R Inanimate
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The most electrifying zebra in Pokemon entertainment.
[Overview]
<p>Zebstrika has an impressive 116 Speed, but falls a bit short when it comes to its other stats and has a shallow movepool. One thing Zebstrika can do well is abuse Lightningrod. By having a partner use Discharge to boost Zebstrika's Special Attack, while dealing damage, Zebstrika can quickly become a destructive force, despite its low base Special Attack. Lightningrod's added benefit of stopping Thunder Wave means that it isn't easy to slow this zebra down once it hits its stride.</p>
[SET]
name: Lightningrod Abuse
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Overheat
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
ability: Lightningrod
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thunderbolt is Zebstrika's main offensive move. After activating Lightningrod once, its Thunderbolt hits a bit harder than that of a Zapdos. Overheat allows Zebstrika to cover Grass-type Pokemon, namely Amoonguss; a boosted Overheat will OHKO all but the most specially defensive, Amoonguss. Hidden Power Ice and Hidden Power Grass moves that provide for extra coverage. The former enables Zebstrika to take on Dragon-type Pokemon such as Latios and Garchomp, while the latter grants Zebstrika a harder hit on Ground- and Water-type Pokemon immune to Electric-type moves, such as Gastrodon, Rhyperior and Seaking. Finally, Protect allows Zebstrika to block incoming attacks, and is a staple move in the VGC metagame. This is particularly useful, as the opponents will be pressured to take Zebstrika out after it manages to get a few Special Attack boosts.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Zebstrika's Speed and Special Attack, while a Life Orb improves Zebstrika's damage output. A Focus Sash can be used instead of a Life Orb to guarantee that Zebstrika survives an attack.<p>
<p>Zebstrika isn't much of a threat without a partner to boost it with Discharge. Unfortunately, Zebstrika's Speed works against it a bit here as it needs a faster parnter to power it up before it attacks, thus limiting the number of Pokemon that are compatible with Zebstrika. Jolteon and Electrode are two Electric-types with a higher base Speed than Zebstrika. Raikou can also work if Zebstrika runs 236 Speed EVs. Lastly, Thundurus can work as a partner if Zebstrika runs 204 Speed EVs, but this will cause Zebstrika to Speed tie with Latios so it isn't recommended. More options are open for the Discharge partner if they run a Choice Scarf. A Choice Scarf would allow Rotom-A, Thundurus, and Zapdos to move before Zebstrika, to boost it with Discharge.</p>
<p>While a Discharge user is vital for Zebstrika to function offensively in battle, Lightningrod still makes a great supporting ability. Water-type Pokemon such as Politoed and Gyarados, who don't take too kindly to Electric-type moves, greatly appreciate the presence of Lightningrod. It takes away the threat of a super effective attack. In addition to this, Lightningrod removes the worry of paralysis from Thunder Wave, assuring that faster Pokemon such as Latios and Terrakion, as well as Choice Scarf users, such as Abomasnow, Chandelure, and Rotom-A, can maintain their Speed over the opponents. Keep in mind, that Lightningrod will redirect an ally's Electric-type moves. Therefore, while the opponent can't use Thunder Wave against your team, Zebstrika's partner will not be able to use any Electric-type move except for Discharge.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>As stated earlier, Zebstrika's movepool is quite limited. Discharge provides Zebstrika with a spread move, but it will damage, and might even paralyze, its own ally so it can be tricky to use. Thunder can be useful if Zebstrika is used on a rain team. Me First can be used to provide Zebstrika with a few interesting options, such as a boosted Draco Meteor against Latios, but it is a bit too situational. Thunder Wave and Light Screen provide Zebstrika with a few options as a support Pokemon, allowing it to do something even if it doesn't get any Lightningrod boosts.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Although Zebstrika is rather frail, it tends to have enough durability to take one attack; to illustrate, it takes roughly a neutral 120 Base Power STAB move to OHKO Zebstrika. Choice Scarf Garchomp can easily handle Zebstrika, as it can switch in on Thunderbolt or Overheat, then outspeed and KO with Earthquake. Gastrodon, Lanturn, and Seaking can wall Zebstrika fairly easily if Zebstrika does not run Hidden Power Grass. Latias and Latios can take a +1 Hidden Power Ice and KO back with Draco Meteor, but they will run into trouble if Zebstrika has gained more than one Special Attack boost. Dark Gem or Life Orb Bisharp can OHKO Zebstrika with Sucker Punch, but will have trouble switching in safely. Lastly, Trick Room kills any hopes that Zebstrika has of attempting a sweep, as its high Speed will hinder it.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Zebstrika will get Sap Sipper as an ability when it is released. While an immunity to Grass-type moves can be interesting, Zebstrika's physical movepool is extremely lacking making it a poor choice over Lightningrod.</p>