[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Behemoth Blade / Play Rough
move 3: Wild Charge
move 4: Close Combat / Tera Blast
item: Rusted Sword
ability: Intrepid Sword
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Ground
[SET COMMENTS]
* Zacian-C is one of the most dangerous physical threats and a source of immense offensive role compression as it is able to serve as a cleaner, Speed control, and a sweeper. Zacian-C's natural power is sufficient to easily clean up weakened teams or frailer hyper offense structures. However, after a Swords Dance boost, Zacian-C can break through some of its sturdier defensive checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh after minor chip. Zacian-C's defensive typing providing a resistance against priority from Chien-Pao Yveltal and Extreme Killer Arceus is also greatly appreciated by the hyper offensive structures on which it is a staple. Zacian-C does have a place on balance and bulky offense structures, but its flaws such as a poor stall matchup, tera reliance, and the lack of power after switching out render it merely ‘good’ as opposed to a near auto include.
* Behemoth Blade is Zacian-C's preferred STAB option due to its higher damage while maintaining solid neutral coverage. Play Rough is a solid option that fits on teams weak to specific Pokemon such as Marshadow and Yveltal. Behemoth Blade also benefits from Tera Fairy being common on Pokémon such as support Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Coil Zygarde. Additionally, Behemoth Blade's provides a better matchup into opposing Zacian-C, but it does make Zacian-C susceptible to Ditto. Play Rough enables Zacian-C to cleave through Dragon-types such as Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and Zygarde, but does suffer from accuracy issues. Play Rough synergizes best with Tera Blast Ground as Zacian-C will otherwise be walled by Tera Poison Arceus formes and provides Zacian-C the ability to hit nearly the entire metagame neutrally.
* Wild Charge is used as it is Zacian-C's best coverage for Ho-Oh. +1 Wild Charge also comes with the benefit of OHKOing wallbreaker Primal Kyogre and specially offensive Yveltal after one round of Life Orb chip. Close Combat is the more common option as the last moveslot due to providing Zacian-C with solid neutral coverage against Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM while notably hitting Exteme Killer Arceus and Arceus-Dark super effectively. Tera Blast Ground is also an option to plow through defensive Primal Groudon and Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM, but is far more committal in both the teambuilder and in-game. Tera Blast Ground is exclusive to hyper offense structures while Close Combat is a solid option on any playstyle.
* Zacian-C's tera type depends on its coverage option in its last moveslot. Tera Fighting Close Combat is Zacian-C’s strongest move and gives Zacian-C the slight damage boost it needs to OHKO Extreme Killer Arceus without a Swords Dance boost. After a Swords Dance boost Zacian-C is even able to OHKO defensive Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes with Tera Fighting Close Combat. Tera Blast Ground enables Zacian-C the means to safely take on Primal Groudon and a super effective move on Tera Poison Arceus formes. Tera Blast Ground Zacian-C has a higher ceiling than Tera Fighting as it is capable of ending games on the spot against some structures, but is less consistent overall.
* Zacian-C rarely has an early-game presence as it is often reliant on the initial boost from Intrepid Sword to properly wallbreak or clean. Consequently, Zacian-C must make its initial entry point count. Fortunately, most teams have one or two Pokémon that afford Zacian-C this opportunity. For example, against hyper offense structures Zacian-C finds entry points revenges Extreme Killer Arceus and Primal Kyogre while Calm Mind Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Fairy provide safe entry against balance and bulky offense structures. It can also be used aggressively with Tera to nab an additional boost against attacks that would otherwise OHKO it such as Primal Groudons Overheat or Zygarde's Thousand Arrows.
* Zacian-C's efficacy progressively decreases as teams get bulkier as even bulky offense structures usually have the means to check it defensively with Primal Groudon and a Ground-immune check such as Ho-Oh or Giratina-O. Accordingly, Zacian-C is often limited to a wallbreaking or cleaning role. Close Combat can potentially do both while Tera Blast Ground sets tend to lean more into a wallbreaking role although this comes at the cost of vulnerability to priority from Pokemon such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Chien Pao, and Yveltal. Zacian-C’s worst matchup is against stall despite Giratina and Eternatus being unable to damage it as Dondozo walls it and Zacian-C is reliant on a teammate to pressure it to Tera Fairy so it can make progress with Behemoth Blade.
* Zacian-C is a staple if not near-mandatory on every hyper offensive archetype due to the role compression that it provides offensively and defensively. Zacian-C is often the primary roadblock on Extreme Killer Arceus's path to victory while resisting Yveltal's STABs, but must be cautious of the niche Tera Fire Heat Wave. Due to limited defensive counterplay, Zacian-C draws in Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh to wear them down for teammates such as Meteor Beam Eternatus and wallbreaker Primal Kyogre to continue the onslaught or vice versa. Additionally, Zacian-C's high speed enables it to serve as an effective cleaner against virtually all archetypes.
* On Sticky Web structures Chi-Yu is an excellent teammate as it helps maintain Sticky Web with a speedy Taunt, breaks past Zacian-C's checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh with Black Hole Eclipse, and is a potent stallbreaker. In return, Zacian-C alleviates Chi-Yu's issues with offense, notably its susceptibility to Extreme Killer Arceus. Ultra Necrozma fills a similar role to Chi-Yu on Hazard Stack structures and synergizes nearly perfectly with Zacian-C as it appreciates Zacian-C breaking through Arceus-Dark and Yveltal that would otherwise check Ultra Necrozma with ease. Furthermore, Pokémon such as Ho-Oh, Arceus-Fairy, and Eternatus sometimes opt for Tera Dark to check Ultra Necrozma, but in doing so they become particularly vulnerable to Zacian-C. Additionally, Zacian-C revenges Ultra Necrozma’s most common offensive counterplay in Extreme Killer Arceus, Marshadow, and specially offensive Yveltal. In return Ultra Necrozma effortlessly plows through Pokémon after a boost – notably Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Coil Zygarde for Zacian-C. However, both Pokémon struggle with the stall matchup so some additional help is appreciated such as wallbreaker Primal Kyogre and Meteor Beam Eternatus.
* Zacian-C is still a solid Pokémon outside of hyper offense structures, but its flaws become more apparent both in the teambuilder and in battle. For example, despite a great defensive typing, Zacian-C often struggles to find safe switch-in opportunities outside of Calm Mind Arceus formes and specially offensive Yveltal due to its lack of recovery and wasting Intrepid Sword. Moreover, Zacian-C struggles heavily into Sticky Web structures despite a positive matchup on paper as it easily muscles past pokemon such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Chi-Yu, and specially offensive Yveltal lacking Heat Wave. This is because Zacian-C cannot help remove Sticky Web and is often useless until they are removed. This is a tough task and thudding into stall doesn't help matters either. Zacian-C is an excellent Pokemon, but compensating for these flaws often results in these structures using alternative options such as Choice Band Marshadow, wallbreaker Eternatus, and Pheromosa. However, if these gaps can be filler Zacian-C is an excellent addition to many structures for the reasons listed above and its ability to offensively check wallbreakers such as Tera Dragon Meteor Beam Eternatus and Chien-Pao.
* Offensive Ho-Oh is an excellent partner on bulky offense structures as its defensive profile enables Zacian-C to more precisely pick and choose its entry points. Ho-Oh's longevity and offensive pressure is appreciated against stall and bulkier structures that easily check Zacian-C. In return, Zacian-C checks offensive Pokemon capable of brute forcing past Ho-Oh such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Meteor Beam Eternatus, and wallbreaker Primal Kyogre. Furthermore, Primal Groudon is a common switch-in to Ho-Oh and taking any attack or Toxic makes it difficult to reliably check Zacian-C.
* Defensive Primal Kyogre is also an excellent teammate due its stellar matchup into stall while maintaining a solid matchup into bulkier structures that defensively check Zacian-C consistently. Additionally, Primal Kyogre is capable of trading with specially offensive Yveltal which makes it easier to remove Sticky Web with Ho-Oh or Giratina-O while handling Pokémon which annoy Zacian-C such as Coil Zygarde, defensive Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, or a boosted Mega Salamence.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bumboclaat.523420/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sami.604820/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bobsican.434487/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.104/
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Behemoth Blade / Play Rough
move 3: Wild Charge
move 4: Close Combat / Tera Blast
item: Rusted Sword
ability: Intrepid Sword
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Ground
[SET COMMENTS]
* Zacian-C is one of the most dangerous physical threats and a source of immense offensive role compression as it is able to serve as a cleaner, Speed control, and a sweeper. Zacian-C's natural power is sufficient to easily clean up weakened teams or frailer hyper offense structures. However, after a Swords Dance boost, Zacian-C can break through some of its sturdier defensive checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh after minor chip. Zacian-C's defensive typing providing a resistance against priority from Chien-Pao Yveltal and Extreme Killer Arceus is also greatly appreciated by the hyper offensive structures on which it is a staple. Zacian-C does have a place on balance and bulky offense structures, but its flaws such as a poor stall matchup, tera reliance, and the lack of power after switching out render it merely ‘good’ as opposed to a near auto include.
* Behemoth Blade is Zacian-C's preferred STAB option due to its higher damage while maintaining solid neutral coverage. Play Rough is a solid option that fits on teams weak to specific Pokemon such as Marshadow and Yveltal. Behemoth Blade also benefits from Tera Fairy being common on Pokémon such as support Arceus formes, Eternatus, and Coil Zygarde. Additionally, Behemoth Blade's provides a better matchup into opposing Zacian-C, but it does make Zacian-C susceptible to Ditto. Play Rough enables Zacian-C to cleave through Dragon-types such as Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and Zygarde, but does suffer from accuracy issues. Play Rough synergizes best with Tera Blast Ground as Zacian-C will otherwise be walled by Tera Poison Arceus formes and provides Zacian-C the ability to hit nearly the entire metagame neutrally.
* Wild Charge is used as it is Zacian-C's best coverage for Ho-Oh. +1 Wild Charge also comes with the benefit of OHKOing wallbreaker Primal Kyogre and specially offensive Yveltal after one round of Life Orb chip. Close Combat is the more common option as the last moveslot due to providing Zacian-C with solid neutral coverage against Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM while notably hitting Exteme Killer Arceus and Arceus-Dark super effectively. Tera Blast Ground is also an option to plow through defensive Primal Groudon and Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM, but is far more committal in both the teambuilder and in-game. Tera Blast Ground is exclusive to hyper offense structures while Close Combat is a solid option on any playstyle.
* Zacian-C's tera type depends on its coverage option in its last moveslot. Tera Fighting Close Combat is Zacian-C’s strongest move and gives Zacian-C the slight damage boost it needs to OHKO Extreme Killer Arceus without a Swords Dance boost. After a Swords Dance boost Zacian-C is even able to OHKO defensive Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes with Tera Fighting Close Combat. Tera Blast Ground enables Zacian-C the means to safely take on Primal Groudon and a super effective move on Tera Poison Arceus formes. Tera Blast Ground Zacian-C has a higher ceiling than Tera Fighting as it is capable of ending games on the spot against some structures, but is less consistent overall.
* Zacian-C rarely has an early-game presence as it is often reliant on the initial boost from Intrepid Sword to properly wallbreak or clean. Consequently, Zacian-C must make its initial entry point count. Fortunately, most teams have one or two Pokémon that afford Zacian-C this opportunity. For example, against hyper offense structures Zacian-C finds entry points revenges Extreme Killer Arceus and Primal Kyogre while Calm Mind Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Fairy provide safe entry against balance and bulky offense structures. It can also be used aggressively with Tera to nab an additional boost against attacks that would otherwise OHKO it such as Primal Groudons Overheat or Zygarde's Thousand Arrows.
* Zacian-C's efficacy progressively decreases as teams get bulkier as even bulky offense structures usually have the means to check it defensively with Primal Groudon and a Ground-immune check such as Ho-Oh or Giratina-O. Accordingly, Zacian-C is often limited to a wallbreaking or cleaning role. Close Combat can potentially do both while Tera Blast Ground sets tend to lean more into a wallbreaking role although this comes at the cost of vulnerability to priority from Pokemon such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Chien Pao, and Yveltal. Zacian-C’s worst matchup is against stall despite Giratina and Eternatus being unable to damage it as Dondozo walls it and Zacian-C is reliant on a teammate to pressure it to Tera Fairy so it can make progress with Behemoth Blade.
* Zacian-C is a staple if not near-mandatory on every hyper offensive archetype due to the role compression that it provides offensively and defensively. Zacian-C is often the primary roadblock on Extreme Killer Arceus's path to victory while resisting Yveltal's STABs, but must be cautious of the niche Tera Fire Heat Wave. Due to limited defensive counterplay, Zacian-C draws in Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh to wear them down for teammates such as Meteor Beam Eternatus and wallbreaker Primal Kyogre to continue the onslaught or vice versa. Additionally, Zacian-C's high speed enables it to serve as an effective cleaner against virtually all archetypes.
* On Sticky Web structures Chi-Yu is an excellent teammate as it helps maintain Sticky Web with a speedy Taunt, breaks past Zacian-C's checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh with Black Hole Eclipse, and is a potent stallbreaker. In return, Zacian-C alleviates Chi-Yu's issues with offense, notably its susceptibility to Extreme Killer Arceus. Ultra Necrozma fills a similar role to Chi-Yu on Hazard Stack structures and synergizes nearly perfectly with Zacian-C as it appreciates Zacian-C breaking through Arceus-Dark and Yveltal that would otherwise check Ultra Necrozma with ease. Furthermore, Pokémon such as Ho-Oh, Arceus-Fairy, and Eternatus sometimes opt for Tera Dark to check Ultra Necrozma, but in doing so they become particularly vulnerable to Zacian-C. Additionally, Zacian-C revenges Ultra Necrozma’s most common offensive counterplay in Extreme Killer Arceus, Marshadow, and specially offensive Yveltal. In return Ultra Necrozma effortlessly plows through Pokémon after a boost – notably Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Coil Zygarde for Zacian-C. However, both Pokémon struggle with the stall matchup so some additional help is appreciated such as wallbreaker Primal Kyogre and Meteor Beam Eternatus.
* Zacian-C is still a solid Pokémon outside of hyper offense structures, but its flaws become more apparent both in the teambuilder and in battle. For example, despite a great defensive typing, Zacian-C often struggles to find safe switch-in opportunities outside of Calm Mind Arceus formes and specially offensive Yveltal due to its lack of recovery and wasting Intrepid Sword. Moreover, Zacian-C struggles heavily into Sticky Web structures despite a positive matchup on paper as it easily muscles past pokemon such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Chi-Yu, and specially offensive Yveltal lacking Heat Wave. This is because Zacian-C cannot help remove Sticky Web and is often useless until they are removed. This is a tough task and thudding into stall doesn't help matters either. Zacian-C is an excellent Pokemon, but compensating for these flaws often results in these structures using alternative options such as Choice Band Marshadow, wallbreaker Eternatus, and Pheromosa. However, if these gaps can be filler Zacian-C is an excellent addition to many structures for the reasons listed above and its ability to offensively check wallbreakers such as Tera Dragon Meteor Beam Eternatus and Chien-Pao.
* Offensive Ho-Oh is an excellent partner on bulky offense structures as its defensive profile enables Zacian-C to more precisely pick and choose its entry points. Ho-Oh's longevity and offensive pressure is appreciated against stall and bulkier structures that easily check Zacian-C. In return, Zacian-C checks offensive Pokemon capable of brute forcing past Ho-Oh such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Meteor Beam Eternatus, and wallbreaker Primal Kyogre. Furthermore, Primal Groudon is a common switch-in to Ho-Oh and taking any attack or Toxic makes it difficult to reliably check Zacian-C.
* Defensive Primal Kyogre is also an excellent teammate due its stellar matchup into stall while maintaining a solid matchup into bulkier structures that defensively check Zacian-C consistently. Additionally, Primal Kyogre is capable of trading with specially offensive Yveltal which makes it easier to remove Sticky Web with Ho-Oh or Giratina-O while handling Pokémon which annoy Zacian-C such as Coil Zygarde, defensive Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, or a boosted Mega Salamence.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bumboclaat.523420/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sami.604820/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bobsican.434487/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.104/
Last edited:
