Resource SM Creative + Underrated Sets

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I think Zygarde 50 is a phenomenal pokemon and im liking all these sets so I'll add one i had a good amount of success with.

Dragonium-Z DD Zygarde

Zygarde @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly/Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed/Iron Tail
- Thousand Arrows
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance

I used this Zygarde to get my voting reqs both times. DD Zygarde is underutilized imo, perhaps because it has issues breaking things that can eat its vaunted Thousand Arrows. This is where z-outrage comes in. This thing is pretty nuts, as Z-Outrage is used to nuke certain unsuspecting conventional answers to Zygarde's Thousand Arrows like defensive Tangrowth, Lando T, Buzzwole, Pinsir and whatever else you want without getting locked into an exploitable dragon move. I used Jolly just so that speed tie with lele's (jolly also lets you outspeed non scarfed phero at +1 but that isnt a problem with espeed). If you arent worried about leles and offensive landos, though, Adamant offers some really nice power to really beat down the tiers biggest defensive threats. Zygardes natural bulk allows it to go for 2 DDs relatively easily

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 246-291 (61 - 72.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 328-387 (81.3 - 96%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

It's not a stretch to think that Zygarde can reach +2 against Tangrowth, being that HP Ice only does around 60% and sleep powder can miss (many Tangrowth won't even risk it due to the chance of sub Zygarde)

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 205-243 (53.6 - 63.6%)
+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 307-363 (80.3 - 95%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Again, it's not a stretch go get the second DD in there since defensive Lando-T wont be doing incredible damage to you to begin with.

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 280-331 (87.7 - 103.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pinsir-Mega: 220-261 (81.1 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
Extreme speed can finish it off

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 291-343 (69.6 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 232 HP / 180+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 255-301 (71 - 83.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Venusaur aint doing much to you so you can even go for more DDs.

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 232-274 (82.5 - 97.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 233-275 (82.3 - 97.1%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Iron Tail vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 242-286 (86.1 - 101.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 88 HP / 24 Def Gyarados: 306-360 (86.6 - 101.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 421-496 (130.3 - 153.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Scarf hp ice cannot ohko zygarde even after rocks)

As you can see, all these calcs are done with a Jolly nature. Adamant obviously does significantly more damage, but i have never used it so I'll keep it at this.

Use iron tail over e speed if you want to hurt bulu and to a lesser extent clefable


https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-529513301 - Zygarde breaks the double bulky ground core of Lando-T and Garchomp, allowing M Metagross to finish
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-525294247 - Zygarde breaks down a Mandibuzz + Suicune core, allowing Mega Metagross and Ash Greninja to sweep.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7oususpecttest-537073963 - Zygarde kills mega pinsir thinking it can tank zygarde.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-524907874 - Zygarde is again able to break Mega Pinsir, which otherwise eats up DD Zygarde's Thousand Arrows
 
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I think Zygarde 50 is a phenomenal pokemon and im liking all these sets so I'll add one i had a good amount of success with.

Dragonium-Z DD Zygarde

Zygarde @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly/Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed/Iron Tail
- Thousand Arrows
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance

I used this Zygarde to get my voting reqs both times. DD Zygarde is underutilized imo, perhaps because it has issues breaking things that can eat its vaunted Thousand Arrows. This is where z-outrage comes in. This thing is pretty nuts, as Z-Outrage is used to nuke certain unsuspecting conventional answers to Zygarde's Thousand Arrows like defensive Tangrowth, Lando T, Buzzwole, Pinsir and whatever else you want without getting locked into an exploitable dragon move. I used Jolly just so that speed tie with lele's (jolly also lets you outspeed non scarfed phero at +1 but that isnt a problem with espeed). If you arent worried about leles and offensive landos, though, Adamant offers some really nice power to really beat down the tiers biggest defensive threats. Zygardes natural bulk allows it to go for 2 DDs relatively easily

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 246-291 (61 - 72.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 328-387 (81.3 - 96%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

It's not a stretch to think that Zygarde can reach +2 against Tangrowth, being that HP Ice only does around 60% and sleep powder can miss (many Tangrowth won't even risk it due to the chance of sub Zygarde)

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 205-243 (53.6 - 63.6%)
+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 307-363 (80.3 - 95%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Again, it's not a stretch go get the second DD in there since defensive Lando-T wont be doing incredible damage to you to begin with.

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 280-331 (87.7 - 103.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pinsir-Mega: 220-261 (81.1 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
Extreme speed can finish it off

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 291-343 (69.6 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 232 HP / 180+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 255-301 (71 - 83.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Venusaur aint doing much to you so you can even go for more DDs.

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 232-274 (82.5 - 97.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 233-275 (82.3 - 97.1%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Iron Tail vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 242-286 (86.1 - 101.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 88 HP / 24 Def Gyarados: 306-360 (86.6 - 101.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 421-496 (130.3 - 153.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Scarf hp ice cannot ohko zygarde even after rocks)

Use iron tail over e speed if you want to hurt bulu and to a lesser extent clefable


https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-529513301 - Zygarde breaks the double bulky ground core of Lando-T and Garchomp, allowing M Metagross to finish
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-525294247 - Zygarde breaks down a Mandibuzz + Suicune core, allowing Mega Metagross and Ash Greninja to sweep.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7oususpecttest-537073963 - Zygarde kills mega pinsir thinking it can tank zygarde.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-524907874 - Zygarde is again able to break Mega Pinsir, which otherwise eats up DD Zygarde's Thousand Arrows
Came for the creative sets. Stayed for the third replay's chat.
 
Here are two sets I wanted to share :


Choice band araquanid





Araquanid @ Choice Band
Ability: Water Bubble
EVs: 184 HP / 252 Atk / 68 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Liquidation
- Leech Life
- Poison Jab
- Sleep Talk


In my opinion this set is only worth using on rain teams but then it's insanely powerful . As long as rain is up it has no safe switch in outside of physically defensive toxapex or alomomola and even then araquanid can fish for a defense drop and force the opponent to sack a mon before sending their counter again. Mons like celsteela or magearna who can otherwise check rain to some extent are cleanly ohkoed.
Araquanid also has the added benefits of having insane special bulk even without assault vest and to be immune to burns, thanks to it's ability, which means that toxapex can't do anything but stalling liquidation pps.

Liquidation is usually the only move you want to use, but, since I had to choose 3 other moves, leech life can be used outside of rain to gain some hp, poison jab ohkoes bulu if you can survive a hit, and sleep talk is here because no other move was even remotely useful.

THe evs let you outpseed chansey, because if you kill it but take a toxic in the process then toxapex has a way easier team dealing with you. I prefer to keep some special bulk to take hits from things like magearna because araquanid is going to be slow anyway (max speed adamant hits only 183) and it doesn't rly matter wether alomomola uses wish before or after you attack.

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 248 HP / 192 Def Tapu Fini in Rain: 172-204 (50.1 - 59.4%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tangrowth in Rain: 186-222 (46 - 54.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn in Rain: 152-180 (43.1 - 51.1%) -- 6.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela in Rain: 444-524 (111.5 - 131.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna in Rain: 408-480 (112.3 - 132.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Toxapex in Rain: 126-148 (41.4 - 48.6%) -- 12.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 0+ Def Toxapex in Rain: 144-172 (47.3 - 56.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory in Rain: 260-308 (77.8 - 92.2%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu in Rain: 204-240 (72.3 - 85.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 36 HP / 220 Def Alomomola in Rain: 214-252 (44.5 - 52.5%) -- 83.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery


Unfortunately I only have one replay for this set but I used it a lot on high ladder in january (I peaked at something like top 5 with it iirc) and it was very efficient against these fat teams rain usually has troubles with. I'll try to play the team again to get more replays.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7oususpecttest-534906234


Special lure dragonite



Dragonite @ Electrium Z/ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 12 Atk / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Hasty / Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
- Earthquake / Flamethrower
- Roost


This set is way more gimmicky but I thought it was worth mentionning.
Ice beam is actually the most important move here since it ohkoes every variant of lando-t. Lando(t should almost never hard switch out because dragonite could be dd and you noone wants to deal with a +1 dragonite with multiscale intact.

252 SpA Dragonite Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Landorus-Therian: 384-452 (100.5 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO


Now let's get to the other moves. Thunder allows dragonite to deal a lot of dmg to water types, most notably tapu fini, but also keldeo , or non protean gren (if it has not mega evolved dragonite can switch on any move but ice beam and lives a specs ice beam from full hp). It also hits zard y.
Earthquake gives a way to hit pokemons who take very little for the other moves, like heatran or magearna. Flamethrower can also be used to hit ferrothorn and scizor.
Finally,I use roost in the last slot to be able to actually wall keldeo, as long as it doesn't hit dragonite with an ice move, as well as zard y assuming it's not carrying dragon pulse.

252 SpA Dragonite Gigavolt Havoc (185 BP) vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 240-284 (69.9 - 82.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Dragonite Thunder vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 218-258 (67.4 - 79.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Dragonite Gigavolt Havoc (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 368-434 (113.9 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Dragonite Gigavolt Havoc (185 BP) vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 298-352 (97.7 - 115.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock


Electrium z can be replaced for leftovers but then checking zard becomes harder even if you can still eq on a predicted roost or stall out the sun and then switch to a water type.

A +speed nature and 244 speed evs are necessary to outpseed maximum speed adamant lando-t.

replays :

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542074770
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542069394
 

Zapdos @ Electrium Z
Ability: Static
EVs: 148 HP / 252 SpA / 108 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave

Now this isn't exactly the best set, but I wanted a substitute for Autotomize Celesteela and here it is. Agility Zapdos has a few unique pros over Autotomize Celesteela:

Pros:
  • Outspeeds Scarf 110s+ Naive Pheromosa after an Agility. Most of the time, this doesn't matter as much as you'd think, but having a better speed tier and being able to OHKO mons such as Scarf Chomp without using your nuke can help when you really need to push through something like ScarfChomp+Lele. This also helps when you want to get the jump on Gengar who can knock out a weakened Celesteela. Pheromosa also does a fair chunk to Celesteela (252 Atk Life Orb Pheromosa High Jump Kick vs. 84 HP / 0 Def Celesteela: 281-331 (78.9 - 92.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO) while Pheromosa cannot touch you because you outspeed every variant except Scarf.
  • Better coverage with about equal power. Electric+Ice+Fire is excellent neutral coverage that only awfully bulky Pokemon mind taking. Celesteela, with its common coverage moves, cannot hit Heatran and cannot OHKO Toxapex or Zygarde without a Beast Boost, meaning that it is subject to either being walled or taking a fairly large hit.
  • More flexibility with using its Z move. Usually, when Celesteela has set up in the face of something, it has to unleash Skystrike right away to kill something and start to snowball. However, with Zapdos, you can wait on using your Z move thanks to its better natural Sp.Attack and nice coverage.
However, with some pros come some important cons:
  • Being rocks weak is annoying. This means that you have to babysit often just so Zapdos can take a hit, set up, and sweep.
  • Not having Beast Boost. While I did mention Zapdos having better natural special attack is a pro, as soon as Celesteela picks up its kill, it just keeps on trucking. Little to nothing wants to handle a +1 Celesteela but more mons can handle a neutral Zapdos.
  • Less bulk. Without investment, Zapdos isn't as bulky as one would think. This often means you have to force out something to set up. 90/85/90 is nowhere near bad, but Celesteela's bulk just trumps it.
Here are some replays highlighting Agility Zapdos's sweeping potential:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-541520764
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-541564910
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-541545197
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543912240
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543796639
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543814556
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Shoutouts to Robopoke for using this set as well and having success with it:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543179249
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542345033
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542381126

Hope you all enjoyed the read!

Edit: Added more replays, also found that if you invest invest 20 more Speed EVs you outspeed +1 Scolipede and below. Could have some merit if you're struggling with Baton Pass.
 
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Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Toxic
- Outrage

don't think I've seen this cool set in the thread yet, so I'll leave it here. cb zygarde-50 is a very underrated set ive seen recently gaining in popularity. what differentiates zygarde-50% from zydog is zygarde's superior bulk, being able to take hp ices from things like landorus-t. it's slower, but with the additional bulk, it proves to be a decent and fun mon to try out. thousand arrows is broken incredible, hitting literally everything, and it will generally be your most spammed move. outrage hits hard late game if your opponents squad is weakened enough. espeed is for fast mons like phero and shit, being able to pick them off when weakened, and toxic is for fat walls like landorus-t and bulky grass types and shedinja also bcuz zygarde doesnt rly need another coverage move. this set is amazing vs stall which is worth mentioning, because everything(aside from maybe bold max defense clefable) gets 2hko'd by arrows. (chansey needs rocks damage to guarantee a 2hko by arrows.) here are some calcs:

252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela: 196-232 (49.2 - 58.2%) -- 2HKO after it gets grounded
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 115-136 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- also 2HKOs after it gets grounded
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Outrage vs. 4 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 357-420 (55.6 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 256-302 (90.4 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja-Ash: 165-195 (57.8 - 68.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 248 HP / 192 Def Tapu Fini: 153-180 (44.6 - 52.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn: 135-160 (38.3 - 45.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Clefable: 240-283 (60.9 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery



zygarde still struggles vs more defensive mons, with its main check being tangrowth. chances are that you wont be inclined to click outrage vs tangrowth, due to it being able to switch out with regenerator into a steel or fairy type to beat zygarde. some good teammates for this set are heatran, magearna, and gengar. heatran can break stall even further alongside zygarde, utilizing the magma storm + solar beam set to trap and kill fat mons. furthermore it can set up stealth rocks to weaken zygarde's checks. magearna is a great partner because it tanks fairy, dragon, and ice type attacks directed at zygarde, and can volt switch into zygarde, giving it a heavy hit with thousand arrows or another one of its moves. gengar is a great partner for zygarde because everyone knows that ghost resists are incredibly scarce in SM OU. gengar also fares well versus tapu fini, landorus, tangrowth, and tapu bulu, checking all and weakening them for zygarde. in exchange, zygarde beats down steel types that may check gengar, such as celesteela and magearna. overall, i think this set is incredible and definitely worth fitting on your team.

here are some replays showcasing zygarde's power.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-252991 in this replay, reiku's zygarde thousand arrows to kill skarmory and wins him the game with cb outrage.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-253423 in this replay, banded zygarde takes out greninja and celesteela, as well as pressuring his mega venusaur to recover in early turns.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-252002 zygarde is phenomenal in this game. choice banded thousand arrows is a 2hko on fini, meaning that poek could not get the defog off for his charizard. this allowed zygarde to take out alolan muk, kill the charizard at 51%, and kill pheromosa with extreme speed. updated kanto lost the game but he would have won had he hit the focus blast last turn.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543526634 a replay of my own, zygarde powers through alolan marowak, gyarados, and tapu koko with thousand arrows and extreme speed, as well as killing volcanion.

pls check this out took me a while lol http://prnt.sc/endw0n[/hided]
 
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Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Toxic
- Outrage

don't think I've seen this cool set in the thread yet, so I'll leave it here. cb zygarde-50 is a very underrated set ive seen recently gaining in popularity. what differentiates zygarde-50% from zydog is zygarde's superior bulk, being able to take hp ices from things like landorus-t. it's slower, but with the additional bulk, it proves to be a decent and fun mon to try out. thousand arrows is really only beaten by fat water/grass types and lando-t. outrage hits hard late game if your opponents squad is weakened enough. espeed is for fast mons like phero and shit, toxic is for fat walls and shedinja also bcuz zygarde doesnt rly need another coverage move. here are some calcs:

252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela: 196-232 (49.2 - 58.2%) -- 2HKO after it gets grounded
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 115-136 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- also 2HKOs after it gets grounded
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Outrage vs. 4 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 357-420 (55.6 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 256-302 (90.4 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja-Ash: 165-195 (57.8 - 68.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 248 HP / 192 Def Tapu Fini: 153-180 (44.6 - 52.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn: 135-160 (38.3 - 45.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Clefable: 240-283 (60.9 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


zygarde still cant rly deal w lando-t+fat mons like slowbro, bulu, etc. volcarona works well with this mon as zygarde's arrows can beat down volcarona's checks like toxapex, ttar, latios, scarf nihilego, chansey, and can also out-prioritize ash gren's shuriken with espeed, which allows volc to sweep late game. thanks for readin, try this set out its fun
I really like this spread and have heard from many sources of its ability to wear down common defensive threats in the current metagame. Can a brother get some replays tho?
 
I really like this spread and have heard from many sources of its ability to wear down common defensive threats in the current metagame. Can a brother get some replays tho?
i dont have any replays of my own saved bro, i forget to save most of the time lol
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-252002 this is one from last week of SPL, updated kanto is using it as u can see turn 4 it 2hkos fini on the switch and prevents the defog. also does like 40 with espeed to offensive chomp.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-253423 heres another one where zygarde weakens venusaur and ends up killing ash-gren and celesteela for the victory
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-252991 another game where banded zygarde cleans up zamrocks team in the end with arrows on skarm and outrage on sableye + tangrowth

as i try out this mon more i will link replays in the post but for now here u go bro
 

bludz

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Psychium Z Volcarona

Volcarona @ Psychium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Giga Drain
- Psychic

I built a team with this set last night 'cuz it seemed like it might be fun, and I was having pretty decent success testing it on the ladder. Then I saw TDK's SPL match today and he had this set (he built a team with this set before me, clearly) and it clean swept his opponent. Check it out:

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-255625

Shattered Psyche smacks a ton of the pokemon that could normally be used to check Volcarona.

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Marowak-Alola: 351-414 (134.4 - 158.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Charizard-Mega-X: 334-394 (112.4 - 132.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 330-390 (108.5 - 128.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Pex doesn't run max SpD usually but this just shows how hard it hits)

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 294-346 (88.8 - 104.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragonite: 294-346 (91 - 107.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 464-548 (129.2 - 152.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde: 306-360 (85.7 - 100.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock (Offensive Zygarde)

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 240 HP / 212+ SpD Zygarde: 226-267 (54.1 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock (SubCoil it's not as strong but still works if you can weaken it enough)

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 336-396 (93.8 - 110.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 260-307 (87.5 - 103.3%) -- 25% chance to OHKO


Of all the things HP Ground hits, you only really miss out on Heatran, since Shattered Psyche still KOs Nihilego (if it doesn't outspeed with Scarf), Alolan Marowak, and Charizard X. The chance to KO Zard Y isn't as reliable as Inferno Overdrive in Sun, either. I personally used this set with Dugtrio to remove Heatran and Tyranitar which do still beat this set.
 

njnp

We don't play this game to lose.
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Zygarde @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 176 Atk / 24 Def / 68 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Coil
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed

This set was created for my friend poek and his opp thunderblunderr7777777777 for spl. I wanted a zygarde set that could put it out of fini moonblast range and like 2 hp ices from lando to give more dd's and a better sweep opportunity. The funny thing is in that game the way things were going zygarde would have swept straight up because of the clutch berry but sadly cursed body clutch gengar did it in. I think this set is pretty cool for offensive teams for sure and is at times more effective then the coil spd set.

Thank You.


http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-253746
 
Zygarde @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 176 Atk / 24 Def / 68 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Coil
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed

This set was created for my friend poek and his opp thunderblunderr7777777777 for spl. I wanted a zygarde set that could put it out of fini moonblast range and like 2 hp ices from lando to give more dd's and a better sweep opportunity. The funny thing is in that game the way things were going zygarde would have swept straight up because of the clutch berry but sadly cursed body clutch gengar did it in. I think this set is pretty cool for offensive teams for sure and is at times more effective then the coil spd set.

Thank You.


http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-253746
I can get the idea behind the idea to setup more with Sitrus Berry, especially on a mon that is bulky (another example is Sitrus Berry Manaphy).
I just dont get the EVs.
240 HP can serve up to three purposes:
1) It prevents Seismic Toss from breaking your Sub (since you dont have Subs, this reason is useless)
2) It prevents Foul Play from breaking your Sub if you are not invested in Atk (since you have Atkevs, this reason is useless, too)
3) It maximizes Leftovers recovery. 417HP is divisible by 16 after subtracting 1. Its the magic x*16+1 number. (but you dont even have Lefties)

So I just dont get it why you specifically have 240 HP EVs. Yes, it increases your overall bulk for sure, but no explanation at all?

Secondly, why you have 68 Speed EVs? Even at +1 you cannot outspeed Greninja. Imo you should at least run 104 EVs to outspeed Adamant Tapu Bulu, Timid Magearna at +0, Grenininja at +1 and Scarf Nihilego at +2. Your set gets outsped by Scarfchomp at +2, too. Yes, you have Coil+Dragon Dance but at least make sure you outspeed Greninja at +1 lol.

Also Fini is dangerous to setup against because a low roll Moonblast+high roll doesnt activate your Sitrus and kills you.

This is my recommended spread based on your setdescription:
Zygarde @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 160 HP / 216 Atk / 28 SpD / 104 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Coil
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed

160HP makes sure Scarf Outrage from Garchomp doesnt OHKO you from full and . 160 HP + 28SpD gives Tapu Fini a minrol of 50.3% on Moonblast, ensuring it will always activate Sitrus Berry and you dont have to fear minroll+maxroll from killing you in two hits. Also two max rolls will never kill.
Scarf Tapu Lele also will never kill you with Moonblast after Rocks. With just 160 HP + 24 SpD there is a 6.3% Chance you get OHKOed.
104Spe is necesarry to outspeed Greninja at +1, which can otherwise revengekill you with Ice Beam. 216 Atk Adamant kills Pheromosa 100% of the time after Rocks with Espeed and is a jump point.

Offensive Calc:
+1 216+ Atk Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 249-294 (87.9 - 103.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock


Defensive Calc:
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Zygarde: 200-236 (50.3 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Zygarde: 314-372 (79 - 93.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
 

njnp

We don't play this game to lose.
is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributor
I can get the idea behind the idea to setup more with Sitrus Berry, especially on a mon that is bulky (another example is Sitrus Berry Manaphy).
I just dont get the EVs.
240 HP can serve up to three purposes:
1) It prevents Seismic Toss from breaking your Sub (since you dont have Subs, this reason is useless)
2) It prevents Foul Play from breaking your Sub if you are not invested in Atk (since you have Atkevs, this reason is useless, too)
3) It maximizes Leftovers recovery. 417HP is divisible by 16 after subtracting 1. Its the magic x*16+1 number. (but you dont even have Lefties)

So I just dont get it why you specifically have 240 HP EVs. Yes, it increases your overall bulk for sure, but no explanation at all?

Secondly, why you have 68 Speed EVs? Even at +1 you cannot outspeed Greninja. Imo you should at least run 104 EVs to outspeed Adamant Tapu Bulu, Timid Magearna at +0, Grenininja at +1 and Scarf Nihilego at +2. Your set gets outsped by Scarfchomp at +2, too. Yes, you have Coil+Dragon Dance but at least make sure you outspeed Greninja at +1 lol.

Also Fini is dangerous to setup against because a low roll Moonblast+high roll doesnt activate your Sitrus and kills you.

This is my recommended spread based on your setdescription:
Zygarde @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 160 HP / 216 Atk / 28 SpD / 104 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Coil
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed

160HP makes sure Scarf Outrage from Garchomp doesnt OHKO you from full and . 160 HP + 28SpD gives Tapu Fini a minrol of 50.3% on Moonblast, ensuring it will always activate Sitrus Berry and you dont have to fear minroll+maxroll from killing you in two hits. Also two max rolls will never kill.
Scarf Tapu Lele also will never kill you with Moonblast after Rocks. With just 160 HP + 24 SpD there is a 6.3% Chance you get OHKOed.
104Spe is necesarry to outspeed Greninja at +1, which can otherwise revengekill you with Ice Beam. 216 Atk Adamant kills Pheromosa 100% of the time after Rocks with Espeed and is a jump point.

Offensive Calc:
+1 216+ Atk Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 249-294 (87.9 - 103.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock


Defensive Calc:
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Zygarde: 200-236 (50.3 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Zygarde: 314-372 (79 - 93.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
This was on a sticky web team sticky web generally handled these mons that outsped. lol. Just wanted to showcase the set you can take it and ev it however you like mate.
 
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Colonel M

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Clefable @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Moonblast
- Fire Blast

This is a Clefable that's a bit more suited for a more aggressive playstyle. The goal is to lay Stealth Rock, though Clefable can also cripple with the yellow juice - Thunder Wave. Even with a Modest nature Clefable will outspeed threats such as Jolly Mega-Metagross and Greninja after a Thunder Wave (though you have to be careful about Greninja using Spikes). It's a rather awkward Pokemon to still switch into since Moonblast still does a good chunk while Fire Blast catches Steel-types. Magic Guard is the preferred ability as it guarantees that Focus Sash cannot be deterred by Stealth Rock, Poison, or other ailments or entry hazards.

You can opt for other moves, such as Counter, on the set as well.

Replay:

ABR vs Sabella

Though this replay is older and many Mega Metagross carry Bullet Punch nowadays, ABR could have kept Clefable alive and used it to set up Stealth Rock later or used this Clefable later in the match.
 
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Clefable @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Moonblast
- Fire Blast

This is a Clefable that's a bit more suited for a more aggressive playstyle. The goal is to lay Stealth Rock, though Clefable can also cripple with the yellow juice - Thunder Wave. Even with a Modest nature Clefable will outspeed threats such as Jolly Mega-Metagross and Greninja after a Thunder Wave (though you have to be careful about Greninja using Spikes). It's a rather awkward Pokemon to still switch into since Moonblast still does a good chunk while Fire Blast catches Steel-types. Magic Guard is the preferred ability as it guarantees that Focus Sash cannot be deterred by Stealth Rock, Poison, or other ailments or entry hazards.

You can opt for other moves, such as Counter, on the set as well.

Replay:

ABR vs Sabella

Though this replay is older and many Mega Metagross carry Bullet Punch nowadays, ABR could have kept Clefable alive and used it to set up Stealth Rock later or used this Clefable later in the match.
I want to support Sash Clef with two replays of mine. The idea is similiar, but I have Soft Boiled and Healing Wish over Fireblast and Stealth Rocks. With Twave+Healing Wish and a Focus Sash, Clefable is able to neutralize a threat and bring back a sweeper of yours back to life. This will shift the momentum heavily in your favour. This set is similiar to Trick Room Mimikyu in terms of how quickly you can turn the tides of the match.


http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-528514878 Turn 19

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-528988330 Turn 23
 

Pheromosa @ Normalium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Modest Nature
EVs: 224 Sp. Atk / 32 Sp. Def / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
-Quiver Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Focus Blast
-Hyper Beam

This is my favorite Pheromosa set. If this set is already on the thread, then I apoligize. I honestly have never seen anyone else using this set. The objective of this set is to lure and kill a weakened tapu fini at +1 with Breakneck Blitz. Breakneck Blitz can also hit things like Volcarona, Lando-T, Toxapex, and Tapu Koko. This set works best imo when paired with Ash Greninja. Since one of the best Gren counters is Tapu Fini, its pretty easy to wear down fini after rocks + repeated switches. The rest of the set is standard QD Pheromosa. Here are some calcs:

+2 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 349-411 (101.7 - 119.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 261-308 (76 - 89.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 350-412 (112.5 - 132.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 265-312 (87.1 - 102.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 366-431 (103.6 - 122%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 400-471 (104.4 - 122.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Landorus-Therian: 427-503 (111.7 - 131.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 324-382 (106.2 - 125.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Buzzwole: 603-710 (144.2 - 169.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 440-518 (120.8 - 142.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Landorus-Therian: 427-503 (111.7 - 131.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 224+ SpA Pheromosa Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian: 445-524 (148.8 - 175.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO


Even with no boost, it still hits hard, capable of putting a big dent into things like Tapu Fini and Volcarona, making them easier to kill. Yes, you are losing coverage in Ice Beam, but +1 Breakneck Blitz kills Lando and Garchomp anyways, and puts a decent dent into Zygarde.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542472039

(This shows what this set can do. Pheromosa kills fini early, then leaves the door wide open for itself to win later on.)

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-545589226

(Different team: Similar Results. Vs. Balance. Lured and killed the toxapex late game to win with gren.)

Overall, I adore this set, and I hope it gains some traction in the near future. I also made an RMT with this set, so if you want to see what I think pairs well with it more in-depth, then go ahead and check it out below.

http://www.smogon.com/forums/thread...z-hyper-beam-qd-phero-bo-peaked-1618.3597651/
 
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Zapdos @ Electrium Z
Ability: Static
EVs: 148 HP / 252 SpA / 108 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave

Now this isn't exactly the best set, but I wanted a substitute for Autotomize Celesteela and here it is. Agility Zapdos has a few unique pros over Autotomize Celesteela:

Pros:
  • Outspeeds Scarf 110s+ Naive Pheromosa after an Agility. Most of the time, this doesn't matter as much as you'd think, but having a better speed tier and being able to OHKO mons such as Scarf Chomp without using your nuke can help when you really need to push through something like ScarfChomp+Lele. This also helps when you want to get the jump on Gengar who can knock out a weakened Celesteela. Pheromosa also does a fair chunk to Celesteela (252 Atk Life Orb Pheromosa High Jump Kick vs. 84 HP / 0 Def Celesteela: 281-331 (78.9 - 92.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO) while Pheromosa cannot touch you because you outspeed every variant except Scarf.
  • Better coverage with about equal power. Electric+Ice+Fire is excellent neutral coverage that only awfully bulky Pokemon mind taking. Celesteela, with its common coverage moves, cannot hit Heatran and cannot OHKO Toxapex or Zygarde without a Beast Boost, meaning that it is subject to either being walled or taking a fairly large hit.
  • More flexibility with using its Z move. Usually, when Celesteela has set up in the face of something, it has to unleash Skystrike right away to kill something and start to snowball. However, with Zapdos, you can wait on using your Z move thanks to its better natural Sp.Attack and nice coverage.
However, with some pros come some important cons:
  • Being rocks weak is annoying. This means that you have to babysit often just so Zapdos can take a hit, set up, and sweep.
  • Not having Beast Boost. While I did mention Zapdos having better natural special attack is a pro, as soon as Celesteela picks up its kill, it just keeps on trucking. Little to nothing wants to handle a +1 Celesteela but more mons can handle a neutral Zapdos.
  • Less bulk. Without investment, Zapdos isn't as bulky as one would think. This often means you have to force out something to set up. 90/85/90 is nowhere near bad, but Celesteela's bulk just trumps it.
Here are some replays highlighting Agility Zapdos's sweeping potential:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-541520764
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-541564910
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-541545197
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543912240
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543796639
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543814556
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shoutouts to Robopoke for using this set as well and having success with it:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543179249
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542345033
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-542381126

Hope you all enjoyed the read!

Edit: Added more replays, also found that if you invest invest 20 more Speed EVs you outspeed +1 Scolipede and below. Could have some merit if you're struggling with Baton Pass.
This is a really cool set. I've been using nearly the same thing since XY, but instead of Z-move, I run weakness policy (and a little more spdef invest).

You miss the ability ability to OHKO Tran, but +2 heatwave and HP ice nabs things that normally force you out after some SR. Let's it work more as a sweeper than a cleaner. Still dependent on surprise, but it's fun. (This is not a submission)
 


Mimikyu @ Life Orb
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Shadow Sneak
- Play Rough
- Curse

Definitely not my original idea, but I thought this set was super creative when I first saw it. With gen 7 bringing a whole bunch of hard hitters, it can be really difficult to squeeze in a trick room without getting KO'd. With Disguise, Mimikyu can take a hit to set up trick room and hopefully swing the battle. Curse is pretty neat for dealing with sub users, and it helps sac Mimikyu so that another trick room abuser is able to have enough turns to get some damage in.

Replay: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-544549588
(only one of me playing like poop, but hey it shows off the set decently well)
 
Alright, let's try this again with some actual examples:


Mimikyu @ Red Card
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Destiny Bond
- Substitute
- Will-O-Wisp / Toxic
- Thief

Red Card combined with Disguise means that, getting hit by Thief / Knock Off notwithstanding, you get a guaranteed random switch to hamper the opponent's momentum. Based on my experience with it, it really shines with proper hazard support and can benefit from teammates with U-turn or Volt Switch, and it's usually best used as a mid-game pivot to either pseudo-phaze an opponent that would otherwise be setting up to sweep (or who you couldn't stallbreak outright) or to get rid of something that would otherwise threaten your team. Maximum speed EVs let you get off subs and Destiny Bond first, when necessary, while the HP investment means the subs aren't just for show and can occasionally be used for scouting or hitting additional targets with status.

Will-O-Wisp / Toxic really depends on your team composition; Toxic's damage combined with forcing switches, shuffling, and hazard support can add up really quickly, but has obvious issues against Steel-types and the occasional Toxapex or Gliscor. Will-O-Wisp can be more effective at dampening physical attacks, and if you manage to steal a target's Leftovers or other healing item on top of burning them it can really put certain Pokemon (like Celesteela without Leech Seed) in hot water. Beyond healing items, Thief can also have lasting applications later into a battle if you were to, say, steal a Rocky Helmet to reduce chip damage or a Thick Club.

Some examples of it in use:
Burning / shuffling out an Electivire and using Destiny Bond to kill a Porygon2, paving the way for a Volcarona sweep.

Using the Toxic variant along with Stealth Rock Support to shuffle Charizard to its death, stealing Hoopa-U's Power Herb and then Destiny Bonding the latter to take it out.

In what is by far the absolute best usage of it ever, I used Marowak-A to act like I had no way to counter a Scolipede Speed Boost / Baton Pass setup, and then, uh... well, just watch the chat.
 


Mimikyu @ Life Orb
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Shadow Sneak
- Play Rough
- Curse

Definitely not my original idea, but I thought this set was super creative when I first saw it. With gen 7 bringing a whole bunch of hard hitters, it can be really difficult to squeeze in a trick room without getting KO'd. With Disguise, Mimikyu can take a hit to set up trick room and hopefully swing the battle. Curse is pretty neat for dealing with sub users, and it helps sac Mimikyu so that another trick room abuser is able to have enough turns to get some damage in.

Replay: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-544549588
(only one of me playing like poop, but hey it shows off the set decently well)
I think this idea was more or less mine originally, but it's a great set. People talk about running things like Sash Magic Guard Reuinclus for TR, buuuttt... Mimikyu's higher speed tier is actually a benefit more so than a problem as you can easily pick off troubling slowe threats outside of TR (e.g. Ferrothorn, A-Marowak) while still setting TR just as efficiently, and Curse is a huge move in both offering counter-play to certain things (Sub sets, and it pretty much forces a switch) as well as being as massively less prediction reliant suicide move than Destiny Bond 90% of the time (both of which are better than wimpy Explosion on Reuinclus).

That said, originally I was running both Shadow Claw and Play Rough without a priority STAB, but I was thinking priority certainly has merits. Personally I thinking about rejigging my TR team because of Mawile (well, maybe) and I was curious over whether both Shadow Sneak and Claw are better Sneak and Play Rough? Yes, I know the coverage is worse, but most of the time when I played this set I was TRing then usually Cursing (with Rocks on your side, most offensive mons are going to deal you more than 40% - so either you get the free switch or their switch in takes 25%, so much unpleasant pressure on the opponent). Plus Normal types are rare and this meta is very soft for Ghost STABs, so potentially dual Ghost is better?

If you have tried both and you know Play Rough is better, than I'd be interested in hearing about it. It seems like the Sneak/Play Rough combo is better on paper, but for what use the set sees on a TR team and the softness to the meta towards Ghost STABs I'd imagine dual Ghost is probably the better set for the current meta.
 
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I think this idea was more or less mine originally, but it's a great set. People talk about running things like Sash Magic Guard Reuinclus for TR, buuuttt... Mimikyu's higher speed tier is actually a benefit more so than a problem as you can easily pick off troubling slowe threats outside of TR (e.g. Ferrothorn, A-Marowak) while still setting TR just as efficiently, and Curse is a huge move in both offering counter-play to certain things (Sub sets, and it pretty much forces a switch) as well as being as massively less prediction reliant suicide move than Destiny Bond 90% of the time (both of which are better than wimpy Explosion on Reuinclus).

That said, originally I was running both Shadow Claw and Play Rough without a priority STAB, but I was thinking priority certainly has merits. Personally I thinking about rejigging my TR team because of Mawile (well, maybe) and I was curious over whether both Shadow Sneak and Claw are better Sneak and Play Rough? Yes, I know the coverage is worse, but most of the time when I played this set I was TRing then usually Cursing (with Rocks on your side, most offensive mons are going to deal you more than 40% - so either you get the free switch or their switch in takes 25%, so much unpleasant pressure on the opponent). Plus Normal types are rare and this meta is very soft for Ghost STABs, so potentially dual Ghost is better?

If you have tried both and you know Play Rough is better, than I'd be interested in hearing about it. It seems like the Sneak/Play Rough combo is better on paper, but for what use the set sees on a TR team and the softness to the meta towards Ghost STABs I'd imagine dual Ghost is probably the better set for the current meta.
I have not yet tried shadow claw and shadow sneak, but I can see uses for both Play Rough and Shadow Claw (too bad I can't fit both). I've found the fairy STAB to be really useful for hitting Garchomp (which extra nice because my team is really weak to it) and Greninja. On the other hand, I lose out on hitting steels harder with Shadow Claw which can sap away some of my momentum. Probably could have put a slash over Play Rough for Shadow Claw, since both can be viable based on your needs.
 
Ghostium Z Cofag


Cofagrigus @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Trick Room

Hi, today I present you a set I had decent success with.
People always talk abt how OU has no good Ghostresists atm and that is totally true. Instead of using Gengar, Marowak-Alola, NP Mismagius or even Sub CM Chandelure, I decided to give Cofag a try and see how it works right now.

This set is nothing new but takes advantages of Bronzong and AV Tangrowth rising in popularity. From all the Ghost mon mentioned, only Cofag can switch in reliably and setup to potentially win the game. Having Ghostium Z also helps defensivly to take less damage from Knock Off users like Tang which does like 23% lol.

Nasty Plot, Shadow Ball and Trick Room should be self-explantory. For the last move slot I like Energy Ball because it kills Greninja after Rocks and Mega Gyarados at +2. It also kills Rotom-W at +2 without wasting the Z-Move.

Ghostium Z Shadow Ball is a one-time nuke which can be used to kill or heavily weaken common defensive behemoths like Spdef Celesteela or AV Magearna. Pairing Cofag with mons that appreciates these mons gone (MZam, Scarf Gengar or even Scarf Hydreigon) is a good idea.

Even if Cofag cannot sweep, you can still make use of its high natural bulk and switch into Pheromosa and maybe prevent a spin. If you have to, you can even switch into Meteor Mash from Metagross and take the second one because no Tough Claws and kill the unsuspecting Metagross with Z Shadow Ball.
Mummy gives you new and interesting ways to win a game by getting rid of powerful abilities from mons like Mega Pinsir, Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Mega Mawile, Tangrowth, Tornadus-T.

Offensive Calcs:
+2 252+ SpA Cofagrigus Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 330-388 (82.9 - 97.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ SpA Cofagrigus Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 271-319 (74.6 - 87.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Cofagrigus Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 334-394 (109.8 - 129.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Cofagrigus Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 256-302 (89.8 - 105.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ SpA Cofagrigus Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados-Mega: 276-326 (83.3 - 98.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock (usually Gyarados is at 75% because of premega Flyingtype)


Defensive Calcs:
252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Cofagrigus: 151-178 (47.3 - 55.7%)
252 Atk Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Cofagrigus: 117-138 (36.6 - 43.2%)

4 SpA Life Orb Pheromosa Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Cofagrigus: 105-125 (32.9 - 39.1%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Bronzong Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Cofagrigus: 48-57 (15 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Tangrowth Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Cofagrigus: 68-82 (21.3 - 25.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 4HKO



Replays: (I had HP Fighting, but Energy Ball is the superior option)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543640557 I prevent the spin from Mosa turn 10 and win the game very convincingly from that point.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543630390 I punish Zapdos for defogging turn 7, kill Magearna with Z Move and weaken Zardy heavily.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-543633050 Turn 12 I kill Celesteela and bring AV Magearna to 12%
 

6ft Torbjorn

formerly JoycapJoshST
Oh, THIS sounds like my jam! Here's something I've had excellent success with:

hydreigon.gif


Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Roost

An superb wallbreaker with lavish coverage options, respectable bulk and good sustain - Hydreigon is surprisingly good in this current metagame if I do say so myself. Fire Blast and Earth Power is excellent at luring out faries such as Mega Mawile, as well as bretheren steels like Heatran and Scizor.

Draco does crap loads to neutral targets as well (those not named the two pink blobs, anyway), and with good play Hydra' becomes a nightmare to switch into. Not to mention Dragon/Fire/Ground gives you max neutral coverage to boot.

Some calcs:
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 260-307 (85.5 - 100.9%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Celesteela: 299-354 (75.1 - 88.9%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 232 HP / 80 SpD Venusaur-Mega: 214-253 (59.6 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 317-374 (98.7 - 116.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Landorus-Therian: 313-370 (81.9 - 96.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 214-253 (71 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
  • 252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 195-230 (64.1 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery


  • 252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 79-93 (24.2 - 28.5%) -- 97% chance to 4HKO
  • 252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 142-168 (43.5 - 51.5%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
  • 252 SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 144-169 (44.1 - 51.8%) -- 11.7% chance to 2HKO
  • 252 Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 191-226 (58.5 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 183-216 (56.1 - 66.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
  • 252+ SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 174-205 (53.3 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252+ Atk Muk-Alola Poison Jab vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 135-160 (41.4 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO


Roost gives me the download on an expected switch mid-game, and is (of course) used to offset the LO recoil somewhat. As you can see by the defensive calcs, Hydreigon's typing allows it to come in on a moderate amount of neutral hits (although it's weakness spread is... less than forgiving), so Roost is handy for that too.

In the replays below - I run this thing alongside Sticky Web support, and that allows Hydreigon to punch a HUGE hole in grounded offense teams. I may do an RMT for the team I'm using - so stay tuned for that!

Replays:
EDIT:
GMars do you mind?
 
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I got 2 sets I used on full Trick Room teams, that did really well for me so far.



Celebi @ Groundium Z
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 160 Def / 4 SpA / 96 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn / Healing Wish
- Trick Room
- Earth Power

Celebi is one of the few pokemon that has access to Stealth Rock, Trick Room and a move to maintain momentum so I wanted to give it a try despite all the things in the current meta going against it. The crux of this set is obviously a 175 BP Tectonic Rage to lure Heatran (normal Earth Power doesn't one-shot without investment), which TR abusers like Mawile or Magearna appreciate. It also hits Mega Metagross for at least 77%, which is something since it's always annoying to face and it's useful against mons like Magearna, Mawile, Toxapex or Marowak as well.
The HP and SpDef investment of this spread allows Celebi to always live offensive Tran's Magma Storm after Rocks or
Magma Storm + the damage at the end of the turn from full in case you want to set up Trick Room. The 4 EVs in SpA ensure the OHKO on 88 HP Mega Mawile. The rest is put into defense because Celebi's main objective is still to pivot into attacks and set up Trick Room/ Stealth Rock for the rest of the team.


Magearna @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon / Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Trick Room

This set is pretty self-explanatory, it's yet an other lure to get rid of Lando-T and Chomp to prevent offensive varaints from pressuring the team early game or get rid of defensive varaints for the other TR abusers. The set is not exactly my idea, I think I've seen someone use it on ladder or in SPL, not quite sure. It's definetely really good on TR though, not only does it make setting Trick Room significantly easier for Magearna, two of the main TR abusers in Mawile and Marowak also appreciate opposing Ground types gone to have an easier time sweeping or punching holes.

Here are some replays to showcase the sets:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-548791257 --> could have killed Metagross with Celebi but overpredicted; Magearna putting in work tho
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-548856914 --> Magearna kills Lando Turn 1 and Celebi gets rid of Bisharp, which was slower for some reason
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-550998460 --> Celebi picks off the kills on Metagross and Chomp
http://play.pokemonshowdown.com/battle-gen7ou-551193598

Trick Room is really good right now (I went like 40-3 when laddering up my alt) and fun to use as well, I would definetely recommend giving it a try :]
 
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I got 2 sets I used on full Trick Room teams, that did really well for me so far.



Celebi @ Groundium Z
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 160 Def / 4 SpA / 96 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn / Healing Wish
- Trick Room
- Earth Power

Celebi is one of the few pokemon that has access to Stealth Rock, Trick Room and a move to maintain momentum so I wanted to give it a try despite all the things in the current meta going against it. The crux of this set is obviously a 175 BP Tectonic Rage to lure Heatran (normal Earth Power doesn't one-shot without investment), which TR abusers like Mawile or Magearna appreciate. It also hits Mega Metagross for at least 77%, which is something since it's always annoying to face and it's useful against mons like Magearna, Mawile, Toxapex or Marowak as well.
The HP and SpDef investment of this spread allows Celebi to always live offensive Tran's Magma Storm after Rocks or
Magma Storm + the damage at the end of the turn from full in case you want to set up Trick Room. The 4 EVs in SpA ensure the OHKO on 88 HP Mega Mawile. The rest is put into defense because Celebi's main objective is still to pivot into attacks and set up Trick Room/ Stealth Rock for the rest of the team.


Magearna @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon / Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Trick Room

This set is pretty self-explanatory, it's yet an other lure to get rid of Lando-T and Chomp to prevent offensive varaints from pressuring the team early game or get rid of defensive varaints for the other TR abusers. The set is not exactly my idea, I think I've seen someone use it on ladder or in SPL, not quite sure. It's definetely really good on TR though, not only does it make setting Trick Room significantly easier for Magearna, two of the main TR abusers in Mawile and Marowak also appreciate opposing Ground types gone to have an easier time sweeping or punching holes.

Here are 2 replays to showcase the sets:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-548791257 --> could have killed Metagross with Celebi but overpredicted; Magearna putting in work tho
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-548856914 --> Magearna kills Lando Turn 1 and Celebi gets rid of Bisharp, which was slower for some reason
That's all the good ones I saved unfortunately, I'll try to add better ones in case I get some.

Trick Room is really good right now (I went like 40-3 when laddering up my alt) and fun to use as well, I would definetely recommend giving it a try :]
Those sets look fucking awesome bro those replays were lit, im boutta try that shit out thanks bro :]
 
They thought he was outdated. They thought he couldn't keep up. They were wrong.


Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 64 HP / 136 Atk / 176 SpA / 132 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam

Serving as an all-purpose gluemon, this set focuses on taking on special attackers and luring in common rockers. The SpD EVs guarentees you dodging a 2HKO from a majority of the tier's strongest attackers, including scarf Lele's Moonblast, LO Gengar's Shadow Ball+Focus Blast, and Zard-Y's Fire Blast+Focus Blast (on the switchin). HP investment is there for the odd occasion of a Jolly Chomp trying to OHKO with equake. The SpA investment allows you to secure a OHKO against defensive Landorus, and the combined Atk investment lets you KO Ferrothorn after a switchin on Stone Edge.

Unfortunately I'm on my phone atm, so I can't pull up any games to reference. However, T-Tar's biggest role is in supporting things that A) hate rocks, or B) have a poor answer to common special attackers. He also has the role of pursuit trapping, wearing down any soft checks and securing kills against dangerous special attackers (coughGengarcough).
 
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