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Project SV OU: The Next Best Thing (Week 11: Iron Moth) (Votings Open)
- Thread starter Nashrock
- Start date
- Status
Anti-Status Substitute (aka I hate Garganacl immensely)
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Tera Type: Ground/Water
EVs: 120 HP / 236 Def / 152 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hurricane
- Tera Blast/Roost
Because of Zapdos' of good bulk and resilient defensive typing, alongside the unpopularity of Ice and Rock attacking moves, it is usually much easier to use status effects combined with a wall to remove Zapdos. This set aims to use Substitute to frustrate those attempts, as well as leverage Substitute as a way to buy turns against more aggressive checks.
The given defensive EVs give Zapdos' substitute a 25% chance of surviving a 0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure, while still hitting the crucial 301 Speed stat to outspeed max speed Jolly Great Tusk.
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 120 HP / 236 Def Zapdos: 78-92 (22.2 - 26.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO 87 HP Sub
Because the goal of this set is to have some staying power, Leftovers represents slightly more health than Heavy-Duty Boots. As long as Zapdos is in for four turns, Leftovers will heal for the same amount as Heavy-Duty Boots blocks; any healing on top of that is extra value. Four turns may sound like a lot, but consider the following lines of play:
1. Zapdos switches in on a resistance or (ideally) immunity.
2. Zapdos sets up Substitute while the opponent switches.
3. The opponent attacks the substitute and fails to break it / Zapdos gets a Hurricane miss and the opponent breaks the sub.
4. The opponent attacks the substitute and breaks it / Zapdos hits the Hurricane, KOing the opposing pokemon before it acts.
While these lines of play require a little luck and prediction, they are far from unreasonable. Of course, if there are no Stealth Rocks up, then Leftovers healing can contribute to healing off Substitute costs right away. Leftovers also frees up a move slot that would otherwise be taken up by Roost.
Pressure is chosen here as the goal of the set is to minimize the number of direct hits taken with Substitute, drastically lowering the value of Static.
Substitute is the cornerstone of the set. With a sub up, standard Clodsire is completely walled, and Garganacl has to spend turns attacking the sub instead of recovering or protecting for Salt Cure chip. Offensive Pokemon have to spend at least one turn breaking the substitute, opening them up to at least one extra turn of chip, if not an outright KO. Trying to setup in front the substitute only increases the chance Zapdos will land a Hurricane before the boost comes into play. Substitute also scouts Choiced sets, giving you extra knowledge before switching Zapdos out.
Thunderbolt is chosen over Discharge as the extra damage is valuable in longer trading exchanges, especially where Leftovers is relevant.
0 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 115-136 (28.4 - 33.6%) -- 96.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 102-121 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Hurricane is here to threaten OHKOs on meta threats such as Great Tusk and Iron Valiant, who may otherwise be tempted to stay in and Knock Off or try to trade with Zapdos. Substitute can mitigate the punishment off a missed Hurricane, and every KO Hurricane secures before the opponent gets to act increases Substitute's value.
Tera Blast Ground is chosen here for a few reasons. First, Ground notably hits several usual checks of Zapdos, including Garganacl, Clodsire, and Slowking-G. Ground also hits Tera Electric Garganacl, a notable adaptation of Garganacl to further beat Zapdos. Ground resists Rock while not being weak to Earthquake, a normal coverage move for Pokemon with Rock-move access. The surprise burst of damage from Tera Blast Ground can KO Garganacl before it has a chance to Recover. Tera Water is an alternative that is less effective against some specific threats like Tera Water Garganacl, Water Absorb Closire, and Kingambit; but more effective against other threats such as Landorus-T and Ting-Lu.
0 SpA Tera Ground Zapdos Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 204-242 (50.4 - 59.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after two minimum damage Thunderbolts and Leftovers recovery
If you really don't want a tera-dependent move, Heat Wave, Roost, U-Turn, or Volt Switch are alternatives with value, but the efficacy of the set really suffers.
In conclusion, while this Zapdos set may not have a guaranteed win over its usual checks, it can definitely frustrate them and force them to spend precious turns breaking the substitute, all while you gain more information and time to deal damage and heal. If the opponent lets a check get too low, a surprise burst of damage from Tera Blast can KO the check and open the way for Zapdos to continue sitting behind a sub, recovering and chipping the whole time.
Finally, thanks for voting me as winner of last week! This series is a fun exercise in creativity, and I really enjoy thinking these sets over. (I definitely had some minor regrets voting for Zapdos after seeing how tight its movepool is, but that's milk under the bridge.)
EDIT:
Figured I'd report a little on how my testing with my set went, now that most(?) of the votes are in.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Tera Type: Ground/Water
EVs: 120 HP / 236 Def / 152 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hurricane
- Tera Blast/Roost
Because of Zapdos' of good bulk and resilient defensive typing, alongside the unpopularity of Ice and Rock attacking moves, it is usually much easier to use status effects combined with a wall to remove Zapdos. This set aims to use Substitute to frustrate those attempts, as well as leverage Substitute as a way to buy turns against more aggressive checks.
The given defensive EVs give Zapdos' substitute a 25% chance of surviving a 0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure, while still hitting the crucial 301 Speed stat to outspeed max speed Jolly Great Tusk.
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 120 HP / 236 Def Zapdos: 78-92 (22.2 - 26.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO 87 HP Sub
Because the goal of this set is to have some staying power, Leftovers represents slightly more health than Heavy-Duty Boots. As long as Zapdos is in for four turns, Leftovers will heal for the same amount as Heavy-Duty Boots blocks; any healing on top of that is extra value. Four turns may sound like a lot, but consider the following lines of play:
1. Zapdos switches in on a resistance or (ideally) immunity.
2. Zapdos sets up Substitute while the opponent switches.
3. The opponent attacks the substitute and fails to break it / Zapdos gets a Hurricane miss and the opponent breaks the sub.
4. The opponent attacks the substitute and breaks it / Zapdos hits the Hurricane, KOing the opposing pokemon before it acts.
While these lines of play require a little luck and prediction, they are far from unreasonable. Of course, if there are no Stealth Rocks up, then Leftovers healing can contribute to healing off Substitute costs right away. Leftovers also frees up a move slot that would otherwise be taken up by Roost.
Pressure is chosen here as the goal of the set is to minimize the number of direct hits taken with Substitute, drastically lowering the value of Static.
Substitute is the cornerstone of the set. With a sub up, standard Clodsire is completely walled, and Garganacl has to spend turns attacking the sub instead of recovering or protecting for Salt Cure chip. Offensive Pokemon have to spend at least one turn breaking the substitute, opening them up to at least one extra turn of chip, if not an outright KO. Trying to setup in front the substitute only increases the chance Zapdos will land a Hurricane before the boost comes into play. Substitute also scouts Choiced sets, giving you extra knowledge before switching Zapdos out.
Thunderbolt is chosen over Discharge as the extra damage is valuable in longer trading exchanges, especially where Leftovers is relevant.
0 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 115-136 (28.4 - 33.6%) -- 96.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 102-121 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Hurricane is here to threaten OHKOs on meta threats such as Great Tusk and Iron Valiant, who may otherwise be tempted to stay in and Knock Off or try to trade with Zapdos. Substitute can mitigate the punishment off a missed Hurricane, and every KO Hurricane secures before the opponent gets to act increases Substitute's value.
Tera Blast Ground is chosen here for a few reasons. First, Ground notably hits several usual checks of Zapdos, including Garganacl, Clodsire, and Slowking-G. Ground also hits Tera Electric Garganacl, a notable adaptation of Garganacl to further beat Zapdos. Ground resists Rock while not being weak to Earthquake, a normal coverage move for Pokemon with Rock-move access. The surprise burst of damage from Tera Blast Ground can KO Garganacl before it has a chance to Recover. Tera Water is an alternative that is less effective against some specific threats like Tera Water Garganacl, Water Absorb Closire, and Kingambit; but more effective against other threats such as Landorus-T and Ting-Lu.
0 SpA Tera Ground Zapdos Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 204-242 (50.4 - 59.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after two minimum damage Thunderbolts and Leftovers recovery
If you really don't want a tera-dependent move, Heat Wave, Roost, U-Turn, or Volt Switch are alternatives with value, but the efficacy of the set really suffers.
In conclusion, while this Zapdos set may not have a guaranteed win over its usual checks, it can definitely frustrate them and force them to spend precious turns breaking the substitute, all while you gain more information and time to deal damage and heal. If the opponent lets a check get too low, a surprise burst of damage from Tera Blast can KO the check and open the way for Zapdos to continue sitting behind a sub, recovering and chipping the whole time.
Finally, thanks for voting me as winner of last week! This series is a fun exercise in creativity, and I really enjoy thinking these sets over. (I definitely had some minor regrets voting for Zapdos after seeing how tight its movepool is, but that's milk under the bridge.)
EDIT:
Figured I'd report a little on how my testing with my set went, now that most(?) of the votes are in.
As a couple people in the OU discord pointed out to me while I was discussing my set with them, no Roost makes the set incredibly high-risk. Conserving every scrap of HP is important to keep making subs. I also didn't run into any Garganacl, so I couldn't even test the set against it's main target. I did get one game where I got to wall out a Clodsire with a sub up... except this funny guy was running Poison Jab, so he could still break my sub in two hits.
Last edited:
Congrats once again for winning :-D
I agree with the fact that Zapdos's movepool isn't totally the best, but I really appreciate you guys for coming up with such creative ideas.
Have Fun
Hi Xr_Kartana. It's been quite a while since you've reserved the set. Its a gentle reminder, kindly post your set by today, please.
The set is done, I just have to write the description !
it will be posted around 3-4pm
Thanks a lot
Thanks a lot
Here’s my set :
Pressure stall
Zapdos @ Leftovers/covert cloak
Ability: Pressure
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Electric/fairy/Water
EVs: 248 HP / 220 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Discharge/téra blast
- Roost
- Protect
This set is using pressure for ghosting the sets of others Pokémon, with is good bulk he can take damage from Greninja hydro pump and the Tera water is for walking wave and
I opted for discharge because discharg is imo underated because 80 of Bo, 24 pp and 30% to para
I also tried Tera blast water for touching garganacl (can be rly annoying, this is why you can run covert cloak on this set, it’s will also touch head smash/ice spinner tusk)
Substitute with ur good bulk can resist usually 2 times and using protect for PP stall.
Hope u will enjoy this set, Im only at 1300 on OU ladder but it was done with this Zapdos set (ik this set isn’t the best)
Thanks a lot for the set. It would be preferable to just edit your reservation post from next time rather than posting another reply.
Para + ball spam
Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots / magnet
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Roost
- Electro Ball
- Hurricane
Originally, this was gonna be a para flinch set, but zap doesn't get air slash the gen?! Anyways, this set takes zapdos's role as a status spreader a step further. T-wave to para almost everything ( tusk doesn't want to switchin on a hurricane), and electro ball to deal immense damage afterwards. Magnet can give it's moves an extra OMPH if needed, and hurricane to deal with things that eat elec ball.
While
and tera elec 
are annoying for this set, most teams should be able to work around these key threats.
Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots / magnet
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Roost
- Electro Ball
- Hurricane
Originally, this was gonna be a para flinch set, but zap doesn't get air slash the gen?! Anyways, this set takes zapdos's role as a status spreader a step further. T-wave to para almost everything ( tusk doesn't want to switchin on a hurricane), and electro ball to deal immense damage afterwards. Magnet can give it's moves an extra OMPH if needed, and hurricane to deal with things that eat elec ball.
While
and tera elec are annoying for this set, most teams should be able to work around these key threats.Hi, thanks for the set. For the Voting preview, do you want me to show Heavy-Duty Boots or Magnet (specify from next time onwards please)Para + ball spam
Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots / magnet
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Roost
- Electro Ball
- Hurricane
Originally, this was gonna be a para flinch set, but zap doesn't get air slash the gen?! Anyways, this set takes zapdos's role as a status spreader a step further. T-wave to para almost everything ( tusk doesn't want to switchin on a hurricane), and electro ball to deal immense damage afterwards. Magnet can give it's moves an extra OMPH if needed, and hurricane to deal with things that eat elec ball.
While
ScarfDos
Zapdos @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hurricane
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
EVs outspeed Max Speed Dragapult. You can't outpace max speed Bax at +1 so this seemed the best benchmark to hit. No coverage as Electric/Flying hits pretty much everything at least neutrally, and the difference in power with Thunder is pretty noticeable.
Zapdos @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hurricane
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
EVs outspeed Max Speed Dragapult. You can't outpace max speed Bax at +1 so this seemed the best benchmark to hit. No coverage as Electric/Flying hits pretty much everything at least neutrally, and the difference in power with Thunder is pretty noticeable.
Magnet, sorry for not specifying
It's completely okay, remember from next time.Magnet, sorry for not specifying
Submissions Closed
Splendid job everyone. Even after such a tight movepool, getting a variety of such creative sets truly shows your potential.
A special welcome to Xr_Kartana for participating in our project for the first time. We'll be looking forward for more such amazing sets in the coming weeks.
All these sets are equally good in my eyes, so thus, I give you the powers to choose this week's Next Best Thing (as always). Just remember, you can only vote for one set and can't self-vote.
Week-7 Zapdos
by nameless90Agility Sweeper
by Invisible WatersAnti-Status Substitute
by Meta SkipperSpDef Pressure Stall
by Xr_KartanaT. Wave + Electro Ball
by Poke nerdOffensive Choice Scarf
by IncorollaThe nominees for the Pokemon who will get a Next Best Thing in the coming Cycle are as follows :--->
Voting Deadline: Saturday, September 2, 7:30 AM GMT
Last edited:
Offensive Choice Scarf by Incorolla
The nominee for the next NBThing:--->
by IncorollaThe nominee for the next NBThing:--->
Yo this looks like a cool competition
I think I will make an entry next week
anyway...
My vote: T wave + electro ball
Next week: Dragapult!
I think I will make an entry next week
anyway...
My vote: T wave + electro ball
Next week:
Dragapult!
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Will definitely ve waiting for your set.Yo this looks like a cool competition
I think I will make an entry next week
anyway...
My vote: T wave + electro ball
Next week: Dragapult! (How do you get the dragapult icon)
Also, to get the small sprite, use :Name of Pokemon:
To get a big one, say a big sprite from SV (Scarlet & Violet), use :SV/Name of Pokemon: (SV may be changed with any gen)
Offensive Choice Scarf
for next week
for next weekAgility Sweeper
Next Week:
Figured I'd report a little on how my testing with my set went, now that most(?) of the votes are in.
Next Week:
Figured I'd report a little on how my testing with my set went, now that most(?) of the votes are in.
As a couple people in the OU discord pointed out to me while I was discussing my set with them, no Roost makes the set incredibly high-risk. Conserving every scrap of HP is important to keep making subs. I also didn't run into any Garganacl, so I couldn't even test the set against it's main target. I did get one game where I got to wall out a Clodsire with a sub up... except this funny guy was running Poison Jab, so he could still break my sub in two hits.
Last edited:
Great analysis Meta Skipper. I'd like you to add it in your main set forum, for many players do look at the set description.Agility Sweeper
Next Week:
Figured I'd report a little on how my testing with my set went, now that most(?) of the votes are in.
As a couple people in the OU discord pointed out to me while I was discussing my set with them, no Roost makes the set incredibly high-risk. Conserving every scrap of HP is important to keep making subs. I also didn't run into any Garganacl, so I couldn't even test the set against it's main target. I did get one game where I got to wall out a Clodsire with a sub up... except this funny guy was running Poison Jab, so he could still break my sub in two hits.
Tie-Breaker
First time in this gen have we stumbled upon a Tie-Breaker. But since we may only have 1 winner per week, its a compulsion.
The rules are simple, you may only vote for one of the 2 sets noted below. If you've already voted this week, you may not vote again. No need to vote for the next week's Pokemon.
The set of the players are as follows. May the best set win :->
First time in this gen have we stumbled upon a Tie-Breaker. But since we may only have 1 winner per week, its a compulsion.
The rules are simple, you may only vote for one of the 2 sets noted below. If you've already voted this week, you may not vote again. No need to vote for the next week's Pokemon.
The set of the players are as follows. May the best set win :->
Invisible Waters
Agility Sweeper (Zapdos) @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Petaya Berry
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Electric / Fairy / Steel
EVs: 60 HP / 252 SpA / 196 Spe
Modest Nature
- Roost / Substitute / Hurricane
- Discharge
- Heat Wave
- Agility
Incorolla
Choice Scarf (Zapdos) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hurricane
Voting Deadline
Tuesday, September 5, 7:30 AM GMT
Tuesday, September 5, 7:30 AM GMT
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- Status