[OVERVIEW]
Electric
========
Zapdos's decent bulk and Flying typing allow it to function as one of the best defensive Pokemon available to Electric. Its part Flying typing grants Zapdos a very important immunity to Ground, allowing it to freely switch into Ground-type attacks for the team. Its bulk and good defensive typing enable Zapdos to switch into a plethora of attackers such as Scizor and Excadrill. Zapdos's access to Defog allows it to function as the premier hazard remover for Electric teams, and Roost grants it longevity throughout a battle. Zapdos also commonly utilizes Heat Wave, allowing it to take on troublesome Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, which otherwise walls the majority of most Electric teams. It is able to provide paralysis support for its teammates through its ability Static as well as with Discharge. Zapdos is also able to function as a pivot for its teammates with Volt Switch in order to safely bring in teammates against faster foes. Even though its Flying typing grants it an immunity to Ground, it also provides weaknesses to Ice and Rock, both of which are very prevalent coverage options in the metagame, leaving it threatened by Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Terrakion.
[SET]
name: Defensive (Electric)
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Defog
move 3: Roost
move 4: Heat Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Static / Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch grants Zapdos a means of pivoting so that it can slowly bring in its teammates safely. Discharge is an option over Volt Switch, most notably threatening foes with a 30% paralysis chance while keeping Zapdos in the field as opposed to forcing it to pivot out. Defog removes entry hazards from the field that would otherwise interrupt the momentum of Electric teams by slowly chipping them down. Roost grants Zapdos a means of reliable recovery, lengthening its presence throughout a battle and allowing it to absorb weak attacks more readily. Heat Wave is important coverage for Zapdos, most notably hitting Steel-types that it otherwise cannot threaten such as Excadrill and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
80 EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allow Zapdos to outspeed Jolly Diggersby as well as Pokemon like Heatran and Tapu Bulu. The remainder of its EVs are placed into HP and Defense to maximize its ability to absorb physical attacks, notably surviving Diggersby's Return, Tapu Bulu's Stone Edge, and Mega Diancie's Diamond Storm and walling Choice Scarf Excadrill's Rock Slide. Leftovers is used to grant Zapdos more sustainability throughout a battle. Static gives Zapdos a passive 30% chance to paralyze foes that make contact with it. Pressure could be used in place of Static in order to stall out the PP of weak attackers in conjunction with its bulk and recovery. It also can notably stall out Stealth Rock users' PP when combined with Defog.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Zapdos into common hazard setters that do not threaten it such as Torkoal, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn in order to immediately remove hazards from the field as they set them. Utilize Zapdos's great bulk in order to take on threatening attackers such as Choice Scarf Excadrill and Diggersby as well as physical attackers that lack coverage to damage Zapdos such as Scizor and Mega Pinsir. Make the most of Zapdos's immunity to Ground by switching in on predicted Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Landorus and Excadrill. However, be careful of Pokemon that may predict this switch and utilize a Rock-type move such as Rock Slide from Choice Band Excadrill, which will deal a huge blow to Zapdos. Try to preserve Zapdos's HP as much as possible throughout the battle with Roost to continuously remove hazards from the field and switch into attacks. If using Discharge, use it freely for the chip damage and for the chance to paralyze foes, which neutralizes their Speed for teammates to better handle them. When using Volt Switch, utilize it to keep momentum up against the opposing team by pivoting out on predicting bulky switch-ins such as Chansey and Mega Venusaur in order to bring in a teammate that can effectively deal with them. Additionally, utilize Volt Switch against faster foes in order to safely bring in teammates such as Alolan Raichu and Thundurus. However, be wary of using Volt Switch when Zapdos is at low health, as it will be unable to switch into attackers if its HP isn't maintained. Avoid Toxic users such as Swampert and Cradily as much as possible, as Toxic hampers Zapdos's ability to continuously absorb attacks throughout the battle and puts Zapdos on a timer.
Team Options
========
Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu are great offensive Pokemon that help keep faster foes in check and pair well with Zapdos, as they appreciate a defensive backbone to fall back onto as well as Zapdos's Ground immunity. Rotom-W pairs amazingly defensively with Zapdos, completing a decent defensive backbone for the team. It also provides Will-O-Wisp support to nullify physical attackers, which allows Zapdos to even more readily take them on. Alolan Golem is the only viable entry hazard setter for Electric teams and can help take on Ice-types for Zapdos with its STAB Rock-type attacks. It also helps Zapdos by taking on specially defensive Pokemon that Zapdos cannot touch such as Chansey. Thundurus is another physical attacker that can take on Normal-, Ice-, and Rock-types for Zapdos such as Chansey, Mamoswine, and Mega Diancie. Magnezone is a powerful special attacker that can take notably take on Mega Venusaur for Zapdos as well as trap Steel-types such as Excadrill. Zeraora is a powerful physical attacker for Electric that can effectively remove Pokemon that Zapdos otherwise cannot handle such as Chansey and Porygon2 and greatly appreciates Zapdos's slow pivoting to safely bring it in. Mega Manectric is a great offensive pivot that appreciates being able to switch out to Zapdos following a Volt Switch. It also provides Intimidate support, granting Zapdos more opportunities to come in, even against physical attackers. Xurkitree is yet another special attacker that can notably take on Electric-immune Pokemon such as Swampert and Gastrodon that Zapdos cannot touch with its Energy Ball.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electric
--------
A Substitute + Toxic set could be used along with Defog Rotom-W in order to more readily deal with defensive Pokemon looking to wall Zapdos, notably helping in the Normal matchup. However, this set makes the Steel matchup notably harder, as Zapdos loses out on its Heat Wave. A specially defensive set of 252 HP / 176 SpD / 80 Spe with a Calm nature could be used to act as a special wall, notably being able to take on special attackers such as Choice Scarf Latios and Gengar while outspeeding Adamant Diggersby. However, Zapdos loses out on the ability to check physical attackers as readily and is slower than several key Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice can be run in order to hit Dragon- and Ground-types that take little damage from Zapdos such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Landorus.
Checks and Counters
===================
Electric
--------
**Rock-types**: Powerful Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar threaten to OHKO Zapdos with their powerful STAB moves.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Kyurem-B can easily eliminate Zapdos from the battle with their STAB attacks.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types resist Zapdos's two commonly used attacks, preventing it from doing much damage against them aside from threatening paralysis with Discharge.
**Wallbreakers**: Although Zapdos has decent bulk, it can easily be broken by powerful attackers such as Choice Band Victini as well as setup sweepers like Volcarona.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur takes little damage from Zapdos's two attacks thanks to its typing and Thick Fat. In return it threatens to wear Zapdos down with Leech Seed as well as poison from Sludge Bomb.
**Toxic**: Toxic poison wears down Zapdos throughout the battle, preventing it from removing entry hazards continuously or absorbing special attacks.
Electric
========
Zapdos's decent bulk and Flying typing allow it to function as one of the best defensive Pokemon available to Electric. Its part Flying typing grants Zapdos a very important immunity to Ground, allowing it to freely switch into Ground-type attacks for the team. Its bulk and good defensive typing enable Zapdos to switch into a plethora of attackers such as Scizor and Excadrill. Zapdos's access to Defog allows it to function as the premier hazard remover for Electric teams, and Roost grants it longevity throughout a battle. Zapdos also commonly utilizes Heat Wave, allowing it to take on troublesome Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, which otherwise walls the majority of most Electric teams. It is able to provide paralysis support for its teammates through its ability Static as well as with Discharge. Zapdos is also able to function as a pivot for its teammates with Volt Switch in order to safely bring in teammates against faster foes. Even though its Flying typing grants it an immunity to Ground, it also provides weaknesses to Ice and Rock, both of which are very prevalent coverage options in the metagame, leaving it threatened by Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Terrakion.
[SET]
name: Defensive (Electric)
move 1: Volt Switch / Discharge
move 2: Defog
move 3: Roost
move 4: Heat Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Static / Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch grants Zapdos a means of pivoting so that it can slowly bring in its teammates safely. Discharge is an option over Volt Switch, most notably threatening foes with a 30% paralysis chance while keeping Zapdos in the field as opposed to forcing it to pivot out. Defog removes entry hazards from the field that would otherwise interrupt the momentum of Electric teams by slowly chipping them down. Roost grants Zapdos a means of reliable recovery, lengthening its presence throughout a battle and allowing it to absorb weak attacks more readily. Heat Wave is important coverage for Zapdos, most notably hitting Steel-types that it otherwise cannot threaten such as Excadrill and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
80 EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allow Zapdos to outspeed Jolly Diggersby as well as Pokemon like Heatran and Tapu Bulu. The remainder of its EVs are placed into HP and Defense to maximize its ability to absorb physical attacks, notably surviving Diggersby's Return, Tapu Bulu's Stone Edge, and Mega Diancie's Diamond Storm and walling Choice Scarf Excadrill's Rock Slide. Leftovers is used to grant Zapdos more sustainability throughout a battle. Static gives Zapdos a passive 30% chance to paralyze foes that make contact with it. Pressure could be used in place of Static in order to stall out the PP of weak attackers in conjunction with its bulk and recovery. It also can notably stall out Stealth Rock users' PP when combined with Defog.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Zapdos into common hazard setters that do not threaten it such as Torkoal, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn in order to immediately remove hazards from the field as they set them. Utilize Zapdos's great bulk in order to take on threatening attackers such as Choice Scarf Excadrill and Diggersby as well as physical attackers that lack coverage to damage Zapdos such as Scizor and Mega Pinsir. Make the most of Zapdos's immunity to Ground by switching in on predicted Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Landorus and Excadrill. However, be careful of Pokemon that may predict this switch and utilize a Rock-type move such as Rock Slide from Choice Band Excadrill, which will deal a huge blow to Zapdos. Try to preserve Zapdos's HP as much as possible throughout the battle with Roost to continuously remove hazards from the field and switch into attacks. If using Discharge, use it freely for the chip damage and for the chance to paralyze foes, which neutralizes their Speed for teammates to better handle them. When using Volt Switch, utilize it to keep momentum up against the opposing team by pivoting out on predicting bulky switch-ins such as Chansey and Mega Venusaur in order to bring in a teammate that can effectively deal with them. Additionally, utilize Volt Switch against faster foes in order to safely bring in teammates such as Alolan Raichu and Thundurus. However, be wary of using Volt Switch when Zapdos is at low health, as it will be unable to switch into attackers if its HP isn't maintained. Avoid Toxic users such as Swampert and Cradily as much as possible, as Toxic hampers Zapdos's ability to continuously absorb attacks throughout the battle and puts Zapdos on a timer.
Team Options
========
Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu are great offensive Pokemon that help keep faster foes in check and pair well with Zapdos, as they appreciate a defensive backbone to fall back onto as well as Zapdos's Ground immunity. Rotom-W pairs amazingly defensively with Zapdos, completing a decent defensive backbone for the team. It also provides Will-O-Wisp support to nullify physical attackers, which allows Zapdos to even more readily take them on. Alolan Golem is the only viable entry hazard setter for Electric teams and can help take on Ice-types for Zapdos with its STAB Rock-type attacks. It also helps Zapdos by taking on specially defensive Pokemon that Zapdos cannot touch such as Chansey. Thundurus is another physical attacker that can take on Normal-, Ice-, and Rock-types for Zapdos such as Chansey, Mamoswine, and Mega Diancie. Magnezone is a powerful special attacker that can take notably take on Mega Venusaur for Zapdos as well as trap Steel-types such as Excadrill. Zeraora is a powerful physical attacker for Electric that can effectively remove Pokemon that Zapdos otherwise cannot handle such as Chansey and Porygon2 and greatly appreciates Zapdos's slow pivoting to safely bring it in. Mega Manectric is a great offensive pivot that appreciates being able to switch out to Zapdos following a Volt Switch. It also provides Intimidate support, granting Zapdos more opportunities to come in, even against physical attackers. Xurkitree is yet another special attacker that can notably take on Electric-immune Pokemon such as Swampert and Gastrodon that Zapdos cannot touch with its Energy Ball.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electric
--------
A Substitute + Toxic set could be used along with Defog Rotom-W in order to more readily deal with defensive Pokemon looking to wall Zapdos, notably helping in the Normal matchup. However, this set makes the Steel matchup notably harder, as Zapdos loses out on its Heat Wave. A specially defensive set of 252 HP / 176 SpD / 80 Spe with a Calm nature could be used to act as a special wall, notably being able to take on special attackers such as Choice Scarf Latios and Gengar while outspeeding Adamant Diggersby. However, Zapdos loses out on the ability to check physical attackers as readily and is slower than several key Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice can be run in order to hit Dragon- and Ground-types that take little damage from Zapdos such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Landorus.
Checks and Counters
===================
Electric
--------
**Rock-types**: Powerful Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar threaten to OHKO Zapdos with their powerful STAB moves.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Kyurem-B can easily eliminate Zapdos from the battle with their STAB attacks.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types resist Zapdos's two commonly used attacks, preventing it from doing much damage against them aside from threatening paralysis with Discharge.
**Wallbreakers**: Although Zapdos has decent bulk, it can easily be broken by powerful attackers such as Choice Band Victini as well as setup sweepers like Volcarona.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur takes little damage from Zapdos's two attacks thanks to its typing and Thick Fat. In return it threatens to wear Zapdos down with Leech Seed as well as poison from Sludge Bomb.
**Toxic**: Toxic poison wears down Zapdos throughout the battle, preventing it from removing entry hazards continuously or absorbing special attacks.
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