[OVERVIEW]
Zamazenta is a good physical wall with its neutral typing into most physical threats, Stealth Rock resistance, decent bulk, and fast speed letting it outspeed many prominent physical attackers such as Ash Greninja. Its servicable Attack and dangerous STAB moves such as Combat Torque also makes Zamazenta not passive and actually threaten 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 with too much power such as Mega Blaziken and Mega Garchomp. Zamazenta also struggles to deal any meaningful damage into certain foes like Magic Guard Arceus-Ghost or Eternatus, although it can still fish for a Combat Torque paralysis or set up hazards. In addition, Zamazenta is heavily prepared for by virtue of being the most splashable physical wall, which can lead to some consistency issues.
[SET]
Fur Coat (Zamazenta) @ Covert Cloak / Leftovers / 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. Triple Arrows can be used instead; immediately threatening bulkier foes such as Ting-Lu with its defense drop and flinch in exchange for the value of paralysis in longer games. Mortal Spin synergies well with either of them forcing out most Steel-type foes. Stone Axe hits Ho-Oh hard and sets up Stealth Rocks; alternatively, Spikes can provide more value in longer games. Strength Sap is the preferred healing move thanks to its burst healing letting Zamazenta check certain threats such as Mega Garchomp, the fact that most Strength Sap blockers such as Magic Guard Chansey hating to switch in Zamazenta, alongside its ability to neutralize physical setup. Knock Off removes key items from foes such as Heavy-Duty Boots from Mega Audino and Assault Vest from Celesteela, while U-Turn provides easy pivoting. The item choice is up to preference - Covert Cloak blocks Mortal Spin and Salt Cure, Leftovers provides passive healing, encouraging Zamazenta to stay on the field for longer and effectively neutralizing Stealth Rocks, while Heavy-Duty Boots prevents Spikes damage deterring Zamazenta from removing hazards.
Zamazenta fits best on balance teams looking for a physical wall that is not passive and can answer most physical threats by itself because of its neutrality to most physical foes alongside great speed. Certain offensive teammates like Arceus-Ghost and Ultra Necrozma appreciates 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 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 it healing less in many situations, being unable to deter setup, and the fact that Zamazenta does not have the raw bulk to afford the lower healing. U-Turn as an option over Knock Off 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 can be used to let 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 or 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 + item removal if said Ghost-type isn't Arceus-Ghost.
**Poison-type Magic Bounce users**: Poison-type Magic Bounce users like Arceus-Poison or Clodsire resists Zamazenta's Fighting moves and stops it from healing with Strength Sap. Arceus-Poison can even rarely opt for a Plate, which thwarts Zamazenta's Knock Offs.
**Take Heart users**: Take Heart users can shrug off Mortal Spin's poison or Combat Torque's paralysis. Most of them are additionally Fur Coat and 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 great bulk and Fighting resistance, though it has to mind 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 moves. They can also aggresively switch in Zamazenta sometimes, though their poor bulk means it should be treated as a last resort.
**Mega Aerodactyl**: Mega Aerodactyl is a powerful physical attacker who is faster than Zamazenta and 2HKO it with Flying moves. However, it is not very common.
**Hoopa-Unbound**: Hoopa-Unbound is another strong physical attacker that can leverage its high Special Attack to snipe Zamazenta with Psycho Boost. Likewise to Mega Aerodactyl though, it's rather uncommon.
Written by:
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Quality checked by:
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Zamazenta is a good physical wall with its neutral typing into most physical threats, Stealth Rock resistance, decent bulk, and fast speed letting it outspeed many prominent physical attackers such as Ash Greninja. Its servicable Attack and dangerous STAB moves such as Combat Torque also makes Zamazenta not passive and actually threaten 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 with too much power such as Mega Blaziken and Mega Garchomp. Zamazenta also struggles to deal any meaningful damage into certain foes like Magic Guard Arceus-Ghost or Eternatus, although it can still fish for a Combat Torque paralysis or set up hazards. In addition, Zamazenta is heavily prepared for by virtue of being the most splashable physical wall, which can lead to some consistency issues.
[SET]
Fur Coat (Zamazenta) @ Covert Cloak / Leftovers / 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. Triple Arrows can be used instead; immediately threatening bulkier foes such as Ting-Lu with its defense drop and flinch in exchange for the value of paralysis in longer games. Mortal Spin synergies well with either of them forcing out most Steel-type foes. Stone Axe hits Ho-Oh hard and sets up Stealth Rocks; alternatively, Spikes can provide more value in longer games. Strength Sap is the preferred healing move thanks to its burst healing letting Zamazenta check certain threats such as Mega Garchomp, the fact that most Strength Sap blockers such as Magic Guard Chansey hating to switch in Zamazenta, alongside its ability to neutralize physical setup. Knock Off removes key items from foes such as Heavy-Duty Boots from Mega Audino and Assault Vest from Celesteela, while U-Turn provides easy pivoting. The item choice is up to preference - Covert Cloak blocks Mortal Spin and Salt Cure, Leftovers provides passive healing, encouraging Zamazenta to stay on the field for longer and effectively neutralizing Stealth Rocks, while Heavy-Duty Boots prevents Spikes damage deterring Zamazenta from removing hazards.
Zamazenta fits best on balance teams looking for a physical wall that is not passive and can answer most physical threats by itself because of its neutrality to most physical foes alongside great speed. Certain offensive teammates like Arceus-Ghost and Ultra Necrozma appreciates 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 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 it healing less in many situations, being unable to deter setup, and the fact that Zamazenta does not have the raw bulk to afford the lower healing. U-Turn as an option over Knock Off 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 can be used to let 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 or 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 + item removal if said Ghost-type isn't Arceus-Ghost.
**Poison-type Magic Bounce users**: Poison-type Magic Bounce users like Arceus-Poison or Clodsire resists Zamazenta's Fighting moves and stops it from healing with Strength Sap. Arceus-Poison can even rarely opt for a Plate, which thwarts Zamazenta's Knock Offs.
**Take Heart users**: Take Heart users can shrug off Mortal Spin's poison or Combat Torque's paralysis. Most of them are additionally Fur Coat and 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 great bulk and Fighting resistance, though it has to mind 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 moves. They can also aggresively switch in Zamazenta sometimes, though their poor bulk means it should be treated as a last resort.
**Mega Aerodactyl**: Mega Aerodactyl is a powerful physical attacker who is faster than Zamazenta and 2HKO it with Flying moves. However, it is not very common.
**Hoopa-Unbound**: Hoopa-Unbound is another strong physical attacker that can leverage its high Special Attack to snipe Zamazenta with Psycho Boost. Likewise to Mega Aerodactyl though, it's rather uncommon.
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/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
