Continuation of the revamping non-viable mons project!
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[OVERVIEW]
For the most part, Zygarde is outclassed and underwhelming in most major aspects. While it may have high bulk, it lacks any viable support move and has very disappointing offenses, which also lets down its unique access to Land's Wrath, a Ground-type spread attack that doesn't hit its partner, unlike Earthquake. Zygarde's typing is also a mixed bag, as, while it does let it take Electric-, Fire-, and Rock-type moves well, it leaves it vulnerable to the numerous Fairy-, Dragon-, and Ice-types in the metagame, including a metagame-defining threat in Mega Diancie. Its ability, Aura Break, also is useless, as both Xerneas and Yveltal are banned from DOU. Zygarde's only notable niche is being an actually viable bulky user of Glare, a move that lets it paralyze foes, including Landorus-T, a very prominent threat that Thunder Wave cannot touch. Despite this, it's generally better to run a Pokemon with Thunder Wave or a different Dragon-type instead, as Zygarde's access to Glare usually can't make up for its numerous downfalls.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Land's Wrath
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Glare
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Aura Break
nature: Adamant
evs: 220 HP / 88 Atk / 52 Def / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Land's Wrath is exclusively available for Zygarde and serves as its main STAB attack. It deals passable spread damage to Zygarde's foes without hitting its ally, giving the move a niche over Earthquake. Stone Edge handles the Flying-types that are immune to Land's Wrath, most notably Mega Charizard Y and Talonflame. Glare helps Zygarde carve out a small niche by giving it the ability to paralyze Ground-type foes such as Landorus-T, which Thunder Wave cannot do. Protect is used to help Zygarde scout for the foes' attacks, stall field conditions, and protect itself from damage while its partner deals with a threat.
Set Details
========
220 HP EVs guarantee that Zygarde will always survive Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice, and when coupled with 52 Defense EVs and a Sitrus Berry, the 2HKO from Mega Kangaskhan's Return. The given Speed investment allows Zygarde to paralyze Breloom before it can use Spore and also guarantees that Zygarde will move before Bisharp and Volcanion. The remaining EVs are placed in Attack. An Adamant nature is chosen to give Zygarde a needed boost to its underwhelming power, guaranteeing that Land's Wrath will always OHKO standard Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
As Zygarde's only solid attributes are in its bulk, it should spend the majority of its time on the field paralyzing as many threats as possible with Glare. Land's Wrath and Stone Edge should only be used against foes it hits super effectively or against a severely weakened foe to finish it off. Zygarde needs as much of its already middling power as it can get to remain threatening, so it doesn't tend to work well as a lead due to Intimidate users being common leads. Instead, Zygarde works best in the middle of the game, working to paralyze key threats or remove certain targets that prevent its more offensive teammates from cleaning up the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Steel-types such as Heatran and Aegislash are especially notable teammates to Zygarde, as they can deal with Ice- and Fairy-types and appreciate that Zygarde's Ground-type attack does not hit them. Aegislash also has access to Wide Guard to protect Zygarde from Pixilate Hyper Voice or Blizzard. Bisharp is another key Steel-type that works well with Zygarde, as it deters opposing Intimidate users with Defiant. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon can take on the Dragon-types that Zygarde is unable to handle, and they appreciate its ability to take on Steel- and Fire-types. Fairy-types also tend to be slow, so Zygarde's access to Glare can lessen that issue. As Zygarde is generally a fairly passive Pokemon, it needs powerful teammates such as Talonflame, Mega Gardevoir, and Hoopa-U to take advantage of the opportunities its bulk and usage of Glare can provide.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Extreme Speed can work as a strong priority attack or to pick off weakened foes, but it doesn't hit very hard, as it is not boosted by STAB and Zygarde doesn't usually run any move or item to boost its Attack. Rock Slide is an alternative over Stone Edge, as it hits both foes, but the power drop compared to Stone Edge is noticeable, and it leaves Zygarde completely helpless against Wide Guard users. Substitute can work as a method of preventing Zygarde from being burned and, with Zygarde's good bulk, can make it difficult to take down. However, all these moves are typically worse than the already bad main set. Safety Goggles can work as an item over Sitrus Berry, as this turns Zygarde into a fantastic check to sun-based teams, but the boost in HP will be greatly missed should this change be made.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Sylveon and Mega Gardevoir can hit Zygarde extremely hard with super effective Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice, and neither will take much from Zygarde's attacks. Azumarill also has Play Rough to hit Zygarde super effectively and Aqua Jet to get around the Speed loss from a potential Glare.
**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Dragon-types can switch in on and KO Zygarde, as it doesn't usually carry a STAB Dragon-type attack. Latios and Hydreigon in particular are even immune to Land's Wrath. However, both must be wary of Glare, as they can be slowed down for Zygarde's ally to KO them.
**Ice-type Pokemon**: Ice-types like Weavile and Kyurem-B can easily OHKO Zygarde with a 4x super effective STAB attack. However, many Ice-types are weak to Rock-type attacks and can be paralyzed, so they must be careful. Ice-type coverage is also common on many Pokemon. Water-type attackers such as Ludicolo and Suicune can outspeed Zygarde in rain or when under Tailwind and OHKO it with Ice Beam, and Ludicolo even resists Land's Wrath. Thundurus and Raikou can outspeed Zygarde and hit it hard with Hidden Power Ice, but Thundurus is weak to Stone Edge and Raikou is weak to Land's Wrath.
**Rotom-W**: Rotom-W is one of the absolute best answers to Zygarde in the metagame. It has Levitate to avoid Land's Wrath, is an Electric-type and thus cannot be paralyzed, and commonly runs Will-O-Wisp to burn Zygarde. Zygarde's only method of damaging Rotom-W is a neutral, non-STAB Stone Edge, so it typically must switch out when facing a Rotom-W.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Intimidate users and fast Will-O-Wisp users can check Zygarde, as they can weaken its physical attacks. Gengar is immune to Zygarde's STAB Land's Wrath and can burn it without much of an issue.
**Wide Guard**: Wide Guard users, such as Conkeldurr and Aegislash, can block Zygarde's Land's Wrath while a partner KOes it without taking damage. Conkeldurr has Ice Punch to severely damage Zygarde beyond just preventing its moves with Wide Guard, and Aegislash can hit hard with its base 150 Special Attack. Both also resist Zygarde's Rock-type coverage and don't mind being paralyzed, as they are already slow.
~~~~
[OVERVIEW]
For the most part, Zygarde is outclassed and underwhelming in most major aspects. While it may have high bulk, it lacks any viable support move and has very disappointing offenses, which also lets down its unique access to Land's Wrath, a Ground-type spread attack that doesn't hit its partner, unlike Earthquake. Zygarde's typing is also a mixed bag, as, while it does let it take Electric-, Fire-, and Rock-type moves well, it leaves it vulnerable to the numerous Fairy-, Dragon-, and Ice-types in the metagame, including a metagame-defining threat in Mega Diancie. Its ability, Aura Break, also is useless, as both Xerneas and Yveltal are banned from DOU. Zygarde's only notable niche is being an actually viable bulky user of Glare, a move that lets it paralyze foes, including Landorus-T, a very prominent threat that Thunder Wave cannot touch. Despite this, it's generally better to run a Pokemon with Thunder Wave or a different Dragon-type instead, as Zygarde's access to Glare usually can't make up for its numerous downfalls.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Land's Wrath
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Glare
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Aura Break
nature: Adamant
evs: 220 HP / 88 Atk / 52 Def / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Land's Wrath is exclusively available for Zygarde and serves as its main STAB attack. It deals passable spread damage to Zygarde's foes without hitting its ally, giving the move a niche over Earthquake. Stone Edge handles the Flying-types that are immune to Land's Wrath, most notably Mega Charizard Y and Talonflame. Glare helps Zygarde carve out a small niche by giving it the ability to paralyze Ground-type foes such as Landorus-T, which Thunder Wave cannot do. Protect is used to help Zygarde scout for the foes' attacks, stall field conditions, and protect itself from damage while its partner deals with a threat.
Set Details
========
220 HP EVs guarantee that Zygarde will always survive Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice, and when coupled with 52 Defense EVs and a Sitrus Berry, the 2HKO from Mega Kangaskhan's Return. The given Speed investment allows Zygarde to paralyze Breloom before it can use Spore and also guarantees that Zygarde will move before Bisharp and Volcanion. The remaining EVs are placed in Attack. An Adamant nature is chosen to give Zygarde a needed boost to its underwhelming power, guaranteeing that Land's Wrath will always OHKO standard Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
As Zygarde's only solid attributes are in its bulk, it should spend the majority of its time on the field paralyzing as many threats as possible with Glare. Land's Wrath and Stone Edge should only be used against foes it hits super effectively or against a severely weakened foe to finish it off. Zygarde needs as much of its already middling power as it can get to remain threatening, so it doesn't tend to work well as a lead due to Intimidate users being common leads. Instead, Zygarde works best in the middle of the game, working to paralyze key threats or remove certain targets that prevent its more offensive teammates from cleaning up the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Steel-types such as Heatran and Aegislash are especially notable teammates to Zygarde, as they can deal with Ice- and Fairy-types and appreciate that Zygarde's Ground-type attack does not hit them. Aegislash also has access to Wide Guard to protect Zygarde from Pixilate Hyper Voice or Blizzard. Bisharp is another key Steel-type that works well with Zygarde, as it deters opposing Intimidate users with Defiant. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon can take on the Dragon-types that Zygarde is unable to handle, and they appreciate its ability to take on Steel- and Fire-types. Fairy-types also tend to be slow, so Zygarde's access to Glare can lessen that issue. As Zygarde is generally a fairly passive Pokemon, it needs powerful teammates such as Talonflame, Mega Gardevoir, and Hoopa-U to take advantage of the opportunities its bulk and usage of Glare can provide.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Extreme Speed can work as a strong priority attack or to pick off weakened foes, but it doesn't hit very hard, as it is not boosted by STAB and Zygarde doesn't usually run any move or item to boost its Attack. Rock Slide is an alternative over Stone Edge, as it hits both foes, but the power drop compared to Stone Edge is noticeable, and it leaves Zygarde completely helpless against Wide Guard users. Substitute can work as a method of preventing Zygarde from being burned and, with Zygarde's good bulk, can make it difficult to take down. However, all these moves are typically worse than the already bad main set. Safety Goggles can work as an item over Sitrus Berry, as this turns Zygarde into a fantastic check to sun-based teams, but the boost in HP will be greatly missed should this change be made.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Sylveon and Mega Gardevoir can hit Zygarde extremely hard with super effective Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice, and neither will take much from Zygarde's attacks. Azumarill also has Play Rough to hit Zygarde super effectively and Aqua Jet to get around the Speed loss from a potential Glare.
**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Dragon-types can switch in on and KO Zygarde, as it doesn't usually carry a STAB Dragon-type attack. Latios and Hydreigon in particular are even immune to Land's Wrath. However, both must be wary of Glare, as they can be slowed down for Zygarde's ally to KO them.
**Ice-type Pokemon**: Ice-types like Weavile and Kyurem-B can easily OHKO Zygarde with a 4x super effective STAB attack. However, many Ice-types are weak to Rock-type attacks and can be paralyzed, so they must be careful. Ice-type coverage is also common on many Pokemon. Water-type attackers such as Ludicolo and Suicune can outspeed Zygarde in rain or when under Tailwind and OHKO it with Ice Beam, and Ludicolo even resists Land's Wrath. Thundurus and Raikou can outspeed Zygarde and hit it hard with Hidden Power Ice, but Thundurus is weak to Stone Edge and Raikou is weak to Land's Wrath.
**Rotom-W**: Rotom-W is one of the absolute best answers to Zygarde in the metagame. It has Levitate to avoid Land's Wrath, is an Electric-type and thus cannot be paralyzed, and commonly runs Will-O-Wisp to burn Zygarde. Zygarde's only method of damaging Rotom-W is a neutral, non-STAB Stone Edge, so it typically must switch out when facing a Rotom-W.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Intimidate users and fast Will-O-Wisp users can check Zygarde, as they can weaken its physical attacks. Gengar is immune to Zygarde's STAB Land's Wrath and can burn it without much of an issue.
**Wide Guard**: Wide Guard users, such as Conkeldurr and Aegislash, can block Zygarde's Land's Wrath while a partner KOes it without taking damage. Conkeldurr has Ice Punch to severely damage Zygarde beyond just preventing its moves with Wide Guard, and Aegislash can hit hard with its base 150 Special Attack. Both also resist Zygarde's Rock-type coverage and don't mind being paralyzed, as they are already slow.
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