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Zebstrika

Zebstrika, The Thunderbolt Pokémon. They have lightning-like movements. When Zebstrika run at full speed, the sound of thunder reverberates. This ill-tempered Pokémon is dangerous because when it's angry, it shoots lightning from its mane in all directions.

Overview

Zebstrika is an alright Pokémon. Found early in the games, it suffers from the same fate as most from that part of the game: mediocrity. It does have its own niches, with decent Speed that is easily boosted. It has good Attack and passable Special Attack so it is completely able to hold its own in some battles. However, despite this, it has frail defenses so you need to hit hard and fast. Unfortunately, it also has a shallow movepool making its choices limited.

Abilities

Lightningrod: Not the best ability that Zebstrika has but is very handy in Double & Triple battles. This ability draws in all the Electric-type moves any other Pokémon uses, and causes them to hit Zebstrika. Rather than doing damage, Zebstrika's Special Attack is increased by one stage.
Motor Drive: Unlike Lightningrod, Motor Drive doesn't draw in moves, but is good to switch in to. When hit with Electric-type moves, Motor Drive increases Zebstrika's Speed by one stage and negates damage Sap Sipper: Currently unobtainable in the games, Sap Sipper works like the other abilities, but instead will increase Zebstrika's Attack by one stage when hit by a Grass-type move and negates damage

Movesets

Choice

- Wild Charge
- Double-Edge / Return
- Pursuit
- Overheat
Item Attached: Choice Band
Ability: Motor Drive / Sap Sipper
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Speed / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) / Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)

Your standard Choice Band set here. Wild Charge gets you STAB and can do major damage, while monopolising on Zebstrika's Attack. Double-Edge gives decent power while Return will do similar damage, just lacking recoil. Pursuit is always good to damage those who switch out. Overheat doesn't get the Choice Band boost, but can do significant damage.

Physical

- Wild Charge
- Return / Double Kick
- Pursuit
- Flame Charge
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Motor Drive / Sap Sipper
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Speed / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk), Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)

This set works similar to the Choice set, but doesn't lock you in to a move. It gives you the boost through the Life Orb, but will give significant recoil. However, as Zebstrika tends to be a one-hit wonder, the Life Orb boost is worth it

Special Sweeper

- Thunderbolt / Discharge
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice] / [Grass]
Item Attached: Choice Specs / White Herb
Ability: Motor Drive / Lightningrod
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Speed / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)

While Zebstrika's Special Attack isn't the best stat, it is still decent, especially if you set it up by switching in to an Electric-type move when you have Lightningrod. Thunderbolt and Discharge can do a decent amount of damage with STAB with the possibility of paralysing. Overheat gives a good fire move, with decent damage, with the stat drop being negated if you have a White Herb. Hidden Power [Ice] gives great defence against Ground-type Pokémon while Volt Switch does decent STAB damage and allows you to escape from battle

EVs & Natures

Zebstrika
Zebstrika's EVs and Natures change depending on the set you use. Physical require you to put all the EVs in the Attack while Special in the Special Attack. The other stat should be Speed so that you can try and guarantee that you will do significant damage first.

Other Options

Air Balloon, Cell Battery, Charge Beam, Light Screen, Quick Attack, Thunder, Thunder Wave, Toxic
Air Balloon destroys its Ground-type weakness
Cell Battery is a bit gimmicky but can work with Lightningrod, especially in Double & Triples. When hit by an Electric-type move, it will increase Zebstrika's Attack stat
Charge Beam does decent damage and can raise your Special Attack
Light Screen is a good support move which increases your team's Special Defense
Quick Attack gives an annoying priority move if you can anticipate your opponent attempting one themselves and can damage weakened Pokémon
Thunder does decent damage in Special sets and, when teamed with Rain Dance, is lethal
Thunder Wave will paralyse opponents when it hits, halving their Speed and potentially preventing them from battling
Toxic is a classic support move which will do decent damage to the opponent as battle progresses

Double & Triple Battle Options

While Zebstrika's moveset is primarily tuned for Single Battles, Zebstrika is very useful in Doubles & Triples. If you team one with Lightningrod with a Pokémon that is weak to Electric-type moves, Gyarados for example, the Electric moves will hit Zebstrika and boost its Special Attack. If you have a Cell Battery on it, it will boost its Attack stat as well and if it has an Air Balloon on it, it will be immune to the commonly used Earthquake, which would inevitably be used to take it out

Partners

Thundurus is a great Pokémon to team up with Zebstrika as it can easily set Zebstrika up for many reasons during Doubles as it can kill the Ice-type Pokémon that would take it out. However, in Singles, the partners for Zebstrika could be part of a Rain Dance team with Thunder taking many Pokémon out.

Countering Zebstrika

Zebstrika is a fast Pokémon that can hit hard. However, it is very weak so if the Pokémon survives the hit, it will likely take out Zebstrika in one hit. Ground-type Pokémon such as Garchomp, Landorus, Golem, Gliscor and so forth can ruin Zebstrika with Earthquake and various other Ground-type moves. Grass-type Pokémon are good if the Zebstrika doesn't have any Fire-type moves, but that's not that common. Finally, if you use Trick Room, Zebstrika is ruined.

Locations in Games

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game.

FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game..

Colosseum/XD:

Not in game.

Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game..

HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game..

Black/White:
Route 7
Evolve Blitzle

Animé Appearences

Zebstrika has made a few appearances. These appearances have been under the control of Stephan in the Battle Tournament and Elesa during her gym battles against Bianca and Ash.

# -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics
M14 White: Victini & Zekrom Victini & The Black Hero: Zekrom Pics
M14 Black: Victini & Reshiram Victini & The White Hero: Reshiram Pics
700 Reunion Battles In Nimbasa! Everyone Gathers! Don Battle!! Pics
701 Cilan Versus Trip, Ash Versus Georgia!! Fierce Fighting Don Battle! Snivy VS Pawniard!! Pics
710 Enter Elesa, Electrifying Gym Leader! Charismatic Gym Leader Appears! Elesa Enters! Pics
711 Dazzling the Nimbasa Gym! Nimbasa Gym! Lightning Battle!! Pics
715 The Four Seasons of Sawsbuck! Sawsbuck: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, All Present!! Pics
728 Cilan Takes Flight! Mistralton Gym Air-Battle! Challenger Cilan!? Pics
S28 TBC Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 Introduction Pics
742 Crisis at Ferroseed Research Ferroseed Research Institute! Iris and Vanilluxe!! Pics
M15 Kyurem VS The Sword of Justice Kyurem VS The Sacred Swordsman Keldeo Pics
751 Jostling for the Junior Cup! The Junior Cup Gets Underway! Dragonite VS Beartic!! Pics
763 Team Eevee and the Pokemon Rescue Squad! Team Eevee, Depart! The Pokémon Rescue Squad!! Pics
764 Curtain Up, Unova League The Unova League Higaki Tournament Begins! Pics
767 Strong Strategy Steals the Show! Sawk Enters! Ash VS Stephan! Pics
769 A Unova League Evolution Unova League Conclusion! Lucario VS Pikachu!! Pics
812 Clemont's Got a Secret! Capture Lumiose Gym! Clemont's Secret! Pics

 
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