[OVERVIEW]
Zangoose's high Attack, above-average Speed, and great coverage make it a dangerous and versatile offensive threat in PU. With a Choice Scarf, Zangoose is an excellent form of speed control, capable of revenge killing many top Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Golduck. With Swords Dance, Zangoose becomes an even more potent wallbreaker, capable of 2HKOing the entire metagame at +2. However, besides its occasionally useful Ghost-type and Toxic immunity, Zangoose's low bulk and lack of resistances make its defensive profile very poor, giving it a hard time against bulkier threats and priority users. This fact also makes opportunities for setting up Swords Dance fairly difficult, giving it significant competition with Purugly in the role of a physically offensive Normal-type.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Claw
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
A Choice Scarf allows Zangoose to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Close Combat targets Rock- and Steel-types such as Relicanth and Metang. Shadow Claw hits Ghost-types, notably Misdreavus, for super effective damage. Pursuit combined with Zangoose's Speed lets it to trap many of the tier's Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Kadabra and the aforementioned Misdreavus. Choice Scarf Zangoose best fits on offensive teams looking for a form of speed control. Zangoose is easily checked by Rock- and Steel-types such as Relicanth and Metang, so checks to them like Tangela and Golduck make good partners should change this to "Normal type resists" or cut entirely, it's kinda awkward after talking about CC targets the same examples.
Some physically bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Quagsire also check Zangoose, so it appreciates the support of wallbreakers such as Magmar and Murkrow. Purugly notably gives Zangoose trouble with its Fake Out, so bulky Pokemon that check it, such as Metang and Tangela, are appreciated. Zangoose likes the Spikes support from partners such as Glalie, as it weakness erm Zangoose's checks like?, making it more punishing to switch into.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Shadow Claw / Quick Attack
move 4: Close Combat
item: Life Orb
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Zangoose can attempt to sweep with Swords Dance, as its Life Orb-boosted Return OHKOes almost the entire tier at +2. Shadow Claw allows Zangoose to hit Ghost-types, notably Misdreavus. Alternatively, Quick Attack could be used to pick off faster Pokemon, such as Electrabuzz, Choice Scarf users, such as Golduck, and priority users, such as Murkrow. Close Combat provides coverage against Rock- and Steel-types such as Relicanth and Metang. Swords Dance Zangoose best fits on teams looking for a potent wallbreaker. If Zangoose is not running Shadow Claw, checks to Misdreavus, such as Sneasel, are essential partners. Checks to Purugly are invaluable, as its Fake Out can stop Zangoose's sweep even if its running Quick Attack. Zangoose appreciates the Spikes support from teammates such as Glalie, as even at +2 some bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Metang narrowly avoid the OHKO from Zangoose's attacks.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/avarice.346653/
Grammar checked by:
Zangoose's high Attack, above-average Speed, and great coverage make it a dangerous and versatile offensive threat in PU. With a Choice Scarf, Zangoose is an excellent form of speed control, capable of revenge killing many top Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Golduck. With Swords Dance, Zangoose becomes an even more potent wallbreaker, capable of 2HKOing the entire metagame at +2. However, besides its occasionally useful Ghost-type and Toxic immunity, Zangoose's low bulk and lack of resistances make its defensive profile very poor, giving it a hard time against bulkier threats and priority users. This fact also makes opportunities for setting up Swords Dance fairly difficult, giving it significant competition with Purugly in the role of a physically offensive Normal-type.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Shadow Claw
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
A Choice Scarf allows Zangoose to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Close Combat targets Rock- and Steel-types such as Relicanth and Metang. Shadow Claw hits Ghost-types, notably Misdreavus, for super effective damage. Pursuit combined with Zangoose's Speed lets it to trap many of the tier's Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Kadabra and the aforementioned Misdreavus. Choice Scarf Zangoose best fits on offensive teams looking for a form of speed control. Zangoose is easily checked by Rock- and Steel-types such as Relicanth and Metang, so checks to them like Tangela and Golduck make good partners should change this to "Normal type resists" or cut entirely, it's kinda awkward after talking about CC targets the same examples.
Some physically bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Quagsire also check Zangoose, so it appreciates the support of wallbreakers such as Magmar and Murkrow. Purugly notably gives Zangoose trouble with its Fake Out, so bulky Pokemon that check it, such as Metang and Tangela, are appreciated. Zangoose likes the Spikes support from partners such as Glalie, as it weakness erm Zangoose's checks like?, making it more punishing to switch into.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Shadow Claw / Quick Attack
move 4: Close Combat
item: Life Orb
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Zangoose can attempt to sweep with Swords Dance, as its Life Orb-boosted Return OHKOes almost the entire tier at +2. Shadow Claw allows Zangoose to hit Ghost-types, notably Misdreavus. Alternatively, Quick Attack could be used to pick off faster Pokemon, such as Electrabuzz, Choice Scarf users, such as Golduck, and priority users, such as Murkrow. Close Combat provides coverage against Rock- and Steel-types such as Relicanth and Metang. Swords Dance Zangoose best fits on teams looking for a potent wallbreaker. If Zangoose is not running Shadow Claw, checks to Misdreavus, such as Sneasel, are essential partners. Checks to Purugly are invaluable, as its Fake Out can stop Zangoose's sweep even if its running Quick Attack. Zangoose appreciates the Spikes support from teammates such as Glalie, as even at +2 some bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Metang narrowly avoid the OHKO from Zangoose's attacks.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/avarice.346653/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
