Zapdos [4N] - Rain Dance

EspyJoel

EspyJoel

Espy <3
is a Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
This will be my last Rain Dance analysis for the moment. Zapdos is a great Pokemon for Rain Dance teams, and so onto the analysis. For the moment there is a block of text with some calculations so I am wondering whether I should change that into a little section with calculations, some thoughts on this would be nice.

STATUS: Finished!

Credits to Fuzznip for a lot of proofreading of all these Rain Dance analyses.

145.png


http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/zapdos

[SET]
name: Rain Dance Support
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Thunder
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Roost / Protect
item: Damp Rock
nature: Modest
evs: 224 HP / 108 SpA / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Zapdos is a great Pokemon for Rain Dance teams because its insanely powerful STAB Thunder can tear through the bulky Water-types that cause most Swift Swim sweepers problems, specifically Vaporeon. Its immunity to Ground-type moves as well as its resistance to Grass-, Flying-, Bug-, and Fighting-type moves make it able to find an easy switch in when one of your Swift Swim sweepers are threatened. While Rotom-W may have both Thunder and Hydro Pump to take advantage of the rain, as well as better typing, Zapdos has higher Special Attack, instant recovery, and access to U-turn to separate it from Rotom-W.</p>

<p>U-turn is a great move for this set as it can scout for Pokemon like Celebi which may try to switch in on Thunder only to be brought into the range of one of your Swift Swim sweepers. If Zapdos is slower than the opponent's Pokemon, it means that it can get in your Swift Swim sweepers into play without taking the opposing Pokemon's attack. Roost gives Zapdos instant recovery and gives it much more survivability. However, if you are using Zapdos as your lead, Protect is a great alternative to scout for Explosion leads like Metagross and Azelf, as well as scouting Choiced users like Choice Scarf Jirachi. Other options for these two slots include Hidden Power and Roar. Hidden Power Ice provides the common BoltBeam combo with great coverage, while OHKOing Gliscor who may try to switch in on Thunder. However, Hidden Power Grass will OHKO Swampert, another Pokemon that may think its safe to switch in against Zapdos as Hidden Power Grass is uncommonly used by it. Roar is a lesser option, but can be used to phaze troublesome Pokemon like Baton Pass Ninjask.</p>

<p>Damp Rock is the preferred item to give your Swift Swim sweepers three added turns of rain that can be crucial for victory. However, Leftovers can pair well with Protect for free recovery, although Roost offers more than enough recovery anyway. Life Orb could be used to make Zapdos more of a sweeper under the rain, taking advantage of 100% accurate Thunder attacks. Generally, the extra turns of rain are more beneficial. A Modest nature is used to make Thunder as powerful as possible.</p>

<p>The EV spread is aimed at boosting the power of Thunder, outspeeding Adamant Lucario, LO Heatran and Smeargle, while also letting Zapdos take hits well. With 224 HP EVs you only have a 7% chance to be OHKOed by a +2 ExtremeSpeed + Stealth Rock damage from Adamant Lucario, this means you can beat one of Rain Dance teams most dangerous threats. As for the offensive side, 108 SpA EVs mean that Zapdos can OHKO the standard 188 HP / 0 SpD Bold Vaporeon 100% of the time, a 66.67% chance to OHKO the standard 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Suicune, and even the bulkiest 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Togekiss has a 28.21% chance to be OHKOed. 252 HP / 136SpD Calm Tentacruel takes a maximum of 84.62% from Thunder. All of these calculations assume that Zapdos is using Thunder and Stealth Rock is in play. These calculations mean that Zapdos can deal with many of the big threats to Rain Dance teams. An alternative spread of 156 HP / 176 SpA / 176 Spe can be used to deal more damage to the aforementioned threats, having a better shot at OHKOing them.</p>

<p>Without Hidden Power, Ground-types can laugh at this set because Thunder doesn't affect them. Luckily, Rain Dance sweepers like Kingdra and Ludicolo will have no trouble dealing with them. Salamence can come in after a kill to Draco Meteor Zapdos, therefore Steel-types such as Bronzong can easily switch in on Draco Meteor. Also, the rain allows Bronzong to nullify its Fire-type weakness, allowing it to better handle Fire Blasts coming from Salamence. Blissey walls this set easily, but physical Swift Swim sweepers like Kabutops and Qwilfish won't have much trouble with her. The great thing about Zapdos is most of the Pokemon that cause it trouble are already covered by the Swift Swim sweepers on Rain Dance teams, while Zapdos can deal with the Pokemon that cause Rain Dance sweepers trouble, making Zapdos a great support Pokemon on any Rain Dance team.</p>
 
[SET]
name: Rain Dance Support
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Thunder
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Roost / Protect
item: Damp Rock
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 108 SpA / 120 Def / 32 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Zapdos is a great Pokemon for Rain Dance teams because its insanely powerful STAB Thunder can tear through the bulky Water-types that cause most Swift Swim sweepers problems. Its immunity to Ground-type moves as well as its resistance to Grass-, Flying-, Bug-, and Fighting-type moves make it able to find an easy switch in when one of your Swift Swim sweepers are threatened.</p>

<p>U-turn is a great move for this set as it can scout for Pokemon like Celebi which may try to switch in on Thunder only (removed for them) to be brought into the range of one of your Swift Swim sweepers. Roost gives Zapdos (removed the) instant recovery that can make it last longer. However, if you are using Zapdos as your lead, Protect is a great alternative to scout for Explosions as well as scouting choice users like Choice Scarf Jirachi. Other options for these two slots (removed are) include a Hidden Power and Roar. Hidden Power Ice offers Bolt-Beam type coverage while OHKOing Gliscor who may try to switch in on Thunder, while Hidden Power Grass will OHKO Swampert, another Pokemon that may think its safe as Hidden Powers are less common on Rain Dance Support Zapdos. Roar is a lesser option, but can be used to phaze Pokemon such as Ninjask who can set up easily on Rain Dance teams.</p>

You have Thunder, how easily can Ninjask set up on you? I would also talk about U Turn being able to get Swift Swim Sweepers into play while taking minimal damage.

<p>Damp Rock is the preferred item to give your Swift Swim sweepers (removed those) 8 turns of rain that can be so important. However, Leftovers can pair with Protect for some free recovery although Roost offers free recovery anyway.(removed while)Life Orb could be used to make Zapdos more of a sweeper. Generally, the extra turns of rain are more beneficial. Modest nature is used to make Thunder as powerful as possible.</p>

<p>The EV spread is aimed at boosting the power of Thunder while also letting Zapdos take physical hits well. With 32 Spe EVs Zapdos reaches 244 Speed, outspeeding even 252 Spe Jolly non-Choice Scarf Tyranitar. 108 SpA EVs mean that Zapdos can OHKO the standard 188 HP / 0 SpD Bold Vaporeon 100% of the time with Thunder + Stealth Rock damage. It also means Zapdos has a 66.67% chance to OHKO the standard 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Suicune with Thunder + Stealth Rock damage. Even the bulkiest 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Togekiss has a 28.21% chance to be OHKOed by Thunder + Stealth Rock damage. 252 HP / 136SpD Calm Tentacruel takes a maximum of 84.62% from Thunder. This means that Zapdos can deal with many of the big threats to Rain Dance teams. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 52 Def / 176 SpA / 32 Spe can be used to deal more damage to the aforementioned threats. For instance, 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Suicune is OHKOed 100% of the time by Thunder + Stealth Rock damage while the standard 252 HP / 136 SpD Calm Tentacruel has a 7.69% chance to be OHKOed by Thunder + Stealth Rock damage. The bulkiest 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Togekiss has a 53.85% chance to be OHKOed by Thunder + Stealth Rock damage.</p>

<p>Without a Hidden Power, Ground-types can laugh at this set because Thunder doesn't affect them. Luckily, Rain Dance sweepers like Kingdra and Ludicolo (removed on your team) will have no trouble dealing with them. Salamence can come in after a kill to Draco Meteor Zapdos, therefore Steel-types such as Bronzong can easily switch in on Draco Meteor and after the SpA drop, Zapdos won't have too much trouble. If Bronzong has Heatproof then it can even take Fire Blasts as well. Blissey walls this set easily, but (removed your) physical Swift Swim sweepers like Kabutops and Qwilfish won't have much trouble with her. The great thing about Zapdos is most of the Pokemon that cause it troubles (misspelling) are covered by the Swift Swim sweepers on Rain Dance teams, while Zapdos can deal with the Pokemon that cause Rain sweepers trouble, making Zapdos a great support Pokemon on Rain Dance teams.</p>

The last thing I would say is to talk about the advantages of this Zapdos over Rotom-W. Rotom-W has both Thunder and Hydro Pump to take advantage of Rain as well as better typing. However, Zapdos has higher special attack, recovery, and U turn, which separates it from Rotom-W. I think the damage calculations are useful and should stay in the analysis.
 
Thanks a lot Friar for the proofread, and I've changed the problem with the Roar type-up, as well as adding about its differences to Rotom-W.
 
In your section about Rotom-W vs Zapdos your last sentence should be:

While Rotom-W may have both Thunder and Hydro Pump to take advantage of (removed in) the rain, as well as (removed a) better typing, Zapdos has higher Special Attack, instant recovery, and access to U-turn to separate it from Rotom-W.

Great write up overall ^_^
 
joel22 said:
<p>Zapdos is a great Pokemon for Rain Dance teams because its insanely powerful STAB Thunder can tear through the bulky Water-types that cause most Swift Swim sweepers problems, specifically Vaporeon. Its immunity to Ground-type moves as well as its resistance to Grass-, Flying-, Bug-, and Fighting-type moves make it able to find an easy switch in when one of your Swift Swim sweepers are threatened. While Rotom-W may have both Thunder and Hydro Pump to take advantage of in the rain, as well as a better typing, Zapdos has higher Special Attack, instant recovery, and access to U-turn which separate it from Rotom-W.</p>

<p>U-turn is a great move for this set as it can scout for Pokemon like Celebi which may try to switch in on Thunder only to be brought into the range of one of your Swift Swim sweepers. It also allows you to get in your Swift Swim sweepers into play while taking minimal damage. Roost gives Zapdos instant recovery and gives it much more survivability. However, if you are using Zapdos as your lead, Protect is a great alternative to scout for Explosion leads like Metagross and Azelf, as well as scouting Choiced users like Choice Scarf Jirachi. Other options for these two slots include Hidden Power and Roar. Hidden Power Ice provides the common BoltBeam combo with great coverage, while OHKOing Gliscor who may try to switch in on Thunder. However, Hidden Power Grass will OHKO Swampert, another Pokemon that may think its safe to switch in against Zapdosas Hidden Power Grass is uncommonly used by it. Roar is a lesser option, but can be used to phaze troublesome Pokemon (like what? Provide examples of troublesome Pokemon).</p>

<p>Damp Rock is the preferred item to give your Swift Swim sweepers three added turns of rain that can be crucial for victroy. However, Leftovers can pair well with Protect for free recovery, although Roost offers more than enough recovery anyway. Life Orb could be used to make Zapdos more of a sweeper under the rain, taking advantage of 100% accurate Thunder attacks. Generally, the extra turns of rain are more beneficial. A Modest nature is used to make Thunder as powerful as possible.</p>

<p>The EV spread is aimed at boosting the power of Thunder while also letting Zapdos take physical hits well. With 32 Spe EVs, Zapdos reaches 244 Speed, outspeeding even 252 Spe Jolly non-Choice Scarf Tyranitar. As for the offenisve side, 108 SpA EVs mean that Zapdos can OHKO the standard 188 HP / 0 SpD Bold Vaporeon 100% of the time, a 66.67% chance to OHKO the standard 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Suicune, and even the bulkiest 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Togekiss has a 28.21% chance to be OHKOed. Not only that, but 252 HP / 136 SpD Calm Tentacruel takes a maximum of 84.62% from Thunder. All of these calculations assume that Zapdos is using Thunder and Stealth Rock is in play. These calculations mean that Zapdos can deal with many of the big threats to Rain Dance teams. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 52 Def / 176 SpA / 32 Spe can be used to deal more damage to the aforementioned threats, having a better shot at OHKOing them.</p>

<p>Without Hidden Power, Ground-types can laugh at this set because Thunder doesn't affect them. Luckily, Rain Dance sweepers like Kingdra and Ludicolo will have no trouble dealing with them. Salamence can come in after a kill to Draco Meteor Zapdos, therefore Steel-types such as Bronzong can easily switch in on Draco Meteor. Also, the Rain allows Bronzong to nullify it's Fire-type weakness, allowing it to better handle Fire Blast attacks coming from Salamence.. Blissey walls this set easily, but physical Swift Swim sweepers like Kabutops and Qwilfish won't have much trouble with her. The great thing about Zapdos is most of the Pokemon that cause it trouble are already covered by the Swift Swim sweepers on Rain Dance teams while Zapdos can deal with the Pokemon that cause Rain Dance sweepers trouble, making Zapdos a great support Pokemon on any Rain Dance team.</p>
Click to expand...

Just a couple of fixes. I removed the part where you mention calculations with the different EV spread and just said that Zapdos will have a greater chance at OHKOing them, just so the analysis doesn't look so gigantic.

Also, the part where you say with U-turn "It also allows you to get in your Swift Swim sweepers into play while taking minimal damage", that's not necessarily true. Zapdos is quite fast, meaning it will move first against many Pokemon, meaning your Swift Swim sweepers will have to take a hit which could potentially cost them a sweep. That's something to worry about.

Overall, well done.
 
Thanks Fuzznip, I've done the changes and changed the U-turn thing to say thats the case if Zapdos is slower. You deserve some credit for all this proofreading you've done for all the sets, so I've added in a mention.
 
I am only a bit confused on why Zapdos is so slow? I would probably bring Zapdos to 280 Speed to outspeed Adamant Stone Edge Lucario (who generally gives Rain Dance teams a lot of problems), as well as LO Heatran or even Smeargle.
 
Yeah thinking about it, that probably would be better KD24, at first it was slower so it could more into defense but now I've changed it to 224 HP / 108 SpA / 176 Spe.
 
If you're going with KD24's suggestion about using 280 Speed, then I suggest you use this EV spread:

226 HP / 176 Spe / 108 SpA

With that EV spread, you still maintain the SpA to KO the threats you mentioned in the set comments, while 226 HP EVs allow you to have a 7% chance to be OHKOed by Lucario's LO Extremespeed after Stealth Rock damage. Then you can just score a KO with Thunder.

You're welcome for proofreading your sets. :)

EDIT: I've been beaten. :O Haha. But that would be worth mentioning in the comments that you can beat the most dangerous threat to Rain Dance teams.
 
joel22 said:
<p>The EV spread is aimed at boosting the power of Thunder, outspeeding Adamant Lucario, LO Heatran and Smeargle, while also letting Zapdos take hits well. With 32 Spe EVs Zapdos reaches 244 Speed outspeeding even 252 Spe Jolly non-Choice Scarf Tyranitar.
Click to expand...

You'd probably want to remove that now that the EV spread has changed.

Also, a little edit:

joel22 said:
<p>U-turn is a great move for this set as it can scout for Pokemon like Celebi which may try to switch in on Thunder only to be brought into the range of one of your Swift Swim sweepers. If Zapdos is slower than the opponent's Pokemon, it means that it can get in your Swift Swim sweepers into play without taking the opposing Pokemon's attack.
Click to expand...
 
Good to see this being written up: I've used this set extensively.
One thing you might mention that instead of Protect, you can just U-turn or switch out to Rotom-W (who is awesome in rain) for Explosion, so Roost is better. But it's really how well you predict :)
 
Using Zapdos and Rotom-W together is very overlapping in terms of interest though so it probably doesn't need a mention. Thanks for the comment though :)
EDIT: Seems Friar said it too :P
EDIT2: I've sorted that out, thanks Fuzznip :)
 
I do not think it is a good idea to run both this Zapdos set and the Rotom-W rain supporter on one team. Because they are so similar, they should be competing for one team slot. I say keep Protect as an option.

EDIT: one second behind.. you gotta be kidding me >.<
 
You need a sentence saying that Zapdos has 176 Spe EVs to outrun neutral nature base 90 Pokemon, most notably Adamant Lucario. You removed the sentence about 32 EVs outrunning Jolly Tyranitar, but didn't replace it with anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top