Zangoose
The Cat Ferret Pokemon

Zangoose is a large, mammalian Pokemon that resembles a mongoose. It is covered in white fur and has one peculiar, red ear. It also sports a red Z shaped mark on its chest, and the fur on its paws are red as well. The Pokemon is well known for two reasons. One, it’s large claws which can tear through almost anything, and two, it’s bitter rivalry with the Pokemon, Seviper. The hatred for each other seems to date back thousands of years in the past, where fossils of prehistoric Zangoose and Seviper are seen fighting. However, when raised by the right person, the two Pokemon can get along, and potentially, breed with each other.
Alright, let’s start by saying that Zangoose is one cool looking, bad-a** Pokemon. Too bad he’s an NU Pokemon, meaning he can’t really do much against OU Pokemon like Gyarados, Scizor, or Aerodactyl. The poor ferret is often outclassed in UU and NU by bulkier, faster, and stronger Pokemon. He’s also got quite a handy movepool. Let’s take a look at his base stats.
HP: 73
Attack: 115
Defense: 60
Special Attack: 60
Special Defense: 60
Speed: 90
Okay. His HP and defenses are bad, along with his Special Attack. But, his Attack is pretty high, even for an NU Pokemon, and Speed is great. Being a plain Normal type might seem like crap, but Zangoose can make the most of this. Only one weakness to Fighting, and resistance by Rock, Steel, and immunity to hit Ghosts may all seem bad, but honestly, it could be a lot worse. Let’s see what tools this ferret’s got.
Swords Dance: Yes, let’s raise that beastly 115 Attack even higher! If properly set up, you’ll be pulling off sweeps on everything that isn’t named Aggron or Probopass!
Return: Now, every Pokemon can learn this (well, most anyways). But, with a 115 base Attack, and STAB, that Return’s going to hurt, especially if you’ve got a Swords Dance up!
Immunity: Zangoose’s ability, Immunity, prevents it from being poisoned, meaning you could switch in on Blissey or Vaporeon to absorb the Toxic, and enter freely on Toxic Spikes.
Close Combat: Ah, a move that allows Zangoose to fatally strike Aggron and Probopass, which will eliminate most, if not all, counters to Zangoose that aren’t Ghost type. With 120 Power, 115 base Attack, Swords Dance boost, plus Life Orb/Choice Band boost, this attack will hurt anything that doesn’t resist it, and even they may have to be careful.
Shadow Claw: Not the greatest attack in the game, but when given all the boosts we give Close Combat, we won’t have to fear Ghosts or bulky Psychics anymore. Thus, allowing Zangoose to hit every single type hard.
All in all, Zangoose is an average Pokemon with good Speed and a great Attack, but lots of other Pokemon could do what he does better. Although, if you’re still persistent and choose to use Zangoose, I’ll give you a cookie.
The Cat Ferret Pokemon

Zangoose is a large, mammalian Pokemon that resembles a mongoose. It is covered in white fur and has one peculiar, red ear. It also sports a red Z shaped mark on its chest, and the fur on its paws are red as well. The Pokemon is well known for two reasons. One, it’s large claws which can tear through almost anything, and two, it’s bitter rivalry with the Pokemon, Seviper. The hatred for each other seems to date back thousands of years in the past, where fossils of prehistoric Zangoose and Seviper are seen fighting. However, when raised by the right person, the two Pokemon can get along, and potentially, breed with each other.
Alright, let’s start by saying that Zangoose is one cool looking, bad-a** Pokemon. Too bad he’s an NU Pokemon, meaning he can’t really do much against OU Pokemon like Gyarados, Scizor, or Aerodactyl. The poor ferret is often outclassed in UU and NU by bulkier, faster, and stronger Pokemon. He’s also got quite a handy movepool. Let’s take a look at his base stats.
HP: 73
Attack: 115
Defense: 60
Special Attack: 60
Special Defense: 60
Speed: 90
Okay. His HP and defenses are bad, along with his Special Attack. But, his Attack is pretty high, even for an NU Pokemon, and Speed is great. Being a plain Normal type might seem like crap, but Zangoose can make the most of this. Only one weakness to Fighting, and resistance by Rock, Steel, and immunity to hit Ghosts may all seem bad, but honestly, it could be a lot worse. Let’s see what tools this ferret’s got.
Swords Dance: Yes, let’s raise that beastly 115 Attack even higher! If properly set up, you’ll be pulling off sweeps on everything that isn’t named Aggron or Probopass!
Return: Now, every Pokemon can learn this (well, most anyways). But, with a 115 base Attack, and STAB, that Return’s going to hurt, especially if you’ve got a Swords Dance up!
Immunity: Zangoose’s ability, Immunity, prevents it from being poisoned, meaning you could switch in on Blissey or Vaporeon to absorb the Toxic, and enter freely on Toxic Spikes.
Close Combat: Ah, a move that allows Zangoose to fatally strike Aggron and Probopass, which will eliminate most, if not all, counters to Zangoose that aren’t Ghost type. With 120 Power, 115 base Attack, Swords Dance boost, plus Life Orb/Choice Band boost, this attack will hurt anything that doesn’t resist it, and even they may have to be careful.
Shadow Claw: Not the greatest attack in the game, but when given all the boosts we give Close Combat, we won’t have to fear Ghosts or bulky Psychics anymore. Thus, allowing Zangoose to hit every single type hard.
All in all, Zangoose is an average Pokemon with good Speed and a great Attack, but lots of other Pokemon could do what he does better. Although, if you’re still persistent and choose to use Zangoose, I’ll give you a cookie.