Wall for Tensa Zangetsu (page 4)

Zard X is borderline unviable, especially now when its wholly outclassed by Zard Y. I'm really debating whether I like Zard X more than Zard Y now, not just because of competitive viability, but also because of Zard Y's sleek design (and Shiny Zard Y > regular Zard X). Zard X is kinda just there for old times sake, although idk Alolan Marowak may eventually take over both and imma start running hard Trick Room

imma be honest zard is just there because zard, you should read the speech I wrote on my wall (its on the second page I think after you click "more wall posts")

I've never been good at dealing with stall, but bulky Hatterene is really helpful. Hat isn't just there for hazard prevention (honestly it rarely does that) but its actually an insane stallbreaker with CM and Psyshock. The only stall mon that hardwalls it is Dondozo, which is easily removed by a mon like Ogerpon or Zard. For rain, I employ a variety of tactics such as HP Electric Zard (been running this from Gen 8) along with Ogerpon-Wellspring, the only Ogerpon form that isn't usually run with Zard.

As for Zard himself, he's truly just there for the vibes. I've started this journey back in Gen 8 and peaked at around 1500 and I wanted to try again here. I used to run a team heavily focused around supporting Zard (Zard, Iron Treads, Oger-Corner, Bolt, Hat, Tran) but after reading about HO's omega dominance I started building a HO team with HSamurott. This exact team, after changing HRott to MDiancie then Zardy, is the team that hit top 40. The team initially lacked wallbreaking power, as there were too many setup sweepers that needed some opportunities. Seeing this, I slotted in Zardy, who was capable of breaking down walls to the point where a setup sweeper can cause issues.

To be fair, I could alter the team to fit another mega/pokemon, but seeing how potential Wellspring/Gouging suspects and Tera discussion are on the horizon, I may want to let that play out and react afterwards, since Wellspring and Gouging are both great against Zardy.

What the fu-frick lmao

true, but the meta isn't very friendly towards it right now. In terms of megas, MSciz is hella flexible and can fit on anything except for stall, MDiancie can be a hyper offense lead (and usually is exclusively on HO teams, although its role can vary), and MLop is more niche but provides tons of util in outspeeding Koko, priority, and pivoting. There even are megas like MTar filling in on Sand teams, MMedi with either Koko or Lele, MBleye anchoring stall, and MBanette being the most annoying mega to face since it can trade 1 for 1 with prio Destiny Bond.

In terms of Pokemon, Raging Bolt is an obvious issue, but even mons like Gouging Fire, Dragonite, and Oger-Well have no trouble taking advantage of it due to bulk or sheer strength. Hell, they're so strong that I use all three of them alongside Zard to get the top 40 placement. Koko is also by far the most common terrain Pokemon simply due to Speed (and powering Robot teams along with MMedi) (technically Lele has like 0.1% more usage but Zard has a great matchup into it).

The smaller issues: Zard is near useless into stall, requiring a stallbreaker to remove key components (a lot; Tera Dragon mons, Blissey, Dozo, Dirge). MANY setup sweepers, even more niche ones like Chomp and Ceruledge can easily setup on it. It's crappy matchup into Scarf Urshifu-Water just means that water bear can get a free U-Turn. Without HP Electric, it can't contribute against Rain as much as it wants to; it has no priority, a huge issue for slower teams that end up preferring MLop; its Sun actually doesn't help Sun-based teams that much, since Heat Rock Torkoal does most of the heavy lifting there; it actually needs to matchup fish a bit to wallbreak, as Ting-Lu, most Tera Heatran, and basically every Tera Dragon wall takes it on easily.


TLDR: Zard has insane Mega competition that provide prio, speed control, or are hella flexible. The meta's popular mons, especially setup sweepers and walls, take advantage of it very easily. It's lack of contribution to most common team styles, list Rain or Stall, makes it a subpar pick.

wait what did BM do lol

Idk I just say womp womp to unfortunate things

nah I signed up for NDPL but I didn't get drafted, although I have signed up for NDFL so I'll see how that goes.

As for NDOU, I don't even know how different it is from SV OU (and I'm not that good cause I've been trying to make Zard Y work) Can definitely give you tips on how to play tho

"I've gotten two down votes and a flag. I probably won't use this site for a while, since of this problem."

This.

Getsuga Tensho

True true, you never know, they might have the right Pokemon with the right moves to 6-0 your team.