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[VGC '15] Zapdos Moveset - Support / Special Attacker (3 Options) - Printable Version

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[VGC '15] Zapdos Moveset - Support / Special Attacker (3 Options) - Eckley - Oct 7, 2015

[Image: erectric_rain_by_ouroporos-d4qesih.jpg]
Credit to ouroporos

Despite Thundurus being more popular, Zapdos definitely has a couple of tricks up it's sleeve (under it's wing..?) that warrants it being used over the genie. Zapdos has respectable bulk and a relatively high Special Attack stat allowing it to take a few hits and do some decent damage in return. One thing that sets Zapdos apart from Thundurus is it's ability to recover using Roost, which means it can stay around a little longer to support the team. If you're looking for a well rounded Pokemon that can Support your team and hit pretty hard, Zapdos may be the choice for you.
[Image: zapdos.gif]
Type: Electric/Flying
Base Stats: 90 HP / 90 Attack / 85 Defense / 125 Special Attack / 90 Special Defense / 100 Speed
Weaknesses: Ice (X2), Rock (X2)
Resistances: Fighting (X0.5), Bug (X0.5), Flying (X0.5), Steel (X0.5), Grass (X0.5)
Immunities: Ground
Abilities: Pressure - When a Pokémon with Pressure is targeted by a foe's move, one additional PP is deducted upon execution. Consequently, extra PP is deducted even if the foe's move misses, has multiple targets, or is rendered ineffective due to immunity. If the move of a Pokémon targets several foes with Pressure, one additional PP will be deducted for each one.

Static (Hidden Ability, NOT RELEASED) - When a Pokémon with this Ability is hit by a move that makes contact, there is a 30% chance that the attacking Pokémon will become paralyzed. This can affect Ground-type Pokémon.
If a Pokémon with this Ability is hit by a multi-strike move that makes contact, each hit has an independent chance to activate this Ability.

Tailwind Support
[Image: zapdos.gif]
Zapdos @ Sitrus Berry / Safety Goggles
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 244 HP / 44 Def / 52 SpA / 148 SpD / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def (for HP Ice)
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power [Ice] / Heat Wave
-Tailwind
-Roost / Protect

Although this may seem like an unnecessarily complicated spread, it does quite a few different things.
First of all 244 HP gives a HP stat of 196 (assuming you have 31 IVs) which is divisible by 2 allowing the Sitrus to proc on a Super Fang. (Thanks to Willem for pointing this out to me!). Secondly, the 20 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Adamant Bisharp (Base 70 Speed)
Next, while looking on Global Link, I noticed the top 12 were predominantly Special Attackers, and thus I decided to invest quite heavily in Special Defense, but it also has enough Physical Bulk to survive strong hits such as Double Edge from Adamant Max Attack Mega Kangaskhan, which you'll see in the damage calculations
Sitrus Berry or Safety Goggles is personal preference. Sitrus is for longevity, while Safety Goggles allows Zapdos tho ignore Spore from Amoonguss and Breloom (the latter of which tends to be Jolly, Max Speed thus outspeeding this particular build)

Damage Calculations

Defensive

252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Zapdos: 164-195 (83.6 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Landorus-T Rock Slide vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Zapdos: 76-90 (38.7 - 45.9%) -- 60.3% chance to 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos: 99-118 (50.5 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Heatran Heat Wave vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos: 61-73 (31.1 - 37.2%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos: 102-121 (52 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Life Orb Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos: 101-121 (51.5 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Zapdos: 78-93 (39.7 - 47.4%) -- 92.9% chance to 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos in Sun: 109-130 (55.6 - 66.3%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Politoed Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos: 82-98 (41.8 - 50%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 244 HP / 148 SpD Zapdos: 166-196 (84.6 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Terrakion Rock Slide vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Zapdos: 96-114 (48.9 - 58.1%) -- 8.6% chance to 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

Offensive

52 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Kangaskhan: 66-78 (36.4 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 116 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 136-164 (75.9 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 132+ SpD Thundurus: 61-73 (32.7 - 39.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

52 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 232 HP / 112 SpD Heatran: 55-66 (28.2 - 33.8%) -- 94% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

52 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 164 SpD Amoonguss: 68-80 (30.7 - 36.1%) -- 42.4% chance to 3HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 164 SpD Amoonguss: 58-70 (26.2 - 31.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 52-63 (28.5 - 34.6%) -- 3.5% chance to 3HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 52 HP / 84 SpD Mega Salamence: 116-140 (65.5 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Mega Charizard Y: 114-134 (61.6 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

52 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 60 SpD Suicune: 110-132 (53.1 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Choice Specs
[Image: zapdos.gif]
Zapdos @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Def / 44 SpA / 64 SpD / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def (for HP Ice)
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power [Ice]
-Heat Wave
-Volt Switch

First benchmark for this spread was outspeeding Jolly Breloom, which is achieved with 116 Speed EVs. Obviously we have less bulk so you may have to play a bit safer, especially since we're locked into a move and don't have Sitrus or Roost for recovery.
Choice Specs may catch a few people off guard, as it's able to pick up OHKO's on DaWoblefet's Mega Salamence and Bulky, non-assault vested Landorus-T's, and Volt Switch allows you to switch out while dealing some decent chip damage

Damage Calculations

Defensive

252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 180-214 (91.3 - 108.6%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 164-196 (83.2 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Sucker Punch vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 82-97 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Landorus-T Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 84-100 (42.6 - 50.7%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Landorus-T Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 150-178 (76.1 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos: 109-130 (55.3 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Heatran Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos: 67-81 (34 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos: 111-132 (56.3 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos: 110-133 (55.8 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 87-103 (44.1 - 52.2%) -- 19.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos in Sun: 118-141 (59.8 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Politoed Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos: 90-108 (45.6 - 54.8%) -- 53.9% chance to 2HKO

252 Atk Terrakion Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Zapdos: 104-126 (52.7 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Zapdos: 181-214 (91.8 - 108.6%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

Offenive

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Kangaskhan: 106-126 (58.5 - 69.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 116 HP / 4 SpD Landorus-T: 224-268 (125.1 - 149.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 132+ SpD Thundurus: 100-118 (53.7 - 63.4%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 232 HP / 112 SpD Heatran: 91-108 (46.6 - 55.3%) -- 12.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 164 SpD Amoonguss: 112-132 (50.6 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 84-100 (46.1 - 54.9%) -- 60.5% chance to 2HKO

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 76 SpD Aegislash-Shield: 74-88 (44.3 - 52.6%) -- 16.8% chance to 2HKO

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 52 HP / 84 SpD Mega Salamence: 188-224 (106.2 - 126.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

44+ SpA Choice Specs Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 212 HP / 116+ SpD Politoed: 170-204 (88.5 - 106.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

Rogue's Expert Belt set
[Image: zapdos.gif]
Zapdos @ Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 140 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def (for HP Ice)
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power [Ice]
-Roost
-Heat Wave

Read the team write up Here!
Potential Teammates include, but aren't limited to;
  • Any Pokemon with that awkward mid-tier speed range such as Mega Venusaur, Heatran and even slightly lower speed Pokemon like Sylveon
  • Intimidate users such as Landorus-T, who can help Zapdos stay around against Physical Attackers with the Intimidate, while being able to Earthquake freely thanks to Zapdos' typing
  • Strong Attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Metagross can potentially sacrifice some Speed for Bulk if you run the Tailwind set
Threats include, but aren't limited to;
  • Fast Rock Slides or Stone Edges from Terrakion Landorus-T and Tyranitar
  • Taunt users, specifically Thundurus since it has access to Prankster and can stop you setting up Tailwind
  • Strong attacks such as Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge and Charizard Y's Overheat
Other Notable Moves
  • Light Screen - Reduce the damage taken from Special Attacks for five turns
  • Thunder Wave - Used as an alternative to Tailwind
  • Hidden Power [Flying] - If you have trouble against Mega Venusaur and you have enough Ice coverage
  • Swagger - Raise the foes attack by 2 stages and confuse them. Can be annoying if paired with Thunder Wave
Other Notable Items
  • Rocky Helmet - Physical Attackers take some chip damage if they target Zapdos
  • Life Orb - Boost damage output at the cost of 10% of you max HP at the end of each turn of damaging a foe
  • Leftovers - Gradually restore HP at the end of each turn
  • Weakness Policy - Raise your Attack and Special Attack by 2 stages if hit by a Super Effective attack


Thanks for reading! If you have any sets of your own to add, PM me or post a comment. Zapdos definitely has it's uses on certain teams, and is a brilliant alternative to Thundurus, especially since it has a way to recover with Roost, and Tailwind affects alllies which means, unlike Thunder Wave, it isn't blocked by Protect. Hopefully one of these set will prove helpful to some of you :]

RE: [VGC '15] Zapdos Moveset - Support / Special Attacker (3 Options) - ChaseInfinity - Oct 7, 2015

Great work Eckley, I love Zapdos so much type coverage with his moves