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
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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.
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Synopsis
Pictures
