OU Zeraora

[Zneon]

[Overview]

Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame thanks to its blistering Speed tier combined with access to Knock Off and Close Combat, which allows it to threaten a majority of the metagame while forcing progress. Furthermore, because of its unparalleled Speed tier, it can revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch absorber thanks to its ability Volt Absorb; because of this, it can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using the move and take advantage of them to generate momentum or force progress. Unfortunately, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks unlike other Electric-types like Tapu Koko, which can check Pokemon like Tornadus-T more consistently due to its reliable recovery. Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp, as it cannot bypass them itself; this hurts its pivoting ability in the process.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, Swampert, and Ferrothorn by removing their much needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down due to their lack of reliable recovery. Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavorable matchup versus Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth. Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon, Kartana, Excadrill, and Ferrothorn for super effective damage. However, Close Combat can be replaced with Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp as well as Tangrowth that can reliably switch into its STAB move.

Zeraora commonly fits best on offensive and balance teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum while also being able to revenge kill and clean late-game thanks to its amazing Speed and primary STAB move makes it fit onto these teams well. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates, as they form a potent VoltTurn core with it; the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with with Hurricane and Toxic, respectively. On the other hand, Zeraora can pivot against Grass-types to bring in Tornadus-T and Scizor and provide an Electric immunity for Tornadus-T. Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn while providing utility in Future Sight, slow pivoting, and Spikes respectively make for great teammates. Zeraora's ability to consistently take advantage of Pokemon such as Corviknight, Slowking, and Toxapex due to their fear of being OHKOed by its STAB move makes it a great partner for Pokemon like Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T that generally struggle with these foes. Pokemon that appreciate Zeraora's ability to provide offensive momentum against Grass-types via Volt Switch such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele are very useful teammates, as they can heavily threaten them out. Future Sight support from Slowking and Slowbro is very beneficial, as Ground-types will be more pressured and easily worn down.

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Plasma Fist
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Bulk Up Zeraora is a very dangerous wincon. Its unparalleled Speed tier allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame alongside its amazing coverage make Zeraora extremely hard to deal with and revenge kill once it has enough boosts, and its ability to force out common Pokemon such as Slowking, Corviknight, and Tornadus-T gives it many setup opportunities. Knock Off is important for hitting Dragapult super effectively. Close Combat is great for hitting targets such as Hydreigon, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Kyurem for super effective damage, as they would otherwise resist or take very little damage from both its aforementioned moves.

Bulk Up Zeraora mainly fits on offensive teams, as the support offensive teams provide for Zeraora such as entry hazards and pivoting can give it more setup opportunities. Dual screens Tapu Koko is a great partner for it, as not only does the dual screens and pivoting support give Zeraora more setup opportunities, but the Electric Terrain increases the power of Plasma Fists, making it harder to wall. Suicide leads such as Landorus-T and Mew are very useful partners for Zeraora, as the entry hazards they provide can allow Zeraora to apply more pressure to the opposing team. Rillaboom is an excellent partner for Bulk Up Zeraora, as Grassy Terrain halves the power of Earthquake from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon; furthermore, Rillaboom can revenge kill Excadrill in sand, while Zeraora can heavily pressure Pokemon that Rillaboom may struggle with, such as Corviknight, Dragapult, and Skarmory.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn; however, with this move Zeraora loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Ground-types such as Swampert, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon for super effective damage, though it has little use elsewhere.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can block Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves; however, they all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss can easily switch into Zeraora's STAB move and either take it out or consistently wall it, respectively.

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet, and Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora, as it is worn down very quickly due to its lack of longevity.

**Revenge Killers**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO it from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch into Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard, respectively. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and to a lesser extent Kartana can be dangerous for Zeraora as well. However, none them can switch safely into Zeraora, as they can be heavily crippled or taken out by it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[ausma, 360720], [airfare, 513717]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [Estronic, 240732]]

 

[TailGlowVM]

AM check implement what you like
add remove comments

[OVERVIEW]

• Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame.
• Its blistering Speed combined with its great coverage options allow it to threaten the metagame very effectively while also providing much needed offensive momentum.
• Furthermore, because of its amazing Speed tier, it acts a strong form of speed control, being able to revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, too niche at the moment for the overview and Tornadus-T.
• Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch blocker in itself, thanks to its ability Volt Absorb, it can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using that move and potentially use them for momentum.
• However, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks.
• Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp as it cannot bypass them itself.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fist
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

• Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Ferrothorn by removing a very needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down as they all lack reliable recovery.
• Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavourable matchup while also providing tons of offensive momentum for Pokemon such as Rillaboom, Kyurem, and Tapu Lele.
• Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon and Ferrothorn for super effective damage.
• However, that can be replaced for Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp, and Hippowdon which doesn't especially mind Knock Off.

The team options should be a separate paragraph.

• Zeraora commonly fits best on bulky offensive teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum benefit these teams exponentially.
• Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates as they can pair with Zeraora to create a potent VoltTurn core with it, the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with, with Hurricane and Toxic respectively.
• Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn make for great teammates like what?

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn, however it loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Swampert and Gastrodon for super effective damage, however it has little use elsewhere. Alternatively, Bulk Up can be used over Volt Switch in order to make Zeraora a potentially potent wincon with enough boosts, however it is more easily taken care of by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Tangrowth.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can be a roadblock to its momentum grabbing by blocking its Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves, however they all lack reliable recovery, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly. Hippowdon is less easy to wear down due to its access to reliable recovery, but is crippled by Toxic.

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet or Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora as it is worn down very quickly by it and hazards if its Boots are Knocked Off.

**Choice Scarf Users**: Kartana, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini all outspeed Zeraora with a Choice Scarf and force it out with their STAB attacks. However, none of them can switch directly into it.

**Priority**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch in to Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard respectively.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

This looks good, except for the limited Checks and Counters section.

 

[Lando-San]

Just minor details (not counting as AM check).

- I'd add Tangrowth as a target of Toxic, as it has been rising after Cinderace/Magearna ban. Without the move, Zeraora can't do anything to it outside of Knocking off its RH. And while you can get momentum of it with Volt Switch, you will have your switch-in crippled with Tangrowht's Knock Off or Stun Spore/Sleep Powder. Being able to put it on a timer also benefits partners like Landorus-T, Garchomp and Kartana.
- I think a section of C&C with Grass-types could be another option to add. Rillaboom, Tangrowth, and to lesser extent Ferrothorn and the rare Amoonguss can check Zeraora, crippling it with Knock Off or status.

Good job ^^

 

[ausma]

sonic really got a good makeover this gen huh

comments in orange
additions/changes in purple
removals will be striked

[OVERVIEW]

• Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame. This is supposed to be your thesis, so explaining what makes it a good pivot would be a good call I think. You could easily accomplish that by just meshing this bullet point and the one below into one sentence.
• Its blistering Speed combined with its great coverage options allow it to threaten the metagame very effectively while also providing much needed offensive momentum.
• Furthermore, because of its amazing Speed tier, it acts a strong form of speed control, being able to revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T.
• Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch blocker in itself, thanks to its ability Volt Absorb, it can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using that move and potentially use them for momentum.
• However, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks. A lack of longevity is also a huge reason that it can't super liberally take chip damage, which is a major point of competition against Koko which actually can reliably check things like Torn-T.
• Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp as it cannot bypass them itself. Discussing that Volt Switch is able to be blocked by Ground-types I feel is important, too, and is a huge reason that Zeraora isn't a perfect pivot in a metagame so heavily run by Ground-types.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists that fat 50 bp plasma fist coming in hot
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

• Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Ferrothorn by removing a very needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down as they all lack reliable recovery. Why is this particularly relevant?
• Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavourable matchup while also providing tons of offensive momentum for Pokemon such as Rillaboom, Kyurem, and Tapu Lele. What does it pivot against in particular? I feel like I would also save teammate mentions for the teammate section, and use these to better beef up your teammate content.
• Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon and Ferrothorn for super effective damage.
• However, that can be replaced for Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp that can swap reliably into its STAB.

Separate paragraph for organization.

• Zeraora commonly fits best on bulky offensive teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum benefit these teams exponentially. What else can it do? I feel like you don't really describe this too much in depth and it leaves me questioning how bulky offense teams specifically actually benefit from this. If anything I'd be looking more at balanced offenses with what you've described, which admittedly is also valid; you could just say "offense teams" in general.
• Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates as they can pair with Zeraora to create a potent VoltTurn core with it, the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with, with Hurricane and Toxic respectively.
• Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn make for great teammates. Ok? How so? Can they provide any extra utility? Can Zeraora do anything for them?

I'd like to see more content in this section with a greater discussion on execution, with exploration on what makes these teammates work the best specifically. You can also bring the above examples of Volt Switch recipients down here too, since a huge component as to Zeraora's viability as an offensive pivot comes hugely through what it can enable with its pivoting, which I see nothing about here.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn, however it loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Swampert and Gastrodon for super effective damage, however it has little use elsewhere. Alternatively, Bulk Up can be used over Volt Switch in order to make Zeraora a potentially potent wincon with enough boosts, however it is more easily taken care of by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Tangrowth.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can be a roadblock to its momentum grabbing by blocking its Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves, however they all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet or Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora as it is worn down very quickly otherwise. This is especially a problem since Zeraora lacks longevity.

**Priority**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch in to Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard respectively. This section could probably be reworded with the idea of "Choice Scarf users and Priority", or just "Revenge killers" in general. I did really enjoy the sentiment of TailGlow's Choice Scarf suggestion and having it incorporated in some way here would be great, I feel.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

lmk when you implement

 

[ausma]

[OVERVIEW]

• Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame due to its blistering Speed combined with its great coverage options that allow it to threaten the metagame very effectively while also providing much needed offensive momentum. I think the wording on this could be improved. Saying something like "due to its blistering Speed tier combined with access to Knock Off and solid coverage moves like Close Combat , it can threaten a majority of the metagame while forcing progress."
• Furthermore, because of its unparalleled Speed tier, it acts a strong form of speed control, being able to revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. Emphasizing how great its speed tier actually is is important imo, hence unparalleled.
• Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch blocker in itself, thanks to its ability Volt Absorb. It can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using the move and take advantage of them to generate momentum or force progress. potentially use them for momentum. "Using them for momentum" is a really vague statement that doesn't really look at the execution.
• However, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks, which gives it competition with Pokemon like Tapu Koko, who can check Pokemon like Tornadus-T more consistently due to its reliable recovery.
• Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp as it cannot bypass them itself, which hurts in pivoting ability in the process as they can block its Volt Switch. They--mainly Landorus-T--can stomach a lot of its onslaught in general which makes Zeraora reliant on chipping them down just to do work.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

• Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Ferrothorn by removing a very needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down as they all lack reliable recovery.
• Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavourable matchup versus Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth while also providing tons of offensive momentum for teammates Pokemon such as Rillaboom, Kyurem, and Tapu Lele. I personally dislike having a mention of teammates in the set details so I would really avoid that and save it for the teammates section, but if you really want to have specific examples this would be how I'd word it. I still highly suggest you move it, though.
• Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon and Ferrothorn for super effective damage.
• However, Close Combat that can be replaced for Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp that can swap reliably into its STAB.

• Zeraora commonly fits best on bulky offensive and offensive teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum while also being able to revenge kill and clean in the late-game clean due to its amazing Speed and primary STAB make it fit onto these teams exponentially well. bulky offensive and offensive teams? Again you can just say "offensive teams".
• Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates as they can pair with Zeraora to create a potent VoltTurn core with it, the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with, with Hurricane and Toxic respectively. What can Zeraora do for them? A big one for Scizor and Tornadus-T is that Zeraora can gain momentum against Grass-type Pokemon like Tangrowth and Ferrothorn, and can provide an Electric-type immunity for Tornadus-T in the process.
• Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn while providing utility for Zeraora in Future Sight, slow pivoting, and Spikes respectively make for great teammates. Awkward wording since you say "make for great teammates" at the end after describing a bunch of specifics.
• Zeraora's ability to consistently take advantage of Pokemon such as Corviknight, Slowking, and Toxapex due to fear of being KOd to its STAB make it a great partner for Pokemon who generally struggle with those Pokemon, such as Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T. Incredibly weird wording here; you can just say that these Pokemon pivot into Corviknight/Slowking/Toxapex and gives Zeraora a wallbreaking opportunity.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn, however it loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Swampert and Gastrodon for super effective damage, however it has little use elsewhere. Alternatively, Bulk Up can be used over Volt Switch in order to make Zeraora a potentially potent wincon with enough boosts, however it is more easily taken care of by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Tangrowth.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can be a roadblock to its momentum grabbing by blocking its Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves, however they all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet or Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora as it is worn down very quickly otherwise due to its lack of longevity.

**Revenge killers**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch in to Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard respectively. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and to a lesser extent Kartana can be dangerous for Zeraora as well.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

lmk when you implement. probably 1/2 but i just wanna make sure you implement things

 

[airfare]

[OVERVIEW]

Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame due to its blistering Speed tier combined with access to Knock Off and solid coverage moves like Close Combat, it doesn't really utilize its solid coverage besides cc, which is why i think this isn't worth mentioning. if this were pre dlc or dlc1 then i would definitely mention this with emphasis on things like blaze kick, grass knot, or play rough, but it isn't. which allows it to threaten a majority of the metagame while forcing progress. Furthermore, because of its unparalleled Speed tier, it acts as a strong form of speed control, being able to revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch blocker in itself, thanks to its ability Volt Absorb. It can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using the move and take advantage of them to generate momentum or force progress. i think this would read better if you combine this sentence and the previous one However, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks, which gives it competition with Pokemon like Tapu Koko, who can check Pokemon like Tornadus-T more consistently due to its reliable recovery. Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp as it cannot bypass them itself, which hurts itsin pivoting ability in the process as they can block its Volt Switch.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Ferrothorn by removing a very needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down as they all lack reliable recovery. ferro has leech - i think clefable (maybe pert?) is also a good mention here and is more important than ferro is; you'd rather click close combat vs it or volt out than knock and take barbs chip. i feel like this interaction is bad for zera considering you take barbs chip for little reward while losing momentum Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavourable matchup versus Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth. Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon and Ferrothorn for super effective damage. kartana and excadrill are also pretty important mentions here However, Close Combat can be replaced for Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T, (AC) and Garchomp, (AC) and Tangrowth that can swap reliably into its STAB.

Zeraora commonly fits best on offensive teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum while also being able to revenge kill and clean in the late-game due to its amazing Speed and primary STAB make it fit onto these teams well. i think zera is also amazing on fatter balance/semistall teams because of its ability to come in and pivot/annoy with knock unpunishably. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates as they can pair with Zeraora to create a potent VoltTurn core with it, the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with, with Hurricane and Toxic respectively. On the other hand, Zeraora can pivot against Grass-types for Tornadus-T and Scizor to abuse, and Zeraora can provide an Electric-type immunity for Tornadus-T. Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn while providing utility for Zeraora in Future Sight, slow pivoting, and Spikes respectively make for great teammates. Zeraora's ability to consistently take advantage of Pokemon such as Corviknight, Slowking, and Toxapex due to fear of being KOd to its STAB make it a great partner for Pokemon who generally struggle with those Pokemon, such as Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T. Pokemon that appreciate Zeraora's ability to provide offensive momentum against Grass-types via Volt Switch such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele are very useful teammates for Zeraora, as they can heavily threaten them out. rilla is a good offensive partner here as well bc of its ability to bring in flying types and pivot into zera with u-turn, like mandi, corv, or torn. i would also mention future sight as a whole sentence here, and its utility in keeping out grounds and grasses or at least chipping them heavily if they decide to come in

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn, however it loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Ground-types like Swampert and Gastrodon for super effective damage don't forget hippowdon, however it has little use elsewhere. Alternatively, Bulk Up can be used over Volt Switch in order to make Zeraora a potentially potent late-game win condition wincon with enough boosts, however it is more easily taken care of by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Tangrowth.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can be a roadblock to its momentum grabbing by blocking its Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves, however they all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

you could make a point for defensive grass-types here including tang, amoong, bulu as all are rising in this meta

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet or Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora as it is worn down very quickly otherwise due to its lack of longevity.

**Revenge killers**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch in to Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard respectively. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and to a lesser extent Kartana can be dangerous for Zeraora as well. i think one of the best points about zera is that nothing really wants to switch into it for fear of knock off or being pivoted on it with volt switch. its position as the fastest mon in the meta really cements that. i personally would mention that none of these mons can hard switch into it and prefer a safe switch after a mon dies or if they are safely pivoted in by something

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[ausma, 360720], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

great job. implement this and you’ll be ready for gp

 

[Katy]

Addings / Mentions
Comment for Addings
strike for removing

Bulk Up Zeroara is a very dangerous wincon. It's unparalleled Speed tier in the unboosted metagame alongside its amazing coverage make Bulk Up Zeraora extremely hard to deal with and revenge kill once it has enough boosts, and its ability to force out common Pokemon such as Slowking, Corviknight, and Tornadus-T give Zeraora many setup opportunities. Knock Off is important for hitting Dragapult super effectively Knock Off can also weaken ground-types such as Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Garchomp for later. Close Combat is great for hitting targets such as Hydreigon, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Kyurem mention how it also can help against Excadrill, which otherwise would only take damage due to Knock Off for super effective damage, as they would otherwise resist both its aforementioned moves or take little damage from them.

Bulk Up Zeroara mainly fits on offensive teams, as the support offensive teams provide for Zeraora such as hazards and pivoting can give it more setup opportunities. Dual Screens Tapu Koko is a great partner for it, as not only does the screens support and pivoting give Zeraora more setup opportunities, but the Electric Terrain it provides can help boost the power of Zeraora's STAB, making it harder to wall. Suicide Leads such as Landorus-T and Mew are very useful partners for Zeraora, as the hazards they provide can allow Zeraora to apply more pressure to the opposing team. Rillaboom is a great partner for Bulk Up Zeraora, as the Grassy Terrain it can provide can help weaken opposing Earthquakes from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Swampert, mention Hippowdon instead, as it is more relevant compared to Swampert, moreover mention how Rillaboom can help against faster threats such as Excadrill under sand with Grassy Glide while Zeraora can heavily pressure Pokemon that Rillaboom may struggle with, such as Corviknight, Dragapult, and Skarmory.

Pretty sure you can add 1 or 2 more teammates for Zeraora in that section, examples could be Volcarona, Weavile, or Scizor, which fit well with it. Perhaps think about SD Scale Shot Garchomp as well.

 

[airfare]

Zneon, post: 8788252, member: 487629

[OVERVIEW]

Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame due to its blistering Speed tier combined with access to Knock Off and Close Combat, which allows it to threaten a majority of the metagame while forcing force progress and act as a late-game cleaner. (i wouldn't really say zera is a threat to the majority of the metagame) Furthermore, because of its unparalleled Speed tier, it acts as a strong form of speed control, being able to revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch blocker in itself, thanks to its ability Volt Absorb, (AC) ; because of this, it can easily deterring other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from pivoting, while healing itself and generating momentum. using the move and take advantage of them to generate momentum or force progress. Unfortunately, Zeraora is rather pretty frail , (RC) meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks, which gives it competition with Pokemon like and faces competition from Tapu Koko, who can check Pokemon like Tornadus-T more consistently due to its reliable recovery. Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp with Knock Off, entry hazards damage, and Toxic, as it cannot break through bypass them easily itself, (it can def break through grounds itself with repeated switchins on hazards, and from its own cc/knock/toxic - especially garchomp, which doesn't resist cc) and their ability to block its Volt Switch can hurt its pivoting ability by losing momentum. which hurts its pivoting ability in the process as they can block its Volt Switch.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, Swampert, and Ferrothorn by removing their a very needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down due to their as they all lack of reliable recovery. Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from some of its common checks, an unfavourable matchup versus Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth. Close Combat hits Steel-type Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon, Kartana, Excadrill, and Ferrothorn, (AC) as well as Hydreigon. for super effective damage. However, Close Combat can be replaced by for Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp as well as Tangrowth that can swap reliably into its STAB at the expense of hitting the aforementioned Steel-types super effectively.

Zeraora commonly fits best on offense offensive and balance teams, as its consistency with providing because of its ability to provide offensive momentum while also being able to revenge kill and clean in the late-game due to its amazing Speed and primary STAB make it fit onto these teams well. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates as they can pair with Zeraora to create a potent VoltTurn core with it. , the The former two, (AC) in particular, (AC) are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with, (RC) with Hurricane and Toxic respectively. On the other hand, Zeraora can pivot out from against Grass-types into for Tornadus-T and Scizor to abuse, while and Zeraora can provide an Electric-type immunity for Tornadus-T. Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types, (AC) such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn, (AC) while providing utility for Zeraora in Future Sight, slow pivoting, and Spikes respectively, (AC) make for great teammates. (slowbro and corv are both slow pivots, maybe there's a way you could word this better) Zeraora's ability to consistently take advantage of Pokemon such as Corviknight, Slowking, and Toxapex due to fear of being KOd to its STAB makes it a great partner for Pokemon who generally struggle with those walls Pokemon, such as Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T. Pokemon that appreciate Zeraora's ability to provide offensive momentum against Grass-types via Volt Switch by switching into wallbreakers such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele makes them are very useful teammates for Zeraora, as they can wallbreak easily when switched in safely heavily threaten them out. Future Sight support from Slowking and Slowbro is very beneficial, as Ground-types will be more pressured and easily worn down.

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Plasma Fist
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Bulk Up Zeraora Zeroara is a very dangerous wincon because of its unparalleled Speed tier, coverage, and offensive typing, which let it set up easily on forced switches from common Pokemon such as Slowking, Corviknight and Tornadus-T. Bulk Up makes it harder to revenge kill for other offensive threats while giving it the tools to break through defensive cores on bulkier teams. It's unparalleled Speed tier in the unboosted metagame alongside its amazing coverage make Bulk Up Zeraora extremely hard to deal with and revenge kill once it has enough boosts, and its ability to force out common Pokemon such as Slowking, Corviknight, and Tornadus-T give Zeraora many setup opportunities. Knock Off hits is important for hitting Dragapult super effectively, (AC) while . Close Combat is great for hitting targets such as Hydreigon, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Kyurem for super effective damage. , as they would otherwise resist both its aforementioned moves or take little damage from them. (no mention of lefties?)

Bulk Up Zeroara mainly fits on offensive teams because it benefits from the entry hazards support and setup opportunities that its pivoting teammates can provide. , as the support offensive teams provide for Zeraora such as hazards and pivoting can give it more setup opportunities. Dual Screens Tapu Koko is a great partner for it, as its not only does the screens support and pivoting give Zeraora more setup opportunities and , (RC) but the Electric Terrain it provides can help boost the power of Zeraora's STAB, making it harder to wall. Suicide leads Leads such as Landorus-T and Mew are very useful partners for Zeraora, as the hazards they provide can allow Zeraora to win games more easily through chip on opposing walls apply more pressure to the opposing team. Rillaboom is an excellent partner for Bulk Up Zeraora, as the Grassy Terrain it can provide can help weaken opposing Earthquakes from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon. , (RC) and being It is also able to revenge kill Excadrill in sand and benefits from while Zeraora's can heavily pressure on Pokemon that Rillaboom may struggle with, such as Corviknight, Dragapult, and Skarmory.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and hit Rillaboom super effectively easily 2HKO Ferrothorn, (cc also 2hkos ferrothorn) however it loses but the loss of its ability to pressure Hydreigon, Heatran, and Kyurem rarely makes Blaze Kick worthwhile. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Ground-types such as Swampert, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon for super effective damage, however it has little use elsewhere. this is more of a qc thing honestly but i think it would be good to compare gknot to toxic, which also targets grounds. also, mention specifically that gknot is almost never worth because the two best grounds in the tier (lando and chomp) aren't weak to grass

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent, (AC) Swampert, (AC) can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can be a roadblock to its momentum grabbing by blocking block its Volt Switch and force it out, taking away Zeraora's momentum. proceed to KO it with their STAB moves, however they Because these aforementioned Ground-types all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom and , Tangrowth , and Amoonguss can easily switch into Zeraora 's STAB and either take force it out or consistently wall it respectively. ngl i haven't seen amoonguss in ages and this helps the sentence read better

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet, (AC) or Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora as it is worn down very quickly otherwise due to its lack of longevity.

**Revenge killers**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes switching into Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch in to Zeraora, (AC) but they can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with their strong priority. Aqua Jet and Ice Shard respectively. feel like this is more of a cosmetic change but it feels like i have read respectively a million times.. just changed the sentence structure a little bit so it doesn't sound the same Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T, (AC) and to a lesser extent Kartana, (AC) can be dangerous for Zeraora as well. However, none of them can switch safely into Zeraora as they can be heavily crippled or taken out by it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[ausma, 360720], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

additions, removals, comments
jus trying shit out
am gp check, implement what you like

 

[Milak]

1/2

zera

[OVERVIEW Overview]

Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame due thanks to its blistering Speed tier combined with access to Knock Off and Close Combat, which allows it to threaten a majority of the metagame while forcing progress. Furthermore, because of its unparalleled Speed tier, it acts as a strong form of speed control, being able to (speed control ≠ being fast) can revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch blocker in itself,(RC) absorber thanks to its ability Volt Absorb; because of this, it can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using the move and take advantage of them to generate momentum or force progress. Unfortunately, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks,(RC) which gives it competition with Pokemon like unlike other Electric-types like Tapu Koko, who which can check Pokemon like Tornadus-T more consistently due to its reliable recovery. Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp,(AC) as it cannot bypass them itself,(RC) which ;(ASC) this hurts its pivoting ability in the process as they can block its Volt Switch.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, Swampert, and Ferrothorn by removing a very their much needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down as they all due to their lack of reliable recovery. Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavourable unfavorable matchup versus Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth. Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon, Kartana, Excadrill, and Ferrothorn for super effective damage. However, Close Combat can be replaced for with Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp as well as Tangrowth that can swap reliably switch into its STAB move.

Zeraora commonly fits best on offensive and balance teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum while also being able to revenge kill and clean in the late-game due thanks to its amazing Speed and primary STAB make move makes it fit onto these teams well. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates,(AC) as they can pair with Zeraora to create form a potent VoltTurn core with it,(RC) ;(ASC) the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with,(RC) with Hurricane and Toxic,(AC) respectively. On the other hand, Zeraora can pivot against Grass-types for to bring in Tornadus-T and Scizor to abuse, and Zeraora can and provide an Electric-type immunity for Tornadus-T. Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn while providing utility for Zeraora in Future Sight, slow pivoting, and Spikes respectively make for great teammates. Zeraora's ability to consistently take advantage of Pokemon such as Corviknight, Slowking, and Toxapex due to fear of being KOd to its STAB make their fear of being OHKOed by its STAB move makes it a great partner for Pokemon who like Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T that generally struggle with those Pokemon, such as Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T these foes. Pokemon that appreciate Zeraora's ability to provide offensive momentum against Grass-types via Volt Switch such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele are very useful teammates for Zeraora, as they can heavily threaten them out. Future Sight support from Slowking and Slowbro is very beneficial, as Ground-types will be more pressured and easily worn down.

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Plasma Fist
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Bulk Up Zeroara Zeraora is a very dangerous wincon. It's unparalleled Speed tier in the allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame alongside its amazing coverage make Bulk Up Zeraora extremely hard to deal with and revenge kill once it has enough boosts, and its ability to force out common Pokemon such as Slowking, Corviknight, and Tornadus-T give gives Zeraora many setup opportunities. Knock Off is important for hitting Dragapult super effectively. Close Combat is great for hitting targets such as Hydreigon, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Kyurem for super effective damage, as they would otherwise resist or take very little damage from both its aforementioned moves or take little damage from them.

Bulk Up Zeroara Zeraora mainly fits on offensive teams, as the support offensive teams provide for Zeraora such as entry hazards and pivoting can give it more setup opportunities. Dual Screens screens Tapu Koko is a great partner for it, as not only does the dual screens and pivoting support and pivoting give Zeraora more setup opportunities, but the Electric Terrain it provides can help boost the power of Zeraora's STAB increases the power of Plasma Fists, making it harder to wall. Suicide Leads leads such as Landorus-T and Mew are very useful partners for Zeraora, as the entry hazards they provide can allow Zeraora to apply more pressure to the opposing team. Rillaboom is an excellent partner for Bulk Up Zeraora, as the Grassy Terrain it can provide can help weaken opposing Earthquakes halves the power of Earthquake from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon,(RC) and being able to ;(ASC) furthermore, Rillaboom can revenge kill Excadrill in sand,(AC) while Zeraora can heavily pressure Pokemon that Rillaboom may struggle with, such as Corviknight, Dragapult, and Skarmory.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn, however it ;(ASC) however, with this move Zeraora loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Ground-types such as Swampert, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon for super effective damage, however though it has little use elsewhere.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can be a roadblock to its momentum grabbing by blocking its block Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves,(RC) ;(ASC) however,(AC) they all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss can easily switch into Zeraora's STAB move and either take it out or consistently wall it,(AC) respectively.

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet,(AC) or Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora,(AC) as it is worn down very quickly otherwise due to its lack of longevity.

**Revenge killers**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO it from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch into Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard,(AC) respectively. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and to a lesser extent Kartana can be dangerous for Zeraora as well. However, none them can switch safely into Zeraora,(AC) as they can be heavily crippled or taken out by it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[ausma, 360720], [username2, userid2 airfare, 513717]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [username2, userid2]]

 

[AquaVanilla]

i think that weavile should be mentioned in the parts where u mention what mons zera revenge kills instead of latios, and add leftovers as a item slot for bulk up zeraora.

 

[Astra]

add remove (comments)

Hide

[Overview]

Zeraora is one of the best offensive pivots in the OU metagame thanks to its blistering Speed tier combined with access to Knock Off and Close Combat, which allows it to threaten a majority of the metagame while forcing progress. Furthermore, because of its unparalleled Speed tier, it can revenge kill the likes of Dragapult, Latios, and Tornadus-T. Zeraora can also act as a Volt Switch absorber thanks to its ability Volt Absorb; because of this, it can easily deter other Volt Switch users such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and opposing Zeraora from using the move and take advantage of them to generate momentum or force progress. Unfortunately, Zeraora is pretty frail, meaning that it can't afford to switch into most attacks unlike other Electric-types like Tapu Koko, which can check Pokemon like Tornadus-T more consistently due to its reliable recovery. Zeraora also has to rely on crippling and wearing down Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp, as it cannot bypass them itself; this hurts its pivoting ability in the process.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Close Combat / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple the likes of Landorus-T, Garchomp, Swampert, and Ferrothorn by removing their much needed item, especially Leftovers, making it easier for them to be worn down due to their lack of reliable recovery. Volt Switch gives Zeraora the option to pivot out from an unfavorable matchup versus Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth. Close Combat hits Pokemon that resist all of its other moves such as Hydreigon, Kartana, Excadrill, and Ferrothorn for super effective damage. However, Close Combat can be replaced with Toxic, which allows Zeraora to wear down Pokemon such as the aforementioned Landorus-T and Garchomp as well as Tangrowth that can reliably switch into its STAB move.

Zeraora commonly fits best on offensive and balance teams, as its consistency with providing offensive momentum while also being able to revenge kill and clean late-game thanks to its amazing Speed and primary STAB move makes it fit onto these teams well. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Landorus-T, and Scizor are great teammates, as they form a potent VoltTurn core with it; the former two in particular are able to wear down Ground-types that Zeraora struggles with with Hurricane and Toxic, respectively. On the other hand, Zeraora can pivot against Grass-types to bring in Tornadus-T and Scizor and provide an Electric immunity for Tornadus-T. Pokemon that can cover Zeraora's disadvantageous matchup versus Ground-types such as Slowbro, Corviknight, and Ferrothorn while providing utility in Future Sight, slow pivoting, and Spikes respectively make for great teammates. Zeraora's ability to consistently take advantage of Pokemon such as Corviknight, Slowking, and Toxapex due to their fear of being OHKOed by its STAB move makes it a great partner for Pokemon like Rillaboom, Nidoking, and Tornadus-T that generally struggle with these foes. Pokemon that appreciate Zeraora's ability to provide offensive momentum against Grass-types via Volt Switch such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele are very useful teammates, as they can heavily threaten them out. Future Sight support from Slowking and Slowbro is very beneficial, as Ground-types will be more pressured and easily worn down.

[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Plasma Fist
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Bulk Up Zeraora is a very dangerous wincon. It's Its unparalleled Speed tier allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame alongside its amazing coverage make Bulk Up Zeraora extremely hard to deal with and revenge kill once it has enough boosts, and its ability to force out common Pokemon such as Slowking, Corviknight, and Tornadus-T gives Zeraora it many setup opportunities. Knock Off is important for hitting Dragapult super effectively. Close Combat is great for hitting targets such as Hydreigon, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Kyurem for super effective damage, as they would otherwise resist or take very little damage from both its aforementioned moves.

Bulk Up Zeraora mainly fits on offensive teams, as the support offensive teams provide for Zeraora such as entry hazards and pivoting can give it more setup opportunities. Dual screens Tapu Koko is a great partner for it, as not only does the dual screens and pivoting support give Zeraora more setup opportunities, but the Electric Terrain increases the power of Plasma Fists, making it harder to wall. Suicide leads such as Landorus-T and Mew are very useful partners for Zeraora, as the entry hazards they provide can allow Zeraora to apply more pressure to the opposing team. Rillaboom is an excellent partner for Bulk Up Zeraora, as Grassy Terrain halves the power of Earthquake from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon; furthermore, Rillaboom can revenge kill Excadrill in sand, while Zeraora can heavily pressure Pokemon that Rillaboom may struggle with, such as Corviknight, Dragapult, and Skarmory.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Blaze Kick can be used over Close Combat to hit Scizor super effectively and easily 2HKO Ferrothorn; however, with this move Zeraora loses its ability to pressure Hydreigon. Grass Knot can be used in order to hit Ground-types such as Swampert, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon for super effective damage, though it has little use elsewhere.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and to a lesser extent Swampert can be very threatening to Zeraora, as they can block Volt Switch and proceed to KO it with their STAB moves; however, they all lack reliable recovery other than Hippowdon, meaning Knock Off and Toxic can wear them down quickly.

**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss can easily switch into Zeraora's STAB move and either take it out or consistently wall it, respectively.

**Chip Damage**: Chip damage from Iron Barbs, Rocky Helmet, or and Rough Skin can be detrimental for Zeraora, as it is worn down very quickly due to its lack of longevity.

**Revenge Killers**: Rillaboom can switch into Zeraora's Plasma Fists and has a chance to OHKO it from full health with a Choice Band-boosted Grassy Glide. However, it dislikes Knock Off and Toxic. Urshifu-R and Weavile cannot switch into Zeraora but can revenge kill it if it is weakened sufficiently with Aqua Jet and Ice Shard, respectively. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Landorus-T and to a lesser extent Kartana can be dangerous for Zeraora as well. However, none them can switch safely into Zeraora, as they can be heavily crippled or taken out by it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Zneon, 487629]]
- Quality checked by: [[ausma, 360720], [airfare, 513717]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [username2, userid2]]

2/2

 

[airfare]

upman https://www.smogon.com/dex/ss/pokemon/zeraora/