[AAA] Zygarde

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Lol since I am already doing Zygarde in BH and MnM, might as well do it here. Reserving.



Ready for GP!

QC Stamps: Laxpras / Quantum Tesseract / motherlove
GP Stamps: Sobi / DeathByWobbuffet

Overview

With great bulk and a superb Dragon / Ground defensive typing that gives it a resistance to common offensive types such as Fire and Rock alongside an immunity to Electric-type attacks, Zygarde is the prime example of a solid bulky setup attacker in Almost Any Ability. Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde is a versatile sweeper due to it having multiple ways in boosting its stats. It is also able to utilize an amazing STAB move in Thousand Arrows, which has no Pokemon immune to it, hits Pokemon with Levitate, and has very few relevant Pokemon resistant to it, allowing Zygarde to dedicate more moveslots to support options instead of coverage. Poison Heal gives Zygarde recovery and an immunity to status moves, allowing it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match, which aids the bulky setup boosting sets. Zygarde can also run offensive sets with Magic Bounce and Aerilate, which apply more offensive pressure and sap less momentum, making them a better fit on faster teams.

However, Zygarde has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Mamoswine all threaten Zygarde immensely. It is also weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, giving it a harder time setting up against more offensive teams. Zygarde is also quite weak without any boosts, meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing Pokemon use it as setup fodder.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Tail / Toxic / Glare / Extreme Speed

Set Comments

Moves

Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down, even allowing Zygarde to sustain Ice-type attacks after enough boosts. Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to safely recover more health while scouting for the opponent's move. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame. Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the accuracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it. Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chesnaught. Glare can allow Zygarde to beat Unaware walls such as Skarmory and Chansey by gaining free turns. Extreme Speed is a great utility option that allows Zygarde to potentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.

Set Details

Poison Heal is an amazing ability, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, allowing it to take full advantage of Poison Heal. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns. EVs are invested in HP and Special Defense with a Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil.

Usage Tips

Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to set up against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to inflict it with status, such as Mew and Zapdos. It can also act as a sponge to Knock Off users, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned. Zygarde is quite weak without any boosts, meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to set up as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls. Protect should not be used too freely, as the foe can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially set up or switch to a Pokemon that can threaten Zygarde out. Once Toxic Orb activates, Zygarde can be used as a great status absorber to block certain threats such as Will-O-Wisp Mew and Scald Suicune from crippling other teammates. Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive walls that threaten to phaze it. It can also be useful to damage Pokemon that can 2HKO Zygarde such as Hoopa-U and Noivern, which can allow Zygarde to recover health and be able to beat them next time they switch in.

Team Options

Teammates that can cover Zygarde's weaknesses are extremely important. Bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Tapu Fini can help check Ice-type Pokemon alongside Dragon-type physical attackers such as Garchomp and Mega Charizard X, while Zygarde can check Electric-type Pokemon in return. Magearna on the other hand can check Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks alongside special attackers such as Mega Alakazam and Hoopa-U, while Zygarde can cover its Fire-type weakness in return. Entry hazard setters are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Greninja. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego are worthy of being mentioned due to Toxic Spikes helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Protect and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can take advantage of entry hazard residual damage even further. Wallbreakers that can bait out and weaken or KO Zygarde's checks are appreciated, such as physical Hoopa-U and Mamoswine for Buzzwole or Hippowdon and Tinted Lens Victini for bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini. Other bulky setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Bulk Up Conkeldurr, and Calm Mind Suicune are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde while being able to handle Zygarde's checks such as Weavile and Refrigerate Lucario. Pokemon that appreciate its Electric-type immunity and Fire-type resistance such as Skarmory and Celesteela can be paired with Zygarde, especially since the aforementioned examples can help check Dragon- and Fairy-types in return.

[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Lum Berry / Dragonium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is the main focus of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities. Extreme Speed is a great utility move, allowing Zygarde to hit priority users such as Entei and Mamoswine. It can also let Zygarde act as a revenge killer, targeting faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Noivern when unboosted. It also turns into a Flying-type move when used in conjunction with Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit Ground-resistant Pokemon such as Buzzwole and Chesnaught for super effective damage. Outrage is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets that resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzwole and Chesnaught. However, it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it, though this can be avoided by using Dragonium Z, which allows Zygarde to use a one-time powerful Dragon-type STAB move without risking locking itself. Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, although STAB Outrage is generally preferred to allow Zygarde to wallbreak better.

Set Details

Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind on top of blocking status conditions that can cripple it. Aerilate can be used to give Zygarde perfect coverage alongside Thousand Arrows by hitting both types that resist Ground-type attacks for super effective damage, allowing it to defeat offensive Pokemon much easier and break through Grass- and Bug-types such as Golisopod, Buzzhole, and Chesnaught. Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability. A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability. Lum Berry is another option for non-Magic Bounce sets that allows Zygarde to be immune to status affects such as burns and poison for one use, giving it more setup opportunities. Lastly, Dragonium Z can be used to let Zygarde fire off a powerful 190-Base Power Devastating Drake when equipped with Outrage, enabling it to potentially KO defensive threats such as Zapdos and Mandibuzz at +1 after Stealth Rock damage. EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to augment Zygarde's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature can be used alternatively allowing Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Chlorophyll Heatran at +1; however, the power decrease is noticeable.

Usage Tips

Zygarde strives on setting up versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority users can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucario. Therefore, it should retain from setting up until the aforementioned threats have been neutralized or weakened enough to be in range of Extreme Speed. Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from crippling Zygarde, but it is still prone to be affected by moves such as Lava Plume and Scald, as they possess the ability to inflict status on the target, meaning that it should be wary from switching in on targets such as Suicune and Heatran too liberally unless it is holding a Lum Berry. Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat. Aerilate is also a great way to lure conventional counters such as Buzzwole and Chesnaught. If Zygarde chooses to run Dragonium Z, it should be used to hit defensive walls that it struggles to break even at +1, such as Suicune and Chansey. It can also be worth preserving Zygarde rather than sacrificing it even if it gets to low health, since it can still be valuable as a revenge killer to check fast threats with Extreme Speed.

Team Options

Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect are essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Delta Stream Zapdos, Suicune, and Manaphy. Fairy-type answers such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile threatening out unboosted Zygarde. Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Landorus-T much more easily. Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chesnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team. Since the Aerilate set can lure in bulky Grass-, Fighting-, and Bug-types, physically offensive threats such as Garchomp and Mega Gyarados are beneficial partners that appreciate Zygarde being able to lure in their checks.


Strategy Comments

Other Options

Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows, which allows it become a powerful attacker immediately and lets it spam the move freely. Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzwole, and Snorlax. It can also trap and stall out Poison Heal users such as Chesnaught, Suicune, and other Zygarde. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support. Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets, allowing Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Weavile, and Landorus-T, which can be preferred depending on the needs of the team. A Mold Breaker Dragon Dance set with either Groundium or Dragonium Z can also be used to break through common Unaware walls such as Chansey and Mandibuzz.

Checks and Counters

[Ground-resistant Pokemon]: Grass- and Bug-type Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Buzzwole can counter all Zygarde sets besides Aerilate due to their resistance to Ground-type attacks and can threaten to hit Zygarde super effectively with their coverage moves.

[Unaware]: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Suicune, Skarmory, and Zapdos do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and they can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats.

[Physical Walls]: Bulky physical walls such as Hippowdon, Manaphy, and Tapu Fini can all sustain hits from Zygarde even after an Attack raise, in which the former can phaze it, and the last two can hit it back with super effective hits.

[Ice-type Moves]: Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some boosts.

[Faster Dragon-type Pokemon]: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
 
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Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
Motherlove, Quantum, so talked to funbot and two things before QC:
1. I don't see subcoil as the main set. From all the stronk attackers in the tier, it really likes the recovery. Also, I don't see the need for sub in general. FB said ML thinks sub is best, explain why?
2. For offensive, I see no reason why magic bounce wouldn't be the main set, with -ate speed next. Am I missing something? Again, FB said ML agreed with PH. Offensive PH doesnt break shit. tbh i would have that in oo but if u want it can be there but idk tell me why
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
QC has decided that the first set should revolve around protect rather than substitute, and the second set should be based on magic bounce with Aerilate slashed. Adaptability will be in other options. Let us know when these changes have been made.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
Lol since I am already doing Zygarde in BH and MnM, might as well do it here. Reserving.



Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: / /
GP Stamps: /

Overview
  • With a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that lets it resist common offensive types such as Fire, Poison Since when is poison a common offensive type?, and Rock You're missing Electric, the most important one. on top of its solid bulk, Zygarde is the a prime example of a solid bulky set up attacker in the metagame. AAA
  • Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde can convert itself from being a moderate attacker into a deadly sweeper. It is also now able to abuse an amazing new STAB move in Thousand Arrows, effectively enabling it to hit every relevant threat in the metagame with this sole move. meh. idk if either one is a "deadly sweeper," coil definitely is it. Avoid hyoperbole and just mention that Coil/Dragon dance allow it to set up in different ways allowing Zyg to have some impactful versatility. T Arrows doesnt hit every relevant threat. Almost every relevant threat.
  • The introduction of Poison Heal acts as a new form of recovery, Poison Heal gives Zyg recovery, allowing Zygarde it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match, helping defensive sets. While Magic Bounce and Aerilate allows offensive sets to become more menacing.
  • However, it has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Hidden power Ice Volcarona nah. all threaten Zygarde immensely. It also is weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, letting it have a harder time setting up against more offensive teams.
  • Zygarde is also quite weak without any setup boosts, meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing pokemon use it as setup fodder in most cases.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 204 HP / 40 Atk / 208 SpD / 56 Spe
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed / Toxic / Dragon Tail Dragon Tail should be first. ESpeed last.

Set Comments

Moves
  • Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down simultaneously.
  • Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to protect itself for one turn, effectively allowing it to receive 12% of its health safely.
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame.
  • Extreme Speed is a great coverage option that allows Zygarde to potnentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.
  • Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it out such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the acurracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it. Just alter the order of these three moves as mentioned in above set.

Set Details
  • Poison Heal is an amazing ability alongside a SubCoil this is no longer subcoil set, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns.
  • Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, making it able to abuse the effects of Poison Heal.
  • 204 EVs were invested in HP to enable Zygarde to create 101 Substitutes, allowing it to setup and stall threats such as Chansey much more easily. 40 EVs have been invested in Attack to allow Zygarde to 2HKO defensive Skarmory at +1 with Thousand Arrows after being knocked down, while 56 EVs have been invested in Speed to allow Zygarde to outspeed uninterested base 100 Pokemon and below. The rest of the EVs have been invested in Special Defense with the Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil. Speed EVs not worth, Zyg likes the spd bulk more. In general uninvested 100spe mons dont do a whole lot to zyg.
Usage Tips
  • Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to setup against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to status it such as Mew, Zapdos, and Buzzwole. It can also acts as a sponge to Knock Off abusers as well, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned.
  • Zygarde is quite weak without any setup boosts meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to setup as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls.
  • Protect should not be used too freely, as the opponent can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially setup.
  • Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive become who threaten to phaze it out, as although Zygarde is bulky even without any setup boosts, it can still be quite easily dented by powerful special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Volcanion, and Mega Alakazam
Team Options
  • Since Zygarde possesses a critical weakness to Ice-type attacks, Pokemon who can resist these type of attacks such as Magearna, Suicune, and Tapu Fini are appreciated. Especially since the former can help it check special attackers such as Hoopa-U and Mega Alakazam and Fairy-types, and the ladder two examples can also act as checks to Dragon-type threats such as Garchomp and other Zygarde. Fini also checks dragon, Mag checks dragon and fairy.
  • Entry hazard setters that can setup Stealth Rock and Spikes are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Chestnaught. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego can also be mentioned due to it helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Substitute and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can abuse the effects of entry hazard residual damage even further.
  • Wallbreakers such as Psychic Surge Hoopa-U, Adaptability Mamoswine, and Desolate Land Victini are also great partners, as they can help Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Unaware Chansey, Intimidate Skarmory, and Buzzhole.
  • Other setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Curse Snorlax, and Swords Dance Terrakion are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde.
  • What mons appreciate the elec immunity + spd bulk + fire resist? (skarmory)


[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat simultaneously.
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities.
  • Extreme Speed is a great coverage move, allowing Zygarde to hit faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Thundurus, making it harder to revenge kill. It also turns into a Flying-type move alongside Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit targets such as Buzzhole and Chestnaught for more damage.
  • Outrage is another STAB option for the Magic Bounce set, that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets who resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzhole, and Chestnaught. However it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it. you make it sound like outrage should not be run with aerilate, it should be. Return is still the second option.
  • Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to become a better wallbreaker.

Set Details
  • Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind ontop of status conditions that can cripple it.
  • Aerilate can be used instead to give Zygarde Flying-type coverage, allowing to break through certain offensive Pokemon much easier. Why is this important? (Buzzwole, Goli, Ches, other bulky grass/bug)
  • Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability.
  • A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability.
  • EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to maximize Zygarde's sweeping potential.
  • A Jolly nature can be used alternatively to allow Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Victini, and Shift Gear Magearna at +1. meh. zyg generally needs the power, mention that.

Usage Tips
  • Zygarde strives on setting versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and non Ice Punch Buzzhole.
  • Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority moves can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucario.
  • Although Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from status moves, Zygarde is still prone to be crippled by moves such as Lava Plume and Sludge Bomb, as they possess the ability to status the target.
  • Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat.
  • Do not try to use Protect too liberally, as the opponent can predict it, and can use that turn to start setting up themselves.
  • mention how it can lure buzzwole.

Team Options
  • Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect is essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Magearna, Suicune, and Manaphy.
  • Fairy-type resists such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Nihilego can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile threatening out Zygarde immensely.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls much more easily.
  • Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chestnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team.
  • aerilate lures buzzwole, what appreciates this? (Chomp, Lando etc)

Strategy Comments

Other Options

  • Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows that allows it become a powerful attacker immediately. mention that it can just spam tarrows
  • Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets to allow Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Noivern, Weavile, and Landorus-T for more damage.
  • Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzhole, and Snorlax. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support.

Checks and Counters

buzzwole should be first on this list.


[Ice-type moves]: Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

[Bulky Grass-types]: Bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu, Chestnaught, and Tangrowth all resist Zygarde's Ground-type STAB attacks and can all threaten to hit Zygarde hard with their STAB or coverage options. However, Zygarde can choose to run Aerilate, allowing it to counter these threats.

[Unaware]: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Zapdos all do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it out. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some setup boosts.

[Bulky Pokemon]: Bulky defensive walls such as Suicune, Buzzhole, and Slowbro all do not fear Zygarde even after an Attack raise due to it inherently possessing rather average offensive stats, and can proceed to either setup or deal significant amount of damage with their coverage attacks in return.

[Faster Dragon-type Pokemon]: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
changes in bold.
 
Lol since I am already doing Zygarde in BH and MnM, might as well do it here. Reserving.



Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: Laxpras / /
GP Stamps: /

Overview
  • With a great Dragon / Ground defensive typing that lets it resist common offensive types such as Fire and Rock and be immune to Electric-type attacks, on top of its solid bulk, Zygarde is the prime example of a solid bulky set up attacker in Almost Any Ability. this is GP so ignore as you see fit, but this is really confusingly worded and I suggest you look it over.
  • Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde is a versatile setup sweeper due to it having access to boost its stats in multiple ways. It is also now able to abuse an amazingDon't mention generational shifts new STAB move in Thousand Arrows, effectively enabling it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame with this sole move.
  • Poison Heal gives Zygarde recovery, allowing it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match, helping defensive sets. While Magic Bounce and Aerilate allows offensive sets to become more menacing.
  • However, it has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Mamoswine all threaten Zygarde immensely. It also is weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, letting it have a harder time setting up against more offensive teams.
  • I should see a mention of the offensive set here as well, separate from ph PH
  • Zygarde is also quite weak without any setup boosts, meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing pokemon use it as setup fodder in most cases.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 216 HP / 40 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Tail / Toxic / Extreme Speed

Set Comments

Moves
  • Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down simultaneously.
  • Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to protect itself for one turn, effectively allowing it to receive 12% of its health safely.
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame.
  • Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it out such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the acurracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it.
  • Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught.
  • Extreme Speed is a great coverage option It's not really coverage. i'd just call it an option, or at the very least utility that allows Zygarde to potentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.
Set Details
  • Poison Heal is an amazing ability alongside the Coil set, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns. this second sentence woud fit better in the next bullet
  • Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, making it able to abuse the effects of Poison Heal.
  • 216 EVs were invested in HP to enable Zygarde to create 101 Substitutes, allowing it to setup and stall threats such as Chansey much more easily mention why (ie stoss), plus it's pretty much just chansey isntead of like chansey; there arent any other relevant stoss/night shade users . 40 EVs have been invested in Attack to allow Zygarde to 2HKO defensive Skarmory at +1 with Thousand Arrows after being knocked down. the rest of the EVs have been invested in Special Defense with the Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil. I'd suggest splitting this up, but you're about to go into writup so no real need
Usage Tips
  • Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to setup against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to status it such as Mew, Zapdos, and Buzzwole. It can also acts as a sponge to Knock Off abusers as well, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned.
  • Zygarde is quite weak without any setup boosts meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to setup as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls.
  • Protect should not be used too freely, as the opponent can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially setup or switch.
  • Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive become who threaten to phaze it out, as although Zygarde is bulky even without any setup boosts, it can still be quite easily dented by powerful special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Volcanion, and Mega Alakazam
  • Bullet here on using it as a status absorber
  • Mention avoiding setting up until things that can force it out like Tapu Fini and Mamoswine are weakened or KOed
Team Options
  • Since Zygarde possesses a critical weakness to Ice-type attacks, Pokemon who can resist these type of attacks such as Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Magearna are appreciated. Especially since they can all check Dragon-type offensive threats such as Garchomp and other Zygarde Magearna doesn't check chomp at all, and barely checks zyggy; suicune doesn't check zyggy either because dtail, while the ladder can help it check special attackers such as Hoopa-U and Mega Alakazam alongside Fairy-types.
  • Entry hazard setters that can setup Stealth Rock and Spikes are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Chesnaught. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego can also be mentioned They are mentioned? Did you mean "worthy of mention," or? due to it helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Substitute and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can abuse the effects of entry hazard residual damage even further.
  • Wallbreakers such as Psychic Surge Hoopa-U any hoopa-u reaally, Adaptability Mamoswine, and Desolate Land Victini again, no need to be so specific, as TL/etc are also solid wallbreakersare also great partners, as they can help Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Unaware Chansey really you should be using this as setup bait, get to +6 and tehn spam dragon tail to get KOes, Intimidate Skarmory, and Buzzwole.
  • Other setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Curse Snorlax, and Swords Dance Terrakion are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde.
  • Pokemon who appreciate the Electric-type immunity and Fire-type resistance such as Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Zygarde, and in return are also appreciated, especially since the aforementioned examples can check Dragon- and Fairy-types in return.


[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat simultaneously.
  • Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities.
  • Extreme Speed is a great coverage move, allowing Zygarde to hit faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Thundurus, making it harder to revenge kill. It also turns into a Flying-type move alongside Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit targets such as Buzzwole and Chestnaught for more damage. It's not exactly coverage. Espeed is a revenge killing tool or something to pick off opposing priority.
  • Outrage is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets who resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzwole, and Chestnaught. However it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it.
  • Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to become a better wallbreaker. Honestly it doesn't make Zygarde a better wallbreaker and zygarde isn't one even with it.

Set Details
  • Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind ontop of blocking status conditions that can cripple it.
  • Aerilate can be used instead to give Zygarde Flying-type coverage, allowing to break through defeat (they aren't walls) certain offensive Pokemon much easier and allows Zygarde to break through Grass- and Bug-types such as Golisopod, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught,
  • Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability.
  • A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability.
  • EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to maximize Zygarde's sweeping potential.
  • A Jolly nature can be used alternatively to allow Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Victini, and Shift Gear Magearna at +1, however the power decrease is noticeable.

Usage Tips
  • Zygarde strives on setting versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and non Ice Punch Buzzwole. specify buzzwole should be set up on IFF you are aerilate, as otherwise it just walls you
  • Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority moves can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucario. really only true if
  • Although Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from status moves, Zygarde is still prone to be crippled by moves such as Lava Plume and Sludge Bomb, as they possess the ability to status the target.
  • Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat.
  • Do not try to use Protect too liberally, as the opponent can predict it, and can use that turn to start setting up themselves.
  • Aerilate is also a great way to lure conventional counters such as Buzzwole and Chesnaught.

Team Options
  • Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect is essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Magearna, Suicune, and Manaphy.
  • Fairy-type resists such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Nihilego Nihilego is a mediocre fairy resist to mention here because it doesn't beat either of the two examples can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile only if unboosted, +1 Zygarde>mawile unless mawile is running a lot of HP and rocks are off the feild+easily beats Koko at +1/on the switch threatening out Zygarde immensely.
  • Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls such as much more easily.
  • Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chestnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team.
  • Since the Aerilate set can lure in bulky Grass- and Bug-types, physically offensive threats such as Garchomp, Mega Gyarados, and non-Aerilate Landorus-T I think you forgot part of this set?.


Strategy Comments

Other Options

  • Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows that allows it become a powerful attacker immediately, letting it spam Thousand Arrows freely.
  • Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets to allow Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Noivern, Weavile, and Landorus-T for more damage.
  • Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzhole, and Snorlax. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support.

Checks and Counters

[Buzzwole]: Buzzwole can counter all Zygarde sets besides Aerilate due to its bulk plus its resistance to Ground-type attacks allowing it to live even boosted attacks from Zygarde, and can damage it in return with Ice Punch.

[Ice-type moves]: Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

[Bulky Grass-types]: Bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu, Chestnaught, and Tangrowth all resist Zygarde's Ground-type STAB attacks and can all threaten to hit Zygarde hard with their STAB or coverage options. However, Zygarde can choose to run Aerilate, allowing it to counter Check these threats.

[Unaware]: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Suicune, Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Zapdos all do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it out. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats. This should honestly be #2

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some setup boosts.

[Faster Dragon-type Pokemon]: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
That's it for me, QC 2/3
 
Last edited:
Lol since I am already doing Zygarde in BH and MnM, might as well do it here. Reserving.



Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: Laxpras / Quantum Tesseract /
GP Stamps: /

Overview

With access to great bulk alongside a Dragon / Ground defensive typing that lets it resist common offensive types such as Fire, and Rock and an immunity to Electric-type attacks, Zygarde is the prime example of a solid bulky set up attacker in Almost Any Ability. Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde is a versatile setup sweeper due to it having access to boost its stats in multiple ways. It is also now able to abuse an amazing STAB move in Thousand Arrows, effectively enabling it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame with this sole move which has no immunities, hits pokemon with levitate and has very few relevant resist, allowing zygarde to dedicate more moveslots to support options instead of coverage. Poison Heal gives Zygarde recovery and immunity to status, allowing it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match, helping defensive sets they're not really defensive sets, call them bulky sets or smt. Zygarde can also run offensive sets with Magic Bounce and or* Aerilate, leaving to to be much more difficult to check reliably which apply more offensive pressure and sap less momentum, making them a better fit on faster teams.

However, it has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Mamoswine all threaten Zygarde immensely. It also is weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, letting it have a harder time setting up against more offensive teams. Zygarde is also quite weak without any setup boosts, meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing pokemon use it as setup fodder in most some* cases.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 216 HP / 40 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Tail / Toxic / Glare / Extreme Speed

Set Comments

Moves

Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down simultaneously. Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to protect itself for one turn, effectively allowing it to receive 12% of its health safely. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame. Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it out such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the acurracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it. Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught. Glare can allow zygarde to beat unaware walls such as skarmory by gaining free turns. Extreme Speed is a great utility option that allows Zygarde to potentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.

Set Details

Poison Heal is an amazing ability alongside the Coil set, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, making it able to abuse the effects of Poison Heal. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns. 216 EVs were invested in HP alongside 252 EVs in Special Defense with a Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil. While the rest of its EVs have been invested in Attack to allow Zygarde to 2HKO defensive Skarmory at +1 with Thousand Arrows after being knocked down it's the opposite, first say that you invested 40 atk EVs to 2hko knocked down skarmory and then say that the rest has been dumped in bulk.

Usage Tips

Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to setup against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to status it such as Mew, Zapdos, and Buzzwole. It can also acts as a sponge to Knock Off abusers as well, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned. Zygarde is quite weak without any setup boosts meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to setup as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls. Protect should not be used too freely, as the opponent can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially setup or switch. Once Toxic Orb activates, Zygarde can be used as a great status absorber to block certain threats such as Will-O-Wisp Mew and Scald Suicune from crippling other teammates. Zygarde should avoid setting up until its checks such as Mamoswine and Tapu Fini are significantly weakened or KOed I disagree with that, setting up is safe and applies more pressure than wasting pps on weak thousand arrows (yes I know qt said the opposite but you litteraly say that zygarde should take every opportunity to set up everywhere else in the analysis. Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive become who threaten to phaze it out, as although Zygarde is bulky even without any setup boosts, it can still be quite easily dented by powerful special attackers such as Hoopa-U, Volcanion, and Mega Alakazam.it can also be useful to damage pokemon that can 2HKO zygarde such as hoopa-u or noivern, which can allow zygarde to recover health and beat them next time they come in.

Team Options

Since Zygarde possesses a critical weakness to Ice-type attacks, Pokemon who can resist these type of attacks such as Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Levitate Heatran are appreciated. Especially since they can all check Dragon-type offensive threats such as Garchomp and Mega Charizard X, while the ladder can help it check special attackers such as Hoopa-U and Mega Alakazam alongside Fairy-types try to have a bit more structure when you write stuff cause this is super hard to understand, say like "it's important to cover zygarde's weaknesses, bulky water types like tapu fini and suicune can tank ice type attacks and check phisical dragons such as garchomp or charizard X while zygarde can cover their electric weaknesses. magearna on the other hand can check ice, fairy and dragon types while zygarde can cover it's fire type weakness". Entry hazard setters that can setup Stealth Rock and Spikes entry hazard setters generally setup rocks and spikes, no need to mention it are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Chestnaught chesnaugh stacks weaknesses, checks similar shit and isn't a particularly relevant mon anyway so I wouldn't mention it. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego are worthy of being mentioned due to it helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Protect and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can abuse the effects of entry hazard residual damage even further. Wallbreakers such as Physycal Hoopa-U, Adaptability Mamoswine, and tinted lens Victini are also great partners, as they can help Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Tapu Fini, Intimidate Skarmory, and Buzzhole.wallbreakers that can bait out and weaken or kill zygarde's check are appreciated, examples include physycal hoopa-u or mamoswine for buzzwole or hippodown and tinted lens victini for bulky water types such as tapu fini Other setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Curse Snorlax, and Swords Dance Terrakion are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde that's very vague, you just listed a special bulky setup, a phisical bulky setup and an offensive setup mon, neither of seem to have particularly good synergy with zyg. Pokemon who appreciate the Electric-type immunity and Fire-type resistance such as Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Zygarde and in return can check Dragon- and Fairy-types you make it sound like pokemon who appreciate electric immunity inherently check dragon types, which they don't. So you might want to rephrase this.

[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb / lum? / draconium?
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat simultaneously. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities. Extreme Speed is a great utility move, allowing Zygarde to hit faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Thundurus, making it harder to revenge killespeed also takes on opposing priority from entei or mamoswine. It also turns into a Flying-type move alongside Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit targets such as Buzzhole and Chestnaught for more damage. Outrage is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets who resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzhole, and Chestnaught. However it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it. Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, although STAB Outrage is generally preferred to allow Zygarde to wallbreak better.

Set Details

Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind ontop of blocking status conditions that can cripple it. Aerilate can be used instead to give Zygarde Flying-type coveragewhich hits the two types that resist ground for se damage, allowing to defeat offensive Pokemon much easier and allows Zygarde to break through Grass- and Bug-types such as Golisopod, Buzzhole, and Chestnaught, Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability. A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability. EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to maximize Zygarde's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature can be used alternatively to allow Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Victiniscarf victini runs jolly, and Shift Gear Magearna at +1irrelevant, however the power decrease is noticeable.

Usage Tips

Zygarde strives on setting versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and non Ice Punch Buzzholeremove buzzwole, replace with skarmory or smt. Although Zygarde can setup versus Buzzhole if it does carry Aerilate, as otherwise Buzzhole can easily wall Zygardezygarde doesn't setup on buzz cause buzz can and should carry ice punhc. Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority moves can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucariothat's not a usage tip?. Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from status moves, however Zygarde is still prone to be crippled by moves such as Lava Plume and Sludge Bomb, as they possess the ability to status the target so??? you're saying stuff but you're not actually giving usage tips. Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat. Do not try to use Protect too liberally, as the opponent can predict it, and can use that turn to start setting up themselves I'm pretty sure you got that part from the other set ad it's just not true, dd zygarde and aerilate zygarde can afford to throw out unboosted attacks and it doesn't even run protect. Aerilate is also a great way to lure conventional counters such as Buzzhole and Chestnaught.

Team Options

Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect is essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Magearnamagearnna doesn't really take on entei, Suicune, and Manaphy. Fairy-type resists such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile threatening out unboosted Zygarde immensely. Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Greninja, and Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Landorus-T you list gren (which sets up spike) and then list 2 flying types? much more easily. Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chestnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team. Since the Aerilate set can lure in bulky Grass- and Bug-types, physically offensive threats such as Garchomp, Mega Gyarados, and non-Aerilate Landorus-T are beneficial partners due to Zygarde being able to lure in their checks lando t almost always runs either aerilate or refrigerate on an offensive set, also mention fighting types for buzzwole.


Strategy Comments

Other Options


Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows that allows it become a powerful attacker immediately, letting it spam Thousand Arrows freely. Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets to allow Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Noivern, Weavile, and Landorus-T for more damage. Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzhole, and Snorlax. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support.

Checks and Counters

[Buzzhole]: Buzzhole can counter all Zygarde sets besides Aerilate due to its bulk plus its resistance to Ground-type attacks allowing it to live even boosted attacks from Zygarde, and can damage it in return with Ice Punch.

[Unaware]: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Suicune, Skarmory, Hippowdonhippo isn't a common unaware wall, and Zapdos all do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it out. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats.

worth mentioning physical wall in general since hippo, manaphy and tapu fini can easily take unboosted hits and phaze out in the case of hippo or hit back se for the other two

[Ice-type moves]: Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

[Bulky Grass-types]: just say ground resists and combine that point with buzzwoleBulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu, Chestnaught, and Tangrowth all resist Zygarde's Ground-type STAB attacks and can all threaten to hit Zygarde hard with their STAB or coverage options. However, Zygarde can choose to run Aerilate, allowing it to check these threats.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some setup boosts.

[Faster Dragon-type Pokemon]: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
MLove might have more to say but there are a few things I'd like to see fixed as well:
1. You should mention somewhere that it can live Ice attacks with a few Coil boosts.
2. Mold breaker isn't really a lure since it says exactly what is happening
3. Specify Lum Berry should be run with non-MBounce sets
4. I don't like most of the Other Options section. You should focus on the bandarrows set and Core Enforcer stallbreak, and you need to expand a bit. Also idk why you mentioned needing those abils for weavile/noivern specifically
+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Aerilate Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Weavile: 265-313 (94.3 - 111.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Noivern: 316-372 (101.6 - 119.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Also you could help GP out and reread your post before sending to them.
 
Lol since I am already doing Zygarde in BH and MnM, might as well do it here. Reserving.



Ready for QC!

QC Stamps: Laxpras / Quantum Tesseract /
GP Stamps: /

Overview

With access to great bulk and a superb Dragon / Ground defensive typing that lets it resist common offensive types such as Fire, and Rock alongside an immunity to Electric-type attacks, Zygarde is the prime example of a solid bulky set up attacker in Almost Any Ability. Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde is a versatile setup sweeper due to it having multiple ways in boosting its stats. It is also able to abuse an amazing STAB move in Thousand Arrows, which has no immunities, hits Pokemon with Levitate and has very few relevant resists, allowing Zygarde to dedicate more moveslots to support options instead of coverage. Poison Heal gives Zygarde recovery and an immunity to status moves, allowing it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match which aids the bulky setup boosting sets. Zygarde can also run offensive sets with Magic Bounce or Aerilate, which apply more offensive pressure and sap less momentum, making them a better fit on faster teams.

However, it has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Mamoswine all threaten Zygarde immensely. It also is weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, making it have a harder time setting up against more offensive teams. Zygarde is also quite weak without any setup boosts meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing pokemon use it as setup fodder in most someyou added some and didn't remove most, lol cases.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 216 HP / 40 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Tail / Toxic / Glare / Extreme Speed

Set Comments

Moves

Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down simultaneously, even allowing Zygarde to sustain Ice-type attacks after a couplereplace "a couple" with "enough" boosts. Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to protect itself for one turn, effectively enabling it to receive 12% of its health safely.safely recover more health while scouting the opponent's move. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame. Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it out such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the acurracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it. Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught. Glare can allow Zygarde to beat Unaware walls such as Skarmory and Chansey by gaining free turns. Extreme Speed is a great utility option that allows Zygarde to potentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.

Set Details

Poison Heal is an amazing ability alongside the Coil set, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, ensuring it abuses the effects of Poison Heal. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns. 40 EVs have been invested in Attack to allow Zygarde to 2HKO defensive Skarmory at +1 with Thousand Arrows after being knocked downok now that I really think about it, this is incredibly irrelevant and you 2HKO any non lefties skarm anyway, just run max bulk with 4 in atk. While the rest of its EVs have been invested in HP alongside 252 EVs in Special Defense with a Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil.

Usage Tips

Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to setup against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to status it such as Mew, Zapdos, and Buzzwolezygarde doesn't setup on buzzwole since it runs either taunt or ice punch, often both. It can also acts as a sponge to Knock Off abusers as well, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned. Zygarde is quite weak without any setup boosts meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to setup as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls. Protect should not be used too freely, as the opponent can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially setup or switchto a mon that get threaten zygade out. Once Toxic Orb activates, Zygarde can be used as a great status absorber to block certain threats such as Will-O-Wisp Mew and Scald Suicune from crippling other teammates. Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive walls that threaten to phaze it out. It can also be useful to damage Pokemon that can 2HKO Zygarde such as Hoopa-U and Noivern, which can allow Zygarde to recover health and be able to beat them next time they switch in.

Team Options

Teammates that can cover Zygarde's weaknesses are extremely important. Bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Tapu Fini can help check Ice-type Pokemon alongside Dragon-type physical attackers such as Garchomp and Mega Charizard X, while Zygarde can check Electric-type Pokemon in return. Magearna on the other hand can check Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks alongside special attackers such as Mega Alakazam and Hoopa-U, while Zygarde can cover its Fire-type weakness in return. Entry hazard setters are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Greninja. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego are worthy of being mentioned due to it helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Protect and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can abuse the effects of entry hazard residual damage even further. Wallbreakers that can bait out and weaken or kill Zygarde's checks are appreciated. Examples include physical Hoopa-U or Mamoswine for Buzzwole or Hippowdon and Tinted Lens Victini for bullky Water-types such as Tapu Fini. Other bulky setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Bulk Up Conkeldurr, and Calm Mind Suicune are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde, while simultaneously being able to handle Zygarde's checks such as Weavile and Refrigerate Lucario. Pokemon who appreciate the Electric-type immunity and Fire-type resistance such as Skarmory and Celesteela can be paired with Zygarde, especially since the aforementioned examples can help check Dragon- and Fairy-types in return.

[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Lum Berry / Dragonium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat simultaneously. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities. Extreme Speed is a great utility move, allowing Zygarde to hit faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Thundurus and can also help Zygarde take on opposing priority moves from threats such as Mamoswine and Entei, making it harder to revenge kill.it's mostly to kill priority users, the rest you outspeed after dd. if anything invert the order "espeed takes on prio user like entei etc.. and can also allow zygarde to work as a revenge killer to faster threats when unboosted" It also turns into a Flying-type move when used in conjunction with Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit targetsground resists such as Buzzhole and Chestnaught for moresuper effective damage. Outrage is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets who resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzhole, and Chestnaught. It also turns Devastating Drake into a powerful 190 BP move when equipped with Dragonium Zremove that bit. However it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it, this can be avoided by using draconium, which allows zygarde to use a one time pwerful dragon stab without risking locking itself. Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, although STAB Outrage is generally preferred to allow Zygarde to wallbreak better.

Set Details

Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind ontop of blocking status conditions that can cripple it. Aerilate can be used instead to give Zygarde Flying-type coverage, which helps hits the two types that resist Ground-type attacks for super effective damageAerilate can be used to give zygarde perfect coverage alongside arrows by hitting both types that resist ground for se damage. Allowing Zygardeit* to defeat offensive Pokemon much easier and be able to break through Grass- and Bug-types such as Golisopod, Buzzhole, and Chestnaught. Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability. A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability. Lum Berry is another option for non-Magic Bounce sets that allows Zygarde to be immune to status affects such as burns and toxic for one use, giving it more setup opportunities. Lastly, Dragonium Z can be used to let Zygarde fire off a powerful 190 BP Devastating Drake when equipped with Outrage, enabling it to potentially KO defensive threats such as Zapdos and Mandibuzz at +1 after Stealth Rocks damage. EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to maximize Zygarde's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature can be used alternatively allowing Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Chlorophyll Heatran at +1, however the power decrease is noticeable.

Usage Tips

Zygarde strives on setting up versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority moves can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucario. Therefore it should retain from setting up until the aforementioned threats have been neutralizedor weakened enough to be in range of espeed. Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from crippling Zygarde, however it is still prone to be affected by moves such as Lava Plume and Scald, as they possess the ability to status the target. Meaning that it should be wary from switchin in on targets such as Suicune and Heatran too liberally unless it is holding a Lum Berry. Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat. Aerilate is also a great way to lure conventional counters such as Buzzhole and Chestnaught, therefore luring these threats can be extremely advantageous. If Zygarde chooses to run Dragonium Z, it should be used to hit defensive walls that it struggles to break even at +1 such as Suicune and Chansey.it's worth preserving zygarde rather than sacking it even if it gets really low cause it still can rk/check stuff with espeed.

Team Options

Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect are essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Delta Stream Zapdos, Suicune, and Manaphy. Fairy-type resists such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile threatening out unboosted Zygarde immensely. Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Landorus-T much more easily. Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chestnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team. Since the Aerilate set can lure in bulky Grass-, Fighting- and Bug-types, physically offensive threats such as Garchomp and Mega Gyarados are beneficial partners due toappreciate Zygarde being able to lure in their checks.


Strategy Comments

Other Options


Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows, which allows it become a powerful attacker immediately and lets it spam Thousand Arrows freely. Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzhole, and Snorlax. It can also trap and stall out Poison Heal abusers such as Chestnaught, Suicune, and other Zygarde. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support. Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets allowing Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Weavile, and Landorus-T, making it more difficult to check even when unboostedwhich can be preffered depending on the needs of the team. A Mold Breaker Dragon Dance set with either Groundium or Dragonium Z can also be used to break through common Unaware walls such as Chansey and Mandibuzz.

Checks and Counters

[Ground-type resists]: Grass- and Bug-type Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Buzzhole can counter all Zygarde sets besides Aerilate due to their resistance to Ground-type attacks and can threaten to hit Zygarde super effectively with their coverage moves.

[Unaware]: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Suicune, Skarmory, and Zapdos all do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it out. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats.

[Physical Walls]: Bulky physical walls such as Hippowdon, Manaphy and Tapu Fini can all sustain hits from Zygarde even after an Attack raise, in which the former can phaze it out, and the ladder two can hit it back with super effective hits.

[Ice-type moves]: Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some setup boosts.

[Faster Dragon-type Pokemon]: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
That seems much better, I'll give you the final check.
 

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Ok so this is finally ready for GP...

I definitely learned my lesson to not write analyses at 3 in the morning lol
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
GP 1/2
Overview

With access to great bulk and a superb Dragon / Ground defensive typing that lets it resist common offensive types such as Fire, (RC) and Rock alongside an immunity to Electric-type attacks, Zygarde is the prime example of a solid bulky set up setup attacker in Almost Any Ability. Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde is a versatile setup sweeper due to it having multiple ways in boosting its stats. It is also able to abuse utilize an amazing STAB move in Thousand Arrows, which has no Pokemon immune to it immunities, hits Pokemon with Levitate, (AC) and has very few relevant Pokemon resistant to it resists, allowing Zygarde to dedicate more moveslots to support options instead of coverage. Poison Heal gives Zygarde recovery and an immunity to status moves, allowing it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match, (AC) which aids the bulky setup boosting sets. Zygarde can also run offensive sets with Magic Bounce or and Aerilate, which apply more offensive pressure and sap less momentum, making them a better fit on faster teams.

However, it Zygarde has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Mamoswine all threaten Zygarde immensely. It also is also weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, making it have a harder time setting up against more offensive teams. Zygarde is also quite weak without any setup boosts, (AC) meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing Pokemon (cap.) use it as setup fodder in some cases.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Tail / Toxic / Glare / Extreme Speed

Set Comments

Moves

Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down simultaneously, even allowing Zygarde to sustain Ice-type attacks after a enough boosts. Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to safely recover more health while scouting for the opponent's move. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame. Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it out such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the acurracy accuracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it. Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught. Glare can allow Zygarde to beat Unaware walls such as Skarmory and Chansey by gaining free turns. Extreme Speed is a great utility option that allows Zygarde to potentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.

Set Details

Poison Heal is an amazing ability alongside the Coil set, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, ensuring it abuses the takes full advantage of effects of Poison Heal. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns. EVs have been invested in HP and Special Defense with a Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil.

Usage Tips

Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to setup set up against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to status it, (AC) such as Mew and Zapdos. It can also acts as a sponge to Knock Off abusers users as well, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned. Zygarde is quite weak without any setup boosts, (AC) meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to setup set up as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls. Protect should not be used too freely, as the opponent foe can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially setup set up or switch to a Pokemon that can threaten Zygarde out. Once Toxic Orb activates, Zygarde can be used as a great status absorber to block certain threats such as Will-O-Wisp Mew and Scald Suicune from crippling other teammates. Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive walls that threaten to phaze it out. It can also be useful to damage Pokemon that can 2HKO Zygarde such as Hoopa-U and Noivern, which can allow Zygarde to recover health and be able to beat them next time they switch in.

Team Options

Teammates that can cover Zygarde's weaknesses are extremely important. Bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Tapu Fini can help check Ice-type Pokemon alongside Dragon-type physical attackers such as Garchomp and Mega Charizard X, while Zygarde can check Electric-type Pokemon in return. Magearna on the other hand can check Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks alongside special attackers such as Mega Alakazam and Hoopa-U, while Zygarde can cover its Fire-type weakness in return. Entry hazard setters are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Greninja. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego are worthy of being mentioned due to it helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Protect and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can abuse take advantage of the effects of entry hazard residual damage even further. Wallbreakers that can bait out and weaken or kill KO Zygarde's checks are appreciated. (RC) , (AC) such as Examples include physical Hoopa-U or and Mamoswine for Buzzwole or Hippowdon and Tinted Lens Victini for bullky bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini. Other bulky setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Bulk Up Conkeldurr, and Calm Mind Suicune are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde, (RC) while simultaneously being able to handle Zygarde's checks such as Weavile and Refrigerate Lucario. Pokemon who that appreciate the its Electric-type immunity and Fire-type resistance such as Skarmory and Celesteela can be paired with Zygarde, especially since the aforementioned examples can help check Dragon- and Fairy-types in return.

[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Lum Berry / Dragonium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is the main setup move of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat simultaneously. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities. Extreme Speed is a great utility move, allowing Zygarde to hit priority move threats such as Entei and Mamoswine. It can also let Zygarde act as a revenge killer, targeting faster threats as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Noivern when unboosted. It also turns into a Flying-type move when used in conjunction with Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit Ground-resists Ground-resistant Pokemon such as Buzzhole Buzzwole and Chestnaught for super effective damage. Outrage is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets who that resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzhole, (RC) Buzzwole and Chestnaught. However, (AC) it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it. (RP) , (AC) However, though this can be avoided by using Dragonium Z, which allows Zygarde to use a one-(AH)time powerful Dragon-type STAB without risking locking itself. Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, although STAB Outrage is generally preferred to allow Zygarde to wallbreak better.

Set Details

Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind ontop on top of blocking status conditions that can cripple it. Aerilate can be used to give Zygarde perfect coverage alongside Thousand Arrows by hitting both types that resist Ground-type attacks for super effective damage. (RP) , (AC) allowing it to defeat offensive Pokemon much easier and be able to break through Grass- and Bug-types such as Golisopod, Buzzwole Buzzhole, and Chestnaught. Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability. A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability. Lum Berry is another option for non-Magic Bounce sets that allows Zygarde to be immune to status affects such as burns and toxic poison for one use, giving it more setup opportunities. Lastly, Dragonium Z can be used to let Zygarde fire off a powerful 190-Base Power BP Devastating Drake when equipped with Outrage, enabling it to potentially KO defensive threats such as Zapdos and Mandibuzz at +1 after Stealth Rocks Rock damage. EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to maximize augment Zygarde's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature can be used alternatively allowing Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Chlorophyll Heatran at +1, (RC) ; (ASC) however, (AC) the power decrease is noticeable.

Usage Tips

Zygarde strives on setting up versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority moves can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucario. Therefore, (AC) it should retain from setting up until the aforementioned threats have been neutralized or weakened enough to be in range of Extreme Speed. Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from crippling Zygarde, however but it is still prone to be affected by moves such as Lava Plume and Scald, as they possess the ability to status the target. (RP) , (AC) meaning that it should be wary from switchin switching in on targets such as Suicune and Heatran too liberally unless it is holding a Lum Berry. Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat. Aerilate is also a great way to lure conventional counters such as Buzzhole Buzzwole and Chestnaught, therefore luring these threats can be extremely advantageous. If Zygarde chooses to run Dragonium Z, it should be used to hit defensive walls that it struggles to break even at +1, (AC) such as Suicune and Chansey. It can also be worth preserving Zygarde rather than sacking sacrificing it even if it gets to low health, since it can still be valuable as a revenge killer to check fast threats with Extreme Speed.

Team Options

Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect are essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Delta Stream Zapdos, Suicune, and Manaphy. Fairy-type resists answers such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile threatening out unboosted Zygarde immensely. Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Landorus-T much more easily. Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chestnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team. Since the Aerilate set can lure in bulky Grass-, Fighting-, (AC) and Bug-types, physically offensive threats such as Garchomp and Mega Gyarados are beneficial partners that appreciate Zygarde being able to lure in their checks.


Strategy Comments

Other Options


Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows, which allows it become a powerful attacker immediately and lets it spam Thousand Arrows the move freely. Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzhole, and Snorlax. It can also trap and stall out Poison Heal abusers users such as Chestnaught, Suicune, and other Zygarde. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support. Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets, (AC) allowing Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Weavile, and Landorus-T, which can be preffered preferred depending on the needs of the team. A Mold Breaker Dragon Dance set with either Groundium or Dragonium Z can also be used to break through common Unaware walls such as Chansey and Mandibuzz.

Checks and Counters

Ground-type resists Ground-resistant Pokemon: Grass- and Bug-type Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Buzzhole Buzzwole can counter all Zygarde sets besides Aerilate due to their resistance to Ground-type attacks and can threaten to hit Zygarde super effectively with their coverage moves.

Unaware: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Suicune, Skarmory, and Zapdos all do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and they can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it out. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats.

Physical Walls: Bulky physical walls such as Hippowdon, Manaphy, (AC) and Tapu Fini can all sustain hits from Zygarde even after an Attack raise, in which the former can phaze it out, and the ladder last two can hit it back with super effective hits.

Ice-type Moves (cap.): Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

Fairy-types: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some setup boosts.

Faster Dragon-type Pokemon: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
it's Buzzwole not Buzzhole, lol
 
Last edited:
Funbot28
add remove comments
Overview

With access to great bulk and a superb Dragon / Ground defensive typing that lets it resist gives it a resistance to (otherwise this kinda implies it has a choice) common offensive types such as Fire and Rock alongside an immunity to Electric-type attacks, Zygarde is the prime example of a solid bulky setup attacker in Almost Any Ability. Having access to two great setup moves in Coil and Dragon Dance, Zygarde is a versatile sweeper due to it having multiple ways in boosting its stats. It is also able to utilize an amazing STAB move in Thousand Arrows, which has no Pokemon immune to it, hits Pokemon with Levitate, and has very few relevant Pokemon resistant to it, allowing Zygarde to dedicate more moveslots to support options instead of coverage. Poison Heal gives Zygarde recovery and an immunity to status moves, allowing it to sustain itself more consistently throughout the entire match, which aids the bulky setup boosting sets. Zygarde can also run offensive sets with Magic Bounce and Aerilate, which apply more offensive pressure and sap less momentum, making them a better fit on faster teams.

However, Zygarde has a detrimental 4x weakness to Ice, meaning that offensive threats such as Weavile, Ice Beam Manaphy, and Mamoswine all threaten Zygarde immensely. It is also weak to other common types such as Fairy and Dragon, making giving it have a harder time setting up against more offensive teams. Zygarde is also quite weak without any setup boosts, meaning it can be passive at times, letting the opposing Pokemon use it as setup fodder.

[Coil]
Zygarde @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Tail / Toxic / Glare / Extreme Speed

Set Comments

Moves

Coil is the main setup move of this set, turning Zygarde into a powerful and bulky threat that can become difficult to wall and take down, even allowing Zygarde to sustain Ice-type attacks after a enough boosts. Protect is a great move to use alongside Poison Heal, as it allows Zygarde to safely recover more health while scouting for the opponent's move. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's main reliable STAB move, allowing it to hit almost every relevant threat in the metagame. Dragon Tail is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to shuffle out threats that can potentially phaze it such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Suicune. It also works well alongside Coil, since the accuracy boosts mean that Zygarde will never miss it. Toxic is another option that enables Zygarde to cripple defensive threats that can potentially wall it such as Unaware Chansey, Buzzwole, and Chestnaught Chesnaught. Glare can allow Zygarde to beat Unaware walls such as Skarmory and Chansey by gaining free turns. Extreme Speed is a great utility option that allows Zygarde to potentially KO faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko, Noivern, and Greninja that wish to revenge kill it after setting up.

Set Details

Poison Heal is an amazing ability, since it gives Zygarde much more setup opportunities thanks to its increased sustainability. Toxic Orb is equipped to ensure that Zygarde attains the poison status condition, ensuring it takes allowing it to take (nitpicky but the dual "ensure" sounds a little repetitive) full advantage of Poison Heal. It also prevents Zygarde from being crippled by status conditions such as burns. EVs have been are invested in HP and Special Defense with a Careful nature in order to turn Zygarde into a bulky behemoth alongside the Defense boosts from Coil.

Usage Tips

Once Zygarde becomes poisoned from its Toxic Orb, it can proceed to set up against numerous threats that would otherwise threaten to status inflict it with status, such as Mew and Zapdos. It can also acts act as a sponge to Knock Off users as well, since it does not care if its item is taken away after it already has been poisoned. Zygarde is quite weak without any setup boosts, meaning that the main goal for Zygarde when using this set is to set up as much as possible, allowing it to actually pose a threat versus defensive walls. Protect should not be used too freely, as the foe can capitalize on this free turn given and proceed to potentially set up or switch to a Pokemon that can threaten Zygarde out. Once Toxic Orb activates, Zygarde can be used as a great status absorber to block certain threats such as Will-O-Wisp Mew and Scald Suicune from crippling other teammates. Dragon Tail should only be used against defensive walls that threaten to phaze it. It can also be useful to damage Pokemon that can 2HKO Zygarde such as Hoopa-U and Noivern, which can allow Zygarde to recover health and be able to beat them next time they switch in.

Team Options

Teammates that can cover Zygarde's weaknesses are extremely important. Bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Tapu Fini can help check Ice-type Pokemon alongside Dragon-type physical attackers such as Garchomp and Mega Charizard X, while Zygarde can check Electric-type Pokemon in return. Magearna on the other hand can check Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks alongside special attackers such as Mega Alakazam and Hoopa-U, while Zygarde can cover its Fire-type weakness in return. Entry hazard setters are also beneficial to help Zygarde break down some of its checks with the most prominent examples being Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Greninja. Toxic Spikes setters such as Toxapex and Nihilego are worthy of being mentioned due to it Toxic Spikes helping Zygarde defeat some of its checks by stalling out Toxic damage with Protect and Poison Heal. Zygarde can also shuffle around foes with Dragon Tail, meaning that it can take advantage of entry hazard residual damage even further. Wallbreakers that can bait out and weaken or KO Zygarde's checks are appreciated, such as physical Hoopa-U and Mamoswine for Buzzwole or Hippowdon and Tinted Lens Victini for bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini. Other bulky setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini, Bulk Up Conkeldurr, and Calm Mind Suicune are all good teammates, as they can pressure the opposing team immensely alongside Zygarde while being able to handle Zygarde's checks such as Weavile and Refrigerate Lucario. Pokemon that appreciate its Electric-type immunity and Fire-type resistance such as Skarmory and Celesteela can be paired with Zygarde, especially since the aforementioned examples can help check Dragon- and Fairy-types in return.

[Dragon Dance]
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Lum Berry / Dragonium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce / Aerilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage / Return

Set Comments

Moves

Dragon Dance is the main setup move (it's the only setup move on the set, this what you mean?) of this set, allowing Zygarde to become a fast and powerful threat. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best STAB move, enabling it to hit every relevant threat regardless of immunities. Extreme Speed is a great utility move, allowing Zygarde to hit priority move threats users such as Entei and Mamoswine. It can also let Zygarde act as a revenge killer, targeting faster threats such as Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Noivern when unboosted. It also turns into a Flying-type move when used in conjunction with Aerilate, allowing Zygarde to hit Ground-resistant Pokemon such as Buzzwole and Chestnaught Chesnaught for super effective damage. Outrage is another STAB option that allows Zygarde to deal more damage versus targets that resist Ground-type attacks such as Buzzwole and Chestnaught Chesnaught. However, it risks locking itself into the move, meaning that Fairy- and Steel-types such as Tapu Fini and Bisharp can proceed to start setting up versus it, though this can be avoided by using Dragonium Z, which allows Zygarde to use a one-time powerful Dragon-type STAB move without risking locking itself. Return can be used as a stronger Flying-type move through Aerilate, although STAB Outrage is generally preferred to allow Zygarde to wallbreak better.

Set Details

Magic Bounce is great to prevent Zygarde from being shuffled by phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind on top of blocking status conditions that can cripple it. Aerilate can be used to give Zygarde perfect coverage alongside Thousand Arrows by hitting both types that resist Ground-type attacks for super effective damage, allowing it to defeat offensive Pokemon much easier and be able to (redundant with "allowing it") break through Grass- and Bug-types such as Golisopod, Buzzhole, and Chestnaught Chesnaught. Leftovers is used to give Zygarde passive recovery each turn, increasing its sustainability. A Life Orb can be equipped alternatively, increasing Zygarde's damage output for the cost of durability. Lum Berry is another option for non-Magic Bounce sets that allows Zygarde to be immune to status affects such as burns and poison for one use, giving it more setup opportunities. Lastly, Dragonium Z can be used to let Zygarde fire off a powerful 190-BP 190-Base Power Devastating Drake when equipped with Outrage, enabling it to potentially KO defensive threats such as Zapdos and Mandibuzz at +1 after Stealth Rock damage. EVs have been maxed out in Attack and Speed with an Adamant nature in order to augment Zygarde's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature can be used alternatively allowing Zygarde to outspeed threats such as Mega Alakazam, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Chlorophyll Heatran at +1; however, the power decrease is noticeable.

Usage Tips

Zygarde strives on setting up versus passive threats that do not harm it immensely such as Mew, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Although Zygarde is able to boost its Speed, priority moves users (the examples are referring to pokemon not moves) can still prevent it from sweeping, with the most notable examples being Refrigerate users such as Weavile, Entei, and Lucario. Therefore, it should retain from setting up until the aforementioned threats have been neutralized or weakened enough to be in range of Extreme Speed. Magic Bounce prevents status conditions from crippling Zygarde, but it is still prone to be affected by moves such as Lava Plume and Scald, as they possess the ability to inflict status on the target, meaning that it should be wary from switching in on targets such as Suicune and Heatran too liberally unless it is holding a Lum Berry. Due to Zygarde being quite weak without any Attack boosts, it should be focusing on setting up whenever it can to help it turn into a formidable threat. Aerilate is also a great way to lure conventional counters such as Buzzhole and Chestnaught Buzzwole and Chesnaught (lol). If Zygarde chooses to run Dragonium Z, it should be used to hit defensive walls that it struggles to break even at +1, such as Suicune and Chansey. It can also be worth preserving Zygarde rather than sacrificing it even if it gets to low health, since it can still be valuable as a revenge killer to check fast threats with Extreme Speed.

Team Options

Pokemon that can take on Ice-type priority moves coming off of threats such as Weavile, Entei, and Genesect are essential in order to allow Zygarde to sweep easily. Examples include Delta Stream Zapdos, Suicune, and Manaphy. Fairy-type answers such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill can also be beneficial due to threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Mawile threatening out unboosted Zygarde immensely (you could replace this with "easily" or something, immensely doesn't make sense). Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Skarmory are all beneficial, as the residual damage helps Zygarde break through defensive walls such as Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Landorus-T much more easily. Other setup sweepers such as Tail Glow Manaphy, Calm Mind Suicune, and Belly Drum Chestnaught Chesnaught can also be useful in order to help Zygarde apply offensive pressure against the opposing team. Since the Aerilate set can lure in bulky Grass-, Fighting-, and Bug-types, physically offensive threats such as Garchomp and Mega Gyarados are beneficial partners that appreciate Zygarde being able to lure in their checks.


Strategy Comments

Other Options


Zygarde can run a Choice Band Adaptability set with Thousand Arrows, which allows it become a powerful attacker immediately and lets it spam the move freely. Support moves such as Thousand Waves, Core Enforcer, and Haze can be used on a fully defensive set to allow Zygarde to check attackers such as Terrakion, Buzzhole Buzzwole, and Snorlax. It can also trap and stall out Poison Heal users such as Chestnaught Chesnaught, Suicune, and other Zygarde. However, its offensive sets generally offer more support. Refrigerate and Pixilate can also be run on Dragon Dance sets, allowing Zygarde to threaten offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Weavile, and Landorus-T, which can be preferred depending on the needs of the team. A Mold Breaker Dragon Dance set with either Groundium or Dragonium Z can also be used to break through common Unaware walls such as Chansey and Mandibuzz.

Checks and Counters

[Ground-resistant Pokemon]: Grass- and Bug-type Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Buzzwole can counter all Zygarde sets besides Aerilate due to their resistance to Ground-type attacks and can threaten to hit Zygarde super effectively with their coverage moves.

[Unaware]: Common defensive Unaware walls such as Chansey, Suicune, Skarmory, and Zapdos all do not fear Zygarde even when boosted, and they can proceed to either deal damage to Zygarde or phaze it. However, Zygarde can choose to run Toxic or Dragon Tail to circumvent these threats.

[Physical Walls]: Bulky physical walls such as Hippowdon, Manaphy, and Tapu Fini can all sustain hits from Zygarde even after an Attack raise, in which the former can phaze it, and the last two can hit it back with super effective hits.

[Ice-type Moves]: Due to Zygarde's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks, threats such as Ice Beam Manaphy, Ice Shard Mamoswine, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross all threaten to deal significant amount of damage towards it.

[Fairy-types]: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Tapu Fini all threaten to deal significant damage to Zygarde with their Fairy-type STAB attacks. However, Zygarde can threaten to deal heavy amounts of damage in return if it has garnered some setup boosts.

[Faster Dragon-type Pokemon]: Faster offensive Dragon-types such as Noivern, Garchomp, and Hydreigon can threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their Dragon-type STAB attacks. However, they cannot outspeed Zygarde after a Dragon Dance boost with the exception of Choice Scarf Hydreigon.

GP 2/2
 

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