Metagame Ultimate Z

The Immortal

The Immortal

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What is Ultimate Z?
Ultimate Z (or UZ for short) allows you to use any type of Z-Crystal on any move and as many times per battle as desired. The Z-Move of the type of the Z-Crystal used is called. For example, if you use a Firium Z on the move Thunderbolt, it calls the Fire-type Z-Move, Inferno Overdrive. This allows you to have powerful coverage moves that your Pokémon normally lack. Or, if you prefer, you can take advantage of the unlimited Z-Move usage on one of their STABs!

Banlist
Standard OU banlist and clauses apply.

Additional bans:
Kyurem-Black
Celebrate, Conversion, Happy Hour, Hold Hands
Z-Moves that boost Evasion

Examples
Excadrill @ Firium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin / Swords Dance

Excadrill can run Firium Z for a 180 base power Fire-type move to deal with the usual Pokémon that wall it, such as Skarmory, Celesteela and Tangrowth.

Mimikyu @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Splash
- Play Rough
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-O-Wisp / Destiny Bond
With Ghostium Z, Mimikyu finally has a powerful Ghost STAB. Z-Splash is an upgrade over Swords Dance, and Shadow Sneak remains for priority.

Volcarona @ Firium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Ground

Volcarona can fire off a powerful STAB Z-Move throughout the battle. Not very effective? Psh.

Zapdos @ Electrium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power Ice / Defog

Why pick between Thunderbolt and Volt Switch? With Electrium Z, Zapdos has a reliable Electric STAB and can still run Volt Switch for momentum.

Q&A
How do Status moves work with a different type Z-Crystal?
As they normally work. For example, Z-Sleep Powder will increase Speed by one with any Z-Crystal.

What happens to Pokémon specific Z-Crystals?
UZ only affects the different typed Z-Crystals. Pokémon specific Z-Crystals maintain their original requirements.

Is there any limit to Z-Move usage?
No. As mentioned earlier, you can use Z-Moves an infinite number of times in the same battle.

Is this playable?
UZ is playable on ROM thanks to urkerab!
 
Dropping some sets. (More soon™)

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Freeze Shock
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- Fusion Bolt

This thing is just straight beast with unlimited Z-Freeze Shock. SE hit? For sure dead. Neutral hit? Either dead, or in priority range. Resist. Massive dent. Imo ban

Manaphy @ Firium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Tail Glow
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Signal Beam
Once you get a tail glow up, for the most part youre fucked. Spam Z-Fire on SE and neutral, and run the coverage for resists. Ice beam for Flying types, and Signal Beam for the up and coming Mew.
 
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This meta looks really fun but insane. Mewnium Z, being able to resetup Psychic Terrain while boosted just seems like it would be really good especially with some support to help it setup at first. Klefki seems like it would be a good partner as it can paralyze fast threats, setup screens and stqck spikes to help Mew more easily sweep.

Mew and Klefki Core

mew.gif

Mew @ Mewnium Z
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Rock Polish
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

klefki.gif

Klefki @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Thunder Wave
- Spikes
[/hide]
 
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474.gif

Porygon-Z @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Substitute
- Recover
- Conversion

Sub + cm variants but to all stats. Cool, huh?

Edit:

Porygon-Z @ Normalium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Beam
- whatever

Infinite Z-Hyper beam. 400 BP every hit with no drawbacks. Who doesn't love that? :^)
 
whimsicott.gif

Whimsicott @ Grassium Z
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Nature Power
- Fake Tears / Growth
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Now with a spammable priority move in Nature Power and a SpA setup move in Fake Tears or Growth.
There's no much to say about it, but it looks definitely threatening.

persian-alola.gif

Persian-Alola @ Fairium Z
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Psych Up
- Parting Shot
- Foul Play
- Toxic

You know what it needed ? An healing move in Psych Up and a spammable Z-Parting Shot.
And that's exactly what it gets.
 
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how do we determine the base power of the z move if there's no move to associate it with, for example with the Excadrill @ Firium-z example in the OP? The Op mentions 180 BP, but there rae z moves, such as z V Create, that have 220 BP.
 
Chopin Alkaninoff said:
474.gif

Porygon-Z @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Substitute
- Recover
- Conversion

Sub + cm variants but to all stats. Cool, huh?

Edit:

Porygon-Z @ Normalium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Beam
- whatever

Infinite Z-Hyper beam. 400 BP every hit with no drawbacks. Who doesn't love that? :^)
Click to expand...
c7NJRa2.gif



474.gif

Porygon-Z @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Recover
- Conversion

+1 252 SpA Adaptability Porygon-Z Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 342-404 (53.2 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Also obligatory:
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STAB Z-BOOMBURST (Noivern) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
- U-turn

Probably not actually that good but who cares, STAB Boomburst is back in gen 7!

edit:
SuperSkylake said:
how do we determine the base power of the z move if there's no move to associate it with, for example with the Excadrill @ Firium-z example in the OP? The Op mentions 180 BP, but there rae z moves, such as z V Create, that have 220 BP.
Click to expand...
I assumed it went off the power of whichever move you select. So Grassium-Z V-Create would be 220 BP, whereas Grassium-Z Hyper Beam would be 200 BP, etc.

edit2: one more set.

xurkitree.gif

Xurkitree @ Icium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tail Glow
- Thunderbolt
- Hypnosis
- Hyper Beam

Tail Glow, sleep which increases speed, Boltbeam, what more do you want?
 
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SuperSkylake said:
how do we determine the base power of the z move if there's no move to associate it with, for example with the Excadrill @ Firium-z example in the OP? The Op mentions 180 BP, but there rae z moves, such as z V Create, that have 220 BP.
Click to expand...

The example mentions 180 BP, assuming you use it on Earthquake. Base Power works exactly the same as it normally does. Using a Z-Crystal with V-Create would be 220 BP.
 
I'd like to mention that KyuB can actually raise it's speed thanks to Z-Hail.
Also, while Freeze Shock gives a 200 BP Z-Move, Outrage gives a 190 BP one. Running an Extra coverage move may be a decent alternative.

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Fusion Bolt
- Iron Head
- Hail

You can also run weird sets like a Dual Screens KyuB since Fusion Bolt gives a 180 BP Z-Move...

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Hail
- Fusion Bolt

And now, i wanted to talk about a promising mon ~ Mimikyu.

mimikyu.gif


Mimikyu really needed a good Ghost STAB... and it's no longer a problem.
Also, it can now use Z-Splash instead of Swords Dance, which is a nice upgrade.
and also it's cute

Mimikyu @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Play Rough
- Shadow Sneak
- Splash
- Wood Hammer / filler
 
Talonflame @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Bulk Up/Will-O-Wisp
- Roost

hurray for priority SSSS
Bulk Up is a swords dance that also raises your defense a bit. Otherwise, use Will-O-Wisp for only +1 attack but burn.
Roost is on the off chance you can get Gale Wings back without dying.
U-Turn is just nice.
You'll probably just click SSSS most of the time cos the others risk losing gale wings.
Really appreciates Z-Parting Shot support
 
Some thoughts:

Landorus-Therian @ Flyinium Z / Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
- Explosion / Stealth Rock

The classic dual dance Lando, but better. Use Explosion as the base for a powerful flying STAB or fire nuke to destroy your usual checks like Skarmory or Celesteela. You can also run Stealth Rock to support your team while still being able to sweep with either dual STAB or ground/fire coverage with Earthquake as the base move.

Zygarde @ Firium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Filler / Substitute

Tangrowth thinks it can wall you? Just roast it with a powerful Inferno Overdrive.

Gyarados @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage / Giga Impact
- Waterfall
- Earthquake / Filler

DD up and snowball through the opposing team with a powerful Flying STAB (base Outrage or Giga Impact) and Moxie.

Cresselia @ Psychium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD or something similar
Calm Nature
- Psycho Shift
- Psych Up
- Hyper Beam / Toxic / Filler
- Moonblast

Maybe Cresselia can shine a bit in this meta?
Z-Psych Up grants her reliable recovery, Z-Psycho Shift cures status and boosts SpA by two stages and Z-Hyper Beam and Moonblast are for attacking. Using something else over Hyper Beam is possible, as Moonblast can be used with Psychium Z as well, but results in a weaker STAB move.
 
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Theorycrafting and playing this meta with people who popped onto
Dragon Heaven was honestly a blast. The Tapus are insane, being able to fire off
STAB Z-Moves in their respective terrians. Old set-up sweepers like QD Volc
and SD Lando are just even crazier now, and new sweepers like Z-Mirror Move
Tapu Koko and InfiniteConversion PoryZ are just always looking to 6-0 if given a chance.
However, amongst the chaos one defensive mon rose above the rest, to prove they too could adapt to the Z-Move revolution.

250px-Clefable_Metronome.png

CLEFABLE

Clefable @ Fairium Z
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Cosmic Power
- Aromatherapy
- Calm Mind
- Flamethrower

With Z Moves now allowing to put 2 attacking moves in one slot,
Clefable is able to run an extremely effectively defensive Calm Mind set.
Note that Z-Aromatherapy gives you full recovery and prevent status like Toxic
from prematurely ending your sweep.

You can also run Stealth Rock, coverage like Ice Beam or Thunderbolt, and a multitude
of other support moves like Encore, Counter, Knock Off, Reflect, Light Screen, etc.

Just felt like sharing this set and this mons' potentional in the meta in general.
TL;DR: Clefable is kinda borked, try it.​
 
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Me and Halliday did a few games of this, and it is a very fun meta indeed!
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/dragonheaven-gen7ultimatez-41323
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/dragonheaven-gen7ultimatez-41324
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/dragonheaven-gen7ultimatez-41325
I feel like Z-Happy Hour/Celebrate, along with a recovery Z-move is kinda meta-defining, there are hard counters to these though, most notably, Z-Psych Up. I think the meta will revolve around Z-recovery moves a lot, they have a sick amount of PP and have nice bonus effects along them, barring teleport. I feel like the meta will be focussed on Balanced playstyles. You need the bulky stuff, or else you're gonna get swept. But you also need to offensive stuff, or you can't break through.
 
Registeel @ Steelium Z
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Toxic
- Psych Up
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock

Setup with Z-Stealth Rock and Toxic, blow things up with Z-Explosion, heal with Z-Psych Up.


Quagsire @ Firium Z
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Stockpile
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power

Say no to Z-Celebrate and company.
 
Are there any Pokemon that get the combination of Power Trip/Stored Power, an all-stats-up Z-move, and recovery/anti-status?
 
Schpoonman said:
Are there any Pokemon that get the combination of Power Trip/Stored Power, an all-stats-up Z-move, and recovery/anti-status?
Click to expand...

As other have said, the Eevolutions are good candidates. Out of them, I think Espeon is the best one, since it has Magic Bounce to deter status and reliable recovery in the form of Z-Refresh.
 
SadisticMystic said:
Eevee also learns Refresh by level up, which has more PP than Heal Bell or even Recover.
Click to expand...
gotta get that team support

Darklatias92 said:
As other have said, the Eevolutions are good candidates. Out of them, I think Espeon is the best one, since it has Magic Bounce to deter status and reliable recovery in the form of Z-Refresh.
Click to expand...
let's not also forget that it has STAB on stored power but yeah
 
Yahooboo said:
All Eeveelutions get Stored Power + Celebrate + Heal Bell, so yes
Click to expand...
As well as Wish. Leafeon gets Synthesis, Espeon gets Morning Sun, Umbreon gets Moonlight. Stored Power Espeon means stab, while Magic Bounce prevents most status moves so you won't need to use Heal Bell except when a secondary effect like from Scald triggers. Umbrella gets Foul Play.

Remember, Me First on a Fast Pokémon, such as Talonflame not only gets a 50% boost, but also gets to match the type (in Normal gameplay).

The Immortal :
Please confirm if the Z-Move from Me First becomes the type from the foe's original move, their accompanying Z-Crystal type if the foe uses a Z-move, the Z-Crystal The user is holding, or maintains the original move type.

The reason being: if Talonflame with Flyinium-Z turns Me First into a Flying Type Attack gets priority with Gale Wings, then it could become the ultimate priority sweeper, basically getting guaranteed STAB off of a Z-move from an opponent, +50% boost from using Me First, and +1 priority.

So if someone is going to use Z-Move Giga Attack, and you use Z-Me First you get 200 Base Power + STAB = 300 + Me First Boost = 450 Base Power.

Talonflame @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Me First
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Roost

Also, Z-Me first gives +2 Speed, so other users like Raticate with Hustle (Z-Moves never miss) could sweep and go first due to the Boost in Speed.

Point is, if it works the way I assume it does, you just found yourself the best sweeper with priority to boot.

The Immortal also confirm how this affects how Normalize + Me First works in this OM! Since the Z-Crystal may affect it differently:
While the Z-Crystal changed the type, and ignores the abilities of Pixelate, etc. Ion Diluge and Electrify bypass Z-Crystals and change applicable moves into Electric moves, as according to Bulbapedia.

Also -ate abilities still change Normal Status Move types (I.e. Glare can become Fairy with Pixelate even if the Z-Crystal is Normalium-Z).
Lastly and quite importantly:
Also, when I used Normalize in Balanced Hackmons, Normalize changes the type (not the move) of the Attack Me-First copies.
So if a Normalize user uses Me First against an Scald user, it turns into a Normal-type Hydro Vortex, then gets the 50% boost, 20% boost from Normalize, then an additional 50% STAB boost if the user is Normal. This means during the turn of Me First, Normalize surpasses Z-move negating type change from Normalize.
 
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OM! said:
As well as Wish. Leafeon gets Synthesis, Espeon gets Morning Sun, Umbreon gets Moonlight. Stored Power Espeon means stab, while Magic Bounce prevents most status moves so you won't need to use Heal Bell except when a secondary effect like from Scald triggers. Umbrella gets Foul Play.

Remember, Me First on a Fast Pokémon, such as Talonflame not only gets a 50% boost, but also gets to match the type (in Normal gameplay).

The Immortal :
Please confirm if the Z-Move from Me First becomes the type from the foe's original move, their accompanying Z-Crystal type if the foe uses a Z-move, the Z-Crystal The user is holding, or maintains the original move type.

The reason being: if Talonflame with Flyinium-Z turns Me First into a Flying Type Attack gets priority with Gale Wings, then it could become the ultimate priority sweeper, basically getting guaranteed STAB off of a Z-move from an opponent, +50% boost from using Me First, and +1 priority.

So if someone is going to use Z-Move Giga Attack, and you use Z-Me First you get 200 Base Power + STAB = 300 + Me First Boost = 450 Base Power.

Talonflame @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Me First
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Roost

Also, Z-Me first gives +2 Speed, so other users like Raticate with Hustle (Z-Moves never miss) could sweep and go first due to the Boost in Speed.

Point is, if it works the way I assume it does, you just found yourself the best sweeper with priority to boot.

The Immortal also confirm how this affects how Normalize + Me First works in this OM! Since the Z-Crystal may affect it differently:
While the Z-Crystal changed the type, and ignores the abilities of Pixelate, etc. Ion Diluge and Electrify bypass Z-Crystals and change applicable moves into Electric moves, as according to Bulbapedia.

Also -ate abilities still change Normal Status Move types (I.e. Glare can become Fairy with Pixelate even if the Z-Crystal is Normalium-Z).
Lastly and quite importantly:
Also, when I used Normalize in Balanced Hackmons, Normalize changes the type (not the move) of the Attack Me-First copies.
So if a Normalize user uses Me First against an Scald user, it turns into a Normal-type Hydro Vortex, then gets the 50% boost, 20% boost from Normalize, then an additional 50% STAB boost if the user is Normal. This means during the turn of Me First, Normalize surpasses Z-move negating type change!
Click to expand...
All the recovery options you listed for the eeveelutions are straight up inferior to the Z-Heal Bell

Me First doesn't work if the opponent uses a z-move, as proved by a video I watched (not sure if links are allowed, please tell me)

SadisticMystic said:
Eevee also learns Refresh by level up, which has more PP than Heal Bell or even Recover.
Click to expand...
But Z-Moves don't use PP, do they?
 
Yahooboo said:
All the recovery options you listed for the eeveelutions are straight up inferior to the Z-Heal Bell

Me First doesn't work if the opponent uses a z-move, as proved by a video I watched (not sure if links are allowed, please tell me)
Click to expand...
Technically a replay is a link, so the links should be allowed.
Totally forgot that, about Heal Bell.
 
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