Gen 6 Defog Zapdos [QC 2/2] [GP 1/1]

[Bored Pikachu]

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========

Volt Switch is the primary STAB option for Zapdos, hitting Water- and Flying-types like Keldeo, Slowbro, and Tornadus-T hard and creating momentum. Volt Switch is especially valuable if Zapdos is on a more offensive or balanced team, as it allows Zapdos to pivot into offensive threats while damaging the foe. Discharge can be useful for slowing down faster threats, reducing the effectiveness of dangerous sweepers, and crippling opposing Zapdos checks like Clefable. Additionally, Discharge can guarantee a knockout on Mega Pinsir, especially when combined with Rocky Helmet. Since Mega Pinsir is a major threat to many teams, having a reliable way to remove it is a huge benefit. Heat Wave hits Steel- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Serperior, which take on Volt Switch rather comfortably. If your team lacks ways to check Dragon- or Flying-types, using Hidden Power Ice over Heat Wave is a viable option. This also allows Zapdos to hit Ground-types like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Gliscor hard. Roost is mandatory to increase longevity. Defog provides Zapdos utility by keeping entry hazards off of the field.

Set Details
========

For longer games, Leftovers is the best option, especially on slower-paced teams. This passive recovery helps Zapdos stay healthy longer, enabling it to keep removing entry hazards and providing continual support. On the other hand, Rocky Helmet offers immediate utility on more aggressive or faster-paced teams, wearing physical attackers down with every contact move. It is important to note that Static and Defog are not compatible. 16 Speed EVs ensure that Zapdos always outpaces Adamant Bisharp and Adamant Breloom. Maximum HP EVs with 216 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allow Zapdos to survive Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie from full HP. The rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense, allowing Zapdos to be a good pivot into Serperior, especially thanks to Pressure limiting Serperior's Leaf Storm PP. Alternatively, 100 Speed EVs can be used to ensure Zapdos outspeeds Bisharp, Breloom, and Adamant Gyarados. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense with a Bold nature, enhancing its ability to check physical attackers.

Usage Tips
========

Zapdos's main tasks are to revenge kill the likes of Bisharp, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor; remove entry hazards with Defog; and generate momentum with Volt Switch. Keeping Zapdos healthy throughout the game by using Roost allows it to consistently check Pokemon that it is supposed to such as Serperior, Ferrothorn, and Talonflame. Pressure can help PP stall low PP moves such as Stone Edge, Steam Eruption, Leaf Storm, and Fire Blast if needed. Thanks to Pressure, Zapdos can PP stall Stealth Rock users with Defog. While other Defog users struggle with PP management against other Stealth Rock setters, Zapdos can continuously clear hazards without running out of PP, making it a valuable entry hazard remover.

Team Options
========

Zapdos fits on a lot of archetypes ranging from bulky offense to stall thanks to its ability to check many notable threats like Serperior, Mega Scizor, and Mega Pinsir and general lack of passivity. Water-, Fighting-, and Steel-types are good teammates for Zapdos, as they can scare away Weavile and Kyurem. Rotom-W, Keldeo, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor are particularly good choices. Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Weavile, Crawdaunt, and Azumarill are great teammates for Zapdos, as they can remove its checks such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Chansey. Furthermore, Volcarona's checks, like Garchomp, Chansey, and Mega Lopunny make great partners. Quagsire is another great choice because it can check setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bored-pikachu.549414/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/alpha1013.565035/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/paprikaflow.591583/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kiwi.527157/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/

 

[Ruffles]

Not a full QC check ill do that later. Here's what I want changed for now:

name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe

- Talk about the advantages of both Discharge and volt switch. Particularly how discharge is better on slower paced teams and slow teams spreading paralysis
- Rocky Helmet + Discharge guarantees knockout on Mega Pinsir, very important note
- Leftovers is preferred for better long term defogging, on slower paced teams again. But rocky helmet is nice on faster paced teams where chip damage can make a huge difference.
- Mention HP Ice as an alternative option for Heat Wave, with 220 Def / 24 SpD EVs instead
- Alternative spread: 248 HP / 152 Def / 108 Spe, with a Bold nature, to outspeed Jolly Bisharp and Breloom, and Adamant Gyarados
Zapdos uses the remaining 28 EVs in Special Defense, enhancing his ability to combat Mega Alakazam and Serperior.
The rest of the EVs is put into Special Defense, allowing Zapdos to be a good pivot into Serperior, especially thanks to Pressure limiting Serperior's Leaf Storm PP to only four.
This point is very important ^
- It is a must to mention that Defog + Static is illegal in ORAS
- Pressure needs more writing on it. Talk about how that normally Stealth Rock has more PP than Defog, making Defog lose in the long term. This is true except for Zapdos, because if you switch Zapdos on the Stealth Rock user, they use 2 PP, essentially making Zapdos have more Defog PP. This is huge because it makes Zapdos the best Defogger in the entire tier

Bored Pikachu

 

[Bored Pikachu]

implemented

 

[Alpha1013]

Copyedit

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========

Volt Switch is Zapdos's best STAB option for Zapdos , especially threatening Manaphy, Tornadus Therian, and Slowbro, and it can also be used to gain momentum after pivoting into a threat. Volt Switch is especially valuable if you're running a more offensive or balanced team, as it allows you to pivot into more offensive threats while maintaining allowing chip damage on the opponent. Discharge is another STAB option because it has a chance to paralyze opponents, which can be incredibly useful for slowing down faster threats, particularly when playing on a slower-paced team. The paralysis chance also disrupts offensive teams, especially those relying on fast attackers like Mega Alakazam and Mega Lopunny. With Discharge, you’re more likely to spread status and reduce the effectiveness of dangerous sweepers, which is critical for slower teams that need to grind out victories. Additionally, Discharge can guarantee a knockout on Mega Pinsir, especially when combined with Rocky Helmet. Since Mega Pinsir is a major threat to many teams, including physically defensive ones like Zapdos, having a reliable way to remove it with Discharge (and the added chip damage from Rocky Helmet) is a huge benefit. Heat Wave hits Steel-types and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Serperior, which take on Volt Switch rather comfortably. If your team is more focused on checking Dragon-types or Flying-types, you could opt for Hidden Power Ice over Heat Wave. This provides a way to hit Dragonite, Garchomp, Landorus-Therian, and Gliscor, but you would need to adjust the EV spread to 220 Def / 24 SpD to better check these threats. Roost is mandatory to keep Zapdos healthy throughout the battle increase longevity. Defog provides Zapdos the exceptional utility of keeping entry hazards off of the field. For longer games, leftovers are the best option, especially for slower-paced teams. It allows Zapdos to recover a small portion of its HP every turn, which synergizes well with its defensive capabilities. This passive recovery helps Zapdos stay healthy longer, enabling it to keep Defogging hazards off the field and providing continual support to the team. If you're running a team that needs consistent control of hazards and can afford a more defensive, grindy approach, Leftovers is the go-to item. On the other hand, Rocky Helmet offers immediate utility in more aggressive or faster-paced teams, where it helps wear down physical attackers with every contact move and where chip damage can make a significant difference. It is important to note that Static and Defog are not compatible.

Set Details
========

16 Speed EVs ensure that Zapdos always outpaces Adamant Bisharp and Adamant Breloom. Maximum HP EVs with 216 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allows Zapdos to live Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie from full. The rest of the EVs is put into Special Defense, allowing Zapdos to be a good pivot into Serperior, especially thanks to Pressure limiting Serperior's Leaf Storm PP to only four. Alternatively, 100 Speed EVs could be used to ensure Zapdos outspeeds Jolly Bisharp, Breloom, and Adamant Gyarados. The rest of the EVs is put into Defense with a Bold nature, enhancing its ability to check physical attackers.

Usage Tips
========

Zapdos's main tasks are to revenge kill the likes of Bisharp, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor, remove entry hazards with Defog; and generate momentum with Volt Turn Switch. Keep Zapdos healthy throughout the game by using Roost frequently so it can consistently check Pokemon Zapdos is supposed to. Zapdos's ability, which is Pressure, can waste PP from low PP moves such as Stone Edge, Steam Eruption, Leaf Storm, and Fire Blast if needed. Pressure also significantly alters how PP works in hazard control. Normally, Stealth Rock outlasts Defog in a PP battle, giving Stealth Rock users the upper hand. However, Zapdos's Pressure ability changes this dynamic. When Zapdos switches in against a Stealth Rock user, Pressure causes their Stealth Rock to consume 2 PP instead of 1. Meanwhile, Zapdos uses Defog at its normal rate, effectively outlasting the opponent’s ability to set Stealth Rock. This makes Zapdos the best Defogger in the tier. While other Defog users struggle with PP management against other Stealth Rock setters, Zapdos can continuously clear hazards without running out of PP, making it an invaluable hazard remover. Its ability to outlast multiple Stealth Rock users gives it a unique role as the ultimate defensive pivot and hazard control specialist. In short, Pressure makes Zapdos an unmatched hazard remover, able to preserve PP and dominate hazard control like no other.

Team Options
========

Zapdos fits on a lot of archetypes ranging from bulky offense to stall thanks to its ability to check many notable threats and general lack of passivity. Water-types and Steel-types are good teammates for Zapdos, as they can scare away Weavile and Kyurem. Keldeo, Azumarill, Rotom-Wash, Manaphy, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor are particularly good choices. Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Weavile, Crawdaunt, and Azumarill are great teammates for Zapdos, as they could remove Zapdos's checks such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Chansey. Furthermore, Volcarona's checks, including Garchomp, Chansey, Mega Lopunny, Azumarill, and Crawdaunt, make excellent partners. Quagsire is another excellent choice because it can check setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by: Bored Pikachu
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bored-pikachu.549414/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/

Mark 1/2 when implemented

 

[Bored Pikachu]

Implemented, ready for qc2

 

[Paprikaflow]

QC2
add remove comment typo

Copyedit

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========

Volt Switch is the primary STAB option for Zapdos, especially threatening hitting Water- and Flying-types Keldeo Manaphy, Tornadus Therian, and Slowbro hard, and creating it can also be used to gain momentum after pivoting into a threat (I know what you mean, but its usually just good chip damage, maybe forcing them to switch Keldeo > Manaphy because Ice Beam mana might just kill Zapdos). Volt Switch is especially valuable if you're running a more offensive or balanced team, as it allows you to pivot into more offensive threats while allowing chip damage on damaging the opponent. Discharge is another STAB option because it [AC] remove space has a chance to paralyze opponents, which can be incredibly useful for slowing down faster threats, or crippeling opposing Zapdos checks like Clefable particularly when playing on a slower-paced team. The paralysis chance also disrupts offensive teams, especially those relying on fast attackers like Mega Alakazam and Mega Lopunny. With Discharge, you’re more likely to spread status and reduce the effectiveness of dangerous sweepers, which is critical can be crucial for slower teams that need to grind out victories. Additionally, Discharge can guarantee a knockout on Mega Pinsir, especially when combined with Rocky Helmet. Since Mega Pinsir is a major threat to many teams having a reliable way to remove it with Discharge (and the added chip damage from Rocky Helmet) is a huge benefit. Heat Wave hits Steel-types and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Serperior, which take on Volt Switch rather comfortably. If your team is more focused on checking lacks ways to check Dragon-types or Flying-types, you could opt for using Hidden Power Ice over Heat Wave is a viable option. This provides a way to hit Dragonite or Gliscor, also allows you to hit Ground-types like Garchomp or Landorus-Therian, and Gliscor hard, but you would need to adjust the EV spread to 220 Def / 24 SpD to better check these threats. Roost is mandatory to increase longevity. Defog provides Zapdos the exceptional utility, of keeping entry hazards off of the field. (From here till the end, put it in "Set Details") For longer games, leftovers Leftovers are the best option, especially for in slower-paced teams. It allows Zapdos to a small portion of its more HP every turn, which synergizes well with its defensive capabilities. This passive recovery helps Zapdos stay healthy longer, enabling it to keep Defogging hazards off the field and providing continual support to the team. If you're When running a team that needs consistent control of hazards and can afford a more defensive, grindy approach, Leftovers is the go-to item. On the other hand, Rocky Helmet offers immediate utility in more aggressive or faster-paced teams, where it helps wear down wearing physical attackers down with every contact move and where chip damage can make a significant difference. It is important to note that Static and Defog are not compatible.

Set Details
========

16 Speed EVs ensure that Zapdos always outpaces Adamant Bisharp and Adamant Breloom. Maximum HP EVs with 216 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allows Zapdos to live Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie from full. The rest of the EVs is put into Special Defense, allowing Zapdos to be a good pivot into Serperior, especially thanks to Pressure limiting Serperior's Leaf Storm PP to only four. Alternatively, 100 Speed EVs could be used to ensure Zapdos outspeeds Jolly Bisharp, Breloom, and Adamant Gyarados. The rest of the EVs is put into Defense with a Bold nature, enhancing its ability to check physical attackers.

Usage Tips
========

Zapdos's main tasks are to revenge kill the likes of Bisharp, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor, remove entry hazards with Defog;[AC], and generate momentum with Volt Switch. Keeping Zapdos healthy throughout the game by using Roost frequently so it can allows it to consistently check Pokemon Zapdos is supposed to. Zapdos's ability, which is Pressure,[AC] can help to PP stall waste PP from low PP moves such as Stone Edge, Steam Eruption, Leaf Storm, and Fire Blast if needed. Thanks to Pressure also significantly alters how PP works in hazard control. Normally, Stealth Rock Zapdos can outlasts Stealth Rock users with Defog in a PP battle, giving Stealth Rock users the upper hand. However, Zapdos's Pressure ability changes this dynamic. When Zapdos switches in against a Stealth Rock user, Pressure causes their Stealth Rock to consume 2 PP instead of 1. Meanwhile, Zapdos uses Defog at its normal rate, effectively outlasting the opponent’s ability to set Stealth Rock. This makes Zapdos the best Defogger in the tier. While other Defog users struggle with PP management against other Stealth Rock setters, Zapdos can continuously clear hazards without running out of PP, making it an invaluable hazard remover. Its ability to outlast multiple Stealth Rock users gives it a unique role as the ultimate defensive pivot and hazard control specialist.

Team Options
========

Zapdos fits on a lot of archetypes ranging from bulky offense to stall thanks to its ability to check many notable threats and general lack of passivity. Water-types, Fighting- and Steel-types are good teammates for Zapdos, as they can scare away Weavile and Kyurem. Keldeo, Azumarill, Rotom-Wash, Manaphy Clefable, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor are particularly good choices, switching well into many of Zapdos's threats. Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Weavile, Crawdaunt, and Azumarill are great teammates for Zapdos, as they could remove Zapdos's checks such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Chansey. Furthermore, Volcarona's checks, like including Garchomp, Chansey, Mega Lopunny, Azumarill, and Crawdaunt, make excellent partners. Quagsire is another excellent choice because it can check setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by: Bored Pikachu
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bored-pikachu.549414/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/

 

[Bored Pikachu]

Implemented and ready for GP Team

 

[Kiwi]

AMGP: You still need an official GP check
Add / Remove / Comment

AMcheck

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========

Volt Switch is the primary STAB move option for Zapdos, hitting Water- and Flying-types Keldeo, Tornadus Therian, and Slowbro hard, (RC) and creating momentum. Volt Switch is especially valuable if you're running a more offensive or balanced team, as it allows you to pivot into offensive threats while damaging the opponent. Discharge is another STAB option move because it has a chance to paralyze opponents, which can be useful for slowing down faster threats, (RC) or crippeling crippling opposing Zapdos checks like Clefable. With Discharge, you’re more likely to spread status and reduce the effectiveness of dangerous sweepers, which can be for slower teams. (You already said that it has a chance to paralyze opponents, slowing down faster threats) Additionally, Discharge can guarantee a knockout on Mega Pinsir, especially when combined with Rocky Helmet. Since Mega Pinsir is a major threat to many teams, (AC) having a reliable way to remove it is a huge benefit. Heat Wave hits Steel- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Serperior, which take on Volt Switch rather comfortably. If your team lacks ways to check Dragon- or Flying-types, using Hidden Power Ice over instead of ('over' is fine, but it's followed by 'heat'. I'm suggesting you change it, so that no one reads it as 'overheat wave') Heat Wave is a viable option. This or Gliscor, (RC) also allows you to hit Ground-types like Garchomp or Landorus-T hard. Roost is mandatory to increase longevity. Defog provides Zapdos utility, (RC) by keeping entry hazards off of the field.

Set Details
========

For longer games, Leftovers are the best option, especially in for slower-paced teams. (Add a space here) This passive recovery helps Zapdos stay healthy for longer, enabling it to keep Defogging defog hazards off the field and providing provide continual support to the team. They are also the best option When when running a team that needs consistent control of hazards and can afford a more defensive approach, (RC) Leftovers is are the go-to item. On the other hand, Rocky Helmet offers immediate utility in more aggressive or faster-paced teams, wearing physical attackers down with every contact move. It is important to note that Static and Defog are not compatible. (Add a space here) 16 Speed EVs ensure that Zapdos always outpaces Adamant Bisharp and Adamant Breloom. Maximum HP EVs with 216 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allows Zapdos to live survive Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie from with full HP (I believe that's what you meant). The rest of the EVs is are put into Special Defense, allowing Zapdos to be a good pivot into against Serperior, especially thanks to Pressure limiting Serperior's Leaf Storm PP to only four (Leaving this to GP, but I don't know if that line on limiting Serperior's PP is necessary. I'd remove it, since it offers basic information that simply requires knowledge of how the ability works). Alternatively, 100 Speed EVs could be used to ensure Zapdos outspeeds Jolly Bisharp, Breloom, and Adamant Gyarados. The rest of the EVs is are put into Defense with a Bold nature, enhancing its ability to check physical attackers.

Usage Tips
========

Zapdos's main tasks are to revenge kill the likes of Bisharp, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor, remove entry hazards with Defog, (You need to remove the space between 'Defog' and the comma) and generate momentum with Volt Switch. Keeping Zapdos healthy throughout the game by using Roost allows it to consistently check Pokemon Zapdos is supposed to. Zapdos's ability Pressure can help to PP stall low PP moves such as Stone Edge, Steam Eruption, Leaf Storm, and Fire Blast if needed. Thanks to Pressure, (AC) Zapdos can outlasts Stealth Rock users with Defog in a PP stall battle. While other Defog users struggle with PP management against other Stealth Rock setters, Zapdos can continuously clear hazards without running out of PP, making it an a valuable hazard remover.

Team Options
========

Zapdos fits on a lot of archetypes ranging from bulky offense to stall thanks to its ability to check many notable threats and its general lack of passivity. Water-, (AC) Fighting-, (AC) and Steel-types are good teammates for Zapdos, as they can scare away Weavile and Kyurem. Keldeo, Azumarill, Rotom-Wash, Clefable, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor are particularly good choices. Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Weavile, Crawdaunt, and Azumarill are great teammates for Zapdos, as they could remove Zapdos's checks such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Chansey. Furthermore, Volcarona's checks, like Garchomp, Chansey, Mega Lopunny, Azumarill, and Crawdaunt, make excellent partners. Quagsire is another excellent choice because it can check setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by: Bored Pikachu
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bored-pikachu.549414/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/

 

[autumn]

1/1 GP Team done

Copyedit

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========

Volt Switch is the primary STAB option for Zapdos, hitting Water- and Flying-types like Keldeo, Tornadus Therian Slowbro, and Slowbro Tornadus-T (grouping all waters together then the flying example) hard (RC) and creating momentum. Volt Switch is especially valuable if you're running Zapdos is on a more offensive or balanced team, as it allows you Zapdos to pivot into offensive threats while damaging the opponent foe. Discharge is another STAB option because it has a chance to paralyze opponents, which (filler) can be useful for slowing down faster threats, or crippeling opposing Zapdos checks like Clefable. With Discharge, you’re more likely to spread status and reduce reducing the effectiveness of dangerous sweepers, which can be for slower teams and crippling opposing Zapdos checks like Clefable. (combining these two sentences because they say the same thing in different ways. add some examples for faster threats and setup sweepers as well so it relates back to the oras meta) Additionally, Discharge can guarantee a knockout on Mega Pinsir, especially when combined with Rocky Helmet. Since Mega Pinsir is a major threat to many teams having a reliable way to remove it is a huge benefit. Heat Wave hits Steel- and Grass-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Serperior, which take on Volt Switch rather comfortably. If your team lacks ways to check Dragon- or Flying-types, using Hidden Power Ice over Heat Wave is a viable option. This or Gliscor (RC) also allows you Zapdos to hit Ground-types like Garchomp, (AC) or Landorus-T, (AC) and Gliscor hard. Roost is mandatory to increase longevity. Defog provides Zapdos utility (RC) by keeping entry hazards off of the field.

Set Details
========

For longer games, Leftovers are is the best option, especially in on slower-paced teams. This passive recovery helps Zapdos stay healthy longer, enabling it to keep Defogging removing entry hazards off the field and providing continual support to the team. When running a team that needs consistent control of hazards and can afford a more defensive approach, Leftovers is the go-to item. (this is pretty much repeatng the previous sentence) On the other hand, Rocky Helmet offers immediate utility in on more aggressive or faster-paced teams, wearing physical attackers down with every contact move. It is important to note that Static and Defog are not compatible. 16 Speed EVs ensure that Zapdos always outpaces Adamant Bisharp and Adamant Breloom. Maximum HP EVs with 216 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allows allow Zapdos to live survive Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie from full HP. The rest of the EVs is are put into Special Defense, allowing Zapdos to be a good pivot into Serperior, especially thanks to Pressure limiting Serperior's Leaf Storm PP to only four. Alternatively, 100 Speed EVs could can be used to ensure Zapdos outspeeds Jolly (you don't rly need to specify jolly because 'it can otuspeed bish' implies maxmax jolly bish, same with looom. ada gyara is where you mention it beause it implies you outspeed ada but not jolly) Bisharp, Breloom, and Adamant Gyarados. The rest of the EVs is are put into Defense with a Bold nature, enhancing its ability to check physical attackers.

Usage Tips
========

Zapdos's main tasks are to revenge kill the likes of Bisharp, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor (RC); (ASC) remove entry hazards with Defog; (ASC) (RC) and generate momentum with Volt Switch. Keeping Zapdos healthy throughout the game by using Roost allows it to consistently check Pokemon Zapdos that it is supposed to (add some examples here sp a reader knows what it needs to switch into and check). Zapdos's ability Pressure can help to PP stall low PP moves such as Stone Edge, Steam Eruption, Leaf Storm, and Fire Blast if needed. Thanks to Pressure, (AC) Zapdos can outlasts PP stall Stealth Rock users with Defog in a PP battle. While other Defog users struggle with PP management against other Stealth Rock setters, Zapdos can continuously clear hazards without running out of PP, making it an a valuable entry hazard remover.

Team Options
========

Zapdos fits on a lot of archetypes ranging from bulky offense to stall thanks to its ability to check many notable threats (such as?) and general lack of passivity. Water-Fighting Water-, (AC) Fighting-, (AC) and Steel-types are good teammates for Zapdos, as they can scare away Weavile and Kyurem. Keldeo Azumarill, Azumarill Rotom-W, Rotom-Wash Keldeo, Clefable, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor are particularly good choices. (moved keldeo to be aligned with fighting-type in the list. clefable isn't a fighting-type so it doesn't work in this context. example lists are also usually limited tom 3-4 to avoid cluttering, so you can take a few out here. azu is mentioned in the next sentence so it can probably go) Strong wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Weavile, Crawdaunt, and Azumarill are great teammates for Zapdos, as they could can remove Zapdos's its checks such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Chansey. Furthermore, Volcarona's checks, like Garchomp, Chansey, Mega Lopunny, Azumarill, and Crawdaunt (cut this list down too), make excellent partners. Quagsire is another excellent great (varyig use of excellent) choice because it can check setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Dragonite.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by: Bored Pikachu (this isn't needed, only the links are)
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bored-pikachu.549414/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/

 

[Alpha1013]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/xy/pokemon/zapdos/