Zapdos [QC 0/3]

TheManlyLadybug

Banned deucer.
Not completely sure if someone else is doing this, if they are please tell me and I'll delete the thread. All work up to here is courtesy of forestflamerunner and various contributors.

ZAPDOS SAYS RAWR

Overview
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Zapdos has some very nice toys that make it a great defensive check. The first is reliable recovery in the form of Roost which really sets it apart from Rotom-W. The second is its solid bulk coupled with its nifty defensive typing which allows Zapdos to check some of the tiers most dangerous threats such as Aegislash, Mega Pinsir, and scizor. Finally, Zapdos gets Defog. Thanks to its Ability and Movepool, Zapdos is one of the best defoggers in the game. Zapdos can easily remove hazards in the face of defensive steel types such as Jirachi and Heatran and can actually PP stall these pokemon out of stealth rock thanks to pressure. Furthermore it can eliminate overeager Bisharps looking to get a boost off of defog by using Heat Wave, which is something no other defogger can do. Unfortunately, Zapdos is held back by a nasty SR weakness which basically means if you are not running Defog you might as well run Rotom-W. furthermore Zapdos outclassed offensively by the Thundurus forms, both of boast strong abilities and nasty plot to help muscle through walls. When using Zapdos be mindful of its limitations and play to its strengths.


SET NAME
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name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
move 2: Roost
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Defog / Toxic / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Pressure
item:Leftovers
evs: 248 HP/244 SpD/16 Spe
nature: Calm

Moves
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Thunderbolt is Zapdos's best STAB option, packing respectable power and 100% accuracy. Volt Switch is also an option, but the SR weakness makes it tough to use on Zapdos. Discharge is also an option for the high paralysis chance, but the drop in power is noticeable. Roost helps keep Zapdos alive and mitigates its Stealth Rock Weakness while Heat Wave helps Zapdos take on steal types such as Scizor and Ferrothorn. The final slot is pure utility, and can be any one of several moves. Defog is often the best option, but Toxic can be used to cripple incoming counters such as Lati@s, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon. Hidden Power Ice is a more niche choice if your team struggles against Gliscor and dragons 4x weak to ice type attacks such as Salamence, Garchomp,and Dragonite. Roar is also usable if CM'ers cause you problems but Zapdos isn't the best user of the move.

Set Details
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The EV's and nature are designed to maximize special bulk while still outspeeding nuetral natured base 70 pokemon such as Bisharp. A physically defensive set is viable, but most physical attackers carry either rock or ice type coverage making it difficult for Zapdos to handle Pokemon that attack from that side of the spectrum regardless of Bulk. However, Physically Defensive Zapdos does handle Sword Dance Aegislash and Mega Pinsir better than the special variant, so if your team struggles against those threats use physically defensive Zapdos. a spread of 248 HP/ 244 Def/ 16 Spe with a Bold nature should be used. Leftovers is the only useable item on Zapdos as it gretly increases Zapdos's longevity

Usage Tips
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Zapdos plays differently depending on whether stealth rock is on the field or not. if Stealth Rock is not on the field, Zapdos can handle most offensive steel types such as Scizor and Aegislash and most special attackers including Gengar and Heatran. You should use it to counter such threats. Zapdos can switch in, scare these Pokemon out and then Roost off the damage. When SR is up on the feild, don't use Zapdos to handle things that will probably just U-turn out like Scizor or genesect. Zapdos will get worn down fast if you do. Instead, save Zapdos for your opponent's setup sweepers that you couldn't otherwise handle. Try to keep Zapdos away from burns and toxic because they kill Zapdos's longevity, and in general try to keep SR off the field as much as possible. Zapdos scares off many SR users in the metagame, and you should use the free turn you get as the opponent switches to defog.



Team Options
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If Zapdos is not running Defog, Rapid Support from the likes of Excadrill is very helpful in prolonging Zapdos's lifespan. Excadrill also shares good synergy with Zapdos thanks to Zapdos's Ground immunity and fighting resist while excadrill can handle all of the stone edges that head Zapdos's way.Physical Fighting types are also good teammates for Zapdos as they can scare away/set up on the Tyranitars and Blisseys that like to switch in on Zapdos. Terrakion is a particularly good choice since Zapdos handles two of its strongest checks, Scizor and Aegislash, exceptionally well. Cleric Support from the likes of Sylveon and Blissey is also nice to alleviate Zapdos's status woes.



Other Options
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Zapdos has several other options for sets. Sub+Roost used to be a popular set on Zapdos, but it isn't very effective this generation thanks to Megz Venasaur. Zapdos also gets Agility+ Baton Pass, but Scollipede basically does it better. Zapdos can go offensive with a set of Thunderbolt/Heat Wave/ Hidden Power Ice/Roost, but Thundurus-T packs more of a punch.


Checks & Counters
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Stealth Rock: Making Sure Stealth Rock stays on the field is the easiest way to deal with Zapdos. Good Stealth Rock Users include Terrakion, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon since all of them can force Zapdos out
Special Walls: Zapdos doesnt have the firepower to get past dedicated special walls such as Blissey and Mega Venusaur. Tyranitar and Hippowdon can handle also wall Zapdos if it lacks toxic and threaten to Ko with Stone Edge and Ice Fang respectively
Dragons: if Zapdos lacks Hidden Power Ice, They can set up on Zapdos. Kyurem deserves a special mention because it doesnt even care about Hidden Power Ice. latias can also take Hidden Power Ice comfortably and set up CMs on Zapdos
Set up Sweepers: If Zapdos doesn't have toxic, it becomes setup bait for Terakion, Volcarona, Thundurus-T, and CM'ers
Boosted STAB nuetral attacks: even fully invested, Zapdos doesn't have the bulk to take some of the metagames stronger attacks like Specs Draco Meteors from Latios or Banded Talonflame Flare Blitz
  • Choice Scarfers with rock or ice type coverage: SE hits will take Zapdos down fast.
 

TheManlyLadybug

Banned deucer.
In the other Zapdos analysis-which is currently in the Locked/Outdated Analyses section-people talked about changing the EVs to a physically defensive set. Thoughts?
 

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