What to do about Z-Moves?

Question

Yes. I’m still playing Gen 6. Why is that? Z-Moves pose a big threat to my Garchomp and Gyarados. What’s the best way to make sure my Garchomp and Gyarados can stay alive and sweep the opponent at the same time?

Comments

I’m still playing Gen 6 because I don’t want to play Gen 7 because fear of Z moves

---

Right. So you're asking how to counter Z-Moves in Gen 7, so you can start playing that instead of Gen 6?

---

. . . Yes

---

You still haven't answered my clarifying question.

---

The only thing that’s banned is I think my Hidden Ability Heatran.

Answer 1

One simple answer. Protect, but wait, you still get damaged. Substitute is the best option as z-moves can hit past a magical barrier which can block anything else. But can't blow past a doll. Mimikyu is another great option, as switching in on a z-move basically makes the z-move do nothing. Z-moves like stoked sparksurfer are the only exceptions.

Comments

None of the Pokémon I use can learn that.

---

I’m pretty sure any Pokémon that can learn TM can learn Substitute. What are you using?

---

Actually, I was looking at level up, not TM. You are right. However this option still takes my pokemon’s health down and gives me one less move option. Is substitute really the best idea for fragile Pokémon.

---

Also substitute doesn't work very well against faster opponents.

---

Garchomp and gyarados are both moderately speedy, so they should be able to get a sub in.

---

They aren't moderately speedy compared to Arceus and Marshadow.

Answer 2

I think the best way to defend against Z-moves (and a lot of other threats) is getting Pokemon with better stats and resistances, like Groudon, Yveltal, or Necrozma. There's simply no good reason to use the Pokemon you're currently using when there are so many better ones.

Comments

still, unless your name is shuckle, the z-moves are powerful enough to inflict serious damage on you, and since there's no way to completely block damage from a z-move aside from immunities and/or disguise, you can only lessen the damage unless you manage to predict the z-move and switch in to a pokemon which meets the aforementioned contitions.

---

Is there a way to predict when opponents will use Z-Moves?

---

@Cinccino
+1 244 SpA Lunala Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Shuckle: 195-231 (80.2 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Also if you're using Shuckle, then you die to multiple hits from regular attacks.

@guy You can look at https://www.smogon.com/stats/2019-06/moveset/gen7anythinggoes-1760.txt to see what Pokemon are more likely to have Z-crystals.