STATUS: Done
Code:
[B]QC Checks:[/B] trickroom, shrang, Fireburn
[B]GP Checks:[/B] Engineer Pikachu, ShakeItUp[SET]
name: Substitute + Hone Claws
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Hone Claws
move 3: Bolt Strike
move 4: Outrage / Dragon Claw
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
<p>Zekrom's average Speed stat makes it a mediocre sweeper on its own, so Hone Claws seems like the perfect choice to make Zekrom an even better sweeper by increasing its already ridiculously high Attack stat. However, this set's main purpose is not to use Hone Claws and Substitute to improve its attacking prowess. Instead, it aims to take advantage of one of Zekrom's most common switch-ins, Ferrothorn, while still maintaining the superb coverage granted by Dragon- and Electric-type attacks.</p>
<p>Substitute is the crux of this set; it allows Zekrom to set up on Ferrothorn—probably Zekrom's most common switch-in—and scout other switch-ins. Outrage and Bolt Strike are amazing STAB moves, as both are extremely powerful and have wide coverage in conjunction with each other. The choice between Dragon Claw and Outrage is up to the user. Outrage's undeniable power—it OHKOes Giratina-O and 2HKOes Max HP Dialga after Stealth Rock damage—makes it the superior option. However, if you don't want to be locked into Outrage and risk hitting yourself in confusion, feel free to use Dragon Claw. It should be noted, however, that doing so will cost you some crucial OHKOs and 2HKOs, such as the ones that have been mentioned above.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is quite straightforward; it gives Zekrom maximum bulk and power while allowing it to outspeed base 90 Speed Pokemon that don't invest in Speed. However, you can opt to use more Speed EVs to outspeed certain foes. 8 Speed EVs outruns 4 Speed Kyogre and Groudon, 36 Speed EVs outpaces base 90s with 32 Speed EVs, such as Substitute Ho-Oh, and 164 Speed is just enough to outspeed Lugia, allowing Zekrom to strike it before it sets up Reflect. In all of those cases, you should take the EVs out of Attack, as the bulk is necessary. However, if you want a more offensive approach, you can use a spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with a Jolly nature. This will let Zekrom outspeed everything it can at the cost of bulk and many important KOs.</p>
<p>The big decision you will need to make for this set is what item it will use. Leftovers fits this Zekrom set perfectly, allowing it to use Substitute to scout switch-ins while regaining the lost health, minimizing the consequences of multiple uses of Substitute. With a Life Orb, Zekrom will usually focus on attacking first, only using Substitute to set up on Ferrothorn; thus, it should only be used with a Jolly nature and its corresponding EV spread. Life Orb is also notable for letting Zekrom gain several key KOs that Leftovers forces it to miss out on. For example, after one Hone Claws boost, Jolly Life Orb Zekrom will always OHKO maximum HP Arceus with Bolt Strike after Stealth Rock damage; Adamant Life Orb Zekrom also has an 87% chance of OHKOing maximum HP Dialga with a +1 Outrage. Finally, with Life Orb, you have the option of using Draco Meteor over Outrage and Dragon Claw. Assuming a spread of 104 HP / 148 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe , Draco Meteor will 2HKO Groudon, one of this set's biggest problems, and can also be used to lure Ferrothorn in after it is used once. The downside in doing so is that Zekrom will have serious problems getting past most Dialga.</p>
<p>Toxic Spikes and hazards completely tear this set apart, so a Rapid Spin user should be used. Tentacruel is an amazing spinner, as being part Poison-type means that it can simply clear the field of Toxic Spikes when it switches in. Groudon, Ground Arceus, and Hippowdon are immune to Bolt Strike, laugh at Outrage with their massive Defense stats, and strike back hard with their super effective STAB moves. Hippowdon and Ground Arceus can heal themselves by using Slack Off and Recover, respectively. Excadrill falls in the same boat as the aforementioned Pokemon, but it resists Outrage. Grass Arceus usually carries Ice Beam and Will-O-Wisp, resists Bolt Strike, and has the ability to Recover off the damage, which makes it a solid switch-in. However, Grass Arceus will take a lot from a +1 Outrage. Garchomp and any other faster Dragon-type Pokemon can revenge kill Zekrom. Garchomp gets a special mention, as it is able to break Zekrom's Substitute and OHKO it with Dual Chop. Like Garchomp, Cloyster also outspeeds Zekrom, and can use Icicle Spear to break through Zekrom's Substitute and OHKO it. Lugia, if faster, can set up Reflect before Zekrom gets the chance to hit with Bolt Strike, and proceed to stall it with Roost.</p>
