[OVERVIEW]
Porygon-Z has access to Z-Conversion, which boosts all of its stats by one stage. This move, along with Adaptability and a strong Special Attack stat, allows Porygon-Z to become a threatening sweeper. The additional bulk that Z-Conversion gives makes a healthy Porgyon-Z difficult to KO. Using Z-Conversion to become a Ghost-type allows Porygon-Z to become immune to Fake Out and Extreme Speed, further limiting the ways that it can be revenge killed. However, this causes Porygon-Z to become more vulnerable to Sucker Punch. In addition, while Porygon-Z's Speed stat is decent, it is still outsped by common Choice Scarf users, even after the boost from Z-Conversion. Finally, Z-Conversion can only be used a single time, leaving Porygon-Z vulnerable to phazing and requiring its checks to be significantly weakened before attempting a sweep. Because of these shortcomings, Porygon-Z is best suited for hyper offense teams and is otherwise difficult to splash effectively.
[SET]
name: Ghost Z-Conversion
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Discharge
move 3: Recover
move 4: Conversion
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shadow Ball is Porygon-Z's main attack. Having Shadow Ball in the first moveslot causes Porygon-Z to become a Ghost-type after a use of Conversion. There are few viable Ghost-resistant Pokemon in OU, giving Shadow Ball excellent neutral coverage. A Ghost typing also gives Porygon-Z an immunity to Mega Medicham's Fake Out as well as Extreme Speed from Pokemon such as Zygarde. Discharge allows Porygon-Z to OHKO Greninja and break past Celesteela by paralyzing it when used in conjunction with Recover. Recover enables Porygon-Z to work past more defensive Pokemon, such as Ferrothorn, as well as potentially get out of range of Sucker Punch KOs. When Conversion is boosted by Normalium Z, it raises every stat by one stage and changes Porygon-Z's type to match the type of its first move.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs and a Timid Nature are used to let Porygon-Z outspeed Jolly Excadrill, speed tie with opposing Porygon-Z, and outspeed Mega Alakazam and Mega Aerodactyl after a Z-Conversion boost. 252 Special Attack EVs make Porygon-Z's attacks as strong as possible. Normalium Z is required to enable Z-Conversion. Adaptability is used to consistently give Shadow Ball a damage boost after using Z-Conversion. While Download gives the same power boost to Shadow Ball after a Z-Conversion and also boosts Porygon-Z's coverage option, it is less consistent and is shut down by Unaware.
Usage Tips
========
Porygon-Z requires heavy team support. Until threatening Choice Scarf users such as Gengar and Tapu Lele have been removed, do not use Z-Conversion. Avoid using Z-Conversion until opposing defensive answers, such as Tyranitar, Hoopa-U, and Alolan Muk, have also been weakened. Know how much you have to weaken each opposing Pokemon before attempting a sweep, as Porygon-Z only gets one shot with Z-Conversion. Control entry hazards early-game and use wallbreakers to wear down Porygon-Z's checks. Spikes support is especially useful to rack up damage, as the majority of Pokemon will only be taking neutral damage from Porygon-Z's attacks. Make sure that after Porygon-Z sets up, it has enough health to avoid being revenge killed.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers, such as Mega Metagross, Weavile, and Choice Band Tyranitar, can remove some of the most threatening Choice Scarf users, such as Gengar and Tapu Lele. Sticky Web support from Smeargle can allow +1 Porygon-Z to outspeed grounded Choice Scarf users, such as Gengar, Keldeo, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele. Stacking entry hazards puts many Pokemon into KO range of Shadow Ball. This variant of Porygon-Z cannot rely on super effective coverage, making stacking entry hazards early on in a match very important. Spikes users such as Greninja are appreciated. In addition, removing entry hazards from your side of the field can enable Porygon-Z to stay out of KO range of revenge killers. Wallbreakers, such as Tapu Lele and Hoopa-U, wear down opposing defensive checks, creating openings for Porygon-Z. Bluffing a choice-locked set can be particularly effective in removing Dark-type checks, such as Tyranitar and Bisharp. Dugtrio's ability to trap Chansey, Tyranitar, and weakened Choice Scarf users makes it an excellent partner for Porygon-Z.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electric Z-Conversion with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam can be used to make Porygon-Z immune to paralysis and allow it to use super effective coverage to break through teams. Hidden Power Ground can be used on the Electric Z-Conversion set to allow Porygon-Z to hit Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, Magnezone, Heatran, and Alolan Marowak, but the ease in setting up that Recover provides is generally preferred. Nasty Plot can be used over Recover to help Porygon-Z break through Haze Toxapex. Agility is another option to allow Porygon-Z to outspeed the entire metagame, including the Choice Scarf users that typically revenge kill it. However, Recover is generally preferred over both of these moves, as it eases Sucker Punch 50/50s and allows Porygon-Z to beat Celesteela when used in conjunction with Discharge.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Chansey**: Chansey walls Porygon-Z, taking little damage from any move and retaliating with Toxic.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Most common Choice Scarf users, such as Garchomp, Tapu Lele, Keldeo, Gengar, Landorus-T, and Nihilego, can outspeed and revenge kill boosted Porygon-Z.
**Dark-types**: Tyranitar, Hoopa-U, Alolan Muk, and Bisharp can take boosted attacks from Porygon-Z and OHKO or otherwise severely damage it in return.
**Priority**: Porygon-Z will likely sustain damage while setting up Z-Conversion. This can put it into the range of most priority moves, such as Mimikyu's Shadow Sneak, and cause 50/50s with Sucker Punch and Recover.
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