Lamppost
I put the milk in first
QC: PK Gaming, Chou Toshio, Oglemi
GP: Chou Toshio, Calm Pokemaster, telemanion ajax
[OVERVIEW]
<p>Porygon-Z is an often overlooked Pokemon. Its massive base 135 Special Attack allows it to hit very hard almost anything that doesn't resist its attacks. With Adaptability, STAB Tri Attack reaches an impressive 160 Base Power. Porygon-Z also has a fair amount of versatility, as it can run sets utilizing Choice Specs, Agility, or even Nasty Plot. Unfortunately, Porygon-Z's poor defensive stats, lack of any resistances, and average base 90 Speed leave it vulnerable to being revenge killed. Despite these flaws, Porygon-Z's brute force and wonderful movepool surely make it a Pokemon to watch out for.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Tri Attack
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Trick / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a Choice Scarf equipped, Porygon-Z becomes a very effective revenge killer. STAB Tri Attack has 160 Base Power thanks to Adaptability, dealing impressive damage to anything that doesn't resist it. Dark Pulse covers Ghost-type Pokemon such as Dusclops, which are immune to Tri Attack. It can also be used against Celebi and other Psychic-types over Tri Attack, because of its handy 20% flinch rate. Hidden Power Fighting is in the third slot to hit Steel-types who resist both Tri Attack and Dark Pulse, such as Bisharp and Registeel, for super effective damage. Trick is the best option for the fourth moveslot, and is extremely useful for crippling Chansey—a major blockade for Porygon-Z—as well as the majority of UU's offensive Pokemon. Thunderbolt can be considered over Trick, but a super effective Thunderbolt is only slightly more powerful than a neutral Tri Attack, so it isn't really necessary.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Porygon-Z's Special Attack and Speed, which allows it to outrun Pokemon such as Weavile and Jolteon. Adaptability is the best option on this set, as it gives Porygon-Z a reliable boost, while Download is unreliable and may stop Porygon-Z from revenge killing certain threats.</p>
<p>Entry hazards aid Porygon-Z a lot, weakening the enemy team and potentially allowing Porygon-Z to sweep instead of simply revenge killing opposing threats. Scolipede is a good teammate because it can set up both Toxic Spikes and Spikes, and also resists the Fighting-type attacks Porygon-Z detests. Besides Scolipede, there are numerous good UU Pokemon with a resistance to Fighting-type moves. Bulky Psychic-types, such as Celebi and Cresselia, are great teammates this reason. Generally speaking, though, one shouldn't really expect Porygon-Z to draw in Fighting-type attacks; its defenses are weak enough for the enemy to bring it down with pretty much any reasonably strong attack.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Tri Attack
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Trick / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Choice Specs gives Porygon-Z the power to tear gaping holes in unprepared teams with its STAB Tri Attack. This set needs some prediction, though, as Porygon-Z can't freely switch moves. Tri Attack is what makes this set so fearsome, with 160 Base Power coming off a massive base 135 Special Attack, further boosted by Choice Specs. Dark Pulse complements Tri Attack nicely, as it hits Ghost-types immune to Tri Attack very hard. Tri Attack and Dark Pulse leave Porygon-Z vulnerable to Steel-type Pokemon, however. Hidden Power Fighting hits all of UU's common Steel-types but Escavalier for super effective damage. Trick should be used in the last moveslot so that Porygon-Z can cripple Chansey, who is the most troublesome Pokemon to this set. Thunderbolt could be used over Trick if you want to hit Flying- and Water-type Pokemon for super effective damage, but Tri Attack almost does as much damage.</p>
[ADDITONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EV spread is basic, simply maximizing Porygon-Z's Special Attack and Speed. Porygon-Z lacks the bulk to make much use of defensive EVs, so maximizing its lackluster base 90 Speed is unfortunately the best you can do for its survivability. Adaptability is a great ability, boosting Porygon-Z's power by making the STAB boost 2x instead of 1.5x.</p>
<p>Chansey is the biggest threat to this set, making physical attackers that can break through Chansey's defenses essential. Victini is a good option with its tremendous physical power, and its resistance to Fighting-type attacks could come in handy. Heracross is also a huge threat to Chansey and to the wider UU metagame in general, and unlike many other alternatives, generally welcomes being afflicted with status thanks to Guts. Otherwise, most physical setup sweepers can deal with Chansey, and offensive Pokemon in general will sweep more easily once Porygon-Z has battered the enemy team.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Tri Attack
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Adaptability
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot allows Porygon-Z to reach a ridiculously high Special Attack stat of 810 with Modest, or 738 with Timid, which, needless to say, allows it to easily sweep unprepared teams. After just one boost, the only ways to beat this set are to outspeed it or use Chansey with Thunder Wave. STAB Tri Attack will destroy anything in its path after a Nasty Plot boost. Dark Pulse is there to hit Ghost-type Pokemon such as Dusclops who are immune to Tri Attack. Keep in mind that a neutral Tri Attack does the same damage as a super effective Dark Pulse, so unless you need to flinch a Pokemon like Celebi, Tri Attack is the best option for the 20% chance to burn, freeze, or paralyze the opponent. Hidden Power Fighting is in the last slot to hit Steel-type Pokemon who would otherwise wall this set. Substitute could also be used over Hidden Power Fighting to block status moves like Thunder Wave. Thanks to Adaptability, Tri Attack can still hit Steel-type Pokemon hard, so Substitute is a viable option.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Porygon-Z's Special Attack and Speed. Base 90 Speed is certainly mediocre, but Porygon-Z's defensive stats are so poor, maximizing Speed is its best shot at gaining some survivability. Life Orb is self explanatory, as it adds to Porygon-Z's strength, allowing it to sweep more easily. Adaptability is preferred because of the set's ability to gain Special Attack boosts through Nasty Plot.</p>
<p>Dual screens are very helpful in supporting Porygon-Z, as they allow it to set up for a sweep more easily. Cresselia is a reliable dual screen user and a generally great teammate for Porygon-Z, considering its Fighting-type resistance and ability to slow down foes with Thunder Wave.</p>
[SET]
name: Agility
move 1: Agility
move 2: Tri Attack
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Dark Pulse / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Life Orb
ability: Download
nature: Modest
evs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although this set sacrifices the raw power of the Choice Specs set, it can be much more dangerous, with the potential to decimate offensive teams. Considering its sub-par base 90 speed, Porygon-Z really appreciates a speed boost. After an Agility, Porygon-Z outruns every Choice Scarfuser with base 100 Speed, which is extremely useful with Pokemon such as Mew, Celebi, and Shaymin on the prowl. Tri Attack is Porygon-Z's main STAB attack, and can deal out massive damage, especially if you get a Special Attack boost from Download. Ice Beam is there to hit Grass- and Ground-type Pokemon such as Celebi, Shaymin, and Flygon for super effective damage. The last move is a choice between hitting Ghost-types hard and decimating Steel-types, but since Ghost-type Pokemon are more common in UU, Dark Pulse is generally the better choice.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread allows Porygon-Z to outspeed, after a boost, all base 100 Pokemon with maximum Speed and a Choice Scarf, notably Flygon and Celebi. Maximum investment in Special Attack is essential. The leftover EVs are dumped into HP for some extra bulk to ease Porygon-Z's setup. Life Orb is needed on this set for the extra power. Download is better than Adaptability here, since Porygon-Z cannot boost its Special Attack otherwise. The ability to switch attacks makes an overall Special Attack boost very welcome as well.</p>
<p>This set thrives on entry hazards, which allow Porygon-Z to sweep more easily. Deoxys-D is an exceptional teammate, providing entry hazard support and packing a Fighting-type resistance. Again, your team will need a way to deal with Chansey to make this set truly effective. Powerful physical attackers, such as Victini (who possesses a Fighting resistance), Cobalion, and Escavalier thus make excellent teammates.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>Porygon-Z has a wide special movepool, including attacks such as Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Shadow Ball. Generally speaking, Porygon-Z has a minimal reliance on its coverage moves due to the sheer power of Tri Attack. Both of Porygon-Z's abilities are viable on each set. Download can be used on the Choice Specs set to give Porygon-Z a Special Attack boost, but you don't always get the boost, and the Adaptability boost to Tri Attack is much more reliable. Likewise, Adaptability could be used on the Agility set to gain a more reliable STAB attack. Return may also be used on the Agility set—you can switch into Chansey, get the Attack boost, and 2HKO it. If you do choose to use Return, make sure you use a Naive nature.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Chansey is a complete counter to Porygon-Z. It can wall the Choice Specs and Agility sets easily, as well as cripple it with a status move, such as Toxic or Thunder Wave. Spiritomb is also a good check to the Choice Specs and Agility sets, as it can come in on Tri Attack and trap Porygon-Z with Pursuit or beat it with Sucker Punch. Faster Pokemon, such as Shaymin and Celebi, also make excellent checks—as long as Porygon-Z hasn't boosted its Speed—and can severely hurt it with their STAB attacks. Weavile can also outspeed and KO Porygon-Z with Low Kick, thanks to its massive base 120 Attack. Bisharp can dish out massive damage with Sucker Punch, and also walls the Agility set if Porygon-Z doesn't have Hidden Power Fighting, making it a great check.</p>