[OVERVIEW]
* With the help of Normalium Z, Porygon-Z can utilize Z-Conversion as a way to change its typing and get a boost in all of its stats barring evasion and accuracy, making it a great late-game sweeper.
* Porygon-Z's impressive Special Attack stat and access to a variety of coverage moves such as Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam allows it to function as a great wallbreaker and check several types in the metagame.
* It has access to two good abilities in Adaptability and Download, allowing it to either hit harder with its STAB move or possibly gaining a Special Attack boost. Additionally, when Z-Conversion is paired with either of these abilities, Porygon-Z gains an Adaptability boost to any STAB attack of its choice in the first moveslot or hits even harder at +2 Special Attack after Z-Conversion and Download.
* Unfortunately, Porygon-Z requires team support in order to sweep the opposing team, as it relies on them being weakened by entry hazards or its teammates.
* Porygon-Z lacks bulk, which means it can't take multiple hits in order to set up Z-Conversion.
* Porygon-Z's Speed stat isn't too great either, as it's outsped by faster threats such as Mega Alakazam, Victini, and Terrakion, as well as Choice Scarf users like Xurkitree prior to setting up with Z-Conversion.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Conversion
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Shadow Ball allows Porygon-Z to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types super effectively such as Gengar, Mimikyu, Mega Alakazam, and Latios.
* Conversion along with Normalium Z is necessary as it changes Porygon-Z's typing and grants it an immunity to Fighting- and Normal-type attacks. Shadow Ball is chosen as the primary move thanks to Ghost being a great offensive typing and because it is necessary to change Porygon-Z's type.
* Thunderbolt is a nice coverage move that hits Flying- and Water-types such as Celesteela, Toxapex, and Mantine.
* Ice Beam OHKOes most Dragon- and Ground-types such as Dragonite, Landorus, and Gliscor.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment along with a Timid nature allows Porygon-Z to hit hard and be as fast as possible, outspeeding important threats like Choice Scarf Excadrill after a Z-Conversion boost.
* Normalium Z is used in conjunction with Conversion in order to boost all of Porygon-Z's stats by one stage, increasing its offensive and defensive capabilities as well as increasing its Speed.
* Adaptability is preferred over Download as it's a more reliable damage increase, especially after a Z-Conversion boost.
* Download can be used instead of Adaptability to gain a possible boost in Special Attack while doing more damage with all of its other coverage moves; however, Download is not very consistent due to Porygon-Z gaining a useless Attack boost thanks to many Pokemon such as Keldeo, Azumarill, and Hydreigon running 4 EVs in Special Defense to prevent it from getting a Special Attack boost.
Usage Tips
========
* This set should usually be used for the late-game when all of Porygon-Z's checks have been weakened or eliminated because it can't afford to take unnecessary damage early- or mid-game; however, Porygon-Z can also be utilized to wear down the opposing team for its teammates to finish off more easily.
* Remember that Z-Conversion can only be used once so Porygon-Z has only one chance to sweep.
* With that in mind, Porygon-Z should be careful when setting up against Haze users such as Toxapex, as they're able to eliminate stat boosts with relative ease.
* Porygon-Z should almost always use Shadow Ball because it gets an Adaptability boost from it after Z-Conversion unless it's against a target that exploits a huge weakness to its coverage moves such as Thunderbolt on Mantine and Ice Beam on Garchomp.
* Porygon-Z isn't that bulky so use the opportunity to bring it in from a slow U-turn or a fainted teammate.
* Try to avoid switching Porygon-Z into entry hazards because it becomes more difficult for Porygon-Z to set up.
* Porygon-Z should also avoid status such as burn, poison, and especially paralysis because they can shorten its longevity and ruin its capability of sweeping the opposing team.
* Porygon-Z relies on entry hazards such as Stealth Rock to OHKO targets such as Jirachi so it's always best to have them out in the early-game in order to aid a possible sweep.
Team Options
========
* Chansey can sponge special attacks for Porygon-Z thanks to its high Special Defense and HP. It's also able to cripple the opposing team with Toxic or Thunder Wave and act as a reliable cleric.
* Porygon2 can tank physical attacks for Porygon-Z and spread status with Toxic or Thunder Wave while also checking physical attackers with Foul Play.
* Both Chansey and Smeargle can set up entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Smeargle can set up Sticky Web, slowing down foes for Porygon-Z to outspeed. Smeargle should only be used for more offensive teams.
*Staraptor can weaken blows from physical attackers with Intimidate and check Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Buzzwole, Infernape, and Mega Venusaur. Staraptor's Flying typing also allows it to switch into Ground-type attacks for Porygon-Z. Additionally, Staraptor can provide Defog support to remove entry hazards and its access to U-turn can bring Porygon-Z in safely.
* Heliolisk is best used more on offensive teams and can pivot Porygon-Z in safely thanks to Volt Switch.
* Diggersby can apply offensive pressure to special walls such as Chansey and Alolan Muk and compliments Porygon-Z's special attacks. In return, Porygon-Z can take on physical walls such as Skarmory for Diggersby.
* Ditto can be a reliable asset to Porygon-Z, as thanks to Imposter it can punish setup sweepers and offensive threats such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Pinsir, Dragonite, and Magearna.
* Meloetta can wallbreak alongside Porygon-Z and be a good check to Fighting teams thanks to its Psychic typing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Normalium Z along with Thunderbolt in the first moveslot grants Porygon-Z immunity to paralysis and a resistance to Steel-type attacks via an Electric typing; however, Porygon-Z prefers Normalium Z used in conjunction with Shadow Ball because it hits almost every type for neutral damage besides Dark- and Normal-types, while Dragon-, Electric-, and Grass-types resist Thunderbolt and Ground-types are immune.
*Normalium Z along with Psychic allows Porygon-Z to defeat Fighting-types more easily; however, it's still vulnerable to priority moves such as Extreme Speed from Dragonite.
* Psyshock can be used to hit specially defensive threats especially after Z-Conversion activating such as Chansey and Cradily; however, Psychic deals more damage than Psyshock to most targets.
* Nasty Plot doubles Porygon-Z's Special Attack, allowing it to break through walls without the use of Psyshock; however, it doesn't provide Porygon-Z with other stat boosts and it prefers to outspeed its threats.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Chansey**: Chansey isn't bothered by any of Porygon-Z's attacks even after a Z-Conversion boost. Chansey can also poison Porygon-Z with Toxic while stalling with Soft-Boiled.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Assault Vest Alolan Muk and Tyranitar can tank Porygon-Z's attacks very well and KO it with their STAB Dark-type attacks; however, Bisharp is 2HKOed by Shadow Ball and Thunderbolt, but Bisharp can use Sucker Punch against Porygon-Z.
**Fighting-types**: Porygon-Z will find it very difficult to set up against Fighting teams because several common threats such as Keldeo, Infernape, and Terrakion and are fast and can OHKO it with their Fighting-type STAB moves prior to a Z-Conversion boost.
**Faster Threats**: Porygon-Z's Speed stat isn't enough to outpace Choice Scarf users and faster threats such as Victini, Nihilego, Kyurem-B, Mega Alakazam, and Tapu Koko, and they're able to either deal a lot of damage or OHKO it. Mega Alakazam and Tapu Koko need to be wary of Porygon-Z setting up Z-Conversion, however.
**Priority**: Porygon-Z 's bulk isn't great, which make it susceptible to priority attacks. Mega Scizor and Bisharp are the most notable threats that carry priority moves and deal significant damage to it even after a Z-Conversion boost. Dragonite and Breloom also carry Extreme Speed and Mach Punch, respectively, that can deal heavy damage prior to Z-Conversion.
**Paralysis**: Paralysis ruins Porygon-Z's chance of sweeping and makes it more vulnerable to being revenge killed.
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