[Overview]
<p>Zangoose is often overlooked as a Normal-type sweeper. Despite an overall low BST, Zangoose has all the right stats in all the right places. Its impressive base 115 Attack is backed up by a good base 90 Speed. It also has an excellent physical movepool that allows it to sweep uninterrupted. The main thing holding Zangoose back, however, is its frailty. Defensive stats of 73 / 60 / 60 simply don't cut it in the high-powered RU metagame, and Zangoose's lack of resistances doesn't do it any favors either. Don't let that put you off, however; if Zangoose manages to nab a Swords Dance boost, your opponent will be in for a world of pain.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Shadow Claw / Quick Attack
item: Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Zangoose is a very straightforward sweeper: set up a Swords Dance and proceed to pulverize the opponent's team. Zangoose can nab a Swords Dance on things that it will force out, such as Cryogonal, and proceed to sweep. Return is the STAB move of choice, sporting great power and perfect accuracy, and will deal huge damage to most things that don't resist or aren't immune to it. Close Combat allows Zangoose to break through Rock- and Steel-types that resist Return, and can OHKO the standard Steelix and Regirock sets with Stealth Rock support after a Swords Dance boost. The last slot is flexible, as both moves have their advantages and disadvantages. Shadow Claw lets Zangoose break through bulky Ghost-types such as Cofagrigus and Dusknoir, but leaves Zangoose open to being revenge killed by faster opponents. Quick Attack minimizes this risk, but Zangoose will now be completely walled by Ghost-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are the standard sweeper fare: max Attack for the most damage possible, and max Speed to outrun as many opponents as possible. An Adamant nature can be used to secure the OHKO on both Steelix and Regirock should they invest in Defense, but the ability to Speed tie with other positive base 90 Speed Pokemon is too good to pass up.</p>
<p>No matter what move Zangoose chooses in the last slot, it will inevitably be left at the mercy of either faster opponents or Ghost-types. Should you choose to run Shadow Claw, Wynaut can be used to eliminate opposing Choice Scarf users. Should you choose to run Quick Attack, you will need something that is able to deal with Ghost-types. Pursuit users such as Drapion, Spiritomb, and Honchkrow are all able to provide this service. As with all offensively inclined Pokemon, Zangoose appreciates entry hazards for that extra little bit of damage. Scolipede is an excellent Spikes user that fits well onto offensive teams, and provides a 4x Fighting-type resistance that complements Zangoose defensively. Should you prefer an Spikes setter with more durability, then Qwilfish and Ferroseed are also excellent choices, as their great bulk lets them set up on a multitude of Pokemon.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Zangoose has many other options available to it; however, the listed moves tend to be the most effective. Zangoose has two other choices for more powerful STAB move: Double-Edge and Mega Kick. Both have their drawbacks, however. Double-Edge causes recoil, which will add up very quickly due to Zangoose's low HP and Life Orb, whereas Mega Kick suffers from low accuracy and PP. Don't be tempted to use Hone Claws in conjunction with Mega Kick though; a +2 Return deals more damage than a +1 Mega Kick, and Swords Dance benefits Zangoose's other moves as well. Zangoose also has access to the elemental punches, but only Ice Punch is of any use, as it is Zangoose's most powerful option against Gligar. The feral furball also has an expansive special movepool, but there's just no point—Zangoose's physical moves will always do more damage to the opponent, due to its awful Special Attack. Taunt can be used, but Zangoose will be at worst 2HKOed by anything and everything, so it generally shouldn't encourage opponents to attack it. Zangoose can set up weather, but doesn't directly benefit from it in any way. Choice items can be used, but Pokemon such as Tauros, Cinccino, and Kangaskhan are usually better Pokemon for this role.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Zangoose is rather difficult to counter, but it has a multitude of checks. Should Zangoose lack Shadow Claw, then any Ghost-type will be able to wall it. Even if it does pack Shadow Claw, faster Ghost-types, such as Rotom or Haunter, can outspeed and OHKO with their STAB Thunderbolt and Sludge Bomb, respectively. Bulky Spiritomb isn't even KOed by a +2 Shadow Claw, and can proceed to either burn Zangoose, hit it with Sucker Punch, or set up on it. Should Zangoose pack Quick Attack, its list of checks becomes smaller, although it has to watch out for Pokemon that resist Normal-type moves and that can still outspeed it. Durant and Aerodactyl are examples of this, and can OHKO Zangoose with their STAB moves. ExtremeSpeed will always go before Quick Attack, so Entei is also able to revenge kill Zangoose. Speaking of priority, Mach Punch will always be able to bring Zangoose down in one hit, therefore it is imperative to remove the most common users of the move, Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee, before attempting to sweep with Zangoose.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Toxic Boost is a fantastic ability for Zangoose. It's very similar to Guts in that if Zangoose is equipped with a Toxic Orb, it will gain a one-stage Attack boost. This also means that Zangoose can use the far more powerful Facade as its STAB Normal-type move. It could therefore be seen as a faster but weaker version of Guts Ursaring, and a stronger but slower version of the Quick Feet one.</p>
