Wormadam-S has a uniquely resilient typing that establishes it as the most reliable check to several of ZU's biggest threats. A resistance to the STAB attacks of Persian, Grumpig, Leafeon, and Arbok all in one slot is found nowhere else, and although Wormadam-S lacks recovery, it can turn these resistances into consistent progress for its team. Stealth Rock is a key move for any team, and Wormadam-S's ability to set it up reliably against the numerous Normal-, Grass-, and Psychic-types of the tier is its biggest contribution to teams. Psychic allows Wormadam-S to threaten Arbok and Muk, which could otherwise switch in and set up Coil or Substitute on it. Bug Bite and Signal Beam pressure Calm Mind Grumpig and Leafeon more, respectively, but both are important so that Wormadam-S can effectively scare the Grass- and Psychic-types it is tasked with walling. Toxic is a catch-all move that especially hinders walls that might try to set Stealth Rock or target Wormadam-S with passive damage, such as Solrock, Frillish, and Hippopotas. Protect is especially useful on walls without recovery beyond Leftovers like Wormadam-S and allows it to scout for potential Fire-type coverage, but it should only be considered if Wormadam-S's team already has Stealth Rock or can reliably check the Pokemon that it would have with the moveslot it sacrifices. Reliable checks to Psychic-types such as specially defensive Clefairy and Choice Scarf Grumpig would allow Wormadam-S to drop its Bug-type coverage, while a hard counter to Arbok, Lairon, and Muk such as Hippopotas allows it to drop Psychic or Hidden Power Ground. Hidden Power Ground is quite specific, but it is worth considering if Wormadam-S's team is very weak to Lairon and must threaten it at every opportunity. Maximum HP and Defense are used to make Wormadam-S as physically bulky as possible, since it can still check Psychic-types even with no investment. However, maximum Special Defense can be used if checking Psychic-types and Glaceon is paramount. Overcoat serves no function in a tier with no Snow Warning Pokemon, and Anticipation can reveal niche options to OHKO Wormadam such as Overheat Solrock and Fire Fang Shelgon. It should be noted that Anticipation does not warn Wormadam-S about Hidden Power Fire, so it should consider scouting the option from Pokemon like Meganium or Persian.
Wormadam-S is a star for bulky offense and balance teams. Bulky offense appreciates the wide range of threats Wormadam-S can check in one slot, while Wormadam-S's short-term nature compared to defensive Solrock and Clefairy is less of a flaw on bulky offense's faster pace. On balance, Wormadam-S can make full use of the supportive qualities of clerics like Clefairy, Meganium, and Hypno to become truly unbreakable against Grumpig and Leafeon, which are otherwise enormous threats to bulkier styles. Clefairy and Meganium are quite adept at scaring off Staryu as well, which would otherwise prevent Stealth Rock without much worry against Wormadam-S's poor damage output. Muk is one of the best pairings for Wormadam, as it deconstructs defensive cores and threatens Clefairy especially, while it appreciates Wormadam-S's ability to check Arbok and Psychic-types. Muk's ability to check virtually any special attacker, especially Simisear, is also very valuable to Wormadam-S, which is susceptible to most non-Psychic-type special attackers. Mienfoo appreciates the same traits as Muk, but it instead offers Knock Off and an important answer to the dangerous Lairon. Walrein consistently forces out Clefairy after it has been forced to use Soft-Boiled, setting up a Substitute and ravaging the defensive teams Wormadam struggles against. Clefairy and Solrock particularly appreciate Wormadam-S reliably carrying Stealth Rock, allowing them to dip into their incredible pool of support moves.
