AAA Tough Claws Zarude [Done]

[UT]

[SET]
name: Tough Claws
move 1: Darkest Lariat
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Close Combat
item: Choice Band
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude is a fast and powerful wallbreaker that puts tremendous pressure on the opposing team. Darkest Lariat is its most consistent attack and 2HKOes most of the metagame, as bulky Dark-resistant foes are few and far between; it has the added benefit of bypassing Dauntless Shield. Power Whip is Zarude's strongest attack, securing the OHKO against offensive Garchomp and 2HKO against Toxapex, and provides important coverage against Tapu Fini. U-turn generates momentum against Zarude's few reliable checks such as Kommo-o and Mandibuzz; Mandibuzz, in particular, will be unable to use Roost and is susceptible to being worn down by repeated pivots. Close Combat secures the OHKO against Heatran and has a high chance to OHKO common Ferrothorn variants. Jolly is the preferred nature to reliably force out other fast offensive threats like Zapdos, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele, but Adamant still outspeeds fully invested base 90 Speed Pokemon, and it gets more favorable 2HKO odds against Ferrothorn and Skarmory.

Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude functions best on pivot-heavy balance and offense teams, which can provide it with multiple switch-in opportunities. It pairs especially well with specially-oriented pivots like Azelf and Tapu Koko, as they can each pivot on their checks and put the other in an advantageous position. Defensive pivots like Corviknight and Blissey can switch in when Zarude gets forced out, and they safely bring it in against slower wallbreakers like Zapdos and Garchomp. Zarude struggles against bulky Dark-resistant foes like Kommo-o and Mandibuzz, making Fairy-type wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko excellent partners. Physically defensive Steel-types like Intimidate Corviknight and Regenerator Ferrothorn hold up decently well against Zarude, so it pairs well with Zygarde-10% and Zapdos, which blow through them. Zarude greatly appreciates entry hazard and Knock Off support to weaken its checks and take advantage of the high number of switches it forces. Because Zarude is heavily threatened by U-turn, it risks getting forced out and pivoted on by faster threats such as Azelf, Talonflame, and Tapu Koko; reliable answers to these threats that do not need a turn to recover, like Regenerator Blissey and Heatran, are strongly recommended. As Zarude lacks any form of recovery, it appreciates reliable entry hazard removal to keep it healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf + Tough Claws is usable to surprise fast wallbreakers such as Tapu Koko and Barraskewda, but Grassy Surge sets are more consistent. Choice Band + Tinted Lens is another option in conjunction with a Grassy Terrain setter such as Tapu Fini, letting Zarude easily pass through Grass-resistant foes such as Zapdos, Latios, and Cinderace with either Power Whip or Grassy Glide. Choice Scarf + Regenerator is an option to provide longevity and make the most of Zarude's unique typing defensively, but it lacks the power of Choice Band sets.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Dark-resistant Foes**: Kommo-o and Mandibuzz can reliably switch into any of Zarude's moves, even from Tough Claws variants, and force it out. Repeated pivoting can wear them down, however.

**Physically Defensive Steel-types**: Corviknight, especially with Intimidate, takes minimal damage from Zarude. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn require significant chip damage for Zarude to break through them without Close Combat.

**Flying-types**: Resisting Grassy Glide, common Flying-types like Zapdos, Togekiss, and Mandibuzz can either outspeed and force out Zarude or completely wall it.

**Faster Pokemon**: Zarude often finds itself unable to threaten common fast pivots with Grassy Glide, such as Choice Scarf Jirachi and Talonflame. Both carry super effective moves to hit Zarude in return. Additionally, Zarude is forced out by U-turn users given its glaring 4x Bug weakness, especially Azelf, which replaces its Grassy Terrain with Psychic Terrain: this weakness often gives free momentum to offensive pivots, as they can freely use U-turn without taking Grassy Glide.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[avyrie, 476520], [UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [beauts, 484270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]

 

[UT]

Ready for QC! Remember, the OO and CC sections are for both this and Grassy Surge.

 

[Isaiah]

A R C

[SET]
name: Tough Claws
move 1: Darkest Lariat
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Close Combat
item: Choice Band
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude is a fast and powerful wallbreaker that puts tremendous pressure on the opposing team. Darkest Lariat is its consistent attack and 2HKOes the majority of the metagame, as bulky Dark-resistant foes are few and far between; it has the added benefit of bypassing Dauntless Shield. Power Whip is Zarude's strongest attack, securing the OHKO against offensive Garchomp and 2HKO against Toxapex, and provides important coverage against Tapu Fini. U-turn generates momentum even against its few reliable checks such as Kommo-o and Mandibuzz; Mandibuzz, in particular, will be unable to Roost and is susceptible to being worn down by repeated pivots. Close Combat secures the OHKO against Heatran and has a high chance to OHKO common Ferrothorn variants. Jolly is the preferred nature to reliably force out other fast offensive threats like Zapdos, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele, but Adamant still outspeeds fully invested base 90 Speed Pokemon and gets more favorable rolls against Ferrothorn.

Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude functions best on pivot-heavy balance and offense teams that can provide it with multiple switch in opportunities. If It pairs especially well with specially-oriented pivots like Azelf and Tapu Koko, as they can pivot on their checks and put the other in an advantageous position. It also functions well with defensive pivots like Corviknight and Blissey, as they can switch in when Zarude gets forced out, and safely bring it in against slower wallbreakers like Zapdos and Garchomp. Zarude struggles against bulky Dark-resistant foes like Kommo-o and Mandibuzz, making Fairy-type wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko excellent partners. since Zarude gets roasted by physdef steel-types too, maybe some stuff that beats those? @ zyg10 is pretty good offensively into those and zapdos (both K and G) is a huge threat to them Zarude greatly appreciates entry hazard and Knock Off support to weaken its checks and take advantage of the high number of switches it forces. Because Zarude is heavily threatened by U-turn, it risks getting forced out and pivoted on by faster threats such as Azelf, Talonflame, and Tapu Koko; reliable answers to these threats that do not need a turn to recover like Regenerator Blissey and Heatran are strongly recommended. (Something something w/o gsurge it's a lot more susceptible to being chipped down by hazards, so good hazard control is actually great)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf Tough Claws is usable to surprise fast wallbreakers such as Tapu Koko and Barraskewda while doing great damage, but Grassy Glide is usually preferred. Choice Band Tinted Lens is another option in conjunction with a Grassy Terrain setter such as Tapu Fini in order to easily pass through Grass-resists such as Zapdos, Latios, and Cinderace, with either Power Whip or Grassy Glide.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Dark-resistant foes**: Kommo-o and Mandibuzz are able to reliably switch into any of Zarude's moves, even from Tough Claws variants, and force it out. They can be worn down by repeated pivoting, however.

**Physically Defensive Steel-types**: Corviknight, especially Intimidate variants, takes minimal damage from Zarude. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn require significant chip damage for to break through them without Close Combat.

**Flying-types**: Resisting Grassy Glide, common Flying-types like Zapdos, Togekiss, and Mandibuzz can either outspeed and force out Zarude or completely wall it.

**Faster Pokemon**: Zarude often finds itself unable to threaten common fast pivots with Grassy Glide, such as Choice Scarf Jirachi and Talonflame. Both carry super effective moves to hit Zarude in return. Additionally, Zarude is forced out by U-turn users given its glaring 4x Bug weakness, especially Azelf, which replaces its Grassy Terrain with Psychic Terrain: this often gives free momentum to offensive pivots, as they can freely use U-turn without taking Grassy Glide.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[avyrie, 476520], [UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [UT, 523866]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]

1/2

 

[UT]

A R C

1/2

Implemented, thanks friend! Ready for QC 2!

 

[hayedenn]

add remove conjecture other

[SET]
name: Tough Claws
move 1: Darkest Lariat
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Close Combat
item: Choice Band
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude is a fast and powerful wallbreaker that puts tremendous pressure on the opposing team. Darkest Lariat is its most consistent attack and 2HKOes the majority most of the metagame, as bulky Dark-resistant foes are few and far between; it has the added benefit of bypassing Dauntless Shield. Power Whip is Zarude's strongest attack, securing the OHKO against offensive Garchomp and 2HKO against Toxapex, and provides important coverage against Tapu Fini. U-turn generates momentum even against its few reliable checks such as Kommo-o and Mandibuzz; Mandibuzz, in particular, will be unable to Roost and is susceptible to being worn down by repeated pivots. Close Combat secures the OHKO against Heatran and has a high chance to OHKO common Ferrothorn variants. Jolly is the preferred nature to reliably force out other fast offensive threats like Zapdos, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele, but Adamant still outspeeds fully invested base 90 Speed Pokemon and gets more favorable rolls against Ferrothorn and Skarmory.

Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude functions best on pivot-heavy balance and offense teams that can provide it with multiple switch in opportunities. It pairs especially well with specially-oriented pivots like Azelf and Tapu Koko, as they can each pivot on their checks and put the other in an advantageous position. It also functions well with defensive pivots like Corviknight and Blissey, as they can switch in when Zarude gets forced out, and safely bring it in against slower wallbreakers like Zapdos and Garchomp. Zarude struggles against bulky Dark-resistant foes like Kommo-o and Mandibuzz, making Fairy-type wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko excellent partners. Physically defensive Steel-types like Intimidate Corviknight and Regenerator Ferrothorn hold up decently well against Zarude, so it pairs well with Zygarde-10% and Zapdos, who blow through them. Zarude greatly appreciates entry hazard and Knock Off support to weaken its checks and take advantage of the high number of switches it forces. Because Zarude is heavily threatened by U-turn, it risks getting forced out and pivoted on by faster threats such as Azelf, Talonflame, and Tapu Koko; reliable answers to these threats that do not need a turn to recover like Regenerator Blissey and Heatran are strongly recommended. As Zarude lacks any form of recovery, it appreciates reliable entry hazard removal to keep it healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf + Tough Claws is usable to surprise fast wallbreakers such as Tapu Koko and Barraskewda, but Grassy Surge Grassy Glide is usually preferred sets are more consistent. Choice Band + Tinted Lens is another option in conjunction with a Grassy Terrain setter such as Tapu Fini in order to easily pass through Grass-resistant foes such as Zapdos, Latios, and Cinderace with either Power Whip or Grassy Glide. Choice Scarf + Regenerator is an option to provide longevity and make the most of Zarude's unique typing, but it lacks the power of Choice Band sets.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Dark-resistant foes**: Kommo-o and Mandibuzz are able to reliably switch into any of Zarude's moves, even from Tough Claws variants, and force it out. They can be worn down by repeated pivoting, however.

**Physically Defensive Steel-types**: Corviknight, especially Intimidate variants, takes minimal damage from Zarude. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn require significant chip damage for to break through them without Close Combat.

**Flying-types**: Resisting Grassy Glide, common Flying-types like Zapdos, Togekiss, and Mandibuzz can either outspeed and force out Zarude or completely wall it.

**Faster Pokemon**: Zarude often finds itself unable to threaten common fast pivots with Grassy Glide, such as Choice Scarf Jirachi and Talonflame. Both carry super effective moves to hit Zarude in return. Additionally, Zarude is forced out by U-turn users given its glaring 4x Bug weakness, especially Azelf, which replaces its Grassy Terrain with Psychic Terrain: this often gives free momentum to offensive pivots, as they can freely use U-turn without taking Grassy Glide.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[avyrie, 476520], [UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [beauts, 484270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]

qc 2/2

 

[UT]

add remove conjecture other


qc 2/2

Implemented and ready for the GP Team!

 

[Adeleine]

Add/Fix Remove Comment
(AC): Add Comma

welcome zarude my old friend

[SET]
name: Tough Claws
move 1: Darkest Lariat
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Close Combat
item: Choice Band
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude is a fast and powerful wallbreaker that puts tremendous pressure on the opposing team. Darkest Lariat is its most consistent attack and 2HKOes most of the metagame, as bulky Dark-resistant foes are few and far between; it has the added benefit of bypassing Dauntless Shield. Power Whip is Zarude's strongest attack, securing the OHKO against offensive Garchomp and 2HKO against Toxapex, and provides important coverage against Tapu Fini. U-turn generates momentum against its Zarude's few reliable checks such as Kommo-o and Mandibuzz; Mandibuzz, in particular, will be unable to use Roost and is susceptible to being worn down by repeated pivots. Close Combat secures the OHKO against Heatran and has a high chance to OHKO common Ferrothorn variants. Jolly is the preferred nature to reliably force out other fast offensive threats like Zapdos, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele, but Adamant still outspeeds fully invested base 90 Speed Pokemon, (AC) and it gets more favorable (damage rolls? KO odds?) rolls against Ferrothorn and Skarmory.

Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude functions best on pivot-heavy balance and offense teams that teams, which can provide it with multiple switch-in (added hyphen) opportunities. It pairs especially well with specially-oriented pivots like Azelf and Tapu Koko, as they can each pivot on their checks and put the other in an advantageous position. It also functions well with defensive pivots like Corviknight and Blissey, as they Defensive pivots like Corviknight and Blissey can switch in when Zarude gets forced out, and they safely bring it in against slower wallbreakers like Zapdos and Garchomp. Zarude struggles against bulky Dark-resistant foes like Kommo-o and Mandibuzz, making Fairy-type wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko excellent partners. Physically defensive Steel-types like Intimidate Corviknight and Regenerator Ferrothorn hold up decently well against Zarude, so it pairs well with Zygarde-10% and Zapdos, who which blow through them. Zarude greatly appreciates entry hazard and Knock Off support to weaken its checks and take advantage of the high number of switches it forces. Because Zarude is heavily threatened by U-turn, it risks getting forced out and pivoted on by faster threats such as Azelf, Talonflame, and Tapu Koko; reliable answers to these threats that do not need a turn to recover, (AC) like Regenerator Blissey and Heatran, (AC) are strongly recommended. As Zarude lacks any form of recovery, it appreciates reliable entry hazard removal to keep it healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf + Tough Claws is usable to surprise fast wallbreakers such as Tapu Koko and Barraskewda, but Grassy Surge sets are more consistent. Choice Band + Tinted Lens is another option in conjunction with a Grassy Terrain setter such as Tapu Fini in order to Fini, letting Zarude easily pass through Grass-resistant foes such as Zapdos, Latios, and Cinderace with either Power Whip or Grassy Glide. Choice Scarf + Regenerator is an option to provide longevity and make the most of Zarude's unique typing defensively, (i didn't quite get what you meant; possibly a place to clarify, esp if "defensive" isnt what you meant) but it lacks the power of Choice Band sets.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Dark-resistant foes**: Foes**: Kommo-o and Mandibuzz are able to can reliably switch into any of Zarude's moves, even from Tough Claws variants, and force it out. They can be worn down by repeated pivoting, Repeated pivoting can wear them down, however.

**Physically Defensive Steel-types**: Corviknight, especially Intimidate variants, with Intimidate, (probably optional but i think avoiding plural-into-singular is more pleasing) takes minimal damage from Zarude. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn require significant chip damage for Zarude to break through them without Close Combat.

**Flying-types**: Resisting Grassy Glide, (i assume there's a grassy glide set on-site already? if yes, no change needed) common Flying-types like Zapdos, Togekiss, and Mandibuzz can either outspeed and force out Zarude or completely wall it.

**Faster Pokemon**: Zarude often finds itself unable to threaten common fast pivots with Grassy Glide, such as Choice Scarf Jirachi and Talonflame. Both carry super effective moves to hit Zarude in return. Additionally, Zarude is forced out by U-turn users given its glaring 4x Bug weakness, especially Azelf, which replaces its Grassy Terrain with Psychic Terrain: this weakness often gives free momentum to offensive pivots, as they can freely use U-turn without taking Grassy Glide.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[avyrie, 476520], [UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [beauts, 484270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]

GP Team done

 

[UT]

Uploaded!

https://www.smogon.com/dex/ss/pokemon/zarude/almost-any-ability/