Zarude (Dada) Movesets & Wettbewerbs-Sets

Zarude's high Speed allows it to be a great user of Choice Scarf that can revenge kill Pokemon such as Keldeo and Azelf in addition to boosted sweepers such as Gyarados and Dragon Dance Necrozma. Power Whip OHKOes Lycanroc-D and Keldeo. Darkest Lariat is Zarude's strongest Dark-type STAB move and can hit Jirachi and Azelf for huge damage. U-turn allows Zarude to pivot out on potential switch-ins such as Tangrowth and Salamence, allowing it to gain momentum. Close Combat is able to hit Cobalion, an otherwise easy switch-in, for heavy damage. Jungle Healing can get rid of status conditions such as a burn from Moltres's Flame Body and Slowking's Scald while regaining HP so that Zarude can be used in the long run in a battle but it is not ideal to lock into. It also allows Zarude to act as a reliable status sponge if it takes a Knock Off when Choice Scarf is not needed. Choice Scarf Zarude is a solid pivot and revenge killer on bulky offense teams. It appreciates additional pivots such as Moltres, Slowking, and Thundurus-T that can form momentum cores and pivot out of unfavorable matchups. For example, Moltres can bring Zarude in on Water-types such as Slowking and Swampert. Entry hazard control from the likes of Salamence, Excadrill, and Mandibuzz allows Zarude to consistently pivot without worrying about hazard damage. They can also check threats like Scizor and Tapu Bulu. Thundurus-T, Keldeo, and Nidoking are wallbreakers that appreciate Zarude's pivot support and its ability to check Pokemon such as Swampert, with the wallbreakers KOing Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Skarmory in return. Swampert is an entry hazard setter that appreciates Zarude dealing with Keldeo, Gyarados, and Hydreigon for it, while Swampert can set Stealth Rock in return and also help deal with Pokemon like Salamence. Primarina and Azumarill can help deal with some of Zarude's checks such as Salamence.

Zarude's STAB combination allows it to threaten many tier staples like Primarina, Excadrill, and Slowking. U-turn grabs momentum on usual switch-ins such as Celesteela and Salamence. Jungle Healing allows Zarude to remove status conditions from moves such as Toxic from Hippowdon and Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W, while restoring 25% of its health. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Zarude to not worry about entry hazards, letting it constantly pivot throughout the game. Jolly is the required nature on the set so that Zarude can outspeed Nihilego and Thundurus-T. Zarude is commonly seen on balance and bulky offense due to the easy pivoting provided by Heavy-Duty Boots and its ability to act as a status sponge against Toxic from Hippowdon and Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W. Secondary pivots like Moltres, Thundurus-T, and Swampert all form potent pivoting cores with Zarude. Moltres appreciates Zarude luring in Grass- and Steel-types like Amoonguss, Scizor, and Skarmory, while Thundurus-T heavily pressures Celesteela and Moltres. Swampert can pivot into attacks from Celesteela and set entry hazards for Zarude to soften up Pokemon like Amoonguss with Stealth Rock. Other entry hazard setters like Cobalion and Excadrill also set Stealth Rock and appreciate Zarude dealing with Water-types such as Slowking and Swampert, while Zarude appreciates them dealing with Scizor and Rotom-H. Slowking and Celesteela provide a strong defensive backbone to support Zarude, checking threats like Azelf, Salamence, and Cobalion that hinder it. Zygarde-10%, Mamoswine, and Azelf are wallbreakers that appreciate Zarude bringing them in on Salamence, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss, as they often have trouble switching in safely due to their frailty.