Funbot28
Banned deucer.
QC Stamps: Arikado / col49 / Spirit
GP Stamps: Mr. Uncompetitive / CryoGyro
AM GP Stamps: Zrp200
[OVERVIEW]
Zoroark is a unique and formidable threat within the RU metagame, as it is the only fully evolved Pokemon with Illusion. This allows Zoroark to lure checks to its teammates, providing amazing support. Zoroark also possesses great offensive stats alongside a good Speed stat, which make it into a deadly wallbreaker. Its Dark typing enables it to break through the various Ghost- and Psychic-types roaming the tier such as Doublade, Reuniclus, and Bronzong while providing it with an immunity to Psychic-type attacks, offering it more opportunities to switch in. Access to a great setup move in Swords Dance turns Zoroark into a powerful attacker, especially in tandem with Illusion. However, Zoroark's poor bulk disallows it from easily stomaching even neutral hits. Its respectable but limited Speed prevents it from outspeeding some foes that can threaten to OHKO it such as Salazzle, Durant, Swellow, and Aerodactyl, forcing it to rely on Sucker Punch to strike first. External factors such as entry hazard chip damage, Life Orb recoil, weather chip damage, status conditions, and type resistances can also reveal Zoroark's identity, disrupting its capabilities as a lure.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Illusion
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Zoroark's most reliable special Dark-type STAB move, 2HKOing most threats that do not resist it with the added factor of a 20% flinch chance, enabling Zoroark to potentially break through its checks. Focus Blast is a great coverage move that allows Zoroark to target other Dark-types such as Umbreon and Pangoro. Flamethrower is an alternative coverage option that enables Zoroark to dent Steel-, Grass-, and Bug-types such as Escavalier, Heracross, and Chesnaught while also helping to mask its presence better if it disguises itself as a Fire-type such as Moltres or Salazzle. Sludge Bomb is another great coverage move that lets Zoroark target Fairy-types that resist its STAB attacks such as Florges, Comfey, and Slurpuff. Extrasensory can be used instead, allowing Zoroark to lure in and punish Fighting-types such as Kommo-o. U-turn is a great utility option that allows Zoroark to pivot out against Pokemon that threaten it, providing its team with useful momentum. Trick is an alternative choice that cripples defensive threats such as Porygon2 and Umbreon by giving them a Choice Specs.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs turns Zoroark into a specially offensive powerhouse that can 2HKO defensive threats that do not resist its attacks such as Gligar, Pyukumuku, and Nidoqueen after Stealth Rock damage. Illusion allows Zoroark to mask its presence on the battlefield, enabling it to lure in threats such as Doublade, Bronzong, and Escavalier. EVs have been maximized in Special Attack and Speed and a Timid nature has been chosen in order to boost Zoroark's wallbreaking capabilities.
Usage Tips
========
In most cases, Zoroark can spam its STAB move due to there being few Dark-resistant Pokemon in the tier, but it must be wary of opposing Fighting- and Fairy-types such as Florges and Kommo-o, since they resist Zoroark's STAB attacks and will proceed to either set up or hit it with their own STAB moves in return. Defensive Pokemon such as Mantine, Gligar, and Registeel should be placed in the last slot of the team in order for Zoroark to lure specific threats that normally switch into the aforementioned walls with little risk, including Cresselia and Reuniclus. Zoroark can also pick and choose what threats it lures based on the teammate it is disguised as, with examples being Heracross to lure Gligar and Doublade to lure Pangoro. If Zoroark is disguised as a defensive teammate, it can be beneficial for it to utilize U-turn if an opposing offensive threat has been brought in in order to provide momentum for its team. Trick should only be utilized against passive threats and physical attackers such as Gligar, Chesnaught, and Snorlax. Zoroark should also be wary of giving Choice Specs to certain special attackers such as Gardevoir and Salazzle, since they can take advantage of the power boost from Choice Specs to wallbreak Zoroark's team much more easily. Zoroark is sometimes unable to achieve a 2HKO with any of its attacking moves against threats such as Milotic and Dragalge. Therefore, it should pivot out against these threats in order to avoid being afflicted with status or possibly OHKOed.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers that appreciate Zoroark's wallbreaking capabilities such as Flygon, Heracross, and Florges are all great teammates, since they can proceed to sweep late-game once Zoroark has lured in their checks. Other wallbreakers such as Tyrantrum, Mega Glalie, and Gardevoir can help apply additional offensive pressure to the opposing team alongside Zoroark, helping it break through its checks. Entry hazard setters such as Nidoqueen are beneficial, since they help Zoroark attain crucial 2HKOs thanks to the entry hazard chip damage, and Nidoqueen in particular also resists Fairy-, Bug-, and Fighting-type moves while Zoroark's immunity to Psychic-type moves helps it in return. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Mantine, Dhelmise, and Gligar is also important, since it can provide Zoroark with more switch-in opportunities and can help Zoroark disguise itself more effectively.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Low Kick
item: Life Orb / Fightinium Z
ability: Illusion
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance propels Zoroark's Attack stat to high levels, letting it break through almost every wall after a single boost. Knock Off is the main STAB move of the set and lets Zoroark cripple defensive walls such as Gligar and Porygon2 by removing their items. Sucker Punch is another great STAB move that allows Zoroark to target faster threats that threaten to revenge kill it such as Swellow and Noivern. Low Kick is a great coverage move that lets Zoroark dent Dark-types that resist its STAB moves such as Umbreon and Pangoro. It also allows Zoroark to fire off a 160-Base Power All-Out Pummeling when paired with Fightinium Z.
Set Details
========
Illusion helps Zoroark mask its presence, granting it more setup opportunities if it disguises itself as a more passive teammate. Life Orb is equipped to maximize Zoroark's wallbreaking capabilities, letting it secure OHKOs on threats such as Mantine and Registeel after a Swords Dance boost. However, the recoil damage can give Zoroark's presence away, especially if it disguises itself as a wall such as Gligar or Nidoqueen. Fightinium Z is an alternative option that allows Zoroark to muscle through checks such as Umbreon, Alolan Persian, and Diancie. Lum Berry can be used instead, letting Zoroark be immune to status ailments one time, increasing its setup opportunities. EVs have been fully invested in Attack and Speed to maximize Zoroark's power and, with a Jolly nature, outspeed a majority of the metagame. An Adamant nature can be used instead, allowing Zoroark to have a chance to OHKO walls such as Milotic and Umbreon after a Swords Dance boost and Stealth Rock's chip damage.
Usage Tips
========
Zoroark should only set up Swords Dance once its checks, such as Chesnaught, Heracross, and Florges, have been KOed or at least severely weakened. It should also disguise itself as a defensive threat such as Gligar, Mantine, or Gigalith in order to catch the opponent off guard when Zoroark begins to set up or when it uses Sucker Punch. All-Out Pummeling should only be used against specific targets such as Diancie and Umbreon, since Zoroark will struggle to break through them without it.
Team Options
========
Offensive wallbreakers such as Swellow and Noivern appreciate Zoroark's ability to break down defensive threats such as Cresselia and Mantine after it sets up, and they can take out other offensive threats in return. Partners that can switch into Fairy- and Fighting-type attacks such as Nidoqueen or Doublade are extremely beneficial, as they can help patch up Zoroark's weaknesses. They are also pertinent examples because Nidoqueen can set up entry hazards and act as a specially offensive wallbreaker, while Doublade can help Zoroark effectively disguise itself even when using Swords Dance, as Doublade can also learn Swords Dance, allowing Zoroark to surprise the opponent with a powerful Knock Off or Sucker Punch the next turn. Other setup sweepers such as Doublade, Salazzle, and Necrozma can help apply more offensive pressure on the enemy team, helping Zoroark break through its checks more proficiently. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Gligar and Mantine is also useful, as it provides Zoroark with more switch-in opportunities and lets Zoroark disguise itself as a Pokemon such as Moltres or Swellow, which doesn't interact with hazards the same way Zoroark does, without revealing its presence.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Pursuit / Flamethrower
move 4: Memento
item: Life Orb / Dread Plate
ability: Illusion
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is a spammable STAB move that allows Zoroark to target Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Reuniclus, Jellicent, Cresselia, and Doublade while also providing great utility in removing crucial items on walls such as Eviolite Gligar and Leftovers Registeel. Sucker Punch is a great STAB priority move, enabling Zoroark to strike faster threats such as Swellow, Jolteon, Salazzle, and Noivern before they can likely KO it. It also allows Zoroark to outprioritize other priority users such as Mega Glalie and Doublade, letting it avoid being revenge killed. Pursuit is another great Dark-type STAB move that lets Zoroark trap and do significant damage to Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Espeon, Dhelmise, Bruxish, and Hoopa. Pursuit is especially effective on Zoroark because Illusion helps mask its presence, catching the aforementioned threats off guard as they try to switch. Flamethrower is a coverage option that allows Zoroark to hit specific targets that can otherwise switch in to its Dark-type moves like Escavalier, Chesnaught, Heracross, and Whimsicott. Memento is a great utility move that cripples offensive threats by severely lowering their offensive stats, thus enabling Zoroark's teammates that use setup moves to have a much easier time acquiring boosts.
Set Details
========
Illusion allows Zoroark to lure numerous threats such as Doublade, Bronzong, Cresselia, and Escavalier, enabling teammates such as Slurpuff and Snorlax to have an easier time sweeping late-game. Life Orb is equipped to increase Zoroark's overall damage output, enabling it to 2HKO threats like Mantine and Nidoqueen more consistently, but it can reveal Zoroark's presence if it disguises itself as a Pokemon that tends to not run Life Orb such as Gligar or Registeel. Dread Plate can be used as an alternative option, since it can boost Zoroark's STAB moves without making Zoroark take recoil damage, increasing its sustainability. EVs fully invested in Attack and Speed with a Jolly nature turn Zoroark into a fast and powerful physical attacker. A Naive nature can be used alternatively if Zoroark chooses to run Flamethrower.
Usage Tips
========
Zoroark is best used as a lure that can catch opponents off guard thanks to Illusion. Therefore, Zoroark should mask itself as teammates that cannot beat certain threats that it can take out such as Doublade and Bronzong. Sucker Punch also allows it to bait and punish faster threats such as Salazzle, Swellow, and Jolteon if disguised as a slower teammate. Although Zoroark has great offenses, it can often fail to 2HKO certain walls such as Umbreon, Milotic, and Rhyperior, so it should switch out versus these threats in order to avoid taking a lot of damage or being used as entry hazard fodder. Teammates that share the same entry hazard weakness and immunities to status as Zoroark should be placed at the last slot of the team, since this helps Zoroark mask its presence on the battlefield. Memento can help setup sweepers such as Flygon and Salazzle set up the following turn once Zoroark lowers the offensive stats of the opposing threat.
Team Options
========
Zoroark is best paired with setup sweepers that require help breaking through specific walls such as Doublade, Bronzong, and Cresselia, meaning that threats like Slurpuff, Snorlax, Heracross, and Tyrantrum can all be useful allies, especially since Memento gives the aforementioned threats more opportunities to acquire boosts. Partners that resist Fairy- and Fighting-type attacks such as Nidoqueen, Gligar, and Mantine can be beneficial, with the first example also acting as a Stealth Rock setter and the other two providing entry hazard removal, aiding Zoroark in breaking through walls and switching in, respectively. Wallbreakers such as Swellow, Dragalge, and Kommo-o can help Zoroark break through walls that sustain hits from it such as Umbreon and Milotic, while Zoroark can lure their checks and cripple walls with Knock Off in return. Entry hazard removal from partners such as Dhelmise, Donphan, and Mantine is helpful, since it enables Zoroark to come in more frequently and mask its presence more reliably.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Nasty Plot set is another alternative, allowing Zoroark to become a fearsome special attacking threat that can OHKO walls such as Gligar and Umbreon at +2. Choice Scarf can be equipped to turn Zoroark into a fast attacker, letting it target faster threats such as Salazzle and Noivern without relying on priority moves such as Sucker Punch. Night Daze can be run over Dark Pulse on any specially attacking sets due to its slightly greater power and tendency to lower the foe's accuracy. However, its imperfect hit rate and ability to reveal Zoroark's presence, since it is a signature move, decrease its viability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Bulky Fairy-types such as Florges, Comfey, and Diancie resist Zoroark's STAB moves and take minimal damage from any of its coverage options besides Sludge Bomb, while they can likely KO Zoroark with their own STAB moves in return. However, Zoroark can cripple the aforementioned threats with Trick.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Kommo-o and Heracross resist Zoroark's Dark-type attacks and can punish it hard with their Fighting-type moves. However, they must be cautious if Zoroark chooses to run Extrasensory.
**Faster Threats**: Swellow, Noivern, Virizion, and Salazzle outspeed Zoroark and deal a significant amount of damage with their own moves, although Zoroark can still punish these threats with Sucker Punch or outspeed them if it chooses to run a Choice Scarf.
**Bulky Walls**: Walls such as Milotic, Mantine, and Porygon2 can all avoid being 2HKOed by any of Zoroark's unboosted attacks and threaten to damage or cripple it in return. However, Zoroark can circumvent the first two examples by either crippling them with Trick or breaking through them with Swords Dance.
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards somewhat hinder Zoroark's luring capabilities, since they can reveal its presence if it does not have the same entry hazard resistances as the Pokemon it is masked as.
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