[SET] (Keeping the guidelines there for the next update on it after qc)
Bulky Offensive (Zapdos) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 108 Sp.Def / 100 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Discharge / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave / Roost
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
========
* Provide a short summary on what the pokemon/specific set does
This set combines Zapdos' great typing both offensively and defensively, while leveraging its amazing natural speed, solid bulk, and superb base special damage. It typically sits pretty well on the field, doing solid damage, supporting its team, and being the defining electric mon on DisQuake teams. For sets with all damaging moves I suggest going much more offensive then the set lists.
* Explain any non-obvious moves
Heat Wave covers for any Fire weak Pokemon, typically Metagross, Bronzong, Abomasnow, Yanmega, Scizor, and Shedinja. Thunder Wave is one of the few ways to get speed control, as tailwind is basically non-existant in the format. And most importantly, paralysis quarters the mon affected. Roost is a viable option for teams who have solid speed control and fire damage, allowing Zapdos to heal up and continue its field presence.
* Explain the item options (for 2009 mention the main item(s) and then the potential swaps)
The main item, Sitrus Berry, gives Zapdos some very welcome survivablilty and enables consistent damage/support output over multiple turns. For alternatives, I suggest Leftovers or Yache/Charti Berry. Leftovers is the same idea as Sitrus, Yache Berry covers for the plentiful Ice coverage in the format, and Charti Berry is niche but welcome for teams with great Ice walls.
* Explain the EV spread, nature and IVs
The IVs give you Hidden Power Ice, a very important move in Zapdos' moveset.
Timid gives you the proper speed while allowing for flexible defensive EVs.
This spread allows you to outspeed all base 80s at max speed with a speed boosting nature. For defensive calcs, it lives 252 Life Orb Latios' Draco Meteor, 252 Life Orb Kingdra Hydro Pump in Rain, and makes moves like 252+ Sp.Atk Cresselia Ice Beam, 252+ Sp.Atk Heatran Heat Wave, 252+ Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Ice Shard, and 252+ Atk Snorlax Return. For offensive calcs, you will almost never get an OHKO, but usually you can 2-3HKO something. You 2HKO 252 HP Wacan Berry Empoleon, 252 HP Leftovers Suicune, 0 HP Yache Berry Garchomp, and mons like Infernape and Hariyama (the flame orb chip will put you in range if you protect on every other turn).
Teambuilding
=========
* Mention any synergies and strong matchups for the pokemon/set
Zapdos matches up well into almost all types of teams, being able to control the pace of battles.
*Mention the weaknesses and common checks
Zapdos can really struggle into Trick Room strategies. Setters like Cresselia, Bronzong, Dusknoir, and sweepers like Belly Drum Snorlax and Rhyperior get to click massive damage into Zapdos without fear of para or OHKOs.
Mons with very good defensive stats can give Zapdos trouble. Such as Heatran, Metagross, and Swampert.
*Mention the good partners and link them back to the pokemon's weaknesses and checks
Zapdos pairs very well with a ton of mons. From ground types in Garchomp, Swampert, and Mamoswine, to rain mons in Kingdra and Ludicolo, to steel types like Heatran, Empoleon, and Metagross. Covering Zapdos' weaknesses is very easy with just how splashable it is. You can build so many ideas with Zapdos as a solid backbone to the team. Mons with Taunt and Yawn, Attackers with Earthquake, etc.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by: the_owly
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user1.100/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300/
Bulky Offensive (Zapdos) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 108 Sp.Def / 100 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Discharge / Heat Wave / Thunder Wave / Roost
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
========
* Provide a short summary on what the pokemon/specific set does
This set combines Zapdos' great typing both offensively and defensively, while leveraging its amazing natural speed, solid bulk, and superb base special damage. It typically sits pretty well on the field, doing solid damage, supporting its team, and being the defining electric mon on DisQuake teams. For sets with all damaging moves I suggest going much more offensive then the set lists.
* Explain any non-obvious moves
Heat Wave covers for any Fire weak Pokemon, typically Metagross, Bronzong, Abomasnow, Yanmega, Scizor, and Shedinja. Thunder Wave is one of the few ways to get speed control, as tailwind is basically non-existant in the format. And most importantly, paralysis quarters the mon affected. Roost is a viable option for teams who have solid speed control and fire damage, allowing Zapdos to heal up and continue its field presence.
* Explain the item options (for 2009 mention the main item(s) and then the potential swaps)
The main item, Sitrus Berry, gives Zapdos some very welcome survivablilty and enables consistent damage/support output over multiple turns. For alternatives, I suggest Leftovers or Yache/Charti Berry. Leftovers is the same idea as Sitrus, Yache Berry covers for the plentiful Ice coverage in the format, and Charti Berry is niche but welcome for teams with great Ice walls.
* Explain the EV spread, nature and IVs
The IVs give you Hidden Power Ice, a very important move in Zapdos' moveset.
Timid gives you the proper speed while allowing for flexible defensive EVs.
This spread allows you to outspeed all base 80s at max speed with a speed boosting nature. For defensive calcs, it lives 252 Life Orb Latios' Draco Meteor, 252 Life Orb Kingdra Hydro Pump in Rain, and makes moves like 252+ Sp.Atk Cresselia Ice Beam, 252+ Sp.Atk Heatran Heat Wave, 252+ Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Ice Shard, and 252+ Atk Snorlax Return. For offensive calcs, you will almost never get an OHKO, but usually you can 2-3HKO something. You 2HKO 252 HP Wacan Berry Empoleon, 252 HP Leftovers Suicune, 0 HP Yache Berry Garchomp, and mons like Infernape and Hariyama (the flame orb chip will put you in range if you protect on every other turn).
Teambuilding
=========
* Mention any synergies and strong matchups for the pokemon/set
Zapdos matches up well into almost all types of teams, being able to control the pace of battles.
*Mention the weaknesses and common checks
Zapdos can really struggle into Trick Room strategies. Setters like Cresselia, Bronzong, Dusknoir, and sweepers like Belly Drum Snorlax and Rhyperior get to click massive damage into Zapdos without fear of para or OHKOs.
Mons with very good defensive stats can give Zapdos trouble. Such as Heatran, Metagross, and Swampert.
*Mention the good partners and link them back to the pokemon's weaknesses and checks
Zapdos pairs very well with a ton of mons. From ground types in Garchomp, Swampert, and Mamoswine, to rain mons in Kingdra and Ludicolo, to steel types like Heatran, Empoleon, and Metagross. Covering Zapdos' weaknesses is very easy with just how splashable it is. You can build so many ideas with Zapdos as a solid backbone to the team. Mons with Taunt and Yawn, Attackers with Earthquake, etc.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by: the_owly
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user1.100/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300/
Last edited: