How good is Zacian in Gen 9 NDAG?

Question

With the Intrepid Sword nerf, it doesn't look like it's as good, with defensive mons forcing it to switch and lose the boost. Is there any value to putting it on a team?

Comments

First, you'll probably get a better answer if you wait a month for people to figure out how to play this format. Second, you'll probably get a better answer if you ask here: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/national-dex-anything-goes-metagame-discussion.3711024/

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Apparently Zacian still has a niche in this format. Here's a moveset for it.

Zacian @ rusted sword
Ability: intrepid sword
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly nature
- swords dance
- iron head
- play rough
- close combat

[source][1]


  [1]: https://www.smogon.com/stats/

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How do you know it has a niche? Can you elaborate? Zacian isn't used a lot on the ladder, and the stats are off for most AG formats.

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It got almost 8% usage in the 1760 stats last month. It's possible for an unviable Pokemon to be this popular, but this rarely happens.

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AG usage stats are never up-to-date or useful resources. Most people use cheese strategies which messes up the stats, as peaking the ladder with cheese is pretty easy.
Do you have any other source for your answer?

Answer 1

Currently he is coming in at 7.67% usage in NDAG

Source

He has been pretty consistent around here for the last month, and he tops often enough in casual tournaments to be considered high-viability.