What is the best Pokemon for Zoroark to impersonate?

Question

By this I mean which Pokemon can it transform into such that it will encourage the opposing Pokemon to use moves that Zoroark resists / is immune to, and also such that Zoroark can use moves without giving away its Illusion. (basically means they share many moves in their learnset)

Answer 1

Toxicroak

Among other Pokemon, Toxicroak is an excellent Pokemon for Zoroark to impersonate. There are two main reasons for this. The first being typing advantages, and the second being overlapping movepools. Toxicroak's resistance to fighting and bug means that you'll rarely have to take Super Effective attacks as Zoroark, and the disguise will lure in Psychic types attempting to kill a Toxicroak, In the event of a Psychic type coming in, Zoroark is essentially presented with a free turn to do whatever it wants, as it's dark typing means it won't be affected by Psychic type moves. It can set up a Nasty Plot, put up a Substitute, or just go straight for the kill.

The second reason that Zoroark impersonates Toxicroak so well is that Toxicroak is capable of learning many common moves utilized by Zoroark, such as Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, Suckerpunch, Taunt, Swords Dance, Knock Off, and Focus Blast, to name a few.

Just be careful about switching into water or fire moves, or use in weather, as people might start to get suspicious after they see you don't have Dry Skin. However, even if they get suspicious, it's likely that they won't guess that you have a Zoroark.

Comments

Thanks!

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Crobat is an excellent pokemon to pair with Zoroark. Crobat is a flying and poison type, meaning that it would ideally attract psychic type pokemon (or at least, trick your opponent into using a psychic type move, which dark types like Zoroark are immune to), and its flying typing discourages an opponent from using ground type pokemon or moves. Encore may not be the best of moves, but if you play it right, you might be able to force the opponent's pokemon into encoring a psychic type move while you set up. This plan is flawed, but possible, especially in lower tiers.

Answer 2

Gengar

Gengar is awesome for zoroark to impersonate due to gengar resisting two of Zoroarks weaknesses and being immune to one. Gengar's weaknesses are Psychic, Dark, and Ghost all of which Zoroark resists. The only thing holding gengar back from being perfect is the nerf to him which got his ability changes from levitate to Cursed Body. This makes gengar weak to ground but if you have a counter to ground types or Pokemon that can learn EQ than you are fine.

Gengar can learn a variety of moves that Zoroark can learn and a Nasty Plot Gengar is pretty common. As the_netts stated though, there are other options for Zoroark to impersonate. Toxicroak is a good one as toxicroak has amazing coverage and is x4 weak to Psychic, but I dont like to use him as he also has weaknesses to other types such as Flying or Ground. A Toxicroak running Nasty Plot and Dark Pulse does not look as real as Gengar running those because Toxicroak's Attack is way better than his Sp. Attack and makes the opponent sus of your Toxicroak.

Hope I Helped!