Gen 5 Zebstrika (BW PU Mini) DONE

[SergioRules]

[OVERVIEW]

Zebstrika is one of the premier pivots of the metagame. With the highest Speed stat in the tier and access to Volt Switch, it finds itself nestled on just about any offensive team. Overheat also allows it to threaten the plethora of Grass-types that can usually switch in to resist its Electric-type attacks. However, Zebstrika does lack power, as it has a mediocre base 80 Special Attack and no way of boosting it outside of items, making it struggle to beat specially defensive Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy. Zebstrika is also fairly one-dimensional, lacking any sort of variability other than the user's choice of Hidden Power and item, meaning that any player should know what to expect from team preview.

[SET]
Zebstrika @ Life Orb / Expert Belt / Fire Gem
Name: Offensive Pivot
Ability: Lightning Rod / Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Ice

[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Zebstrika's primary STAB move, while Volt Switch allows it to quickly pivot out. Overheat, as mentioned above, hits Grass-types like Maractus and Shiftry. Hidden Power Ice allows Zebstrika to hit Ground-types, namely Gabite, Torterra, and Stunfisk. Magnet can be used over Life Orb to help Zebstrika's longevity, but the power loss on Hidden Power Ice is especially notable. Expert Belt is a middle-ground option to keep power on Hidden Power Ice, but it lacks the stronger power on neutral Thunderbolt. Fire Gem gives Zebstrika a one-time boost to Overheat, allowing it to break through would-be checks like Vileplume and Torterra more easily. Lightning Rod is Zebstrika's preferred ability, since it allows it to switch into and check other Electric-types while boosting its Special Attack, though Sap Sipper can be used instead to better check Jumpluff and Simisage and potentially swap into them in a pinch.

Zebstrika's Speed is its main draw to be used on offensive teams, so slower and hard-hitting wall-breakers, like Choice Band Torterra, Beheeyem, and even some faster ones like Choice Specs Shiftry, can help greatly weaken teams to the point of Zebstrika being able to clean. Grass- and Water-types, such as the aforementioned Torterra, Maractus, and Swanna, can help handle Ground-types while also appreciating Zebstrika's ability to weaken other Grass- and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt, respectively. Many Choice Scarf Pokemon can still outspeed Zebstrika despite its high Speed, the most common being Golduck, Gabite, and Dodrio. Pokemon that can switch into and check these threats, such as Vileplume, Torterra, and Klang, greatly help Zebstrika. Pokemon with U-turn, like Choice Scarf Monferno, Swoobat, and Purugly, also help form nice momentum cores with Zebstrika.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy can easily switch into Zebstrika's attacks and heal the damage off. Even other walls, like specially defensive Vileplume, can take several Overheats with little issue due to the Special Attack drop.

**Choice Scarf Pokemon and Priority Moves**: No Pokemon in the metagame outspeed Zebstrika naturally, but with its poor bulk, any Pokemon that outspeed it with a Choice Scarf can threaten it, such as Golduck, Mr. Mime, and Gabite. It is also threatened by priority moves from the likes of Shiftry, Purugly, and Monferno.

**Ground-types**: Any Ground-type prevents Zebstrika from spamming its Volt Switch easily, and Zebstrika is threatened back by their STAB moves. Torterra can sometimes live a Hidden Power Ice depending on its Special Defense investment and whether or not it has a Yache Berry. Stunfisk also can take a Hidden Power Ice pretty easily and threaten to KO Zebstrika in return.

**Passive Damage**: Due to Zebstrika's high Speed and Volt Switch, the main way for most teams to beat it is by whittling it down through passive damage. Stealth Rock and Spikes are both key in this, limiting Zebstrika's opportunities to switch in as much as possible. Status conditions also limit Zebstrika's longevity, so it has to be wary of switching into Pokemon like Klang, Mawile, and Frillish in case it gets hit by Toxic or burned by Scald or Will-O-Wisp.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sergiorules.265399/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/akir.231726/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bella.567483/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/

 

[Akir]

[OVERVIEW]

Zebstrika is one of the premier pivots of the metagame. With the highest speed stat in the tier of 116 and access to Volt Switch, it finds itself nestled on just about any offensive team. Zebstrika's access to Overheat also allows it to threaten the plethora of Grass-types that can usually switch in to resist its Electric-type attacks. However, Zebstrika does lack power, with only a mediocre base 80 Special Attack and no way of boosting it outside of items, it can struggle to beat specially defensive Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy. Zebstrika is also fairly one-dimensional, lacking any sort of variability other than the user's choice of Hidden Power and item, meaning that any player should know what to expect from team preview.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Overheat
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Life Orb / Magnet
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Zebstrika's primary STAB move, while Volt Switch allows it to quickly pivot out. Overheat, as mentioned above, hits Grass-types like Maractus and Shiftry. Hidden Power Ice allows Zebstrika to hit Ground-types, namely Gabite, Torterra, and Stunfisk. Magnet can be used over Life Orb to help Zebstrika's longevity, but the power loss on Hidden Power Ice is especially notable. Lightning Rod is the preferred ability(why? the reader might not know), though Sap Sipper can be used to better check Jumpluff and Simisage.

Zebstrika's Speed is its main draw to be used on offensive teams, so slower hard-hitting wall-breakers like Choice Band Torterra, Beheeyem, and even some faster ones like Choice Specs Simipour Shiftry can help greatly weaken teams to the point of Zebstrika being able to clean. Grass- and Water-types such as the aforementioned Torterra, Maractus, Mantine, and Swanna can help handle Ground-types, while also appreciating Zebstrika's ability to weaken other Grass- and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt respectively. Many Choice Scarf Pokemon can still outspeed Zebstrika despite its high Speed, the most common being Simipour, Gabite, and Dodrio. Pokemon who can switch into and check these threats such as Vileplume, Torterra, and Mawile Klang greatly help Zebstrika. Pokemon with U-turn like Choice Scarf Monferno, Swoobat, and Purugly also help form nice momentum cores with Zebstrika.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy can easily switch into Zebstrika's attacks and heal the damage off. Even Klang and other walls like specially defensive Vileplume can take several Overheats with little issue due to the Special Attack drop. (klang is actually walled by lrod zeb outside of toxic, fun fact)

**Faster Pokemon**: No Pokemon in the metagame outspeeds Zebstrika naturally but with Zebstrika's poor bulk, any Pokemon that outspeeds it with a Choice Scarf can threaten it such as Simipour, Mr. Mime, and Gabite. It is also threatened by priority moves from the likes of Shiftry, Purugly, and Monferno.

**Ground-types**: Any Ground-type means that Zebstrika can't spam its Volt Switch as easily and threaten back with their STAB. Torterra can sometimes live a Hidden Power Ice depending on its Special Defense investment and whether or not it has a Yache Berry. Stunfisk also can take a Hidden Power pretty easily and threaten to KO Zebstrika.

i would also add 1 more spot for Entry Hazards. normally this would be implied, but when playing against zeb the hazard game becomes key. a lot of bulkier teams are forced to rely on them to whittle zeb down and offense uses them to get zeb within priority range. On top of that, a Zeb with a Magnet and no hazards on its side is effectively invincible unless the zeb itself fucks up thanks to nothing outspeeding it and volt switch being largely free

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SergioRules, 265399]]
- Quality checked by: [[name, id], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]]

like we were saying in pm, zeb is super plain so most of my changes were just changing examples around. just add that part about the entry hazards and i will be largely happy so qc 1/2

 

[SergioRules]

like we were saying in pm, zeb is super plain so most of my changes were just changing examples around. just add that part about the entry hazards and i will be largely happy so qc 1/2

implemented, discussed in pms about making entry hazard point about passive damage in general

 

[SergioRules]

cut out mentions of simipour, replaced with golduck

 

[Bella]

hahahahaahahahaahahaha why am i doing this
Check 2 SergioRules

Marty from the hit Movie series "Madagascar"

[OVERVIEW]

Zebstrika is one of the premier pivots of the metagame. With the highest speed stat in the tier of 116 and access to Volt Switch, it finds itself nestled on just about any offensive team. Zebstrika's access to Overheat also allows it to threaten the plethora of Grass-types (such as?) that can usually switch in to resist its Electric-type attacks. However, Zebstrika does lack power, with only a mediocre base 80 Special Attack and no way of boosting it outside of items, it can struggle to beat specially defensive Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy. Zebstrika is also fairly one-dimensional, lacking any sort of variability other than the user's choice of Hidden Power and item, meaning that any player should know what to expect from team preview.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Overheat
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Life Orb / Magnet / Expert Belt (I found Belt rly good on Zeb, although ill let you decide for yourself. Lets you get more damage off on stuff liek Tort / Stunfisk / Klang / whatever)
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Zebstrika's primary STAB move, while Volt Switch allows it to quickly pivot out. Overheat, as mentioned above, hits Grass-types like Maractus and Shiftry. Hidden Power Ice allows Zebstrika to hit Ground-types, namely Gabite, Torterra, and Stunfisk. Magnet can be used over Life Orb to help Zebstrika's longevity, but the power loss on Hidden Power Ice is especially notable. (Would mention Expert Belt here; lets you not lose the power loss on HP Ice but loses the immediate offensive power LO / Magnet gives) Lightning Rod is the preferred ability to allow Zebstrika to switch into and check other Electric-types while boosting its Special Attack, though Sap Sipper can be used to better check Jumpluff and Simisage. (Lets you swap in on them in a pinch too)

Zebstrika's Speed is its main draw to be used on offensive teams, so slower hard-hitting wall-breakers like Choice Band Torterra, Beheeyem, and even some faster ones like Choice Specs Shiftry can help greatly weaken teams to the point of Zebstrika being able to clean. Grass- and Water-types such as the aforementioned Torterra, Maractus, and Swanna can help handle Ground-types, while also appreciating Zebstrika's ability to weaken other Grass- and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt respectively. Many Choice Scarf Pokemon can still outspeed Zebstrika despite its high Speed, the most common being Golduck, Gabite, and Dodrio. Pokemon who can switch into and check these threats such as Vileplume, Torterra, and Klang greatly help Zebstrika. Pokemon with U-turn like Choice Scarf Monferno, Swoobat, and Purugly also help form nice momentum cores with Zebstrika. (Probably would mention stuff that helps take out stuff too fat for Zeb to take out on its on like Klang or Vileplume or Audino.)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy can easily switch into Zebstrika's attacks and heal the damage off. Even other walls like specially defensive Vileplume can take several Overheats with little issue due to the Special Attack drop.

**Faster Choice Scarf Pokemon and priotity moves**: No Pokemon in the metagame outspeeds Zebstrika naturally but with Zebstrika's poor bulk, any Pokemon that outspeeds it with a Choice Scarf can threaten it such as Golduck, Mr. Mime, and Gabite. It is also threatened by priority moves from the likes of Shiftry, Purugly, and Monferno.

**Ground-types**: Any Ground-type means that Zebstrika can't spam its Volt Switch as easily and threaten back with their STAB. Torterra can sometimes live a Hidden Power Ice depending on its Special Defense investment and whether or not it has a Yache Berry. Stunfisk also can take a Hidden Power pretty easily and threaten to KO Zebstrika.

**Passive Damage**: Due to Zebstrika's high Speed and Volt Switch, a main way for most teams to beat it is by whittling it down through passive damage. Stealth Rock and Spikes are both key in this, limiting Zebstrika's switch-in opportunities as much as possible. Status conditions also limit Zebstrika's longevity, so it has to be wary of switching into Pokemon like Klang, Mawile, and Frillish in case it gets hit by Toxic or burned by Scald or Will-O-Wisp.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SergioRules, 265399]]
- Quality checked by: [[Akir, 231726], [Bella, 567483]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]]

Good job, 2/2!

 

[roxie]

Lightning Rod is the preferred ability to allow Zebstrika to switch into and check other Electric-types while boosting its Special Attack, though Sap Sipper can be used to better check Jumpluff and Simisage.
- this is already at 2/2 but I would either slash Sap Sipper on the set or completely move this sentence to OO (this that isn’t in the format here then I’d just add it as a slash but jumpluff simi are a little less common than electrics but ykyk kinda awkward swapping this horse into certain things anyways)

 

[SergioRules]

updated all this, changed Magnet in the items option to Fire Gem and added a sentence about it, it's seen a lot of use lately and I think is more viable than Magnet at this point

 

[SergioRules]

GP Team

 

[Techno]

here's an amcheck, wanted to wait 3 years to keep up the tradition but oh well
Add Remove Comments (ac - add comma, rc - remove comma)

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Zebstrika is one of the premier pivots of the metagame. With the highest speed Speed stat in the tier of 116 and access to Volt Switch, it finds itself nestled on just about any offensive team. Zebstrika's access to Overheat also allows it to threaten the a plethora of Grass-types that can usually switch in to resist its Electric-type attacks. However, Zebstrika does lack power, as it has with only a mediocre base 80 Special Attack and no way of boosting it outside of items, making it can struggle struggle to beat specially defensive Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy. Zebstrika is also fairly one-dimensional, lacking any sort of variability other than the user's choice of Hidden Power and item, meaning that any player should know what to expect from team preview.

[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Overheat
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Life Orb / Expert Belt / Fire Gem
ability: Lightning Rod / Sap Sipper
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Zebstrika's primary STAB move, while Volt Switch allows it to quickly pivot out. Overheat, as mentioned above, hits Grass-types like Maractus and Shiftry. Hidden Power Ice allows Zebstrika to hit Ground-types, namely Gabite, Torterra, and Stunfisk. Magnet can be used over Life Orb to help Zebstrika's longevity, but the power loss on Hidden Power Ice is especially notable. Expert Belt is a middle-ground option to keep power on Hidden Power, (ac) but it lacks the stronger power on neutral Thunderbolts Thunderbolt. Fire Gem gives Zebstrika a one-time boost to its Overheat, allowing it to break through would-be checks, (ac) like Vileplume and Torterra, (ac) more easily. Lightning Rod is the Zebstrika's preferred ability, (ac) to allow Zebstrika since it allows it to switch into and check other Electric-types while boosting its Special Attack, though Sap Sipper can be used instead to better check Jumpluff and Simisage and potentially swap into them in a pinch.

Zebstrika's Speed is its main draw to be used on offensive teams, so slower and hard-hitting wall-breakers, (ac) like Choice Band Torterra, Beheeyem, and even some faster ones like Choice Specs Shiftry, (ac) can help greatly weaken teams to the point of Zebstrika being able to clean. Grass- and Water-types, (ac) such as the aforementioned Torterra, Maractus, (ac) and Swanna, (ac) can help handle Ground-types (rc) while also appreciating Zebstrika's ability to weaken other Grass- and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt, (ac) respectively. Many Choice Scarf Pokemon can still outspeed Zebstrika despite its high Speed, the most common being Golduck, Gabite, and Dodrio. Pokemon who that can switch into and check these threats, (ac) such as Vileplume, Torterra, and Klang, (ac) greatly help Zebstrika. Pokemon with U-turn, (ac) like Choice Scarf Monferno, Swoobat, and Purugly, (ac) also help form nice momentum cores with Zebstrika.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy can easily switch into Zebstrika's attacks and heal the damage off. Even other walls, (ac) like specially defensive Vileplume, (ac) can take several Overheats Overheat attacks with little issue due to the Special Attack drop.

**Choice Scarf Pokemon and priority moves**: No Pokemon in the metagame outspeeds outspeed Zebstrika naturally, (ac) but with Zebstrika's its poor bulk, any Pokemon that outspeeds outspeed it with a Choice Scarf can threaten it, (ac) such as Golduck, Mr. Mime, and Gabite. It is also threatened by priority moves from the likes of Shiftry, Purugly, and Monferno.

**Ground-types**: Any Ground-type means that Zebstrika can't spam its Volt Switch as easily and threaten is threatened back with by their STAB moves. Torterra can sometimes live a Hidden Power Ice depending on its Special Defense investment and whether or not it has a Yache Berry. Stunfisk also can take a Hidden Power pretty easily and threaten to KO Zebstrika in return.

**Passive Damage**: Due to Zebstrika's high Speed and Volt Switch, a main way for most teams to beat it is by whittling it down through passive damage. Stealth Rock and Spikes are both key in this, limiting Zebstrika's switch-in opportunities to switch in as much as possible. Status conditions also limit Zebstrika's longevity, so it has to be wary of switching into Pokemon like Klang, Mawile, and Frillish in case it gets hit by Toxic or burned by Scald or Will-O-Wisp.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SergioRules, 265399]]
- Quality checked by: [[Akir, 231726], [name, id]]
- Grammar checked by: [[name, id]]

 

[ken]

1/1 GP Team done
same color meanings as amcheck; i'm darker blue/purple and lighter red though
dmed techno feedback :)

here's an amcheck, wanted to wait 3 years to keep up the tradition but oh well
Add Remove Comments (ac - add comma, rc - remove comma)

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Zebstrika is one of the premier pivots of the metagame. With the highest speed Speed stat in the tier of 116 and access to Volt Switch, it finds itself nestled on just about any offensive team. Zebstrika's access to Overheat also allows it to threaten the plethora of Grass-types that can usually switch in to resist its Electric-type attacks. However, Zebstrika does lack power, as it has with only a mediocre base 80 Special Attack and no way of boosting it outside of items, making it can struggle struggle to beat specially defensive Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy. Zebstrika is also fairly one-dimensional, lacking any sort of variability other than the user's choice of Hidden Power and item, meaning that any player should know what to expect from team preview.

[SET] updated this for the current standards
Zebstrika @ Life Orb / Expert Belt / Fire Gem
Name: Offensive Pivot
Ability: Lightning Rod / Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Ice

[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Zebstrika's primary STAB move, while Volt Switch allows it to quickly pivot out. Overheat, as mentioned above, hits Grass-types like Maractus and Shiftry. Hidden Power Ice allows Zebstrika to hit Ground-types, namely Gabite, Torterra, and Stunfisk. Magnet can be used over Life Orb to help Zebstrika's longevity, but the power loss on Hidden Power Ice is especially notable. Expert Belt is a middle-ground option to keep power on Hidden Power Ice, (ac) but it lacks the stronger power on neutral Thunderbolts Thunderbolt. Fire Gem gives Zebstrika a one-time boost to its Overheat, allowing it to break through would-be checks like Vileplume and Torterra more easily. Lightning Rod is the Zebstrika's preferred ability, (ac) to allow Zebstrika since it allows it to switch into and check other Electric-types while boosting its Special Attack, though Sap Sipper can be used instead to better check Jumpluff and Simisage and potentially swap into them in a pinch.

Zebstrika's Speed is its main draw to be used on offensive teams, so slower and hard-hitting wall-breakers, (ac) like Choice Band Torterra, Beheeyem, and even some faster ones like Choice Specs Shiftry, (ac) can help greatly weaken teams to the point of Zebstrika being able to clean. Grass- and Water-types, (ac) such as the aforementioned Torterra, Maractus, (ac) and Swanna, (ac) can help handle Ground-types (rc) while also appreciating Zebstrika's ability to weaken other Grass- and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt, (ac) respectively. Many Choice Scarf Pokemon can still outspeed Zebstrika despite its high Speed, the most common being Golduck, Gabite, and Dodrio. Pokemon who that can switch into and check these threats, (ac) such as Vileplume, Torterra, and Klang, (ac) greatly help Zebstrika. Pokemon with U-turn, (ac) like Choice Scarf Monferno, Swoobat, and Purugly, (ac) also help form nice momentum cores with Zebstrika.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Audino and Scraggy can easily switch into Zebstrika's attacks and heal the damage off. Even other walls, (ac) like specially defensive Vileplume, (ac) can take several Overheats with little issue due to the Special Attack drop.

**Choice Scarf Pokemon and Priority Moves**: No Pokemon in the metagame outspeeds outspeed Zebstrika naturally, (ac) but with Zebstrika's its poor bulk, any Pokemon that outspeeds outspeed it with a Choice Scarf can threaten it, (ac) such as Golduck, Mr. Mime, and Gabite. It is also threatened by priority moves from the likes of Shiftry, Purugly, and Monferno.

**Ground-types**: Any Ground-type means that Zebstrika can't spam its prevents Zebstrika from spamming Volt Switch as easily, (ac) and threaten Zebstrika is threatened back with by their STAB moves. Torterra can sometimes live a Hidden Power Ice depending on its Special Defense investment and whether or not it has a Yache Berry. Stunfisk also can take a Hidden Power Ice pretty easily and threaten to KO Zebstrika in return.

**Passive Damage**: Due to Zebstrika's high Speed and Volt Switch, a the main way for most teams to beat it is by whittling it down through passive damage. Stealth Rock and Spikes are both key in this, limiting Zebstrika's switch-in opportunities to switch in as much as possible. Status conditions also limit Zebstrika's longevity, so it has to be wary of switching into Pokemon like Klang, Mawile, and Frillish in case it gets hit by Toxic or burned by Scald or Will-O-Wisp.

[CREDITS] updated the style here
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sergiorules.265399/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/akir.231726/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bella.567483/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/

 

[SergioRules]

part of me wanted to wait until September 1st to update this just for the memes, but she is finally done 2 and a half years later