Solaros & Lunaris
Hold that faith that is made of steel
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Plasma Fists
move 2: Knock Off / Close Combat
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Zeraora's lightning fast Speed, in conjunction with its Volt Switch and Electric immunity, gives it a solid niche as an offensive pivot. Knock Off allows Zeraora to cripple many of its switch-ins, as Ferrothorn, Gastrodon, and Landorus-T despise losing their items. It's also Zeraora's only way of getting past Gliscor, although Gliscor must not have activated Toxic Orb for it to do so. Alternatively, Close Combat smashes Excadrill, Ferrothorn, and Blissey and lets Zeraora revenge kill dangerous offensive Pokemon like Mega Lopunny and Kartana. Volt Switch allows Zeraora to keep momentum against Pokemon it cannot break through, such as Tangrowth, Clefable, and Ferrothorn. Toxic cripples Ground-types that can otherwise prevent Zeraora from pivoting with Volt Switch, as well as ruining Mega Latias's and Tangrowth's longevity.
Zeraora is completely unable to bypass Ground-types, as the best it can do is wear them down with Toxic. As such, partners like Kyurem, Weavile, and Ash-Greninja are fantastic teammates to remedy this issue. The former two can also handle Grass-types that Zeraora can't deal with. Ash-Greninja appreciates Zeraora's Knock Off support, as its Spikes become even more effective when Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Blissey lack Leftovers or Heavy-Duty Boots. Zeraora's mediocre bulk prevents it from coming onto the field easily, so pivots like Slowbro, Slowking, Corviknight, and Blissey make good partners. Corviknight deals with Ground-types well, while Ice Beam Slowbro can lure in Ground-types and surprise them. Wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y, Swords Dance Kartana, and Tapu Lele wallbreak for Zeraora in the early- and mid-game, giving it an easier time cleaning late-game. They also appreciate Zeraora's ability to bring them in with Volt Switch. Zeraora can form VoltTurn cores with partners like Landorus-T and Mega Scizor, allowing them to maintain momentum while pressuring the opposing team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Blaze Kick is an option to smack Mega Scizor while also hitting Ferrothorn for more damage than Close Combat. However, it has minimal use against Pokemon like Blissey, Hydreigon, and Kyurem, making the options mentioned above superior.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zeraora cannot touch Ground-types aside from poisoning them. They also completely block Volt Switch and OHKO it with Earthquake. Gliscor in particular is an incredible thorn in Zeraora's side, as poison will not even affect it negatively. However, Garchomp and Landorus-T have severely reduced longevity when poisoned, and Excadrill doesn't like to take Close Combat.
**Grass-types**: Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Amoonguss completely wall Zeraora, and the latter two are also not affected by Toxic. However, they cannot block Volt Switch, are annoyed by Knock Off, and Close Combat smashes through Ferrothorn.
**Dragon-types**: Garchomp, Hydreigon, and Mega Latias are great threats to Zeraora. All three don't mind Knock Off, and Refresh Mega Latias can even shrug off Toxic.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Solaros & Lunaris, 471780]]
- Quality checked by: [[Zneon, 487629], [Aurodian, 483087]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990]]
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