Live footage of Corkskrew Crash Magnezone in action can be seen above
[SET]
name: Substitute Z
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Electrium Z / Steelium Z
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Substitute is intended to be used to take advantage of Celesteela using Protect mainly, but it also is nice for when Steel-types give Magnezone a free turn or to avoid predicting a single opposing Pokemon coming in and having pick between Magnezone's dual STAB attacks. Thunderbolt can be used in conjunction with Electrium Z in order to OHKO Pokemon like Celesteela or offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. Flash Cannon can be used in conjunction with Steelium Z over Electrium Z to kill get a KO on incoming Landorus-T, Garchomp, Tapu Koko, and Latios with Stealth Rock up. Hidden Power Fire is utilized in order to rid the opposing team of Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, both of which Magnezone frequently traps.
Set Details
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The EVs are straightforward, maximizing the damage output of the various special attacks Magnezone is using while being as fast as possible, allowing Magnezone to outrun Pokemon such as uninvested Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, Suicune, and specially defensive Heatran. A Modest nature is used in order to maximize damage output. This allows Magnezone to always KO offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock and almost always do so against Shift Gear Magearna if using Electrium Z. Additionally, Modest nature assures an OHKO on offensive Landorus-T from full and almost always OHKOs Garchomp, defensive Landorus-T, or Latios after Stealth Rock if using Steelium Z. The only reasons to use Timid are assuring Magnezone outruns bulky Landorus-T and Choice Band Tyranitar, but you lose out on most of the KOs Magnezone gets with Steelium Z and Electrium Z, and Magnezone simply doesn't stay in on these Pokemon unless a Substitute is up, so this is rarely worthwhile. On the topic of the aforementioned items, Steelium Z is used when you do not truly need to OHKO Steel-types like Celesteela and Heatran and would prefer to split the niche of Magnezone to also eliminate incoming offensive pivots, whereas Electrium Z is used when your focus solely is upon abusing Magnet Pull to the best of Magnezone's ability. If you have another Z move and feel that using the Substitute trapper set is still ideal, then you can opt to use Life Orb as it will give you sufficient damage output. However, the combination of Substitute and Life Orb is not always ideal.
Usage Tips
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Unlike the Assault Vest variant of Magnezone, the goals of this set are to eliminate any Steel-type that Magnezone may encounter and do as much damage as possible when not facing a Steel-type. Moreover, utilization of Substitute to make Magnezone less prediction reliant is key, and this should be kept in mind when trying to make the most use of Magnezone in the battle. This Magnezone should not be used as a consistent defensive countermeasure against anything. Unlike the Assault Vest variant, Magnezone has mediocre special bulk and only passable physical bulk, leaving the niche on the offensive end of the spectrum. Substitute is also useful when you expect the opponent to use moves such as Protect, Sucker Punch, and Leech Seed. It is best to bring Magnezone into battle when you expect a vulnerable Steel-type like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, or Celesteela to come in. Alternatively, if they manage to get in, switching Magnezone in to trap them is a good idea if you believe they will stay in.
Team Options
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Pokemon that abuse the removal of opposing Steel-types are generally ideal. The main Pokemon being removed are Celesteela, Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Moreover, the best abusers of this tend to be strong physical attackers that are troubled with the aforementioned threats; some examples are Mega Pinsir, Tapu Bulu, Kartana, and Landorus-T. Alternatively, Pokemon that simply do not fair well against Steel-types such as Tapu Lele, Latios, and Mega Diancie can all work well alongside this variant of Magnezone. Finally, if you are using Steelium Z as your item, then you should put specific emphasis on the luring in of Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde when building. Fire-types like Heatran and Rock-types like Tyranitar or Mega Tyranitar take advantage of this. On the contrary, if you are using Electrium Z, then the same can be said for removal of Celesteela and integrating Pokemon such as the aforementioned Tapu Lele or Latios to your team.
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