[OVERVIEW]
Zamazenta is a good physical wall with its neutral typing against most physical threats, Stealth Rock resistance, decent bulk, and ability to outspeed many prominent physical attackers such as Ash-Greninja. Its servicable Attack and dangerous STAB moves such as Combat Torque and Triple Arrows also make Zamazenta less passive and actually capable of threatening certain walls out, also making it an excellent Mortal Spin user. Zamazenta's physical bulk is decent but not great, making it vulnerable to foes such as Mega Blaziken and Mega Garchomp. Zamazenta also struggles to deal any meaningful damage against foes that resist its Fighting-type STAB moves and can ignore poison from Mortal Spin like Magic Guard Arceus-Ghost or Eternatus, although it can still fish for a Combat Torque paralysis. In addition, Zamazenta is heavily prepared for by virtue of being the most versatile physical wall, which can lead to some consistency issues.
[SET]
Fur Coat (Zamazenta) @ Covert Cloak / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Strength Sap
- Combat Torque / Triple Arrows
- Mortal Spin
- Knock Off
[SET COMMENTS]
Combat Torque is the most consistent STAB move thanks to its paralysis chance potentially crippling switch ins. Alternatively, Triple Arrows immediately threatens bulkier foes such as Ting-Lu with its Defense drop and flinch chance in exchange for the lack of paralysis in longer games. Mortal Spin synergies well with either of these moves, forcing out most Steel-type foes. Strength Sap is the preferred healing move thanks to its burst healing, which lets Zamazenta check certain threats such as Mega Garchomp; the difficulty that most Strength Sap blockers, such as Magic Guard Chansey, have switching in to Zamazenta; and its ability to neutralize physical setup. Knock Off removes key items such as Covert Cloak from Celesteela and Mega Audino. The item choice is up to preference: Covert Cloak blocks Mortal Spin and Salt Cure, while Heavy-Duty Boots prevents Spikes damage that would deter Zamazenta from removing entry hazards.
Zamazenta fits best on balance teams looking for a physical wall that is not passive and can answer most physical threats by itself; this is because of its neutrality to most physical foes alongside great Speed. Certain offensive teammates like Arceus-Ghost and Ultra Necrozma appreciate its natural speed control and ability to answer Ash-Greninja. Zamazenta can struggle with offensive threats that are too powerful such as Mega Blaziken and Mega Garchomp; therefore, soft checks to those threats like Mega Slowbro or a secondary Fur Coat user like Arceus-Fairy naturally make for good pairings. Imposter-proof Zamazenta with Fighting-resistant teammates that do not dislike poison like Magic Guard Arceus-Ghost or Eternatus.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shore Up is a usable option over Strength Sap to not be deterred by specific Magic Bounce users such as Arceus-Poison but is generally not worth it due to the fact that it heals less in many situations, is unable to deter setup, and Zamazenta does not have the raw bulk to afford the lower healing. U-turn is an option over Knock Off and can provide minor chip damage and pivoting, though the value of Knock Off is much more enticing than a fast pivot. Spirit Shackle is also an option to easily self-Imposter-proof, but again, the value Knock Off gives is just too valuable. Utility Umbrella lets Zamazenta check Desolate Land Mega Blaziken, though uncommon Mega Blaziken variants like Tough Claws can still blow Zamazenta over, and Utility Umbrella provides practically no other utility.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-type foes such as Arceus-Ghost and Flutter Mane are immune to Zamazenta's STAB moves and are able to hit it hard. Many of them also commonly run Magic Guard or Covert Cloak, so Mortal Spin's poison will not affect them. However, every relevant Ghost-type is slower than Zamazenta, and they have to be aware of Knock Off's damage and item removal if said Ghost-type isn't Arceus-Ghost or Flare Boost Flutter Mane.
**Poison-type Magic Bounce users**: Poison-type Magic Bounce users like Arceus-Poison and Clodsire resist Zamazenta's Fighting-type moves and stop it from healing with Strength Sap while being immune to poison from Mortal Spin. Arceus-Poison can even rarely opt for a Plate, which thwarts Zamazenta's Knock Off.
**Take Heart users**: Take Heart users such as Arceus-Fairy and Arceus-Water can shrug off Mortal Spin's poison or Combat Torque's paralysis. Most of them also run Fur Coat and are slower than Zamazenta, which also means Zamazenta deals little damage while not being able to slowly chip them down with Mortal Spin.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus shrugs off any damage Zamazenta deals through its great bulk and Fighting resistance, though it has to mind entry hazard damage and Combat Torque's paralysis. Magic Guard sets additionally hate losing Life Orb, which makes it specifically a poor switch-in.
**Mega Alakazam and Deoxys**: Both of these foes are faster than Zamazenta and can OHKO it with their Psychic-type moves. They can also aggressively switch into Zamazenta sometimes, though their poor bulk means it should be treated as a last resort.
**Physical attackers with super effective coverage**: Certain attackers like Mega Aerodactyl and Ash-Greninja can KO Zamazenta with moves such as Brave Bird or Fleur Cannon.
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rightclicker.589755/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chessking345.355040/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sammyce123.563422/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sunny004.197240/
Zamazenta is a good physical wall with its neutral typing against most physical threats, Stealth Rock resistance, decent bulk, and ability to outspeed many prominent physical attackers such as Ash-Greninja. Its servicable Attack and dangerous STAB moves such as Combat Torque and Triple Arrows also make Zamazenta less passive and actually capable of threatening certain walls out, also making it an excellent Mortal Spin user. Zamazenta's physical bulk is decent but not great, making it vulnerable to foes such as Mega Blaziken and Mega Garchomp. Zamazenta also struggles to deal any meaningful damage against foes that resist its Fighting-type STAB moves and can ignore poison from Mortal Spin like Magic Guard Arceus-Ghost or Eternatus, although it can still fish for a Combat Torque paralysis. In addition, Zamazenta is heavily prepared for by virtue of being the most versatile physical wall, which can lead to some consistency issues.
[SET]
Fur Coat (Zamazenta) @ Covert Cloak / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Strength Sap
- Combat Torque / Triple Arrows
- Mortal Spin
- Knock Off
[SET COMMENTS]
Combat Torque is the most consistent STAB move thanks to its paralysis chance potentially crippling switch ins. Alternatively, Triple Arrows immediately threatens bulkier foes such as Ting-Lu with its Defense drop and flinch chance in exchange for the lack of paralysis in longer games. Mortal Spin synergies well with either of these moves, forcing out most Steel-type foes. Strength Sap is the preferred healing move thanks to its burst healing, which lets Zamazenta check certain threats such as Mega Garchomp; the difficulty that most Strength Sap blockers, such as Magic Guard Chansey, have switching in to Zamazenta; and its ability to neutralize physical setup. Knock Off removes key items such as Covert Cloak from Celesteela and Mega Audino. The item choice is up to preference: Covert Cloak blocks Mortal Spin and Salt Cure, while Heavy-Duty Boots prevents Spikes damage that would deter Zamazenta from removing entry hazards.
Zamazenta fits best on balance teams looking for a physical wall that is not passive and can answer most physical threats by itself; this is because of its neutrality to most physical foes alongside great Speed. Certain offensive teammates like Arceus-Ghost and Ultra Necrozma appreciate its natural speed control and ability to answer Ash-Greninja. Zamazenta can struggle with offensive threats that are too powerful such as Mega Blaziken and Mega Garchomp; therefore, soft checks to those threats like Mega Slowbro or a secondary Fur Coat user like Arceus-Fairy naturally make for good pairings. Imposter-proof Zamazenta with Fighting-resistant teammates that do not dislike poison like Magic Guard Arceus-Ghost or Eternatus.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shore Up is a usable option over Strength Sap to not be deterred by specific Magic Bounce users such as Arceus-Poison but is generally not worth it due to the fact that it heals less in many situations, is unable to deter setup, and Zamazenta does not have the raw bulk to afford the lower healing. U-turn is an option over Knock Off and can provide minor chip damage and pivoting, though the value of Knock Off is much more enticing than a fast pivot. Spirit Shackle is also an option to easily self-Imposter-proof, but again, the value Knock Off gives is just too valuable. Utility Umbrella lets Zamazenta check Desolate Land Mega Blaziken, though uncommon Mega Blaziken variants like Tough Claws can still blow Zamazenta over, and Utility Umbrella provides practically no other utility.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-type foes such as Arceus-Ghost and Flutter Mane are immune to Zamazenta's STAB moves and are able to hit it hard. Many of them also commonly run Magic Guard or Covert Cloak, so Mortal Spin's poison will not affect them. However, every relevant Ghost-type is slower than Zamazenta, and they have to be aware of Knock Off's damage and item removal if said Ghost-type isn't Arceus-Ghost or Flare Boost Flutter Mane.
**Poison-type Magic Bounce users**: Poison-type Magic Bounce users like Arceus-Poison and Clodsire resist Zamazenta's Fighting-type moves and stop it from healing with Strength Sap while being immune to poison from Mortal Spin. Arceus-Poison can even rarely opt for a Plate, which thwarts Zamazenta's Knock Off.
**Take Heart users**: Take Heart users such as Arceus-Fairy and Arceus-Water can shrug off Mortal Spin's poison or Combat Torque's paralysis. Most of them also run Fur Coat and are slower than Zamazenta, which also means Zamazenta deals little damage while not being able to slowly chip them down with Mortal Spin.
**Eternatus**: Eternatus shrugs off any damage Zamazenta deals through its great bulk and Fighting resistance, though it has to mind entry hazard damage and Combat Torque's paralysis. Magic Guard sets additionally hate losing Life Orb, which makes it specifically a poor switch-in.
**Mega Alakazam and Deoxys**: Both of these foes are faster than Zamazenta and can OHKO it with their Psychic-type moves. They can also aggressively switch into Zamazenta sometimes, though their poor bulk means it should be treated as a last resort.
**Physical attackers with super effective coverage**: Certain attackers like Mega Aerodactyl and Ash-Greninja can KO Zamazenta with moves such as Brave Bird or Fleur Cannon.
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rightclicker.589755/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chessking345.355040/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sammyce123.563422/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sunny004.197240/
Last edited:
