raf
quite alright
[OVERVIEW]
Porygon-Z boasts a massive Special Attack stat and access to various coverage moves. It is in an average speed tier but it makes up for this with the use of Z-Conversion. This move also boosts its rather poor defenses allowing it to avoid some knockouts but it still remains fragile due to the threat of being targeted by both opponents. Due to its Special Attack and ability, Porygon-Z is able to muscle through most of the prominent Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Gengar, Tapu Fini and Landorus-Therian. Despite all of this, the lack of spread moves means that it can not deal with two offensive Pokemon at once, and its defenses prevent it from setting up easily.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion
move 1: Thunderbolt / Shadow Ball
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Conversion
move 4: Protect
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 52 HP / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
The first move will determine what type Porygon-Z becomes after using Conversion so the choice between Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball depends on the rest of your team. Shadow Ball hits most Pokemon besides notably Snorlax and Tyranitar. On the other hand, the coverage that Thunderbolt provides alongside Ice Beam is phenomenal as no relevant Pokemon resists these moves. Ice Beam also picks off common threats such as Landorus-Therian, Mega Salamence and Zygarde. Conversion is necessary as it is the move that makes Porygon-Z a threat in the first place, and finally the last slot belongs to Protect. This is necessary to scout for opposing attacks or for allowing a partner to take out an opponent that would have threatened Porygon-Z.
Set Details
========
Normalium-Z is mandatory in order to use Conversion as a Z-Move. Adaptability further increases the raw power of the STAB moves that Porygon-Z uses which are Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball. Modest nature further complements its already impressive Special Attack, it should also be noted that Timid nature does not allow it to outspeed anything that it doesn't already. The EV spread is needed in order to outspeed Tapu Koko, Mega Gengar and Rash Deoxys-A after the Z-Move, and Special Attack is maxed for maximum damage, while the rest is dumped into HP for additional bulk.
Usage Tips
========
It would be in your best interest to send Porygon-Z out when you are sure that your opponent cannot prevent you from clicking Z-Conversion since it can completely turn the tide of a battle after setting up. Its wise to weaken Pokemon that would threaten Porygon-Z first so that it has no problem in boosting as soon as possible, examples include Snorlax and Kyurem-Black. It is also much easier to click Z-Conversion when facing slow bulky Pokemon, for example Tapu Fini, Zapdos, Amoonguss and Snorlax. Porygon-Z appreciates as much support as it can get; redirection prevents it from taking lethal damage, Fake Out aids in setting up and Tailwind nullifies the awkward speed tier that it has to deal with. Keep in mind that once you have clicked Z-Conversion, you won't be switching Porygon-Z out as it only works once so using it wisely is key. Setting up hastily can cause you to lose a win-con early into the game and setting up too late will not have the same impact as you probably won't have enough support to win the game with Porygon-Z.
Team Options
========
Porygon-Z is best paired with Pokemon that offer support to it in order to help it set up safely, or allies that boost the power of its existing arsenal. Mew is an ideal teammate for Porygon-Z, it has access to both Fake Out and Tailwind as well as Transform which enables you to have 2 boosted Porygon-Z at the same time. This is usually enough to seal the win in a battle. Amoonguss is another Pokemon that supports Porygon-Z fantastically. Its bulk paired with Rage Powder can redirect attacks that would otherwise have been lethal for Porygon-Z, Amoonguss can also immobilize opponents with the use of Spore. A partner with Intimidate, usually Landorus-Therian, would also make it possible for Porygon-Z to soak up Physical hits easily. Tapu Koko is a solid teammate, especially when Porygon-Z runs Thunderbolt over Shadow Ball. Meanwhile, Alolan-Ninetales can use Aurora Veil and halve the damage done to Porygon-Z, the Hail also gives it the option to run Blizzard over Ice Beam.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Z-Conversion is probably the only viable set that Porygon-Z can run, this makes other options sparse. But you can choose to run Recover over Protect for extra longevity and also Blizzard over Ice Beam when you have a partner that can set up Hail.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Jolly Scarf Landorus-Therian and Scarf Tapu Lele can revenge kill it after it has taken some damage. Generally faster Pokemon can also take it out before it has even set up.
**Bulky Attackers**: Pokemon such as Snorlax, Ferrothorn or Assault Vest users, can finish Porygon-Z when its weakened. But it can still deal with these Pokemon because Snorlax and Landorus-T get 2HKOed and OHKOed respectively, and Ferrothorn cannot deal enough damage back.
**Spread Attackers**: Pokemon with spread moves are able to ignore redirection and can severely damage Porygon-Z, in particular, Earthquake is especially dangerous for Thunderbolt variants of Porygon Z. Notable examples include Heatran and Landorus-Therian.
**Speed Control**: Opposing Tailwind and Trick Room users make Porygon-Z much less effective as it cannot deal with threats as easily and it does not have the bulk to tank hits if it gets double-targeted.
**Haze, Phazing, and Clear Smog**: As Porygon-Z can only setup once, opponents with Haze/Clear Smog or moves such as Roar can cause it to become significantly less threatening for the rest of the battle due to the lack of speed, but its Special Attack compensates for that, allowing it to still be somewhat of a threat.
Porygon-Z boasts a massive Special Attack stat and access to various coverage moves. It is in an average speed tier but it makes up for this with the use of Z-Conversion. This move also boosts its rather poor defenses allowing it to avoid some knockouts but it still remains fragile due to the threat of being targeted by both opponents. Due to its Special Attack and ability, Porygon-Z is able to muscle through most of the prominent Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Gengar, Tapu Fini and Landorus-Therian. Despite all of this, the lack of spread moves means that it can not deal with two offensive Pokemon at once, and its defenses prevent it from setting up easily.
[SET]
name: Z-Conversion
move 1: Thunderbolt / Shadow Ball
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Conversion
move 4: Protect
item: Normalium Z
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 52 HP / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
The first move will determine what type Porygon-Z becomes after using Conversion so the choice between Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball depends on the rest of your team. Shadow Ball hits most Pokemon besides notably Snorlax and Tyranitar. On the other hand, the coverage that Thunderbolt provides alongside Ice Beam is phenomenal as no relevant Pokemon resists these moves. Ice Beam also picks off common threats such as Landorus-Therian, Mega Salamence and Zygarde. Conversion is necessary as it is the move that makes Porygon-Z a threat in the first place, and finally the last slot belongs to Protect. This is necessary to scout for opposing attacks or for allowing a partner to take out an opponent that would have threatened Porygon-Z.
Set Details
========
Normalium-Z is mandatory in order to use Conversion as a Z-Move. Adaptability further increases the raw power of the STAB moves that Porygon-Z uses which are Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball. Modest nature further complements its already impressive Special Attack, it should also be noted that Timid nature does not allow it to outspeed anything that it doesn't already. The EV spread is needed in order to outspeed Tapu Koko, Mega Gengar and Rash Deoxys-A after the Z-Move, and Special Attack is maxed for maximum damage, while the rest is dumped into HP for additional bulk.
Usage Tips
========
It would be in your best interest to send Porygon-Z out when you are sure that your opponent cannot prevent you from clicking Z-Conversion since it can completely turn the tide of a battle after setting up. Its wise to weaken Pokemon that would threaten Porygon-Z first so that it has no problem in boosting as soon as possible, examples include Snorlax and Kyurem-Black. It is also much easier to click Z-Conversion when facing slow bulky Pokemon, for example Tapu Fini, Zapdos, Amoonguss and Snorlax. Porygon-Z appreciates as much support as it can get; redirection prevents it from taking lethal damage, Fake Out aids in setting up and Tailwind nullifies the awkward speed tier that it has to deal with. Keep in mind that once you have clicked Z-Conversion, you won't be switching Porygon-Z out as it only works once so using it wisely is key. Setting up hastily can cause you to lose a win-con early into the game and setting up too late will not have the same impact as you probably won't have enough support to win the game with Porygon-Z.
Team Options
========
Porygon-Z is best paired with Pokemon that offer support to it in order to help it set up safely, or allies that boost the power of its existing arsenal. Mew is an ideal teammate for Porygon-Z, it has access to both Fake Out and Tailwind as well as Transform which enables you to have 2 boosted Porygon-Z at the same time. This is usually enough to seal the win in a battle. Amoonguss is another Pokemon that supports Porygon-Z fantastically. Its bulk paired with Rage Powder can redirect attacks that would otherwise have been lethal for Porygon-Z, Amoonguss can also immobilize opponents with the use of Spore. A partner with Intimidate, usually Landorus-Therian, would also make it possible for Porygon-Z to soak up Physical hits easily. Tapu Koko is a solid teammate, especially when Porygon-Z runs Thunderbolt over Shadow Ball. Meanwhile, Alolan-Ninetales can use Aurora Veil and halve the damage done to Porygon-Z, the Hail also gives it the option to run Blizzard over Ice Beam.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Z-Conversion is probably the only viable set that Porygon-Z can run, this makes other options sparse. But you can choose to run Recover over Protect for extra longevity and also Blizzard over Ice Beam when you have a partner that can set up Hail.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Jolly Scarf Landorus-Therian and Scarf Tapu Lele can revenge kill it after it has taken some damage. Generally faster Pokemon can also take it out before it has even set up.
**Bulky Attackers**: Pokemon such as Snorlax, Ferrothorn or Assault Vest users, can finish Porygon-Z when its weakened. But it can still deal with these Pokemon because Snorlax and Landorus-T get 2HKOed and OHKOed respectively, and Ferrothorn cannot deal enough damage back.
**Spread Attackers**: Pokemon with spread moves are able to ignore redirection and can severely damage Porygon-Z, in particular, Earthquake is especially dangerous for Thunderbolt variants of Porygon Z. Notable examples include Heatran and Landorus-Therian.
**Speed Control**: Opposing Tailwind and Trick Room users make Porygon-Z much less effective as it cannot deal with threats as easily and it does not have the bulk to tank hits if it gets double-targeted.
**Haze, Phazing, and Clear Smog**: As Porygon-Z can only setup once, opponents with Haze/Clear Smog or moves such as Roar can cause it to become significantly less threatening for the rest of the battle due to the lack of speed, but its Special Attack compensates for that, allowing it to still be somewhat of a threat.
Last edited: