[Overview]
Zygarde's great typing makes it extremely versatile, allowing it to be either an offensive setup sweeper or play a more supportive role thanks to its equally great bulk and movepool. Activating Power Construct and its massive base HP boost, alongside great physical bulk, allows it to check potent wallbreakers such as Marshadow without the need for a type advantage or move prediction. However, its typing is a double-edged sword, as it makes it weak to the very common Dragon-, Fairy-, and Ice-type moves that most Pokemon run in Ubers. Prior to Power Construct activating, its bulk isn't amazing and can thus be dealt with rather quickly by a strong attack.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Thousand Arrows
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Glare / Toxic / Dragon Tail
item: Leftovers
ability: Power Construct
nature: Impish
evs: 16 HP / 224 Atk / 36 Def / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Dragon Dance gives Zygarde some much needed wallbreaking power and Speed. Substitute is extremely valuable to Zygarde, as it inherently wishes to get below 50% as quickly and safely as possible so that Power Construct triggers. Glare gives you more chances to set up a Substitute and boost with Dragon Dance. Toxic is the only tool Zygarde has to hit Shedinja, a Pokemon that otherwise blanket walls it. It also limits the longevity of the opponent's physically defensive walls. Dragon Tail guarantees Zygarde doesn't get phazed, as it's faster than every phazer in the metagame after just a single Dragon Dance, while also doing a fair bit of damage. 16 HP and 36 Defense EVs with an Impish nature guarantee that Zygarde-C's Substitute does not break from uninvested Ho-Oh's Brave Bird or Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike. 232 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed maximum Speed Eternatus and Mewtwo after a boost.
Zygarde struggles in front of Fairy- and Ice-type coverage and, as such, appreciates Steel-types such as Necrozma-DM, which can also provide Stealth Rock support. In return, Zygarde takes on the Fire-type attacks thrown their way. Ferrothorn sets Spikes, letting Thousand Arrows OHKO bulky Eternatus with one layer and Stealth Rock, while absorbing attacks from Kyogre, one of Zygarde's biggest checks. Toxic Spikes support is much appreciated, limiting the longevity of checks such as Tangrowth, opposing Zygarde, and defensive Kyogre, especially with Dragon Tail forcing the opponent into potentially unfavorable positions. Eternatus can set it up consistently while also absorbing it from your side, leaving Zygarde a clear pathway to switch in. Zygarde, in turn, is a switch-in to the Ground-type moves thrown Eternatus's way. Cleric support from Xerneas or Blissey is also appreciated, as Toxic and status from moves such as Sacred Fire can sometimes catch Zygarde off guard. Secondary setup sweepers like Swords Dance Groudon appreciate Zygarde weakening physical walls so that they can pick them off in case Zygarde falters.
[SET]
name: Defensive Coil
move 1: Thousand Arrows
move 2: Coil
move 3: Rest
move 4: Glare
item: Leftovers
ability: Power Construct
nature: Impish
evs: 208 HP / 244 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Coil boosts Zygarde's bulk, letting it take on opposing physical setup Pokemon such as Swords Dance Groudon, Dragon Dance Zygarde, and Substitute variants of Zekrom. Rest is the only way Zygarde has to recover HP and also turns it into a pseudo-status absorber. It also lets Zygarde take more advantage of it's Complete forme's base HP increase. Glare is handy in checking physical attackers, giving Zygarde a chance to further boost its stats or get a Rest off. The 208 HP EVs make Leftovers efficient, while the 56 Speed EVs let Zygarde outspeed paralyzed Calyrex-S after transforming into its Complete forme.
Answers to Xerneas, which might try to set up on Zygarde, are great partners. Necrozma-DM can switch in on Moonblast and set Stealth Rock for Zygarde or bother foes with Knock Off. Ho-Oh can also come in safely on Xerneas, while Zygarde answers to the potential Rock-type attacks thrown Ho-Oh's way. Blissey also pairs up quite nicely, alleviating the downsides of running Rest without Sleep Talk via Aromatherapy while also switching into Xerneas and Kyogre.
[SET]
name: Demon Zygarde
move 1: Thousand Waves
move 2: Coil
move 3: Scale Shot
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Power Construct
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 220 Atk / 112 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
This set bluffs a defensive Coil set by setting up with Coil, inviting in passive physically defensive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Tangrowth without Leech Seed to trap. Thousand Waves allows Zygarde to trap a foe and either set up on it with Coil and Scale Shot or guarantee a teammate switches in safely. Once Zygarde has fully boosted with Coil, use Scale Shot to raise its Speed and limit revenge killing options. Rest maximizes the opportunities for it to max out on boosts. 220 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Zygarde at +6 to OHKO defensive Kyogre with Thousand Waves and defensive Ho-Oh with a four-hit Scale Shot. 96 Speed EVs allow Zygarde-C at +2 Speed to outspeed Choice Scarf positive nature base 90 Pokemon, notably Kyogre, which can OHKO with Ice Beam. 80 HP EVs make Leftovers efficient.
The team support this Zygarde appreciates overlaps greatly with that of other offensive boosting sets. Entry hazard setters allow Zygarde to blow through teams when the conditions for it to trap something aren't ideal. Stealth Rock setters such as Necrozma-DM and Spikes setters like Ferrothorn appreciate Zygarde removing the likes of Eternatus and Ho-Oh, and they provide protection from Fairy-type attacks. Powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Kyogre and Xerneas pave the way for Zygarde to try and sweep by softening foes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
A set with both Thousand Waves and Thousand Arrows and Dragon Dance can be run to trap passive Pokemon and not rely on Scale Shot to beat Ho-Oh one-on-one, but it requires more setup and traps a narrower list of Pokemon, so it's not as common. Sleep Talk on the Coil set is an option to not leave Zygarde completely useless while it's asleep, but the utility Glare provides is far too much to let go of. Dragon Tail on the Coil set can remove opposing setup sweepers that might try to use Substitute to dodge the paralysis from Glare, but it comes at the cost of having less chances to set up.
Checks and Counters
====
**Xerneas**: Xerneas has the ability to come in on Zygarde and immediately threaten it with Moonblast, but it does not have any reliable form of recovery, so it has to be wary of switching into Thousand Arrows too much.
**Other Dragon-types**: Most Dragon-types in the metagame that aren't weak to Ground can switch in to sponge a hit and immediately threaten to OHKO Zygarde with their STAB moves.
**Shedinja**: Shedinja can switch into any attack Zygarde runs and set up with Swords Dance or status it, but it must be cautious of Toxic.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Despite it having great physical bulk, Zygarde's special bulk isn't up to par, especially prior to reaching its Complete forme, and it must thus be wary of powerful special attacks thrown its away. Kyogre and Yveltal can easily overwhelm it with their strong STAB moves.
**Phazers**: Pokemon such as Groudon, Kyogre, and Lunala can safely come in on all Zygarde sets and phaze, often making it take entry hazard damage upon switching back in or leaving it low on health after is uses Substitute. They do not, however, enjoy getting statused by either Glare or Toxic. Opposing Zygarde that carry Dragon Tail can also phaze if your Zygarde isn't running the move.
**Strong Physical Walls**: Physical walls that do not rely on their Speed to beat Zygarde such as Tangrowth, Buzzwole, and Kyogre can come in, break Zygarde's Substitute, and threaten it with strong attacks.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Lasen, 273339]]
- Quality checked by: [[Manaphy, 50695], [SiTuM, 274590]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
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