[SET]
name: Defensive Trapper
move 1: Anchor Shot
move 2: Low Kick / Body Press
move 3: Spectral Thief / Knock Off / Taunt
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Fur Coat
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zamazenta-C's excellent bulk, good Speed, and unique Steel / Fighting typing help make it a formidable physical wall with Fur Coat. Fur Coat allows Zamazenta-C to check physical attackers like Zacian-C, Regigigas, Kartana, and Kyurem-B that commonly use powerful coverage moves like V-create, Fishious Rend, and Precipice Blades. Anchor Shot is a strong utility STAB move that lets Zamazenta-C trap foes and become self Imposter-proof by trapping and PP stalling Imposter users. Low Kick gives Zamazenta-C strong secondary STAB to damage heavy foes like Zacian-C, Regigigas, and Dialga, as well as opposing Zamazenta-C. Body Press is another secondary STAB option that pairs well with Zamazenta-C's high Defense and allows it to hit lighter foes like Kartana, Umbreon, and Chansey more reliably. Spectral Thief steals stat boosts from opponents and keeps Zamazenta-C from being overwhelmed by threats like Zacian-C and keeps setup sweepers honest. Knock Off can be used instead as it offers nice utility and team support, along with preventing Shed Shell Imposter users from staying in on Zamazenta-C. Taunt is another option that pairs nicely with Anchor Shot and Zamazenta-C's good Speed, as it prevents slower and more passive walls like Tapu Fini and Magearna from using recovery moves. Leftovers provide Zamazenta-C with useful passive recovery, but Rocky Helmet can be used to punish the physical attackers Zamazenta-C is aiming to check. An Impish nature is needed to let Zamazenta-C check V-create Zacian-C and do more damage with Body Press.
Zamazenta-C's Fur Coat boosted defenses allow it to serve as an Imposter-proof to physical attacking teammates like Zacian-C lacking V-create, Regigigas, and Kyurem-B. These teammates appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to take on Imposter users transformed into them as Zamazenta-C can remove their items and trap them with Anchor Shot. Fast, frail attackers like Pheromosa appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to check Extreme Speed users like Kyurem-B and Xerneas. Zamazenta-C is pressured by special attackers like Reshiram, Water Spout Palkia, and Pixilate Xerneas with Metronome, so specially defensive teammates like Tapu Fini, Ho-Oh, and Kyogre can help check these threats. Zamazenta-C cannot do much to walls like Zygarde-C and Giratina, so teammates like Xerneas and Palkia are great to pressure these walls. Setup sweepers with Mold Breaker, such as Kyurem-B with V-create, are able to defeat Zamazenta-C if they have a chance to set up. Therefore, support teammates like Prankster Tapu Fini with Haze or Topsy-Turvy and Imposter users like Eviolite Chansey are useful to keep setup sweepers from getting out of hand. While Zamazenta-C is able to check most offensive variants of Zacian-C, it is unable to check Zacian-C using Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform. Therefore, Giratina with Prankster or Poison Heal is a good teammate as it avoids being trapped by Zacian-C.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive Trapper
move 1: Anchor Shot
move 2: Entrainment / Knock Off / Corrosive Gas
move 3: Spectral Thief / Taunt
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Ice Scales
nature: Careful / Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zamazenta-C's excellent bulk combined with good Speed, Ice Scales, and useful typing make for a solid special wall in the metagame. Ice Scales allows Zamazenta-C to take on special attacking threats like Xerneas, Dragon's Maw Eternatus, and Kyurem-W without much trouble. Anchor Shot traps said threats along with other foes, like Imposter users, which allows Zamazenta-C to be self Imposter-proof by trapping and PP stalling Imposters that have transformed into it. Entrainment pairs well with Anchor Shot as Zamazenta-C can trap foes and remove their abilities; this allows Zamazenta-C to take on Poison Heal foes like Tapu Fini and Xerneas, and can soft check Regigigas not using Spore. Knock Off is a great team support option that removes items and prevents Shed Shell Imposter users from staying in on Zamazenta-C. Corrosive Gas offers similar utility and twice the PP as Knock Off, but decreases Zamazenta-C's damage output and can be checked by Magic Bounce users. Spectral Thief steals stat boost from setup sweepers and ensures that threats like Poison Heal Xerneas can't overpower Zamazenta-C with boosted attacks. Taunt is another means of preventing set up attempts and also denies recovery to slower foes, but like Corrosive Gas, Taunt can make Zamazenta-C more passive. Leftovers provides Zamazenta-C with passive recovery and Careful nature maximizes its special bulk in tandem with Ice Scales, but Impish can be used as well to take hits from physical attackers like Regigigas and Kyurem-B if needed.
Physical walls like Fur Coat Giratina and Kyogre appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to check special attacking threats like Xerneas, Eternatus, and Kyurem-W, each of which threaten to OHKO them with high-powered STAB moves. In return, Giratina and Kyogre can check physical threats that force out Zamazenta-C like Groudon and Zacian-C. Giratina and other Ghost-types like Doublade can also check Zacian-C variants with Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform that Zamazenta-C struggles with. Offensive teammates like Reshiram and Palkia benefit from Zamazenta-C's ability to check faster special threats like Eternatus and Pixilate Xerneas with Extreme Speed and in return can threaten bulky Dragon-types that Zamazenta-C can't, like Zygarde-C and Giratina. Zamazenta-C can also serve to Imposter-proof offensive teammates like Xerneas and Eternatus, as it can trap and eliminate Imposter users or at least remove their items. Zamazenta-C is unable to check Reshiram, which can beat it with mixed V-create sets and punish Zamazenta-C with Lava Plume burns, so Tapu Fini makes a great teammate to handle Reshiram as well as threats like mixed attackign Swift Swim Palkia in rain. Zamazenta-C is vulnerable to Spikes damage, which can limit its ability to check opposing threats, so entry hazard control like Court Change from Giratina and Tapu Fini or Rapid Spin from Xerneas is much appreciated.
[SET]
name: Prankster Trapper
move 1: Anchor Shot
move 2: Haze
move 3: Corrosive Gas / Court Change / Strength Sap
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Impish / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its great mixed bulk, Zamazenta-C is able to check various setup sweepers with Prankster Haze. Zamazenta-C provides great team support by removing stat boots from setup sweepers like Regigigas, Xerneas, and Belly Drum Unburden users like Kartana and Necrozma-DM. Using moves like Anchor Shot, Haze, and Corrosive Gas gives Zamazenta-C a high PP count, which is useful for trapping and PP stalling opponents. Anchor Shot keeps Zamazenta-C from being passive and hits foes like Xerneas and Kyurem-B super effectively; it also notably traps Imposter users, making Zamazenta-C self Imposter-proof. Haze removes foes' stat boosts before they attack so that Zamazenta-C is not overwhelmed by boosted attacks. Corrosive Gas, boosted by Prankster, is useful for removing items from foes before they can attack. This notably targets Choice Specs attackers like Eternatus, Metronome Xerneas, and Normalize Ghost-types with Multi-Attack. Court Change is another team support option to swap entry hazards to the opponent's side of the field, but this is best used with Rapid Spin support from a teammate. Strength Sap can be used to give Zamazenta a secondary recovery option that lets it pivot into strong attackers like Zacian-C and Kartana and use their high Attack to gain full recovery. However, Strength Sap is blocked by Magic Bounce users, Dark-types, and sweepers with anti-priority abilities like Dazzling. Recover is the most reliable method of keeping Zamazenta-C healthy and allows it to check setup threats throughout the battle. An Impish nature is preferred to take on physical setup threats like Regigigas and Kartana, but a Careful nature can be used to help Zamazenta-C check special threats like Pixilate Xerneas and Choice Specs Eternatus.
In general, Zamazenta-C's teammates benefit from its ability to check setup sweepers that could otherwise set up and tear through the team. Offensive teammates like Kyurem-B without V-create and Poison Heal Regigigas with Glacial Lance appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to Imposter-proof it, as Zamazenta-C can trap and eliminate Imposters that have transformed into its teammates. These physically oriented teammates and others like Zacian-C benefit from Zamazenta-C's Corrosive Gas removing Rocky Helmet from foes to help avoid chip damage. Zamazenta-C is threatened by setup sweepers like Kyurem-B with V-create and niche sets like Triage Belly Drum Kartana with Drain Punch, but Imposter users like Eviolite Chansey and Choice Scarf Blissey can help deal with these threats thanks to their massive bulk. Imposter users can also support Zamazenta-C by scouting opponent's movesets for coverage moves that could threaten it. Zamazenta-C also benefits from teammates like Giratina and Doublade with Fur Coat to check threats like Zacian-C that can KO Zamazenta-C with V-create or trap it with Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform. Zamazenta-C is threatened by Fire-types like Reshiram, Ho-Oh, and Darmanitan-Z, so Water-type teammates like Tapu Fini and Kyogre can help check them and gain momentum with pivot moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Zamazenta-C can hold its signature item, Rusted Shield, which gives it immunity to Trick and item removal. This can be useful in certain matchups as Trick doesn't have many checks, but is also quite uncommon so Zamazenta-C is usually better off with more useful items like Leftovers and Rocky Helmet. Shed Shell is another item option that prevents Zamazenta-C from being trapped by foes like Thousand Waves Zygarde-C and Imprison + Transform Zacian-C. While this can be useful, it also takes away from Zamazenta-C's ability to serve as a Knock Off absorber. Fur Coat Zamazenta-C can use Entrainment over its Fighting STAB move or in the third slot to remove foes' abilities like Pixilate Xerneas and Poison Heal users like Regigigas and Tapu Fini. However, this makes Zamazenta-C more passive and unable to threaten opposing Steel-types. Fur Coat Zamazenta-C can use Cotton Guard instead of Spectral Thief alongside Body Press to boost its Defense and make it a threatening attacker. However, this makes Zamazenta-C vulnerable to Spectral Thief and Haze, and is checked by Ghost-types. Thunderous Kick is another Fighting STAB option for Fur Coat Zamazenta-C to drop foes' defense stat, but using this means Zamazenta-C is unable to take on Imposter users transformed into it. Encore is another option for Prankster Zamazenta-C that is used to lock foes into their setup moves and can allow it to heal or switch to a teammate. However, Encore has limited PP and can be played around by the opponent once revealed. Prankster Zamazenta-C can also run Glare to punish faster threats like Zacian-C to provide Speed control, but risks being checked by Magic Bounce and Dark-type Pokemon. Based on the team structure, Zamazenta-C can use Aromatherapy to support its team against status conditions, but this means missing out on utility from moves like Knock Off or Spectral Thief. Zamazenta-C can run similar movesets as shown above along with abilities like Flash Fire, Primordial Sea, Magic Bounce, and Unaware in order to check threats like Reshiram and attackers with V-create for Fire immune sets and various setup sweepers with Unaware. However, Fire immune sets are vulnerable to Core Enforcer from Reshiram that removes Zamazenta-C's ability and opposing weather like Desolate Land in Primordial Sea's case. Unaware is also generally less useful than Fur Coat, as Zamazenta-C is not able to take V-create from threats like Zacian-C and Kyurem-B as well without the Defense boost. Zamazenta-C can also serve as a RegenVest pivot with move options like U-turn, Knock Off, Nuzzle, and STAB moves, but is generally out-performed by Ice Scales and gives Imposter users free healing. Zamazenta-C's Fur Coat and Ice Scales sets can also use a moveset of Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform to trap and transform into foes, forcing them to Struggle and KO themselves. This strategy is checked by foes with pivot moves, Ghost-types, and strong attackers that can KO Zamazenta-C before it uses Transform.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zacian-C**: Zacian-C OHKOes Zamazenta-C with V-create if not running Fur Coat or Flash Fire. Zamazenta-C is also vulnerable to Zacian-C's Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform set as it is outsped, trapped, and forced to Struggle.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types, most notably Giratina but also Doublade and Aegislash, wall Zamazenta-C and only risk losing their held item. They are also immune to trapping and take insignificant damage from Anchor Shot.
**Zamazenta-C**: Opposing Zamazenta-C can threaten Zamazenta-C with their Fighting STAB moves if not running Fur Coat. Thunderous Kick from opposing Zamazenta-C can 3HKO Fur Coat Zamazenta-C if not using Leftovers. However, opposing Zamazenta-C are also threatened by Zamazenta-C's Fighting STAB moves.
**Pixilate Xerneas**: Pixilate Xerneas with Boomburst, Rapid Spin, and Strength Sap is able to beat non-Ice Scales Zamazenta-C one-on-one when holding a Metronome. Removing its Metronome with Knock Off or Corrosive Gas can help this matchup, but Xerneas still has a slight chance to 2HKO defensive Zamazenta-C. However, Pixilate Xerneas is unable to break through Ice Scales Zamazenta-C without its Metronome.
**Palkia**: With rain support, Swift Swim Palkia's mixed attacking sets with Fishious Rend and Water Spout are able to 2HKO both Fur Coat and Ice Scales variants of Zamazenta-C. Prankster Zamazenta-C with Corrosive Gas can stall Palkia in rain momentarily, but is unable to switch into its attacks.
**Fire-types and V-create**: While Zamazenta-C has means to deal with Fire-types and powerful Fire-type moves like V-create, it is still highly threatened by them. Fire-types like Reshiram generally force out Zamazenta-C as it can threaten it with mixed attacking or remove its ability with Core Enforcer. Ho-Oh resists Zamazenta-C's STAB moves and can punish non-Fire immune sets with its Fire STAB moves, while only risking its held item in return. When not running Fur Coat, Zamazenta-C must be wary of being lured into attackers like Xerneas and Regigigas that could use V-create as coverage.
**Groudon and Landorus-T**: Each of these threats with can 2HKO Fur Coat Zamazenta-C with Choice Band Adaptability Precipice Blades and an Adamant nature. Groudon has a slight chance to 2HKO Fur Coat Zamazenta-C without a Choice Band.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[a loser, 410702]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
name: Defensive Trapper
move 1: Anchor Shot
move 2: Low Kick / Body Press
move 3: Spectral Thief / Knock Off / Taunt
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Fur Coat
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zamazenta-C's excellent bulk, good Speed, and unique Steel / Fighting typing help make it a formidable physical wall with Fur Coat. Fur Coat allows Zamazenta-C to check physical attackers like Zacian-C, Regigigas, Kartana, and Kyurem-B that commonly use powerful coverage moves like V-create, Fishious Rend, and Precipice Blades. Anchor Shot is a strong utility STAB move that lets Zamazenta-C trap foes and become self Imposter-proof by trapping and PP stalling Imposter users. Low Kick gives Zamazenta-C strong secondary STAB to damage heavy foes like Zacian-C, Regigigas, and Dialga, as well as opposing Zamazenta-C. Body Press is another secondary STAB option that pairs well with Zamazenta-C's high Defense and allows it to hit lighter foes like Kartana, Umbreon, and Chansey more reliably. Spectral Thief steals stat boosts from opponents and keeps Zamazenta-C from being overwhelmed by threats like Zacian-C and keeps setup sweepers honest. Knock Off can be used instead as it offers nice utility and team support, along with preventing Shed Shell Imposter users from staying in on Zamazenta-C. Taunt is another option that pairs nicely with Anchor Shot and Zamazenta-C's good Speed, as it prevents slower and more passive walls like Tapu Fini and Magearna from using recovery moves. Leftovers provide Zamazenta-C with useful passive recovery, but Rocky Helmet can be used to punish the physical attackers Zamazenta-C is aiming to check. An Impish nature is needed to let Zamazenta-C check V-create Zacian-C and do more damage with Body Press.
Zamazenta-C's Fur Coat boosted defenses allow it to serve as an Imposter-proof to physical attacking teammates like Zacian-C lacking V-create, Regigigas, and Kyurem-B. These teammates appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to take on Imposter users transformed into them as Zamazenta-C can remove their items and trap them with Anchor Shot. Fast, frail attackers like Pheromosa appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to check Extreme Speed users like Kyurem-B and Xerneas. Zamazenta-C is pressured by special attackers like Reshiram, Water Spout Palkia, and Pixilate Xerneas with Metronome, so specially defensive teammates like Tapu Fini, Ho-Oh, and Kyogre can help check these threats. Zamazenta-C cannot do much to walls like Zygarde-C and Giratina, so teammates like Xerneas and Palkia are great to pressure these walls. Setup sweepers with Mold Breaker, such as Kyurem-B with V-create, are able to defeat Zamazenta-C if they have a chance to set up. Therefore, support teammates like Prankster Tapu Fini with Haze or Topsy-Turvy and Imposter users like Eviolite Chansey are useful to keep setup sweepers from getting out of hand. While Zamazenta-C is able to check most offensive variants of Zacian-C, it is unable to check Zacian-C using Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform. Therefore, Giratina with Prankster or Poison Heal is a good teammate as it avoids being trapped by Zacian-C.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive Trapper
move 1: Anchor Shot
move 2: Entrainment / Knock Off / Corrosive Gas
move 3: Spectral Thief / Taunt
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Ice Scales
nature: Careful / Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zamazenta-C's excellent bulk combined with good Speed, Ice Scales, and useful typing make for a solid special wall in the metagame. Ice Scales allows Zamazenta-C to take on special attacking threats like Xerneas, Dragon's Maw Eternatus, and Kyurem-W without much trouble. Anchor Shot traps said threats along with other foes, like Imposter users, which allows Zamazenta-C to be self Imposter-proof by trapping and PP stalling Imposters that have transformed into it. Entrainment pairs well with Anchor Shot as Zamazenta-C can trap foes and remove their abilities; this allows Zamazenta-C to take on Poison Heal foes like Tapu Fini and Xerneas, and can soft check Regigigas not using Spore. Knock Off is a great team support option that removes items and prevents Shed Shell Imposter users from staying in on Zamazenta-C. Corrosive Gas offers similar utility and twice the PP as Knock Off, but decreases Zamazenta-C's damage output and can be checked by Magic Bounce users. Spectral Thief steals stat boost from setup sweepers and ensures that threats like Poison Heal Xerneas can't overpower Zamazenta-C with boosted attacks. Taunt is another means of preventing set up attempts and also denies recovery to slower foes, but like Corrosive Gas, Taunt can make Zamazenta-C more passive. Leftovers provides Zamazenta-C with passive recovery and Careful nature maximizes its special bulk in tandem with Ice Scales, but Impish can be used as well to take hits from physical attackers like Regigigas and Kyurem-B if needed.
Physical walls like Fur Coat Giratina and Kyogre appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to check special attacking threats like Xerneas, Eternatus, and Kyurem-W, each of which threaten to OHKO them with high-powered STAB moves. In return, Giratina and Kyogre can check physical threats that force out Zamazenta-C like Groudon and Zacian-C. Giratina and other Ghost-types like Doublade can also check Zacian-C variants with Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform that Zamazenta-C struggles with. Offensive teammates like Reshiram and Palkia benefit from Zamazenta-C's ability to check faster special threats like Eternatus and Pixilate Xerneas with Extreme Speed and in return can threaten bulky Dragon-types that Zamazenta-C can't, like Zygarde-C and Giratina. Zamazenta-C can also serve to Imposter-proof offensive teammates like Xerneas and Eternatus, as it can trap and eliminate Imposter users or at least remove their items. Zamazenta-C is unable to check Reshiram, which can beat it with mixed V-create sets and punish Zamazenta-C with Lava Plume burns, so Tapu Fini makes a great teammate to handle Reshiram as well as threats like mixed attackign Swift Swim Palkia in rain. Zamazenta-C is vulnerable to Spikes damage, which can limit its ability to check opposing threats, so entry hazard control like Court Change from Giratina and Tapu Fini or Rapid Spin from Xerneas is much appreciated.
[SET]
name: Prankster Trapper
move 1: Anchor Shot
move 2: Haze
move 3: Corrosive Gas / Court Change / Strength Sap
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Impish / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its great mixed bulk, Zamazenta-C is able to check various setup sweepers with Prankster Haze. Zamazenta-C provides great team support by removing stat boots from setup sweepers like Regigigas, Xerneas, and Belly Drum Unburden users like Kartana and Necrozma-DM. Using moves like Anchor Shot, Haze, and Corrosive Gas gives Zamazenta-C a high PP count, which is useful for trapping and PP stalling opponents. Anchor Shot keeps Zamazenta-C from being passive and hits foes like Xerneas and Kyurem-B super effectively; it also notably traps Imposter users, making Zamazenta-C self Imposter-proof. Haze removes foes' stat boosts before they attack so that Zamazenta-C is not overwhelmed by boosted attacks. Corrosive Gas, boosted by Prankster, is useful for removing items from foes before they can attack. This notably targets Choice Specs attackers like Eternatus, Metronome Xerneas, and Normalize Ghost-types with Multi-Attack. Court Change is another team support option to swap entry hazards to the opponent's side of the field, but this is best used with Rapid Spin support from a teammate. Strength Sap can be used to give Zamazenta a secondary recovery option that lets it pivot into strong attackers like Zacian-C and Kartana and use their high Attack to gain full recovery. However, Strength Sap is blocked by Magic Bounce users, Dark-types, and sweepers with anti-priority abilities like Dazzling. Recover is the most reliable method of keeping Zamazenta-C healthy and allows it to check setup threats throughout the battle. An Impish nature is preferred to take on physical setup threats like Regigigas and Kartana, but a Careful nature can be used to help Zamazenta-C check special threats like Pixilate Xerneas and Choice Specs Eternatus.
In general, Zamazenta-C's teammates benefit from its ability to check setup sweepers that could otherwise set up and tear through the team. Offensive teammates like Kyurem-B without V-create and Poison Heal Regigigas with Glacial Lance appreciate Zamazenta-C's ability to Imposter-proof it, as Zamazenta-C can trap and eliminate Imposters that have transformed into its teammates. These physically oriented teammates and others like Zacian-C benefit from Zamazenta-C's Corrosive Gas removing Rocky Helmet from foes to help avoid chip damage. Zamazenta-C is threatened by setup sweepers like Kyurem-B with V-create and niche sets like Triage Belly Drum Kartana with Drain Punch, but Imposter users like Eviolite Chansey and Choice Scarf Blissey can help deal with these threats thanks to their massive bulk. Imposter users can also support Zamazenta-C by scouting opponent's movesets for coverage moves that could threaten it. Zamazenta-C also benefits from teammates like Giratina and Doublade with Fur Coat to check threats like Zacian-C that can KO Zamazenta-C with V-create or trap it with Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform. Zamazenta-C is threatened by Fire-types like Reshiram, Ho-Oh, and Darmanitan-Z, so Water-type teammates like Tapu Fini and Kyogre can help check them and gain momentum with pivot moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Zamazenta-C can hold its signature item, Rusted Shield, which gives it immunity to Trick and item removal. This can be useful in certain matchups as Trick doesn't have many checks, but is also quite uncommon so Zamazenta-C is usually better off with more useful items like Leftovers and Rocky Helmet. Shed Shell is another item option that prevents Zamazenta-C from being trapped by foes like Thousand Waves Zygarde-C and Imprison + Transform Zacian-C. While this can be useful, it also takes away from Zamazenta-C's ability to serve as a Knock Off absorber. Fur Coat Zamazenta-C can use Entrainment over its Fighting STAB move or in the third slot to remove foes' abilities like Pixilate Xerneas and Poison Heal users like Regigigas and Tapu Fini. However, this makes Zamazenta-C more passive and unable to threaten opposing Steel-types. Fur Coat Zamazenta-C can use Cotton Guard instead of Spectral Thief alongside Body Press to boost its Defense and make it a threatening attacker. However, this makes Zamazenta-C vulnerable to Spectral Thief and Haze, and is checked by Ghost-types. Thunderous Kick is another Fighting STAB option for Fur Coat Zamazenta-C to drop foes' defense stat, but using this means Zamazenta-C is unable to take on Imposter users transformed into it. Encore is another option for Prankster Zamazenta-C that is used to lock foes into their setup moves and can allow it to heal or switch to a teammate. However, Encore has limited PP and can be played around by the opponent once revealed. Prankster Zamazenta-C can also run Glare to punish faster threats like Zacian-C to provide Speed control, but risks being checked by Magic Bounce and Dark-type Pokemon. Based on the team structure, Zamazenta-C can use Aromatherapy to support its team against status conditions, but this means missing out on utility from moves like Knock Off or Spectral Thief. Zamazenta-C can run similar movesets as shown above along with abilities like Flash Fire, Primordial Sea, Magic Bounce, and Unaware in order to check threats like Reshiram and attackers with V-create for Fire immune sets and various setup sweepers with Unaware. However, Fire immune sets are vulnerable to Core Enforcer from Reshiram that removes Zamazenta-C's ability and opposing weather like Desolate Land in Primordial Sea's case. Unaware is also generally less useful than Fur Coat, as Zamazenta-C is not able to take V-create from threats like Zacian-C and Kyurem-B as well without the Defense boost. Zamazenta-C can also serve as a RegenVest pivot with move options like U-turn, Knock Off, Nuzzle, and STAB moves, but is generally out-performed by Ice Scales and gives Imposter users free healing. Zamazenta-C's Fur Coat and Ice Scales sets can also use a moveset of Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform to trap and transform into foes, forcing them to Struggle and KO themselves. This strategy is checked by foes with pivot moves, Ghost-types, and strong attackers that can KO Zamazenta-C before it uses Transform.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zacian-C**: Zacian-C OHKOes Zamazenta-C with V-create if not running Fur Coat or Flash Fire. Zamazenta-C is also vulnerable to Zacian-C's Anchor Shot, Imprison, and Transform set as it is outsped, trapped, and forced to Struggle.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types, most notably Giratina but also Doublade and Aegislash, wall Zamazenta-C and only risk losing their held item. They are also immune to trapping and take insignificant damage from Anchor Shot.
**Zamazenta-C**: Opposing Zamazenta-C can threaten Zamazenta-C with their Fighting STAB moves if not running Fur Coat. Thunderous Kick from opposing Zamazenta-C can 3HKO Fur Coat Zamazenta-C if not using Leftovers. However, opposing Zamazenta-C are also threatened by Zamazenta-C's Fighting STAB moves.
**Pixilate Xerneas**: Pixilate Xerneas with Boomburst, Rapid Spin, and Strength Sap is able to beat non-Ice Scales Zamazenta-C one-on-one when holding a Metronome. Removing its Metronome with Knock Off or Corrosive Gas can help this matchup, but Xerneas still has a slight chance to 2HKO defensive Zamazenta-C. However, Pixilate Xerneas is unable to break through Ice Scales Zamazenta-C without its Metronome.
**Palkia**: With rain support, Swift Swim Palkia's mixed attacking sets with Fishious Rend and Water Spout are able to 2HKO both Fur Coat and Ice Scales variants of Zamazenta-C. Prankster Zamazenta-C with Corrosive Gas can stall Palkia in rain momentarily, but is unable to switch into its attacks.
**Fire-types and V-create**: While Zamazenta-C has means to deal with Fire-types and powerful Fire-type moves like V-create, it is still highly threatened by them. Fire-types like Reshiram generally force out Zamazenta-C as it can threaten it with mixed attacking or remove its ability with Core Enforcer. Ho-Oh resists Zamazenta-C's STAB moves and can punish non-Fire immune sets with its Fire STAB moves, while only risking its held item in return. When not running Fur Coat, Zamazenta-C must be wary of being lured into attackers like Xerneas and Regigigas that could use V-create as coverage.
**Groudon and Landorus-T**: Each of these threats with can 2HKO Fur Coat Zamazenta-C with Choice Band Adaptability Precipice Blades and an Adamant nature. Groudon has a slight chance to 2HKO Fur Coat Zamazenta-C without a Choice Band.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[a loser, 410702]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
Last edited:
