Community POTW #49

[Zachmac]

^Don't use thrash, I've already said why. Double Edge is better.

Anyway, Return is a better option then take down.

Choice Band keeps you restricted to one move, but doubles your attack.

It actually multiplies by 1.5. Base 100 attack would turn into 150.

[melvni]

In all honesty, Zebstrika's not that good. If you think it's cool and want to use it because of that, more power to you, but otherwise it's pretty underwhelming. However, it does have at least one niche, even if it isn't released yet: reversing the typical dynamic of Grass Types countering Electric Types. Once Sap Sipper comes out, Zebstrika will have an immunity to their attacks, and the ability to smash them with Overheat.

Anyway, I didn't invent this set, but it's the best one I've seen even if Zebstrika can't technically use it yet:
Zebstrika @Life orb / Expert belt
Ability: Sap Sipper
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpD)
EVs: 72 Att / 188 SpA / 248 Spe
~Wild Charge
~Overheat
~Hidden Power Ice
~Double Kick

Since the only things you could potentially speed tie with are other Zebstrika (who you'll probably never see) and Whimsicott (who is both not going to be bothering with speed since it has Prankster to abuse and isn't going to be doing much since you're immune to grass moves), you can run four ev's less than max speed since that's all you need to outspeed base 115's like Starmie. 188 Special Attack insures a Overheat is a OHKO on Ferrothorn with Life Orb, and the rest goes into attack since investing in Zebstrika's bulk is a fool's errand. Wild Charge and Overheat are obvious as Zebstrika's strongest Stab and biggest Niche. Hidden Power ice hits things like Gliscor and Dragons that resist the rest of your set. Double Kick hits things like Heatran and Darks like Tyranitar and Hydreigon that try to tank Overheats.

.It actually multiplies by 1.5. Base 100 attack would turn into 150.

While you're right about what the multiplier is, it's actually applied to stats not base stats. Something with 100 atk would have 150 atk, but something with base 100 attack maxed out with a +atk nature (328) would have the equivalent of maxed out base 170-something attack (492).

[Zachmac]

While you're right about what the multiplier is, it's actually applied to stats not base stats. Something with 100 atk would have 150 atk, but something with base 100 attack maxed out with a +atk nature (328) would have the equivalent of maxed out base 170-something attack (492).

That's actually what I meant. Base is used for both what a pokemon's stat is, and what number fills in the variable in a pokemon's stat calculation.

If it boosted the base stats you thought I was talking about, it would be broken.

[Ne0n-H!tch'd]

To me, Zebstrika is the Electric version of Darmanitan!

Now as for Blitzle, In the LC department, It runs best as a Choice Bander as most defenses of the LC Pokemon are underdeveloped, which is a crack wide open for Blitzle to attack.

[jon199]

^Don't use thrash, I've already said why. Double Edge is better.

Anyway, Return is a better option then take down.It actually multiplies by 1.5. Base 100 attack would turn into 150.

Sorry, I meant by 1.5, not doubled.

Also, you make a good point about the Double Edge and Thrash. Double Edge is much better. They both have the same base power, in which I didn't notice before.

I guess my thinking was that Thrash is if you don't want to do damage to yourself, and Double Edge is.

[Vandslaux]

To me, Zebstrika is the Electric version of Darmanitan!

Now as for Blitzle, In the LC department, It runs best as a Choice Bander as most defenses of the LC Pokemon are underdeveloped, which is a crack wide open for Blitzle to attack.

:/ Blitzle's STAB is walled so badly in LC. Joltik, Snover, Deino, Hippopotas, Lileep, etc. Much of the LC metagame resists Electric.

[anotherbluejay]

I love this guy. I always pictured a zebra pokemon being dark type not electric but whatevs I still like it. I like taking advantage of it's speed and attack so I tend to use the following set:

Adamant
Motor Drive
focus sash

-Wild Charge (strong STAB and the recoil wont be the worst thing hitting you in battle)
-thrash (a very strong move than hits like a wild er zebra?)
-thunder wave (with his speed, this guy can cripple some opponent strategies before getting killed)
-flame charge (a bonus speed boost is always handy if you manage to survive using focus sash previously).

[Cometk]

outclassed by manectric

[Ttar's stone edge]

outclassed by manectric

We know that it is outclassed. However POTW is not about picking something else. It's about the chosen pokemon and how it fares. If you don't have any valid movesets or anything, then stop posting crap like that that we already know about.

[Zachmac]

outclassed by manectric

However, this is not Manetric discussion.

It does have a couple advantages, to. First, the speed to outrun Starmie without a scarf. Zebstrika has the ability to go mixed, while Manetric has to rely on completely special moves.

I'm I saying Zebstrika is better? No, I'm just pointing out it's advantages.

[Cometk]

why would i use zebstrika in ou

[Zachmac]

why would i use zebstrika in ou

Erm, I don't really get what point you're making. We aren't trying to convince you it's OU material, just prepare it's sets and point out it's niches....

[Ilan]

Stop posting thrash! this move is garbage! really return have 104 BP while thrash have 120 BP.. 16 bp difference not too big

also it got double edge if you like the recoil

if it had reckless.. it could use double edge better but return seems better most of the time


and giga impact= twice as garbage as thrash

if he had a bigger movepool it would be different.. just wait till the next main series game comes out with move tutors this POTW is unrealible right now.. superpower will probably make a come back adn he will probably will be able to learn it..

so really.. it have an awful movepool why not just wait with those pokemons same for the starter pokemons which you rushed to do a POTW


also a bigger question where are our sets?!? I think runo just ignore this disscussion and make what he wants to, right! because everyone post here, instead helping to get the better sets and conclutions to make a POTW good everyone just post his sets.

so it have only three usable sets: mixed,choice band,choice specs

usable moves:
special:thunderbolt,overheat,volt switch, hidden power
physical:wild charge,flame charge,Pursuit,double edge/return
other:thunder wave,me first

^That's his whole move pool people! all the rest of his moves are too weak to use for steels you got overheat or flame charge (AKA double kick is useless)

Then why everyone knows serebii are just bad... I think Blue Harvest stopped posting here for the same rasons reno doesn't even look here seeing his POTW have stored power on "other options".

[Fast_shoesXx]

OU Zebstrika @Life Orb [Sap Sipper]
252 Att/252 Spd [Timid]
Wild Charge
Overheat
Volt Switch/Hidden Power [Ice]/Thunder Wave
Double Kick/Return/Pursuit

The idea is to switch into things that Spore/Leech Seed/use grass moves (Breloom, Celebii, etc.) and get a +1 to attack. As Zeb is faster that these grass types, you can Overheat, or, predicting a switch, Pursuit. Hidden Power [ice] is for Gliscor, Double Kick is for steels like Heatran or Cobalion, and Wild Charge is your go-to STAB attack. Thunder Wave is for more support, and Volt Switch is for scouting.

[Zachmac]

^Max attack EVs, an ability that boost attack, then a -Attack nature and not many physical moves?

Cabolion is rare anyway, I'd give it double edge or return. On top of that, Cabolion won't like an Overheat too much.

usable moves:
special:thunderbolt,overheat,volt switch, hidden power
physical:wild charge,flame charge,Pursuit,double edge/return
other:thunder wave,me first

^That's his whole move pool people! all the rest of his moves are too weak to use for steels you got overheat or flame charge (AKA double kick is useless)

This is so true it's not even funny. It's a shame to, I like Zebstrika...

Oh, I guess Charge Beam can go to the special attack sets.

[Rayofquazar]

Then why everyone knows serebii are just bad... I think Blue Harvest stopped posting here for the same rasons reno doesn't even look here seeing his POTW have stored power on "other options".

Maybe yo do have a point here... But I post to share my ideas with other trainers... I don't care very much if it got in the actual POTW.

I like to make my sets a little gimmicky that maybe I never use but might work that's why I added tail whip or screech and endure... I never tried them but who knows they might work... Thats why they are gimmicky. So I would say that all the moves you cited are attacking moves except for thunder wave but me first is a fun gimmick too! Regardless, Zebstrika has one of the worst movepools in the game...Shame!

[jesusfreak94]

Zebstrika looks awesome, but it's movepool is terrible. Well, here's a little mixed set I just made up. Let's just assume for a few minutes that someone would use Zebstrika in OU.

Zebstrika@Life Orb
Naive
Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk, 248 Spe, 8 SpA
Moves:
-Wild Charge
-Overheat
-Double Edge/Return
-Pursuit/Volt Switch/Thunder Wave

Zebstrika has one thing to be proud of: it outspeeds all of OU bar Deoxys-S. Base 100 Atk is pretty nice as well, so Wild Charge has the potential to really hurt a lot of stuff. For example, it can OHKO specially defensive Jellicent with Wild Charge, while Thunderbolt will not even come close. Overheat allows Zebstrika to get past Pokemon like Ferrothorn with ease, and the normal attack you choose will give you a bit of extra neutral coverage. The last move is a toss up, honestly. Pursuit seems nice for catching a few things off guard. Starmie will likely switch out when faced with Zebstrika, allowing you to do a lot of damage on the switch (83% minimum). Volt Switch is just a nice move to throw around here and there, and it really helps that Zebstrika has the fastest U-Turn/Volt Switch in all of OU. He also has the fastest Thunder Wave, which is nice for crippling a sweeper when you're on your last leg.

And now for a little special set, because I'm feeling generous today.

Zebstrika@Life Orb/Choice Specs
Timid
Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Moves:
-Thunderbolt
-Overheat
-Hidden Power Ice
-Volt Switch

Pretty basic. Just hit stuff with your coverage between Thunderbolt, Overheat, and HP Ice. Volt Switch to maintain offensive momentum. Zebstrika is actually pretty threatening if you get a Lightning Rod boost. Life Orb or Specs depending on if you want versatility or power.

[Locormus]

So it have only three usable sets: mixed,choice band,choice specs

usable moves:
special:thunderbolt,overheat,volt switch, hidden power
physical:wild charge,flame charge,Pursuit,double edge/return
other:thunder wave,me first

^That's his whole move pool people! all the rest of his moves are too weak to use for steels you got overheat or flame charge (AKA double kick is useless)

Then why everyone knows serebii are just bad... I think Blue Harvest stopped posting here for the same rasons reno doesn't even look here seeing his POTW have stored power on "other options".

He specifically called it gimmicky, pointed out the gimmick, and subsequently debunked that it would actually come off the ground as a 'real'-move.. Especially on Espeon...

As for Zebstrika, oh lord, now I'll have to convince my girlfriend that the zebra isn't really what it's cracked up to be.. Same with the leopard, anybody know of a decent moveset for that thing?

[SwiftGrovyle]

Here's another lame one. Never liked this guy, (except for the Denis). A Zebra? C'mon, there's better things. In a physical movepool, he's no better than Stantler. In special, he's like a underrated Manatric.

Other options
Me First, on fast pokemon. Although there is priority that ruins it, it's great for scouting. Combine this with Thunder Wave, and it works fantastic. A great example of this would be like Drapion, who can carry Earthquake, but is still weak to it.
Me first also works well as it absorbs the opponent's boosts as well, such as life orb, making it like as if there were two life orbs, not to mention that the move itself boosts it as if it were stab. Taking the example above, earthquake would be about 253.5 power without it being super effective.

It also absorbs stab as well, so if it were a nidoking, that would be 380 power without it being super effective.

If used as such, it can fight ubers.
Now I could be wrong on this, so someone should double check before I get too enthusiastic.

Here's the set that might be the thing-

Zebrustrica
Item: life orb/focus sash
thunderwave
me first
flame charge
thunderbolt/discharge

[Zachmac]

A Zebra? C'mon, there's better things.

I know that's not what this thread is about, but is there something wrong with a Zebra? Then there should be something wrong with a lizard, a turtle, a plant bulb, and a mouse.

If used as such, it can fight ubers.

Yeah, it's only going to be stopped by Mewtwo, Kyogre, Reshiram, Zekrom, Ferrothorn, Blaziken, Excadril, Groudon, Arceus, Raquaza with EQ, Dialga, Palkia, Ho-oh, Skymin, Lugia, Garchomp, Giratina-o, Giratina-a, Doexys, Deoxys-attack, Deoxys-S, Blissy, Chansy, Swift Swimmers, and maybe a few others.

............................

Leave Me First to mewtwo, if you want to do it at all.

Zebstrika@Life Orb/Choice Specs
Timid
Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Moves:
-Thunderbolt
-Overheat
-Hidden Power Ice
-Volt Switch

Pretty basic. Just hit stuff with your coverage between Thunderbolt, Overheat, and HP Ice. Volt Switch to maintain offensive momentum. Zebstrika is actually pretty threatening if you get a Lightning Rod boost. Life Orb or Specs depending on if you want versatility or power.

I've already listed this, and HP grass is an option for hitting Gastrodon.