Other The Next Best Thing - ORAS OU Edition (Discussing Gardevoir sets) Check Post #920

Status
Not open for further replies.
MrAldo's Encore Gallade wins this round!
Our next test subject is...
zapdos.gif

Zapdos

Current entries:

Jaguar360's Offensive Zapdos
fleggumfl's Agility Baton Pass Zapdos
SketchUp's Tailwind Zapdos
OverlordDerp's Rain Setter Zapdos
HUARGH's Pressure Stall Zapdos
Teeny Victory's SubRoost Zapdos
TheInsanity's Support Zapdos
Dr Ciel's Offensive Agility Zapdos
s0me1 b0red's Rain Zapdos​
 
Last edited:
zapdos.gif

Offensive Zapdos
Zapdos @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Roost
- Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]

While a similar set does appear on the Gen 4 analysis for Zapdos, it is rare to see Zapdos like this in Gen 6 OU. Zapdos loses to ability to check some threats as well with this set, but exchanges its defensive merits for some appreciated OHKOs and 2HKOs. While the set faces some competition from both Thundurus formes, the reliable recovery offered by Zapdos is nice and Heat Wave is another bonus that allows it to beat things like Ferrothorn with better accuracy than Focus Blast and 2HKOs SpD Celebi after SR damage. Thunderbolt is generally superior to Volt Switch for the power, but Volt Switch can still be used to get momentum on walls and switches if necessary. Expert Belt does just as well as Life Orb without the recoil on most super effective targets, but the damage decrease is noticeable on normal threats.

252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celebi: 175-206 (43.3 - 50.9%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celebi: 190-224 (47 - 55.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Landorus-T: 365-432 (95.5 - 113%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Landorus-T: 395-468 (103.4 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Assault Vest Slowking: 194-230 (49.3 - 58.5%) -- 98% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Assault Vest Slowking: 211-250 (53.6 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Slowbro: 403-475 (102.2 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Slowbro: 437-515 (110.9 - 130.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Slowbro: 437-515 (110.9 - 130.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 370-437 (105.1 - 124.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 400-473 (113.6 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Bisharp: 192-226 (70.5 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Bisharp: 250-294 (91.9 - 108%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 76 SpD Garchomp: 326-384 (77.6 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 76 SpD Garchomp: 354-416 (84.2 - 99%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 244 HP / 192+ SpD Gliscor: 283-336 (80.3 - 95.4%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Expert Belt Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gliscor: 389-461 (109.8 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 244 HP / 192+ SpD Gliscor: 307-364 (87.2 - 103.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 136-162 (41.7 - 49.6%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 177-211 (54.2 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mew: 144-169 (35.6 - 41.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mew: 187-220 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
 
Agility Pass Zapdos
145.gif

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Agility
- Baton Pass
- Thunderbolt / Charge Beam
- Roost

This is a different approach to Zapdos, which allows it to pass speed to teammates and turn them into threatening sweepers. The EV spread maximizes Zapdos' speed and bulk, so that it can setup quickly while having decent bulk. Charge Beam can be used over Thunderbolt as it has a really high chance of boosting SpA and allows Zapdos to pass more than just speed. Agilitypassing can free up moveslots on something like Landorus to make it even more broken or Mega Metagross, which can make them more difficult to check since they can utilize all 4 moveslots on offensive moves. It also helps things like Kyurem-B or Mega Gardevoir as they have no way of boosting speed and are fairly slow. Roost is for longevity.
 
Tailwind Zapdos
145.gif

Zapdos @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 Spe
Modest Nature
- Tailwind
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Offensive Zapdos is a big threat to offensive teams because it can easily take priority from the likes of Scizor, Bisharp and Talonflame while outspeeding the entire team. 160 Spe so you outspeed Adamant Excadrill in sand with Tailwind up. It struggles a bit more against bulkier teams but it has the coverage and power to defeat pokemon such as Hippowdon, Tornadus-T and Mega Scizor in 1 slot.

252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 205-244 (48.8 - 58%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Mega Altaria: 177-208 (57.6 - 67.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 96+ SpD Clefable: 183-216 (46.4 - 54.8%) -- 9.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 32 SpD Assault Vest Raikou: 94-110 (29.2 - 34.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 232 HP / 4 SpD Thick Fat Mega Venusaur: 125-148 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- 54.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes

On full Tailwind teams (they exist) it is possible to run Volt Switch instead of Thunderbolt. Of course you won't break stuff like Clefable anymore but you can get your Tailwind sweepers such as Mega Gardevoir, Kyurem-B and Crawdaunt in for free.
 
Rain Dance Setter Zapdos
145.gif

Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 176 SpA / 16 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rain Dance
- Tailwind
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch

Similar to the Tailwind Zapdos set above, but intrinsically different in its execution and playstyle due to Rain Dance. This set is, evidently, meant for rain teams that need a secondary setter. 16 Speed is to outspeed 228 Speed neutral nature Kingdra in Rain after Tailwind and Volt Switch out, while avoiding the Excadrill benchmark due to the lack of Heat Wave. 252 HP and 64 Defense ensure you have a chance of living a +2 Return from M-Pinsir after SR, while 176 SpA ensure Lando-I is OHKOed by HP Ice. This sort of speed control can be done by Tornadus with Prankster, but Zapdos's typing provides it with a far more useful set of resistances, as well as more bulk.

This set does lose the 2HKO on CM Clefable and 112 SpD Hippowdon, unfortunately, but it makes up for that with Rain Dance enabling your Swift Swimmers to thrive. You can use Thunder if you really want to, since it takes advantage of rain, but Volt Switch gives you valuable momentum in tandem with Tailwind.

176 SpA Zapdos Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Omastar: 284-336 (101 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
176 SpA Zapdos Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 284-336 (108.8 - 128.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
176 SpA Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus: 324-384 (101.5 - 120.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
176 SpA Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus: 292-344 (91.5 - 107.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

EDIT: Swift Swimmer calcs are in there because Tailwind allows you to outspeed them. They're shown less for their damage values and more for the fact that they can't stay in after Tailwind, no matter how weakened Zapdos is.
 
Last edited:
Pressure Stall Zapdos
145.gif


Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Back to Adv! IIRC it was Veteran In Love who popularized bulky Zapdos usage, although CeleZap pass was already played before that as soon as the Netbattle mean look bug was fixed (mean look used to work through substitutes, so cursebreon + white herb aero was all the rage). This Zapdos provides a unique win condition through pressure stalling and excels when you can pass it some boosts, although it works fine as a stand-alone unit as well. Wins against the majority of its checks (i.e. chansey) because it can just stay in and wait until PP runs out.
 
Zapdos is pretty much only used as a defensive mon these days, and has a lot of untapped offensive potential, even though this is an old Gen 4 set, I think it deserves a place here.
Sub-Roost Zapdos
zapdos.gif

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 176 HP / 172 SpA / 160 Spe
Modest Nature
- Substitute
- Roost
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Toxic / Heat Wave
- Thunderbolt

This is a more offensive take on the old Gen 4 SubRoost Zapdos. Zapdos has a very often overlooked offensive presence and ability, and this set aims to take those to the full advantage. It functions similarly to Sub Roost Kyurem And Moltres, in that it can actually stall out some of its checks and counters. A good example of this is Hippowdon. Standard Stone Edge Hippo can easily beat Defensive Zapdos with prediction on when it will roost and such but this set can quite easily stall Stone Edge's measily 8 PP away, with Hippo effectively only having 4 uses of the move thanks to pressure. This can allow other team mates to sweep, and is what this set aims to do, stall out an unsuspecting opponent to clear a path for a team mate. The reason you would run it over other sub pressure mons is basically because of 1. its unpredictability and 2. its different defensive typing, which caters to eliminate different treats than over sub-stallers.

Moves are self explanatory. Sub,Roost and T-Bolt are al mandatory, as they give you the classic sub-roost combo as well as a STAB move with great neutral coverage. The last slot is where you can experiment a little, HP ice is probably the best, as it gives you Bolt-Beam coverage as well as preventing you from being bait to Gliscor, it also makes Zapdos a fantastic Lando-I check. However Toxic and Heat Wave are alternate options for beating different threats, such as Ferrothorn, Scizor and Excadrill with heat wave and Chansey and Raikou with toxic.

The Speed Evs allow you to outspeed adamant excadrill and below, which includes mega scizor, Bisharp and co. The HP Evs prevent 0 Atk Gliscor from breaking your sub with Knock Off, and the rest is dumped into Specil Attack with a modest nature to have as much offensive presence as possible.

Overall a pretty Cool set that can put in alot of work thanks to its unpredictability and combination of moves and ability, I would reccomend you all try it out.
 
Here's my take on a possible offensive Zapdos set:
145.gif

Zapdos @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spe
Modest / Jolly Nature
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
- Air Cutter

Zapdos has a usable 125 Special Attack, so when equipped with Choice Specs, it has the potential to do tons of damage to slower teams. Thunder can be used if you want to use Zapdos on a rain team, as it is 100% accurate and more powerful than Thunderbolt. While it may seem outclassed by Thundurus (T or I), Zapdos has a couple of advantages: access to BoltBeam coverage along with STAB (Air Cutter, although not very powerful), and Heat Wave, which lets it beat Ferrothorn more reliably. Modest is for more power, Jolly is for speed tying with max speed base 100s. Yeah, that's all there really is to say about it, besides that's its unexpected, allowing you to potentially get a surprise KO or two.
 
yellowfalcon said:
Here's my take on a possible offensive Zapdos set:
145.gif

Zapdos @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spe
Modest / Jolly Nature
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
- Air Cutter

Zapdos has a usable 125 Special Attack, so when equipped with Choice Specs, it has the potential to do tons of damage to slower teams. Thunder can be used if you want to use Zapdos on a rain team, as it is 100% accurate and more powerful than Thunderbolt. While it may seem outclassed by Thundurus (T or I), Zapdos has a couple of advantages: access to BoltBeam coverage along with STAB (Air Cutter, although not very powerful), and Heat Wave, which lets it beat Ferrothorn more reliably. Modest is for more power, Jolly is for speed tying with max speed base 100s. Yeah, that's all there really is to say about it, besides that's its unexpected, allowing you to potentially get a surprise KO or two.
Click to expand...
I think oyu meant Timid, because Jolly reduces SpA.

Also, I really wouldn't use Air Cutter on Zapdos. Even with STAB, it only manages to hit Base 90, the level hit by Thunderbolt.

Also, BoltBeam doesn't mean much since Zapdos' flying STAB is too weak and the Thundurus forms can run HP Ice as well
 
yellowfalcon said:
Here's my take on a possible offensive Zapdos set:
145.gif

Zapdos @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spe
Modest / Jolly Nature
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
- Air Cutter

Zapdos has a usable 125 Special Attack, so when equipped with Choice Specs, it has the potential to do tons of damage to slower teams. Thunder can be used if you want to use Zapdos on a rain team, as it is 100% accurate and more powerful than Thunderbolt. While it may seem outclassed by Thundurus (T or I), Zapdos has a couple of advantages: access to BoltBeam coverage along with STAB (Air Cutter, although not very powerful), and Heat Wave, which lets it beat Ferrothorn more reliably. Modest is for more power, Jolly is for speed tying with max speed base 100s. Yeah, that's all there really is to say about it, besides that's its unexpected, allowing you to potentially get a surprise KO or two.
Click to expand...

Yeah don't really like this set because:
  • Specs Zapdos has sucky moves to be locked into especially with the rise of ground types such as hippo and chomper
  • Air Cutter isn't an advantage over thundy at all because it's weak and has redundant coverage with heat wave
  • Heat wave beats ferro more reliably but thundy has focus blast which along with beating ferrothorn, it can also hit tyranitar and heatran
If you're going to use zapdos as an all out attacker you shouldn't run specs and you need to use its advantages over other electric types, such as roost, tailwind, etc.
 
Support Zapdos

zapdos.gif


Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 132 SpD / 108 Spe
Calm Nature
- Roost
- U-turn
- Discharge
- Tailwind

This is a support Zapdos. The most original thing in this set is the move u-turn, instead of volt switch.
Bug type has no immunity, so u can always get momentum against ground type like hippowdon wich is able to wall u even running hp ice, and not pass the drop in atk against landorus-t or mega manetric to one of your pokemon with baton pass. Tailwind is here for give more support to the team, Roost is for recover health, because zapdos has an awesome bulkyness, and Discharge is for spread random paralysis.
The evs spread is oriented on the special side, and 108 evs in speed let u outspeed base 70 timid/jolly mons. Even if i have one special and one physical move, i run calm because uturn is a utility move.
Use this zapdos with powerful water pokemon like cb/bellydrum azumarill, any keldeo, manaphy or ddance gyarados, so u can easily set up on ground pokemon, or with a powerful wallbreaker like 4 attacks life orb kyurem black.

Random calcs:
184 SpA Life Orb Latias Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Zapdos: 200-238 (52.2 - 62.1%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Sludge Wave vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Zapdos: 175-207 (45.6 - 54%) -- 3.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Serperior Dragon Pulse vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Zapdos: 112-132 (29.2 - 34.4%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Tornadus-T Icy Wind vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Zapdos: 120-143 (31.3 - 37.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Landorus Sludge Wave vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Zapdos: 139-165 (36.2 - 43%) -- 98.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Hope u enjoy :]
 
After a few days of deliberation, I came up with this.

Offensive Agility Zapdos

zapdos.gif

Zapdos @ Life Orb
EVs: 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Flying
- Agility
- Roost

This Zapdos is specifically tailored to beat down on common Fire / Water / Grass cores with longevity thanks to Roost, & rather great coverage. Agility is the crux of this set, doubling Zapdos's already amazing speed, allowing it to reach sky high levels. Thunderbolt is the main STAB move, getting solid neutral coverage on most of the meta. The choice of Hidden Power comes down to preference. Hidden Power Ice gets nice effective coverage on mainly Dragon type Pokemon, both Landorus forms, Hippowdown, & other ground types. Hidden Power Flying gets STAB (!) while also getting solid coverage on Fighting & Grass types, most notably Mega Venusaur. Roost is there for longevity & for ofsetting LO damage 76 Speed hits 510 after an Agility, which out-speeds everything up to +2 neutral base 78's, Max Special Attack along with Modest Nature for hitting hard, & the rest thrown into bulk.
 
Dr Ciel said:
After a few days of deliberation, I came up with this.

Offensive Agility Zapdos

zapdos.gif

Zapdos @ Life Orb
EVs: 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Flying
- Agility
- Roost

This Zapdos is specifically tailored to beat down on common Fire / Water / Grass cores with longevity thanks to Roost, & rather great coverage. Agility is the crux of this set, doubling Zapdos's already amazing speed, allowing it to reach sky high levels. Thunderbolt is the main STAB move, getting solid neutral coverage on most of the meta. The choice of Hidden Power comes down to preference. Hidden Power Ice gets nice effective coverage on mainly Dragon type Pokemon, both Landorus forms, Hippowdown, & other ground types. Hidden Power Flying gets STAB (!) while also getting solid coverage on Fighting & Grass types, most notably Mega Venusaur. Roost is there for longevity & for ofsetting LO damage 76 Speed hits 510 after an Agility, which out-speeds everything up to +2 neutral base 78's, Max Special Attack along with Modest Nature for hitting hard, & the rest thrown into bulk.
Click to expand...

Wasn't this the Gen 4 Agility Zapdos? The only changes are the EVs and Hidden Power for Baton Pass
 
Well, Tailwind has been taken, as has offensive, so how about RainDos:

Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 144 HP / 252 SpA / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Volt Switch/U-Turn
- Roost

This set is designed to be a back up rain setter for rain teams, with the ability to abuse it itself. Thunder has perfect acc in rain, making it a great choice for this Zapdos, while Volt Switch gives Zapdos a way of pivoting out, which can get a swift swimmer in for free on many occasions. As pika pal suggested, U-Turn can be used so Zapdos can pivot without ground types blocking it. RD is the point of the set, while Roost gives it longevity to repeatedly set up rain and abuse it without dying, which goes well with it's decent bulk. The EVs creep anything creeping Jolly Bish, while retaining a good amount of bulk. SAtk is maxed so Zapdos can deal as much damage as possible with Thunder. The swift swimmers deal with Grounds who stop this set cold, which is why I'm not too bothered about the immunity.
It differentiates itself from OverlordDerp's set by being a more rain abusing set rather than rain setting, and mine has roost for longevity. They are rather different, despite having a similar goal.
 
Last edited:
s0me1 b0red said:
Well, Tailwind has been taken, as has offensive, so how about RainDos:

Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 144 HP / 252 SpA / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Volt Switch
- Roost

This set is designed to be a back up rain setter for rain teams, with the ability to abuse it itself. Thunder has perfect acc in rain, making it a great choice for this Zapdos, while Volt Switch gives Zapdos a way of pivoting out, which can get a swift swimmer in for free on many occasions. RD is the point of the set, while Roost gives it longevity to repeatedly set up rain and abuse it without dying, which goes well with it's decent bulk. The EVs creep anything creeping Jolly Bish, while retaining a good amount of bulk. SAtk is maxed so Zapdos can deal as much damage as possible with Thunder. The swift swimmers deal with Grounds who stop this set cold, which is why I'm not too bothered about the immunity.
It differentiates itself from OverlordDerp's set by being a more rain abusing set rather than rain setting, and mine has roost for longevity. They are rather different, despite having a similar goal.
Click to expand...
Only one thing I'm wondering about: If the purpose of Volt Switch is to help get Swift Swimmers in, and the synergy is from their ability to stop bulky grounds, might U-Turn be worth a slash? Trading damage for consistent pivoting to them on Ground switch ins?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top