Zarude

Zarude's great Speed alongside U-turn allows it to be an excellent pivot and revenge killer. Its high Speed enables it to outspeed common Pokemon such as Nihilego, Thundurus-T, and Excadrill, and its good bulk and defensive typing lets it check many dangerous threats such as Rotom-W, Slowking, and Hippowdon, while also discouraging Zygarde-10% from spamming Thousand Arrows. The ability to heal status conditions and HP with Jungle Healing can allow Zarude to consistently pivot around defensive Pokemon such as Swampert and Hippowdon. Zarude's ability to synergize with other common pivots like Thundurus-T, Slowking, and Moltres has made it one of the defining components of offensive teams. However, it often struggles to break defensive Pokemon, such as Skarmory, Tangrowth, and Salamence, due to them resisting Power Whip and taking minimal damage from Darkest Lariat. Many teams naturally fit multiple Grass-type resistant Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Cobalion, and Moltres, leaving Zarude with limited opportunities to use its strongest STAB attack. If it is running Choice Scarf, Zarude can risk being locked into an undesirable move, losing momentum. Flame Body from Moltres and Rocky Helmet from Amoonguss and Cobalion can punish U-turn, forcing momentum to be sacrificed to use Jungle Healing. Zarude's inability to answer threats like Keldeo and Primarina as a Grass-type can strain building at times, limiting its flexibility compared to Tangrowth and Amoonguss.