[OVERVIEW]
Zorua's signature ability Illusion gives it a decent and unique niche in Little Cup. Zorua's main function is to trick opponents into thinking they're using super effective moves when really they are merely attacking a disguised Zorua. Its relatively high Attack and Special Attack stats help Zorua score a surprise KO. It also has a great Speed tier at 17, Speed tying with Snivy, Drilbur, and Mienfoo. Zorua has access to some great moves, such as U-turn, STAB Knock Off, and Nasty Plot. However, Zorua's paper-thin defenses and relatively poor defensive typing leave it vulnerable to priority and any super effective moves aimed its way. Its fairly narrow movepool also leaves it completely walled by common Fairy-types, namely Spritzee and Snubbull. Finally, Zorua has a weakness to the common Fighting-types and U-turn users of Little Cup.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Night Daze / Dark Pulse
move 2: Extrasensory
move 3: Nasty Plot / Knock Off
move 4: U-turn / Hidden Power Fighting / Knock Off
item: Life Orb
ability: Illusion
nature: Timid / Naive
evs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Night Daze is Zorua's primary STAB option and has the added bonus of having a high chance to drop a foe's accuracy. However, it is notable that using it reveals Zorua for what it is. Dark Pulse is a great alternative to Night Daze with 100% accuracy and a flinch chance, but it has slightly less power. This choice is mostly up to preference, though. Extrasensory is a powerful Psychic-type move that lets Zorua hit Fighting-types, such as Mienfoo and Croagunk, and Poison-types, such as Foongus and Mareanie. Nasty Plot allows Zorua to set up its Special Attack and potentially even sweep. U-turn is a great option to let Zorua pivot, and its immense prevalence makes it easy to bluff being another Pokemon early on. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit Steel- and Dark-types, primarily Pawniard and Scraggy, if you don't want to use U-turn. Knock Off can be used as an alternative to Nasty Plot or U-turn to cripple foes, and it also has the added bonus of being very common, making it another good move to use to bluff being another Pokemon.
Set Details
========
196 Special Attack EVs and a Life Orb are used to maximize Zorua's attacking power, primarily on the special side, and specifically let it OHKO Pawniard with Hidden Power Fighting and have a chance to OHKO Mienfoo with Dazzling Gleam. 236 Speed EVs as well as either a Timid or a Naive nature are used to help Zorua outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, particularly Pawniard. Choosing between Timid and Naive is mainly up to if you would like to maximize Knock Off and U-turn damage or be slightly more bulky. The rest of Zorua's EVs are put into its defenses to make its a bulk a bit better. Illusion makes opponents see Zorua as another Pokemon on its team until it is hit.
Usage Tips
========
Deciding upon your team order is very important with Zorua, due to its unique ability. The Pokemon put in the last slot should usually be a Poison- or Fighting-type if your opponent has a Psychic-type such as Abra, as Zorua can bait the Psychic-type moves that it is immune to and hit back with a powerful Dark-type move. Your last Pokemon in other situations should be a Pokemon weak to attacks that Zorua resists, namely Psychic- and Ghost-type moves. Illusion also lets Zorua force switches by disguising itself as Timburr against a Pawniard, for example, allowing it to safely set up Nasty Plot. It can also be good to disguise Zorua as a Pokemon that uses the same moves as it, such as Nasty Plot Croagunk, U-turn Mienfoo, or Knock Off Timburr. If utilizing Nasty Plot, it is always a good idea to remove Zorua's checks and counters before attempting to sweep, as Fighting-types, faster Pokemon, and, (comma) in particular, Fairy-types can be troublesome. Keep careful watch on your team's HP, as Zorua's HP can reveal its disguise to opponents who pay close attention, and as such, try to keep Zorua's HP as close to the Pokemon it's disguised as as possible. Also be wary of switching into Stealth Rock when disguised as a Pokemon weak or resistant to it, as the damage Zorua takes will reveal it to observant opponents. Because of its frailty, Zorua should only be brought in on safe switches or via U-turn or Volt Switch.
Team Options
========
Fighting- and Poison-types, such as Mienfoo, Foongus, and Croagunk, can bait Psychic-types in quite well. Similarly, Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Gastly, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Abra can bait in Ghost-types. Fairy-type checks, such as Pawniard and Foongus, are important to keep Zorua safe from its biggest threats. Hazard removers, such as Staryu, Drilbur, and Kabuto, are also important, as they keep Zorua from taking chip damage and potentially revealing itself. Vullaby in particular can also partially check Fighting-types for Zorua and commonly runs Dark Pulse, U-turn, Knock Off, and Nasty Plot, all moves Zorua uses that can therefore help convince opponents Zorua is Vullaby. U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Chinchou can help safely get Zorua in. The first also makes it easier for Zorua to disguise itself. Similarly, Knock Off users such as Mienfoo, Timburr, Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy can all make it easier for Zorua to disguise itself.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A fully physical Swords Dance set with Sucker Punch and Knock Off could work, but Pawniard runs such a set better due to its higher Attack and Steel secondary typing. Agility can be used to boost Zorua's Speed, but Zorua's raw power isn't very good for sweeping without boosts. Taunt is an option, but not many Pokemon are fazed by this, and Zorua is too frail to utilize it well. A Choice Scarf set with Trick could surprise some Pokemon, but after using Trick Zorua can't do very much. Memento can be used to assist a sweeper, but Cottonee and Diglett use it much better due to their Prankster and high Speed, respectively. Psychium Z can be used for a chance to OHKO Snubbull, but it doesn't do much more than that. Pursuit can trap Psychic- and Ghost-types, but Alolan Grimer does this job better, as it has better bulk, a better Attack stat, and a good secondary typing. Berry Juice and Eviolite can both make Zorua easier to disguise and bulkier, but non-Life Orb sets miss out on some key KOs, particularly on Mienfoo.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Zorua can do essentially nothing against Fairy-types like Spritzee, Snubbull, and Cottonee, and almost all can KO it with Fairy-type moves.
**Fighting-types**: Although Zorua can deal with most Fighting-types using Extrasensory, many, like Timburr and Mienfoo, are bulky enough to survive an unboosted Extrasensory and can retaliate with a Drain Punch. Many also carry Fighting-type priority, such as Croagunk's Vacuum Wave or and Timburr's Mach Punch, meaning they can hit Zorua hard before it can KO them.
**Chip Damage**: Entry hazards and other chip damage can reveal Zorua and make it hard to properly use Illusion. For example, if Zorua has switched into Stealth Rock more times than a teammate, your opponent can tell if Zorua is disguised as said Pokemon by its different HP.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Staryu, Doduo, and Ponyta can easily shut Zorua down by revenge killing it or simply switching in on a setup move.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Vullaby, Pawniard, and Alolan Grimer resist Zorua's STAB moves and are immune to Extrasensory, and many can either set up on Zorua or merely hit it with a powerful attack.
Zorua's signature ability Illusion gives it a decent and unique niche in Little Cup. Zorua's main function is to trick opponents into thinking they're using super effective moves when really they are merely attacking a disguised Zorua. Its relatively high Attack and Special Attack stats help Zorua score a surprise KO. It also has a great Speed tier at 17, Speed tying with Snivy, Drilbur, and Mienfoo. Zorua has access to some great moves, such as U-turn, STAB Knock Off, and Nasty Plot. However, Zorua's paper-thin defenses and relatively poor defensive typing leave it vulnerable to priority and any super effective moves aimed its way. Its fairly narrow movepool also leaves it completely walled by common Fairy-types, namely Spritzee and Snubbull. Finally, Zorua has a weakness to the common Fighting-types and U-turn users of Little Cup.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Night Daze / Dark Pulse
move 2: Extrasensory
move 3: Nasty Plot / Knock Off
move 4: U-turn / Hidden Power Fighting / Knock Off
item: Life Orb
ability: Illusion
nature: Timid / Naive
evs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Night Daze is Zorua's primary STAB option and has the added bonus of having a high chance to drop a foe's accuracy. However, it is notable that using it reveals Zorua for what it is. Dark Pulse is a great alternative to Night Daze with 100% accuracy and a flinch chance, but it has slightly less power. This choice is mostly up to preference, though. Extrasensory is a powerful Psychic-type move that lets Zorua hit Fighting-types, such as Mienfoo and Croagunk, and Poison-types, such as Foongus and Mareanie. Nasty Plot allows Zorua to set up its Special Attack and potentially even sweep. U-turn is a great option to let Zorua pivot, and its immense prevalence makes it easy to bluff being another Pokemon early on. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit Steel- and Dark-types, primarily Pawniard and Scraggy, if you don't want to use U-turn. Knock Off can be used as an alternative to Nasty Plot or U-turn to cripple foes, and it also has the added bonus of being very common, making it another good move to use to bluff being another Pokemon.
Set Details
========
196 Special Attack EVs and a Life Orb are used to maximize Zorua's attacking power, primarily on the special side, and specifically let it OHKO Pawniard with Hidden Power Fighting and have a chance to OHKO Mienfoo with Dazzling Gleam. 236 Speed EVs as well as either a Timid or a Naive nature are used to help Zorua outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, particularly Pawniard. Choosing between Timid and Naive is mainly up to if you would like to maximize Knock Off and U-turn damage or be slightly more bulky. The rest of Zorua's EVs are put into its defenses to make its a bulk a bit better. Illusion makes opponents see Zorua as another Pokemon on its team until it is hit.
Usage Tips
========
Deciding upon your team order is very important with Zorua, due to its unique ability. The Pokemon put in the last slot should usually be a Poison- or Fighting-type if your opponent has a Psychic-type such as Abra, as Zorua can bait the Psychic-type moves that it is immune to and hit back with a powerful Dark-type move. Your last Pokemon in other situations should be a Pokemon weak to attacks that Zorua resists, namely Psychic- and Ghost-type moves. Illusion also lets Zorua force switches by disguising itself as Timburr against a Pawniard, for example, allowing it to safely set up Nasty Plot. It can also be good to disguise Zorua as a Pokemon that uses the same moves as it, such as Nasty Plot Croagunk, U-turn Mienfoo, or Knock Off Timburr. If utilizing Nasty Plot, it is always a good idea to remove Zorua's checks and counters before attempting to sweep, as Fighting-types, faster Pokemon, and, (comma) in particular, Fairy-types can be troublesome. Keep careful watch on your team's HP, as Zorua's HP can reveal its disguise to opponents who pay close attention, and as such, try to keep Zorua's HP as close to the Pokemon it's disguised as as possible. Also be wary of switching into Stealth Rock when disguised as a Pokemon weak or resistant to it, as the damage Zorua takes will reveal it to observant opponents. Because of its frailty, Zorua should only be brought in on safe switches or via U-turn or Volt Switch.
Team Options
========
Fighting- and Poison-types, such as Mienfoo, Foongus, and Croagunk, can bait Psychic-types in quite well. Similarly, Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Gastly, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Abra can bait in Ghost-types. Fairy-type checks, such as Pawniard and Foongus, are important to keep Zorua safe from its biggest threats. Hazard removers, such as Staryu, Drilbur, and Kabuto, are also important, as they keep Zorua from taking chip damage and potentially revealing itself. Vullaby in particular can also partially check Fighting-types for Zorua and commonly runs Dark Pulse, U-turn, Knock Off, and Nasty Plot, all moves Zorua uses that can therefore help convince opponents Zorua is Vullaby. U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Chinchou can help safely get Zorua in. The first also makes it easier for Zorua to disguise itself. Similarly, Knock Off users such as Mienfoo, Timburr, Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy can all make it easier for Zorua to disguise itself.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A fully physical Swords Dance set with Sucker Punch and Knock Off could work, but Pawniard runs such a set better due to its higher Attack and Steel secondary typing. Agility can be used to boost Zorua's Speed, but Zorua's raw power isn't very good for sweeping without boosts. Taunt is an option, but not many Pokemon are fazed by this, and Zorua is too frail to utilize it well. A Choice Scarf set with Trick could surprise some Pokemon, but after using Trick Zorua can't do very much. Memento can be used to assist a sweeper, but Cottonee and Diglett use it much better due to their Prankster and high Speed, respectively. Psychium Z can be used for a chance to OHKO Snubbull, but it doesn't do much more than that. Pursuit can trap Psychic- and Ghost-types, but Alolan Grimer does this job better, as it has better bulk, a better Attack stat, and a good secondary typing. Berry Juice and Eviolite can both make Zorua easier to disguise and bulkier, but non-Life Orb sets miss out on some key KOs, particularly on Mienfoo.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Zorua can do essentially nothing against Fairy-types like Spritzee, Snubbull, and Cottonee, and almost all can KO it with Fairy-type moves.
**Fighting-types**: Although Zorua can deal with most Fighting-types using Extrasensory, many, like Timburr and Mienfoo, are bulky enough to survive an unboosted Extrasensory and can retaliate with a Drain Punch. Many also carry Fighting-type priority, such as Croagunk's Vacuum Wave or and Timburr's Mach Punch, meaning they can hit Zorua hard before it can KO them.
**Chip Damage**: Entry hazards and other chip damage can reveal Zorua and make it hard to properly use Illusion. For example, if Zorua has switched into Stealth Rock more times than a teammate, your opponent can tell if Zorua is disguised as said Pokemon by its different HP.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Staryu, Doduo, and Ponyta can easily shut Zorua down by revenge killing it or simply switching in on a setup move.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Vullaby, Pawniard, and Alolan Grimer resist Zorua's STAB moves and are immune to Extrasensory, and many can either set up on Zorua or merely hit it with a powerful attack.
Last edited: