[SET]
Bulky Special Attacker (Zapdos) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 128 SpA / 24 SpD / 108 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Grass] / Heat Wave
- Heat Wave / Roost
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
[SET]
Choice Scarf (Zapdos) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nadando.353628/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
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Bulky Special Attacker (Zapdos) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 128 SpA / 24 SpD / 108 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Grass] / Heat Wave
- Heat Wave / Roost
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
- Zapdos is a strong and versatile bulky attacker thanks to its excellent typing, solid bulk, and valuable offensive coverage.
- Thunderbolt is Zapdos’s primary STAB move, dealing consistent damage and threatening common Water-types like Suicune and Empoleon.
- Hidden Power Ice pairs well with Thunderbolt, notably hitting Dragon-types like Latias and Salamence, while Hidden Power Grass targets four times weak Ground-types such as Swampert and Rhyperior.
- Heat Wave provides spread damage and is particularly useful for OHKOing Scizor.
- Roost improves Zapdos’s longevity by letting it recover health throughout the match, especially useful in drawn-out games.
- Protect allows Zapdos to shield itself from Fake Out, stall out field effects like Trick Room, and scout opposing moves while its partner deals with threats.
- Alternate move options such as Tailwind can support teammates with speed control, Roar can disrupt opposing setup or Trick Room attempts, and Rain Dance can be used on weather-based teams.
- The given EV spread allows Zapdos to outspeed positive-natured base 70s such as Metagross, survive a Choice Specs Draco Meteor from Latias, and invest the remaining EVs into Special Attack for solid offensive output.
- Zapdos fits well on a variety of team archetypes but particularly appreciates partners that can reliably check Tyranitar, such as Hitmontop or Metagross.
[SET]
Choice Scarf (Zapdos) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
- Choice Scarf Zapdos acts as a fast attacker on offensive teams, leveraging its high Speed and wide coverage to pressure a range of threats.
- Thunderbolt serves as its main STAB move, dealing strong single-target damage.
- Heat Wave offers spread damage and lets Zapdos pressure common Steel-types such as Metagross and Scizor.
- Hidden Power Ice rounds out its coverage, hitting Dragon-, Grass-, and Ground-types that shrug off Thunderbolt.
- U-turn enables Zapdos to pivot out of unfavorable matchups and maintain momentum for its team.
- Scizor is a strong partner that forms a potent pivoting core with Zapdos with U-turn. Zapdos also benefits from teammates that can handle Tyranitar, such as Hitmontop.
- Choice Scarf Zapdos doesn't appreciate Stealth Rock, which whittles it down over time as it pivots with U-turn. If possible, prevent Stealth Rock from going up by pressuring the opponent's Stealth Rock setter or bring a lead with Taunt, like Infernape or Gengar.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nadando.353628/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.104/
Last edited: