[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Thunderous Kick
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: Substitute / Taunt
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Defiant
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Galarian Zapdos is a niche wallbreaker on hyper offense teams due to its great offensive typing, Defiant to punish Defoggers like Corviknight and Zapdos, and access to Thunderous Kick to soften foes. However, Galarian Zapdos faces stiff competition from other wallbreakers and sweepers like Mega Pinsir and Hawlucha, which have a better setup move in Swords Dance and better Speed. Additionally, as a Defog punisher, it's outclassed by Bisharp and Serperior, with the former having priority to deal with faster foes an the latter having better support moves and offensive utility. Bulk Up makes it difficult to revenge kill Galarian Zapdos with common priority moves like Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Mega Lopunny's Fake Out. Substitute ensures safe setup opportunities, while Taunt can be used to prevent Haze or Toxic from Toxapex and Whirlwind from Hippowdon. Thunderous Kick and Brave Bird provide great coverage only resisted by Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Aegislash. Flyinium Z provides a strong Supersonic Skystrike that, at +1, ensures an OHKO on Tapu Fini, Clefable, Tapu Koko, and Toxapex, though the latter two need some chip damage to be OHKOed. A Jolly nature is preferred to outspeed Pokemon below base 100 Speed like Kyurem, Landorus-T, and Mega Garchomp.
Galarian Zapdos fits best on hyper offense teams with teammates that appreciate a wallbreaker that can weaken Corviknight and Zapdos like Rillaboom and Mega Scizor. Entry hazard support from Landorus-T or Mew is vital for Galarian Zapdos to get important KOs against certain foes like Mega Scizor and Toxapex. Since Galarian Zapdos isn't very bulky, dual screens support from Grimmsnarl and Tapu Koko help it find setup opportunities. Zapdos is a big problem for Galarian Zapdos, so teammates that weaken or KO it like Mega Gyarados and Rillaboom are great teammates as well. Galarian Zapdos really appreciates Sticky Web support so it can outspeed revenge killers such as Ash-Greninja and Tapu Koko and punish Defog attempts from Corviknight and Zapdos; consequently, Shuckle is a phenomenal teammate, as it sets both Sticky Web and Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band set using U-turn, Brave Bird, Close Combat, and Throat Chop may seem appealing due to its great immediate power, but it is easily exploitable by pivots like Slowbro, as it lacks longevity and is prediction reliant. Choice Scarf is also an option but is outclassed by Landorus-T due to its defensive capabilities.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Zapdos and Tapu Koko resist Galarian Zapdos's STAB moves and can proceed to KO it. However, Tapu Koko falls to +1 Supersonic Skystrike after Stealth Rock.
**Aegislash**: Aegislash either resists or is immune to Galarian Zapdos's STAB moves and can easily KO it with Shadow Ball, but it cannot use King´s Shield to protect itself due to Defiant.
**Bulky Water-types**: Without its Z-Move, Galarian Zapdos struggles to break bulky Water-types like Slowbro and Toxapex. Both can also burn Galarian Zapdos with Scald, reducing its wallbreaking capabilities and making it easily exploitable by revenge killers. Also, without Taunt, Toxapex can use Haze to nullify Galarian Zapdos's boosts and Thunderous Kick's Defense drops. However, they must watch out for +1 Supersonic Skystrike.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to its average Speed, Galarian Zapdos is easily revenge killed by fast Pokemon like Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, and Weavile. However, they are not safe switch-ins due to their low defenses.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Pubo, 535121]]
- Quality checked by: [[The Dragon Master, 521275], [Zneon, 487629]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
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