[OVERVIEW]
With four Pokemon on the field at once, turn order is especially important in Doubles, making speed control users extremely valuable. Zapdos stands out as one of the most reliable setters of Tailwind due to its all-around solid stats, decent offensive matchups, and ability to stay healthy throughout a match. The dominance of the Island Guardians further boosts Zapdos's niche thanks to its excellent synergy with most of them and its effectiveness using a Terrain-activated Seed. However, due to many teams relying on Zapdos for significant role compression throughout the game, Zapdos can't take full advantage of its Special Attack stat and is left to be somewhat passive and walled by certain threats without the right coverage move. In addition, the best items for its main set are one-time use, which isn't ideal for a Pokemon that's needed at the beginning, middle, and end of a match.
[SET]
name: Bulky Speed Control
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Roost / Whirlwind
item: Wiki Berry / Misty Seed / Psychic Seed
ability: Static
nature: Calm
evs: 244 HP / 80 Def / 64 SpA / 56 SpD / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is a decently powerful attack that lets Zapdos avoid being a momentum drain, especially in conjunction with its coverage move of choice. Although a spread-reduced Heat Wave from a non-Fire-type like Zapdos isn't particularly strong, it still provides Zapdos with coverage for Kartana, Genesect, and Ferrothorn. If Landorus-T and Zygarde are larger issues for Zapdos's teammates, it can instead run Hidden Power Ice. Either coverage move also gives Zapdos a way to dent Amoonguss and Tapu Bulu and prevent them from switching in for free. Tailwind helps Zapdos's whole team be more threatening in future turns, while Roost ensures Zapdos can fulfill its job later on in the match. Roost also benefits from Tailwind, as the move enables Zapdos to shrug off an otherwise super effective move like Ice Beam. If using a Seed, Zapdos should always carry Roost to stay healthy with its boosted Special Defense. For Wiki Berry sets, Whirlwind phazes boosted setup sweepers like Kommo-o and prevents Trick Room by forcing setters out before they can use the move. Wiki Berry sets may also run Protect, as Zapdos is a common recipient of double targeting due to it often lacking room for the move.
Set Details
========
A Wiki Berry offers automatic healing, which is especially nice if activated by Stealth Rock upon entering the field. Such sets do well with the listed spread, which ensures Zapdos's survival of Tapu Koko's Gigavolt Havoc at full HP as well as its ability to take two hits from unboosted Zygarde's Thousand Arrows; one neutral hit and one super effective one after Zapdos is smacked down. After investing enough into Speed to outrun Pelipper and, under Tailwind, all relevant Choice Scarf users, the remaining investment is dumped into Special Attack.
Misty Seed and Psychic Seed are alternative item options that work well with ally Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele, respectively, boosting Zapdos's Special Defense to allow it to stay healthy longer between Roost and boosted bulk. If Zapdos opts for one of these items, a spread of 244 HP / 80 Def / 16 SpA / 104 SpD / 64 Spe with a Modest nature should be used to guarantee Mega Metagross's Ice Punch and Mega Charizard Y's Overheat in the sun are unable to take out a boosted Zapdos, even after Stealth Rock. With Static, Zapdos threatens contact attackers with potential paralysis.
Usage Tips
========
Setting Tailwind is often important for Zapdos's teammates, but don't see it as essential; it's often more useful for Zapdos to attack immediately. Wiki Berry sets can pivot much more freely, as Seed sets only get one chance to take advantage of their boosted Special Defense. Still, don't be afraid to switch out a Zapdos whose Seed has activated; this set can be valuable even without the Seed bonus and it shouldn't stay on the field if it's in a passive or otherwise disadvantageous position. Zapdos is generally useful throughout the game, so it should be kept healthy if possible and not used as a simple vessel for Tailwind once in the game. Roost does this and also helps stall out turns against would-be offensive counters like Tyranitar and Kyurem-B, giving Zapdos's teammates time to take out these threats while it stomachs the now-neutrally effective attacks. Avoid pivoting too recklessly with Zapdos if the opponent sets Stealth Rock, as the added damage greatly cuts into Zapdos's longevity. The sole notable exception to this rule would be if Zapdos is weakened to the point that its next switch into Stealth Rock will activate its Wiki Berry.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers with middling Speed stats appreciate Zapdos's Tailwind, making Kyurem-B, Genesect, Tapu Bulu, Hoopa-U, and Tapu Lele all valuable partners. Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini activate Zapdos's Seed if running this; they also offer decent matchups against Kyurem-B and Tyranitar for Zapdos. Other decent options for taking out these threats include Kartana and Mega Metagross. Regardless of its coverage move choice, Zapdos will need teammates that can take on the targets of the move it doesn't pick. Kyurem-B, Tapu Bulu, and Hidden Power Ice Landorus-T pair well with Heat Wave sets by taking on Landorus-T and Zygarde reasonably well. Hidden Power Ice sets should consider Volcanion, Incineroar, and Victini as teammates to cover Ferrothorn and Genesect.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
More offensive Zapdos sets typically run Electrium Z to break through bulkier foes like Tapu Fini and Suicune; such sets should run Protect, since they won't have the bulk necessary to get by without it. Volt Switch offers a way for Zapdos to pivot, but this doesn't work particularly well with most of its best items due to their single-turn benefit. Thunder is a decent option for rain teams, sometimes with Electrium Z to not only power it up significantly but also offer an accurate Electric-type attack outside of rain.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B and Kommo-o take little from Zapdos's attacks and can either attack Zapdos or use its passivity as an opportunity to set up.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Tyranitar and Stakataka hit Zapdos quite hard with their STAB attacks, though this impact is significantly weakened if Zapdos has used Roost.
**Ground-types**: Without Hidden Power Ice, Zapdos can lose to certain Landorus-T and Zygarde sets. Mega Swampert and Mega Camerupt take negligible damage from any of Zapdos's moves.
**Electric-types**: In addition to its resistance to Electric-type attacks, Tapu Koko commonly carries Taunt to disable Zapdos's Tailwind and Roost. Zeraora takes this one step further by healing up when Zapdos attacks it with Thunderbolt and weakening a potential coverage move with Snarl.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock cuts into Zapdos's health and forces it to use Roost more often to stay healthy while it's on the field and to be healthy after a future return to the field.
**Opposing Speed Control**: A large part of Zapdos's role stems from its ability to make it more likely that its team will move first. Opposing setters of Tailwind and Trick Room make this much harder to achieve.
**Taunt**: Zapdos often enters the field with the goal of setting Tailwind, which Taunt prevents. Since it also prevents Roost or Whirlwind, Zapdos can struggle against Taunt users like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[talkingtree, 232101]]
- Earlier versions by: [[shaian, 221349]]
- Quality checked by: [[n10sit, 267148], [MajorBowman, 188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
With four Pokemon on the field at once, turn order is especially important in Doubles, making speed control users extremely valuable. Zapdos stands out as one of the most reliable setters of Tailwind due to its all-around solid stats, decent offensive matchups, and ability to stay healthy throughout a match. The dominance of the Island Guardians further boosts Zapdos's niche thanks to its excellent synergy with most of them and its effectiveness using a Terrain-activated Seed. However, due to many teams relying on Zapdos for significant role compression throughout the game, Zapdos can't take full advantage of its Special Attack stat and is left to be somewhat passive and walled by certain threats without the right coverage move. In addition, the best items for its main set are one-time use, which isn't ideal for a Pokemon that's needed at the beginning, middle, and end of a match.
[SET]
name: Bulky Speed Control
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Heat Wave / Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Roost / Whirlwind
item: Wiki Berry / Misty Seed / Psychic Seed
ability: Static
nature: Calm
evs: 244 HP / 80 Def / 64 SpA / 56 SpD / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is a decently powerful attack that lets Zapdos avoid being a momentum drain, especially in conjunction with its coverage move of choice. Although a spread-reduced Heat Wave from a non-Fire-type like Zapdos isn't particularly strong, it still provides Zapdos with coverage for Kartana, Genesect, and Ferrothorn. If Landorus-T and Zygarde are larger issues for Zapdos's teammates, it can instead run Hidden Power Ice. Either coverage move also gives Zapdos a way to dent Amoonguss and Tapu Bulu and prevent them from switching in for free. Tailwind helps Zapdos's whole team be more threatening in future turns, while Roost ensures Zapdos can fulfill its job later on in the match. Roost also benefits from Tailwind, as the move enables Zapdos to shrug off an otherwise super effective move like Ice Beam. If using a Seed, Zapdos should always carry Roost to stay healthy with its boosted Special Defense. For Wiki Berry sets, Whirlwind phazes boosted setup sweepers like Kommo-o and prevents Trick Room by forcing setters out before they can use the move. Wiki Berry sets may also run Protect, as Zapdos is a common recipient of double targeting due to it often lacking room for the move.
Set Details
========
A Wiki Berry offers automatic healing, which is especially nice if activated by Stealth Rock upon entering the field. Such sets do well with the listed spread, which ensures Zapdos's survival of Tapu Koko's Gigavolt Havoc at full HP as well as its ability to take two hits from unboosted Zygarde's Thousand Arrows; one neutral hit and one super effective one after Zapdos is smacked down. After investing enough into Speed to outrun Pelipper and, under Tailwind, all relevant Choice Scarf users, the remaining investment is dumped into Special Attack.
Misty Seed and Psychic Seed are alternative item options that work well with ally Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele, respectively, boosting Zapdos's Special Defense to allow it to stay healthy longer between Roost and boosted bulk. If Zapdos opts for one of these items, a spread of 244 HP / 80 Def / 16 SpA / 104 SpD / 64 Spe with a Modest nature should be used to guarantee Mega Metagross's Ice Punch and Mega Charizard Y's Overheat in the sun are unable to take out a boosted Zapdos, even after Stealth Rock. With Static, Zapdos threatens contact attackers with potential paralysis.
Usage Tips
========
Setting Tailwind is often important for Zapdos's teammates, but don't see it as essential; it's often more useful for Zapdos to attack immediately. Wiki Berry sets can pivot much more freely, as Seed sets only get one chance to take advantage of their boosted Special Defense. Still, don't be afraid to switch out a Zapdos whose Seed has activated; this set can be valuable even without the Seed bonus and it shouldn't stay on the field if it's in a passive or otherwise disadvantageous position. Zapdos is generally useful throughout the game, so it should be kept healthy if possible and not used as a simple vessel for Tailwind once in the game. Roost does this and also helps stall out turns against would-be offensive counters like Tyranitar and Kyurem-B, giving Zapdos's teammates time to take out these threats while it stomachs the now-neutrally effective attacks. Avoid pivoting too recklessly with Zapdos if the opponent sets Stealth Rock, as the added damage greatly cuts into Zapdos's longevity. The sole notable exception to this rule would be if Zapdos is weakened to the point that its next switch into Stealth Rock will activate its Wiki Berry.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers with middling Speed stats appreciate Zapdos's Tailwind, making Kyurem-B, Genesect, Tapu Bulu, Hoopa-U, and Tapu Lele all valuable partners. Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini activate Zapdos's Seed if running this; they also offer decent matchups against Kyurem-B and Tyranitar for Zapdos. Other decent options for taking out these threats include Kartana and Mega Metagross. Regardless of its coverage move choice, Zapdos will need teammates that can take on the targets of the move it doesn't pick. Kyurem-B, Tapu Bulu, and Hidden Power Ice Landorus-T pair well with Heat Wave sets by taking on Landorus-T and Zygarde reasonably well. Hidden Power Ice sets should consider Volcanion, Incineroar, and Victini as teammates to cover Ferrothorn and Genesect.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
More offensive Zapdos sets typically run Electrium Z to break through bulkier foes like Tapu Fini and Suicune; such sets should run Protect, since they won't have the bulk necessary to get by without it. Volt Switch offers a way for Zapdos to pivot, but this doesn't work particularly well with most of its best items due to their single-turn benefit. Thunder is a decent option for rain teams, sometimes with Electrium Z to not only power it up significantly but also offer an accurate Electric-type attack outside of rain.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B and Kommo-o take little from Zapdos's attacks and can either attack Zapdos or use its passivity as an opportunity to set up.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Tyranitar and Stakataka hit Zapdos quite hard with their STAB attacks, though this impact is significantly weakened if Zapdos has used Roost.
**Ground-types**: Without Hidden Power Ice, Zapdos can lose to certain Landorus-T and Zygarde sets. Mega Swampert and Mega Camerupt take negligible damage from any of Zapdos's moves.
**Electric-types**: In addition to its resistance to Electric-type attacks, Tapu Koko commonly carries Taunt to disable Zapdos's Tailwind and Roost. Zeraora takes this one step further by healing up when Zapdos attacks it with Thunderbolt and weakening a potential coverage move with Snarl.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock cuts into Zapdos's health and forces it to use Roost more often to stay healthy while it's on the field and to be healthy after a future return to the field.
**Opposing Speed Control**: A large part of Zapdos's role stems from its ability to make it more likely that its team will move first. Opposing setters of Tailwind and Trick Room make this much harder to achieve.
**Taunt**: Zapdos often enters the field with the goal of setting Tailwind, which Taunt prevents. Since it also prevents Roost or Whirlwind, Zapdos can struggle against Taunt users like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[talkingtree, 232101]]
- Earlier versions by: [[shaian, 221349]]
- Quality checked by: [[n10sit, 267148], [MajorBowman, 188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
Last edited:
