Hello to the VGC community! I am back with another team, this time with my favorite restricted Pokemon to use, Zacian-Crowned. This sword dog is washed, with major needs coming to its ability, attack stat, and Behemoth Blade's secondary effect completely removed due to the removal of Dynamax. Me and my friend "the mango champ" on Pokemon Showdown! built this, hope it is good!
Table of Contents
1. Teambuilding Process
2. The Team
3. Matchups
4. Replays! (Soon, not yet)
5. Shoutouts!
1: Teambuilding Process
Let's go back to the beginning, which started in the VGC chat room on PS. My now friend mango (imma just call him mango), asked if anyone wanted to teambuild, and I said sure. We got into conversation, and we both wanted Zacian-C. Showed each other our current teams, and he said what do you think could work. I mentioned Zapdos-G, which has Defiant for Intimidate and powerful STABs that hit annoying Steel- and Grass-types that can just take hits from Zacian.
We then took a trip into other offensive threats. Idk what mango was thinking, but it must have been the same thing as me because Pelipper seemed like the ideal fit. With Wide Guard, both of the Calyrex formes were much easier to deal with. Our team was just so weak to powerful Electric-types though...
In comes Landorus-I, which actually packs Sandsear Storm which can be great when in conjunction with Rain. It also just hit things really hard, which is always nice.
Finally, we ended up just putting Rillaboom and Incineroar on the team, as they are nice and consistent.
2: The Team
This is what everyone has been waiting for! Imma drop the paste here, and let's get into it!
Excalibur! (Zacian-Crowned) @ Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 84 HP / 220 Atk / 12 Def / 36 SpD / 156 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Play Rough
- Behemoth Blade
- Protect
- Swords Dance
As the title suggests, Zacian-C is the premier Pokemon on this team. It is a pretty standard move set, but the EVs are specially calculated. The Speed investment is able to outspeed max speed Miraidon and Koraidon, as well as Jolly Chien-Pao and potentially some Focus Sash Flutter Mane NOT under Sun. The Attack investment allows Zacian-C to KO Miraidon with Tera Fairy Play Rough through Tera Electric. I've also had it OHKO an Incineroar, so that's neat.
Big Bird (Zapdos-Galar) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 60 HP / 252 Atk / 20 SpD / 132 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Tailwind
The next star, Gapdos is a fairly strong and good attacker. Brave Bird and Close Combat function great as dual STAB, while U-turn can get allies in while also chipping. Tailwind here reminds me of Booster Energy Iron Jugulis, as in the fact that it's a fast Pokemon using Tailwind. Here we decided to speed creep Pokemon that try to outspeed Adamant Urshifu by a few points, as well as just maxing out our attack. The bulk in question is amazing, surviving max attack non-boosting nature Flare Blitz from Koraidon and a +1 Astral Barrage from max special attack non-boosting nature Calyrex-Shadow.
Birb (Pelipper) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Weather Ball
- Protect
- Wide Guard
This is a generally standard set. Fun fact, I wanted Tera Stellar yet mango wanted Tera Ghost, which he backed up with stating that it beats Incineroar+Calyrex-Ice. Anyways, we decided on a strong Focus Sash set, which is able to protect our team from strong Discharges, Glacial Lances, and Astral Barrages. Pretty standard and basic stuff tbh.
Moustache (Landorus) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 50
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Sandsear Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect
Back again with some pretty standard stuff here, this Pokemon is used to help into those pesky Electric-types, as well as providing a second way to hit Fire- and Steel-type Pokemon. Sandsear Storm is nice in conjunction with the rain from Pelipper providing a nice and consistent option for spread damage. Otherwise everything else is pretty straightforward.
Wincineroar (Incineroar) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Parting Shot
- Taunt
- Knock Off
Personally my favorite Incineroar set, this is an example of a Turbo Incineroar. We subbed out Flare Blitz for Taunt to help with the still struggling Trick Room matchup, with this Pokemon packing Tera Water and Safety Goggles for High Horsepower from Calyrex-Ice and Spore/Rage Powder or just a Spore from Amoonguss and Smeargle, respectively. You can just run 252/252/4, but I like this one just the way it is.
Grookey Kong (Rillaboom) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 108 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Wood Hammer
- Fake Out
- U-turn
A very common pick, Rillaboom has been chosen to round out the team. This guy hits hard and is really bulky, while also applying Fake Out pressure and healing for Zacian. I considered High Horsepower (idk abt mango), but U-turn feels better here. Tera Grass could also be nice, but Tera Fire is better into the Trick Room matchup which can actually be hard.
3: Matchups
OK, so we're going through these one by one.
: Overall a pretty scary matchup, with it threatening Zacian-C with High Horsepower. Definitely a matchup I have to pay attention to, but I can deal with it thanks to the support of Incineroar and Pelipper.
: Again another scary matchup, this time this Pokemon can outspeed everything except Gapdos and spam Astral Barrage. Incineroar can eat a hit, and this is actually a main reason why we have Tailwind on Gapdos; for Zacian-C and allies to then outspeed CSR.
: A pretty favorable matchup. The Zacian build is literally meant to destroy Miraidon, as well as Tailwind support and Rillaboom being able to turn this into one of the team's best matchups.
: Actually not the worst matchup, as Zacian can either KO it or force Tera, as well as Pelipper support which can KO it. Pretty great matchup for the team.
: Kyogre is an interesting matchup, not one I've tested much. Rillaboom is able to threaten it for immense damage, as well as Fake Out cycles from the aforementioned Rillaboom and Incineroar.
: Groudon is an interesting one as well, one I also haven't really tested. Pelipper is able to shut down Rain, with Rillaboom also hitting it hard. Can't really go into detail on this one lol.
: Terapagos is actually easier than expected, thanks to the presence of a fast and strong Fighting-type in Gapdos with Tera Ghost to avoid opposing Fake Out or Icy Wind support. Opposing Flutter Mane can be an issue, but Zacian can take care of that.
: Zamazenta is and will always be a super difficult matchup, with Zamazenta kinda walking Zacian out. Specifically the Iron Defense sets can be issues, shunning out pretty much my whole team.
: Actually a pretty good matchup, with Incineroar punishing opposing Zacian, as well as Defiant Pokemon not being all that popular.
4: Replays
WIP
5: Shoutouts
Thought I would mention this, but huge thanks to "the mango champ" for the names, ideas, spreads, and basically everything.
That's it! Hope you enjoyed, and as always, happy battling!
Table of Contents
1. Teambuilding Process
2. The Team
3. Matchups
4. Replays! (Soon, not yet)
5. Shoutouts!
1: Teambuilding Process
Let's go back to the beginning, which started in the VGC chat room on PS. My now friend mango (imma just call him mango), asked if anyone wanted to teambuild, and I said sure. We got into conversation, and we both wanted Zacian-C. Showed each other our current teams, and he said what do you think could work. I mentioned Zapdos-G, which has Defiant for Intimidate and powerful STABs that hit annoying Steel- and Grass-types that can just take hits from Zacian.
We then took a trip into other offensive threats. Idk what mango was thinking, but it must have been the same thing as me because Pelipper seemed like the ideal fit. With Wide Guard, both of the Calyrex formes were much easier to deal with. Our team was just so weak to powerful Electric-types though...
In comes Landorus-I, which actually packs Sandsear Storm which can be great when in conjunction with Rain. It also just hit things really hard, which is always nice.
Finally, we ended up just putting Rillaboom and Incineroar on the team, as they are nice and consistent.
2: The Team
This is what everyone has been waiting for! Imma drop the paste here, and let's get into it!
Excalibur! (Zacian-Crowned) @ Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 84 HP / 220 Atk / 12 Def / 36 SpD / 156 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Play Rough
- Behemoth Blade
- Protect
- Swords Dance
As the title suggests, Zacian-C is the premier Pokemon on this team. It is a pretty standard move set, but the EVs are specially calculated. The Speed investment is able to outspeed max speed Miraidon and Koraidon, as well as Jolly Chien-Pao and potentially some Focus Sash Flutter Mane NOT under Sun. The Attack investment allows Zacian-C to KO Miraidon with Tera Fairy Play Rough through Tera Electric. I've also had it OHKO an Incineroar, so that's neat.
Big Bird (Zapdos-Galar) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 60 HP / 252 Atk / 20 SpD / 132 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Tailwind
The next star, Gapdos is a fairly strong and good attacker. Brave Bird and Close Combat function great as dual STAB, while U-turn can get allies in while also chipping. Tailwind here reminds me of Booster Energy Iron Jugulis, as in the fact that it's a fast Pokemon using Tailwind. Here we decided to speed creep Pokemon that try to outspeed Adamant Urshifu by a few points, as well as just maxing out our attack. The bulk in question is amazing, surviving max attack non-boosting nature Flare Blitz from Koraidon and a +1 Astral Barrage from max special attack non-boosting nature Calyrex-Shadow.
Birb (Pelipper) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Weather Ball
- Protect
- Wide Guard
This is a generally standard set. Fun fact, I wanted Tera Stellar yet mango wanted Tera Ghost, which he backed up with stating that it beats Incineroar+Calyrex-Ice. Anyways, we decided on a strong Focus Sash set, which is able to protect our team from strong Discharges, Glacial Lances, and Astral Barrages. Pretty standard and basic stuff tbh.
Moustache (Landorus) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 50
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Sandsear Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect
Back again with some pretty standard stuff here, this Pokemon is used to help into those pesky Electric-types, as well as providing a second way to hit Fire- and Steel-type Pokemon. Sandsear Storm is nice in conjunction with the rain from Pelipper providing a nice and consistent option for spread damage. Otherwise everything else is pretty straightforward.
Wincineroar (Incineroar) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Parting Shot
- Taunt
- Knock Off
Personally my favorite Incineroar set, this is an example of a Turbo Incineroar. We subbed out Flare Blitz for Taunt to help with the still struggling Trick Room matchup, with this Pokemon packing Tera Water and Safety Goggles for High Horsepower from Calyrex-Ice and Spore/Rage Powder or just a Spore from Amoonguss and Smeargle, respectively. You can just run 252/252/4, but I like this one just the way it is.
Grookey Kong (Rillaboom) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 108 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Wood Hammer
- Fake Out
- U-turn
A very common pick, Rillaboom has been chosen to round out the team. This guy hits hard and is really bulky, while also applying Fake Out pressure and healing for Zacian. I considered High Horsepower (idk abt mango), but U-turn feels better here. Tera Grass could also be nice, but Tera Fire is better into the Trick Room matchup which can actually be hard.
3: Matchups
OK, so we're going through these one by one.
: Overall a pretty scary matchup, with it threatening Zacian-C with High Horsepower. Definitely a matchup I have to pay attention to, but I can deal with it thanks to the support of Incineroar and Pelipper.: Again another scary matchup, this time this Pokemon can outspeed everything except Gapdos and spam Astral Barrage. Incineroar can eat a hit, and this is actually a main reason why we have Tailwind on Gapdos; for Zacian-C and allies to then outspeed CSR.: A pretty favorable matchup. The Zacian build is literally meant to destroy Miraidon, as well as Tailwind support and Rillaboom being able to turn this into one of the team's best matchups.: Actually not the worst matchup, as Zacian can either KO it or force Tera, as well as Pelipper support which can KO it. Pretty great matchup for the team.: Kyogre is an interesting matchup, not one I've tested much. Rillaboom is able to threaten it for immense damage, as well as Fake Out cycles from the aforementioned Rillaboom and Incineroar.: Groudon is an interesting one as well, one I also haven't really tested. Pelipper is able to shut down Rain, with Rillaboom also hitting it hard. Can't really go into detail on this one lol.: Terapagos is actually easier than expected, thanks to the presence of a fast and strong Fighting-type in Gapdos with Tera Ghost to avoid opposing Fake Out or Icy Wind support. Opposing Flutter Mane can be an issue, but Zacian can take care of that.: Zamazenta is and will always be a super difficult matchup, with Zamazenta kinda walking Zacian out. Specifically the Iron Defense sets can be issues, shunning out pretty much my whole team.: Actually a pretty good matchup, with Incineroar punishing opposing Zacian, as well as Defiant Pokemon not being all that popular.4: Replays
WIP
5: Shoutouts
Thought I would mention this, but huge thanks to "the mango champ" for the names, ideas, spreads, and basically everything.
That's it! Hope you enjoyed, and as always, happy battling!
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