[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 1 onwards
**Price Range**: Banned or 19 points
**Overview**: Zamazenta-C is an overwhelming presence in battle and an excellent early pick for any drafter seeking a crown, trading its item slot for an incredible combination of power, bulk, and Speed. Its inability to run items like Choice Band limits its ability to apply immediate pressure beyond its STAB attacks, and its movepool is also quite limited compared to other Pokemon, though it has access to a legendary Body Press and a Heavy Slam that rarely drops below 120 Base Power. The mere possibility of Iron Defense also forces opponents to warp their teambuilding around reliably countering it, and even then, it can be difficult to take down. These traits make it a reliable, albeit predictable, top-tier attacker that is often banned.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**All-out Attacker**: Zamazenta-C's STAB attacks are quite dangerous for most foes, and it can outspeed all but the fastest of them. These traits allow it to easily force progress by simply attacking. Its relatively weak coverage options are often sufficient for dealing with Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks, though it can sometimes be completely walled due to its lackluster Attack and inability to run damage-boosting items. Even in these bad matchups, it still excels at revenge killing and switching into neutral hits thanks to its excellent stats.
**Setup Sweeper**: Iron Defense and Body Press are Zamazenta-C's most iconic moves, and they allow it to act as a fearsome potential wincon in Draft as well. However, it can be difficult to successfully sweep with them if the opponent is prepared with bulky Fighting-resistant Pokemon. Moves like Substitute and Rest can help it get going, but certain foes often need to be removed before a Body Press sweep. When facing such foes, Howl can sometimes allow Zamazenta-C to finish off weakened teams with Close Combat, Heavy Slam, and its coverage moves. Agility is another setup option that's used to combat faster, frail Pokemon and avoid the threat of Choice Scarf revenge killers.
**Tank**: Sometimes, Zamazenta-C can fit onto teams as a defensive piece, taking advantage of its absurdly high defensive stats and Roar to act as a roadblock for the opponent's attackers. Many Zamazenta-C sets are also fantastic Knock Off absorbers.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Close Combat, Body Press, Heavy Slam, Behemoth Bash
**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Agility, Howl, Trailblaze
**Utility Moves**: Substitute, Rest, Sleep Talk, Roar, Brick Break
**Coverage**: Crunch, Psychic Fangs, Wild Charge, Stone Edge, Ice Fang, Fire Fang, Play Rough
Niche Moves
========
**Quick Attack**: Quick Attack is Zamazenta-C's only priority move, making it a decent option to pick off weakened setup sweepers in an emergency.
**Reflect / Light Screen**: Reflect and Light Screen are difficult to make use of due to Zamazenta-C's inability to run Light Clay, but they can be the best way to punish predicted switches into certain foes besides double switching.
Common Items
========
**Rusted Shield**: Crowned, but at what cost?
Tera
========
Zamazenta-C is almost always banned from using Tera. Most of its checks rely on resisting its strongest attacks or hitting it super effectively, so Tera makes it unreasonably powerful. If it has access to Tera, it should often opt for Tera types like Tera Dark and Ground to break through Fighting-resistant foes or Tera types like Tera Water and Flying to protect it from revenge killers.
Draft Strategy
========
Zamazenta-C is normally picked in round 1 and shapes the draft. Future picks should be chosen to support it and cover its weaknesses.
**Wallbreakers**: Zamazenta-C can struggle against some of the toughest physical walls and excels in finishing off weakened teams. Wallbreakers can help remove pieces of the opponent's team, making it easier for it to secure KOs. Physical wallbreakers, especially those that are strong against Ghost-types, put extreme pressure on defensive cores. Some options for such wallbreakers are Roaring Moon, Ursaluna, and Dragonite. Special wallbreakers such as Darkrai, Thundurus-T, and Raging Bolt are also important to diversify the draft's offense.
**Entry Hazard Setters**: As a Steel-type with no entry hazards, Zamazenta-C can sometimes feel difficult to draft around while trying to secure entry hazards. Stealth Rock or a layer of Spikes puts constant pressure on its checks, so it's important to draft reliable entry hazard setters like Hisuian Samurott, Landorus-T, and Mew.
**Knock Off Users**: Pokemon that are comfortable running Knock Off are great partners for Zamazenta-C. Removing Rocky Helmet helps keep it healthy as it attacks, and removing Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to more consistently make progress when paired with entry hazard setters. A few potential teammates with Knock Off are Azumarill, Krookodile, and Zarude.
**Defensive Partners**: As Zamazenta-C lacks reliable recovery, it appreciates having bulky teammates to fall back on when faced with super effective hits. Pokemon like Zapdos, Latias, and Moltres can easily take these hits for it when necessary.
**Healing Wish**: Although somewhat of a luxury, teammates with Healing Wish pair very well with Zamazenta-C due to its insane bulk and lack of recovery. With support from a Pokemon like Gardevoir, Enamorus, or Hatterene, it can trade its HP to wear down a check, then come back later at full HP to clean up.
Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Walls**: Sufficiently bulky foes can put a stop to Zamazenta-C's onslaught, and its limited movepool means it can rarely lure them with unusual sets. With the help of Rocky Helmet, many of them can even simply focus on healing as Zamazenta-C is unable to outdamage them. Fighting-resistant walls like Gholdengo, Skeledirge, Toxapex, and Slowbro are especially difficult for it to take down.
**Status Conditions**: Burn and paralysis severely hinder Zamazenta-C's effectiveness, and it's incapable of using items like Lum and Chesto Berry to remove status on its own. Its many contact moves also leave it susceptible to abilities like Flame Body and Static.
**Fast Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers, mainly those with special attacks or a type advantage over Zamazenta-C, can use a Choice Scarf to threaten a KO. Some examples include Iron Moth, Iron Valiant, and Great Tusk.
**Chip Damage**: Zamazenta-C lacks recovery options beyond Rest, so damage from weak hits, entry hazards, and Rocky Helmet can add up quickly.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/abriel.473082/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
**Draft Order**: Round 1 onwards
**Price Range**: Banned or 19 points
**Overview**: Zamazenta-C is an overwhelming presence in battle and an excellent early pick for any drafter seeking a crown, trading its item slot for an incredible combination of power, bulk, and Speed. Its inability to run items like Choice Band limits its ability to apply immediate pressure beyond its STAB attacks, and its movepool is also quite limited compared to other Pokemon, though it has access to a legendary Body Press and a Heavy Slam that rarely drops below 120 Base Power. The mere possibility of Iron Defense also forces opponents to warp their teambuilding around reliably countering it, and even then, it can be difficult to take down. These traits make it a reliable, albeit predictable, top-tier attacker that is often banned.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**All-out Attacker**: Zamazenta-C's STAB attacks are quite dangerous for most foes, and it can outspeed all but the fastest of them. These traits allow it to easily force progress by simply attacking. Its relatively weak coverage options are often sufficient for dealing with Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks, though it can sometimes be completely walled due to its lackluster Attack and inability to run damage-boosting items. Even in these bad matchups, it still excels at revenge killing and switching into neutral hits thanks to its excellent stats.
**Setup Sweeper**: Iron Defense and Body Press are Zamazenta-C's most iconic moves, and they allow it to act as a fearsome potential wincon in Draft as well. However, it can be difficult to successfully sweep with them if the opponent is prepared with bulky Fighting-resistant Pokemon. Moves like Substitute and Rest can help it get going, but certain foes often need to be removed before a Body Press sweep. When facing such foes, Howl can sometimes allow Zamazenta-C to finish off weakened teams with Close Combat, Heavy Slam, and its coverage moves. Agility is another setup option that's used to combat faster, frail Pokemon and avoid the threat of Choice Scarf revenge killers.
**Tank**: Sometimes, Zamazenta-C can fit onto teams as a defensive piece, taking advantage of its absurdly high defensive stats and Roar to act as a roadblock for the opponent's attackers. Many Zamazenta-C sets are also fantastic Knock Off absorbers.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Close Combat, Body Press, Heavy Slam, Behemoth Bash
**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Agility, Howl, Trailblaze
**Utility Moves**: Substitute, Rest, Sleep Talk, Roar, Brick Break
**Coverage**: Crunch, Psychic Fangs, Wild Charge, Stone Edge, Ice Fang, Fire Fang, Play Rough
Niche Moves
========
**Quick Attack**: Quick Attack is Zamazenta-C's only priority move, making it a decent option to pick off weakened setup sweepers in an emergency.
**Reflect / Light Screen**: Reflect and Light Screen are difficult to make use of due to Zamazenta-C's inability to run Light Clay, but they can be the best way to punish predicted switches into certain foes besides double switching.
Common Items
========
**Rusted Shield**: Crowned, but at what cost?
Tera
========
Zamazenta-C is almost always banned from using Tera. Most of its checks rely on resisting its strongest attacks or hitting it super effectively, so Tera makes it unreasonably powerful. If it has access to Tera, it should often opt for Tera types like Tera Dark and Ground to break through Fighting-resistant foes or Tera types like Tera Water and Flying to protect it from revenge killers.
Draft Strategy
========
Zamazenta-C is normally picked in round 1 and shapes the draft. Future picks should be chosen to support it and cover its weaknesses.
**Wallbreakers**: Zamazenta-C can struggle against some of the toughest physical walls and excels in finishing off weakened teams. Wallbreakers can help remove pieces of the opponent's team, making it easier for it to secure KOs. Physical wallbreakers, especially those that are strong against Ghost-types, put extreme pressure on defensive cores. Some options for such wallbreakers are Roaring Moon, Ursaluna, and Dragonite. Special wallbreakers such as Darkrai, Thundurus-T, and Raging Bolt are also important to diversify the draft's offense.
**Entry Hazard Setters**: As a Steel-type with no entry hazards, Zamazenta-C can sometimes feel difficult to draft around while trying to secure entry hazards. Stealth Rock or a layer of Spikes puts constant pressure on its checks, so it's important to draft reliable entry hazard setters like Hisuian Samurott, Landorus-T, and Mew.
**Knock Off Users**: Pokemon that are comfortable running Knock Off are great partners for Zamazenta-C. Removing Rocky Helmet helps keep it healthy as it attacks, and removing Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to more consistently make progress when paired with entry hazard setters. A few potential teammates with Knock Off are Azumarill, Krookodile, and Zarude.
**Defensive Partners**: As Zamazenta-C lacks reliable recovery, it appreciates having bulky teammates to fall back on when faced with super effective hits. Pokemon like Zapdos, Latias, and Moltres can easily take these hits for it when necessary.
**Healing Wish**: Although somewhat of a luxury, teammates with Healing Wish pair very well with Zamazenta-C due to its insane bulk and lack of recovery. With support from a Pokemon like Gardevoir, Enamorus, or Hatterene, it can trade its HP to wear down a check, then come back later at full HP to clean up.
Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Walls**: Sufficiently bulky foes can put a stop to Zamazenta-C's onslaught, and its limited movepool means it can rarely lure them with unusual sets. With the help of Rocky Helmet, many of them can even simply focus on healing as Zamazenta-C is unable to outdamage them. Fighting-resistant walls like Gholdengo, Skeledirge, Toxapex, and Slowbro are especially difficult for it to take down.
**Status Conditions**: Burn and paralysis severely hinder Zamazenta-C's effectiveness, and it's incapable of using items like Lum and Chesto Berry to remove status on its own. Its many contact moves also leave it susceptible to abilities like Flame Body and Static.
**Fast Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers, mainly those with special attacks or a type advantage over Zamazenta-C, can use a Choice Scarf to threaten a KO. Some examples include Iron Moth, Iron Valiant, and Great Tusk.
**Chip Damage**: Zamazenta-C lacks recovery options beyond Rest, so damage from weak hits, entry hazards, and Rocky Helmet can add up quickly.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/abriel.473082/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
