Zygarde is a fairly dominant Pokemon in the OU tier due to the variety of sets that it can effectively run, its impressive defenses, and, most importantly, its access to Thousand Arrows. Thousand Arrows is a 90-Base Power Ground-type attack exclusive to Zygarde that allows it to deal damage to Flying-types and Pokemon with the ability Levitate, such as Skarmory and Rotom-W. As such, Thousand Arrows is incredibly spammable and is the main reason why Zygarde's Dragon Dance set skyrocketed to popularity in the beginning stages of the OU metagame. As the metagame has developed, however, Choice Band and mono-attacking Coil sets have proven to be Zygarde's most effective and reliable options. Zygarde's solid defenses in conjunction with its decent Dragon / Ground typing also allow it to act as a good offensive switch in to threatening Pokemon such as Heatran and Mega Charizard Y lacking Hidden Power Ice.
Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Toxic / Superpower
Zygarde's most prominent set in the current metagame, a Choice Band alongside maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature allows it to hit like a truck right off the bat. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best move and is what it will be using most of the time. Outrage should be used sparingly, but it is Zygarde's most powerful attack and can be helpful for breaking down incredibly bulky walls like Tangrowth. Similarly, Extreme Speed is not frequently used but aids Zygarde in revenge killing faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko and Ash-Greninja. Although Zygarde will usually be using Thousand Arrows, if the opposing team is packing sturdy Ground-resistant Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Heracross, firing off a Toxic to chip away at these foes is often beneficial. Superpower can also be used to deal super effective damage to Ferrothorn and Chansey, but this is fairly niche in comparison to the utility of Toxic. Iron Tail is a niche option to to eliminate Tapu Bulu and Magic Guard Clefable, who otherwise check Zygarde.
However, despite its numerous positive traits, Zygarde is not without its flaws as well. A 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks makes it very vulnerable to being revenge killed when not behind a Substitute. Zygarde's less-than-stellar Speed stat makes this even more exploitable, as faster Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Protean Greninja can easily outspeed and do massive damage with Hidden Power Ice and Ice Beam respectively. Finally, Zygarde sports an only average Attack stat, so without a boost from Choice Band, Zygarde will often struggle to make huge dents in an opposing team. Even when equipped with a Choice Band, incredibly bulky Pokemon such as Alomomola and Rocky Helmet Tangrowth can still avoid a 2HKO from any attack that Zygarde can dish out.
What alternate sets have you tried with Zygarde? Give the Order Pokemon a shot!
Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Toxic / Superpower
Zygarde's most prominent set in the current metagame, a Choice Band alongside maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature allows it to hit like a truck right off the bat. Thousand Arrows is Zygarde's best move and is what it will be using most of the time. Outrage should be used sparingly, but it is Zygarde's most powerful attack and can be helpful for breaking down incredibly bulky walls like Tangrowth. Similarly, Extreme Speed is not frequently used but aids Zygarde in revenge killing faster offensive threats such as Tapu Koko and Ash-Greninja. Although Zygarde will usually be using Thousand Arrows, if the opposing team is packing sturdy Ground-resistant Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Heracross, firing off a Toxic to chip away at these foes is often beneficial. Superpower can also be used to deal super effective damage to Ferrothorn and Chansey, but this is fairly niche in comparison to the utility of Toxic. Iron Tail is a niche option to to eliminate Tapu Bulu and Magic Guard Clefable, who otherwise check Zygarde.
However, despite its numerous positive traits, Zygarde is not without its flaws as well. A 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks makes it very vulnerable to being revenge killed when not behind a Substitute. Zygarde's less-than-stellar Speed stat makes this even more exploitable, as faster Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Protean Greninja can easily outspeed and do massive damage with Hidden Power Ice and Ice Beam respectively. Finally, Zygarde sports an only average Attack stat, so without a boost from Choice Band, Zygarde will often struggle to make huge dents in an opposing team. Even when equipped with a Choice Band, incredibly bulky Pokemon such as Alomomola and Rocky Helmet Tangrowth can still avoid a 2HKO from any attack that Zygarde can dish out.
What alternate sets have you tried with Zygarde? Give the Order Pokemon a shot!
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