Gotta Go Fast: Zebstrika in PU

By rubsomebacononit. Art by Rocket Grunt.
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Introduction

Zebstrika art by Rocket Grunt

Zebstrika was introduced in BW as a fast Electric-type, with its shocking design appealing to most people. Though it was a mediocre Pokémon in BW NU, it had a niche thanks to its high Speed along with access to Volt Switch, running an all-out attacker Life Orb set. Alternatively, though less common and popular, Zebstrika could also run a Choice Scarf set to function as a revenge killer, which allowed it to check weather sweepers such as Gorebyss and Exeggutor. Zebstrika also had Lightningrod to switch on predicted Volt Switches and Thunder Waves, as well as boost its average Special Attack stat, and Overheat, which allowed it to check Grass-types, such as Serperior and Tangela. Unfortunately, Zebstrika's bad physical movepool meant that it had to utilize its lackluster Special Attack. Additionally, it faced competition from other Electric-types such as Electabuzz and Rotom-S, with the former having better coverage and better bulk thanks to Eviolite and the latter being more versatile, having greater bulk and a better typing, along with access to STAB-boosted Air Slash to take on Grass-types such as Tangela.

Not much changed for Zebstrika during the XY era, as it was still overshadowed by other Electric-types such as Raichu and Rotom-F due to its lackluster Special Attack stat and sparse movepool, causing it to be underused in the PU metagame. However, Zebstrika gained recognition in February when it started to get noticed as a great revenge killer that worked well against offensive teams, outspeeding common Pokémon such as Sneasel, Floatzel, and Serperior; it also was able to check Grass-types such as Jumpluff and Leafeon thanks to Sap Sipper and Overheat. Eventually, after a few months, Zebstrika rose to A+ in the viability rankings and was even one of the top A+ Pokémon before the August tier shifts.

However, the departure of Poliwrath in the August tier shifts made Carracosta and Barbaracle, which Zebstrika was unable to beat when they were boosted by Shell Smash, more popular. The departure of Torterra was also a huge thorn on Zebstrika's side, as it made Stunfisk and Piloswine, which were able to deal with Zebstrika easily, more popular. This caused Zebstrika to become a central A+ Pokémon instead of a top A+ Pokémon. Later on, when both Carracosta and Barbaracle were banned, Zebstrika's viability shot up, as other Water-type Pokémon such as Simipour and Floatzel became more popular. The latest tier shift was also kind enough to take away one of Zebstrika's biggest checks in Piloswine, which made carrying Hidden Power Grass less necessary, though it resulted in making Stunfisk more common.

The November shifts were a mixed bag for Zebstrika. Exeggutor being in the tier made the PU metagame more offensive, and Zebstrika's high Speed was very beneficial for revenge killing. Raichu's Nasty Plot set also became less popular due to balanced teams becoming less common, and Zebstrika was favoured over Raichu thanks to it having a better matchup against offensive teams. In addition, Floatzel, which was checked by Zebstrika with ease, was still as popular as ever. However, the introduction of Bouffalant was annoying, as Assault Vest Bouffalant could tank any hit from Zebstrika thanks to its high Special Defense, and, in return, OHKO it with Earthquake. Furthermore, more players started using Electrode instead of Zebstrika, trading a Grass immunity and access to Overheat for the ability to run a Modest nature and Soundproof to check Chatot. Rotom-F also gave Zebstrika a run for its money, as it had the ability to deal with Ground-types such as Stunfisk. The long awaited December shifts brought another Electric-type check in Camerupt, which could wall Zebstrika if it did not carry Hidden Power Water. Audino being in the tier was also problematic, as it could tank a hit and recover health using Wish, or switch out and recover lost health with Regenerator. Despite having more checks from the November and December tier shifts, Zebstrika still finds its home on many offensive teams.

Zebstrika's qualities

Zebstrika's main selling point is its high Speed stat, making it a great revenge killer in PU that is able to check threats such as Floatzel and Pelipper. Zebstrika's access to Volt Switch allows it to pivot out in an unfavourable situation and perform well against offense, which is the best and most common playstyle in PU. Zebstrika can also perform as a check to Grass-types, such as Tangela and Jumpluff, thanks to Sap Sipper and Overheat, or switch into Electric-types such as Raichu to gain a Special Attack boost with Lightningrod.

Playing with Zebstrika

Zebstrika

Zebstrika can only run one set effectively—the all-out attacker Life Orb set. It functions well as a late-game cleaner or a revenge killer when all of its checks have been weakened. Volt Switch allows Zebstrika to gain momentum for its team and switch out of an unfavourable situation. Thunderbolt is a more powerful attack that allows Zebstrika to stay in and clean up late-game. Overheat hits Grass-types such as Tangela and Simisage super effectively and allows Zebstrika to check them if it is running Sap Sipper, though it comes with a cost of lowering its Special Attack stat and leaves it setup fodder for Pokémon such as Dragon Dance Fraxure. Hidden Power Ice allows Zebstrika to deal with Vibrava, Gabite, Fraxure, and Altaria, all of which resist its other moves, and allows it to OHKO Jumpluff after Stealth Rock damage without fearing the Special Attack drop from Overheat. Hidden Power Water can also be used, OHKOing Golem after Stealth Rock damage and 2HKOing Camerupt, though it leaves Zebstrika walled by all of the aforementioned Dragon-types. Because of Zebstrika's low bulk, it should not be switching in on powerful attacks, but instead into Grass-types such as Tangela if carrying Sap Sipper or Electric-types such as Raichu if carrying Lightningrod. Most of the time, Zebstrika should use Volt Switch to gain momentum, though it must be wary of Ground-type switch-ins such as Stunfisk.

Playing against Zebstrika

Due to Zebstrika's mediocre Special Attack stat, specially defensive Pokémon such as Grumpig and Audino have no trouble walling it. Other setup sweepers such as Vigoroth and Clefairy can also render Zebstrika setup fodder. Having entry hazards such as Stealth Rock on Zebstrika's side of the field is also detrimental for it, as it tends to get easily worn down due to it constantly switching in and out with Volt Switch; Probopass and defensive Roselia perform the role of an entry hazard stacking Pokémon well. Pokémon that are immune to Volt Switch, such as Camerupt and Stunfisk, are great for dealing with Zebstrika, as they both take negligible damage from Hidden Power Ice and can set up Stealth Rock. The former, however, must be wary of Hidden Power Water.

In terms of offensive checks, revenge killers and Pokémon that can take a hit from Zebstrika and KO it in return work well. Though they have trouble switching in, Choice Scarf Sawsbuck and Mr. Mime can easily revenge kill Zebstrika when it is weakened. Priority attack users such as Mightyena and Pawniard also make for good checks, as they can finish Zebstrika off when weakened due to its poor bulk. Both Assault Vest Bouffalant and Stoutland can tank a hit from Zebstrika thanks to their natural bulk and OHKO it back, making them good checks.

Fitting Zebstrika on a team

Zebstrika fits well on hyper offensive teams that require a fast revenge killer or a late-game cleaner. As Zebstrika forces many switches, Stealth Rock and Spikes support from Pokémon such as Probopass and Roselia can help wear its foes down; Stealth Rock, in particular, allows Zebstrika to 2HKO Machoke with Thunderbolt. In addition to this, Probopass can bring Zebstrika in safely via Volt Switch, while Roselia can deal with Stunfisk. Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Monferno and Ninjask can maintain momentum for their team and pressure the foe with their constant switching; the former also appreciates the removal of Water-types such as Floatzel, which Zebstrika can provide. As Zebstrika has trouble dealing with specially defensive walls such as Lickilicky and Audino, setup sweepers such as Vigoroth and Clefairy, which easily set up on them, make for good partners. Grass-types such as Exeggutor and Simisage are able to pressure Stunfisk, while Zebstrika can switch into Grass-types such as Jumpluff and Tangela for them. Other Pokémon that appreciate the removal of Grass-types, such as Relicanth and Simipour, appreciate the Grass immunity that Zebstrika gives them, and, in return, can deal with Probopass and non-Passho Berry variants of Stunfisk.

Get out there!

Zebstrika more than makes up for its average Special Attack stat thanks to its high Speed, which allows it to check threats such as Floatzel, and the combination of Sap Sipper and Overheat that lets it switch into Grass-types such as Jumpluff and Tangela. On top of this, offense is currently the most dominant playstyle in the PU metagame, and Zebstrika is a great choice as a revenge killer for an offensive team; you should definitely give it a go!

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