[OVERVIEW]
Porygon-Z is a threatening setup sweeper due to its near exclusive access to Z-Conversion, boosting all stats by +1. It has a good ability in Adaptability, boosting the power of moves the same type as it. Combined with a good movepool, passable Speed, and high Special Attack, Porygon-Z can dominate if left unchecked. However, even at +1, its defenses are rather lackluster, leaving it threatened by most sweepers. Its Speed tier also isn't very good for boosting, leaving it outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele, Greninja, and Garchomp as well as faster Pokemon such as Naive Pheromosa. Z-Conversion additionally allows Porygon-Z only one opportunity to set up, resulting in a sweeper that isn't very flexible and rendered nearly useless against something that walls it when it sets up.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion Ghost
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Conversion
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability/Download
nature: Timid/Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Shadow Ball is used in the first moveslot, giving Porygon-Z a largely unresisted STAB move that at +1 with Adaptability is capable of obliterating Ghost- and Psychic-types while being less vulnerable to being revenge killed by Choice Scarf Garchomp than other Z-Conversion sets. However, this set gets decimated by Mimikyu and is more vulnerable to being sniped by Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch.
* Ice Beam provides excellent coverage, hitting Ground- and Dragon-types super effectively such as Landorus-T, Garchomp and Mega Salamence.
* Conversion is mandatory on this set as it boosts Porygon-Z's stats by +1 when used as a Z-move
* Maximum Speed and a Timid nature allow Porygon-Z to be as fast as possible after Z-Conversion, notably outspeeding Mega Gengar, Jolly Mega Salamance, and Tapu Koko, while maximum Special Attack lets Porygon-Z hit as hard as possible.
* A Modest nature, however, secures OHKOs that Porygon-Z misses out on, such as Hippowdon with Ice Beam. However, it misses out on outspeeding neutral nature Choice Scarf users, such as Modest Tapu Lele and Adamant Landorus-T.
* Adaptability doubles the power of Shadow Ball, allowing Porygon-Z to OHKO Aegislash and almost always OHKO Cresselia
* Download, however, can be used to potentially gain a second Special Attack boost, powering up all of its moves. It is much riskier though, as gaining an Attack boost could make Porygon-Z's sweep less consistent.
* Porygon-Z is best used late game, after its checks have been eliminated. It is also weaker to phazing and Haze, which threaten to remove its boosts as Z-Conversion can only be used once.
* Tapu Lele can mitigate Ghost-type Porygon-Z's weakness to Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak, while dealing with Dark-types thanks to its Fairy-type STAB.
* Ghost-type Porygon-Z despises facing opposing Mimikyu, so dedicated checks to it are necessary.
* As Porygon-Z struggles against most Choice Scarf users, Pokemon that can deal with them make great teammates.
* Porygon-Z also has difficulty against special walls, so wallbreakers are greatly appreciated.
* Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock can provide Porygon-Z an easier opportunity to sweep, weakening opponents while breaking Sturdy and Focus Sash.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion Electric
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Conversion
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability/Download
nature: Timid/Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
* With Thunderbolt in the first moveslot, Porygon-Z becomes an Electric-type, granting it a powerful STAB that can be boosted by Tapu Koko's Electric Terrain while allowing it to better take advantage of its defense boosts due to having only one weakness in Ground. It is able to easily blast through most Water-types and Celesteela, is immune to paralysis, and has little to fear from priority. However, Porygon-Z would then be more vulnerable to fast Choice Scarf Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, along with those that carry Focus Sash, as they can easily revenge kill it.
* Ice Beam deals with Ground- and Dragon-types that Thunderbolt cannot touch, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon.
* Shadow Ball is a great move to round out Porygon-Z's coverage, especially given the prevalence of Ghost- and Psychic-types in Battle Spot Singles along with few Pokemon resisting it. It also prevents Porygon-Z from being walled by the rare Alolan Marowak, who is immune to Thunderbolt and resists Ice Beam.
* Conversion allows Porygon-Z to boost its stats by +1 when used as a Z-move while also changing it into an Electric-type.
* Maximum Speed allows Porygon-Z be as fast as possible at +1, while maximum Special Attack allows it to hit as hard as possible.
* A Timid nature allows Porygon-Z to be faster Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T, while Modest allows it to OHKO defensive Hippowdon with a +1 Ice Beam.
* Adaptability is its most reliable ability, doubling the power of Thunderbolt.
* Download has the capability to power up all of Porygon-Z's moves, though it makes it more vulnerable to Haze and unaware than Adaptability.
* Porygon-Z is best used late game, after its checks and Pokemon that can remove its stat boosts are removed, allowing it to comfortably set up with Z-Conversion.
* As with most variants of Z-Conversion Porygon-Z, wallbreakers can remove special walls such as Chansey and Celesteela, while Stealth Rock setters can help break Focus Sashes and wear down opposing Pokemon to aid Porygon-Z's sweep.
* Electric-type Porygon-Z is horribly weak to Choice Scarf Ground-types. As such, Pokemon with the ability to deal with them are absolutely necessary. Such partners include Ice Shard users such as Mamoswine and Weavile or faster Choice Scarf users with super effective coverage, such as Pheromosa or Choice Scarf Greninja.
[SET]
name: Z-Hyper Beam
move 1: Hyper Beam
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability/Download
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
* When holding Normalium Z, Z-Hyper Beam becomes a poweful STAB nuke that bypasses Hyper Beam's recharge turn. Even after its use as a Z-move, Hyper Beam is still very threatening.
* Nasty Plot augments Porygon-Z's Special Attack, granting it the power to break down bulky foes.
* Ice Beam hits Ground-, Dragon-, Grass-, and most Flying-types super effectively.
* Thunderbolt compliments Ice Beam very well, dealing with Water- and Flying-types that resist Ice Beam.
* Maximum Special Attack lets Porygon-Z deal as much damage to opponents as possible with Breakneck Blitz. 252 Speed plus a Timid nature is absolutely necessary, as without Z-Conversion, Porygon-Z has no way to boost its Speed.
* Adaptability further powers up Porygon-Z's STAB move.
* Download allows Porygon-Z to use its coverage moves more effectively without the need to set up with Nasty Plot. However, it risks the chance of not gaining a Special Attack boost and Porygon-Z deals less damage against Unaware users.
* While it can be used as a sweeper late game thanks to Nasty Plot, this Porygon-Z works well early to mid game, breaking through walls thanks to the aforementioned Nasty Plot and Hyper Beam.
* Even though Porygon-Z's Breakneck Blitz is capable of breaking through many resists, it still appreciates Pokemon that can deal with extremely bulky Steel-types such as Celesteela and Aegislash.
* Setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Mega Salamence make great partners for Porygon-Z as it can break through walls for its teammates to destroy opposing teams.
Porygon-Z is a threatening setup sweeper due to its near exclusive access to Z-Conversion, boosting all stats by +1. It has a good ability in Adaptability, boosting the power of moves the same type as it. Combined with a good movepool, passable Speed, and high Special Attack, Porygon-Z can dominate if left unchecked. However, even at +1, its defenses are rather lackluster, leaving it threatened by most sweepers. Its Speed tier also isn't very good for boosting, leaving it outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele, Greninja, and Garchomp as well as faster Pokemon such as Naive Pheromosa. Z-Conversion additionally allows Porygon-Z only one opportunity to set up, resulting in a sweeper that isn't very flexible and rendered nearly useless against something that walls it when it sets up.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion Ghost
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Conversion
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability/Download
nature: Timid/Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Shadow Ball is used in the first moveslot, giving Porygon-Z a largely unresisted STAB move that at +1 with Adaptability is capable of obliterating Ghost- and Psychic-types while being less vulnerable to being revenge killed by Choice Scarf Garchomp than other Z-Conversion sets. However, this set gets decimated by Mimikyu and is more vulnerable to being sniped by Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch.
* Ice Beam provides excellent coverage, hitting Ground- and Dragon-types super effectively such as Landorus-T, Garchomp and Mega Salamence.
* Conversion is mandatory on this set as it boosts Porygon-Z's stats by +1 when used as a Z-move
* Maximum Speed and a Timid nature allow Porygon-Z to be as fast as possible after Z-Conversion, notably outspeeding Mega Gengar, Jolly Mega Salamance, and Tapu Koko, while maximum Special Attack lets Porygon-Z hit as hard as possible.
* A Modest nature, however, secures OHKOs that Porygon-Z misses out on, such as Hippowdon with Ice Beam. However, it misses out on outspeeding neutral nature Choice Scarf users, such as Modest Tapu Lele and Adamant Landorus-T.
* Adaptability doubles the power of Shadow Ball, allowing Porygon-Z to OHKO Aegislash and almost always OHKO Cresselia
* Download, however, can be used to potentially gain a second Special Attack boost, powering up all of its moves. It is much riskier though, as gaining an Attack boost could make Porygon-Z's sweep less consistent.
* Porygon-Z is best used late game, after its checks have been eliminated. It is also weaker to phazing and Haze, which threaten to remove its boosts as Z-Conversion can only be used once.
* Tapu Lele can mitigate Ghost-type Porygon-Z's weakness to Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak, while dealing with Dark-types thanks to its Fairy-type STAB.
* Ghost-type Porygon-Z despises facing opposing Mimikyu, so dedicated checks to it are necessary.
* As Porygon-Z struggles against most Choice Scarf users, Pokemon that can deal with them make great teammates.
* Porygon-Z also has difficulty against special walls, so wallbreakers are greatly appreciated.
* Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock can provide Porygon-Z an easier opportunity to sweep, weakening opponents while breaking Sturdy and Focus Sash.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion Electric
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Conversion
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability/Download
nature: Timid/Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
* With Thunderbolt in the first moveslot, Porygon-Z becomes an Electric-type, granting it a powerful STAB that can be boosted by Tapu Koko's Electric Terrain while allowing it to better take advantage of its defense boosts due to having only one weakness in Ground. It is able to easily blast through most Water-types and Celesteela, is immune to paralysis, and has little to fear from priority. However, Porygon-Z would then be more vulnerable to fast Choice Scarf Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, along with those that carry Focus Sash, as they can easily revenge kill it.
* Ice Beam deals with Ground- and Dragon-types that Thunderbolt cannot touch, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon.
* Shadow Ball is a great move to round out Porygon-Z's coverage, especially given the prevalence of Ghost- and Psychic-types in Battle Spot Singles along with few Pokemon resisting it. It also prevents Porygon-Z from being walled by the rare Alolan Marowak, who is immune to Thunderbolt and resists Ice Beam.
* Conversion allows Porygon-Z to boost its stats by +1 when used as a Z-move while also changing it into an Electric-type.
* Maximum Speed allows Porygon-Z be as fast as possible at +1, while maximum Special Attack allows it to hit as hard as possible.
* A Timid nature allows Porygon-Z to be faster Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T, while Modest allows it to OHKO defensive Hippowdon with a +1 Ice Beam.
* Adaptability is its most reliable ability, doubling the power of Thunderbolt.
* Download has the capability to power up all of Porygon-Z's moves, though it makes it more vulnerable to Haze and unaware than Adaptability.
* Porygon-Z is best used late game, after its checks and Pokemon that can remove its stat boosts are removed, allowing it to comfortably set up with Z-Conversion.
* As with most variants of Z-Conversion Porygon-Z, wallbreakers can remove special walls such as Chansey and Celesteela, while Stealth Rock setters can help break Focus Sashes and wear down opposing Pokemon to aid Porygon-Z's sweep.
* Electric-type Porygon-Z is horribly weak to Choice Scarf Ground-types. As such, Pokemon with the ability to deal with them are absolutely necessary. Such partners include Ice Shard users such as Mamoswine and Weavile or faster Choice Scarf users with super effective coverage, such as Pheromosa or Choice Scarf Greninja.
[SET]
name: Z-Hyper Beam
move 1: Hyper Beam
move 2: Nasty Plot
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability/Download
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
* When holding Normalium Z, Z-Hyper Beam becomes a poweful STAB nuke that bypasses Hyper Beam's recharge turn. Even after its use as a Z-move, Hyper Beam is still very threatening.
* Nasty Plot augments Porygon-Z's Special Attack, granting it the power to break down bulky foes.
* Ice Beam hits Ground-, Dragon-, Grass-, and most Flying-types super effectively.
* Thunderbolt compliments Ice Beam very well, dealing with Water- and Flying-types that resist Ice Beam.
* Maximum Special Attack lets Porygon-Z deal as much damage to opponents as possible with Breakneck Blitz. 252 Speed plus a Timid nature is absolutely necessary, as without Z-Conversion, Porygon-Z has no way to boost its Speed.
* Adaptability further powers up Porygon-Z's STAB move.
* Download allows Porygon-Z to use its coverage moves more effectively without the need to set up with Nasty Plot. However, it risks the chance of not gaining a Special Attack boost and Porygon-Z deals less damage against Unaware users.
* While it can be used as a sweeper late game thanks to Nasty Plot, this Porygon-Z works well early to mid game, breaking through walls thanks to the aforementioned Nasty Plot and Hyper Beam.
* Even though Porygon-Z's Breakneck Blitz is capable of breaking through many resists, it still appreciates Pokemon that can deal with extremely bulky Steel-types such as Celesteela and Aegislash.
* Setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Mega Salamence make great partners for Porygon-Z as it can break through walls for its teammates to destroy opposing teams.
Last edited:
