Zoroark Movesets & Competitive Sets

Set Details Despite access to Illusion, Zoroark struggles to have a meaningful place in NU. It faces heavy competition from other special wallbreakers like Salazzle and Starmie, both of which have more potent STAB attacks and better overall movepools. Zoroark also has poor bulk, leaving it easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon like Tauros, Salazzle, and Ninjask. Illusion's mindgames fail to have a meaningful impact on games; Zoroark is easily scouted for with entry hazards and faster Pokemon like Talonflame and Tauros. Flamethrower 2HKOes Copperajah while dealing good damage to foes that resist Dark like Drapion and Toxicroak. Sludge Bomb allows Zoroark to hit Fairy-types like Sylveon and Grimmsnarl super effectively. U-turn lets Zoroark gain momentum and pivot on its checks. Pokemon weak to Psychic-type attacks like Vileplume and Toxicroak have good synergy with Zoroark, making use of Zoroark's Illusion to bait and remove Pokemon like Galarian Articuno and Starmie. Similarly, physical attackers like Silvally-Ground, Golurk, Aerodactyl, and Passimian can draw in physically defensive walls for Zoroark to heavily damage or KO.

Zoroark's best set would consist of Nasty Plot and Fightinium Z, allowing it to punch through Pokemon like Empoleon and Blissey after a boost. Mega Houndoom can pull this off more feasibly, however, due to its higher Speed tier, access to Fire-type STAB, and higher bulk, thus giving it more frequent setup opportunities. Other users of Nasty Plot such as Infernape and Togekiss are far more practical, as they possess a stronger STAB combination and useful defensive utility, respectively.

Moves Nasty Plot boosts Zoroark's Special Attack to massive levels. Dark Pulse is a STAB attack and is preferred over Night Daze for its accuracy, as the power difference doesn't matter here. Focus Blast has great Base Power and excellent coverage alongside Dark Pulse. Sludge Bomb hits Florges for super-effective damage, having a chance to OHKO it with Stealth Rock up when boosted. Flamethrower can be used in the last slot to hit Chesnaught and other Grass-types harder, as well as several other Pokemon. Grass Knot can hit heavy targets such as Mega Swampert and Rhyperior quite hard and thus is an option too. Set Details Illusion allows Zoroark to trick opponents by disguising itself as a teammate. Life Orb gives a power boost to each of Zoroark's damaging attacks, making them even more powerful. Maximized Special Attack increases Zoroark's damage output, and the Speed EVs along with a Timid nature allow Zoroark to outspeed maximum Speed base 100s such as Entei and Flygon. Usage Tips Select Pokemon that have good synergy with Zoroark, such as Weezing or Lucario, in the last slot to let Zoroark benefit the most from its Illusion ability. This Zoroark can be used as a lead to set up on entry hazard setters. Nasty Plot should be used on a forced switch, as it will allow Zoroark to sweep. Zoroark should be brought in with a slow momentum-gaining move such as U-turn or Volt Switch, as it doesn't like taking an attack while switching in. Team Options Pokemon that have good synergy with Zoroark allow for optimal use of Illusion, so they're good teammates. Weezing stands out, as it has perfect typing synergy with Zoroark. Zoroark is walled by Fairy-types, so Pokemon that beat them, such as Toxicroak and Mega Aggron, are excellent choices as well. Fighting-types such as Mienshao threaten Zoroark, so checks or counters to them, such as Florges and Espeon, are nice teammates. Special attackers that can't set up on their own, such as Raikou and Shaymin, can take advantage of Zoroark breaking through special walls, so they are generally good partners. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Nidoqueen and Forretress is excellent to give Zoroark an easier time KOing foes. Entry hazards on your side limit Zoroark's longevity every time it switches in, so a teammate that can remove them, such as Flygon, is good. Slow momentum gainers such as Forretress are good, as they can provide a safe switch in for Zoroark.

Moves Dark Pulse is Zoroark's preferred STAB move because of its 100% accuracy and chance to make its target flinch, and unlike Night Daze, it doesn't reveal Zoroark's identity. However, Night Daze has more power and a good chance to drop its target's accuracy, though it ruins Zoroark's disguise. Focus Blast has great power and excellent coverage, allowing Zoroark to hit opposing Dark-types, which resist its STAB moves. Trick cripples defensive Pokemon, leaving them locked into a single move. Grass Knot hits heavy Pokemon quite hard, most notably Mega Swampert, Suicune, and Milotic. Sludge Bomb 2HKOes Florges, which can switch into all of Zoroark's other moves with little trouble. Flamethrower has decent power and coverage and hits Chesnaught, Forretress, and Roserade harder than Zoroark's other moves. Set Details Illusion allows Zoroark to disguise itself as a teammate and trick opponents. Choice Specs gives an additional boost to Zoroark's Special Attack but locks it into a single move. Maximum Special Attack investment lets Zoroark hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature allow Zoroark to outspeed base 100s such as Shaymin and Speed tie with base 105s such as Mienshao. Usage Tips When selecting the team order, try to select a Pokemon that has good type synergy with Zoroark in the last slot; this way, the opponent can be tricked into hitting Zoroark with a not very effective attack, giving Zoroark a free turn to attack the foe. This Zoroark can be used as a lead to cripple entry hazard setters with Trick. Trick can also be used to cripple a defensive Pokemon by locking it into a single move; for example, if the foe goes for Toxic, it will be locked into the move and forced to switch. Bringing Zoroark in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is good, as it is too frail to switch in on its own and does not want its Illusion to be broken immediately. Team Options Pokemon that beat the Fighting-types that threaten Zoroark, such as Florges and Crobat, make for good partners. Pokemon that can beat Fairy-types for Zoroark, such as Nidoqueen, Crobat, and Mega Aggron, are also good choices. Pokemon that share good typing synergy and moves with Zoroark, such as Infernape, are useful to take advantage of Illusion. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Empoleon and Nidoqueen is appreciated in order to KO foes with more ease. Pokemon that can bring in Zoroark with a slow Volt Switch or U-turn, such as Forretress, are good teammates as well.

Moves Swords Dance is Zoroark's boosting move, allowing it to boost its Attack to an insane level. Sucker Punch is a STAB attack with priority, letting Zoroark hit foes that would normally outspeed it. Knock Off is usually more powerful than Sucker Punch and also has the utility of removing the foe's item. Low Kick has great coverage and allows Zoroark to hit Mega Aggron, Empoleon, and Snorlax for super effective damage. Return has decent Base Power and lets Zoroark hit Fairy-types neutrally, which it can't do without it. Set Details Illusion allows Zoroark to disguise itself as the last teammate in your party and trick opponents. Focus Sash ensures Zoroark can get a Swords Dance when at full health and allows it to play riskier by being able to hit with at least two attacks. Life Orb is a secondary option for an item for more raw power. Maximized Attack EVs are backed by an Adamant nature to ensure that Zoroark can KO Shaymin after Stealth Rock at +2 and have a chance to OHKO Krookodile at +1 . A Jolly nature can be used instead to outspeed maximum Speed Krookodile and Hydreigon. Usage Tips Use Sucker Punch to pick off weakened Pokemon. Use Swords Dance on a forced switch or when you predict that the foe will use a not very effective attack because of Illusion. If you're unsure what to do, use Knock Off; it does good damage and most Pokemon do not appreciate having their item removed. Bringing Zoroark in with a slow Volt Switch or U-turn is a good idea; this way, Illusion and Focus Sash will stay intact. Team Options Pokemon that can reliably take care of Fairy-types that wall this set, such as Nidoqueen, Mega Aggron, and Tentacruel, make for good partners. Physical wallbreakers such as Darmanitan, Krookodile, and Haxorus are good choices because of their ability to break through physical walls. Zoroark itself is a good wallbreaker for these teammates. Pokemon that can beat Fighting-types, such as Florges and Crobat, are good partners; the former can also provide Wish support to keep Zoroark healthy. Pokemon that have good type synergy with Zoroark, such as Weezing, are excellent partners too because they let Zoroark trick opponents with Illusion better. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Nidoqueen, Forretress, and Roserade is appreciated to give Zoroark an easier time KOing foes. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Crobat and Mega Blastoise is good for Zoroark too, as hazards will break its Focus Sash. Slow momentum gainers such as Forretress and Umbreon are great teammates, as Zoroark will not like to switch in on its own.

Moves Sucker Punch is a priority move that packs good power and is boosted by STAB. Knock Off is a powerful attack that has the utility of removing foes' items. Low Kick heavily damages Pokemon such as Blissey, Snorlax, and Hydreigon, which would otherwise wall this set. Sludge Bomb hits Florges for super-effective damage. Flamethrower hits several Pokemon for super effective damage. Grass Knot hits heavy Pokemon very hard and has decent coverage, but it can be very weak against lightweight foes. Set Details Illusion can help Zoroark trick opposing players by disguising it as one of its teammates. Life Orb gives a boost to all of Zoroark's damaging attacks. The given spread boosts Zoroark's offenses and allows it to OHKO Mega Swampert and Rhyperior with Grass Knot. The Speed EVs are furthered by a Naive nature, allowing Zoroark to outrun maximum Speed base 100s such as Shaymin and Entei. Usage Tips This Zoroark can be used as a revenge killer because of its good offensive stats and Speed. It's useful to disguise Zoroark as a teammate with the same move choices and preferably good typing to optimize Illusion's use. Use Knock Off if unsure what the foe's going to do, because most Pokemon do not appreciate having their item removed. Zoroark can also come in to pick off a weakened Pokemon with Sucker Punch after a teammate has fainted. Team Options Pokemon with the same movepool options or good typing synergy are good partners for Zoroark. Pokemon that beat the Fighting-types that can easily beat Zoroark, such as Noivern and Florges, are nice teammates. Fairy-types threaten this set, so Poison- or Steel-types such as Mega Aggron, Toxicroak, and Escavalier are good choices. Entry hazard removal is useful for keeping Zoroark healthy, as it cannot recover the damage taken. Slow momentum gainers such as Forretress and Vaporeon can grant Zoroark a safe switch in, which is good.

Flamethrower gives Zoroark means of hitting Bronzong and common Dark-resistant foes like Heracross and Cobalion. Focus Blast allows Zoroark to hit foes like Scrafty, Empoleon, and Snorlax harder. Also, Trick can cripple bulkier Pokemon such as Umbreon. Fighting-types like Choice Scarf Mienshao and Heracross appreciate Zoroark crippling foes like Gligar with Trick or muscling past Pokemon like Cofagrigus. In return, they're able to check Pokemon like Umbreon and Cobalion. Rapid Spin from Blastoise is also beneficial to keep Illusion's effectiveness intact. If opponents see a Pokemon take Stealth Rock damage that doesn't match up with its typing, they can know the Pokemon is actually Zoroark. Setup sweepers such as Cobalion and Raikou also appreciate Zoroark luring in Pokemon like the aforementioned Cofagrigus and Rhyperior, respectively.