QC Checks: Hack / Dice / WreckDra
GP Checks: Malley / P Squared
The Dragon-type Static Shock™
________________
name: Hone Claws
move 1: Hone Claws
move 2: Bolt Strike
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Outrage / Substitute
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Teravolt
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hone Claws boosts Attack and accuracy, allowing Zekrom to break through Ground-types with its Dragon-type moves while also reducing the miss chance of Bolt Strike. Bolt Strike complements Zekrom's Dragon STAB type well, hitting Xerneas and other Fairy-types for sizable damage. With just Stealth Rock support, it achieves OHKOs on many significant defensive threats such as Lugia, Water Arceus, and Yveltal. Dragon Claw is the preferred primary Dragon-type move, as it offers consistency in comparison to Outrage, which has a locking effect that the opponent can take advantage of. In the last slot, Outrage is the preferred move because it grants Zekrom the power necessary for breaking Ground-types, in particular Primal Groudon. However, Substitute is another option that may be used in the last slot to ease prediction, avoid status, and expand Zekrom's setup opportunities, allowing it to set up on Pokemon that would normally wall it, such as Ferrothorn. Notably, it gives Zekrom an edge versus stall teams.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment ensures that Primal Groudon with 56 Defense EVs and a Defense-boosting nature is always 2HKOed by a boosted Outrage. The HP investment allows Zekrom to always avoid a 2HKO from Jolly Life Orb Arceus's Extreme Speed after taking Stealth Rock damage, letting Zekrom be a last-ditch check to it. The HP EVs also allow Zekrom to survive +2 Jolly Ground Arceus's Earthquake when at full health in conjunction with Shuca Berry and to never be OHKOed by Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam. The remaining EVs are invested into Speed to allow Zekrom to outspeed Geomancy Xerneas with 44 Speed EVs and a neutral nature. An Adamant nature is necessary for breaking Ground-types; a Jolly nature should never be considered. Shuca Berry allows Zekrom to soft check boosted Mega Salamence and Extreme Killer Arceus, as well as tank any unboosted Ground-type attack from the likes of Primal Groudon in order to set up Hone Claws or 2HKO using Outrage with an already acquired boost.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Zekrom into something it can force out, and set up Hone Claws. The beauty of this set is that it is not prediction heavy, unlike Zekrom's other sets; simply force a switch, boost, and see what comes in. Passive Steel-types, such as Klefki, Jirachi, and Skamory, are Zekrom's primary targets to set up on. Furthermore, a myriad of Flying-types within the tier such as Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Yveltal are easy targets to set up on as well. However, scout for status users before setting up, especially ones with Will-O-Wisp. It is imperative to assess trade-offs—the sole purpose of this set is to lure in and eliminate Zekrom's usual checks and counters in order to ease the sweep of a teammate, so play it aggressively according to this function. However, do not senselessly use Outrage, as Xerneas and other Fairy-types can use Zekrom locked into Outrage as setup fodder. In order to allow safe use of Outrage, eliminate Fairy-types beforehand, or be sure your checks to Fairy-types are healthy enough to subdue them once they have set up. If Substitute is chosen for the last slot, use it to avoid status moves and to punish switches. The main draw of Substitute is to allow Zekrom to set up on Ferrothorn, however it is not recommended to challenge it in a one-versus-one situation. Additionally, bluffing a Choice set early-game can prove fruitful late-game to lure in Fairy-types and Ground-types. Doing so may allow Zekrom to net additional KOs or setup opportunities. Lastly, keep Zekrom healthy if it is needed to check Mega Salamence.
Team Options
========
Geomancy Xerneas and Choice Scarf Xerneas have a much easier time sweeping once opposing Primal Groudon have been weakened by Zekrom's boosted Dragon-type attacks. In return, Xerneas can switch into Dragon-type attacks aimed at Zekrom. Primal Kyogre especially benefits from Zekrom running Substitute because with it Zekrom virtually walls Ferrothorn, Primal Kyogre's most sturdy check. Zekrom and Primal Kyogre also pressure Primal Groudon immensely, overall making for a nice offensive core that wears down each other's checks. Calm Mind Arceus formes such as Ghost, Ice, Steel, and Ground also make for nice offensive partners, as they appreciate Zekrom's ability to check and eliminate Ho-Oh. The former three's aversion to Thunder Wave from the likes of Klefki is also alleviated by Zekrom's immunity to the move. Primal Groudon can absorb Will-O-Wisp aimed at Zekrom, set up Stealth Rock, and inflict status with Thunder Wave or Toxic on the checks and counters it shares with Zekrom. In addition to being a blanket check to Fairy-types, Primal Groudon also defeats Ferrothorn and Grass Arceus, two of Zekrom's best checks, with its super effective Fire-type moves. Additional entry hazard support in Spikes and Toxic Spikes is greatly appreciated; Toxic Spikes complements Substitute especially well. Ferrothorn, Klefki, and Forretress are excellent choices; though they stack weaknesses to Primal Groudon, they all appreciate that Ho-Oh is checked by Zekrom. Ground-type checks are greatly appreciated, even though this set's purpose is to lure them in. Yveltal, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, Ho-Oh, and Skarmory are all excellent; the latter can also provide Spikes to aid Zekrom's wallbreaking prowess. Last but not least, Mega Gengar can trap and eliminate Fairy-types, and it can also keep down entry hazards with Taunt.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sleep Talk allows Zekrom to switch into Darkrai and Smeargle easily and subsequently annihilate them with any move that Sleep Talk selects. Earth Power 2HKOes most variants of Primal Groudon on the switch, but it requires prediction and significant Special Attack investment to use. Magnet Rise can be used on a predicted switch in order to make Zekrom immune to Ground-type moves. Fusion Bolt is an alternative STAB attack with perfect accuracy, but it is significantly less powerful than Bolt Strike and cannot paralyze the foe.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferrothorn**: With its resistances to both of Zekrom's STAB types, Ferrothorn can switch into any of Zekrom's attacks, bar Focus Blast, and use it as Spikes fodder. However, should Zekrom carry Substitute, it can use its resistances to Grass and Steel to set up Hone Claws on Ferrothorn, and eventually break through it.
**Grass Arceus**: Grass Arceus has a resistance to Electric, can break Zekrom's Substitute with Ice Beam, and can cripple Zekrom with Will-O-Wisp. Grass Arceus can also use Zekrom as setup fodder for Calm Mind if Zekrom is locked into Bolt Strike.
**Ghost Arceus**: Ghost Arceus outspeeds Zekrom and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. It cannot switch into any of Zekrom's STAB attacks, however.
GP Checks: Malley / P Squared
The Dragon-type Static Shock™
________________
approved by Sweep
[SET]name: Hone Claws
move 1: Hone Claws
move 2: Bolt Strike
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Outrage / Substitute
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Teravolt
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hone Claws boosts Attack and accuracy, allowing Zekrom to break through Ground-types with its Dragon-type moves while also reducing the miss chance of Bolt Strike. Bolt Strike complements Zekrom's Dragon STAB type well, hitting Xerneas and other Fairy-types for sizable damage. With just Stealth Rock support, it achieves OHKOs on many significant defensive threats such as Lugia, Water Arceus, and Yveltal. Dragon Claw is the preferred primary Dragon-type move, as it offers consistency in comparison to Outrage, which has a locking effect that the opponent can take advantage of. In the last slot, Outrage is the preferred move because it grants Zekrom the power necessary for breaking Ground-types, in particular Primal Groudon. However, Substitute is another option that may be used in the last slot to ease prediction, avoid status, and expand Zekrom's setup opportunities, allowing it to set up on Pokemon that would normally wall it, such as Ferrothorn. Notably, it gives Zekrom an edge versus stall teams.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment ensures that Primal Groudon with 56 Defense EVs and a Defense-boosting nature is always 2HKOed by a boosted Outrage. The HP investment allows Zekrom to always avoid a 2HKO from Jolly Life Orb Arceus's Extreme Speed after taking Stealth Rock damage, letting Zekrom be a last-ditch check to it. The HP EVs also allow Zekrom to survive +2 Jolly Ground Arceus's Earthquake when at full health in conjunction with Shuca Berry and to never be OHKOed by Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam. The remaining EVs are invested into Speed to allow Zekrom to outspeed Geomancy Xerneas with 44 Speed EVs and a neutral nature. An Adamant nature is necessary for breaking Ground-types; a Jolly nature should never be considered. Shuca Berry allows Zekrom to soft check boosted Mega Salamence and Extreme Killer Arceus, as well as tank any unboosted Ground-type attack from the likes of Primal Groudon in order to set up Hone Claws or 2HKO using Outrage with an already acquired boost.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Zekrom into something it can force out, and set up Hone Claws. The beauty of this set is that it is not prediction heavy, unlike Zekrom's other sets; simply force a switch, boost, and see what comes in. Passive Steel-types, such as Klefki, Jirachi, and Skamory, are Zekrom's primary targets to set up on. Furthermore, a myriad of Flying-types within the tier such as Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Yveltal are easy targets to set up on as well. However, scout for status users before setting up, especially ones with Will-O-Wisp. It is imperative to assess trade-offs—the sole purpose of this set is to lure in and eliminate Zekrom's usual checks and counters in order to ease the sweep of a teammate, so play it aggressively according to this function. However, do not senselessly use Outrage, as Xerneas and other Fairy-types can use Zekrom locked into Outrage as setup fodder. In order to allow safe use of Outrage, eliminate Fairy-types beforehand, or be sure your checks to Fairy-types are healthy enough to subdue them once they have set up. If Substitute is chosen for the last slot, use it to avoid status moves and to punish switches. The main draw of Substitute is to allow Zekrom to set up on Ferrothorn, however it is not recommended to challenge it in a one-versus-one situation. Additionally, bluffing a Choice set early-game can prove fruitful late-game to lure in Fairy-types and Ground-types. Doing so may allow Zekrom to net additional KOs or setup opportunities. Lastly, keep Zekrom healthy if it is needed to check Mega Salamence.
Team Options
========
Geomancy Xerneas and Choice Scarf Xerneas have a much easier time sweeping once opposing Primal Groudon have been weakened by Zekrom's boosted Dragon-type attacks. In return, Xerneas can switch into Dragon-type attacks aimed at Zekrom. Primal Kyogre especially benefits from Zekrom running Substitute because with it Zekrom virtually walls Ferrothorn, Primal Kyogre's most sturdy check. Zekrom and Primal Kyogre also pressure Primal Groudon immensely, overall making for a nice offensive core that wears down each other's checks. Calm Mind Arceus formes such as Ghost, Ice, Steel, and Ground also make for nice offensive partners, as they appreciate Zekrom's ability to check and eliminate Ho-Oh. The former three's aversion to Thunder Wave from the likes of Klefki is also alleviated by Zekrom's immunity to the move. Primal Groudon can absorb Will-O-Wisp aimed at Zekrom, set up Stealth Rock, and inflict status with Thunder Wave or Toxic on the checks and counters it shares with Zekrom. In addition to being a blanket check to Fairy-types, Primal Groudon also defeats Ferrothorn and Grass Arceus, two of Zekrom's best checks, with its super effective Fire-type moves. Additional entry hazard support in Spikes and Toxic Spikes is greatly appreciated; Toxic Spikes complements Substitute especially well. Ferrothorn, Klefki, and Forretress are excellent choices; though they stack weaknesses to Primal Groudon, they all appreciate that Ho-Oh is checked by Zekrom. Ground-type checks are greatly appreciated, even though this set's purpose is to lure them in. Yveltal, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, Ho-Oh, and Skarmory are all excellent; the latter can also provide Spikes to aid Zekrom's wallbreaking prowess. Last but not least, Mega Gengar can trap and eliminate Fairy-types, and it can also keep down entry hazards with Taunt.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sleep Talk allows Zekrom to switch into Darkrai and Smeargle easily and subsequently annihilate them with any move that Sleep Talk selects. Earth Power 2HKOes most variants of Primal Groudon on the switch, but it requires prediction and significant Special Attack investment to use. Magnet Rise can be used on a predicted switch in order to make Zekrom immune to Ground-type moves. Fusion Bolt is an alternative STAB attack with perfect accuracy, but it is significantly less powerful than Bolt Strike and cannot paralyze the foe.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferrothorn**: With its resistances to both of Zekrom's STAB types, Ferrothorn can switch into any of Zekrom's attacks, bar Focus Blast, and use it as Spikes fodder. However, should Zekrom carry Substitute, it can use its resistances to Grass and Steel to set up Hone Claws on Ferrothorn, and eventually break through it.
**Grass Arceus**: Grass Arceus has a resistance to Electric, can break Zekrom's Substitute with Ice Beam, and can cripple Zekrom with Will-O-Wisp. Grass Arceus can also use Zekrom as setup fodder for Calm Mind if Zekrom is locked into Bolt Strike.
**Ghost Arceus**: Ghost Arceus outspeeds Zekrom and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. It cannot switch into any of Zekrom's STAB attacks, however.
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