[SET]
Choice Band (Zapdos-Galar) @ Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
With Choice Band, Galarian Zapdos becomes a fearsome choice for bulky offense or offense teams looking for a threat that is able to destroy even the most bulky physical walls like Skarmory and Hippowdon. Close Combat threatens a huge amount of the tier, such as staples like Mega Tyranitar and Excadrill, and Brave Bird allows Galarian Zapdos to hit defensive staples such as Galarian Slowking and Clefable that resist Close Combat. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to maintain momentum and slam Pokemon like Slowbro that can stomach both Brave Bird and Close Combat. Knock Off is a new tool Galarian Zapdos gained that allows it to punish Aegislash, which is unbothered by both of Galarian Zapdos's STAB attacks, and is also a move that can be spammed in the early game to force progress by removing Leftovers or Rocky Helmet. Defiant is a great offensive ability that allows Galarian Zapdos to punish Defog attempts from Tapu Fini and Skarmory, as well as prevent Salamence from effectively neutering it with Intimidate. Despite Galarian Zapdos's decent typing, which allows it to switch into Earthquake from Excadrill and Knock Off from Mega Tyranitar, it can struggle to switch in against the Psychic- and Fairy-type moves thrown out by Enamorus and Galarian Slowking. Therefore, Steel-type teammates such as Excadrill, Bisharp, and Celesteela are appreciated to help take hits from these foes, and Galarian Zapdos can switch into and pressure threats such as Iron Treads and Buzzwole for them. Additionally, Galarian Zapdos can wallbreak for the former two, which can allow for them to sweep after shared checks like Skarmory are removed. Galarian Zapdos also appreciates pivot support to hit the field as often as possible, so Pokemon like Galarian Slowking and Cinderace are good teammates. Galarian Zapdos especially enjoys pivoting in and threatening Mega Tyranitar and Bisharp that switch into Galarian Slowking.
[SET]
Bulk Up (Zapdos-Galar) @ Flyinium Z / Leftovers
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Thunderous Kick / Close Combat
- Substitute / Knock Off / Trailblaze
[SET COMMENTS]
Bulk Up Galarian Zapdos trades the immediate power of Choice Band for the freedom to switch moves, and can therefore threaten most of the tier after a Bulk Up. Bulk Up allows Galarian Zapdos to break through physical walls such as Skarmory and Hippowdon after a boost. Brave Bird slams the Fighting resists looking to switch into Galarian Zapdos, such as Buzzwole and Slowbro, and with Flyinium Z, it becomes an incredibly powerful Supersonic Skystrike that obliterates neutral targets like Clefable and Tapu Fini and prevents the recoil damage of Brave Bird. Thunderous Kick is a great STAB move that lowers the Defense of the target, which can allow Galarian Zapdos to beat defensive Pokemon with Unaware like Quagsire and otherwise force many switches. Alongside Leftovers, it notably allows Galarian Zapdos to beat Iron Defense Skarmory. Close Combat provides more immediate power at the cost of a worse matchup into Quagsire and Iron Defense Skarmory. Substitute allows Galarian Zapdos to set up on bulky foes looking to neuter it with status, such as Hippowdon and Mega Sableye. It can also scout switches against teams reliant on dealing with Galarian Zapdos through resists, as well as allow it to beat faster revenge killers like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Enamorus. Alternatively, Knock Off is an option to slam Aegislash and Slowbro if needed, as well as allow Galarian Zapdos to force progress against bulkier targets like Iron Hands and Clefable. Trailblaze is another option on hyper offense teams that can allow Galarian Zapdos to leverage its Bulk Up boosts to sweep by boosting its Speed. Trailblaze also hits Quagsire harder than Brave Bird, which can allow partners on hyper offense builds like Ceruledge to sweep later in the game. Leftovers is an option on Galarian Zapdos if another teammate is using the Z-crystal, and it grants Galarian Zapdos more longevity. It pairs especially well with Substitute, as Leftovers recovery can allow for Galarian Zapdos to set up Substitute multiple times over the course of the game. Bulk Up Galarian Zapdos is mainly used on hyper offense teams and is especially great alongside Ribombee, as it can punish Defog users attempting to remove Ribombee's Sticky Web. It can also be used on balance or fat teams looking for a win condition that can attempt to set up and wallbreak multiple times in a game. Teammates like Dragon Dance Mega Tyranitar and Serperior appreciate Galarian Zapdos switching into and breaking foes like Skarmory and Celesteela, respectively, so they can sweep in the late-game. Defensive Pokemon like Clefable and Gastrodon appreciate Galarian Zapdos's ability to beat slower wallbreakers such as Swords Dance Bisharp and Sinistcha, and can switch into attacks from faster threats like Enamorus and Cinderace aimed at Galarian Zapdos.
[SET]
Choice Scarf (Zapdos-Galar) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos is a very fast and powerful revenge killer that can threaten many offensive staples such as Cinderace, Meowscarada, Enamorus, and Heavy-Duty Boots Iron Moth. Brave Bird threatens common Fighting resists like Clefable and Slowbro. Close Combat is Galarian Zapdos's most powerful Fighting-type STAB attack and allows it to threaten much of the tier, such as Mega Tyranitar and Hydreigon. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to pivot out of matchups against defensive foes it cannot break with Choice Scarf, such as Skarmory. Knock Off allows Galarian Zapdos to remove the pesky Rocky Helmet or Heavy-Duty Boots to allow teammates like Cinderace to wallbreak later in the game. The speed control provided by Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos allows it to fit on a wider range of teams, from offense to balance. Its ability to threaten common offensive threats like Cinderace and Meowscarada is appreciated by other frail offensive Pokemon like Ogerpon-C, and its ability to revenge kill powerful wallbreakers like Ursaluna and Hydreigon is appreciated by passive defensive Pokemon like Gastrodon and Celesteela. Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos appreciates entry hazard support, as it is able to force more switches with its Speed, and so partners like Clefable and Meowscarada are appreciated to set hazards and pressure defensive foes that are able to stomach hits like Slowbro. Meowscarada can also help Knock Off Heavy-Duty Boots, as well as form a U-turn core with Galarian Zapdos to maintain momentum. Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos cannot wallbreak as effectively, so strong special attackers like Enamorus and Hydreigon appreciate Galarian Zapdos luring in physical walls like Buzzwole for them to set up or launch powerful attacks on, while Galarian Zapdos can threaten special walls like Blissey and Hisuian Goodra for them in return.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/danbear02.589016/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sealoo.514772/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/runo.568189/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/clouds.356215/
Choice Band (Zapdos-Galar) @ Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
With Choice Band, Galarian Zapdos becomes a fearsome choice for bulky offense or offense teams looking for a threat that is able to destroy even the most bulky physical walls like Skarmory and Hippowdon. Close Combat threatens a huge amount of the tier, such as staples like Mega Tyranitar and Excadrill, and Brave Bird allows Galarian Zapdos to hit defensive staples such as Galarian Slowking and Clefable that resist Close Combat. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to maintain momentum and slam Pokemon like Slowbro that can stomach both Brave Bird and Close Combat. Knock Off is a new tool Galarian Zapdos gained that allows it to punish Aegislash, which is unbothered by both of Galarian Zapdos's STAB attacks, and is also a move that can be spammed in the early game to force progress by removing Leftovers or Rocky Helmet. Defiant is a great offensive ability that allows Galarian Zapdos to punish Defog attempts from Tapu Fini and Skarmory, as well as prevent Salamence from effectively neutering it with Intimidate. Despite Galarian Zapdos's decent typing, which allows it to switch into Earthquake from Excadrill and Knock Off from Mega Tyranitar, it can struggle to switch in against the Psychic- and Fairy-type moves thrown out by Enamorus and Galarian Slowking. Therefore, Steel-type teammates such as Excadrill, Bisharp, and Celesteela are appreciated to help take hits from these foes, and Galarian Zapdos can switch into and pressure threats such as Iron Treads and Buzzwole for them. Additionally, Galarian Zapdos can wallbreak for the former two, which can allow for them to sweep after shared checks like Skarmory are removed. Galarian Zapdos also appreciates pivot support to hit the field as often as possible, so Pokemon like Galarian Slowking and Cinderace are good teammates. Galarian Zapdos especially enjoys pivoting in and threatening Mega Tyranitar and Bisharp that switch into Galarian Slowking.
[SET]
Bulk Up (Zapdos-Galar) @ Flyinium Z / Leftovers
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Thunderous Kick / Close Combat
- Substitute / Knock Off / Trailblaze
[SET COMMENTS]
Bulk Up Galarian Zapdos trades the immediate power of Choice Band for the freedom to switch moves, and can therefore threaten most of the tier after a Bulk Up. Bulk Up allows Galarian Zapdos to break through physical walls such as Skarmory and Hippowdon after a boost. Brave Bird slams the Fighting resists looking to switch into Galarian Zapdos, such as Buzzwole and Slowbro, and with Flyinium Z, it becomes an incredibly powerful Supersonic Skystrike that obliterates neutral targets like Clefable and Tapu Fini and prevents the recoil damage of Brave Bird. Thunderous Kick is a great STAB move that lowers the Defense of the target, which can allow Galarian Zapdos to beat defensive Pokemon with Unaware like Quagsire and otherwise force many switches. Alongside Leftovers, it notably allows Galarian Zapdos to beat Iron Defense Skarmory. Close Combat provides more immediate power at the cost of a worse matchup into Quagsire and Iron Defense Skarmory. Substitute allows Galarian Zapdos to set up on bulky foes looking to neuter it with status, such as Hippowdon and Mega Sableye. It can also scout switches against teams reliant on dealing with Galarian Zapdos through resists, as well as allow it to beat faster revenge killers like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Enamorus. Alternatively, Knock Off is an option to slam Aegislash and Slowbro if needed, as well as allow Galarian Zapdos to force progress against bulkier targets like Iron Hands and Clefable. Trailblaze is another option on hyper offense teams that can allow Galarian Zapdos to leverage its Bulk Up boosts to sweep by boosting its Speed. Trailblaze also hits Quagsire harder than Brave Bird, which can allow partners on hyper offense builds like Ceruledge to sweep later in the game. Leftovers is an option on Galarian Zapdos if another teammate is using the Z-crystal, and it grants Galarian Zapdos more longevity. It pairs especially well with Substitute, as Leftovers recovery can allow for Galarian Zapdos to set up Substitute multiple times over the course of the game. Bulk Up Galarian Zapdos is mainly used on hyper offense teams and is especially great alongside Ribombee, as it can punish Defog users attempting to remove Ribombee's Sticky Web. It can also be used on balance or fat teams looking for a win condition that can attempt to set up and wallbreak multiple times in a game. Teammates like Dragon Dance Mega Tyranitar and Serperior appreciate Galarian Zapdos switching into and breaking foes like Skarmory and Celesteela, respectively, so they can sweep in the late-game. Defensive Pokemon like Clefable and Gastrodon appreciate Galarian Zapdos's ability to beat slower wallbreakers such as Swords Dance Bisharp and Sinistcha, and can switch into attacks from faster threats like Enamorus and Cinderace aimed at Galarian Zapdos.
[SET]
Choice Scarf (Zapdos-Galar) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos is a very fast and powerful revenge killer that can threaten many offensive staples such as Cinderace, Meowscarada, Enamorus, and Heavy-Duty Boots Iron Moth. Brave Bird threatens common Fighting resists like Clefable and Slowbro. Close Combat is Galarian Zapdos's most powerful Fighting-type STAB attack and allows it to threaten much of the tier, such as Mega Tyranitar and Hydreigon. U-turn allows Galarian Zapdos to pivot out of matchups against defensive foes it cannot break with Choice Scarf, such as Skarmory. Knock Off allows Galarian Zapdos to remove the pesky Rocky Helmet or Heavy-Duty Boots to allow teammates like Cinderace to wallbreak later in the game. The speed control provided by Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos allows it to fit on a wider range of teams, from offense to balance. Its ability to threaten common offensive threats like Cinderace and Meowscarada is appreciated by other frail offensive Pokemon like Ogerpon-C, and its ability to revenge kill powerful wallbreakers like Ursaluna and Hydreigon is appreciated by passive defensive Pokemon like Gastrodon and Celesteela. Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos appreciates entry hazard support, as it is able to force more switches with its Speed, and so partners like Clefable and Meowscarada are appreciated to set hazards and pressure defensive foes that are able to stomach hits like Slowbro. Meowscarada can also help Knock Off Heavy-Duty Boots, as well as form a U-turn core with Galarian Zapdos to maintain momentum. Choice Scarf Galarian Zapdos cannot wallbreak as effectively, so strong special attackers like Enamorus and Hydreigon appreciate Galarian Zapdos luring in physical walls like Buzzwole for them to set up or launch powerful attacks on, while Galarian Zapdos can threaten special walls like Blissey and Hisuian Goodra for them in return.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/danbear02.589016/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sealoo.514772/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/runo.568189/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/clouds.356215/
Last edited:
