Strategy for Porygon-Z [Pokémon Sun and Moon]

A COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS ON THE VIRTUAL POKÉMON: PORYGON-Z

This article contains information for the Virtual Pokémon Porygon-Z in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

The analysis would involve: the distribution of effort values, choice of movesets, recommended held items, and other suggested options. This will also show information on how to deal with Porygon-Z during free battles and rating battles on Wi-Fi.

Basic Information on Porygon-Z

Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/zukan/

Type 1 Type 2
Normal
Ability Hidden Ability
Adaptability Analytic
Download
HP Attack Defense Sp.Atk Sp.Def Speed Base Stat Total
85 80 70 135 75 90 535
Type Compatibility
This is super effective
(×4)
This is super effective
(×2)
Fighting
This is not very effective
(×1/2)
This is not very effective
(×1/4)
No effect Ghost

Using Porygon-Z

Porygon-Z sports a High Sp. Attack stat that utilizes STAB normal moves.

One of its most powerful moves is STAB Hyper Beam, coming from a high base Sp. Attack coupled by either one of its abilities: Download or Adaptability is powerful to knock out most opponents that don’t resist it.

Even though normal-type moves deal neutral damage to almost all types, its failure to deal super-effective damage is mediated by its great versatility. Therefore its required to be supplemented by other non-STAB moves to hit Pokemon that resist them such as Ghost-Types.

Incidentally, although Porygon-Z’s great typing makes it weak to only 1 type – Fighting, it still has Type disadvantages against Rock and Steel-Type Pokemon since its STAB moves and usual coverage moves do not deal much damage to them. Therefore it is important to have an ally that has great type synergy with Porygon-Z, one of these include Fighting-Type Pokemon.

Although Hyper Beam does deal huge damage, it’s immense power will be compensated next turn its charge requirement. To alleviate this, another recommended move is Substitute as it protects Porygon-Z enough before its cover wears off.

A breakdown of the suggested moves for Porygon-Z

Physical Moves Special Moves Non-Damaging Moves
Thunderbolt Agility
Dark Pulse Trick
Thunder Substitute
Psychic Nasty Plot
Psyshock
Uproar
Shadow Ball
Tri Attack
Hyper Beam
Blizzard
Discharge
Hidden Power(Fire)
Ice Beam

Fitting Porygon-Z on your team

■ Special Attacker set

Ability Adaptability/Download
Nature Timid/Modest
Effort Values 252 Sp.Atk / 252 Speed or invest the remaining on HP
Held Item Choice Specs/Choice Scarf/Life Orb/Focus Sash/Assault Vest
Recommended Move Uproar or Tri Attack or Hyper Beam/
Dark Pulse or Shadow Ball
  • Firepower invested ones should equip Choice Specs; whereas if the choice is to remedy its average Speed stat, it should equip a Choice Scarf instead. In addition, both of these suggested held items go well with Trick to cripple opponents especially those that depend on Non-Damaging Moves.
  • Adaptability increases its STAB normal moves from the standard x1.5 boost to x2. Therefore it is important to have at least 1 normal move when deciding for Porygon-Z’s moves.
  • On the other hand, its other ability is equally useful as Download has a chance to increase its Sp. Attack which is beneficial not only to its STAB moves but also to its coverage moves as well. The only downside to it is that it might gain an Attack boost instead due to the ability’s effect being dependent on the opponent’s stats.

Countering Porygon-Z

Normally, usual Porygon-Z sets cannot do much with its STAB move to Rock and Steel-Type Pokemon. However, be wary of the occasional Hidden Power Fire variants as these strike Steel-Types tremendously, especially if it gained a boost from Download.

Similarly, Rock-Types may incur a decent amount of damage if the Porygon-Z has gained a Sp. Attack boost due to Download, in conjunction with a Choice Specs.

The best Pokemon to send out are fast Fighting-Type Pokemon that can outrun Porygon-Z as their STAB moves do a significant amount of damage.

Pokemon Sun and Moon Recommended Article List

This article is about Pokemon Sun and Moon. For information about Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, click below.
https://samurai-gamers.com/pokemon-ultra-sun-and-moon/

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2 Comments

    • Hi Oliver, yeah unfortunately. Since Porygon-Z is often trained to capitalize on its high Base 90 speed stat, it’s better off using either of its two abilities over Analytic.