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Zarude's high Speed allows it to be a great user of Choice Scarf that can revenge kill Pokemon such as Keldeo and Azelf in addition to boosted sweepers such as Gyarados and Dragon Dance Necrozma. Power Whip OHKOes Lycanroc-D and Keldeo. Darkest Lariat is Zarude's strongest Dark-type STAB move and can hit Jirachi and Azelf for huge damage. U-turn allows Zarude to pivot out on potential switch-ins such as Tangrowth and Salamence, allowing it to gain momentum. Close Combat is able to hit Cobalion, an otherwise easy switch-in, for heavy damage. Jungle Healing can get rid of status conditions such as a burn from Moltres's Flame Body and Slowking's Scald while regaining HP so that Zarude can be used in the long run in a battle but it is not ideal to lock into. It also allows Zarude to act as a reliable status sponge if it takes a Knock Off when Choice Scarf is not needed. Choice Scarf Zarude is a solid pivot and revenge killer on bulky offense teams. It appreciates additional pivots such as Moltres, Slowking, and Thundurus-T that can form momentum cores and pivot out of unfavorable matchups. For example, Moltres can bring Zarude in on Water-types such as Slowking and Swampert. Entry hazard control from the likes of Salamence, Excadrill, and Mandibuzz allows Zarude to consistently pivot without worrying about hazard damage. They can also check threats like Scizor and Tapu Bulu. Thundurus-T, Keldeo, and Nidoking are wallbreakers that appreciate Zarude's pivot support and its ability to check Pokemon such as Swampert, with the wallbreakers KOing Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Skarmory in return. Swampert is an entry hazard setter that appreciates Zarude dealing with Keldeo, Gyarados, and Hydreigon for it, while Swampert can set Stealth Rock in return and also help deal with Pokemon like Salamence. Primarina and Azumarill can help deal with some of Zarude's checks such as Salamence.

Zarude's STAB combination allows it to threaten many tier staples like Primarina, Excadrill, and Slowking. U-turn grabs momentum on usual switch-ins such as Celesteela and Salamence. Jungle Healing allows Zarude to remove status conditions from moves such as Toxic from Hippowdon and Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W, while restoring 25% of its health. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Zarude to not worry about entry hazards, letting it constantly pivot throughout the game. Jolly is the required nature on the set so that Zarude can outspeed Nihilego and Thundurus-T. Zarude is commonly seen on balance and bulky offense due to the easy pivoting provided by Heavy-Duty Boots and its ability to act as a status sponge against Toxic from Hippowdon and Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W. Secondary pivots like Moltres, Thundurus-T, and Swampert all form potent pivoting cores with Zarude. Moltres appreciates Zarude luring in Grass- and Steel-types like Amoonguss, Scizor, and Skarmory, while Thundurus-T heavily pressures Celesteela and Moltres. Swampert can pivot into attacks from Celesteela and set entry hazards for Zarude to soften up Pokemon like Amoonguss with Stealth Rock. Other entry hazard setters like Cobalion and Excadrill also set Stealth Rock and appreciate Zarude dealing with Water-types such as Slowking and Swampert, while Zarude appreciates them dealing with Scizor and Rotom-H. Slowking and Celesteela provide a strong defensive backbone to support Zarude, checking threats like Azelf, Salamence, and Cobalion that hinder it. Zygarde-10%, Mamoswine, and Azelf are wallbreakers that appreciate Zarude bringing them in on Salamence, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss, as they often have trouble switching in safely due to their frailty.

Bulk Up and Darkest Lariat let Zarude break Zygarde, bypassing defensive sets trying to set up Coil against it and checking offensive sets more reliably. Jungle Healing makes Zarude a true counter to Dragon Dance + Toxic Zygarde sets. It also allows Zarude to switch into Thunder Wave Necrozma-DM and be a status absorber in many cases. Alternatively, Synthesis gives Zarude more healing, letting it better check Choice Specs Calyrex-S and other Pokemon. 136 Speed EVs give Zarude the jump on positive-natured base 90s like Kyogre and Groudon, with maximum HP for overall bulk and the rest of the EVs in Special Defense to better check Calyrex-S and Kyogre. Ho-Oh is a great natural partner, scouting what move a Choice-locked Calyrex-S uses and absorbing Trick so Zarude continues consistently checking it as well as other wallbreakers like Kyogre. Offensive Yveltal can be used with Zarude, utilizing Hone Claws to break through Eternatus so Zarude can sweep; it also appreciates Zarude checking Calyrex-S. Groudon is an important teammate if Synthesis is used, increasing Synthesis's recovery and activating Zarude's Leaf Guard. A cleric like Blissey, Xerneas, or Calyrex-S can also make up for Jungle Healing being dropped for Synthesis. Necrozma-DM is another excellent partner, checking Xerneas and Eternatus, which easily threaten Zarude. With Zarude outspeeding Groudon and checking opposing Zygarde, your own Zygarde can run a Dragon Dance set instead of a defensive one. Eternatus checks Fighting-types like Marshadow and switches into Ho-Oh, making it a great and almost mandatory teammate to check some of the biggest threats to Zarude.

Physically defensive Zarude goes all-in on using its typing and Bulk Up to check dangerous physical threats, namely Zekrom, Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM, Zygarde, and non-Life Orb and non-Fire-type coverage Groudon. Darkest Lariat lets Zarude beat Coil Zygarde and Bulk Up Groudon one-on-one while also reliably damaging Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM. Power Whip gives Zarude a better matchup against Life Orb Groudon, at worst letting Zarude net some damage against it. Power Whip is also helpful because Zarude can act as a last-ditch Kyogre check, although it can't take repeated hits very well. Synthesis is needed to check Life Orb Zekrom, as Zarude very narrowly takes it on with the extra recovery compared to Jungle Healing. 16 Speed EVs let Zarude outrun Adamant maximum Speed Dracovish, while the rest maximize its physical bulk. As physically defensive Zarude is a Dark-type that fails to reliably check Choice Specs Calyrex-S, Yveltal is a pivotal teammate that beats it as well as other foes such as Lunala and Special Attacking Giratina-O. Groudon is an incredible teammate for providing reliable sun to boost Zarude's Synthesis recovery and make it immune to status. Fighting-types like Marshadow, Urshifu-S, and Buzzwole are some physical attackers that Zarude can't handle, meaning teammates like Eternatus and Xerneas are helpful for covering those matchups. Without any Speed or Special Defense investment, Zarude can't reliably pressure Kyogre. This makes teammates like Blissey and specially defensive Eternatus necessary to have.

Zarude can use Bulk Up on Water-types like Toxapex, Gastrodon, Slowking, and Slowbro, becoming a decent setup sweeper while increasing its already impressive physical bulk. Power Whip deals immediate damage to Water-types such as Urshifu-R, Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Swampert. Taunt shuts down passive foes such as Galarian Corsola and Toxapex by preventing them from using status moves like Strength Sap and Haze. Drain Punch is an alternative over Taunt, hitting Steel- and Dragon-types like Bisharp, Kyurem, and Hydreigon super effectively. Jungle Healing gets rid of status ailments such as burn and Toxic poison while providing Zarude with useful longevity. Chople Berry enables Zarude to survive Fighting-type attacks from many threats such as Choice Scarf Terrakion, Keldeo, and Barraskewda and KO them back with Power Whip. Leftovers is another option over Chople Berry to provide passive recovery, letting Zarude heal off much more damage in conjunction with Jungle Healing. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Zarude to outspeed foes like Mimikyu, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele. Mandibuzz handles threats such as Scizor and Dragonite for Zarude due to its good bulk and typing allowing it to take multiple Fighting- and Bug-type attacks. It can also get rid of entry hazards for Zarude with Defog and pivot out with U-turn, giving it opportunities to use Bulk Up. Tyranitar's amazing special bulk coupled with Sand Stream allows it to take on threatening special attackers such as Choice Specs Dragapult, Blacephalon, and Alolan Ninetales. Its Sand Stream and Toxic support can also wear down foes quickly, which Zarude appreciates. Hydreigon is a mandatory wallbreaker for Zarude, as it's able to pressure many physically defensive walls such as Skarmory, Avalugg, and Bewear that give Zarude and the rest of Dark teams trouble. It can also pressure Dragon- and Fire-types such as Dragalge, Kyurem, and Torkoal for Zarude. Drapion can deal with Fairy-types such as Tapu Bulu, Clefable, and Alolan Ninetales, which Zarude finds difficult to beat, and provide Toxic Spikes support. Weavile is also a neat revenge killer for Zarude thanks to its Ice typing, taking out Dragon-types such as Dragapult, Dragonite, and Latias while picking off weakened foes like Tapu Koko with Ice Shard. It also covers Flying-types like Zapdos, Tornadus-T, and Dragonite.

Bulk Up Zarude can become an excellent late-game wincon against bulkier types such as Steel and Normal. Drain Punch gives Zarude longevity while threatening Steel- and Dark-types such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Hydreigon. Alternatively, Taunt stops phazers and hazers like Skarmory, Toxapex, and Mantine, which is useful in the Steel, Poison, and Flying matchups. Furthermore, Taunt also stops setup sweepers like Corviknight from boosting alongside it. Jungle Healing allows Zarude to shrug off status and provides recovery. Leftovers improves Zarude's longevity, allowing it to set up and wallbreak multiple times in a match. Ferrothorn covers for Zarude's weaknesses to Ice and Fairy by checking threats like Weavile and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and sets Spikes to let Zarude break down defensive cores of Steel and Ghost teams more quickly. Rillaboom provides Grassy Terrain for additional recovery, which helps Zarude set up, and checks threats like Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and Clefable. Additionally, it can work together with Zarude to pressure defensive cores of Steel and Poison teams with a Choice Band set. Both Rillaboom and Ferrothorn can also utilize Knock Off to remove Leftovers from Zarude's checks in Celesteela and Heatran, allowing Zarude to overwhelm them more easily. Amoonguss can create setup opportunities for Zarude with Spore, and it can cover for Zarude's Fighting weakness against foes such as Gengar and Buzzwole. Cradily is a great special wall that can take on SubRoost Kyurem, Galarian Moltres, and Blacephalon, and provides Stealth Rock. Whimsicott provides a fast teammate, cripples passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Celesteela with Switcheroo, provides a Dragon immunity and Fighting resistance, and threatens Kyurem behind a Substitute with Infiltrator.

Due to its above average Speed tier and excellent coverage, Zarude performs as a great Choice Scarf user for Dark teams, outspeeding and removing threats such as Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan, Urshifu-R, and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. Power Whip nails Water- and Ground-types such as Urshifu-R, Tapu Fini, and Mamoswine, as well as OHKOing Choice Scarf Tapu Lele after Stealth Rock and picking off threats such as Tapu Koko and Zeraora. Close Combat deals with Ice- and Steel-types such as Slush Rush Arctozolt and Choice Scarf Excadrill. U-turn lets Zarude preserve momentum, pivoting out of switch-ins such as Amoonguss, Toxapex, and Corviknight. Zarude is walled by Flying-types such as Zapdos and Dragonite, so Weavile makes for an excellent teammate, as it deals with these threats with a Choice Band or Swords Dance set. Zarude can lure in and pivot out of bulky walls like Toxapex, Skarmory, Celesteela, Mantine, and Amoonguss, turning them into setup fodder for Pokemon such as Galarian Moltres and Hydreigon. Specially defensive Tyranitar checks special attackers like Blacephalon, Volcarona, and Hatterene and sets Stealth Rock to wear down the opposing team. Zarude can pivot Dragon Dance Tyranitar into bulkier Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Zapdos, and Kyurem to facilitate its sweep. Mandibuzz checks physical attackers such as Dragonite, Tapu Bulu, and Buzzwole, utilizes Defog to improve Zarude's longevity, and pivots it in safely with U-turn. Drapion deals with Fairy-types such as Clefable and Hatterene, sets Toxic Spikes to wear down types such as Electric and Ice, and absorbs Toxic Spikes for it. Grass Zarude is the premier revenge killer and setup sweeper for Grass-type teams. Thanks to its Speed and bulk, it greatly improves the Steel-, Psychic-, and Ghost-type matchups. Its also an excellent late-game cleaner with a Choice Scarf set due to its wide movepool and Speed, only being outsped by a few revenge killers like Choice Scarf Weavile and Blacephalon. However, Choice Scarf Zarude has trouble breaking past physically defensive Pokemon like Porygon2 and Ferrothorn, while Bulk Up Zarude struggles with common revenge killers like Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and Dragapult. Zarude's coverage also makes it hard to break through some physical walls such as Skarmory and setup sweepers such as Hatterene and Corviknight, which can be threatening for Grass teams.

Darkest Lariat removes Ghost- and Psychic-type threats such as Spectrier and Victini. Close Combat deals with Steel-, Ice-, and Dark-types such as Heatran, Galarian Darmanitan, and Hydreigon. U-turn allows Zarude to gain momentum, pivoting out of potential switch-ins such as Galarian Weezing, Celesteela, and Kommo-o. Choice Scarf allows Zarude to outspeed threats such as Dragapult, Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, and Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan. Ferrothorn is a good teammate, as it covers for Zarude's weakness to Ice and Fairy by taking on threats such as Kyurem and Hatterene, and it sets Spikes to wear down the opposing team further alongside U-turn. Rillaboom is an excellent wallbreaker that can deal with slower but bulkier walls such as Toxapex and Clefable, and it can pick off weakened threats such as Choice Scarf Blacephalon with Grassy Glide. Amoonguss covers for Zarude's Fighting weakness against Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Zeraora. Cradily is a great special wall that can take on threats such as Choice Specs Zapdos, Galarian Moltres, and Blacephalon, and it also sets Stealth Rock. Swords Dance Tapu Bulu can deal with walls such as Galarian Weezing, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, improving the Poison, Flying, and Steel matchups, respectively.

Zarude functions as a late-game wincon that's hard to stop once it gets going, since the combination of Bulk Up and Jungle Healing bolsters its good bulk to outlast bulkier foes. Bulk Up and its amazing Speed tier also make it hard to revenge kill. It outpaces many common threats such as Volcarona, Kyurem, and Tapu Lele, even if it's outsped by common revenge killers such as Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, and Greninja. However, Zarude faces competition as an offensive Grass-type from Rillaboom, Kartana, and Serperior due to it lacking immediate power. Jungle Healing allows it to shrug off crippling status, like paralysis and Toxic, and recover any chip damage it has sustained from Scald burns; however, it isn't a reliable source of recovery long term. Darkinium Z allows it to nuke would-be checks such as Zapdos, Mega Scizor, and Corviknight, and Darkest Lariat beats the likes of Iron Defense Skarmory and Corviknight by bypassing their Defense boosts. Power Whip is Zarude's strongest move, hitting Dark-resistant Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Clefable, and Tapu Fini. Furthermore, it lets Zarude hit neutral targets such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Tapu Lele much harder than Darkest Lariat. Zarude fits on bulkier balance teams, which can provide it with long-term support in the form of entry hazard stacking and other sweepers. Strong hazard support from the likes of Toxic Spikes Toxapex and Spikes Skarmory is extremely beneficial to wear down Zarude's checks in the long run, such as Tangrowth and Unaware Clefable. Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mega Lopunny, and Ash-Greninja appreciate Zarude breaking down bulkier teams and help its struggles with faster-paced teams. Other setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Clefable, Bulk Up Corviknight, and Mega Latias all appreciate Zarude weakening or KOing their checks, with Clefable especially enjoying it KOing Heatran and Mega Scizor. Zarude also needs sturdy Fire-resistant Pokemon because they force it to switch out or waste its Z-Move, so partners such as Toxapex, Mega Latias, and Heatran are greatly appreciated. Lastly, Pokemon such as Corviknight and Skarmory that can switch into revenge killers that threaten Zarude, such as Mega Lopunny, Hawlucha, Landorus-T, and Kartana, are required. Zarude’s typing gives it amazing defensive utility, allowing it to solidly check Ash-Greninja and switch into Slowbro and Slowking; however, Scald burns forcing it to use Jungle Healing can easily be taken advantage of. It can also reliably switch into Ground-types such as Gliscor and Garchomp and threaten them out. These defensive capabilities make it a good partner with the likes of Heatran, Gliscor, and Mega Diancie.

Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude is a fast and powerful wallbreaker that puts tremendous pressure on the opposing team. Darkest Lariat is its most consistent attack and 2HKOes most of the metagame, as bulky Dark-resistant foes are few and far between; it has the added benefit of bypassing Dauntless Shield. Power Whip is Zarude's strongest attack, securing the OHKO against offensive Garchomp and 2HKO against Toxapex, and provides important coverage against Tapu Fini. U-turn generates momentum against Zarude's few reliable checks such as Kommo-o and Mandibuzz; Mandibuzz, in particular, will be unable to use Roost and is susceptible to being worn down by repeated pivots. Close Combat secures the OHKO against Heatran and has a high chance to OHKO common Ferrothorn variants. Jolly is the preferred nature to reliably force out other fast offensive threats like Zapdos, Garchomp, and Tapu Lele, but Adamant still outspeeds fully invested base 90 Speed Pokemon, and it gets more favorable 2HKO odds against Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Choice Band + Tough Claws Zarude functions best on pivot-heavy balance and offense teams, which can provide it with multiple switch-in opportunities. It pairs especially well with specially-oriented pivots like Azelf and Tapu Koko, as they can each pivot on their checks and put the other in an advantageous position. Defensive pivots like Corviknight and Blissey can switch in when Zarude gets forced out, and they safely bring it in against slower wallbreakers like Zapdos and Garchomp. Zarude struggles against bulky Dark-resistant foes like Kommo-o and Mandibuzz, making Fairy-type wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko excellent partners. Physically defensive Steel-types like Intimidate Corviknight and Regenerator Ferrothorn hold up decently well against Zarude, so it pairs well with Zygarde-10% and Zapdos, which blow through them. Zarude greatly appreciates entry hazard and Knock Off support to weaken its checks and take advantage of the high number of switches it forces. Because Zarude is heavily threatened by U-turn, it risks getting forced out and pivoted on by faster threats such as Azelf, Talonflame, and Tapu Koko; reliable answers to these threats that do not need a turn to recover, like Regenerator Blissey and Heatran, are strongly recommended. As Zarude lacks any form of recovery, it appreciates reliable entry hazard removal to keep it healthy.

Zarude is a formidable offensive pivot and doubles as one of the strongest priority users in the metagame. With Choice Band and a Terrain-boosted Grassy Glide, Zarude can force out the majority of relevant wallbreakers, such as Tapu Koko and Azelf, as they risk getting OHKOed. U-turn capitalizes on the switches Zarude forces, bringing in offensive partners like Heatran. Power Whip is the strongest STAB move available, OHKOing or 2HKOing common defensive pivots like Swampert, Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Toxapex. Darkest Lariat is a spammable STAB move that also bypasses Dauntless Shield boosts, scoring 2HKOs on Heatran, Mew, and Moltres. However, Close Combat is a strong alternative over either Power Whip or Darkest Lariat, allowing it to break through specific checks like Ferrothorn and Incineroar. An Adamant nature is preferred to augment the power of Zarude's attacks, notably having a better chance to OHKO Tapu Koko with Grassy Glide; however, Jolly is an option to outspeed Zapdos. Zarude provides valuable utility including priority, Terrain control, and passive recovery, making it a great fit on balance and bulky offense teams. As Zarude cannot switch into most attackers, a strong defensive core often helps bring it in safely. Zarude also handily beats Swampert and Tapu Fini, making it a great partner for a multitude of wallbreakers, such as Heatran, Zapdos, and Tapu Koko. In return, Zarude gives them good switch-in opportunities by using U-turn on the Flying-types it invites in, mainly Corviknight and Mandibuzz. Zarude appreciates any teammates that can set entry hazards, chipping down foes like Ferrothorn and Corviknight into OHKO or 2HKO range. Teammates carrying Rocky Helmet such as Corviknight and Swampert also provide chip damage, and they can notably punish offensive pivots such as Landorus-T and Cinderace freely clicking U-turn on Zarude. Lastly, teammates running Knock Off such as Tapu Fini and Toxapex are useful to remove opposing Rocky Helmet and Heavy-Duty Boots, respectively allowing Zarude to attack more freely and better chip walls—especially Flying-types—in combination with hazards.