Mix and Mega

Analysis written by nv.
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Zapdos

Overview

Zapdos is one of the best defensive Pokemon in Mix and Mega due to its semi-unique typing and a great set of resistances. It is also the premier defensive -ate check in the metagame thanks to Venusaurite giving it a Ice neutrality as well as its Electric typing giving it a Flying resistance. Furthermore, Zapdos gains a Fire resistance, which allows it to take on threats such as Primal Groudon and Pinsirite Entei. Zapdos also only has one weakness once it Mega Evolves, giving it a great amount of staying power on any balance- or defensive-minded team. While Zapdos does have a lot going for it, it is also very prepared for the Pokemon it checks such as Primal Groudon carrying Rock-type coverage to bypass it. Zapdos also has a somewhat paltry base 100 Speed that allows it to outspeed walls, but it is slower than offensive threats that can overwhelm Zapdos and its team.

Defensive

Set Comments

Moves

Roost allows Zapdos to keep itself healthy throughout the game while also getting rid of its one weakness, in exchange for another, for one turn. Defog allows Zapdos to support the team by getting rid of entry hazards on its side of the field. The STAB move of choice depends on what team Zapdos is on. If you want to be able to gain momentum, Volt Switch is a really solid option that allows Zapdos to pivot throughout the game, whereas Thunderbolt hits harder and allows Zapdos to stay in if necessary. Toxic is the best option Zapdos has for its last moveslot, as it allows it to cripple Ground-types such as Zygarde and Primal Groudon while also nailing non-Sablenite walls. Hidden Power Ice can be a good option as well, since it can force out Pokemon that try to set up on it such as Zygarde-C.

Set Details

Venusaurite gives Zapdos a Fire resistance while also neutralizing its Ice weakness, leaving it with only a Rock-type weakness, making it very hard to take down especially with its access to reliable recovery in Roost. Sablenite is also a very viable option, as it gives a better bulk increase, grants an immunity to status moves such as Toxic and Taunt from non-Gyaradosite users, and allows for a slower Volt Switch to bring in frailer threats such as Weavile. 248 HP EVs give Zapdos an uneven HP number, allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock four times rather than three. Maximum Defense EVs allow Zapdos to take on common -ate Pokemon such as Genesect a lot easier as well as being able to make better use of its resistances. The rest is dumped into Special Defense to give Zapdos a bit of a boost to its special bulk. A Bold nature further bolsters Zapdos's Defense stat.

Usage Tips

Zapdos should be used as a bulky pivot that can utilize its somewhat unique resistances to cripple or pivot out on Primal Groudon, Pheromosa, and Genesect. Zapdos needs to watch out for random, albeit uncommon, coverage from these Pokemon, as some of them tend to carry Rock-type moves. Zapdos should be wary of which moves it uses, as Sablenite users can cripple it by bouncing back Toxic, while Ground-types can block its STAB move, allowing them to drain all the momentum Zapdos has gained. Switching into Stealth Rock users is best, as Zapdos can't check as many Pokemon with it up, and with Sablenite, it can even bounce it back. Try and switch out whenever a Pokemon tries to status Zapdos, as it can be worn down a lot easier.

Team Options

U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Pheromosa and Magearna provide a very solid VoltTurn core to allow the team to gain momentum with ease and wear down the foe. Pheromosa is good in particular, since it can hit special walls while Zapdos can cripple Pheromosa's checks such as Arceus-Ghost and Toxapex. Special walls such as Sablenite Blissey complement Zapdos's weaker defensive stat. Blissey's only weakness is also resisted by Zapdos, making them a really solid defensive core in the metagame. Furthermore, Blissey can help Zapdos with entry hazard control thanks to Magic Bounce and get rid of status via Heal Bell. Steel-types such as Jirachi and Arceus-Steel are wonderful partners for Zapdos as well due to it offering up a Fighting- and Fire-type resistance while also having a Ground immunity. Steel-types can also absorb Toxic aimed at Zapdos while tanking Rock-type moves, helping to keep status at bay. Other -ate checks such as Magearna, Skarmory, and Celesteela can ease pressure off of Zapdos, allowing it to be more effective as a pivot and as a wall. Heal Bell users such as Blissey can help Zapdos steer clear of status. Primal Groudon checks such as Zygarde-C and Arceus-Ground can be very good partners for Zapdos, as they not only help relieve pressure off of Zapdos (which has to worry about Stone Edge unlike them two), but also appreciate Zapdos's ability to wear down the opponent's bulkier Pokemon with Toxic or by pivoting into them. Lastly, setup sweepers such as Manaphy and Terrakion appreciate Zapdos's ability to wall threats such as Kartana, paving the way for them to sweep.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Heat Wave is a nice option for the guaranteed OHKO on Kartana, but Zapdos can still wall Kartana without it, as it has pitiful Special Defense and is 2HKOed by Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock. Roar is a neat option that allows Zapdos to phaze potential threats trying to take advantage of it such as Swords Dance Primal Groudon and Dragon Dance Zygarde. Blue Orb is a neat option to completely shut down Primal Groudon, but it still has access to Rock-type coverage to overpower Zapdos. Discharge is a viable option that allows Zapdos to further support the team with paralysis support, but Volt Switch and Thunderbolt provide more reliability via their momentum grabbing or power.

Checks and Counters

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