NU Zangoose

[OVERVIEW]

Zangoose is one of the premier late-game cleaners in NU thanks to its access to Belly Drum, good coverage moves in Close Combat and Knock Off, and most importantly Quick Attack, which allows Zangoose to strike before pretty much every Pokemon in the NU tier and is very strong when backed up by a boost from Belly Drum and STAB. Knock Off and Close Combat allow Zangoose to beat Ghost-types and Steel-types. This is especially useful because both of these types deter Zangoose from spamming Quick Attack. While Zangoose does have relatively lacking Speed, its access to Quick Attack makes up for this relatively well. However, Zangoose is a very one-dimensional Pokemon that can't utilize much else other than Belly Drum and is thus very predictable. Zangoose also relies on team support from Pokemon like Uxie, Whimsicott, and Sneasel to do its job properly. This also means that Zangoose doesn't enable much diversity in teambuilding, as these Pokemon always take up three or four team slots together.

[SET]
name: Belly Drum
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Quick Attack
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat / Frustration
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Belly Drum allows Zangoose to maximize its Attack, making it a very threatening Pokemon. Quick Attack makes up for Zangoose's relatively lacking Speed stat and is very strong when backed by a Belly Drum boost. After setup, it can be used to take out Pokemon like Whimsicott, Medicham, and Choice Scarf Delphox. Knock Off targets Ghost-types like Mismagius, Rotom, and Haunter, which are immune to Quick Attack. Close Combat lets Zangoose bypass Steel- and Rock-types such as Steelix, Silvally-Steel, Klinklang, and Rhydon, which can take Quick Attack and Knock Off with relative ease. Return may be used instead of Knock Off to OHKO Colbur Berry Slowbro, Venusaur, and Druddigon, but this leaves Zangoose overly reliant on Pursuit trappers like Sneasel to remove Ghost-types.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed investment makes Zangoose as strong and fast as possible. Sitrus Berry leaves Zangoose at 75% of its HP after it has used Belly Drum. Immunity means Zangoose can't be put on a timer by Toxic.

Usage Tips
========

Zangoose is best used as a late-game cleaner, as it can clean up especially well if the opposing team is weakened. Zangoose should be very patient with setting up; it should only do so whenever foes like Steelix and Slowbro are weakened enough. It is important to bring Zangoose in via Memento or Parting Shot, as this severely weakens the foe's attacks and allows Zangoose to comfortably take a hit while setting up. Ghost-types that are faster than Zangoose such as Mismagius, Rotom, and Haunter should be disposed of before setting up, as they deter Zangoose from spamming Quick Attack.

Team Options
========

A Pokemon that can Pursuit trap Ghost-types like Sneasel is a necessity when using Zangoose, as Zangoose struggles heavily against them. Memento support from Pokemon like Whimsicott and Uxie is also a necessity, as the stat drops that Memento provides gives Zangoose more setup opportunities, and Parting Shot can be used in the same manner while keeping the user alive. Pokemon that can bait Ghost-types like Type: Null are also valuable teammates, as they can allow Sneasel to successfully trap. Reflect and Light Screen support from Uxie grants Zangoose the bulk it needs to set up more easily. Entry hazard support is helpful, as it helps weaken the opposing team for Zangoose to sweep late-game; Stealth Rock setters like Uxie and Piloswine are especially useful.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Zangoose can utilize a Toxic Boost set to break through walls, but Zangoose's Belly Drum set heavily eclipses Toxic Boost, as late-game sweepers are much more valuable and rarer than wallbreakers, which are relatively common. Zangoose can run an Adamant nature in tandem with Feint to outrun Pokemon that utilize Protect, like Delphox. Zangoose can use Shadow Claw instead of Knock Off to deal more consistent damage to Psychic-types like Slowbro and increase its neutral coverage; unfortunately, Zangoose has a hard time fitting it onto its moveset, as Knock Off provides a lot of useful utility.

Checks and Counters
=============

**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types deter the spam of Quick Attack, which Zangoose wants to use most of the time. Mismagius can easily outspeed Zangoose and OHKO it with Continental Crush after Zangoose has used Belly Drum. Rotom can cripple Zangoose with Will-O-Wisp for another teammate to take Zangoose on, or it can outright OHKO Zangoose with Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock damage and the use of Belly Drum. Haunter can OHKO Zangoose with Sludge Bomb.

**Steelix**: Steelix is capable of taking a Close Combat from Zangoose if its Sturdy is intact and OHKOing it in return with both Heavy Slam and Gyro Ball.

**Priority**: Belly Drum cuts into Zangoose's HP and brings it into KO range from Mach Punch from both Hitmonlee and Gurdurr; other priority users like Sneasel and Fake Out Medicham need a bit more chip damage before being able to KO Zangoose.

**Offensive Pressure**: Zangoose fails to set up against Pokemon like Emboar, Virizion, Venusaur, and Z-Move Houndoom, as its bulk and typing simply don't allow it to.

**Encore Users**: Whimsicott and Mega Audino can deter Zangoose's setup opportunities by locking it into Belly Drum. Shuckle, Liepard, and Aurorus can also do this, though they are rather rare.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Martin

A monoid in the category of endofunctors
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Mention Steelix as a Close Combat target; it’s a much better response to Zangoose than Klinklang/Silvally ever will be, and if Zangoose doesn’t KO it in one hit then Zangoose just faints on the spot. It’s also probably worth mentioning Venusaur as a Return target just ‘cuz bulkier Z move variants kinda mess with Zangoose otherwise.
 
remove mention of spiritomb, it isn't a good example of a pursuit user bc it's bad
rename "toxicroak and hitmonlee" to physical priorities b/c that's way too specific imo.

looks good, qc 1/3
 

etern

is a Community Leaderis a Top Tiering Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a defending SCL Championis a Former Smogon Metagame Tournament Circuit Champion
NU Leader
Moves:
  • Fix the accidental "Ghost-types that are immune to Knock Off"
  • Give a few examples of Pokemon Zangoose can remove with Quick Attack, e.g Scarf Delphox, Whimsicott, Accelgor
Usage Tips:
  • What needs to be weakened? Colbur Slowbro? Sturdy Steelix?
Other Options:
  • Adamant Feint
  • Shadow Claw
Checks & Counters:
  • "Haunter can OHKO Haunter with Sludge Bomb" lol
  • Toxicroak doesn't learn Mach Punch.
  • Add more priority users like Sneasel, Mach Punch Gurdurr, Bullet Punch Medicham
  • Rename Physical Priority to just "Priority"
  • Add a section for Offensive Pressure, and note that Zangoose cant set up against certain powerful Pokemon like Emboar, Virizion, Z-Houndoom, Venusaur.
2/3
 
Moves:
  • Fix the accidental "Ghost-types that are immune to Knock Off"
  • Give a few examples of Pokemon Zangoose can remove with Quick Attack, e.g Scarf Delphox, Whimsicott, Accelgor
Usage Tips:
  • What needs to be weakened? Colbur Slowbro? Sturdy Steelix?
Other Options:
  • Adamant Feint
  • Shadow Claw
Checks & Counters:
  • "Haunter can OHKO Haunter with Sludge Bomb" lol
  • Toxicroak doesn't learn Mach Punch.
  • Add more priority users like Sneasel, Mach Punch Gurdurr, Bullet Punch Medicham
  • Rename Physical Priority to just "Priority"
  • Add a section for Offensive Pressure, and note that Zangoose cant set up against certain powerful Pokemon like Emboar, Virizion, Z-Houndoom, Venusaur.
2/3
implemented.
 

Finchinator

-OUTL
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OU Leader
**Priority**: Belly Drum cuts into Zangoose's HP and brings it into KO range from Mach Punch from Hitmonlee and Gurdurr, it also brings it into KO range of Vacuum Wave from Toxicroak. Other priority users like Sneasel and Bullet Punch Medicham need a bit more chip damage before being able to KO Zangoose.

worth noting that you outrun and kill croak w/ +6 quick attack and the same for medi and bullet punch, but it can use fake out into you at least

I think this point should stay, but perhaps you can rework it to be a bit more practically applicable -- what you have now is good, just remove the ones that do not fit/apply, I think

w/ that, 3/3 -- good work
 
**Priority**: Belly Drum cuts into Zangoose's HP and brings it into KO range from Mach Punch from Hitmonlee and Gurdurr, it also brings it into KO range of Vacuum Wave from Toxicroak. Other priority users like Sneasel and Bullet Punch Medicham need a bit more chip damage before being able to KO Zangoose.

worth noting that you outrun and kill croak w/ +6 quick attack and the same for medi and bullet punch, but it can use fake out into you at least

I think this point should stay, but perhaps you can rework it to be a bit more practically applicable -- what you have now is good, just remove the ones that do not fit/apply, I think

w/ that, 3/3 -- good work
implemented, read through, made some changes for gp.
 

Lumari

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is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Zangoose is one of the premier late-game cleaners in NU thanks to its access to Belly Drum, good coverage moves in Close Combat and Knock Off, but most importantly (RC) Quick Attack, this which allows Zangoose to outrun strike before pretty much every Pokemon in the NU tier; it and is very strong when backed up by a boost from Belly Drum and a STAB boost. Zangoose has access to Knock Off and Close Combat, which allow it to bypass beat Ghost-types and Steel-types respectively. This is especially useful as because both of these types deter Zangoose from spamming Quick Attack. While Zangoose does have relatively lacking Speed, (AC) its access to Quick Attack makes up for this relatively well. However, Zangoose is a very one-dimensional Pokemon that can't utilize much else than Belly Drum (RC) and is thus very predictable. Unfortunately, Zangoose also relies on team support from Pokemon like Uxie, Whimsicott, and Sneasel (RC) to do its job properly. This also means that Zangoose doesn't give enable much diversity in team building teambuilding, as these Pokemon always take up a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 three or four team slots together.

[SET]
name: Belly Drum
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Quick Attack
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat / Frustration
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Belly Drum allows Zangoose to boost maximize its Attack by 6 stages, (not technically accurate, it just always goes straight to +6 even if it's been dropped before) making it a very threatening Pokemon. Quick Attack mitigates makes up for Zangoose's relatively lacking Speed stat and is very strong when backed by a Belly Drum boost. Once Quick Attack is boosted by Belly Drum After setup, it can be used to take out Pokemon like Whimsicott, Medicham, and Choice Scarf Delphox. Knock Off targets Ghost-types like Mismagius, Rotom, and Haunter, which are immune to Quick Attack. Close Combat lets Zangoose bypass Steel- and Rock-types such as Steelix, Silvally-Steel, Klinklang, and Rhydon, (AC) which can take Quick Attack and Knock Off with relative ease. Frustration Return may be used instead of Knock Off to OHKO Colbur Berry Slowbro, Venusaur, and Druddigon, but this leaves Zangoose overly reliant on Pursuit trappers like Sneasel to remove Ghost-types.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack investment in tandem with Maximum and Speed investment makes Zangoose as strong and fast as possible. Sitrus Berry leaves Zangoose at 75% of its full HP after it has used Belly Drum. Immunity means Zangoose can't be put on a timer by Toxic.

Usage Tips
========

Zangoose is best used as a late-game cleaner, as it can clean up especially well if the opposing team is weakened. Zangoose should be very patient with setting up, it should only set up do so whenever foes like Steelix and Slowbro are weakened enough. It is important to bring Zangoose in via Memento or Parting Shot, (AC) as this severely weakens the foe's attacks and allows Zangoose to comfortably take a hit while setting up with Belly Drum. Ghost-types that are faster than Zangoose such as Mismagius, Rotom, and Haunter should be disposed of before setting up, (AC) as they deter Zangoose from spamming Quick Attack.

Team Options
========

A Pokemon that can Pursuit trap Ghost-types like Sneasel is a necessity when using Zangoose, (AC) as Zangoose struggles heavily against Ghost-types them. Memento support from Pokemon like Whimsicott and Uxie are a necessity when using Zangoose as the stat drops that Memento provides gives Zangoose more set up opportunities, similarly, Parting Shot can be used as well as this provides stat drops too while keeping the user alive. Pokemon that can bait Ghost-types like Type: Null are also valuable teammates as they bait in Ghost-types for a Sneasel to successfully trap them. Reflect and Light Screen support from Uxie grants Zangoose the bulk it needs to set up easier. Entry hazard support is useful helpful, (repetition) (AC) as it helps weaken the opposing team for Zangoose to sweep late-game, Stealth Rock setters like Uxie and Piloswine are especially useful.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Zangoose can utilize a Toxic Boost set to break through walls, but Zangoose's Belly Drum set heavily eclipses Toxic Boost, (AC) as a late-game sweepers is very are much more valuable and rare, contrary to a rarer than wallbreakers, which are relatively common. Zangoose can run an Adamant nature in tandem with Feint to outrun Pokemon that utilize Protect, like Delphox. Zangoose can use Shadow Claw instead of Knock Off to deal more consistent damage to Psychic-types like Slowbro and provides more increase its neutral coverage; (SC) unfortunately, Zangoose has a hard time fitting it onto its moveset, (AC) as Knock Off provides a lot of useful utility.

Checks and Counters
=============

**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types deter the spam of Quick Attack, which Zangoose wants to spam use most of the time. Mismagius can easily outspeed Zangoose and OHKO it with Continental Crush (RC) after Zangoose has used Belly Drum. Rotom can cripple Zangoose with Will-O-Wisp for another teammate to take Zangoose on, or it can also outright OHKO Zangoose with Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock damage and use of Belly Drum. Haunter can OHKO Zangoose with Sludge Bomb.

**Steelix**: Steelix is capable of taking a Close Combat from Zangoose if its Sturdy is intact (RC) and in return can OHKOing Zangoose it in return with both Heavy Slam and Gyro Ball.

**Priority**: Belly Drum cuts into Zangoose's HP and brings it into KO range from Mach Punch from both Hitmonlee and Gurdurr; other priority users like Sneasel and Fake Out Medicham need a bit more chip damage before being able to KO Zangoose.

**Offensive Pressure**: Zangoose fails to set up against Pokemon like Emboar, Virizion, Venusaur, and Z-Move Houndoom, (AC) as its bulk and typing simply don't allow it to do.

**Encore Users**: Whimsicott and Mega Audino can deter Zangoose's set up setup opportunities by locking it into Belly Drum after Zangoose has set up. Shuckle, Liepard, and Aurorus, can also do this, though they are rather rare.


went ahead and implemented this myself bc OP has quit, this is good for check 2
 
Last edited:

Fireflame

Silksong when
is a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

Zangoose is one of the premier late-game cleaners in NU thanks to its access to Belly Drum, good coverage moves in Close Combat and Knock Off, but and most importantly Quick Attack, which allows Zangoose to strike before pretty much every Pokemon in the NU tier and is very strong when backed up by a boost from Belly Drum and STAB. Zangoose has access to (was stated already) Knock Off and Close Combat,(RC) which allow it Zangoose to beat Ghost-types and Steel-types. This is especially useful because both of these types deter Zangoose from spamming Quick Attack. While Zangoose does have relatively lacking Speed, its access to Quick Attack makes up for this relatively well. However, Zangoose is a very one-dimensional Pokemon that can't utilize much else other than Belly Drum and is thus very predictable. Zangoose also relies on team support from Pokemon like Uxie, Whimsicott, and Sneasel to do its job properly. This also means that Zangoose doesn't enable much diversity in teambuilding, as these Pokemon always take up three or four team slots together.

[SET]
name: Belly Drum
move 1: Belly Drum
move 2: Quick Attack
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Close Combat / Frustration
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Belly Drum allows Zangoose to maximize its Attack, making it a very threatening Pokemon. Quick Attack makes up for Zangoose's relatively lacking Speed stat and is very strong when backed by a Belly Drum boost. After setup, it can be used to take out Pokemon like Whimsicott, Medicham, and Choice Scarf Delphox. Knock Off targets Ghost-types like Mismagius, Rotom, and Haunter, which are immune to Quick Attack. Close Combat lets Zangoose bypass Steel- and Rock-types such as Steelix, Silvally-Steel, Klinklang, and Rhydon, which can take Quick Attack and Knock Off with relative ease. Return may be used instead of Knock Off to OHKO Colbur Berry Slowbro, Venusaur, and Druddigon, but this leaves Zangoose overly reliant on Pursuit trappers like Sneasel to remove Ghost-types.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed investment makes Zangoose as strong and fast as possible. Sitrus Berry leaves Zangoose at 75% of its full HP after it has used Belly Drum. Immunity means Zangoose can't be put on a timer by Toxic.

Usage Tips
========

Zangoose is best used as a late-game cleaner, as it can clean up especially well if the opposing team is weakened. Zangoose should be very patient with setting up,(RC);(SC) it should only do so whenever foes like Steelix and Slowbro are weakened enough. It is important to bring Zangoose in via Memento or Parting Shot, as this severely weakens the foe's attacks and allows Zangoose to comfortably take a hit while setting up. Ghost-types that are faster than Zangoose such as Mismagius, Rotom, and Haunter should be disposed of before setting up, as they deter Zangoose from spamming Quick Attack.

Team Options
========

A Pokemon that can Pursuit trap Ghost-types like Sneasel is a necessity when using Zangoose, as Zangoose struggles heavily against them. Memento support from Pokemon like Whimsicott and Uxie are is also ("Memento support" is singular) a necessity,(AC) when using Zangoose as the stat drops that Memento provides gives Zangoose more set up setup opportunities, similarly,(RC) and Parting Shot can be used as well as this provides stat drops too in the same manner while keeping the user alive. Pokemon that can bait Ghost-types like Type: Null are also valuable teammates,(AC) as they bait lure (repetition) in Ghost-types for a Sneasel to successfully trap them. Reflect and Light Screen support from Uxie grants Zangoose the bulk it needs to set up easier. Entry hazard support is helpful, as it helps weaken the opposing team for Zangoose to sweep late-game,(RC);(SC) Stealth Rock setters like Uxie and Piloswine are especially useful.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Zangoose can utilize a Toxic Boost set to break through walls, but Zangoose's Belly Drum set heavily eclipses Toxic Boost, as late-game sweepers are much more valuable and rarer than wallbreakers, which are relatively common. Zangoose can run an Adamant nature in tandem with Feint to outrun Pokemon that utilize Protect, like Delphox. Zangoose can use Shadow Claw instead of Knock Off to deal more consistent damage to Psychic-types like Slowbro and increase its neutral coverage; unfortunately, Zangoose has a hard time fitting it onto its moveset, as Knock Off provides a lot of useful utility.

Checks and Counters
=============

**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types deter the spam of Quick Attack, which Zangoose wants to use most of the time. Mismagius can easily outspeed Zangoose and OHKO it with Continental Crush after Zangoose has used Belly Drum. Rotom can cripple Zangoose with Will-O-Wisp for another teammate to take Zangoose on, or it can outright OHKO Zangoose with Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock damage and the use of Belly Drum. Haunter can OHKO Zangoose with Sludge Bomb.

**Steelix**: Steelix is capable of taking a Close Combat from Zangoose if its Sturdy is intact and OHKOing it in return with both Heavy Slam and Gyro Ball.

**Priority**: Belly Drum cuts into Zangoose's HP and brings it into KO range from Mach Punch from both Hitmonlee and Gurdurr; other priority users like Sneasel and Fake Out Medicham need a bit more chip damage before being able to KO Zangoose.

**Offensive Pressure**: Zangoose fails to set up against Pokemon like Emboar, Virizion, Venusaur, and Z-Move Houndoom, as its bulk and typing simply don't allow it to.

**Encore Users**: Whimsicott and Mega Audino can deter Zangoose's setup opportunities by locking it into Belly Drum. Shuckle, Liepard, and Aurorus,(RC) can also do this, though they are rather rare.
GP 2/2


The Dutch Plumberjack
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
missed the above tag but implemented this too (with a couple other phrasing tweaks in TO) bc same reason i implemented my check, this is ready for upload
 

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