An Introduction to ADV ZU

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Brief History

ADV ZU is a metagame that has been actively evolving since its inception in late 2018 as an offshoot of ADV PU. First acquiring top-tier Castform in March 2019, the tier was then soon included in ZU Classic I, during which the Dry Pass Clause was implemented. Shortly thereafter and during the finals, a suspect test was announced for Gloom and Zigzagoon. The former was notably extremely hard to break defensively, and offensively could run either a specially oriented Chlorophyll set or one employing Sleep Powder + Swords Dance; the latter posed a major threat as a Belly Drum + Extreme Speed sweeper. With the results in, Gloom was the first Pokémon banned in the ADV ZU metagame, while Zigzagoon remained legal. The metagame waned, but was still included in ZU Classic II.

It would be another two years before the meta changed significantly again. In April 2021, the tier saw another shift: Flaaffy and Meditite rose to PU and Aipom and Quilava dropped. Quilava was immediately quickbanned by council, citing its base 80 Special Attack and Speed stats, powerful coverage, access to Quick Attack and powerful Blaze-boosted STAB options, and variability in sets. For reference, Cyndaquil is already a fantastic Pokémon in the meta. Aipom did not receive enough support for a ban and remains the one of the best Pokémon in the tier to this day.

The tier has not seen any shifts since then, but the metagame still is being developed and innovated consistently, especially with ADV Cup in ZU Classic III, ZU Classic IV, and ZU Classic V in 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively. A teambuilding lab was held in September of 2022 to bolster more interest in the metagame, and analyses for Smogon were opened in December that year, the first of which was Koffing.

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Important Mechanics

Physical-Special split

• All moves of the following type are PHYSICAL: Normal, Fighting, Ghost, Poison, Rock, Ground, Steel, Bug, Flying. For example, both Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are physical moves.
• All moves of the following type are SPECIAL: Dark, Dragon, Fire, Ice, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic. For example, both Crunch and Dragon Claw are special.
• Steel resists Dark and Ghost. There are no Fairy-types.

Status

• You can paralyze Electric-types with Thunder Wave and put Grass-types to sleep with Spore or Sleep Powder.

Counter + Hidden Power

• Hidden Power is a Normal-type move, allowing Counter to always activate against it.

Gameplay

• You lead with the Pokémon that's in the first slot of the teambuilder. There is no team preview, so you cannot pick your lead beyond placing a Pokémon in the first slot of the teambuilder beforehand.
• Critical hits deal double damage this generation, instead of the current 1.5x multiplier. They also ignore the user's negative stat changes, the foe's positive stat changes, and dual screens, but not the effect of burn.
• Leftovers and residual damage activate after a new Pokémon is brought in following a KO of the previous Pokémon.
• After fainting to a self-induced recoil move, if the foe is slower, will not make a move. As a catch-all rule, the end of a turn is declared the moment a Pokémon faints.

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Notable ADV ZU Threats

Optimal Offenses

Aipom @ Choice Band Ability: Run Away EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Double-Edge - Brick Break - Shadow Ball - Baton Pass

Aipom @ Silk Scarf Ability: Run Away EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Shadow Ball - Double-Edge - Brick Break - Taunt / Thunder Wave

This funky monkey's excellent base Speed and Attack make it a contender for the best Pokémon in ZU, and without a doubt the best Choice Band user in the metagame. Access to Fighting- and Ghost-type coverage alongside Baton Pass allows it to gain heaps of momentum as an offensive pivot and a nasty revenge killer. Aipom isn't stuck to Choice Band either, as utility sets remain strong while gaining the ability to fire off powerful utility moves like Thunder Wave and Taunt. This assortment of excellent attributes lets Aipom comfortably find a home on almost any team as a lightning-fast physical attacker.

Castform @ Leftovers Ability: Forecast EVs: 248 HP / 112 Atk / 120 SpD / 28 Spe Brave Nature - Protect - Double-Edge - Ice Beam - Thunderbolt / Flamethrower

Castform @ Mystic Water / Lum Berry Ability: Forecast EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature - Rain Dance - Weather Ball - Ice Beam - Thunderbolt / Thunder / Hidden Power Grass

Castform @ Charcoal / Lum Berry Ability: Forecast EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature - Sunny Day - Fire Blast - Solar Beam - Thunderbolt

After being stripped of its Mystic Water, Castform always went straight into the PC after the weather institute fiasco. In ZU, however, Castform fights with Aipom for the title of best Pokémon. Castform's base 70 stat distribution is nothing to scoff at when coupled with its expansive movepool. These attributes make Castform one of the most versatile Pokémon in the meta, allowing it to fulfill both offensive and defensive roles. Not to mention, Castform finds itself not only checking weather teams but as a valuable asset to them as well thanks to Forecast. Castform's bulky set is its most popular, as it possesses the EVs to outspeed Jolly Rhyhorn while still maintaining the bulk and offensive prowess to threaten a multitude of special attackers. Its bulky attacker and weather sweeper sets barely scratch the surface of what Castform is capable of. Other common sets rely on Castform's offensive prowess as a mixed attacker, a Choice Band powerhouse, or a special attacker. Its sheer versatility as an attacker makes Castform a force to be reckoned with.

Elekid @ Lum Berry Ability: Static EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature - Thunderbolt - Fire Punch - Hidden Power Grass - Quick Attack / Toxic

Elekid @ Leftovers Ability: Static EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Hasty Nature - Substitute - Thunderbolt - Focus Punch - Hidden Power Grass

Elekid's claim to fame is its exceptionally fast base 95 Speed, only being outsped by Luvdisc and Voltorb. With its good 63/65 attacking stats and an expansive movepool including options like Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Quick Attack, and even Cross Chop, Elekid is often the last thing offense teams relying on Aipom for speed control want to see. Walls like Sunflora and Lileep can put a stop to its onslaught, but they usually get crippled by Toxic in the process. Elekid can struggle to break through some special walls like Dustox and Delcatty, but their use is largely the result of Elekid's excellence, and once they fall, their teams are usually easy pickings for the speedy sparkplug.

Seaking @ Leftovers Ability: Water Veil EVs: 204 HP / 112 Atk / 192 Spe Lonely Nature - Protect - Hydro Pump - Megahorn - Hidden Power Flying / Hidden Power Rock

Seaking @ Lum Berry Ability: Swift Swim EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe Mild Nature - Rain Dance - Hydro Pump - Ice Beam - Megahorn

In its natural habitat, this aptly named Water-type burrows into rocks with the drill-like appendage on its head to make its nest. Seaking's role in ZU is no different, as it drills into walls as a mixed wallbreaker. This is all thanks to its staggering Attack, decent bulk, and excellent coverage options. Additionally, its immunity to Will-O-Wisp thanks to Water Veil means it is able to find more opportunities to take advantage of Koffing. Other defensive titans like Lileep and Dustox both struggle to withstand Seaking's coverage options and can become easily overwhelmed. Additionally, this goldfish is the premier rain sweeper in ZU thanks to its access to Swift Swim. Once rain is set, not even Castform is comfortable being on the receiving end of a Hydro Pump.

Rhyhorn @ Leftovers Ability: Lightning Rod EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Adamant Nature - Protect / Substitute / Swords Dance - Earthquake - Rock Slide - Megahorn

Rhyhorn @ Leftovers Ability: Lightning Rod EVs: 112 HP / 52 Atk / 220 SpD / 124 Spe Careful Nature - Earthquake - Counter / Rock Slide - Megahorn - Protect

Much like its Pokédex entry, Rhyhorn doesn't care what's in its way. It just charges forward and destroys obstacles. Not even the most prominent physical wall, Lileep, is truly safe thanks to Megahorn. This allows Rhyhorn to stand out, as it is able to reduce common cores to a pile of rubble. Because of this, scouting Rhyhorn's set is key. Offensive Rhyhorn likes to take advantage of Pokémon that lack super effective coverage like Dustox, Grimer, and Delcatty, or just weakened walls like Lileep. Rhyhorn's lure set is incredibly effective as well. It can invest in its special bulk to tank one 4x super effective Hidden Power from either Koffing, Lileep, or Elekid at full health and then OHKO them with Counter. Koffing is known as Rhyhorn's one true counter and is able to take advantage of its lure set if it has already been revealed.

Devious Defenders

• Lileep @ Leftovers
• Ability: Suction Cups
• EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
• Relaxed Nature
• - Toxic
• - Rock Slide
• - Hidden Power Grass
• - Recover

With titanic bulk, a resistance to Normal, and access to Recover, it is not an exaggeration to say that Lileep holds ZU together. Without Spikes up, it acts as the only true counter to Choice Band Aipom, and while it isn't an ironclad counter to everything else because of its weaknesses and Toxic, other titans of the metagame like Elekid and Castform frequently find themselves pressured by this ancient sea lily. Forming a potent defensive core with partners in crime like Dustox and Delcatty, oftentimes the singular goal of offense is finding some way to send Lileep back into extinction.

• Dustox @ Leftovers
• Ability: Shield Dust
• EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
• Calm Nature
• IVs: 0 Atk
• - Toxic
• - Psychic / Sludge Bomb / Hidden Power Grass
• - Whirlwind
• - Moonlight

Dustox is a Pokémon that is instinctively drawn to light. In ZU however, Dustox always finds itself underneath the spotlight as the ultimate special wall. Its overall bulk is nothing short of excellent, but this isn't the only reason why Dustox shines. Combined with reliable recovery, and an immunity to all secondary effects thanks to Shield Dust, most special attackers have zero hope of breaking through Dustox. Whirlwind prevents it from being set up on, can annoy teams that lack proper physical wallbreakers, and synergizes well with the prevalence of Spikes Snorunt. Moreover, Dustox is able to run a plethora of attacking moves to choose what it wants to check offensively. However, the rise of Fire-types, Magnemite, and Aron do put a damper on its parade.

Koffing @ Leftovers Ability: Levitate EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe Impish Nature - Pain Split - Sludge Bomb - Hidden Power Grass - Will-O-Wisp / Flamethrower

Koffing @ Leftovers Ability: Levitate EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD Impish Nature - Memento / Explosion / Destiny Bond - Sludge Bomb - Hidden Power Grass - Will-O-Wisp / Toxic / Haze

This noxious ball of fun is the pinnacle of defensive utility in ADV ZU. Koffing's exceptional bulk coupled with its immunity to Earthquake and Toxic allows it to find a plethora of opportunities to switch in. This makes Koffing an excellent defensive pivot capable of crippling a wide variety of Pokémon thanks to its access to Will-O-Wisp. It's known as the premier counter to Rhyhorn because of these reasons. Koffing can also opt for role compression and lean more into its utility thanks to its expansive movepool. This allows it to play a more supportive role alongside its defensive capabilities. These utility options are a perfect match for setup sweepers, weather setters, and late-game cleaners.

• Delcatty @ Leftovers
• Ability: Cute Charm
• EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
• Careful Nature
• - Wish
• - Protect
• - Body Slam
• - Heal Bell / Shadow Ball / Hidden Power Grass

Much like Dustox, another fully-evolved Pokémon with paltry stats has found itself in the upper echelons of ZU. With high bulk and a Normal typing, Delcatty is a nightmare for most special attackers to break through. While it's largely relegated to defensive teams due to its poor offensive presence, this curious cat is a godsend for bulky builds, being the only viable Wish and Heal Bell user. Delcatty isn't always just fodder for foes it can't threaten with Body Slam either, as it can use its diverse movepool to nail would-be-counters like Shuppet and Rhyhorn.

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Common Cores

Despite already being half a team, this core is unmatched in terms of the diverse cast of Pokémon that it can be paired with. While it's widely used as a foundation to offense, it can also be used on balance teams as well both because of its effectiveness at threatening key attackers such as Chinchou, Aipom, and Rhyhorn. Koffing acts as fantastic glue for a multitude of cores thanks to its immunity to Toxic and access to Levitate. Koffing's primary role on this core is to switch into physical attackers. The most common instance of this is switching into Aipom in hopes of eating a Double-Edge and netting enough recoil damage to allow Elekid to remove it. Castform handles special attackers that would otherwise give Koffing a hard time. Elekid also appreciates Castform as a reliable Chinchou answer, which otherwise dissuades Elekid from using Thunderbolt.

With each being ZU's best physical and special wall, respectively, it's only natural that Lileep and Dustox form an effective defensive core together. Lileep staves off the tier's plethora of physical attackers, notably Choice Band Aipom. Meanwhile, Dustox eases pressure against special attackers, with its Toxic immunity letting it fare well against foes like Elekid and Koffing. Sometimes they can take attacks from the other side of the spectrum for each other: Lileep has a good matchup against Fire-types, while Dustox can switch into Choice-locked Fighting-type moves for Lileep. This core isn't unbreakable, as common foes like Rhyhorn often force a 50/50 over which of Lileep and Dustox can safely switch in, while other wallbreakers like Seaking can beat it outright; regardless, this core will still do its job in walling numerous top metagame threats. Every team needs some plan against Lileep and Dustox unless they wish to be walled to death.

Chinchou and Cubone form an excellent offensive core together capable of pressuring top defensive Pokémon such as Lileep, Dustox, and Koffing. Chinchou has cemented itself as one of the most threatening Thunder Wave users due to its typing and strong coverage. These attributes make it an excellent partner for Cubone, as Chinchou enables Cubone as a wallbreaker thanks to paralysis support remedying its poor Speed. It's also able to threaten Water-types and Koffing, which can otherwise prove annoying for Cubone. Cubone is able to remove specially defensive Pokémon such as Delcatty, Dustox, and Castform for Chinchou. It can also break through Lileep if weakened or with a Swords Dance boost.

This core is commonly found on balance teams thanks to Aipom's offensive pressure and the support it's offered. Aipom is the most frightening physical attacker, but it's not without its flaws. Its biggest weakness is Elekid due to it being the most reliable offensive check once Aipom has taken enough recoil damage. Dustox remedies this, as it can counter Elekid and other special attackers with ease. Koffing helps patch up Dustox's weakness to physical attackers while acting as a physically defensive pivot for Aipom.

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Common Leads

• Snorunt: While it may look unassuming at first, this chilly fella is ADV ZU's most reliable Spikes user. With Endure + Salac Berry, it's very difficult to stop it from getting at least one layer of Spikes up, and passive foes have the tendency to let it get up two or even three. Thus, it is recommended that every lead finds some way to limit Snorunt to zero or one layer of Spikes unless players wish to start the game at a serious disadvantage.
• Aipom: Choice Band Aipom is an excellent lead for its ability to smash through the competition, especially due to its ability to pivot with Baton Pass. However, a more specialized utility set works even better as a lead, with moves like Baton Pass for pivoting, Taunt, Thunder Wave, and even Toxic hamstringing most of the competition. At the same time, lead utility Aipom retains respectable power and its amazing Speed tier.
• Cyndaquil: Cyndaquil's access to Blaze lets it excel as a user of Endure + Salac Berry, as the combo not only boosts Cyndaquil's Speed but also augments its Fire Blast to brutal levels. Furthermore, Cyndaquil shines even more thanks to its access to Quick Attack, which completely thwarts opposing Endure leads, notably denying Snorunt any hazards. When it comes to consistency, versatility, and effectiveness in leads, it's extremely hard to top Cyndaquil.
• Growlithe: Growlithe may initially seem like a worse Cyndaquil owing to its lack of Quick Attack and Blaze, though it still excels thanks to Intimidate. With some investment, Growlithe finds itself tanking even Earth-shattering attacks like Choice Band Aipom's Double-Edge, which gives it the opening to retaliate with its powerful Fire Blast. Additionally, since it's not reliant on an item to beat lead Choice Band users, Growlithe can instead run Lum Berry to always foil status leads like Butterfree.
• Butterfree: Butterfree is already among the fastest sleepers in ZU thanks to its solid base 70 Speed, but what really sets it apart is Compound Eyes, which gives its Sleep Power an absurd 97.5% accuracy. However, Butterfree is far from useless afterward, as it has an equally accurate Stun Spore and a serviceable offensive presence. Butterfree must watch out for fast wallbreaking and Lum Berry leads, but in the right matchup, it completely dominates its prey.
• Wailmer: While Wailmer is a more recent discovery, it's nonetheless an absolute terror as a lead. Self-Destruct threatens almost the entire tier, especially when the Pokémon usually tasked with switching into Normal-type attacks, Rock- and Steel-types, want nothing to do with Wailmer's nuclear Water Spout or still-powerful Hydro Pump. Wailmer is hardly frail either; with enough Special Defense investment, it can always survive attacks like Elekid's Thunderbolt, letting it hold a Lum Berry to ward off sleep leads. Without leading with a select few Pokémon like Choice Band Aipom, players faced with Wailmer are in for a world of pain.
• Spoink: While Spoink looks like an odd choice for a lead, it has the perfect combination of traits to completely flip what we know about ZU's lead matchups. With Taunt and Thick Fat, it completely dominates Snorunt; Thick Fat also lets it stomp otherwise imposing leads like Cyndaquil and Growlithe lacking Crunch. With Calm Mind, it turns these leads into setup fodder. Spoink's lack of immediate power and Speed makes it lose to faster wallbreaking and status leads, but make no mistake, Spoink is the last thing some of the tier's most prominent leads want to see.

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Starter Squads

Butterfree Offense By: BP

This team is the most standard of offensive builds. Butterfree is able to provide invaluable support with Sleep Powder, preventing Spikes and allowing more opportunities for Aipom and Elekid to come in. Elekid acts as a late-game cleaner, and, with Koffing, it is able to check Aipom. Castform can check either Elekid or Chinchou with its bulk and Double-Edge. Additionally, it's able to shut down weather, which this team would otherwise struggle with. Aipom is able to break mid-game and act as a wallbreaker and cleaner later-game once the opposing Elekid is removed. Lure Rhyhorn can opt to check either Koffing or Elekid depending on what is most suitable for Aipom. Rhyhorn can also act as a secondary physically defensive Pokémon that can check opposing Aipom if needed.

Wail Bone Offense: BP

This team is able to capitalize on Wailmer's offensive prowess early-game. With an advantageous matchup, Wailmer can use Water Spout into Self-Destruct to break common switch-ins. If Aipom is the lead, Wailmer can pivot into Koffing to net recoil damage from Double-Edge so Elekid can revenge kill it. Elekid also helps limit the effectiveness of berry users such as Mankey and Luvdisc. Chinchou and Wailmer can both be used to check Water-types for Cubone. Castform is running an offensive set to complement Cubone's already-great power. Its role is to remove faster Cubone checks that may not be paralyzed such as Chinchou, Staryu, and Elekid. With the combined breaking power of Wailmer, Cubone, and Castform, defensive teams struggle to stay ahead.

Cleaner Growlithe Balance By: BP

A standard balance team that utilizes Aipom's offensive presence to shut down most other leads. Dustox helps cover Aipom's tendency to get revenge killed by Elekid. It also acts as the team's primary check to special attackers. Koffing helps with Dustox's immense weakness to physical attackers while also acting as a solid defensive pivot for Aipom. Koffing struggles being the sole check to physical attackers, so Rhyhorn can help alleviate that with its exceptional Defense and resistance to Normal. Seaking works in conjunction with Rhyhorn to remove opposing Lileep with Megahorn so that both Aipom and Growlithe have an easier time cleaning.

Magnemite Balance By: OranBerryBlissey10

This balance team centers on Magnemite acting as an offensive and defensive nuisance. Magnemite and Chinchou cover each other's answers well as the main progress makers. Bulky Grass- and Normal-types are handled by Magnemite, while Chinchou can dispatch Fire-types and cripple opposing Chinchou. Lileep and Delcatty provide the team with much needed longevity, as both Magnemite and Chinchou appreciate Wish support. This allows them to find more opportunities to break open opposing teams. Koffing is meant to patch up the overwhelming weakness Lileep and Delcatty have against Rhyhorn. Cyndaquil prevents Spikes from Snorunt while threatening other lead Fire-types with Hidden Power Water. Its Chesto Berry allows it to maintain a solid match up against Butterfree while also giving it the option to use Rest to maintain its position as a heavy hitter. Delcatty also comes in handy in this regard thanks to access to Heal Bell.

Rain By: Gangsta Spongebob

The goal of this team is very simple: keep up rain as much as possible and use it to smash through the competition. Voltorb is the fastest Pokémon in ZU, making it the perfect rain lead thanks to it learning Rain Dance and Explosion. Seaking and Hosea are unwallable in rain, while Swift Swim lets them outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Additionally, Seaking is exceptionally hard to dislodge due to its extremely high bulk for an offensive Pokémon. Castform equals Seaking in power and bulk but stands out thanks to it not sharing weaknesses with Water-types outside of rain, which makes it a great setter and notably helps out in dealing with Elekid. Forecast also makes it rain's best solution against sun teams. Aipom gives this team a necessary weatherless wallbreaker that appreciates physical walls being shredded by the spam of rain-boosted Water-type attacks. Aipom, Elekid, and other speedy foes can walk all over this team if rain ends at a bad time, so lure Rhyhorn serves as a perfect addition to deal with these foes.

Get Out There!

If you've read this far then you have my thanks and you're ready to take on the exciting world of ADV ZU! To find games just pop on over to the ZU room on PS! where we hold ADV tournaments almost every day! For additional resources such as the VR and extra samples teams, you can visit the ZU old generations thread here. The ADV ZU team is excited to see you out there!

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