[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Illusion
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zoroark carves a niche for itself in the RU metagame through the use of its signature ability Illusion and respectable offensive stats. However, its poor bulk leaves it prone to being revenge killed by faster offensive threats. Zoroark also tends to be outclassed by Mienshao as an offensive pivot and by Gardevoir as a Choice Specs user, making it difficult to fit on most teams. Flamethrower is a solid coverage option that hits Steel-types such as Cobalion and Steelix hard. Sludge Bomb hits Fairy-types that can take Zoroark's other moves, such as Togekiss and Sylveon, super effectively while also having a 30% poison chance, which can wear down the opposing team throughout the match. Lastly, U-turn enables Zoroark to pivot around offensive and defensive threats alike, generating momentum for its team in the process. Focus Blast can be used over U-turn and enables Zoroark to hit checks such as Incineroar and Porygon2, 2HKOing them both. Alternatively, Grass Knot can be used to let Zoroark lure in threats such as Gastrodon and Seismitoad, although it does not hit any of the Pokemon that threaten Zoroark itself, so its utility is limited. Lastly, Heavy-Duty Boots is an option over Choice Specs, although such a set lacks firepower and struggles to lure in and KO opposing threats consistently.
Zoroark's ability to lure in and weaken defensive threats such as Metagross, Steelix, and Reuniclus opens up opportunities for its teammates to clean up late-game. Examples of such teammates include Nasty Plot Togekiss, Choice Scarf Xurkitree, Darmanitan, and Necrozma. Togekiss in particular stands out due to it checking Fighting-types and bulky Dark-types that can give Zoroark trouble. Additionally, pairing Zoroark with Xurkitree can form a potent VoltTurn core, which can make wearing down the opposing team much easier. Zoroark fears revenge killers such as Golisopod, Choice Scarf Mienshao, and Choice Scarf Xurkitree, and the aforementioned Togekiss checks both Golisopod and Mienshao for Zoroark; other options such as Steelix or Roserade can assist in checking Choice Scarf Xurkitree. Steelix and Roserade are also able to support Zoroark with Stealth Rock or Spikes, which enables Zoroark to wear down its checks over the course of the game. Additionally, Zoroark enjoys Knock Off support from Pokemon such as Mienshao, Heracross, and Golisopod to make foes more prone to passive chip damage and entry hazards. Mienshao and Heracross also appreciate Zoroark luring in and weakening some of their defensive checks, while Golisopod is able to support Zoroark further by setting Spikes.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[A Very Gay Girl, 544192]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Illusion
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zoroark carves a niche for itself in the RU metagame through the use of its signature ability Illusion and respectable offensive stats. However, its poor bulk leaves it prone to being revenge killed by faster offensive threats. Zoroark also tends to be outclassed by Mienshao as an offensive pivot and by Gardevoir as a Choice Specs user, making it difficult to fit on most teams. Flamethrower is a solid coverage option that hits Steel-types such as Cobalion and Steelix hard. Sludge Bomb hits Fairy-types that can take Zoroark's other moves, such as Togekiss and Sylveon, super effectively while also having a 30% poison chance, which can wear down the opposing team throughout the match. Lastly, U-turn enables Zoroark to pivot around offensive and defensive threats alike, generating momentum for its team in the process. Focus Blast can be used over U-turn and enables Zoroark to hit checks such as Incineroar and Porygon2, 2HKOing them both. Alternatively, Grass Knot can be used to let Zoroark lure in threats such as Gastrodon and Seismitoad, although it does not hit any of the Pokemon that threaten Zoroark itself, so its utility is limited. Lastly, Heavy-Duty Boots is an option over Choice Specs, although such a set lacks firepower and struggles to lure in and KO opposing threats consistently.
Zoroark's ability to lure in and weaken defensive threats such as Metagross, Steelix, and Reuniclus opens up opportunities for its teammates to clean up late-game. Examples of such teammates include Nasty Plot Togekiss, Choice Scarf Xurkitree, Darmanitan, and Necrozma. Togekiss in particular stands out due to it checking Fighting-types and bulky Dark-types that can give Zoroark trouble. Additionally, pairing Zoroark with Xurkitree can form a potent VoltTurn core, which can make wearing down the opposing team much easier. Zoroark fears revenge killers such as Golisopod, Choice Scarf Mienshao, and Choice Scarf Xurkitree, and the aforementioned Togekiss checks both Golisopod and Mienshao for Zoroark; other options such as Steelix or Roserade can assist in checking Choice Scarf Xurkitree. Steelix and Roserade are also able to support Zoroark with Stealth Rock or Spikes, which enables Zoroark to wear down its checks over the course of the game. Additionally, Zoroark enjoys Knock Off support from Pokemon such as Mienshao, Heracross, and Golisopod to make foes more prone to passive chip damage and entry hazards. Mienshao and Heracross also appreciate Zoroark luring in and weakening some of their defensive checks, while Golisopod is able to support Zoroark further by setting Spikes.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[A Very Gay Girl, 544192]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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