[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards
**Price Range**: 8-9 points
**Overview**: Porygon-Z serves as a mid-point sweeper and wallbreaker, using its access to both Nasty Plot and Agility to quickly take over games if it is allowed time to set up. Choice item sets also see use, especially Choice Scarf with its secondary ability Download, allowing it to get a boost against physically defensive Pokemon while maintaining its offensive pressure against its potential checks. While Porygon-Z can be incredibly threatening given enough time, its lack of bulk, underwhelming Speed tier, and reliance on both setting up and multiple coverage moves can cause it to struggle. This is especially true on Double Dance sets, where finding two turns to set up is often a large ask.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: Agility allows Porygon-Z to clean up late-game against chipped opposition, while Nasty Plot can allow it to muscle through would-be checks. Double Dance sets are also available if it is able to get in against passive Pokemon.
**Revenge Killer**: Choice Scarf can enable Porygon-Z to clean up threats with its STAB Tri Attack. This also means that most Pokemon are wary of switching into it, as they risk being inflicted with status effects. Using Download over Adaptability can also enable Porygon-Z to keep access to a damage boost, especially when it is using non-STAB moves.
**Wallbreaker**: Choice Specs, Life Orb, and Expert Belt can all serve to solidify Porygon-Z as a decent mid-game wallbreaker. Naturally having access to BoltBeam coverage allows it to hit most things for at least neutral damage, and with its Normal-Type STAB moves boosted by Adaptability, it can threaten most foes.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Tri Attack
**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Agility
**Utility Moves**: Thunder Wave, Trick, Recover, Substitute
**Coverage**: Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Psyshock, Psychic, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Hyper Beam**: An Adaptability-boosted Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z can result in shocking damage and is useful for guaranteeing the removal of opposing offensive threats. It is traditionally used on Choice Scarf sets, as Porygon-Z is able to trade itself after it is chipped or to secure an advantageous match late-game.
Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb and Expert Belt both help Porygon-Z reliably break through foes once it is set up. Silk Scarf is another option to stack with its Adaptability boost.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf fixes Porygon-Z's middling Speed tier while still maintaining adequate coverage. Download is usually preferred over Adaptability on these sets to ensure that Porygon-Z can pick up necessary KOs without relying on Terastallization. Trick can also enable Porygon-Z to cripple defensive Pokemon, setting up itself or another wallbreaker to clean up later.
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs allows Porygon-Z to put out unexpected damage against unprepared foes. Running Download allows Porygon-Z to more reliably break through foes that resist Normal, while Adaptability can crush even Normal-resistant walls that are not ready for it.
Niche Items
========
**Mental Herb**: As Porygon-Z is often a setup Pokemon, Encore and Taunt can be useful moves for foes attempting to stop it before it gets out of hand. Mental Herb denies this option, but as a trade-off, it sacrifices the often-necessary damage boost from its other options.
**Lum Berry**: Lum Berry cures Paralysis, which can be annoying for Porygon-Z if it doesn't get the opportunity to setup a Substitute first, especially against faster Thunder Wave users, or if it requires the moveslot for extra coverage.
**Chople Berry**: Chople Berry can aid Porygon-Z in finding an extra turn to set up, often letting it survive random Fighting-type coverage, and threatening to KO or status does with Tri Attack, especially against offensive Pokemon that would otherwise take advantage of Porygon-Z's lackluster defenses.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers allows Porygon-Z to remain in the game a bit longer without sacrificing coverage with Recover. It also can be useful on Substitute sets to allow an extra setup opportunity.
Tera
========
Porygon-Z is an excellent secondary Tera Captain, as Adaptability is able to stack with the boost Terastallization provides, making its chosen coverage option significantly more threatening. Due to this, Porygon-Z can realistically run whatever Tera type gives it the most advantages offensively in a given matchup. As for some more common options, Tera Ghost can be used to offset its Fighting weakness while allowing it to break through opposing Ghost-types that would attempt to wall its Normal-type STAB moves. Tera Fighting can threaten the Rock- and Steel-types that would normally resist its primary attacking options. Tera Normal is often less valuable than adding an extra coverage option, as the boost is not that significant, and Adaptability is more threatening when it's boosting Porygon-Z's coverage moves. After Terastallizing, Adaptability stops boosting Porygon-Z's Normal-type STAB moves, so it's important to consider this when choosing to Terastallize Porygon-Z. Download does not face this dilemma, but often the extra damage on Tera Blast is more valuable. Even with Terastallization, Porygon-Z cannot break through a lot of teams on its own and as such faces tough competition from higher-tier Tera Captains. As a secondary captain though, it does have the ability to muscle through a surprising amount of games when your primary captain cannot find an avenue to win.
Draft Strategy
========
Porygon-Z serves as a solid wallbreaker that can enable its teammates by breaking through their checks. With its access to setup moves, it can also can find late-game scenarios to sweep. Porygon-Z generally appreciates pivots in order to get in a good position to wallbreak or sweep. It is also appreciated by other offensive threats, as its ability to spread status through Tri Attack as well as its access to decent coverage options can often open up holes for partners to clean up when it is unable to.
**Pivots**: Porygon-Z does not switch into most offensive threats, and defensive walls threatening it with Toxic or Thunder Wave are also quite troublesome. Allowing a Download or Choice item set safe entry can help it wallbreak significantly easier. This is especially true when it's paired with physical pivots such as Meowscarada and Palafin, letting Porygon-Z immediately threaten their regular checks with its potential Download boost or attempt to status walls with Tri Attack. The Ogerpon formes uniquely appreciate Porygon-Z's access to BoltBeam coverage to remove Flying-types that would otherwise be somewhat annoying.
**Entry Hazard Support**: Entry hazards ensure that the opposing team will be chipped down for Porygon-Z's late-game opportunities and that defensive walls that would normally check it will be in range for a potential 2HKO. Spikers such as Overqwil, Klefki, and Clodsire and common Stealth Rock users such as Glimmora, Uxie, and Swampert are all appreciated. Role compression from Pokemon like Donphan and Brambleghast is also appreciated, since Porygon-Z does not contribute towards the hazard game.
**Speed Control**: With base 90 Speed, Porygon-Z often relies on teammates to stop faster threats. Choice Scarf can offset this weakness somewhat, but since Porygon-Z usually likes to be in a position to set up and sweep, removing faster threats can allow it to forgo Agility on its typical setup sets. Meowscarada, Greninja, Cinderace, and Darkrai all help alleviate this issue.
**Fighting-resistant Pokemon**: Porygon-Z has only a single weakness to Fighting, so pairing it with a solid defensive answer to common Fighting-types is key. Pecharunt, Enamorus-T, and Brambleghast are all solid partners in this regard. Compressing this role with a pivot is also appreciated, allowing Porygon-Z to come right back in whenever it is required, with Pokemon such as Tornadus-Therian, Uxie, and Gliscor being good examples.
Checks and Counters
========
**Fast Offensive Threats**: Porygon-Z is typically able to stomach a single hit from most threats, but without being allowed the extra turn to set up, it can struggle to get in position to break through the opposing team. Iron Moth, Greninja, Cinderace, and the Ogerpon formes all force progress against Porygon-Z's subpar defenses and dissuade it from getting greedy with Nasty Plot sets through the damage they threaten against it.
**Special Walls**: While Porygon-Z can boost its damage output with Nasty Plot, it often needs a decent amount of chip damage against many bulkier special walls to break through, and it is not usually able to take retaliation all that well. Pokemon like Hisuian Goodra, Blissey, Florges, and Sylveon can all give Porygon-Z trouble while denying setup opportunities either through status effects or damage output.
**Fighting-types**: Offensive Fighting-types are a bane to Porygon-Z, hitting it very hard while often requiring Porygon-Z to either set up or Terastallize before it is able to handle them. Iron Hands, Iron Valiant, Cobalion, and Terrakion are quite troublesome, with Cobalion being especially annoying due to having normal resistance and the bulk to check it multiple times.
**Normal-resistant Pokemon**: Porygon-Z's coverage is often not reliable enough to break through common Normal-resistant Pokemon, especially without access to Terastallization or when they have access to reliable recovery. Pokemon like Gholdengo, Heatran, Diancie, and Hisuian Goodra are all quite annoying for Porygon-Z to find an opportunity to break through, and with its middling defenses, Porygon-Z is often not safe from the retaliation that they may dish out.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/computerwhiz.576502/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/termnal.404799/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards
**Price Range**: 8-9 points
**Overview**: Porygon-Z serves as a mid-point sweeper and wallbreaker, using its access to both Nasty Plot and Agility to quickly take over games if it is allowed time to set up. Choice item sets also see use, especially Choice Scarf with its secondary ability Download, allowing it to get a boost against physically defensive Pokemon while maintaining its offensive pressure against its potential checks. While Porygon-Z can be incredibly threatening given enough time, its lack of bulk, underwhelming Speed tier, and reliance on both setting up and multiple coverage moves can cause it to struggle. This is especially true on Double Dance sets, where finding two turns to set up is often a large ask.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: Agility allows Porygon-Z to clean up late-game against chipped opposition, while Nasty Plot can allow it to muscle through would-be checks. Double Dance sets are also available if it is able to get in against passive Pokemon.
**Revenge Killer**: Choice Scarf can enable Porygon-Z to clean up threats with its STAB Tri Attack. This also means that most Pokemon are wary of switching into it, as they risk being inflicted with status effects. Using Download over Adaptability can also enable Porygon-Z to keep access to a damage boost, especially when it is using non-STAB moves.
**Wallbreaker**: Choice Specs, Life Orb, and Expert Belt can all serve to solidify Porygon-Z as a decent mid-game wallbreaker. Naturally having access to BoltBeam coverage allows it to hit most things for at least neutral damage, and with its Normal-Type STAB moves boosted by Adaptability, it can threaten most foes.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Tri Attack
**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Agility
**Utility Moves**: Thunder Wave, Trick, Recover, Substitute
**Coverage**: Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Psyshock, Psychic, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Hyper Beam**: An Adaptability-boosted Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z can result in shocking damage and is useful for guaranteeing the removal of opposing offensive threats. It is traditionally used on Choice Scarf sets, as Porygon-Z is able to trade itself after it is chipped or to secure an advantageous match late-game.
Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb and Expert Belt both help Porygon-Z reliably break through foes once it is set up. Silk Scarf is another option to stack with its Adaptability boost.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf fixes Porygon-Z's middling Speed tier while still maintaining adequate coverage. Download is usually preferred over Adaptability on these sets to ensure that Porygon-Z can pick up necessary KOs without relying on Terastallization. Trick can also enable Porygon-Z to cripple defensive Pokemon, setting up itself or another wallbreaker to clean up later.
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs allows Porygon-Z to put out unexpected damage against unprepared foes. Running Download allows Porygon-Z to more reliably break through foes that resist Normal, while Adaptability can crush even Normal-resistant walls that are not ready for it.
Niche Items
========
**Mental Herb**: As Porygon-Z is often a setup Pokemon, Encore and Taunt can be useful moves for foes attempting to stop it before it gets out of hand. Mental Herb denies this option, but as a trade-off, it sacrifices the often-necessary damage boost from its other options.
**Lum Berry**: Lum Berry cures Paralysis, which can be annoying for Porygon-Z if it doesn't get the opportunity to setup a Substitute first, especially against faster Thunder Wave users, or if it requires the moveslot for extra coverage.
**Chople Berry**: Chople Berry can aid Porygon-Z in finding an extra turn to set up, often letting it survive random Fighting-type coverage, and threatening to KO or status does with Tri Attack, especially against offensive Pokemon that would otherwise take advantage of Porygon-Z's lackluster defenses.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers allows Porygon-Z to remain in the game a bit longer without sacrificing coverage with Recover. It also can be useful on Substitute sets to allow an extra setup opportunity.
Tera
========
Porygon-Z is an excellent secondary Tera Captain, as Adaptability is able to stack with the boost Terastallization provides, making its chosen coverage option significantly more threatening. Due to this, Porygon-Z can realistically run whatever Tera type gives it the most advantages offensively in a given matchup. As for some more common options, Tera Ghost can be used to offset its Fighting weakness while allowing it to break through opposing Ghost-types that would attempt to wall its Normal-type STAB moves. Tera Fighting can threaten the Rock- and Steel-types that would normally resist its primary attacking options. Tera Normal is often less valuable than adding an extra coverage option, as the boost is not that significant, and Adaptability is more threatening when it's boosting Porygon-Z's coverage moves. After Terastallizing, Adaptability stops boosting Porygon-Z's Normal-type STAB moves, so it's important to consider this when choosing to Terastallize Porygon-Z. Download does not face this dilemma, but often the extra damage on Tera Blast is more valuable. Even with Terastallization, Porygon-Z cannot break through a lot of teams on its own and as such faces tough competition from higher-tier Tera Captains. As a secondary captain though, it does have the ability to muscle through a surprising amount of games when your primary captain cannot find an avenue to win.
Draft Strategy
========
Porygon-Z serves as a solid wallbreaker that can enable its teammates by breaking through their checks. With its access to setup moves, it can also can find late-game scenarios to sweep. Porygon-Z generally appreciates pivots in order to get in a good position to wallbreak or sweep. It is also appreciated by other offensive threats, as its ability to spread status through Tri Attack as well as its access to decent coverage options can often open up holes for partners to clean up when it is unable to.
**Pivots**: Porygon-Z does not switch into most offensive threats, and defensive walls threatening it with Toxic or Thunder Wave are also quite troublesome. Allowing a Download or Choice item set safe entry can help it wallbreak significantly easier. This is especially true when it's paired with physical pivots such as Meowscarada and Palafin, letting Porygon-Z immediately threaten their regular checks with its potential Download boost or attempt to status walls with Tri Attack. The Ogerpon formes uniquely appreciate Porygon-Z's access to BoltBeam coverage to remove Flying-types that would otherwise be somewhat annoying.
**Entry Hazard Support**: Entry hazards ensure that the opposing team will be chipped down for Porygon-Z's late-game opportunities and that defensive walls that would normally check it will be in range for a potential 2HKO. Spikers such as Overqwil, Klefki, and Clodsire and common Stealth Rock users such as Glimmora, Uxie, and Swampert are all appreciated. Role compression from Pokemon like Donphan and Brambleghast is also appreciated, since Porygon-Z does not contribute towards the hazard game.
**Speed Control**: With base 90 Speed, Porygon-Z often relies on teammates to stop faster threats. Choice Scarf can offset this weakness somewhat, but since Porygon-Z usually likes to be in a position to set up and sweep, removing faster threats can allow it to forgo Agility on its typical setup sets. Meowscarada, Greninja, Cinderace, and Darkrai all help alleviate this issue.
**Fighting-resistant Pokemon**: Porygon-Z has only a single weakness to Fighting, so pairing it with a solid defensive answer to common Fighting-types is key. Pecharunt, Enamorus-T, and Brambleghast are all solid partners in this regard. Compressing this role with a pivot is also appreciated, allowing Porygon-Z to come right back in whenever it is required, with Pokemon such as Tornadus-Therian, Uxie, and Gliscor being good examples.
Checks and Counters
========
**Fast Offensive Threats**: Porygon-Z is typically able to stomach a single hit from most threats, but without being allowed the extra turn to set up, it can struggle to get in position to break through the opposing team. Iron Moth, Greninja, Cinderace, and the Ogerpon formes all force progress against Porygon-Z's subpar defenses and dissuade it from getting greedy with Nasty Plot sets through the damage they threaten against it.
**Special Walls**: While Porygon-Z can boost its damage output with Nasty Plot, it often needs a decent amount of chip damage against many bulkier special walls to break through, and it is not usually able to take retaliation all that well. Pokemon like Hisuian Goodra, Blissey, Florges, and Sylveon can all give Porygon-Z trouble while denying setup opportunities either through status effects or damage output.
**Fighting-types**: Offensive Fighting-types are a bane to Porygon-Z, hitting it very hard while often requiring Porygon-Z to either set up or Terastallize before it is able to handle them. Iron Hands, Iron Valiant, Cobalion, and Terrakion are quite troublesome, with Cobalion being especially annoying due to having normal resistance and the bulk to check it multiple times.
**Normal-resistant Pokemon**: Porygon-Z's coverage is often not reliable enough to break through common Normal-resistant Pokemon, especially without access to Terastallization or when they have access to reliable recovery. Pokemon like Gholdengo, Heatran, Diancie, and Hisuian Goodra are all quite annoying for Porygon-Z to find an opportunity to break through, and with its middling defenses, Porygon-Z is often not safe from the retaliation that they may dish out.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/computerwhiz.576502/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/termnal.404799/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
