[SET]
name: Substitute + Dragon Dance
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Thousand Arrows
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Aura Break
nature: Jolly
evs: 240 HP / 152 SpD / 116 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute lets Zygarde set up on passive Pokemon that can't break it such as Ferrothorn, Mega Venusaur, and Chansey while also stacking poison damage on grounded foes if Toxic Spikes is up. Dragon Dance boosts Zygarde's Attack and Speed, turning it into a fearsome sweeper after a couple of boosts. Thousand Arrows gives Zygarde the best coverage in a single move and is mandatory on any Zygarde set, as no Pokemon are immune to it and few resist it. Protect is used alongside Substitute to get as much Leftovers recovery as possible while also slowly helping to chip at the foe with Toxic Spikes support.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature give Zygarde enough Speed to outspeed Timid Heatran, with the rest bumped into HP and Special Defense for maximum special bulk. Leftovers is mandatory due to the passive recovery it provides when setting up. It also recovers some of the health Zygarde loses after using Substitute a couple of times and nets some extra HP when it uses Protect. An alternative, more offensive spread with less bulk and more Attack investment can be used with Extreme Speed instead of Protect. Aura Break is Zygarde's only legal ability, though it's completely useless in the tier.
Usage Tips
========
This Zygarde set aims to take advantage of Toxic Spikes damage on grounded foes for an easier time setting up on them and breaking through checks. Therefore, it should only try to set up if Toxic Spikes is on the field. Against Pokemon like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu, it should use Substitute and Protect repetitively to put them in range of Thousand Arrows after some rounds of Toxic damage. Substitute can also be used in other scenarios to set up on passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Mantine that can't break it or rely on Toxic to stop Zygarde. Protect is useful outside of Toxic stalling when facing Choice-locked Pokemon like Choice Specs Ash-Greninja and Choice Scarf Latios, as it lets Zygarde scout for the move they're going for. It can also waste a Z-Move like Landorus-T's Supersonic Skystrike if timed correctly.
Team Options
========
Toxic Spikes users like Toxapex and Greninja are mandatory with this set, as the combination of Substitute and Protect can Toxic stall Pokemon like Tangrowth to put them in range of Thousand Arrows. Pokemon like Tapu Koko, Ash-Greninja, and Keldeo that appreciate Zygarde's ability to beat bulky Grass-types one-on-one benefit from this set and can clean up late-game if Zygarde doesn't manage to sweep. Landorus-T and Mew are nuisances for this set due to them usually carrying Ice coverage, so Pokemon that can pressure them like Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham work well as teammates. Defensive pivots such as Assault Vest Magearna act as switch-ins for Pokemon that can pressure Zygarde with their strong super effective STAB moves like Greninja and Tapu Lele. Celesteela is a notable partner due to its ability to pivot into the aforementioned Pokemon while keeping Tapu Bulu, one of the best Zygarde counters, at bay.
name: Substitute + Dragon Dance
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Thousand Arrows
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Aura Break
nature: Jolly
evs: 240 HP / 152 SpD / 116 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute lets Zygarde set up on passive Pokemon that can't break it such as Ferrothorn, Mega Venusaur, and Chansey while also stacking poison damage on grounded foes if Toxic Spikes is up. Dragon Dance boosts Zygarde's Attack and Speed, turning it into a fearsome sweeper after a couple of boosts. Thousand Arrows gives Zygarde the best coverage in a single move and is mandatory on any Zygarde set, as no Pokemon are immune to it and few resist it. Protect is used alongside Substitute to get as much Leftovers recovery as possible while also slowly helping to chip at the foe with Toxic Spikes support.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature give Zygarde enough Speed to outspeed Timid Heatran, with the rest bumped into HP and Special Defense for maximum special bulk. Leftovers is mandatory due to the passive recovery it provides when setting up. It also recovers some of the health Zygarde loses after using Substitute a couple of times and nets some extra HP when it uses Protect. An alternative, more offensive spread with less bulk and more Attack investment can be used with Extreme Speed instead of Protect. Aura Break is Zygarde's only legal ability, though it's completely useless in the tier.
Usage Tips
========
This Zygarde set aims to take advantage of Toxic Spikes damage on grounded foes for an easier time setting up on them and breaking through checks. Therefore, it should only try to set up if Toxic Spikes is on the field. Against Pokemon like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu, it should use Substitute and Protect repetitively to put them in range of Thousand Arrows after some rounds of Toxic damage. Substitute can also be used in other scenarios to set up on passive Pokemon like Toxapex and Mantine that can't break it or rely on Toxic to stop Zygarde. Protect is useful outside of Toxic stalling when facing Choice-locked Pokemon like Choice Specs Ash-Greninja and Choice Scarf Latios, as it lets Zygarde scout for the move they're going for. It can also waste a Z-Move like Landorus-T's Supersonic Skystrike if timed correctly.
Team Options
========
Toxic Spikes users like Toxapex and Greninja are mandatory with this set, as the combination of Substitute and Protect can Toxic stall Pokemon like Tangrowth to put them in range of Thousand Arrows. Pokemon like Tapu Koko, Ash-Greninja, and Keldeo that appreciate Zygarde's ability to beat bulky Grass-types one-on-one benefit from this set and can clean up late-game if Zygarde doesn't manage to sweep. Landorus-T and Mew are nuisances for this set due to them usually carrying Ice coverage, so Pokemon that can pressure them like Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham work well as teammates. Defensive pivots such as Assault Vest Magearna act as switch-ins for Pokemon that can pressure Zygarde with their strong super effective STAB moves like Greninja and Tapu Lele. Celesteela is a notable partner due to its ability to pivot into the aforementioned Pokemon while keeping Tapu Bulu, one of the best Zygarde counters, at bay.
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