Zekrom

Using Zekrom in a Playthrough

Zekrom is a Dragon/Electric Legendary built around physical power, with base 150 Attack, 120 Defense, 120 Special Attack, and 90 Speed. Bolt Strike and Fusion Bolt provide exceptionally strong physical Electric STAB, while Dragon Claw or Outrage, Crunch, Stone Edge, Volt Switch, Hone Claws, and Dragon Dance in later generations give it both immediate power and setup potential. Teravolt lets Zekrom's attacks ignore many opposing abilities, allowing it to bypass immunities or defensive effects that would otherwise stop an Electric or coverage move. Dragon/Electric resists Fire, Water, Grass, Flying, Steel, and especially Electric, but is weak to Dragon, Ground, and Ice in Generation V and gains a Fairy weakness from Generation VI onward. Adamant maximizes the enormous Attack stat, while Jolly is often safer because base 90 Speed leaves Zekrom vulnerable to many faster offensive Pokemon.

Zekrom in Competitive Pokémon

Zekrom has been an Ubers Pokemon since its introduction and was one of BW's premier physical wallbreakers. Base 150 Attack combined with Bolt Strike and Dragon STAB puts extraordinary pressure on defensive teams, and Smogon notes that Bolt Strike can heavily damage even Pokemon that resist Electric. Teravolt also prevents several abilities from creating easy defensive pivots, forcing teams to rely more heavily on Ground-types, bulky Dragons, or dedicated physical walls. Choice Scarf, Choice Band, mixed, Hone Claws, and later Dragon Dance sets have all exploited its excellent offensive stats. Its base 90 Speed and weaknesses to Dragon, Ground, Ice, and later Fairy make it easier to revenge kill than its raw power suggests, but few physical attackers in Ubers force more respect from a single attack.

Zekrom in Nuzlockes

Zekrom is exceptionally strong if allowed under Nuzlocke rules because base 150 Attack, 120 Defense, and several important resistances give it both offensive and physical defensive value. Teravolt reduces the risk of ability-based surprises, while Dragon/Electric typing provides useful answers to Water-, Fire-, Flying-, and Electric-type opponents. Bolt Strike is enormously strong but has imperfect accuracy, making Fusion Bolt or another reliable Electric move safer when the extra damage is unnecessary. Dragon, Ground, Ice, and later Fairy attacks should still be treated seriously, particularly special Ice or Fairy coverage aimed at its lower base 100 Special Defense. Jolly is generally safer than Adamant when it prevents Zekrom from taking an additional hit.

Zekrom is the other half of Unova's ancient dragon and represents ideals. Its massive tail functions as an electricity generator, producing enough energy to create repeated thunderstorms and powerful enough lightning to scorch the world. The generator also creates an anti-gravity field that helps Zekrom fly while it hides inside thunderclouds. Myth says Zekrom destroys kingdoms whose people lose righteousness in their hearts, and when dormant it can become the Dark Stone until awakened by a hero who believes in ideals.