers cannot check it as easily.
  • Tectonic Rage should be used when Zygarde-C is facing defensive walls such as Arceus-Fairy, Vaporeon, and other Zygarde-C, due to Zygarde-C having a difficult time breaking through such answers without the use of this Z-Move.
  • Offensive threats such as Glalilite Weavile and Arceus-Ghost still threaten to revenge kill Zygarde-C, due to the formers access to Ice-type Fake Out and Feint and the ladders immunity to Extreme Speed.
  • Thousand Waves should be used to trap passive walls such as Blissey, Vaporeon, and Zapdos (after it has been knocked down by Thousand Arrows), as Zygarde-C can proceed to start setting up without fearing to be dented too much by the aforementioned Pokemon.
  • Zygarde-C can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Zapdos, and Cresselia with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde-C.
Team Options
  • Zygarde-C's 4x Ice-type weakness necessitates the use of teammembers who can switch in comfortably into these attacks. Therefore, Pokemon such as Suicune, Magearna, and Red Orb Togekiss can be great partners.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful as it allows Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia.
  • Status absorbers such as Toxic and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin on certain status such as Toxic and Will-o-Wisp that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde if it chooses to not run Rest.
  • Wallbreakers such as Pheromosa, Genesect, Hoopa-U, and Tapu Koko are all great partners, as they can wear down common defensive threats such as Blissey, Skarmory, and Arceus-Ghost that all have the potential to wall Zygarde-C if it has already used its Z-Move. While Zygarde-C can help break through offensive threats after a Dragon Dance boost in return

Strategy Comments
Other Options

  • A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune.
  • Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia.
  • Dragonium Z can be used over Groundium Z to ensure Zygarde-C OHKOes threats such as other Zygarde-C and Zapdos with a +1 Devistating Drake, however Tectnoic Rage generally provides Zygarde-C more capabilities to sweep due to it being better offensive coverage.
Checks and Counters

[Ice-type Moves]:
Ice-type Pokemon such as Weavile and Mamoswine carry can threatern and force out Zygarde sets. Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can also carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken or KO Zygarde.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

[Aerilate Checks]: Bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Ground, and defensive Yveltal can live any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can heavily damage it in return.

[Powerful Specially Offensive Attacks]: Specially offensive attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful special attacks due to its lower special bulk.
Changes are in bold.

QC 2/3
 

InfernapeTropius11

get on my level
PDef
Team Options:
Remove Zapdos, it can't switch in on the most relevant Ice-type Pokémon (Weavile) and can't take on Mamoswine very well either, replace it with something like Waterceus (which can also remove hazards).

Also add Cresselia since it is also a great special wall + teammate (especially the hype Red Orb set me and jrdn came up with, but just mention Cress in general)

^^^ fix those in all team options things if they're mentioned there


Pinsirite
Set Details:
Mention a KO that adamant gets and jolly does not, otherwise remove mention of adamant.


Groundium Z
Moves:
+2 ESpeed only has a 43.8% chance to OHKO Lucarionite Pheromosa, and +2 outspeeds Phero so it can bop with Outrage. +1 doesn't have a chance to OHKO. This is just to say to change that point to ESpeed picks off weakened threats, as it isn't strong enough to bop even these frail threats when it lacks STAB or ate.
Usage Tips:
Elaborate on how Ghostceus beats ZygC, as at +1 ZygC outspeeds, and can use moves other than ESpeed before Ghostceus attacks (right now it sounds like the only way to outspeed Ghostceus is with ESpeed, which is not true if Ghostceus is the revenge killer, as that implies ZygC is at at least +1)
Team Options:
Finish this? The last sentence is unfinished.


OO:
Specify that for Core Enforcer to work, ZygC has to catch those mons on the switch as it is faster.

Overall really good, sorry for poor formatting. Tag me when you finish the Groundium Z team options section as I'm not sure what else you were going to write. Otherwise it looks fine, I'll stamp after you tag me for that (probably won't have to change it tbh).
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
Overview

Zygarde-C is one of the most bulkiest walls in the metagame thanks it to is its amazing HP stat and great defensive stats, letting it be a great defensive pivot for many teams. It also has a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that allows it to check offensive threats such as Primal Groudon, Terrakion, and Raikou. Zygarde can also act as a great offensive threat with its 50% base forme holding a Pinsirite, allowing it to hit many threats hard with Aerilate boosted Aerilate-boosted Extreme Speed and Thousand Arrows.

However, Zygarde possesses a detrimental x4 4x Ice-type weakness across all its sets that allow allows offensive threats such as Weavile, Manaphy, and Glalilite Genesect to revenge kill it much more easily. It also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning Zygarde must rely on Rest to sustain its longevity. Its Pinsirite set also faces competition from other setup sweepers such as Lucario, Genesect, and Arceus-Ghost, leaving it to be harder to justify on many teams.

Physically Defensive Wall
Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Rest

Set Comments

Moves

Thousand Arrows is Zygarde-C's main STAB move that allows it to hit every relevant threat in the Mix and Mega metagame due to it bypassing Flying-type immunity Ground-immune Pokemon and Levitate. Although, However, Thousand Waves can be used as a STAB option instead to allow Zygarde-C to trap and stall out threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Blissey. Toxic is a great tool to cripple and weaken down incoming switchins switch-ins such as opposing Zygarde-C, Arceus-Fairy, and Zapdos, leaving Zygarde-C a bit less passive. Dragon Tail is another STAB move that allows Zygarde-C to phaze out threats that can otherwise threaten it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon, Swords Dance Cobalion Cobalion, and Nasty Plot Thundurus. Rest is Zygarde-C's only form of reliable recovery, allowing it to restore its health to full and aids it when stalling out defensive threats in conjunction with Toxic, since Rest allows you it to not to use up PP while asleep.

Set Details

EV's EVs are maxed out in HP and Defense to turn Zygarde-C into a defensive behemoth, avoiding the 2HKO from powerful physical attacks such as Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and Close Combat from Terrakion. Power Contruct allows Zygarde to transform into its Complete form forme when at 50% health or less at the end of the turn. Leftovers is equipped to give Zygarde-C some passive recovery each turn, allowing it to switch in more easily.

Usage Tips

Zygarde-C is a great blanket check to many physical attackers in the metagame such as Primal Groudon, Kartana, Arceus-Ghost, and Terrakion Terrakion, so try and switchin switch it Zygarde-C in against these threats as much as possible to profit from the defensive utility it provides. However, certain physical attackers may threaten it out after setting up or by running mixed coverage such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Ice Beam Pheromosa. If Zygarde-C is fallen asleep by Rest, your opponent may take advantage of this and start setting up against it with threats such as Swords Dance Mimikyu and Tail Glow Manaphy. Optimal switching is key to prevent Zygarde-C from being used as setup fodder. This is especially highlighted when using Rest, Rest; therefore therefore, it should only be used when necessary. Zygarde-C also struggles to check many Special special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Yveltal, and Lunala due to its lower special bulk, which is why it should be pivoting out against these threats.

Team Options

Due to Zygarde-C's nasty x4 4x Ice-type weakness, Pokemon that are able to sustain Ice-type attacks such as Arcues-Water Arceus-Water and Vaporeon can be great teammates, especially with the formers former's ability to remove entry hazards and the latters latter's ability to pass Wishes to Zygarde-C. Specially Defensive defensive walls such as Blissey, Togekiss, Cresselia, and Magearna can also be useful partners partners, as they are able to check special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Xerneas that all threaten Zygarde-C. Zygarde-C also possesses a Fairy-type weakness, where as Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten it out. Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Steel, and Toxapex can be used as switchins switch-ins against these threats. Hazard removal from pokemon Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Fairy, and Skarmory can also be useful for Zygarde-C, as it can otherwise be weakened down heavily by entry hazard chip damage. Heal Bell support from clerics such as Togekiss and Blissey can also be advantageous, as they can cure Zygarde-C from status moves, especially since it is usually asleep when using Rest.

Pinsirite Sweeper
Zygarde @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return
- Thousand Arrows

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is Zygarde's main setup move that allows it to hit hard and become a fast threat simultaneously. Extreme Speed is Zygarde's main STAB move move, as it is affected by the effects of boosted by Aerilate. It also allows it to revenge kill faster threats such as Pheromosa, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A that would otherwise threaten to KO it. Outrage is Zygarde's other STAB option that allows it to hit threats that resist Flying-type attacks such as Zapdos. It also allows Zygarde to hit defensive threats such as Zygarde-C, Mandibuzz, and Arceus-Ground for more damage. Return can be used instead as another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal consistent damage, avoiding the effects of Outrage locking it in into a Dragon-type move. This can help prevent it being used as setup fodder versus Fairy- and Steel-types such as Mimikyu, Xerneas, and Metagross. Thousand Arrows is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to target key defensive threats such as Arceus-Rock, Skarmory, and Celesteela, with the ladder last two examples having their Ground-type immunities nullified nullified, which allows Zygarde to hit them for more damage the following turn.

Set Details

EV's EVs have been maxed out in Attack in Speed with a Jolly Nature nature in order to extenuate maximize Zygarde's sweeping capabilities to their fullest capabilities. An Adamant nature can also be used to increase Zygarde's damage output giving it the chance to OHKO faster threats such as Absolite Hoopa-U and Mega Gengar with Extreme Speed after Stealth Rocks Rock damage. However, it leaves it to be outspeed outsped by opposing Jolly Zygarde and Pinsirite Lucario.

Usage Tips

Due to the combination of both Dragon Dance and Extreme Speed, Zygarde can become a pain for opposing offensive teams to deal with once specific checks such as Zapdos and Zygarde-C have been worn down. This is why setting up with Zygarde late game late-game may be more optimal against less defensive teams. Certain priority users such as Feint Weavile and Arceus can threaten to out prioritize outprioritize Zygarde with their own priority attacks if Zygarde did not garner any boosts (however (however, Weavile can still outspeed it with either Fake Out even after a boost), so be weary of leaving Zygarde in against these threats. Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, Zapdos, and Genesect tend to carry Ice-type coverage to hit Zygarde, so be careful when switching in Zygarde against these aforementioned threats. Zygarde can also be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Suicune with any unboosted attacks, Suicune, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde. Zygarde can choose not to mega evolve Mega Evolve immediately to conserve STAB on Thoudand Thousand Arrows, allowing it to deal more damage against targets such as Zapdos and Arceus-Rock.

Team Options

Team members that can switchin switch in on Ice-type attacks such as Magearna, Manaphy, and Suicune can all be beneficial due to Zygarde having such a crippling weakness to these attacks. Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful useful, as it allows they allow Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia. Entry hazard removers are also vital due to Zygarde possessing a x2 Stealth Rock weakness upon mega evolving. Mega Evolving. Examples include Arceus-Fairy, Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Skarmory. Status absorbers such as Primal Groudon and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin switch-in on certain status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde. Pokemon with similar checks and counters such as Cobalion, Archeops, and Lucario pair well with this to wear down shared answers.

Groundium Z Sweeper
Zygarde-Complete @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Thousand Waves / Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance

Set Comments

Moves

Thousand Arrows is an amazing STAB move, allowing Zygarde-C to hit every popular threat in the metagame. It also enables it to fire off a powerful 180 BP 180-Base Power Tectonic Rage. Thousand Waves is a secondary Ground-type STAB move that helps Zygarde-C trap and setup set up versus more passive threats. Outrage is another STAB option for Zygarde-C's Zygarde-C, allowing it to hit threats that resist Ground-type attacks such as Golisopod,, Golisopod. It also allows Zygarde-C to hit defensive threats such as other Zygarde-C, Zapdos, and Arceus-Ground for more damage. Extreme Speed is a great utility move that allows Zygarde-C to pick off weakened foes that can outspeed it, preventing them from dealing significant damage against Zygarde-C. Rest can be used instead, allowing Zygarde-C to sustain itself, which can especially be useful when trapping defensive walls that can threaten to status it. However, Zygarde-C can easily be overwhelmed by many offensive threats the two turns that it is asleep, making the option very much lackluster. Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde-C to become a potent wallbreaker that is difficult to check. (Comment: if this set revolves around sweeping/boosting with dragon dance, shouldn't it be the higher up on the set? just a thought)

Set Details

Groundium Z enables Zygarde-C to use Tectonic Rage, allowing it to break past common checks such as Arceus-Fairy and allows it to 2HKO other common defensive walls such as Blissey, Suicune, and Cresselia at +1. Power Construct is needed to let Zygarde transform into its Complete form forme after being at below 50% HP at the end of a turn. EV's have been invested in Attack in Speed with an Adamant Nature nature in order to amplify Zygarde's sweeping capabilities. While 24 EVs have been placed in Special Defense to ensure that Zygarde lives survives a Judgement Judgment from Arceus-Fairy. A Jolly nature with full Speed investment can also be used to allow Zygarde-C to outspeed threats such as Jolly Zygarde and Timid Deoxys-A after a +1 boost.

Usage Tips

Dragon Dance Zygarde-C is such a formidable threat due to it possessing such great bulk, which lets it be a very difficult target to revenge kill. Groundium Z also helps boost its wallbreaking capabilities, meaning that common defensive answers cannot check it as easily. Tectonic Rage should be used when Zygarde-C is facing defensive walls such as Arceus-Fairy, Vaporeon, and other Zygarde-C, due to Zygarde-C having a difficult time breaking through such answers without the use of this Z-Move. Offensive threats such as Glalilite Weavile and Arceus-Ghost still threaten to revenge kill Zygarde-C, due to the formers former's access to Ice-type Fake Out and Feint and the ladders latter's immunity to Extreme Speed. However, Zygarde-C can still threaten to OHKO Arceus-Ghost with a Tectonic Rage if it acquired a Dragon Dance boost. Thousand Waves should be used to trap passive walls such as Blissey, Vaporeon, and Zapdos (after it has been knocked down by Thousand Arrows), as Zygarde-C can proceed to start setting up without fearing to be dented too much by the aforementioned Pokemon. Zygarde-C can be quite weak without any setup boosts, failing to even 3HKO targets such as Blissey, Zapdos, and Cresselia with any unboosted attacks, so setting up Dragon Dance is the main priority when using Zygarde-C.

Team Options

Zygarde-C's 4x Ice-type weakness necessitates the use of teammembers team members who that can switch in comfortably into these attacks. Therefore, Pokemon such as Suicune, Magearna, and Red Orb Togekiss can be great partners. Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Skarmory, and Blissey can all be useful useful, as it allows they allow Zygarde to have a much more easier time breaking down bulkier threats such as Lunala, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, and Lugia. Status absorbers such as Toxic and Sablenite Blissey can also be useful partners to have, due to them being able to switchin switch in on certain status moves such as Toxic and Will-o-Wisp Will-O-Wisp that would otherwise severely cripple Zygarde if it chooses to not run Rest. Lastly, Wallbreakers wallbreakers such as Pheromosa, Genesect, Hoopa-U, and Tapu Koko are all great partners, as they can wear down common defensive threats such as Blissey, Skarmory, and Arceus-Ghost that all have the potential to wall Zygarde-C if it has already used its Z-Move. While Z-Move, while in return, Zygarde-C can help break through offensive threats after a Dragon Dance boost.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

A more defensive Coil RestTalk Zygarde-C set can also work work, as it acts as a great bulky wincon for defensive teams, but it is generally outclassed by other defensive setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Blissey and Suicune. Core Enforcer can also act as a nice STAB option for defensive Zygarde-C sets, especially in conjunction with Toxic and Thousand Waves, as it allows Zygarde-C to trap and stall out common Sablenite users such as Blissey and Cresselia on the switchin. switch in. Dragonium Z can be used over Groundium Z to ensure Zygarde-C OHKOes threats such as other Zygarde-C and Zapdos with a +1 Devistating Devestating Drake, however Drake; however, Tectnoic Tectonic Rage generally provides Zygarde-C more capabilities to sweep due to it being better offensive coverage.

Checks and Counters (Comment: remove the squared brackets)

[Ice-type Moves]: Ice-type Pokemon such as Weavile and Mamoswine carry can threatern and force out Zygarde sets. Many offensive threats such as Pheromosa, Manaphy, and Genesect can also carry Ice-type coverage to severely weaken or KO Zygarde.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, and Togekiss can all threaten Zygarde out with their Fairy-type attacks. However, they all get severely weakened by boosted hits from offensive Zygarde sets.

[Aerilate Checks]: Bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Arceus-Ground, and defensive Yveltal can live survive any boosted hit from offensive Zygarde sets and can heavily damage it in return.

[Powerful Specially Offensive Attacks]: Specially offensive attackers such as Lunala, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-A can all dent Zygarde-C with their powerful special attacks due to its lower special bulk.
GP 1/2
 
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