[OVERVIEW]
Zeraora's incredibly high Speed and access to moves like Fake Out, Bulk Up, Charge, Outrage, Thunder, and its signature move Plasma Fists allow it to win matchups against Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados, Tapu Fini, Mega Charizard Y, non-Choice Scarf Greninja, and Mega Charizard X. Additionally, Zeraora is the most viable fast Electric-type in the 1v1 metagame, blessed with a lack of competition and a unique niche. Furthermore, despite Zeraora's blistering speed, its bulk is not horrible and is complemented by a decent defensive typing, with pure Electric-types having only a sole weakness in Ground, and access to Bulk Up and Charge to boost either defense. Because of Zeraora's large set of viable moves, it has many other options that it can use to fit its team; it can also get a lot of power by holding an Electrium Z and powering up its Plasma Fists or Thunder into Gigavolt Havoc, which can be further increased in damage by Bulk Up or Charge. Furthermore, Plasma Fists in combination with Zeraora's ability Volt Absorb grants it an immunity to Normal-type attacks from slower Pokemon such as Normalium Z Meloetta. However, its unboosted Attack and Special Attack are not stellar, and Zeraora loses to threats such as Mega Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, and Zygarde because of its only passable offenses and mediocre defenses.
[SET]
name: Outrage + Electrium Z
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Bulk Up
move 4: Fake Out / Charge
item: Electrium Z
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 48 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Def / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Plasma Fists and Gigavolt Havoc are used to beat most Water-types, Flying-types, and frail Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados, Tapu Fini, Primarina, Mega Charizard Y, non-Choice Scarf Greninja, and Normalium Z Porygon-Z. Outrage is mainly for Dragon-types such as Mega Charizard X, Haxorus, and Naganadel, but it can be used to hit many foes that don't resist it because of the inherent synergy between Electric- and Dragon-type moves. Bulk Up is both to boost Zeraora's damage output and reduce damage taken from physical attacks. The most specific attack it helps Zeraora take is Mega Charizard X's Dragon Dance-boosted Outrage, but it can also help with slower Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados. Fake Out is not only a little bit of practically free damage to secure what would normally be damage rolls, but it also potentially scouts Charizard's Mega Evolution and breaks non-Ground-type Sturdy Pokemon like Carracosta and Sawk. It can also break Dragonite's Multiscale, allowing Zeraora to win against non-Dragonium Z variants. Charge doubles Gigavolt Havoc's damage and helps against special attackers because of the extra Special Defense it provides. Offensive Mew, Heatran, and Genesect require both the Special Defense increase from Charge as well as a boosted Gigavolt Havoc in order to be beaten.
Set Details
=========
48 HP and 120 Defense EVs allow Zeraora to survive a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage. 88 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature let it outspeed non-Choice Scarf Greninja. 252 Attack EVs help it hit as hard as possible to prevent unnecessary damage rolls against foes such as Mega Gyarados and Mega Charizard X.
Usage Tips
========
Unless Zeraora can OHKO the foe or the foe cannot OHKO Zeraora before it 2HKOes, set up Bulk Up against Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X and Mega Gyarados or Charge against Pokemon like offensive Mew, Heatran, and Genesect first to both raise Zeraora's own damage output on the following turn and ensure its survival. Keep in mind that against Dragonite, it is better to use Gigavolt Havoc rather than Outrage after using Fake Out and Bulk Up. However, Zeraora will lose to Dragonium Z Dragonite. Do remember to predict whether the opponent has a Mega Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y, because against Mega Charizard X, Zeraora will have to use Bulk Up, while if it is Mega Charizard Y, Zeraora will need to use Gigavolt Havoc. Zeraora should be sent out against the aforementioned Flying- and Water-types, certain Dragon-types such as Haxorus and Mega Charizard X, and Pokemon without a way to effectively hit it like Magnezone and Normalium Z Meloetta. Fake Out should be used against practically everything except Tapu Lele and Mew; Tapu Lele will simply block it with Psychic Terrain, and Mew might get a Defense boost from Kee Berry, removing almost all chances of victory.
Team Options
========
Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Primarina, and Mega Slowbro can beat Ground-types such as Donphan, Zygarde, and Landorus-T as well as Dragonium Z Dragonite. In return, Zeraora will help beat Pokemon that threaten them such as opposing Tapu Fini, Mega Charizard Y, and Magnezone. Bulky offense Pokemon like Dragonite, Magearna, and Mega Swampert can tank attacks from hyper offense Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Mega Lopunny, Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Pheromosa. In return, Zeraora will shut down wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard X and Y, Carracosta, and Tapu Fini. Wallbreaking Pokemon like Aegislash, Victini, and Hoopa-U can break through Pokemon that are too bulky for Zeraora to handle such as Mega Mawile, Mega Venusaur, bulky Tapu Lele, and Magearna; in return, Zeraora will help beat faster or harder-hitting Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Gyarados, and Volcarona.
[SET]
name: Mixed Electrium Z
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Thunder
move 3: Charge
move 4: Fake Out
item: Electrium Z
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Hasty
evs: 60 Atk / 168 SpA / 128 SpD / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Plasma Fists should be used against Pokemon with lower Defense than Special Defense, such as a Magearna that has used Calm Mind. Conversely, Thunder should be used against Pokemon with lower Special Defense than Defense, such as a Magearna that has used Iron Defense. Charge allows Zeraora to beat Tapu Lele, Magearna, Mew, and other special attackers with its Special Defense boost in addition to its doubling of the following turn's Gigavolt Havoc damage. Fake Out is needed to help any potential damage rolls such as against Mega Gyarados. As this set does not have very heavy investment in either offense, it needs the extra damage from Fake Out to ensure wins. It also breaks Sturdy from Pokemon like Carracosta, Crustle, and Sawk.
Set Details
=========
60 Attack EVs guarantee an OHKO on Fairium Z Magearna after a Charge boost even when Magearna uses Calm Mind. 168 Special Attack EVs ensure an OHKO after Fake Out on bulky Mega Gyarados. 128 Special Defense EVs allows Zeraora to always survive bulky Tapu Lele's Shattered Psyche after a Charge boost. Finally, 152 Speed EVs let Zeraora outspeed Mega Gengar and other base 130 Speed Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
This Zeraora should be sent out against the regular Water- and Flying-types like Tapu Fini and Mega Charizard Y, as well as against Tapu Lele, Magearna, and other special attackers. Because Charge boosts the damage of both Zeraora's STAB moves, it is effective against Pokemon that can boost either defense like the aforementioned Magearna and Tapu Lele. Always target the weaker effective defense; for example, even though Mega Gyarados's base Special Defense is higher than its Defense, because of Gyarados's Intimidate, Zeraora should use Gigavolt Havoc from Thunder. Remember to not use Fake Out against Mew or Tapu Lele, because Mew rather commonly holds Kee Berry, and Tapu Lele will simply block it with Psychic Terrain; use Charge instead. Keep in mind that if the Tapu Lele is an offensive set rather than the more common bulky variant, Zeraora will need to use Electrium Z-boosted Plasma Fists immediately. It also beats almost all Sableye sets, with even the most physically bulky having a 50% chance to be OHKOed by a Charge-boosted Gigavolt Havoc from Plasma Fists. Some stall Pokemon like Type: Null and Whimsicott cannot be defeated by mixed Zeraora, for it just does not do enough damage.
Team Options
========
Physically bulky special attackers like Genesect, Primarina, and Mega Slowbro can beat Ground-types such as Donphan, Zygarde, and Landorus-T. In return, Zeraora will help beat opposing bulky special attackers such as Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, and Magnezone. Bulky offensive Pokemon like Dragonite, Magearna, and Mega Swampert can tank hits from faster foes such as Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Mega Lopunny, and Pheromosa; in return, Zeraora will shut down wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y, Carracosta, and Tapu Fini. Wallbreakers of your own like Aegislash, Victini, and Hoopa-U can break through Pokemon that are too bulky for Zeraora to handle such as Mega Mawile, Mega Metagross, and Mega Venusaur, while Zeraora will help them beat faster or harder-hitting Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados and Volcarona. Mixed Zeraora will need versatile Water-type teammates like Primarina, Tapu Fini, and Greninja to beat Dragon-types like Mega Charizard X, Zygarde, Haxorus, and Dragonite. Keep in mind that Choice Scarf Haxorus will beat Greninja, and physical Flyinium Z Dragonite will usually beat Primarina and Tapu Fini. In return, Zeraora will defeat Pokemon like Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Magnezone.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
192 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature can be run to beat Mega Lopunny at the cost of some damage rolls if the team requires Zeraora to deal with this rather important threat. Additionally, an Adamant nature can be run to further boost damage to increase chances in damage rolls. Taunt can be used in order to beat stall Pokemon such as Type: Null and Mega Audino. However, this will sacrifice matchups against Dragon-types such as Mega Charizard X and Haxorus. A Life Orb set with attacks like Plasma Fists, Outrage, Grass Knot, Close Combat, and Fake Out allows Zeraora to beat Pokemon such as Donphan and Golem while retaining the Mega Charizard X matchup and beating all but the most physically bulky Dragonite. However, this has a large drawback in not being able to beat Mega Gyarados reliably. A Choice Band set with moves such as Plasma Fists, Outrage, Close Combat, Fire Punch, and Iron Tail allows Zeraora to bring an additional physical coverage move over Life Orb, because of the absence of Fake Out, and beat Kommo-o more reliably, with Iron Tail beating Fairy-types such as Gardevoir, most Tapu Lele, and Clefable. However, this set also has struggles with Mega Gyarados. Dragonium Z can be run to guarantee a win against Dragon-types like Kommo-o, Dragonite, and Mega Charizard X and Y while simultaneously greatly assisting against opposing Zeraora.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types like Zygarde and Donphan shrug off Outrage and in return OHKO Zeraora with super effective STAB moves.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users or faster Pokemon such as Timid Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Pheromosa will simply outspeed and OHKO Zeraora because of its mediocre bulk.
**Bulky Offense**: Bulky hard-hitting Pokemon not hit super effectively such as Mega Mawile, Mega Tyranitar, and Aegislash will take Zeraora's hit and proceed to KO Zeraora with a strong attack.
**Stall**: Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Umbreon will just outstall Zeraora while wearing it down. Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn do this especially well thanks to their Electric resistance.
**Trace**: Gardevoir will Trace Zeraora's Volt Absorb to be immune to Plasma Fists and Thunder while also not being affected by Outrage because of its Fairy typing, leaving Zeraora with no way of dealing damage. Trace Porygon2 similarly can tank Outrage with its sheer bulk.
[CREDITS]
-Written by: [[Eriey, 470842]]
-Quality checked by: [[Osra, 239997], [MaceMaster, 302951], [Alakazam, 276708]]
-Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [deetah, 297659]]
Zeraora's incredibly high Speed and access to moves like Fake Out, Bulk Up, Charge, Outrage, Thunder, and its signature move Plasma Fists allow it to win matchups against Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados, Tapu Fini, Mega Charizard Y, non-Choice Scarf Greninja, and Mega Charizard X. Additionally, Zeraora is the most viable fast Electric-type in the 1v1 metagame, blessed with a lack of competition and a unique niche. Furthermore, despite Zeraora's blistering speed, its bulk is not horrible and is complemented by a decent defensive typing, with pure Electric-types having only a sole weakness in Ground, and access to Bulk Up and Charge to boost either defense. Because of Zeraora's large set of viable moves, it has many other options that it can use to fit its team; it can also get a lot of power by holding an Electrium Z and powering up its Plasma Fists or Thunder into Gigavolt Havoc, which can be further increased in damage by Bulk Up or Charge. Furthermore, Plasma Fists in combination with Zeraora's ability Volt Absorb grants it an immunity to Normal-type attacks from slower Pokemon such as Normalium Z Meloetta. However, its unboosted Attack and Special Attack are not stellar, and Zeraora loses to threats such as Mega Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, and Zygarde because of its only passable offenses and mediocre defenses.
[SET]
name: Outrage + Electrium Z
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Bulk Up
move 4: Fake Out / Charge
item: Electrium Z
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 48 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Def / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Plasma Fists and Gigavolt Havoc are used to beat most Water-types, Flying-types, and frail Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados, Tapu Fini, Primarina, Mega Charizard Y, non-Choice Scarf Greninja, and Normalium Z Porygon-Z. Outrage is mainly for Dragon-types such as Mega Charizard X, Haxorus, and Naganadel, but it can be used to hit many foes that don't resist it because of the inherent synergy between Electric- and Dragon-type moves. Bulk Up is both to boost Zeraora's damage output and reduce damage taken from physical attacks. The most specific attack it helps Zeraora take is Mega Charizard X's Dragon Dance-boosted Outrage, but it can also help with slower Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados. Fake Out is not only a little bit of practically free damage to secure what would normally be damage rolls, but it also potentially scouts Charizard's Mega Evolution and breaks non-Ground-type Sturdy Pokemon like Carracosta and Sawk. It can also break Dragonite's Multiscale, allowing Zeraora to win against non-Dragonium Z variants. Charge doubles Gigavolt Havoc's damage and helps against special attackers because of the extra Special Defense it provides. Offensive Mew, Heatran, and Genesect require both the Special Defense increase from Charge as well as a boosted Gigavolt Havoc in order to be beaten.
Set Details
=========
48 HP and 120 Defense EVs allow Zeraora to survive a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage. 88 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature let it outspeed non-Choice Scarf Greninja. 252 Attack EVs help it hit as hard as possible to prevent unnecessary damage rolls against foes such as Mega Gyarados and Mega Charizard X.
Usage Tips
========
Unless Zeraora can OHKO the foe or the foe cannot OHKO Zeraora before it 2HKOes, set up Bulk Up against Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X and Mega Gyarados or Charge against Pokemon like offensive Mew, Heatran, and Genesect first to both raise Zeraora's own damage output on the following turn and ensure its survival. Keep in mind that against Dragonite, it is better to use Gigavolt Havoc rather than Outrage after using Fake Out and Bulk Up. However, Zeraora will lose to Dragonium Z Dragonite. Do remember to predict whether the opponent has a Mega Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y, because against Mega Charizard X, Zeraora will have to use Bulk Up, while if it is Mega Charizard Y, Zeraora will need to use Gigavolt Havoc. Zeraora should be sent out against the aforementioned Flying- and Water-types, certain Dragon-types such as Haxorus and Mega Charizard X, and Pokemon without a way to effectively hit it like Magnezone and Normalium Z Meloetta. Fake Out should be used against practically everything except Tapu Lele and Mew; Tapu Lele will simply block it with Psychic Terrain, and Mew might get a Defense boost from Kee Berry, removing almost all chances of victory.
Team Options
========
Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Primarina, and Mega Slowbro can beat Ground-types such as Donphan, Zygarde, and Landorus-T as well as Dragonium Z Dragonite. In return, Zeraora will help beat Pokemon that threaten them such as opposing Tapu Fini, Mega Charizard Y, and Magnezone. Bulky offense Pokemon like Dragonite, Magearna, and Mega Swampert can tank attacks from hyper offense Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Mega Lopunny, Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Pheromosa. In return, Zeraora will shut down wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard X and Y, Carracosta, and Tapu Fini. Wallbreaking Pokemon like Aegislash, Victini, and Hoopa-U can break through Pokemon that are too bulky for Zeraora to handle such as Mega Mawile, Mega Venusaur, bulky Tapu Lele, and Magearna; in return, Zeraora will help beat faster or harder-hitting Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Gyarados, and Volcarona.
[SET]
name: Mixed Electrium Z
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Thunder
move 3: Charge
move 4: Fake Out
item: Electrium Z
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Hasty
evs: 60 Atk / 168 SpA / 128 SpD / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Plasma Fists should be used against Pokemon with lower Defense than Special Defense, such as a Magearna that has used Calm Mind. Conversely, Thunder should be used against Pokemon with lower Special Defense than Defense, such as a Magearna that has used Iron Defense. Charge allows Zeraora to beat Tapu Lele, Magearna, Mew, and other special attackers with its Special Defense boost in addition to its doubling of the following turn's Gigavolt Havoc damage. Fake Out is needed to help any potential damage rolls such as against Mega Gyarados. As this set does not have very heavy investment in either offense, it needs the extra damage from Fake Out to ensure wins. It also breaks Sturdy from Pokemon like Carracosta, Crustle, and Sawk.
Set Details
=========
60 Attack EVs guarantee an OHKO on Fairium Z Magearna after a Charge boost even when Magearna uses Calm Mind. 168 Special Attack EVs ensure an OHKO after Fake Out on bulky Mega Gyarados. 128 Special Defense EVs allows Zeraora to always survive bulky Tapu Lele's Shattered Psyche after a Charge boost. Finally, 152 Speed EVs let Zeraora outspeed Mega Gengar and other base 130 Speed Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
This Zeraora should be sent out against the regular Water- and Flying-types like Tapu Fini and Mega Charizard Y, as well as against Tapu Lele, Magearna, and other special attackers. Because Charge boosts the damage of both Zeraora's STAB moves, it is effective against Pokemon that can boost either defense like the aforementioned Magearna and Tapu Lele. Always target the weaker effective defense; for example, even though Mega Gyarados's base Special Defense is higher than its Defense, because of Gyarados's Intimidate, Zeraora should use Gigavolt Havoc from Thunder. Remember to not use Fake Out against Mew or Tapu Lele, because Mew rather commonly holds Kee Berry, and Tapu Lele will simply block it with Psychic Terrain; use Charge instead. Keep in mind that if the Tapu Lele is an offensive set rather than the more common bulky variant, Zeraora will need to use Electrium Z-boosted Plasma Fists immediately. It also beats almost all Sableye sets, with even the most physically bulky having a 50% chance to be OHKOed by a Charge-boosted Gigavolt Havoc from Plasma Fists. Some stall Pokemon like Type: Null and Whimsicott cannot be defeated by mixed Zeraora, for it just does not do enough damage.
Team Options
========
Physically bulky special attackers like Genesect, Primarina, and Mega Slowbro can beat Ground-types such as Donphan, Zygarde, and Landorus-T. In return, Zeraora will help beat opposing bulky special attackers such as Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, and Magnezone. Bulky offensive Pokemon like Dragonite, Magearna, and Mega Swampert can tank hits from faster foes such as Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Mega Lopunny, and Pheromosa; in return, Zeraora will shut down wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y, Carracosta, and Tapu Fini. Wallbreakers of your own like Aegislash, Victini, and Hoopa-U can break through Pokemon that are too bulky for Zeraora to handle such as Mega Mawile, Mega Metagross, and Mega Venusaur, while Zeraora will help them beat faster or harder-hitting Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados and Volcarona. Mixed Zeraora will need versatile Water-type teammates like Primarina, Tapu Fini, and Greninja to beat Dragon-types like Mega Charizard X, Zygarde, Haxorus, and Dragonite. Keep in mind that Choice Scarf Haxorus will beat Greninja, and physical Flyinium Z Dragonite will usually beat Primarina and Tapu Fini. In return, Zeraora will defeat Pokemon like Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Magnezone.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
192 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature can be run to beat Mega Lopunny at the cost of some damage rolls if the team requires Zeraora to deal with this rather important threat. Additionally, an Adamant nature can be run to further boost damage to increase chances in damage rolls. Taunt can be used in order to beat stall Pokemon such as Type: Null and Mega Audino. However, this will sacrifice matchups against Dragon-types such as Mega Charizard X and Haxorus. A Life Orb set with attacks like Plasma Fists, Outrage, Grass Knot, Close Combat, and Fake Out allows Zeraora to beat Pokemon such as Donphan and Golem while retaining the Mega Charizard X matchup and beating all but the most physically bulky Dragonite. However, this has a large drawback in not being able to beat Mega Gyarados reliably. A Choice Band set with moves such as Plasma Fists, Outrage, Close Combat, Fire Punch, and Iron Tail allows Zeraora to bring an additional physical coverage move over Life Orb, because of the absence of Fake Out, and beat Kommo-o more reliably, with Iron Tail beating Fairy-types such as Gardevoir, most Tapu Lele, and Clefable. However, this set also has struggles with Mega Gyarados. Dragonium Z can be run to guarantee a win against Dragon-types like Kommo-o, Dragonite, and Mega Charizard X and Y while simultaneously greatly assisting against opposing Zeraora.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types like Zygarde and Donphan shrug off Outrage and in return OHKO Zeraora with super effective STAB moves.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users or faster Pokemon such as Timid Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Pheromosa will simply outspeed and OHKO Zeraora because of its mediocre bulk.
**Bulky Offense**: Bulky hard-hitting Pokemon not hit super effectively such as Mega Mawile, Mega Tyranitar, and Aegislash will take Zeraora's hit and proceed to KO Zeraora with a strong attack.
**Stall**: Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Umbreon will just outstall Zeraora while wearing it down. Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn do this especially well thanks to their Electric resistance.
**Trace**: Gardevoir will Trace Zeraora's Volt Absorb to be immune to Plasma Fists and Thunder while also not being affected by Outrage because of its Fairy typing, leaving Zeraora with no way of dealing damage. Trace Porygon2 similarly can tank Outrage with its sheer bulk.
[CREDITS]
-Written by: [[Eriey, 470842]]
-Quality checked by: [[Osra, 239997], [MaceMaster, 302951], [Alakazam, 276708]]
-Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [deetah, 297659]]
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