Zapdos

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Zapdos

[Overview]

<p>Zapdos's excellent typing and bulk allows it to check a multitude of common physical attackers such as Metagross and Garchomp. However, Zapdos distinguishes itself from other bulky Pokemon with its excellent offensive prowess; it features good Speed, high Special Attack, and excellent coverage. Although it may at first seem outclassed by Thundurus, Zapdos's greater bulk and access to Tailwind and Heat Wave keep it distinct from the genie. Unfortunately, Zapdos is weak to common spread attacks such as Rock Slide and Blizzard, and it's also slower than a lot of common threats such as Latios, Weavile, and Terrakion. Overall, Zapdos works really well as part of a "Disquake" duo, a rain attacker, a check to rain teams, or on a goodstuff team thanks to its bulk and power.</p>

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt / Discharge
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Detect / Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Charti Berry / Yache Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice have excellent coverage when used together, as Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes most of the Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt, such as Latios. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt, as it is a spread attack and works well when paired with Earthquake, forming the well-known "Disquake" combination. However, it is less powerful than Thunderbolt on a single target. If Zapdos is being used on a rain team, Hidden Power Grass can also be used to deal with Swampert and Gastrodon, since the latter is commonly used to check rain teams. If running Hidden Power Grass, the EVs should be changed to 140 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 116 Spe to account for the IV drop, although the extra 4 EVs can go into Special Defense if wanted. Heat Wave OHKOes Abomasnow and does severe damage to Ferrothorn, while doing slightly more damage to Metagross than Thunderbolt. Detect allows Zapdos to avoid damage for a turn and let its partner KO a threat. As an added plus, Imprison users such as Uxie will also not prevent Zapdos from using Detect, which has limited distribution. Tailwind is also an option in the last moveslot, as it allows Zapdos to surprise weather teams as well as goodstuff teams with faster Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Zapdos can use a variety of EV spreads, as its excellent natural bulk allows it to survive almost any attack with the right spread. The given EV spread allows Zapdos to outspeed Adamant 252 Speed Mamoswine, Modest 252 HP Chandelure, and Jolly 252 Speed Metagross while giving it some good bulk as well. Dropping down to 32 Speed EVs and putting the remaining EVs into Defense gives Zapdos much more bulk, but still allows it to outspeed max Speed Timid Abomasnow and 4 Speed Metagross and Politoed. The berry choice can influence whichever EV spread you decide to use; while Sitrus Berry makes 2HKOes more difficult, Charti and Yache allow Zapdos to take Rock Slides and Blizzards with much more ease, respectively. Electric Gem is also usable for a bit more power on Thunderbolt and Thunder, which can be very useful in certain situations. On rain teams, Thunder is also an option over Discharge and Thunderbolt for the added power and accuracy it brings to the table. For example, with an Electric Gem, it OHKOes 4 HP Terrakion.</p>

<p>Fake Out users such as Mienshao, Scrafty, Hitmontop, and Infernape make it easier for Zapdos to set up Tailwind, and thus are great partners. Since Rock- and Ice-types can take advantage of Zapdos's weaknesses, a Fighting-type partner such as Toxicroak or Scrafty can prove very useful, hitting both for super effective damage, and taking advantage of Tailwind if Zapdos has it. Metagross also makes a solid partner, resisting everything that hits Zapdos for super effective damage and retaliating with an OHKO against Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Tyranitar.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Roost can stall out slower Rock Slides and Blizzards, allowing Zapdos to take better advantage of its multitude of resistances and good bulk. Rain Dance help if Politoed gets KOed, and can go over Detect or Heat Wave. Thunder Wave can help to slow down an opponent and perhaps get lucky with full paralysis, but Tailwind is often more useful due to its ability to speed up Zapdos's teammates. Roar can help immensely against Trick Room teams, stopping Trick Room from being set up even against Mental Herb users, which is very useful, since Zapdos usually has trouble against most Trick Room teams. Light Screen doesn't have any specific use, but can support the team and allow Zapdos it to take Blizzards more easily.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Tyranitar can take any attack and do severe damage in return with Rock Slide. Abomasnow has to watch out for Heat Wave, but it resists Thunderbolt and takes little damage from Hidden Power Ice. Focus Sash and Occa Berry versions can easily do huge damage or even KO Zapdos with Blizzard, while Choice Scarf versions outspeed and do severe damage before Zapdos can attack. Weavile outspeeds and OHKOes or does severe damage with Ice Punch. Terrakion doesn't take too much damage from any attack, and easily outspeeds and 2HKOes with Rock Slide. Rhyperior is hurt by Hidden Power Ice and is OHKOed by Hidden Power Grass without Solid Rock, but does huge damage in return with Rock Slide. Archeops can't switch into Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Ice, but maims Zapdos with Rock Slide. Latios is also an excellent check, outspeeding Zapdos and easily taking a Hidden Power Ice while OHKOing back with a Life Orb- or Dragon Gem-boosted Draco Meteor. In addition, it can't be baited by a resist berry, unlike Abomasnow or Weavile. It has to watch out for bulkier variants with Thunder Wave or Tailwind, however. Specially defensive Latias and Blissey take very little from any attack, but must watch out for Toxic, which cripples them both.</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Zapdos gets Lightningrod from the Dream World, which makes it immune to Thunder Wave and gives it a Special Attack boost when hit by an Electric-type attack. Not only will this make it an excellent partner to Water-types such as Politoed, but it also means Zapdos can be used very effectively in a combination with another Discharge user such as Thundurus to make its attacks even more powerful.</p>
 
Detect > Protect I think

A check you missed out on is Latios (Latias too for that matter I guess), who survives HP Ice and tanks everything else while OHKOing back with a Life Orb or Dragon Gem Draco Meteor, and unlike with Weavile and Aboma, Zapdos can't halt Latios with a type-resist berry. Course, Latios must be wary of bulkier variants with Thunder Wave (>_>)
 
Less chance it'll be imprisoned. The lower PP doesn't matter since most Double Battles aren't very long.

Updated the EV spread a bit, talking with other QC about it.
 
I'm fine with you going with the 100 speed spread, I like it a lot too, but still mention the 32 speed spread.

Also, I think we should adopt the standard that we don't slash Thunder in, but then say if you are using it on a rain team you should use Thunder. It will make everything look cleaner.
 
Really important thing to mention in Dream World should be that it loses access to Heat Wave and Tailwind for Lightning Rod. While the ladder option may seem useless, the former is actually quite important for Zapdos's coverage needs.

Think it needs a mention but that's up to you in the end I suppose.
 
We don't know whether it will get those moves or not from the dream world, so we can only comment on what we know it will and will not have.

Ready for GP!
 
Deletions
Additions / Corrections
Comments

[Overview]
<p>Zapdos's excellent typing and bulk allows it to check a multitude of common physical attackers such as Metagross and Garchomp. However, it distinguishes itself from other merely bulky Pokemon with its excellent offensive prowess, featuring good Speed, high Special Attack, and excellent coverage. While it may at first seem outclassed by Thundurus, Zapdos's greater bulk and access to Tailwind and Heat Wave keep it distinct from the genie. Unfortunately, Zapdos is weak to common spread attacks such as Rock Slide and Blizzard, and it's also slower than a lot of quite common Pokemon such as Latios, Weavile, and Terrakion. Overall, Zapdos works really well as part of a "Disquake" duo, a rain attacker, a check to rain teams, or on a goodstuff team thanks to its bulk and power.</p>

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt / Discharge
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Detect / Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Charti Berry / Yache Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 156 HP / 252 SpA / 100 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice have excellent coverage together, with Hidden Power Ice 2HKOing most of the Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt, such as Latios. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt, as it is a spread attack and works well when paired with Earthquake, forming the well-known "Disquake" combination. However, it is less powerful than Thunderbolt on a single target. If Zapdos is being used on a rain team, Hidden Power Grass can also be used to deal with Swampert and Gastrodon, since the latter is commonly used to check rain teams. Heat Wave OHKOes Abomasnow and does severe damage to Ferrothorn, while doing slightly more damage to Metagross than Thunderbolt. Detect allows Zapdos to avoid some damage for a turn and let its partner KO a threat. As an added plus, Imprison users such as Uxie will also not prevent Zapdos from using Detect, whose distribution is limited. Tailwind is also an option in the last moveslot, allowing Zapdos to surprise weather teams as well as goodstuff teams with faster Pokemon.</p> (If a move is a slash on the main set, talk about it only in Set Comments.)

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Discharge is a spread attack and works well when paired with Earthquake, forming the well-known "Disquake" combination, although it is less powerful than Thunderbolt on a single target. Thunder is more powerful, but less accurate outside of rain. Hidden Power Grass hits Swampert and Gastrodon, the latter of which is often used as a rain check. Tailwind is an excellent support move, allowing Zapdos to make a rather unexpected check to most weather teams as well as goodstuff teams with faster pokemon. Fake out support from Mienshao, Infernape, or Scrafty makes it a bit easier to get Tailwind up. A variety of EV spreads are possible with zapdos, as its great natural bulk allows it to survive just about any attack with the right spread. The given spread outspeeds Adamant 252 Speed Mamoswine, Modest 252 HP Chandelure, and Jolly 252 Speed Metagross, while retaining some good bulk. Dropping it down to 32 Speed EVs allows Zapdos to outspeed Max Speed Timid Abomasnow and 4 Speed Metagross and Politoed. The berry choice can influence whichever EV spread you decide to use; while Sitrus Berry makes 2HKOes more difficult, Charti and Yache berry allow Zapdos to take Rock Slides and Blizzards much more easily. Electric gem is also usable for a bit more power on Thunderbolt and Thunder, which can be very useful; for example, Electric Gem Thunder OHKOes 4 HP Terrakion. Since Rock- and Ice-types can take advantage of Zapdos's weaknesses, a Fighting-type partner such as Toxicroak or Scrafty can prove very useful, hitting both for super effective damage, and taking advantage of Tailwind if zapdos has it. Metagross also makes a solid partner, resisting everything that hits zapdos for super effective damage and retaliating with an OHKO against Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Tyranitar.</p> (I split it into 2 paragraphs, since otherwise the wall of text makes it very difficult for readers.)

<p>Zapdos can use a variety of EV spreads, as its excellent natural bulk allows it to survive almost any attack with the right spread. The given EV spread allows Zapdos to outspeed Adamant 252 Speed Mamoswine, Modest 252 HP Chandelure, and Jolly 252 Speed Metagross while giving it some good bulk as well. Dropping down to 32 Speed EVs gives Zapdos much more bulk, but still allows it to outspeed max Speed Timid Abomasnow and 4 Speed Metagross and Politoed. The berry choice can influence whichever EV spread you decide to use; while Sitrus Berry makes 2HKOes more difficult, Charti and Yache allow Zapdos to take Rock Slides and Blizzards with much more ease, respectively. Electric Gem is also usable for a bit more power on Thunderbolt and Thunder, which can be very useful. For example, an Electric Gem-boosted Thunder OHKOes 4 HP Terrakion. On rain teams, Thunder is also an option over Discharge and Thunderbolt for the added power and accuracy it brings to the table. For example, with an Electric Gem, it OHKOes 4 HP Terrakion.</p>

<p>Fake Out users such as Mienshao, Scrafty, Hitmontop, and Infernape make it easier for Zapdos to set up Tailwind, thus making great partners. Since Rock- and Ice-types can take advantage of Zapdos's weaknesses, a Fighting-type partner such as Toxicroak or Scrafty can prove very useful, hitting both for super effective damage, and taking advantage of Tailwind if Zapdos has it. Metagross also makes a solid partner, resisting everything that hits Zapdos for super effective damage and retaliating with an OHKO against Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Tyranitar.</p>

[Other Options]
<p>Roost can stall out slower Rock Slides and Blizzards, and allowing Zapdos to take better advantage of its multitude of resistances and good bulk. Rain Dance can set rain back up if Politoed dies gets KOed, and can go over Detect or Heat Wave. Thunder Wave can help to slow down an opponent and perhaps get lucky with full paralysis, but Tailwind is often more useful due to its ability to speed up Zapdos's teammates. Roar can help immensely against Trick Room teams, stopping it Zapdos from going up even against Mental Herb users, which is very useful, since Zapdos it usually has trouble against most Trick Room teams. Light Screen doesn't have any specific use, but can support Zapdos's team and allow it to take Blizzards more easily.</p>

[Checks and Counters]
<p>Tyranitar can take any attack and do severe damage in return with Rock Slide. Abomasnow has to watch out for Heat Wave, but it resists Thunderbolt and takes little damage from Hidden Power Ice; and Focus Sash and Occa Berry versions can easily take Zapdos out with Blizzard, while Choice Scarf versions outspeed and do severe damage before Zapdos can attack. Weavile outspeeds and OHKOes or does severe damage with Ice Punch. Terrakion doesn't take too much damage from any attack, and can easily outspeed and 2HKO or OHKO with Rock Slide. Rhyperior is hurt by Hidden Power Ice and is OHKOed by Hidden Power Grass without Solid Rock, but does huge damage in return with Rock Slide. Archeops can't switch into Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Ice, but maims Zapdos with Rock Slide. Latios is also an excellent check, outspeeding Zapdos and easily taking a single Hidden Power Ice, while OHKOing back with a Life Orb- or Dragon Gem-boosted Draco Meteor; as an added plus, and it can't be baited by a resist berry, unlike Abomasnow or Weavile. It has to watch out for bulkier variants with Thunder wave or Tailwind, however. Specially defensive Latias and Blissey take very little from any attack, but must watch out for Toxic, which maims them both.</p>

[Dream World]
<p>Zapdos gets Lightningrod, which makes it immune to Thunder Wave and gives it a Special Attack boost when hit by an Electric-type attack. Not only will this make it an excellent partner to Water-types such as Politoed, but it also means Zapdos can be very effectively used in a combination with another Discharge user to make Zapdos's its attacks even more powerful.</p>

contrib_gp.png


GP 1 / 2
 
I notced that the set says that 100 speed EVs allows it to outrun 252 Speed Jolly Metagross, but Metagross would end up having 134 speed, while Zapdos would have 133. 116 Speed EVs are acutally required to outspeed +Speed Base 70s.
 
I think you should put this in there somewhere.

If running Hidden Power Grass, the EVs should be changed to 140 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 116 Spe to account for the IV drop.

Although the 4 can go into SpD if wanted.
 
checking......checked.

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[Overview]
<space>
<p>Zapdos's excellent typing and bulk allows it to check a multitude of common physical attackers such as Metagross and Garchomp. However, Zapdos distinguishes itself from other merely bulky Pokemon with its excellent offensive prowess;, (add semicolon, remove comma) it features featuring good Speed, high Special Attack, and excellent coverage. Although While it may at first seem outclassed by Thundurus, Zapdos's greater bulk and access to Tailwind and Heat Wave keep it distinct from the genie. Unfortunately, Zapdos is weak to common spread attacks such as Rock Slide and Blizzard, and it's also slower than a lot of common threats Pokemon (optional change) such as Latios, Weavile, and Terrakion. Overall, Zapdos works really well as part of a "Disquake" duo, a rain attacker, a check to rain teams, or on a goodstuff team thanks to its bulk and power.</p>

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt / Discharge
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Detect / Tailwind
item: Sitrus Berry / Charti Berry / Yache Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<space>
<p>Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice have excellent coverage when used together, as with Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes 2HKOing most of the Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt, such as Latios. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt, as it is a spread attack and works well when paired with Earthquake, forming the well-known "Disquake" combination. However, it is less powerful than Thunderbolt on a single target. If Zapdos is being used on a rain team, Hidden Power Grass can also be used to deal with Swampert and Gastrodon, since the latter is commonly used to check rain teams. If running Hidden Power Grass, the EVs should be changed to 140 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 116 Spe to account for the IV drop, although the extra 4 EVs can go into Special Defense if wanted (I don't understand the IV drop, it doesn't matter unless it's Speed?). Heat Wave OHKOes Abomasnow and does severe damage to Ferrothorn, while doing slightly more damage to Metagross than Thunderbolt. Detect allows Zapdos to avoid damage for a turn and let its partner KO a threat. As an added plus, Imprison users such as Uxie will also not prevent Zapdos from using Detect, which has whose distribution is limited distribution. Tailwind is also an option in the last moveslot, as it allows allowing Zapdos to surprise weather teams as well as goodstuff (I'm not knowledgeable in VGC, but perhaps explain briefly what "goodstuff teams" are for the less knowledgeable readers?) teams with faster Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<space>
<p>Zapdos can use a variety of EV spreads, as its excellent natural bulk allows it to survive almost any attack with the right spread. The given EV spread allows Zapdos to outspeed Adamant 252 Speed Mamoswine, Modest 252 HP Chandelure, and Jolly 252 Speed Metagross while giving it some good bulk as well. Dropping down to 32 Speed EVs and putting the remaining EVs into Defense gives Zapdos much more bulk, but still allows it to outspeed max Speed Timid Abomasnow and 4 Speed Metagross and Politoed. The berry choice can influence whichever EV spread you decide to use; while Sitrus Berry makes 2HKOes more difficult, Charti and Yache allow Zapdos to take Rock Slides and Blizzards with much more ease, respectively. Electric Gem is also usable for a bit more power on Thunderbolt and Thunder, which can be very useful in certain situations. For example, an Electric Gem-boosted Thunder OHKOes 4 HP Terrakion. On rain teams, Thunder is also an option over Discharge and Thunderbolt for the added power and accuracy it brings to the table. For example, with an Electric Gem, it OHKOes 4 HP Terrakion. (redundant)</p>

<p>Fake Out users such as Mienshao, Scrafty, Hitmontop, and Infernape make it easier for Zapdos to set up Tailwind, and thus are making great partners. Since Rock- and Ice-types can take advantage of Zapdos's weaknesses, a Fighting-type partner such as Toxicroak or Scrafty can prove very useful, hitting both for super effective damage, and taking advantage of Tailwind if Zapdos has it. Metagross also makes a solid partner, resisting everything that hits Zapdos for super effective damage and retaliating with an OHKO against Pokemon such as Abomasnow and Tyranitar.</p>

[Other Options]
<space>
<p>Roost can stall out slower Rock Slides and Blizzards, allowing Zapdos to take better advantage of its multitude of resistances and good bulk. Rain Dance can help set rain back up if Politoed gets KOed, and can go over Detect or Heat Wave. Thunder Wave can help to slow down an opponent and perhaps get lucky with full paralysis, but Tailwind is often more useful due to its ability to speed up Zapdos's teammates. Roar can help immensely against Trick Room teams, stopping Trick Room from being set up even against Mental Herb users, which is very useful, since Zapdos usually has trouble against most Trick Room teams. Light Screen doesn't have any specific use, but can support the Zapdos's team and allow Zapdos it to take Blizzards more easily.</p>

[Checks and Counters]
<space>
<p>Tyranitar can take any attack and do severe damage in return with Rock Slide. Abomasnow has to watch out for Heat Wave, but it resists Thunderbolt and takes little damage from Hidden Power Ice; Focus Sash and Occa Berry versions can easily do huge damage or even KO Zapdos with Blizzard, while Choice Scarf versions outspeed and do severe damage before Zapdos can attack. Weavile outspeeds and OHKOes or does severe damage with Ice Punch. Terrakion doesn't take too much damage from any attack, and can easily outspeeds and 2HKOes with Rock Slide. Rhyperior is hurt by Hidden Power Ice and is OHKOed by Hidden Power Grass without Solid Rock, but does huge damage in return with Rock Slide. Archeops can't switch into Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Ice, but maims Zapdos with Rock Slide. Latios is also an excellent check, outspeeding Zapdos and easily taking a single Hidden Power Ice while OHKOing back with a Life Orb- or Dragon Gem-boosted Draco Meteor; in addition, it can't be baited by a resist berry, unlike Abomasnow and or Weavile. It has to watch out for bulkier variants with Thunder Wave or Tailwind, however. Specially defensive Latias and Blissey take very little from any attack, but must watch out for Toxic, which cripples maims them both. (only changed because you already said maims somewhere...)</p>

[Dream World]
<space>
<p>Zapdos gets Lightningrod from the Dream World, which makes it immune to Thunder Wave and gives it a Special Attack boost when hit by an Electric-type attack. Not only will this make it an excellent partner to Water-types such as Politoed, but it also means Zapdos can be very effectively used very effectively in a combination with another Discharge user such as Thundurus to make its attacks even more powerful.</p>

gpstamp


GP 2/2
 
The IV drop is in Special Attack; 248 SpA EVs give the same stat as 252 with HP Grass. Goodstuff is a very common team archetype which is standard parlance in VGC play. Uploading this, thanks a lot!
 
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