[OVERVIEW]
Zapdos has a great defensive typing and solid bulk that make it one of the premier setters of Tailwind in the tier. A base 125 Special Attack stat allows it to never be too passive on the field after setting Tailwind; in addition, it has access to Roost to keep itself healthy. However, Zapdos faces heavy competition from Thundurus, a support Electric-type with Prankster and access to Taunt, though Zapdos has more bulk and Tailwind to differentiate itself. Although Zapdos has few weaknesses, it is checked offensively by common threats such as Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B and walled by Pokemon that resist Electric and don't take much from its coverage moves such as Amoonguss.
[SET]
name: Bulky Tailwind
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Tailwind
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave
move 4: Roost
item: Rocky Helmet / Sitrus Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 32 Def / 84 SpA / 124 SpD / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt hits Water- and Flying-types for super effective damage and chips away at neutral foes due to Zapdos's respectable Special Attack stat. Tailwind allows Zapdos to support its team, doubling their Speed for three turns. This swings momentum in your team's favor, allowing Pokemon with middling to fast Speed to wreak havoc on the opposing side. Hidden Power Ice hits Landorus-T and Dragon-types such as Salamence, Latios, and Hydreigon for more damage than Thunderbolt. Heat Wave dents Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and provides spread damage; however, the move is somewhat weak, as it fails to break Kyurem-B's Substitute. Roost provides recovery, and the extra longevity enables Zapdos to set up Tailwind multiple times in the match and check threats more reliably. Roost also removes Zapdos's Flying typing, allowing it to stay in on Rock- and Ice-types that it outspeeds.
Set Details
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Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan when they hit Zapdos, which allows Zapdos to rack up consistent residual damage on these Pokemon as it recovers with Roost. Sitrus Berry is a staple item in Doubles for bulkier Pokemon, providing a burst of recovery and increasing Zapdos's lifespan. Safety Goggles can also be used to ignore Spore and Rage Powder from Pokemon like Breloom and Amoonguss, making Zapdos an effective switch-in to both. The EV spread allows Zapdos to take two Rock Slides from Adamant Landorus-T after spread reduction and two Ice Beams from Modest Ludicolo. The Speed investment allows Zapdos to outspeed neutral-natured base 70 Pokemon such as Bisharp. The rest of the EVs are pumped into Special Attack along with a Modest nature in order to increase Zapdos's offensive presence.
Usage Tips
========
Zapdos's bulk allows it to be easily switched in during the middle of the game to swing the momentum in your favor. Zapdos is also an effective lead against Mega Kangaskhan, threatening Rocky Helmet recoil damage if Mega Kangaskhan uses Fake Out on it. Use Roost liberally against Pokemon that Zapdos either threatens out or that can't harm it if you are predicting Protect or a switch out in order to keep Zapdos healthy. Zapdos gives a solid defensive backbone to a team with its excellent bulk and recovery, so utilize that by switching it into common threats such as Talonflame and Fighting-type moves from Pokemon such as Virizion. Tailwind is far from the only option on the first turn; attack if it makes more sense to do so.
Team Options
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Mega Charizard Y aids Zapdos with sun for its Heat Wave, allowing it to break Kyurem-B's Substitute, and it appreciates the Tailwind Zapdos provides. Zapdos also beats one of the most common checks to sun teams: Talonflame. Fake Out users such as Mega Kangaskhan and Infernape and redirection users such as Jirachi help Zapdos set up Tailwind more easily. Steel-types like Aegislash and Mega Metagross take on Dragon-types and Mega Diancie, two of Zapdos's more difficult matchups. Hard hitters that appreciate Tailwind such as Hoopa-U, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Kangaskhan are able to devastate the opponent's team with their Speed stat doubled. Fighting-types such as Keldeo are able to deal with Ice- and Rock-types such as Kyurem-B and Terrakion that threaten Zapdos with their STAB attacks. Breloom is one of Zapdos's best partners, working extremely well under Tailwind with its ability to incapacitate opposing Pokemon with fast Spores.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Yache Berry is an option to take an Ice-type attack such as Kyurem-B's Ice Beam better, allowing Zapdos to set Tailwind in a pinch. Similarly, Charti Berry allows Zapdos to take a Rock-type attack more comfortably, but it suffers from being activated on a weaker hit such as Rock Slide. Light Screen improves Zapdos's team's Special Defense but leaves Zapdos either much more passive without an extra coverage move or with reduced longevity if Roost is dropped. Thunder Wave is an alternative option for speed control, but most of the time, Thundurus is the better option if Tailwind is not used. Swagger is a way to potentially dodge taking hits that Zapdos wouldn't want to take but is heavily luck based and unreliable. Volt Switch allows Zapdos to switch out after setting up Tailwind and can be used to bring in a heavy-hitting teammate with more safety. Roar stops Trick Room and setup sweepers from running wild.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage:** Rock-types with powerful STAB attacks such as Mega Diancie and Terrakion deal massive damage to Zapdos. Dragon-types that aren't 4x weak to Hidden Power Ice such as Hydreigon and Latios beat Zapdos with their powerful attacks, though Zapdos can Roost on them if they are at -2 Special Attack due to Draco Meteor. Kyurem-B is Zapdos's best counter, as it switches into all of Zapdos's attacks taking little to no damage, sets up free Substitutes on it, and does a ton with Ice Beam. Ground-types that aren't weak to Hidden Power Ice or take little damage from it regardless, such as Mega Swampert, easily take on Zapdos.
**Utility**: Lightning Rod Pokemon such as Rhydon redirect Zapdos's Thunderbolts and nullify most of its offensive potential. Taunt users such as Thundurus and Sableye prevent Zapdos from setting up Tailwind, which is its main job.
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