[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Flying / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Heat Wave / Sleep Talk
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Choice Specs Zapdos is a huge threat that boasts the most powerful Thunderbolt in OU. Hidden Power Flying is Zapdos's best Flying-type STAB attack, which maims Fighting- and Grass-types like Machamp, Heracross, Celebi, Shaymin, and Breloom. Hidden Power Ice is a solid alternative for increased damage on Ground-types like Hippowdon, Nidoqueen, and Gliscor as well as Dragon-types like Dragonite, Latias, and Flygon. However, Hidden Power Flying still deals solid damage to all of these Pokemon. Heat Wave covers Steel-types like Magnezone, Jirachi, Metagross, and Bronzong. Sleep Talk is an alternative to Heat Wave that enables Zapdos to function as a sleep absorber, which is effective because all the moves Sleep Talk can call will be threatening; furthermore, it can switch into Roserade and Breloom with relative ease when healthy, and it can stay in more confidently versus lead Roserade. Although U-turn is a physical attack, it's a great move to round out the set. Zapdos will often force switches, and it can use U-turn to pivot out and send teammates in safely. This can work well against foes like Tyranitar and specially defensive Jirachi, as using U-turn against these Pokemon can get Dugtrio in safely, which traps and removes them.
Set Details
========
A Modest nature is recommended because it maximizes Zapdos's Special Attack while still letting Zapdos outspeed foes like Rotom-A, Suicune, and even Gallade. A Timid nature is a decent alternative to get the jump on Gliscor, Jirachi, Roserade, and non-Choice Scarf Flygon, but the reduced power usually isn't worth it. If you're using Hidden Power Ice, move the 4 HP EVs into Defense, as Hidden Power Ice's lack of an HP IV drop means they are no longer needed to minimize Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
This Zapdos can make for an extremely effective lead, OHKOing foes like most Colbur Berry Azelf, Lum Berry Machamp, Skarmory, Gyarados, and Lum Berry Metagross. In addition, it deals significant damage to many common leads like Heatran, Jirachi, and even Swampert. Be mindful that Zapdos will also force out leads like Gliscor, Dragonite, and Gyarados, and lead Flygon will most certainly use U-turn. Take advantage of this and consider using U-turn to scout out the opponent's switch-ins to Zapdos while also gaining momentum. If their switch is not a Ground-type, you can likely determine that Thunderbolt will be an effective move to use once Zapdos is sent in again. Zapdos, especially without Leftovers and defensive investment, is incredibly fragile, so it's especially important to pick your spots. Try sending it in on bad Choice-locked moves like Choice Scarf Flygon's Earthquake and Choice Scarf Heatran's Earth Power.
Team Options
========
Zapdos is incredibly good at ripping holes in the opposing team fairly early, so offensive threats that appreciate Zapdos's ability to do that are recommended. Agility Metagross pairs very well with Zapdos, as Zapdos can make quick work of bulky Water-types like Milotic, Starmie, and Suicune and chip away at Swampert with Hidden Power Flying, which Metagross desperately wants gone or worn down significantly before it can clean. An offensive variant of Starmie can use Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock and threaten irritating Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert. Breloom is a potent offensive partner that can severely punish Hippowdon, Swampert, Blissey, and Clefable. Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Flygon can be used together or separately in tandem with Zapdos to form a U-turn chain, which can put constant pressure on the opposing team. Scizor's Bullet Punch is incredibly useful to hit faster threats like Choice Scarf Flygon, Gengar, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar. It can also use Pursuit to hit Clefable on the switch, which can put it in range for Zapdos's Thunderbolt. Tyranitar, much like Scizor, can use Pursuit to chip Blissey and Clefable, set up Stealth Rock, and check Starmie. In turn, Zapdos can switch into Breloom, resist both its STAB attacks, and even absorb Spore if it uses Sleep Talk. If you're using Starmie and Breloom, Heatran can complete a Fire / Water / Grass core and provide utility through its Steel typing and Flash Fire. Magma Storm Heatran can trap and remove Hippowdon, Clefable, Blissey, and Swampert with Explosion—or, in Swampert's case, Hidden Power Grass—paving the way for Zapdos to clean.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Excal, 456373]]
- Quality checked by: [[Vay, 367876], [Emeral, 72767]]
- Grammar checked by: [[deetah, 297659], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Flying / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Heat Wave / Sleep Talk
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Choice Specs Zapdos is a huge threat that boasts the most powerful Thunderbolt in OU. Hidden Power Flying is Zapdos's best Flying-type STAB attack, which maims Fighting- and Grass-types like Machamp, Heracross, Celebi, Shaymin, and Breloom. Hidden Power Ice is a solid alternative for increased damage on Ground-types like Hippowdon, Nidoqueen, and Gliscor as well as Dragon-types like Dragonite, Latias, and Flygon. However, Hidden Power Flying still deals solid damage to all of these Pokemon. Heat Wave covers Steel-types like Magnezone, Jirachi, Metagross, and Bronzong. Sleep Talk is an alternative to Heat Wave that enables Zapdos to function as a sleep absorber, which is effective because all the moves Sleep Talk can call will be threatening; furthermore, it can switch into Roserade and Breloom with relative ease when healthy, and it can stay in more confidently versus lead Roserade. Although U-turn is a physical attack, it's a great move to round out the set. Zapdos will often force switches, and it can use U-turn to pivot out and send teammates in safely. This can work well against foes like Tyranitar and specially defensive Jirachi, as using U-turn against these Pokemon can get Dugtrio in safely, which traps and removes them.
Set Details
========
A Modest nature is recommended because it maximizes Zapdos's Special Attack while still letting Zapdos outspeed foes like Rotom-A, Suicune, and even Gallade. A Timid nature is a decent alternative to get the jump on Gliscor, Jirachi, Roserade, and non-Choice Scarf Flygon, but the reduced power usually isn't worth it. If you're using Hidden Power Ice, move the 4 HP EVs into Defense, as Hidden Power Ice's lack of an HP IV drop means they are no longer needed to minimize Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
This Zapdos can make for an extremely effective lead, OHKOing foes like most Colbur Berry Azelf, Lum Berry Machamp, Skarmory, Gyarados, and Lum Berry Metagross. In addition, it deals significant damage to many common leads like Heatran, Jirachi, and even Swampert. Be mindful that Zapdos will also force out leads like Gliscor, Dragonite, and Gyarados, and lead Flygon will most certainly use U-turn. Take advantage of this and consider using U-turn to scout out the opponent's switch-ins to Zapdos while also gaining momentum. If their switch is not a Ground-type, you can likely determine that Thunderbolt will be an effective move to use once Zapdos is sent in again. Zapdos, especially without Leftovers and defensive investment, is incredibly fragile, so it's especially important to pick your spots. Try sending it in on bad Choice-locked moves like Choice Scarf Flygon's Earthquake and Choice Scarf Heatran's Earth Power.
Team Options
========
Zapdos is incredibly good at ripping holes in the opposing team fairly early, so offensive threats that appreciate Zapdos's ability to do that are recommended. Agility Metagross pairs very well with Zapdos, as Zapdos can make quick work of bulky Water-types like Milotic, Starmie, and Suicune and chip away at Swampert with Hidden Power Flying, which Metagross desperately wants gone or worn down significantly before it can clean. An offensive variant of Starmie can use Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock and threaten irritating Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert. Breloom is a potent offensive partner that can severely punish Hippowdon, Swampert, Blissey, and Clefable. Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Flygon can be used together or separately in tandem with Zapdos to form a U-turn chain, which can put constant pressure on the opposing team. Scizor's Bullet Punch is incredibly useful to hit faster threats like Choice Scarf Flygon, Gengar, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar. It can also use Pursuit to hit Clefable on the switch, which can put it in range for Zapdos's Thunderbolt. Tyranitar, much like Scizor, can use Pursuit to chip Blissey and Clefable, set up Stealth Rock, and check Starmie. In turn, Zapdos can switch into Breloom, resist both its STAB attacks, and even absorb Spore if it uses Sleep Talk. If you're using Starmie and Breloom, Heatran can complete a Fire / Water / Grass core and provide utility through its Steel typing and Flash Fire. Magma Storm Heatran can trap and remove Hippowdon, Clefable, Blissey, and Swampert with Explosion—or, in Swampert's case, Hidden Power Grass—paving the way for Zapdos to clean.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Excal, 456373]]
- Quality checked by: [[Vay, 367876], [Emeral, 72767]]
- Grammar checked by: [[deetah, 297659], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Last edited:
