Zygarde (50% Forme)
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
Analysis
While an overall step forward from its 10% forme, Zygarde's 50% forme is basically just Garchomp, but worse. It's pretty bulky, but it actually loses a little bit of Attack on forme-change, which it really couldn't afford. Despite the fact that Zygarde's 50% forme is arguably the most iconic version of this powerful Legendary Pokemon, it's still not really worth utilizing in raids over its contemporaries.
It's also worth mentioning that Zygarde and its various formes have more Signature Moves than any other Pokemon in the series. Land's Wrath, Thousand, Arrows, and Thousand Waves are all Ground Type moves, while Core Enforcer is Dragon Type. This means that Zygarde has massive potential in the future, especially if Niantic makes any of its various Ground Type Signature Moves into a good Fast Move.
Offense
- Zygarde 50% is best using its Dragon Type moveset, Dragon Tail and Outrage.
- Earthquake could be good, but Zygarde's lack of a Ground Type Fast Move leaves it lacking.
- Bite and Crunch at least have the advantage of being the same type.
- Zen Headbutt, Hyper Beam, and Bulldoze are all worth TMing away.
Dragon Tail is an excellent Fast Attack, boasting incredible damage and average energy generation. Zen Headbutt and Bite are both very underwhelming.
Crunch is Zygarde's cheapest Charged Attack and offers some coverage and a nasty 30% debuff chance. Earthquake is expensive, but is important to give Zygarde coverage against Steel- and Fairy-type Pokemon and benefits from STAB. Outrage is a powerful Charged Attack, but Zygarde struggles to find a moveslot for it. Hyper Beam is Zygarde's only option to avoid getting walled entirely by Togekiss, but is far too expensive for any practical use. Bulldoze is slightly cheaper than Earthquake and takes one less Dragon Tail to reach, but the steep drop in power makes it a largely outclassed option.
Zygarde-50% is a fairly bulky Pokemon - its stat product is comparable to Walrein's and can take a few hits. It does, however, suffer from a clunky moveset, so Zygarde-50% is usually outclassed by other Dragon-type choices such as Altaria and Dragonite. Still, it may find a use or two in certain cups.
