Porygon-Z Movesets & Competitive Sets

Set Description This set has most of the same monstrous wallbreaking power that Porygon-Z is known for, but with the freedom to switch between its STAB attacks and utility options. Nasty Plot allows it to counter Mirror Coat users like Gastrodon and Assault Vest Swampert. Uproar secures the win versus Pressure stall Pokemon like Substitute + Protect Zapdos, Entei, Corviknight, and SubSeed users like Whimsicott. Substitute overwhelms hard stall Pokemon like Unaware Pyukumuku. Recover can increase Porygon-Z's longevity versus Pokemon like Seismic Toss Chansey, and Dark Pulse lets it hit Spectrier. EVs 92 Special Defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to survive an Overheat from Choice Scarf Volcanion and OHKO back. With 176 Speed EVs, it outspeeds neutral-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon like Regidrago and Togekiss. Usage Tips Substitute should be used turn 1 versus Gastrodon to avoid moves like Mirror Coat and Clear Smog, then Nasty Plot on turn 2 lets Porygon-Z OHKO with Hyper Beam. However, if Gastrodon uses Amnesia turn 1, then Nasty Plot should be repeated until Porygon-Z reaches +6 and then Uproar is an OHKO or 2HKO, even after Chilan Berry. This same strategy should be used for Corviknight, as Nasty Plot boosted Hyper Beam OHKOes. However, if they use Substitute too, Nasty Plot should be used twice so that Uproar will at worst 2HKO.Substitute is the best move on turn 1 versus Pyukumuku to stop Mirror Coat then Uproar can be used for a 2HKO. Recover helps versus stall Pokemon like Seismic Toss Chansey, as Porygon-Z can boost up with Nasty Plot and heal off the damage to KO with Hyper Beam.

Set Description Choice Scarf Porygon-Z outspeeds fast threats like Zeraora and also other, slower Choice Scarf users in Dracozolt and Togekiss, OHKOing them with Hyper Beam. Trick + Recover effectively shuts down the likes of Chansey and Galarian Corsola. Dark Pulse hits Ghost-types like Spectrier and Galarian Corsola, while Ice Beam can be beneficial for Landorus-T especially with Assault Vest, and Garchomp. EVs This set runs maximum Speed investment to outspeed Zeraora and base 80 Speed or less Choice Scarf users like Togekiss, Dracozolt, and Dracovish. Maximum Special Attack allows it to get better KO odds versus Volcanion and stall Zapdos. A Modest nature improves its chances versus Maranga Berry Zapdos; however, it will not outspeed Choice Scarf Togekiss and Zeraora. Usage Tips Dark Pulse hits Ghost-types like Spectrier and Galarian Corsola for supereffective damage and Ice Beam helps versus Ground-types like Garchomp and Landorus. Using Trick + Recover and repeatedly clicking Hyper Beam wins versus Chansey.

Set Description Choice Specs-boosted Hyper Beam is able to OHKO many top-tier Pokemon like Aromatisse, Cresselia, and Assault Vest Arcanine. Uproar can be beneficial against Whimsicott and Pressure Entei, which try to stall Porygon-Z out with Substitute. Thunderbolt beats Corviknight, and Ice Beam hits Garchomp and Dragapult. Trick + Recover + Nasty Plot allows Porygon-Z to shut down stall Pokemon like Chansey. Dark Pulse helps beat non-Assault Vest Metagross and is an option to hit Spectrier. EVs 252 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Tapu Fini, Dracovish, Kommo-o, and some other Porygon-Z. An alternate EV spread of 68 Def / 184 SpA / 252 Spe reliably beats Garchomp with Ice Beam, as the 68 Defense EVs prevent the KO from Custap Berry Garchomp's Outrage. Usage Tips Hyper Beam is usually the best choice versus a neutral target like Azumarill or Cresselia, as it will do more damage than super effective coverage moves thanks to Adaptability. If Entei's Pressure is not revealed on turn 1, Porygon-Z should click Hyper Beam over Uproar, since Entei is using Inner Focus with Assault Vest instead of Substitute. For coverage moves like Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Dark Pulse, it's best to use them on Pokemon like Celesteela and Spectrier, as they either resist or are immune to Hyper Beam. Nasty Plot Porygon-Z can use Trick and set up until Hyper Beam OHKOes Chansey.

Set Description This Porygon-Z set aims to surprise Pokemon like Galarian Darmanitan, Naganadel, and opposing Porygon-Z by using Endure + Custap Berry. Hyper Beam deals an extreme amount of damage to Pokemon like Rillaboom, Tapu Fini, and Volcanion. Nasty Plot enables Porygon-Z to set up against stall Pokemon like Chansey and better damage foes like Sylveon and Primarina. Uproar helps versus Substitute users like Whimsicott and stall Entei, while Thunderbolt is helpful against Corviknight and Celesteela. Ice Beam hits Garchomp and Naganadel. EVs The defensive investment allows Porygon-Z to survive a Fake Out into Grassy Glide from Life Orb Rillaboom. The HP in specific lets it reliably beat Timid Choice Specs Tapu Fini. 216 Speed EVs are for base 85 Speed Pokemon without a boosting nature, such as Rillaboom, Cresselia, and Tapu Fini. Usage Tips Endure is the best move on turn 1 versus threats that can OHKO Porygon-Z like Galarian Darmanitan, Choice item Urshifu-S and Urshifu-R, and also Naganadel. Then, while in Custap Berry range, it can OHKO back with Hyper Beam or Ice Beam. If running Uproar, it should be used against Pokemon like Whimsicott turn 1 to bypass their Substitute and KO them before they can stall.

Set Description This set punishes slower physical attackers that normally check Porygon-Z like Aggron, Rhyperior, and Metagross through Reflect + Rocky Helmet, chipping down their health until they are in Hyper Beam KO range. Nasty Plot can help versus some stall Pokemon or just bolster Hyper Beam's damage even more, while Recover helps Porygon-Z outlast its foes. EVs 64 Defense EVs are so that Porygon-Z can survive three Choice Band Aggron Heavy Slams after Reflect, and the 188 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Metagross. Maximum Special Attack is for the best Hyper Beam damage versus the aforementioned Pokemon. Usage Tips Reflect versus slower physical threats, like Aggron and Metagross, allows Porygon-Z to tank their hits and then use Recover until they are chipped down from Rocky Helmet. Hyper Beam should be used when it will OHKO the foe. Nasty Plot can reduce the turns needed to stall out foes like Aggron while also lowering the chances that Porygon-Z falls to a critical hit. It can also help Hyper Beam eventually OHKO versus stall Pokemon like Chansey, with Recover helping Porygon-Z set up.

Porygon-Z's high base Special Attack coupled with Adaptability and great coverage allows it to break down or outright sweep a variety of slower opposing team compositions. Tri Attack or Uproar can be used as an alternative STAB options to Hyper Beam that do not have cooldown, whereas Thunderbolt provides solid coverage against the likes of Celesteela and Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Gyarados. Nasty Plot allows Porygon-Z to boost its Special Attack to nearly unwallable levels, whereas Trick allows it to cripple passive walls and regain move flexibility. Items Chopple Berry lets Porygon-Z survive Fighting-type Attacks while Dynamaxed, particularly useful against Cinderace and Urshifu-R. Life Orb lets Porygon-Z deal massive damage even without a Nasty Plot boost. Choice Scarf patches up Porygon-Z's Speed stat, letting it outspeed key threats such as Dragapult and Choice Scarf Dracovish.

Moves Hyper Beam is Porygon-Z's strongest STAB move, capable of OHKOing a majority of the metagame due to its high Base Power when boosted by Adaptability. Uproar is a secondary STAB option that doesn't have a recharge turn and as such is more reliable; it can break bulkier foes, notably non-Ghost-type Rest users like Mega Slowbro, as well as bypass Substitutes. Ice Beam enables Porygon-Z to hit Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Zygarde-C for the most damage, preventing them from setting up on a free turn granted by recharge, and Trick shuts down defensive Pokemon such as Chansey by locking them into one move and removing their defensive items. Hidden Power Fire can be run to damage Steel-types, but 1v1's main Steel-type threats, mainly Magearna and Mega Aggron, do not take enough damage from it and can OHKO or heavily damage Porygon-Z in return. It can OHKO Genesect and Durant as well as beat Ferrothorn, however. Dark Pulse can be run for coverage against Ghost-types, like Mega Gengar, with Dark Pulse offering a chance to cause foes to flinch. Set Details 252 Special Attack EVs in combination with a Modest nature maximize Porygon-Z's offensive capabilities and make it the most threatening it can be. A Choice Scarf and 252 Speed EVs enable Porygon-Z to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame and severely damage most of it before it can attack. Adaptability boosts Porygon-Z's Normal-type STAB moves, making Hyper Beam even harder to combat. Usage Tips Porygon-Z should not be sent out if the opponent has a Pokemon that walls it such as Magearna or Celesteela, as it struggles to win those matchups. You should also avoid bringing it in against a Sturdy user, as the recharge turn that Hyper Beam has can grant them setup opportunities or a free chance to KO Porygon-Z. Avoid bringing it out in front of passive Z-Move users such as Pyukumuku or Mega Evolutions such as Mega Slowbro, as they are immune to Trick, and will stall out Porygon-Z's attacks. Bulkier offensive Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados cannot be OHKOed by Hyper Beam, so using Uproar to avoid the recharge turn and KO it over two turns is more beneficial. Team Options Porygon-Z cannot adequately damage Rock- and Steel-types due to their resistance to Hyper Beam, so Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Zygarde-C make good partners due to their ability to reliably win these matchups. Ghost-types wall Porygon-Z and can KO it, so other Ghost-types like Aegislash and Dark-types like Mega Gyarados are good partners to deal with these Pokemon. Answers to special walls are appreciated, as Porygon-Z cannot beat Chansey without relying on Trick to remove its Eviolite and recovery. As such, physical wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard X and Terrakion make good partners. Porygon-Z is a relatively frail Pokemon and cannot take many hits; thus, bulkier partners such as Magearna and Mega Venusaur are appreciated.

Moves Shadow Ball hits most Pokemon neutrally and heavily damages Ghost- and Psychic-types; after a Conversion boost and Adaptability, it can OHKO a majority of the metagame such as Aegislash and Mega Slowbro. Recover enables Porygon-Z to remain healthy throughout a match so it can break bulkier foes and Sturdy users like Donphan and Golem more easily. Nasty Plot is an alternative that boosts Porygon-Z's Special Attack further so it can beat specially bulky Pokemon such as Chansey and Mega Venusaur. This can also be run instead of Hyper Beam, but Porygon-Z loses out on the raw power that it offers. Hyper Beam is Porygon-Z's strongest STAB move, capable of OHKOing a majority of the metagame due to its high Base Power when boosted by Adaptability. It can also be turned into a 200-Base Power Breakneck Blitz if the boosts from Z-Conversion aren't required. Conversion changes Porygon-Z's typing to that of its first move in Shadow Ball, providing it with resistances to Bug and Poison and two useful immunities in Normal and Fighting as well as a strong STAB move. When powered up with Normalium Z, it grants Porygon-Z a +1 boost to all its stats. Uproar can be run as an alternative to Recover in order to beat Substitute users such as Jumpluff more reliably, but losing out on the longevity of Recover makes beating bulkier Pokemon harder. Set Details 216 Speed EVs combined with a Timid nature allow Porygon-Z to outspeed Sawk and Mega Metagross as well as slower variants of Mega Charizard X. 212 Defense EVs enable Porygon-Z to survive Mega Charizard X's Flare Blitz or Outrage as well as Mega Gyarados's Waterfall. Adaptability boosts Porygon-Z's Normal-type STAB moves and Ghost-type moves after it has used Z-Conversion, making Hyper Beam even harder to combat and Shadow Ball difficult for neutral targets to take. Normalium Z can be used for a strong Normal-type attack or to grant Porygon-Z a +1 boost to all its stats with Z-Conversion. Usage Tips Breakneck Blitz is notable in the absurd amounts of power it offers, alongside a follow up Hyper Beam; Porygon-Z can be sent out against bulkier Pokemon like Mega Slowbro and Primarina and proceed to OHKO or heavily damage with Breakneck Blitz. You should avoid bringing it in against a Sturdy user if it isn't running Recover, as Porygon-Z cannot break Sturdy without taking a hit, and its frailty makes this difficult. Setting up with Z-Conversion is optimal against bulkier Pokemon that Porygon-Z cannot OHKO so it can utilize its boosted Special Attack to net a KO as well as its increased defenses to take hits from them more easily. It can also stall them out with Recover. Be wary of Z-Conversion; while Porygon-Z's new Ghost typing offers resistances, it also offers a weakness to Ghost- and Dark-type moves from Pokemon such as Mega Gengar and Mega Gyarados, which a Normal-typed Porygon-Z can take more easily. Team Options Porygon-Z cannot adequately damage Steel-types if it's unable to set up Z-Conversion due to their resistance to Breakneck Blitz, so Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Zygarde-C and Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y make good partners due to their ability to reliably win these matchups. Answers to special walls are appreciated, as Porygon-Z cannot beat Chansey. As such, physical wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard X and Mega Metagross make good partners. Before a Speed boost and without a Choice Scarf, Porygon-Z has an average Speed tier, which faster threats such as Mega Charizard Y can take advantage of to OHKO it before it can attack; pairing it with faster teammates such as Mega Metagross and Mega Lopunny or bulkier Pokemon that can take a hit help deal with this. Porygon-Z is a relatively frail Pokemon and cannot take many hits; thus, bulkier partners such as Magearna and Mega Venusaur are appreciated.

Moves Shadow Ball becomes Porygon-Z's most spammable move after utilizing Z-Conversion thanks to Adaptability and being able to hit the vast majority of types neutrally. Conversion is utilized in combination with Normalium Z to boost all of Porygon-Z's stats by 1 and change its typing to its first-in-slot move. Thunderbolt is a fantastic coverage move, being able to super effectively threaten Flying- and Water-types such as Mantine and Celesteela. Recover grants Porygon-Z a means of reliable recovery, which grants Porygon-Z longevity throughout the battle, minimizing its reliance on avoiding chip damage. Alternatively, Ice Beam is amazing in combination with Thunderbolt to threaten a large number of Pokemon, most notably Ground- and Dragon-types such as Diggersby, Garchomp, and Dragonite. Set Details 252 Special Attack and Speed EVs with a Timid nature maximize Porygon-Z's offensive presence and Speed, allowing it to outspeed threats such as Mega Altaria and Gyarados as well as common Choice Scarf Pokemon like Excadrill when at +1. Normalium Z enables Porygon-Z to use Z-Conversion, which boosts all of its stats by 1 and changes its typing to Ghost. Adaptability maximizes Porygon-Z's STAB attack damage, boosting Shadow Ball after Porygon-Z uses Z-Conversion. Usage Tips Porygon-Z works best as a late-game sweeper after its faster checks, such as Choice Scarf Blacephalon and Sand Rush Excadrill, have been eliminated. Weaken Porygon-Z's defensive checks such as Toxapex and Tyranitar prior to setting up so it can easily clean through the remaining team. Take advantage of Ghost's immunity to Fighting to mitigate the threat of offensive Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion after Porygon-Z changes its type through Z-Conversion. Porygon-Z has mediocre bulk, so it should avoid switching into attacks. In the same vein, because Porygon-Z can only set up once, it should look for opportune times to set up its Z-Conversion to not be overly weakened or KOed on its setup turn. Take advantage of Porygon-Z's ability to force switches by using Recover to heal up any lost health while its checks are still healthy, prior to using Z-Conversion to prolong Porygon-Z's life throughout the battle. Recover should also be utilized after it gains its stat boosts in order to heal back chip damage that defensive Pokemon deal out in an effort to wear Porygon-Z down. Utilizing Recover correctly will also help bring Porygon-Z out of range of common priority users' attacks such as Bullet Punch from Scizor. Do not set up against Pokemon that commonly run Haze or phazing moves, such as Mantine and Hippowdon, as setting up on them can lead to the stat boosts being removed, wasting Porygon-Z's Z-Move. Porygon-Z should be wary of status effects and entry hazards, as they all wear it down, leaving it vulnerable to faster revenge killers and minimizing its ability to set up effectively. Paralysis prevents Porygon-Z from effectively performing its job as a late-game sweeper, as it relies on outspeeding threats to eliminate them. Team Options Chansey supports Porygon-Z by utilizing both Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock. Thunder Wave helps slow down opposing Pokemon such as Keldeo and Terrakion, which gives Porygon-Z more opportunities to set up and the ability to outspeed its common checks, and Stealth Rock chips down opposing Pokemon and enables Porygon-Z to more easily sweep through weakened foes late-game. Porygon2 forms an amazing defensive core with Chansey and supports Porygon-Z thanks to Toxic, further whittling down opposing Pokemon into KO range from Porygon-Z late-game. Staraptor removes entry hazards from the field for Porygon-Z and lowers opposing Pokemon's Attack stats with Intimidate, allowing it to act as a physical wall. It also can act as a pivot with U-turn to bring Porygon-Z in safely to begin its sweep. Ditto helps check opposing setup sweepers and faster offensive Pokemon for Porygon-Z, granting it more opportunities to sweep late-game. Mega Lopunny and Diggersby are both offensive powerhouses that can help take down common special walls and Dark-types that check Porygon-Z such as Alolan Muk, Chansey, and Bisharp. Smeargle sets Sticky Web for Porygon-Z, which on more offensively oriented teams allows Porygon-Z to effectively outspeed all grounded Pokemon after a Z-Conversion boost. Additionally, Smeargle can spread both sleep and paralysis between Spore and Nuzzle, giving Porygon-Z more opportunities to set up safely.

When holding Normalium Z, Z-Hyper Beam becomes a powerful STAB nuke that bypasses Hyper Beam's recharge turn. Even after its use as a Z-Move, Hyper Beam is still very threatening. Nasty Plot augments Porygon-Z's Special Attack, granting it the power to break down bulky foes. Ice Beam hits Ground-, Dragon-, Grass-, and most Flying-types super effectively. Thunderbolt complements Ice Beam very well, dealing with Water- and Flying-types that resist Ice Beam. Maximum Special Attack lets Porygon-Z deal as much damage to opponents as possible with Breakneck Blitz. 252 Speed EVs plus a Timid nature are absolutely necessary, as without Z-Conversion, Porygon-Z has no way to boost its Speed. Adaptability further powers up Porygon-Z's STAB move. Download allows Porygon-Z to use its coverage moves more effectively without the need to set up with Nasty Plot. However, it risks the chance of not gaining a Special Attack boost, and Porygon-Z deals less damage against Unaware users. While it can be used as a sweeper late-game thanks to Nasty Plot, this Porygon-Z works well early- to mid-game, breaking through walls thanks to the aforementioned Nasty Plot and Hyper Beam. Even though Porygon-Z's Breakneck Blitz is capable of breaking through many Normal-resistant foes, it still appreciates Pokemon that can deal with extremely bulky Steel-types such as Celesteela and Aegislash. Setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Mega Salamence make great partners for Porygon-Z, as it can break through walls for its teammates to destroy opposing teams.

Shadow Ball is used in the first moveslot, giving Porygon-Z a largely unresisted STAB move that at +1 with Adaptability is capable of obliterating Ghost- and Psychic-types while being less vulnerable to being revenge killed by Choice Scarf Garchomp than other Z-Conversion sets. However, this set gets decimated by Mimikyu and is more vulnerable to being sniped by Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch. Ice Beam provides excellent coverage, hitting Ground- and Dragon-types super effectively such as Landorus-T, Garchomp and Mega Salamence. Conversion is mandatory on this set, as it boosts Porygon-Z's stats by +1 when used as a Z-Move. Maximum Speed and a Timid nature allow Porygon-Z to be as fast as possible after Z-Conversion, notably outspeeding Mega Gengar, Jolly Mega Salamence, and Tapu Koko, while maximum Special Attack lets Porygon-Z hit as hard as possible. A Modest nature, however, secures OHKOs that Porygon-Z misses out on, such as Hippowdon with Ice Beam. However, it misses out on outspeeding neutral nature Choice Scarf users, such as Modest Tapu Lele and Adamant Landorus-T. Adaptability doubles the power of Shadow Ball, allowing Porygon-Z to OHKO Aegislash and almost always OHKO Cresselia. Download, however, can be used to potentially gain a second Special Attack boost, powering up all of its moves. It is much riskier though, as gaining an Attack boost could make Porygon-Z's sweep less consistent. Porygon-Z is best used late-game, after its checks have been eliminated. It is also weaker to phazing and Haze, which threaten to remove its boosts as Z-Conversion can only be used once. Tapu Lele can mitigate Ghost-type Porygon-Z's weakness to Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak while dealing with Dark-types thanks to its Fairy-type STAB moves. Ghost-type Porygon-Z despises facing opposing Mimikyu, so dedicated checks to it are necessary. As Porygon-Z struggles against most Choice Scarf users, Pokemon that can deal with them make great teammates. Porygon-Z also has difficulty against special walls, so wallbreakers are greatly appreciated. Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock can provide Porygon-Z an easier opportunity to sweep, weakening foes while breaking Sturdy and Focus Sash.

With Thunderbolt in the first moveslot, Porygon-Z becomes an Electric-type, granting it a powerful STAB move that can be boosted by Tapu Koko's Electric Terrain while allowing it to better take advantage of its defense boosts due to having only one weakness in Ground. It is able to easily blast through most Water-types and Celesteela, is immune to paralysis, and has little to fear from priority. However, Porygon-Z would then be more vulnerable to fast Choice Scarf Ground-types such as Garchomp and Landorus-T along with those that carry Focus Sash, as they can easily revenge kill it. Ice Beam deals with Ground- and Dragon-types that Thunderbolt cannot touch, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon. Shadow Ball is a great move to round out Porygon-Z's coverage, especially given the prevalence of Ghost- and Psychic-types in Battle Spot Singles along with few Pokemon resisting it. It also prevents Porygon-Z from being walled by the rare Alolan Marowak, which is immune to Thunderbolt and resists Ice Beam. Conversion allows Porygon-Z to boost its stats by +1 when used as a Z-Move while also changing it into an Electric-type. Maximum Speed allows Porygon-Z be as fast as possible at +1, while maximum Special Attack allows it to hit as hard as possible. A Timid nature allows Porygon-Z to be faster than Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T, while Modest allows it to OHKO defensive Hippowdon with a +1 Ice Beam. Adaptability is its most reliable ability, doubling the power of Thunderbolt. Download has the capability to power up all of Porygon-Z's moves, though it makes it more vulnerable to Haze and Unaware than Adaptability. Porygon-Z is best used late-game after its checks and Pokemon that can remove its stat boosts are removed, allowing it to comfortably set up with Z-Conversion. As with most variants of Z-Conversion Porygon-Z, wallbreakers can remove special walls such as Chansey and Celesteela, while Stealth Rock setters can help break Focus Sashes and wear down opposing Pokemon to aid Porygon-Z's sweep. Electric-type Porygon-Z is horribly weak to Choice Scarf Ground-types. As such, Pokemon with the ability to deal with them are absolutely necessary. Such partners include Ice Shard users such as Mamoswine and Weavile and faster Choice Scarf users with super effective coverage, such as Pheromosa and Choice Scarf Greninja.

Set Description Porygon-Z's Adaptability-boosted Hyper Beam overpowers even sturdy specially defensive walls like Snorlax and Cresselia with Normal Gem and can be further boosted with Nasty Plot to break through Special Defense boosts from Calm Mind and Amnesia. Substitute helps beat Snorlax by scouting for Belly Drum. Uproar allows Porygon-Z to defeat Substitute + Protect users like Raikou and Suicune, while Dark Pulse allows Porygon-Z to damage Ghost-types, most notably Jellicent. EVs The given EV spread outspeeds Suicune and provides some additional bulk. An alternative EV spread of 40 HP / 4 SpA / 248 Def / 216 Spe survives Fighting Gem Conkeldurr's Mach Punch and still outspeeds Suicune, but has a much worse matchup against Snorlax. Usage Tips Versus most foes, even bulky targets like Cresselia, Porygon-Z should use Hyper Beam. Versus Snorlax, use Substitute turn 1. If they use Amnesia, use Nasty Plot until they use Seismic Toss to break Substitute or they get to +6 Special Defense. Then, use Hyper Beam repeatedly. If Snorlax uses Giga Impact, Superpower, or any other offensive move, you should use Hyper Beam and hope Snorlax is OHKOed. If they use Belly Drum, use Uproar to KO them so you don't miss Hyper Beam. Versus Custap Berry users like Venusaur, Porygon-Z should use Nasty Plot if you predict them to Endure. If you do not believe they will, use Hyper Beam. Versus Pressure stall Pokemon, like Raikou and Suicune, use Substitute turn 1, since they will more than likely scout for Choice Scarf + Trick with Protect. You are then free to use Uproar until they are KOed. Raikou also commonly uses Choice Specs, so Normal Gem Porygon-Z does not defeat all sets.

Set Description Hyper Beam, boosted by Adaptability, blasts through most non-resistant foes like Latios and Keldeo before the recharge turn takes effect. Trick stops setup from foes such as Shell Smash Crustle. Trick, Icy Wind, and Hyper Beam together allow Porygon-Z to reliably defeat Crustle. Uproar allows Porygon-Z to avoid a recharge turn, which is useful versus various Endure + Custap Berry users like Garchomp and Venusaur, as well as block Rest from various Pokemon, such as stall Snorlax. Dark Pulse allows Porygon-Z to damage Ghost-types, most notably Jellicent. EVs The HP investment allows Porygon-Z to always survive Crustle's Rock Wrecker after Rock Gem is removed. The Speed investment and a Choice Scarf outspeeds Raikou and Starmie. An alternate spread of 40 HP / 248 Def / 144 SpA / 76 Spe may be used instead to survive Fighting Gem Conkeldurr's Mach Punch and outspeed Latios and Latias, but the lower Special Attack investment means various targets like Crustle and Substitute Thundurus are less reliable. Usage Tips Usually, Porygon-Z will use Hyper Beam to OHKO foes before they can move; however, some matchups are less straightforward. Some of the most common matchups with more complex sequences are listed below. To defeat Crustle, first use Trick to potentially lock the opponent into Shell Smash and remove Rock Gem, then use Icy Wind to break Crustle's Sturdy, and finally use Hyper Beam to KO Crustle. Versus Custap Berry users like Venusaur and Garchomp, you will have to guess whether to use Uproar on a potential Endure or Hyper Beam. Note that Garchomp more commonly uses Yache Berry instead, so it is usually safer to use Hyper Beam. Although Hyper Beam does not OHKO Cresselia, it is useful for Porygon-Z in this matchup anyway. Provided Cresselia is not holding Mail, Porygon-Z should use Trick turn 1 onto Cresselia to lock it into a potential status move before continually using Hyper Beam. Hyper Beam outdamages Rest and Moonlight, eventually resulting in a win for Porygon-Z. Many other stall Pokemon, like Registeel, Snorlax, and Manaphy, may use Mail to block Trick; watch for it on Team Preview and be mindful of it in game.

This set capitalizes on Porygon-Z's great Special Attack. With this moveset, Porygon-Z hits nearly everything in VGC'12 for huge damage, with only a few notable exceptions such as Ferrothorn and other Steel-types. Normal Gem- and Adaptability-boosted Hyper Beam hits even the bulkiest of foes for incredible damage. Tri Attack is another option, if Hyper Beam's recharge turn is unappealing, although Porygon-Z will then miss out on a large number of OHKOs. Dark Pulse is a great move for Porygon-Z, as it gives coverage not only on the common Psychic-types such as Cresselia, but also on the Ghost-types such as Chandelure that switch in to absorb Porygon-Z's Normal-type attack. Ice Beam hits common Flying-type Pokemon such as Thundurus and Zapdos super effectively. Protect is an important move, as it gives Porygon-Z a turn to avoid damage either from your own spread move such as Earthquake, Discharge, or Surf, or from the opposing Pokemon. This set uses Porygon-Z's offensive capabilities to the max. All the moves deal hefty damage to the opposition, and this can make it a dangerous playing field for your opponent. However, Porygon-Z often falls short of OHKOs, which means it can be revenge killed without much difficulty. Download can work on this set as well, potentially giving Porygon-Z a boost in its Special Attack, which can be crucial to the match. Although it is less reliable, it can be interesting to try out and watch how it wreaks havoc on the best of the special walls. Porygon-Z isn't the fastest either, so it definitely appreciates Tailwind support. Good partners for setting that up are Togekiss and Tornadus, which can beat Fighting-type Pokemon that threaten Porygon-Z as well as set up Tailwind extremely well. In addition, Pokemon with Helping Hand are very useful to Porygon-Z. Dusclops and Togekiss are both notable users of the move, among other Pokemon. Porygon-Z's bulk is also lacking, so users of Reflect and Light Screen are appreciated, most notably Cresselia.

This set makes Porygon-Z quite threatening. Putting a Choice Scarf on it will give it the edge in Speed against many threats. With Choice Scarf bringing Porygon-Z up to a 234 Speed stat, it is guaranteed to launch a powerful Hyper Beam off at nearly any foe. Dark Pulse allows Porygon-Z to hit common Trick Room Ghost-types such as Dusclops and Chandelure. Ice Beam hits Flying-types and Dragon-types that threaten Porygon-Z, and Hidden Power Fire is for the Steel-types that the set misses out on. Choice Scarf makes up for Porygon-Z's slightly lacking Speed; however, being locked into one move is dangerous. Steel-types can take advantage of Porygon-Z's uselessness when it is locked into Ice Beam, and Pokemon such as Terrakion with Justified can take advantage of choice-locked Dark Pulse. Although the Speed boost is nice, it requires some good prediction and playing to be used to its full potential. Hyper Beam is necessary in order to OHKO Latios and Yache Berry Garchomp. Adaptability is crucial for this set, because the boost for Hyper Beam is very important. With its high power offense, a Choice Scarf gives Porygon-Z just what it needs; a reliable boost in Speed. Helping Hand support is still always welcome, because with the lack of Normal Gem Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam still falls short of KOing many Pokemon. Porygon-Z also appreciates Light Screen and Reflect; however, it is less necessary as this Porygon-Z won't be sticking around for very long. Choice Scarf Porygon-Z outspeeds even positive-natured base 130 Pokemon, which can catch opponents off-guard.