Q/C:
G/P:
Overview
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- Good defensive typing and stats allow Zapdos to act as a solid check to a number of dangerous threats
- Possesses an excellent Sp. Attack stat, as well as a solid Speed stat
- Limited but efficient movepool
- Has reliable recovery in Roost
- One of the very few defensive checks to NP Mega-Lucario; this factor alone makes it worth using on some teams
- Can utilise Pressure very effectively
- Defensive potential is limited somewhat by Stealth Rock
- The power nerf to special moves hurts Zapdos' offensive capabilities
- Unlike Rotom-W, it is not a very effective check to Talonflame due to lacking a Fire resistance
Specially Defensive
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name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
move 2: Roost
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Toxic
ability: Pressure
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 244 SpD / 16 Spe
Moves
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- Thunderbolt is much stronger and provides a consistent source of damage, but Volt Switch lets Zapdos act as an effective pivot in order to gain momentum. Discharge could be used as an alternative for its increased paralysis chance, but its lower BP may occasionally be insufficient to secure KOs.
- Roost keeps Zapdos healthy.
- Heat Wave is mandatory for hitting Steels such as Aegislash, Genesect, Scizor, Lucario, Ferrothorn and Excadrill harder (the latter two completely wall you otherwise).
- Despite only having 60 BP, Hidden Power Ice can be used to 2HKO Garchomp, Landorus, Gliscor and Dragonite. If this coverage is not required, Toxic can be used to cripple defensive threats.
Set Details
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- EV investment and Calm nature allow Zapdos to comfortably take on attacks such as Aegislash's Shadow Ball, Landorus' Sludge Wave and Mega-Lucario's +2 Aura Sphere.
- 16 Speed EVs allow Zapdos to get the jump on Adamant Breloom.
- Leftovers is required for persistent healing, adding to Zapdos' overall longevity.
Usage Tips
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- Zapdos can switch in on a number of special attacks with relative ease thanks to its bulk. It can also check certain physical threats due to its palette of resistances - including Scizor/Mega-Scizor, Mega-Pinsir, Breloom, Shift Gear Genesect, Aegislash, and SD Lucario/Mega-Lucario lacking Ice Punch. It is able to immediately force these threats out with the threat of a Super Effective attack, or survive their attacks and KO the following turn with the appropriate move.
- Try to keep Zapdos at above 50% HP at all times if you want to be able to effectively take on the things it is supposed to be checking. Take advantage of predicted switches to get an opportunity to Roost.
- Make sure Stealth Rock stays off the field.
Team Options
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- Needs Rapid Spin or Defog support in order to keep Stealth Rock away. Excadrill makes for a good teammate, as it x4 resists the Rock moves that Zapdos is weak to, and is an excellent Rapid Spin user.
- You may want to consider support from a cleric if using Zapdos on a defensively oriented team, as it is vulnerable to status, especially from Toxic.
Other Options
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- Defog
- Substitute + Roost
- Physically defensive spread with Bold nature to take on physical attackers better
- Offensive set (though outclassed by both Thundurus formes for the most part)
Checks & Counters
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- Specially defensive walls such as Goodra, Gastrodon, Latias, Chansey/Blissey and Celebi cannot be scratched by anything Zapdos can throw at them, bar Toxic. It should be noted that Zapdos can potentially beat most of these threats in a 1vs1 situation with a SubRoost set though.
- Tyranitar and Kyurem-B take negligible damage from Zapdos' attacks, and threaten to KO it with their powerful attacks.
- Although not quite so immune to damage, other strong physical attackers like Mega-Kangaskhan and Terrakion can easily tear a hole in Zapdos. The former deserves an extra mention for being able to break through Substitutes.
- Even with significant Sp. Defense investment, Zapdos still struggles to withstand extremely strong Choice Specs boosted attacks, such as Latios' Draco Meteor and Keldeo's Hydro Pump.
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