How One Move Fixed the Worst Legendary Pokemon (Zamazenta)

Zamazenta, 2024
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[@selfloathinggameing]

What countering Incineroar does to a mf:

[@Dr_Donald_Duck]

Was looking for this. The video could've been a 4 seconds: "Because it counters Incineroar" and everybody would've been: "Makes sense, have a nice day."

[@SarcasticBeingYes]

Not only that, basc most legendaries except Koraidon and some others like Groudon.

[@usernametaken017]

wide guard bulky incineroar counter pseudoimmune to intimidate

[@diegovelosa8519]

fr lolll

[@chriskoloski32]

The day they add a pokemon ability that does intimidate but for special attack is gonna make comp go crazy

[@TheWungus]

Imagine going back in time and telling a gen 8 vgc player that zamazenta becomes one of the best legendaries in the format and zacian becomes one of the worst Edit: I know zacian is far from the worst, I just over exaggerated it to make the joke work better

[@towndarling1618]

Zacian isn’t bad at all, but in a format where you only have one restricted mon it’s not worth the slot

[@GravityIsFalling]

I mean if you explained to them everything that happened (the nerfs + meta shifts + body press) They probably wouldn’t be surprised

[@bungyss]

Zacian is far from the worst, it's actually still better than average if you think about how it's better than every single restricted legendary from Gens 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. That's everything spanning 23 years from 1996-2019 except for the two eternally viable weather setters from Gen 3.

[@videogamahagain]

​@@GravityIsFalling well yeah after you explain exactly why everything is the way it is it makes more sence but before that they would probably be a bit flabberghasted

[@chinchillin242]

​@@bungyssI think Lunala is better, but other than that you are giving facts

[@Wafflefrieslmdh]

"So you're getting nerfed for gen 9?" "Yeah" "Do you think you'll lose?" "Nah, I'd win" **body presses everything**

[@aname4390]

That's the thing, it wasn't nerfed, it was buffed with body press access.

[@lucasleong8529]

@@aname4390it did get nerfed due to the once per switch in ability, just that the buffs outweighed that

[@RFDN0]

​@aname4390 It was nerfed. It lost BST, and its ability was changed to only work once. The thing is that body press literally is worth significantly more for Zamezenta than everything it lost.

[@umwhoalol]

Lol body press is just what gives it a real way to deal damage, its ok but not great, other mons have better offense because of tera nuking, it's just the meta around it. Wide guard is on absolutely no legal mons that are good, besides it- people are literally running mienshao and pelliper for just access to that. And bulk with the ability to 1 shot fairy, dark, and normals running around. The meta demands the mon right now with flutter mane and calys causing that.

[@capricous7196]

Zac/ian

[@papplejuicetv]

funny how the Shield Dog actually ended up getting paired with the Sword CAT instead.

[@what.are.you.doing.stepbro]

Underrated comment

[@luckluca8982]

I think Chien-Po is a ferret

[@noivern8595]

​@@luckluca8982 I'll have you know 🤓☝️

[@Andrew-ch3xj]

​@@luckluca8982 both

[@ShearGeniussharpening]

​@luckluca8982 it's an ermine kinda like a ferret

[@jmfordaliza3139]

All it took was put Body Press on this mon 😭

[@CalebDeez]

Yep 👍

[@RFDN0]

A lot of defensive mons gained some form of viability solely because of body press.

[@Darchias]

Frankly it was criminal he didn't have it to begin with.

[@hussainalaiwi9270]

All it took was giving the defense fighting type a fighting type move that uses defense and was introduced in the same generation

[@ferringsylveon219]

Yes. XD

[@starshot2476]

Game Freak really tried to trick us into thinking this thing was on par with Zacian

[@waitingfortheequinnox]

Even now the two aren’t equals

[@jamesfeng24]

Yeah, zacian is genuinely trash now. Funny that even if zamazenta only got nerfed and zacian never did, it still would see more success in reg g tbh. Body press is just THAT huge of an upgrade for Zam

[@Elite4koga]

Honestly thought zamazenta looked coller lol i like its shield

[@jacksonbranby]

Zacian has never held a candle to zama

[@SochimaOkwara]

In terms of design or viability?​@@jacksonbranby

[@jaspermidnight850]

at least zamazenta finally got something going for it

[@3180P5]

You said it

[@panchosaavedra5777]

The "yes, yes it is" after questioning it's viability had me cracking up because it was so non-chalant

[@yeahright3901]

It was a corny question anyways especially after talking about how it’s literally the best legendary rn and why

[@ktvx.94]

It's such a shame that we didn't get to see gen 8 with Body Press Zamazenta. Imagine both doggos at full power and evenly matched.

[@justcallmeharrison377]

Especially considering gen 8 INTRODUCED Body Press. Honestly a laughable oversight not giving it to the defensive fighting box legendary

[@TheRatBehindTheSlaughter]

And worst of all, why would behemoth bash not use defense too? It fits both lorewise and gameplay wise since body press exist

[@squiddler7731]

​@@TheRatBehindTheSlaughter Maybe cause gamefreak thought it'd be overpowered? ... ...Ah who am I kidding they probably just forgot lol

[@TheRatBehindTheSlaughter]

@@squiddler7731 gamefreak forgoting something? Never tought that could happen.. Like lets adress the elephant in the room, not making behemoth bash use defense is like giving psychoc to great tusk ! Wait a second..-

[@teammcpe13]

I hate the move Body Press so much, I think this move is too good for semi-defensive Pokemon in a game where the Gen 1/2 Stat EXP system isn't a thing.

[@peterstorm8089]

The fact Zamazenta is still affected by Intimidate just it doesn't effect its primary method of attack makes me imagine it as this terrified Scooby/Courage type dog accidentally crushing the scary cat man in its panic.

[@Konyyaan]

Ruh roh Raggy I crushed the cat

[@sekaihunter9378]

What's funny is because of its shield mane Zamazenta looks a lot more intimidating/lion-like than the scary fire cat man.

[@amamiyaharuto8407]

Behemoth Bash should've been like Body Press 😥

[@Killer1984able]

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYINGGG

[@GravityIsFalling]

It’s already the most consistent legendary no need to

[@daphenomenalz4100]

​@@GravityIsFalling it still should be tho, it makes sense even lore wise lol

[@GravityIsFalling]

@@daphenomenalz4100 Would you agree to give calyrex ice victory dance?

[@hypphen]

@@GravityIsFallingi want people to suffer so yes

[@grunkleg.3110]

Every dog has its day

[@DebayanRay-rb3qy]

best comment

[@mr.truffles9294]

Nice

[@danielhale1]

It was always weird that Zams didn't get Body Press from the get-go. Did they test it and think it was overpowered? Compared to Zacian, of all things? Or did it genuinely slip their minds all this time? Either way, really happy to see my doggo from Shield having a good time!

[@user-ni2bo3mu5p]

Balance, please this company made Mega Rayquazza and in the At generation made Zacian. They likely just forgot or didn’t feel like it

[@tetzy5172]

Considering it is the shield pokemon, it is weird its signature move doesn't use defense stat to damage Behemoth Bash feels like it should have been the upgrade, legendary form of Body Press

[@BobardeZanzibar]

​@user-ni2bo3mu5p they didn't forget it. They just have a different design philosophy than what most of us would like.

[@dragonslair951167]

@@user-ni2bo3mu5p It's worth noting that Game Freak almost exclusively balances with doubles/VGC in mind, and Mega Rayquaza was powerful but not overwhelming in doubles.

[@conorb.1901]

​@@dragonslair951167this, even back in 2016, despite Mega Ray winning the world championship, the tag team of Primal Groudon and Kyogre were generally considered the better legendary picks that year.

[@MelonSeedOfficial]

Zacian, the Pokémon designed to be the pinnacle of offense, is being out damaged by their overlooked defensive brother and their evil sword cat friend

[@monkeman8759]

Love how the addition of body practically saved 3 of the worst legendaries (regirock registeel and zama) and has given them actual viability and a chance for success

[@goGothitaLOL]

*Body Press

[@GravityIsFalling]

Stand proud zacian, you *were* strong

[@adrianstyranitar717]

How do you bold you words

[@shanedsouza189]

I *believe* you put an asterisk around the part you want to bold

[@ohhellwhereami2574]

​​​​​@@adrianstyranitar717 Something like this * (whatever you write without spaces but) * **see**

[@pallpksp9142]

NAH SIT DOWN ZACIAN, YOU'RE WEAK

[@adrianstyranitar717]

@shanedsouza189 Thank you, I *believe* its true. honestly, you are *magnificent*

[@nategwright]

It’s amazing how Intimidate’s ubiquitousness in competitive was part of why Zacian was _so_ good in Gen 8 and overshadow Zamazenta because its ability basically made it immune to Intimidate, but now Intimidate makes Zacian a liability and lets Zamazenta shine.

[@Chaos_Contingency]

Zamazenta's truly had an underdog story.

[@MaybeSableye]

Literally

[@4289isOK]

They’re finally giving my Shield Boi the love it deserves. Big Body Pressin’ Zama

[@daphenomenalz4100]

If Behemoth Bash worked like Body Press, it's only Achilles Heel would have been solved lol :D

[@jip0611]

Not really, BB would give it more coverage, but it still wouldn’t be enough to fair against walls. Still also makes it susceptible to being walled by Skeledirge just like Zacian

[@Mewseeker]

"They made fun of him because he was weak but he unlocked a cheat SSS rank skill and became OP!"

[@paternusowen2106]

I have read several light novels with titles similar to those. None of them comes close to this story

[@Mewseeker]

@@paternusowen2106 For the record, this is based on the titles of some youtube videos I saw.

[@Timmy_Time_magic]

TLDR: Fast stackattacka with a +1 boost on switch and *can’t*be intimidated is good

[@Andy-xn9zn]

Can you rewrite what you have typed? It does not specify what stat is boosred and what is lowwered.

[@eriol_shards2815]

​@@Andy-xn9zn+1 on defense and intimidated is -1 on attack

[@inmanis2924]

zamazenta gets a +1 def boost on switch in once a battle from it’s ability. giving it the clear amulet hold item prevents its’ stats from being lowered

[@rhesapratama4194]

@@inmanis2924 no its not about clear amulet specificly, body press does damage with defense, meaning zamazenta dont give a single flying f about intimidate. and you need your item slot to transform it into crowned forme too.

[@Engelion]

Thanks 👍 I understood nothing

[@worldiefeard8396]

"Zacian is too weak" is the one sentence I never thought I would hear. Glad to see Shield doggo thriving. I'm 100% confident Zamazenta (as well as some other supportive restricteds like Lunala) will skyrocket in usage once 2x restricteds will happen. Having that insane support movepool while also having a nuke at same time is huge.

[@rockowlgamer631]

The sad thing is Zamazenta could've gotten Body Press in gen 8 easily since it makes so much sense. Now I'm not surprised that it's better now.

[@dylanbauman3894]

I swear everything combines with chien pao this gen😭😭

[@RFDN0]

Physical attackers have been dominant and a mon reducing pokemon's defenses passively really aids them.

[@uribevaldezargenis8862]

Sword of ruin is basically the intimidate for defense, that plus clear amulet being a counter to intimidate makes psychical attacters easier to use

[@jackferring6790]

It genuinely feel wrong that Zamazenta and Body Press both were introduced in the same generation but Zamazenta didnt get access to it (Also Wooloo and Dubwool don't learn Rollout dispite rolling like a ball being theirmost Iconic Trait) *edit: I am embarrassed I wrote the wrong Pokémon

[@vez3834]

Zamazenta* but yea

[@altogrey9712]

Why its signature move didn't scale off of defense is a mystery.

[@kosakukawajiri5007]

Behemoth Bash being a Steel type stronger Body Press? I'll take 5.

[@altogrey9712]

@@kosakukawajiri5007 i mean if Zacian can have a 150 bp move that scales off its monstrous attack stat, I can't see why Zamazenta has to scale off of his ok ish to mid attack when its defense buffed by Dauntless Shield is right there, same as Zacian with Intrepid Sword. Like they just did my boy Zama dirty.

[@Turai12]

Finally, the cooler of the two doggos is good.

[@MiniOre2]

OK that glorified bastiodon meme was hilarious as hell

[@RFDN0]

Bastiodon also got bodypress this generation.

[@joshuakim5240]

@@RFDN0 And Foul Play. Tera-ing Bastiodon can genuinely result in some wacky plays that it would never otherwise dream of pulling off.

[@4zechan271]

"Miraidon is Miraidon." Not wrong Miraidon is the DON, the head of destruction and gamefreak bs.

[@waitingfortheequinnox]

It’s definitely worse than SwSh Zacian, but it does at least come close

[@aninass]

Naah, it doesn't even come close. Zacian went from 10 to 4. Zamazenta went from 1 to 7. If they wanted Zama to be a 10 they should have let Behemoth Bash scale off of Defense.

[@waitingfortheequinnox]

@@aninassTo be honest, that decision (+Recover for both the doggos) is something I want to advocate for but know they’d never do so esp. with how meteoric Zamazenta’s rise was with just Body Press

[@aninass]

@@waitingfortheequinnox again, Zamazenta's rise was not meteoric at all. Most people would still rather use a special restricted like Kyogre or Calyrex-S to mitigate the intimidate problem and some other picks that do Zamazenta's job. Zamazenta is also not creating consistent results as opposed to its competitors. The opportunity cost of not being a better restricted is also there. And Zamazenta is also not strong enough to win you a tournament if you are not running Iron Defense / Body Press set, which is predictable. The only reason Zama got this high because this is a single restricted format, which was totally unexpected and most people would rather take the safe way rather than the risky ones. Tldr; Zamazenta's rise (if you can even call it that) is nowhere close to meteoric, and most people still think that Zamazenta is not a tournament winning restricted.

[@mrstrange1062]

Zamazanta: history will be kinder to me

[@retrop569]

freezai covering all the fun discoveries of vgc is making for great content

[@joshwew9551]

Well, Michael won because it was a 7v5… Joji’s Chi Yu betrayed him

[@barry101ish]

That his fault for using low accuracy moves

[@unnderneath]

@@barry101ishyeah unfortunately Pokémon is very unforgiving. Even with all the correct plays, he still lost because he chose to gamble on inaccurate moves.

[@joshuakim5240]

@@barry101ish Yep. When one sacrifices consistency for power, then they shouldn't be surprised when they lose their gambles when it matters the most.

[@monseigneurpatate1928]

Wait... Does Sword of Ruin really help Zamazenta? For Heavy Slam, yeah, sure, but does it help with Body Press since "The power of the Pokémon's ruinous sword lowers the Defense stats of **all** Pokémon except itself" Or is it a lie and SoR is only calculated when recieving damage?

[@mrboost4186]

Choice Band boosts Body Press but Eviolite doesn't, so it's the same thing going on here

[@AztecCroc]

Body Press only considers the user's raw Defense stat and stat stages, everything else comes from attack boosts. Sword of Ruin has no effect on Body Press, Tablets of Ruin does.

[@solitare4602]

Wow, it's like Zamazenta should've had Body Press all along 🙄

[@odincruzhiguera7832]

I will always love how depending on the current meta everything can be a surprise

[@ferringsylveon219]

Looks like Zamazenta found a best friend in Chien Pao. 😊

[@parad0x765]

Finally, my beloved Zamazenta is usable, I liked the design way more than Zacian's, and liked the body press defense strat but it never got body press, but now...

[@Gold-Dango]

Incineroar: I fear no man, but that thing *points to zamazenta crowned* , it scares me

[@CrazyWearsPJs]

From broke to broken

[@poketrainerjames7246]

Behemoth bash should have used the defence stat as well, that would’ve definitely helped

[@mathewricafrente5984]

They really did a Topsy-Turvy on the competitive viability of legendary doggos. Now Zamazenta is stacking paper while Zacian is trying to get by.

[@regilad_9043]

Is zacian still the way better of the 2 in singles?

[@giornogiovanna3477]

​@@regilad_9043 Yes

[@reneantoniorodriguezippoli7561]

​@@regilad_9043Yes and unfortunately Zamazenta is still quite irrelevant at Uber

[@raresuwako6796]

Love the description you gave Miridon, gave me great info

[@Aegisoftheshine]

Behemoth👏bash👏should👏use👏defense👏like👏body👏press👏

[@yujirohamna2430]

The crazy thing about that meme in the beginning is that the pokedex implies Zacian is actually a female. The elder sister in fact.

[@christiancinnabars1402]

*Defensive legendary becoming viable when you give it ways to augment its offenses with defensive boosts (a concept introduced in the same generation as said legendary):* Game Freak: :O

[@asmontosborne3111]

Zamazenta has always been my preferred Gen 8 cover Legendary (I have yet to play Shield but still), it's great to see it do well

[@snokespraetorianguard]

MY BOI ZAMAZENTA FINALLY MADE IT 😭

[@3180P5]

Weird how I'm a Zacian fan, but I'm crying tears of joy for the Zamazenta fans. *Not to mention, my first Gen 8 game was Shield*

[@philswift5340]

I was waiting for you to make a video on this. Didnt think you would be this fast tho. Well done as always

[@virsonyx8942]

Body press is one of the most based moves GF has ever come up with. We need more like it

[@__august__]

man i can't wait for your gen 9 retrospective

[@MuffoonMayham]

Zamazenta went from lvl 1 Crook to lvl 99 Mafia Boss

[@Mysterious-Stranger]

Always happy to see some Freezai VGC content

[@jocabulous]

as a zamazenta enjoyer, you love to see this

[@inmanis2924]

zama is finally good, and all it took was.. 2 massive nerfs to zacien, a move pool buff. and a brand new hold item LMAO

[@TreeForceGaming]

I feel like you are spinning the narrative here a bit. Both Zacien and Zamazenta got the same nerfs Zaciens stat nerfs were a bit harder, but they both got them. He got one move, a singular move. A held item was added that changed the landscape of the meta. Because it allowed every pokemon the chance to get around intimidate. Which Zacien cannot use and Zama does not need.

[@duckyjellomana4316]

Zam benefit literally nothing from new item, it just that Zacian can’t use clear amulet while Zam doesn’t care about attack drop to begin with. Both Zacian and Zam got the same nerf as well.

[@pallpksp9142]

To be honest, GF gave Zacian too much tools in Gen 8 and gave too little in comparison for Zamazenta. I feel like this is really deserving.

[@Gravity_Ws_only]

@@pallpksp9142*gen 8 but yeah

[@peterholmes7440]

And a meta focused on spread move with poor Wide Guard distribution

[@gravityvertigo13579]

I was hoping you'd make this video!!

[@WhimsicottFanatic]

1:30 - I can't tell if Zam and Mane doing an animation at the same time there was a coincidence or one of those intentional things where a Pokemon will do their idle "flourish" animation for certain circumstances like Legends Arceus had [such as a 'mon getting "hit" with a move it has an immunity to]

[@redwings13400]

Wouldn't swords of ruin have some negative synnergy too by loweing zamazenta's defense stat and making body press weaker? I guess chien-pao supports it so well otherwise that this is fine, but I'm curious how that effects the calcs.

[@TooAteWon]

I actually like the set where you drop protect and just run Iron D, Heavy slam, body press, wide guard. I can't bring myself to drop one of these, they are all too good.

[@AngelusVesica]

Zam was my favourite looking out of the shield/sword duo. I'm glad it's finally getting the attention it always deserved.

[@HopeP0H]

bruh I remember zamazenta being legal in gen 9 ou for a while, this is hilarious

[@shadowbanningcommentssucks3551]

What Body Press does to a mf:

[@yuugael4010]

As someone whon never play swsh which should I buy sw or sh if I just want to play solo and maybe thinking about compe

[@talonitex6441]

Pokémon shield players finally getting their money worth

[@timaeustanis]

That was the biggest U-Turn I've ever seen

[@alanhe4476]

aside from the dark typing, is chien pao that good of a partner for zam? reducing everythings defense means that body press just does the same damage as it would without sword of ruin, right?

[@nicolaistuhlmuller8718]

Sword of Ruin doesn't actually affect the defense, just move power, so basically it just gives all physical moves a 33% power boost.

[@HackerAtesh]

Zamazenta got that DAWG in it

[@NathanCotrill]

Any chance this leads to higher use of gouging fire and burning bulwark?

[@splish_2]

I love both zacian and zamazenta, zacian by far my favorite and one of the coolest legendaries. I'm glad zamazenta getting love, would be cool to see both have a worlds title

[@leonardobarbosatelles2779]

I really enjoy Chien-Pao in Reg G. Ice Spinner is phenomenal for terrain teams, and sword of ruin enhances many Pokémon. I specially like a core of Speed Boosting Flutter Mane, Sash Pao, AV Entei and Scarf Koraidon. Flutter mane supports with spread damage and Icy Wind speed control, Pao has priority, eliminates terrain, and makes Koraidon and Entei stronger, Entei with AV can be rather specially bulky, being very helpful vs Miraidon, Caly-S and Terapagos, while having the best priority in ESpeed, and also having the busted Sacred Fire boosted by Koraidon’s Sun. Finally, Koraidon can use Scarf to outrun most of the meta, is extremely powerful, has U-Turn to pivot around, and provides the sun to make Entei stronger, and Flutter Mane faster.

[@justarandomalt255]

Damn I knew I was cooking when I put body press on zamazenta in hackomons

[@StrengthOfADragon13]

Has anyone been running feint with spread moves? I have been having really good success with feint choice scarf Kyogre and I am incredibly surprised to see it's usage so low

[@tigerlover2853]

The heroic shield dog and the nefarious sword cat making the best duo is amazing.

[@DanielTombs-sc1yq]

I'm glad tarapagos is getting play, he has such a cool design

[@OutOnTheCurbAgain]

Will-o-Wisp Incineroar could now be a thing as burn affects Body Press if Zamazenta gets out of hand.

[@JD_A-G]

My good boy did it

[@Bird_in_a_Trenchcoat]

My boy finally made it

[@tylerdamaso2559]

was latios just there as a ground immunity for zamazenta steel dragon synergy or was there more to it?

[@Prince_Eva_Huepow]

6:02 It may have been for special attacking since the rest are all physical. 1 D Meteor is painful and it has an excellent Luster Purge to hit fighting types. Icy Wind is good for speed control.

[@thunderwe_ryesiam]

Literally an underdog story

[@Kulkogo]

It brings a smile to my face to see that my two favorite legendary Pokémon got time in the spotlight

[@AccidentallyHadPeanutButter]

I always loved Zama from the first day

[@ChikuTenebresRattus]

Ah, I love seeing my shield doggo finally getting the time to shine!

[@TheBoogeymqn]

Zamazenta has been my day one so im happy to see him prosper

[@kaotic300]

they should have also buffed behemoth bash to base its power on defense like with body press, just saiyan

[@bananabroshsid8234]

Wait, doesn’t chien pao lower the defense of zamazenta? Wouldn’t that weaken bpress since it goes off of the defense stat?

[@logval]

YESSSSS I'VE BEEN A ZAMAZENTA FAN DAY ONE i dont even pay attention to competitve but i love the non rusted shield form of zamazenta

[@Dokkiish]

we love an under dog 💖

[@LucasTurner-by1vs]

As someone who got shield right before entering competitive, I love to see my boy eating

[@ThatWontHurt]

THAT’S MY BOY

[@lolTungsten]

My good boy finally getting the respect he deserves

[@tarotdactyl752]

Please do a video on why defiant isn't everywhere in VGC!

[@MrOOF-nh6cc]

I’m so glad Zamazenta has been getting some attention. It’s been my favorite Pokémon ever since it got introduced and I feel like it’s design was super underrated... I just really like it’s color scheme lol

[@stefanielonn4164]

That’s why I picked shield over sword when those games first came out. Zamazenta’s design was so cool. I didn’t know this at the time either, but miraidon is better than koraidon due to not having any 4x weaknesses. I picked violet as my main at the time because it had the present-day version exclusives I wanted to have on my team

[@ed765super]

You know... It makes so much sense to have. Im like... why'd it take this long?

[@FTW1230]

What sort of bearstein universe did I end up in where zamentza 25% use rate and zacian is at 3%

[@cmoney8979]

Good to see my shield dog finally getting recognition

[@Masahane]

Now imagine if Behemoth Bash used your defense like body press

[@kumoko3728]

now imagine if this thing got recover or moonlight

[@Crankulite]

I find it crazy that smogon decided to allow Zamazenta crowned in OU the same generation it got access to body press

[@emilianovera3643]

Behemoth bash should have always had the same effect as body press too