[OVERVIEW]
Zeraora's access to a wide range of support moves such as Fake Out and Snarl coupled with its blistering speed makes it a decent offensive support Pokemon in the Doubles metagame. While it faces fierce competition from other Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Mega Manectric, which can all provide either more power or better utility than Zeraora, it is a fantastic check to all of these Pokemon, as it can heal itself by switching into Electric-type attacks and can weaken their attacks with Snarl. However, while Zeraora provides fantastic role compression, even non-Electric-types like Incineroar can generally perform the same supportive role while adding more offensive pressure and providing a better defensive typing. Furthermore, many of the Pokemon that dominate the Doubles metagame comfortably switch into and stay in front of Zeraora. For example, Zygarde can freely set up Dragon Dance, Soundproof Kommo-o can use Clangorous Soulblaze while ignoring Snarl, and Incineroar and Landorus-T safely pivot in on Zeraora and weaken it with Intimidate.
[SET]
name: Fast Utility Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Plasma Fists
move 3: Snarl
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 128 HP / 116 Atk / 72 SpD / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out provides a partner with a chance to set up or take out an opposing threat, potentially providing a heavy momentum swing in your direction. Plasma Fists is Zeraora's main way of dealing damage; though it also neutralizes most Normal-type moves, this interaction rarely happens in DOU play. Snarl supports Zeraora's partners by weakening opposing special attacks, which is especially effective because Zeraora outspeeds most notable special attackers, including Tapu Koko and Mega Gengar. Volt Switch allows Zeraora's partners to get on the field in a more favorable position and allows Zeraora to come back in at a later turn and apply more pressure with Fake Out and Snarl.
Set Details
========
Assault Vest is used to bolster Zeraora's special bulk, as it benefits most from using four attacking moves anyway. 192 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature ensure Zeraora will always outspeed Mega Manectric. The EVs invested into bulk allow Zeraora to take either a Stomping Tantrum from Mega Metagross or a rain-boosted Hydro Vortex from Kingdra. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to boost the damage output of Plasma Fists.
Usage Tips
========
Zeraora functions well as a lead, as it can usually pivot out if you find yourself in a bad position, and its faster Fake Out means you can generally control opposing Trick Room or other setup leads. However, do not misinterpret this as Zeraora being a dedicated lead — such a thing does not exist in Doubles, and Zeraora can also perform successfully when it is kept in the back and used to set up a partner Pokemon mid- or late-game. Pivoting with Zeraora often is crucial, as it is highly beneficial to get it on the field at the same time as a setup Pokemon like Zygarde, allowing it to provide a free turn with Fake Out or weaken opposing Pokemon with Snarl to get Zygarde ready to set up Dragon Dance. Generally you are not saving Zeraora for late-game unless you have weakened the other team significantly. While Zeraora is fast, its attacks won't hit particularly hard, so it is very difficult to use as a cleaner.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that would generally lose momentum trying to set up pair well with Zeraora. Zygarde comes to mind, as both Fake Out and Snarl can put it in more favorable positions to set up Dragon Dance. Suicune fits on this point as well, as the free turn from Fake Out to set up Tailwind can be very beneficial. Landorus-T, another Ground-type, pairs extremely well with Zeraora, as it provides Intimidate and both Pokemon cover each other's checks fairly well. On the same token, you will need to be able to deal with opposing Ground-types like Zygarde and Landorus-T, as they completely wall Zeraora and don't care much about Snarl. Good options for dealing with those Pokemon include Tapu Fini and Kyurem-B. Zeraora cannot do anything to deal with Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Amoonguss, so Pokemon like Incineroar or Kyurem-B are fantastic partners for it. Zeraora is a good option to place on teams that might be threatened by fast special attackers like Tapu Koko and Mega Gengar so Pokemon like Kommo-o and Zygarde feel more safe to set up or Pokemon like Mega Metagross are safe trying to survive attacks like Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball and pick up the KO in return. Since Zeraora is not really used as an offensive Pokemon, it is necessary to keep in mind during building that you may not want too many passive Pokemon on your team; while Tapu Fini and Ferrothorn are solid partners for Zeraora, you do not want your team to be stuck with not enough offensive firepower. However, this can be mitigated by opting for more offensive sets on them, like Calm Mind Tapu Fini and Curse Ferrothorn. Zeraora teams can also really benefit from having a Shadow Tag Pokemon like Mega Gengar, which can keep foes on the field that have been weakened by Snarl while Zeraora pivots out to get in a Pokemon to potentially set up more safely in front of them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Punch is an option to give Zeraora a way to deal some serious damage to foes like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, and Close Combat allows it to hit Incineroar and Tyranitar harder. With both of these moves, it is possible to consider a fully physically offensive set of Fake Out / Plasma Fists / Fire Punch / Close Combat with Life Orb or even Electrium Z, but the ubiquity of Intimidate and Zeraora's inability to deal with prominent Pokemon like Zygarde and Kommo-o leave this set generally worse than a pivot. Zeraora can use a fully offensive special set with Hidden Power Ice over Plasma Fists and the Attack EVs moved into Special Attack; this gives Zeraora a way to damage opposing Zygarde and Landorus-T. A set with Taunt over Volt Switch or Plasma Fists and a pinch Berry over Assault Vest is also usable, as Taunt gives Zeraora the ability to stop opposing Pokemon from setting up or employing speed control, while a pinch Berry gives Zeraora some longevity through recovery. However, the added bulk from Assault Vest and the pivoting of Volt Switch are generally preferred, as that is how Zeraora provides the most momentum for a team.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zygarde and Landorus-T wall any Zeraora not carrying Hidden Power Ice, as they are immune to Electric-type attacks and do not mind Snarl.
**Grass-types**: Zeraora can't do much to any Grass-type like Tapu Bulu or Amoonguss, as they easily take a Plasma Fists, and Amoonguss can still use Rage Powder and Spore despite Snarl lowering its Special Attack.
**Faster Pokemon**: Deoxys-A is about the only Pokemon that naturally outspeeds Zeraora in the Doubles metagame, but common Choice Scarf users like Genesect or Tapu Lele also deal with Zeraora handily, as Zeraora relies heavily on being the fastest Pokemon on the field to affect momentum.
**Opposing Speed Control**: While Zeraora will often be the fastest Pokemon on a neutral board state, opposing Tailwind or Trick Room will take away its role completely, as it will no longer be the quick pivot it is supposed to be.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[n10sit, 267148]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [Arcticblast, 27554]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [talkingtree, 232101]]
Zeraora's access to a wide range of support moves such as Fake Out and Snarl coupled with its blistering speed makes it a decent offensive support Pokemon in the Doubles metagame. While it faces fierce competition from other Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Mega Manectric, which can all provide either more power or better utility than Zeraora, it is a fantastic check to all of these Pokemon, as it can heal itself by switching into Electric-type attacks and can weaken their attacks with Snarl. However, while Zeraora provides fantastic role compression, even non-Electric-types like Incineroar can generally perform the same supportive role while adding more offensive pressure and providing a better defensive typing. Furthermore, many of the Pokemon that dominate the Doubles metagame comfortably switch into and stay in front of Zeraora. For example, Zygarde can freely set up Dragon Dance, Soundproof Kommo-o can use Clangorous Soulblaze while ignoring Snarl, and Incineroar and Landorus-T safely pivot in on Zeraora and weaken it with Intimidate.
[SET]
name: Fast Utility Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Plasma Fists
move 3: Snarl
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 128 HP / 116 Atk / 72 SpD / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out provides a partner with a chance to set up or take out an opposing threat, potentially providing a heavy momentum swing in your direction. Plasma Fists is Zeraora's main way of dealing damage; though it also neutralizes most Normal-type moves, this interaction rarely happens in DOU play. Snarl supports Zeraora's partners by weakening opposing special attacks, which is especially effective because Zeraora outspeeds most notable special attackers, including Tapu Koko and Mega Gengar. Volt Switch allows Zeraora's partners to get on the field in a more favorable position and allows Zeraora to come back in at a later turn and apply more pressure with Fake Out and Snarl.
Set Details
========
Assault Vest is used to bolster Zeraora's special bulk, as it benefits most from using four attacking moves anyway. 192 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature ensure Zeraora will always outspeed Mega Manectric. The EVs invested into bulk allow Zeraora to take either a Stomping Tantrum from Mega Metagross or a rain-boosted Hydro Vortex from Kingdra. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to boost the damage output of Plasma Fists.
Usage Tips
========
Zeraora functions well as a lead, as it can usually pivot out if you find yourself in a bad position, and its faster Fake Out means you can generally control opposing Trick Room or other setup leads. However, do not misinterpret this as Zeraora being a dedicated lead — such a thing does not exist in Doubles, and Zeraora can also perform successfully when it is kept in the back and used to set up a partner Pokemon mid- or late-game. Pivoting with Zeraora often is crucial, as it is highly beneficial to get it on the field at the same time as a setup Pokemon like Zygarde, allowing it to provide a free turn with Fake Out or weaken opposing Pokemon with Snarl to get Zygarde ready to set up Dragon Dance. Generally you are not saving Zeraora for late-game unless you have weakened the other team significantly. While Zeraora is fast, its attacks won't hit particularly hard, so it is very difficult to use as a cleaner.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that would generally lose momentum trying to set up pair well with Zeraora. Zygarde comes to mind, as both Fake Out and Snarl can put it in more favorable positions to set up Dragon Dance. Suicune fits on this point as well, as the free turn from Fake Out to set up Tailwind can be very beneficial. Landorus-T, another Ground-type, pairs extremely well with Zeraora, as it provides Intimidate and both Pokemon cover each other's checks fairly well. On the same token, you will need to be able to deal with opposing Ground-types like Zygarde and Landorus-T, as they completely wall Zeraora and don't care much about Snarl. Good options for dealing with those Pokemon include Tapu Fini and Kyurem-B. Zeraora cannot do anything to deal with Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Amoonguss, so Pokemon like Incineroar or Kyurem-B are fantastic partners for it. Zeraora is a good option to place on teams that might be threatened by fast special attackers like Tapu Koko and Mega Gengar so Pokemon like Kommo-o and Zygarde feel more safe to set up or Pokemon like Mega Metagross are safe trying to survive attacks like Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball and pick up the KO in return. Since Zeraora is not really used as an offensive Pokemon, it is necessary to keep in mind during building that you may not want too many passive Pokemon on your team; while Tapu Fini and Ferrothorn are solid partners for Zeraora, you do not want your team to be stuck with not enough offensive firepower. However, this can be mitigated by opting for more offensive sets on them, like Calm Mind Tapu Fini and Curse Ferrothorn. Zeraora teams can also really benefit from having a Shadow Tag Pokemon like Mega Gengar, which can keep foes on the field that have been weakened by Snarl while Zeraora pivots out to get in a Pokemon to potentially set up more safely in front of them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Punch is an option to give Zeraora a way to deal some serious damage to foes like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, and Close Combat allows it to hit Incineroar and Tyranitar harder. With both of these moves, it is possible to consider a fully physically offensive set of Fake Out / Plasma Fists / Fire Punch / Close Combat with Life Orb or even Electrium Z, but the ubiquity of Intimidate and Zeraora's inability to deal with prominent Pokemon like Zygarde and Kommo-o leave this set generally worse than a pivot. Zeraora can use a fully offensive special set with Hidden Power Ice over Plasma Fists and the Attack EVs moved into Special Attack; this gives Zeraora a way to damage opposing Zygarde and Landorus-T. A set with Taunt over Volt Switch or Plasma Fists and a pinch Berry over Assault Vest is also usable, as Taunt gives Zeraora the ability to stop opposing Pokemon from setting up or employing speed control, while a pinch Berry gives Zeraora some longevity through recovery. However, the added bulk from Assault Vest and the pivoting of Volt Switch are generally preferred, as that is how Zeraora provides the most momentum for a team.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zygarde and Landorus-T wall any Zeraora not carrying Hidden Power Ice, as they are immune to Electric-type attacks and do not mind Snarl.
**Grass-types**: Zeraora can't do much to any Grass-type like Tapu Bulu or Amoonguss, as they easily take a Plasma Fists, and Amoonguss can still use Rage Powder and Spore despite Snarl lowering its Special Attack.
**Faster Pokemon**: Deoxys-A is about the only Pokemon that naturally outspeeds Zeraora in the Doubles metagame, but common Choice Scarf users like Genesect or Tapu Lele also deal with Zeraora handily, as Zeraora relies heavily on being the fastest Pokemon on the field to affect momentum.
**Opposing Speed Control**: While Zeraora will often be the fastest Pokemon on a neutral board state, opposing Tailwind or Trick Room will take away its role completely, as it will no longer be the quick pivot it is supposed to be.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[n10sit, 267148]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [Arcticblast, 27554]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [talkingtree, 232101]]
Last edited:
