[Overview]
<p>While Zangoose faces competition from Absol for a slot on teams, it can easily separate itself from Absol thanks to its higher base Speed and a much more reliable form of priority in Quick Attack. Zangoose also stands out among other Normal-types as one of the few that easily beats Rock- and Steel-types, thanks to Close Combat, a move normally confined to Fighting-types. Access to Swords Dance makes Zangoose even deadlier, allowing it to easily plow through defensive teams with Return. Quick Attack is also deadly after a boost, allowing it to pick off many frailer Pokemon, meaning that even revenge killing Zangoose can be a challenge.</p>
<p>While Zangoose is indeed an offensive menace, its defenses leave much to be desired, allowing it to be 2HKOed by almost any strong neutral attack; don't even think about trying to tank a Fighting-type attack. Zangoose's Attack also isn't quite up to snuff on some occasions, allowing some of the sturdier physical walls in NU tank an attack and cripple it with a status effect. However, all it takes is a little team support to get past these problems. Above all, don't <i>you</i> think Zangoose is cute?</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Quick Attack / Night Slash
item: Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>To say that Zangoose is threatening after a Swords Dance boost is a pretty big understatement, given that at +2, STAB Return is, at worst, 2HKOing anything that doesn't resist it. The aforementioned moves are this set's main attractions, as Normal has nice neutral coverage on its own. Close Combat backs up this coverage, hitting Rock- and Steel-types who would otherwise sit there and do whatever they please. In the final moveslot, Quick Attack is a neat move for picking off weakened opponents, with or without a Swords Dance boost. However, Night Slash is also a legitimate option if you feel that Ghost-types need to be handled by Zangoose, as they are immune to any other attack it carries. Night Slash also hits Psychic-types, such as Mesprit,for super effective damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb is the preferred item, allowing Zangoose to have as much power as possible,[add comma] while retaining the ability to switch moves. Any other item is usually a bad idea given the fact that Zangoose needs as much power as possible. However, Lum Berry is a decent item to use over Life Orb, allowing Zangoose to get past a status move before or during a sweep. There is no point in saving EVs for bulk when using Zangoose, given how frail it is; thus, Attack and Speed are the only places where EVs should be placed, save for the 4 leftover EVs in HP. This lets Zangoose hit as hard and as fast as it possibly can. Jolly is the preferred nature, keeping Speed in mind. Adamant can be used, however, but be warned, as Zangoose will only Speed tie with neutral base 90 Speed Pokemon, and will be outsped by those with a Speed boosting nature.</p>
<p>Substitute is the only other move that deserves a mention on this set. With it, Zangoose can dodge status as well as at least one attack, allowing it to either acquire more boosts or attack from behind the safety of a Substitute. Fighting-types are a major pain for Zangoose to face, as many of them are bulky enough to take a boosted Return, can KO with a STAB Fighting-type move, or both. Thus, Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Haunter are a huge help in neutralizing these threats. Pokemon that can set up entry hazards, such as Golem and Glalie, are also useful, as a Pokemon who has taken entry hazard damage is easier to KO than one at full health. Likewise, Zangoose itself is better off not taking entry hazard damage when it enters the field, so as to allow it to fire off as many hits as possible before falling to enemy attacks or Life Orb recoil, a good spinner is greatly appreciated. Cryogonal is a great place to.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Return
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Quick Attack / Night Slash
item: Choice Band
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Equipped with a Choice Band, Zangoose has a substantial amount of power from the get-go, dishing out hits without Life Orb recoil. Return is, again, Zangoose's main STAB move, as almost anything that doesn't resist it will be taking heavy damage, with the exception of possibly Weezing. Close Combat absolutely smashes most of the Pokemon that do resist Return, at worst 2HKOing most Rock- and Steel-types in the metagame. Pursuit allows Zangoose to hit Pokemon switching out hard, while also doing some damage against Ghost-types in a pinch. In the final moveslot, Quick Attack is a nice priority move to pick off weakened attackers, given that its power is boosted by both Choice Band and STAB. Night Slash is also a good option in that slot, as without it, Zangoose has no way of dealing with Ghost-types reliably.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The only way you should invest EVs in this set is to maximize both Attack and Speed, putting the remainder in another stat. Zangoose is very frail, and as such shouldn't be investing EVs in its bulk. Choice Band, besides being this set's namesake, is the item you should be equipping on this set. However, Choice Scarf is another item you can consider; with it, Zangoose has the ability to outspeed most of the tier, such as Rotom-S and Gorebyss after it has used Shell Smash, while still dealing a respectable amount of damage. X-Scissor is an option doing Psychic-types such as Exeggutor in, but most of them take a good chunk of damage from both Return and Night Slash anyways. Rock Slide is another interesting option to hit Flying- and Bug-types switching in. Again, however, both take a lot of damage from Return. Adamant is an option over Jolly on this set to fully maximize Zangoose's power. However, Speed will usually take precedent over power on a Pokemon as frail as Zangoose. Lastly, entry hazard support, especially Spikes, is a great idea since Zangoose will be forcing switches quite a lot. Glalie is a neat example, fitting well on any offensive team thanks to Taunt and Explosion.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A set with a Life Orb and four attacks is a decent idea; however, while such a set would have coverage, it wouldn't have as much power as either the Swords Dance or the Choice Band set. The same dilemma is true for a set with Substitute and three attacks. Brick Break is an alternative to Close Combat, as it doesn't lower Zangoose's defenses. However, Brick Break has almost no power to speak of, or at least in comparison to Close Combat, which boasts a massive 120 Base Power as opposed to Brick Break's 75. Lastly, Flail is an option in conjunction with Focus Sash or Endure. Quick Attack gives a set with Flail a nice boost, as with it Zangoose can KO faster threats. However, it's still situational at its absolute best.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>While in theory Zangoose's cuteness level should allow it to beat any Pokemon, sadly there are people immune to its kitten stare. Fighting-types such as Sawk can easily OHKO Zangoose, tanking a Quick Attack and striking with Close Combat. Bulkier Fighting-types such as Throh and Gurdurr are also solid choices, taking a boosted attack and delivering a crushing blow with Circle Throw or Drain Punch, respectively. If you recognize the Zangoose you're facing as a Choice Band variant, Rock- and Steel-types are great for taking Return. However, there is always the possibility of switching in on a boosted Close Combat, so you effectively have to lure Zangoose into using anything but that.</p>
<p>Entry hazards are also an incredible help when facing Zangoose. They shorten Zangoose's time on the field considerably if it is using a Life Orb , given that has less HP to spare, while Choice Band variants will find themselves switching in and out of the battlefield quite often, almost mimicking Life Orb recoil if hazards are laid correctly. Lastly, Ghost-types are incredibly annoying for any Zangoose to face if it chooses not to run Night Slash, as they are immune to everything Zangoose normally carries except for a Choice Band Pursuit. Misdreavus in particular can not only just sit there and take attacks all day, but it can use Will-O-Wisp to cripple Zangoose for the rest of the match.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Zangoose is the only Pokemon to receive Toxic Boost. This ability acts similar to Guts, though it should be obvious through the name that only poison triggers it. Toxic Boost's effect will make it the default ability on any Zangoose set, as it makes Zangoose incredibly powerful even without a boost. After a Swords Dance, Zangoose basically 2HKO the entire tier, while being immune to other status effects as well, making Zangoose much more frightening.</p>
