[SET]
name: Prankster
move 1: Thousand Waves
move 2: Haze
move 3: Recover
move 4: Encore / Entrainment / Destiny Bond
item: Leftovers / Safety Goggles
ability: Prankster
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zygarde-C's Prankster set takes advantage of its high physical bulk to switch in to physical attackers such as Regigigas, Groudon, and Zamazenta-C. Thousand Waves allows it to deal appreciable damage to neutral targets and serious damage to Steel-types, and it prevents non-Shed Shell Imposter users from freely recovering due to the threat of being trapped and PP stalled. Haze stops any setup in its tracks , while Recover keeps Zygarde-C standing to continue resisting setup throughout the game. Encore is useful to lock a setup Pokemon into their setup move, allowing a free switch to a teammate or a safe Recover, but Encore itself only has 8 PP, which are easily wasted once it's revealed. Entrainment along with Thousand Waves allows Zygarde-C to beat Toxic Orb users that can't 2HKO it one-on-one, such as Knock Off + Spore Regigigas and Xerneas. Destiny Bond allows Zygarde-C to take an otherwise insurmountable foe down with it, such as Quiver Dance Reshiram or Shift Gear Glacial Lance Calyrex-I, but can be played around similarly to Encore. Prankster ensures moves like Encore and Haze activate before the foe can attack and lets them weaken the power of Fishious Rend. Leftovers is the most useful item, allowing Zygarde-C to passively recover, though Safety Goggles is useful alongside Entrainment to allow Zygarde-C to beat Spore Regigigas one-on-one with much less risk. An Impish nature maximizes Zygarde-C's physical bulk, while Speed is fully invested in to outspeed slower Steel-types such as Magearna and Necrozma-DM.
Physical attackers such as Groudon and Steelworker Kartana appreciate Zygarde-C Imposter-proofing them if they forego an Ice-type attack. Special walls such as Assault Vest Zamazenta-C can switch into Dragon-, Ice-, and Fairy-types for Zamazenta-C, remove items such as an Imposter user's Shed Shell with Knock Off, and paralyze foes with Nuzzle, while Zygarde-C can take on physical attackers in return. Status absorbers such as Poison Heal Calyrex-I and Poison Heal Tapu Fini round out the defensive core by taking on Ice-types for Zygarde-C, safely switching in to status users such as Giratina, and counteracting entry hazards with Court Change or Defog. Tapu Fini is also a very good check to Palkia, which can otherwise tear apart many cores containing Zygarde-C. A secondary switch into physical attackers such as Fur Coat Suicune or Fur Coat Cresselia is helpful to cover Zygarde-C's weaknesses to Ice and Dragon, as many physical attackers try to lure Zygarde-C with coverage moves of those types.
[SET]
name: RegenVest
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Core Enforcer
move 3: Spectral Thief
move 4: Nuzzle / Metal Burst / Rapid Spin
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Regenerator Zygarde-C acts as a durable mixed wall thanks to its high natural physical bulk and Assault Vest-augmented special bulk, safely bringing in teammates using a slow U-turn. Core Enforcer allows Zygarde-C to check some non-Fairy-type Poison Heal users such as Palkia and Kyogre and also hits Giratina and other Dragon-types for useful damage. Spectral Thief helps Zygarde-C defend against setup users such as Yveltal and Zamazenta-C, and it makes foes wary of setting up in general when facing it. Nuzzle is extremely threatening to many Pokemon that could otherwise safely switch in, such as Dialga, Xerneas, and Ho-Oh, as the paralysis takes away much of their effectiveness against slower wallbreakers. Thanks to Zygarde-C's titanic HP stat, Metal Burst allows it to retaliate against strong special attacks such as Xerneas's Pixilate Boomburst and Adaptability Palkia's Dragon Energy, both of which it can survive from full HP. Rapid Spin can also be run to clear entry hazards, but Zygarde-C's matchups against the most common Ghost-types are even at best, so it should not be relied upon as an entry hazard remover. Regenerator and Assault Vest help keep Zygarde-C bulky and healthy as it pivots in and out, while a Sassy nature maximizes special bulk while minimizing Speed to provide the slowest possible U-turn and Core Enforcer.
Zygarde-C's most glaring weakness is that Imposter users can freely switch in to use Regenerator to heal. Entry hazard and Knock Off support from Pokemon like Poison Heal Calyrex-I, Poison Heal Xerneas, and Zamazenta-C helps to keep Imposter users chipped down so they recover less HP. They also threaten foes transformed into Zygarde-C with super effective STAB moves, forcing them out. Zygarde-C pairs well with Pokemon who need an Imposter-proof that does not need to waste turns healing. Special attackers such as Adaptability Blacephalon and Adaptability Yveltal appreciate its excellent mixed bulk, since they often run mixed sets. Knock Off absorbers such as Poison Heal users and Griseous Orb Giratina can protect Zygarde-C from losing its Assault Vest. Physically defensive Zamazenta-C and Zygarde-C form a tough defensive core, with Zygarde-C handling Ground-, Fire-, and Fighting-types for Zamazenta-C while Zamazenta-C holds off Dragon-, Fairy- and Ice-types for Zygarde-C. A statistically bulky Pokemon such as Pranktser Cresselia, Tapu Fini, or defensive Xerneas covers most of the core's remaining weak points, including Reshiram, Palkia, and Glacial Lance Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
On the Prankster set, the fourth moveslot is very customizable. Knock Off and Corrosive Gas increase Zygarde-C's offensive presence by removing items from Pokemon that don't mind Thousand Waves such as Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Giratina. Court Change helps to keep Zygarde-C's field clear of entry hazards, but it can be taken advantage of by Encore and Imposter users and doesn't synergize with your own teammates setting up entry hazards. Parting Shot lets Zygarde-C work as a pivot but stops it from Imposter-proofing itself, and it should be run alongside another attack instead of Thousand Waves, such as Knock Off or Core Enforcer. Glare allows Zygarde-C to spread paralysis, but Magic Bounce users can take advantage of it, and Dark-types are immune, so its effectiveness is limited. Topsy-Turvy can be run instead of or alongside Haze to reverse stat boosts instead of removing them, but Dark-types and Magic Bounce users are immune to it. Rocky Helmet is useful for punishing most physical attackers further. Shed Shell improves Zygarde-C's matchup against Shed Shell Imposter users and also lets it switch into Imprison + Transform users, but forgoing leftovers has a high opportunity cost because these matchups are uncommon. On the Assault Vest set, Knock Off is another option in the fourth moveslot, which allows Zygarde-C to threaten Imposter users and cripple switch-ins. Zygarde-C can run a Fur Coat set to wall physical attackers, but is often outclassed by Fur Coat Giratina due to the 4x Ice weakness. A Choice Scarf set with Scrappy and Final Gambit can be useful on hyper offense teams, with Zygarde-C crippling a wall with Trick and then using Final Gambit on another Pokemon later.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Offensive Fairy-types such as Pixilate Xerneas threaten to 2HKO Zygarde-C with their STAB moves, and it switching out gives them time to boost or set entry hazards, but they must be wary of Prankster Zygarde-C possibly having Glare or Assault Vest Zygarde-C using Metal Burst if they attack. Bulky Fairy-types such as Poison Heal Tapu Fini and Poison Heal Xerneas are immune to Core Enforcer, threaten Zygarde-C out with STAB Moonblast, and can set up entry hazards or spread status to Zygarde-C's teammates as it switches out.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types such as Palkia, Reshiram, and Eternatus threaten a 2HKO on Zygarde-C with their STAB moves, forcing it out to gain setup opportunities. However, none of them can switch in safely, as both Zygarde-C sets can hit them super effectively with a STAB move, barring Palkia for Prankster Zygarde-C. If they run Dragon Energy, Zygarde-C's damage output severely weakens it.
**Ice-type Pokemon and coverage**: Kyurem-B, Kyurem-W, and Calyrex-I OHKO Zygarde-C with their STAB moves, which Zygarde-C is doubly weak to. Zygarde-C must also be wary of Glacial Lance and Triple Axel as common coverage moves on physical attackers such as Groudon, Regigigas, and Kartana before trying to switch in to them.
**Knock Off**: Assault Vest Zygarde-C hates losing its item to Knock Off users such as Yveltal and Zamazenta-C, which can make it far harder to check special attackers long-term.
**Imposter**: Imposter users can get a free heal by switching into Assault Vest Zygarde-C, which only deals about 15% with Core Enforcer. Shed Shell Imposter users are unafraid of being trapped by the Prankster set as well. Both sets can reverse these matchups if they run Knock Off.
**Ho-Oh**: Thanks to its immunity to Ground and excellent special bulk, Ho-Oh does not mind Thousand Waves or Core Enforcer, and it threatens to burn Zygarde-C with Lava Plume or Sacred Fire, or pivot in its teammates with Teleport. However, it should be wary of losing its Heavy-Duty Boots to the rare Knock Off.
**Regigigas**: Even though Assault Vest Zygarde-C runs Core Enforcer, it cannot take on Regigigas because of the threat of Spore. After a single boost, Facade is a 2HKO, and Glacial Lance is an OHKO. The Knock Off + Spore Regigigas set has a losing matchup against Entrainment Zygarde-C, even if it lacks Safety Goggles, but can still beat it if Zygarde-C sleeps too long.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SuperSkylake, 323519]]
- Quality checked by: [[XxSevagxX, 441607], [A Loser, 410702]]
- Grammar checked by: [[finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]
name: Prankster
move 1: Thousand Waves
move 2: Haze
move 3: Recover
move 4: Encore / Entrainment / Destiny Bond
item: Leftovers / Safety Goggles
ability: Prankster
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zygarde-C's Prankster set takes advantage of its high physical bulk to switch in to physical attackers such as Regigigas, Groudon, and Zamazenta-C. Thousand Waves allows it to deal appreciable damage to neutral targets and serious damage to Steel-types, and it prevents non-Shed Shell Imposter users from freely recovering due to the threat of being trapped and PP stalled. Haze stops any setup in its tracks , while Recover keeps Zygarde-C standing to continue resisting setup throughout the game. Encore is useful to lock a setup Pokemon into their setup move, allowing a free switch to a teammate or a safe Recover, but Encore itself only has 8 PP, which are easily wasted once it's revealed. Entrainment along with Thousand Waves allows Zygarde-C to beat Toxic Orb users that can't 2HKO it one-on-one, such as Knock Off + Spore Regigigas and Xerneas. Destiny Bond allows Zygarde-C to take an otherwise insurmountable foe down with it, such as Quiver Dance Reshiram or Shift Gear Glacial Lance Calyrex-I, but can be played around similarly to Encore. Prankster ensures moves like Encore and Haze activate before the foe can attack and lets them weaken the power of Fishious Rend. Leftovers is the most useful item, allowing Zygarde-C to passively recover, though Safety Goggles is useful alongside Entrainment to allow Zygarde-C to beat Spore Regigigas one-on-one with much less risk. An Impish nature maximizes Zygarde-C's physical bulk, while Speed is fully invested in to outspeed slower Steel-types such as Magearna and Necrozma-DM.
Physical attackers such as Groudon and Steelworker Kartana appreciate Zygarde-C Imposter-proofing them if they forego an Ice-type attack. Special walls such as Assault Vest Zamazenta-C can switch into Dragon-, Ice-, and Fairy-types for Zamazenta-C, remove items such as an Imposter user's Shed Shell with Knock Off, and paralyze foes with Nuzzle, while Zygarde-C can take on physical attackers in return. Status absorbers such as Poison Heal Calyrex-I and Poison Heal Tapu Fini round out the defensive core by taking on Ice-types for Zygarde-C, safely switching in to status users such as Giratina, and counteracting entry hazards with Court Change or Defog. Tapu Fini is also a very good check to Palkia, which can otherwise tear apart many cores containing Zygarde-C. A secondary switch into physical attackers such as Fur Coat Suicune or Fur Coat Cresselia is helpful to cover Zygarde-C's weaknesses to Ice and Dragon, as many physical attackers try to lure Zygarde-C with coverage moves of those types.
[SET]
name: RegenVest
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Core Enforcer
move 3: Spectral Thief
move 4: Nuzzle / Metal Burst / Rapid Spin
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Regenerator Zygarde-C acts as a durable mixed wall thanks to its high natural physical bulk and Assault Vest-augmented special bulk, safely bringing in teammates using a slow U-turn. Core Enforcer allows Zygarde-C to check some non-Fairy-type Poison Heal users such as Palkia and Kyogre and also hits Giratina and other Dragon-types for useful damage. Spectral Thief helps Zygarde-C defend against setup users such as Yveltal and Zamazenta-C, and it makes foes wary of setting up in general when facing it. Nuzzle is extremely threatening to many Pokemon that could otherwise safely switch in, such as Dialga, Xerneas, and Ho-Oh, as the paralysis takes away much of their effectiveness against slower wallbreakers. Thanks to Zygarde-C's titanic HP stat, Metal Burst allows it to retaliate against strong special attacks such as Xerneas's Pixilate Boomburst and Adaptability Palkia's Dragon Energy, both of which it can survive from full HP. Rapid Spin can also be run to clear entry hazards, but Zygarde-C's matchups against the most common Ghost-types are even at best, so it should not be relied upon as an entry hazard remover. Regenerator and Assault Vest help keep Zygarde-C bulky and healthy as it pivots in and out, while a Sassy nature maximizes special bulk while minimizing Speed to provide the slowest possible U-turn and Core Enforcer.
Zygarde-C's most glaring weakness is that Imposter users can freely switch in to use Regenerator to heal. Entry hazard and Knock Off support from Pokemon like Poison Heal Calyrex-I, Poison Heal Xerneas, and Zamazenta-C helps to keep Imposter users chipped down so they recover less HP. They also threaten foes transformed into Zygarde-C with super effective STAB moves, forcing them out. Zygarde-C pairs well with Pokemon who need an Imposter-proof that does not need to waste turns healing. Special attackers such as Adaptability Blacephalon and Adaptability Yveltal appreciate its excellent mixed bulk, since they often run mixed sets. Knock Off absorbers such as Poison Heal users and Griseous Orb Giratina can protect Zygarde-C from losing its Assault Vest. Physically defensive Zamazenta-C and Zygarde-C form a tough defensive core, with Zygarde-C handling Ground-, Fire-, and Fighting-types for Zamazenta-C while Zamazenta-C holds off Dragon-, Fairy- and Ice-types for Zygarde-C. A statistically bulky Pokemon such as Pranktser Cresselia, Tapu Fini, or defensive Xerneas covers most of the core's remaining weak points, including Reshiram, Palkia, and Glacial Lance Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
On the Prankster set, the fourth moveslot is very customizable. Knock Off and Corrosive Gas increase Zygarde-C's offensive presence by removing items from Pokemon that don't mind Thousand Waves such as Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Giratina. Court Change helps to keep Zygarde-C's field clear of entry hazards, but it can be taken advantage of by Encore and Imposter users and doesn't synergize with your own teammates setting up entry hazards. Parting Shot lets Zygarde-C work as a pivot but stops it from Imposter-proofing itself, and it should be run alongside another attack instead of Thousand Waves, such as Knock Off or Core Enforcer. Glare allows Zygarde-C to spread paralysis, but Magic Bounce users can take advantage of it, and Dark-types are immune, so its effectiveness is limited. Topsy-Turvy can be run instead of or alongside Haze to reverse stat boosts instead of removing them, but Dark-types and Magic Bounce users are immune to it. Rocky Helmet is useful for punishing most physical attackers further. Shed Shell improves Zygarde-C's matchup against Shed Shell Imposter users and also lets it switch into Imprison + Transform users, but forgoing leftovers has a high opportunity cost because these matchups are uncommon. On the Assault Vest set, Knock Off is another option in the fourth moveslot, which allows Zygarde-C to threaten Imposter users and cripple switch-ins. Zygarde-C can run a Fur Coat set to wall physical attackers, but is often outclassed by Fur Coat Giratina due to the 4x Ice weakness. A Choice Scarf set with Scrappy and Final Gambit can be useful on hyper offense teams, with Zygarde-C crippling a wall with Trick and then using Final Gambit on another Pokemon later.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Offensive Fairy-types such as Pixilate Xerneas threaten to 2HKO Zygarde-C with their STAB moves, and it switching out gives them time to boost or set entry hazards, but they must be wary of Prankster Zygarde-C possibly having Glare or Assault Vest Zygarde-C using Metal Burst if they attack. Bulky Fairy-types such as Poison Heal Tapu Fini and Poison Heal Xerneas are immune to Core Enforcer, threaten Zygarde-C out with STAB Moonblast, and can set up entry hazards or spread status to Zygarde-C's teammates as it switches out.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types such as Palkia, Reshiram, and Eternatus threaten a 2HKO on Zygarde-C with their STAB moves, forcing it out to gain setup opportunities. However, none of them can switch in safely, as both Zygarde-C sets can hit them super effectively with a STAB move, barring Palkia for Prankster Zygarde-C. If they run Dragon Energy, Zygarde-C's damage output severely weakens it.
**Ice-type Pokemon and coverage**: Kyurem-B, Kyurem-W, and Calyrex-I OHKO Zygarde-C with their STAB moves, which Zygarde-C is doubly weak to. Zygarde-C must also be wary of Glacial Lance and Triple Axel as common coverage moves on physical attackers such as Groudon, Regigigas, and Kartana before trying to switch in to them.
**Knock Off**: Assault Vest Zygarde-C hates losing its item to Knock Off users such as Yveltal and Zamazenta-C, which can make it far harder to check special attackers long-term.
**Imposter**: Imposter users can get a free heal by switching into Assault Vest Zygarde-C, which only deals about 15% with Core Enforcer. Shed Shell Imposter users are unafraid of being trapped by the Prankster set as well. Both sets can reverse these matchups if they run Knock Off.
**Ho-Oh**: Thanks to its immunity to Ground and excellent special bulk, Ho-Oh does not mind Thousand Waves or Core Enforcer, and it threatens to burn Zygarde-C with Lava Plume or Sacred Fire, or pivot in its teammates with Teleport. However, it should be wary of losing its Heavy-Duty Boots to the rare Knock Off.
**Regigigas**: Even though Assault Vest Zygarde-C runs Core Enforcer, it cannot take on Regigigas because of the threat of Spore. After a single boost, Facade is a 2HKO, and Glacial Lance is an OHKO. The Knock Off + Spore Regigigas set has a losing matchup against Entrainment Zygarde-C, even if it lacks Safety Goggles, but can still beat it if Zygarde-C sleeps too long.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SuperSkylake, 323519]]
- Quality checked by: [[XxSevagxX, 441607], [A Loser, 410702]]
- Grammar checked by: [[finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]
Last edited:
