GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]
Amongst the Dragon-types in RU, Kingdra has several notable niches. When you first look at Kingdra, what jumps out immediately is its Water / Dragon typing. Thistyping has very good defensive properties, notably having a resistances to Fire- and Water-type attacks, and offensively it allows Kingdra to hit every viable Pokemon in RU, outside of Whimsicott, neutrally. Kingdra's stats are also decent enough to use it as an attacker, especially when combined with two great abilities in Swift Swim and Sniper, both of which can be compounded taken advantage of with corresponding moves, and Kingdra is bulky enough to the point where it can easily set up against slower teams. However, not all is good for Kingdra; its Kingdra's Speed stat, while not terrible, leaves it severely outpaced by many offensive staples such as Flygon, Swellow, and Sharpedo especially when unboosted. It also struggles to set up against faster teams due to this, and while its bulk is good, as previously mentioned, Kingdra can't really take strong hits, even neutral ones, very well. Yet despite this, Kingdra can be a good pick for more offensive teams due to its multitude of ways of setting up, good typing, and its high sweeping potential.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Kingdra has enough bulk and a good defensive typing to be able to set rain on its own via Rain Dance. Hydro Pumpis a nice STAB that hits insanely hard in rain. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB option. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, the only viable Pokemon in RU that resists Kingdra's attacks, super effectively as well as being a catch-all move against Grass-types.
Set Details
========
Swift Swim is the ability of choice to make the most of Rain Dance. With maximum Speed EVs and Swift Swim in the rain, Kingdra outspeeds the majority of the RU metagame,while and a Modest nature lets it keeping a lot of power with a Modest nature. Timid, on the other hand, while mostly outclassed by Modest, can be used to beat Choice Specs Gardevoir if your team is weak to it. Life Orb allows Kingdra to switch moves while still dishing out huge damage.
Usage Tips
========
It's best to only set up on defensive Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra such as Slowbro and Gligar. Use Rain Dance as soon as possible, as Kingdra, even with a Life Orb, doesn't hit hard enough, and it isn't nearly fast enough when not under rain. It's better to avoid setting up until faster threats like Whimsicott and Choice Scarf Gardevoir are eliminated. Due to the fact that Draco Meteor lowers Kingdra's stats, it's best not to rely on it; however, rain-boosted Water-type attacks still do decent enough damage at -2 to justify staying in after using Draco Meteor.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Salazzle and Toxicroak that beat Fairy-types such as Comfey are necessary, as Fairy-types can typically tank even a rain-boosted Hydro Pump and hit hard back with their STAB moves. Salazzle, in addition to spreading Taunt, can reliably take out Roserade and Venusaur, both of which are problems for Kingdra because they can tank an Ice Beam or Draco Meteor, while Toxicroak can benefit from the rain that Kingdra sets up thanks to Dry Skin. A wallbreaker such as Choice Band Escavalier can beat Pokemon like Snorlax and Umbreon with ease; Escavalier in particular also beats Fairy- and Grass-type Pokemon reliably and can utilize Pursuit to chip many threats to Kingdra down to a range where it can KO them easily. Spikes support from Pokemon such as Chesnaught and Roserade is good when it comes to wearing down a lot of Kingdra's defensive checks, notably chipping down the likes of Snorlax and Registeel (RC) and pressuring Florges and Umbreon into switching out of Kingdra's teammates more often. An additional weather setter such as Uxie can be a good option if going for a full-on or semi-weather team; if that is the case, a backup rain sweeper such as Kabutops is a decent option as well.
[SET]
name: CritDra
move 1: Focus Energy
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Agility
item: Scope Lens
ability: Sniper
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Focus Energy, when combined with Scope Lens and the Sniper ability, allows Kingdra to get a critical hit every time it uses a move. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's main STAB move (RC)that when boosted, and, on a critical hit, allows it to deal with pretty much any Pokemon that doesn't resist Dragon. Hydro Pump is a very strong secondary STAB attack. Agility can be used to outspeed a lot of Pokemon such as Heracross and Kommo-O after use, allowing Kingdra to handle offensive teams better.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature can help Kingdra more against more offensive teams, notably allowingyou it to outspeed the likes of non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Flame Orb Heracross, but a Modest nature is preferred for a better chance against special walls like Umbreon, especially when you consider the low PP of Kingdra's STAB moves. Sniper allows Kingdra's critical hit moves to hit even harder than they normally would. Scope Lens increases the chance for critical hits to occur; this combined with Focus Energy guarantees Kingdra a critical hit. The spread is quite standard, with maximum Special Attack and Speed to get the most power and Speed possible for Kingdra.
Usage Tips
========
Avoid Pokemon that can hit Kingdra hard, even neutrally, at all costs. Although Kingdra's has decent bulk and defensive typing are decent defensively, Kingdra it is best left out of this type of situation. It's best to set up on bulky Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra, particularly bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and Milotic. Boosting early also helps, as Kingdra's Special Attack and Speed stats are modest at best when unboosted; however, the move you use earlier on in the match depends a lot on the archetype of the team you face. Agility in general should be prioritized if going against an offensive team due to Kingdra's middling Speed tier and the fact that not many Pokemon resist Kingdra's STAB options; Focus Energy is better to use first if going against more defensive teams. Finally, critical hits ignore Special Attack drops from Draco Meteor, which can be used to your advantage.
Team Options
========
Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon such as Escavalier and Salazzlerespectively beat the Fairy-types this set often struggles with. Escavalier counters Whimsicott nicely thanks to its Overcoat ability (RC) making it immune to Powder moves. Doublade can destroy the likes of Cresselia in addition to beating Fairy-types. Fairy-type Pokemon such as Comfey and Florges help to beat other Dragon-types such as Flygon and Kommo-o. Spikes support from the likes of Roserade and Chesnaught is quite useful, as Spikes can wear down Kingdra's checks well. Roserade can utilize Hidden Power Fire to beat every viable Steel-type, and it also has Poison-type STAB to take out Fairy-types; Chesnaught, on the other hand, handles Snorlax, Umbreon, and Registeel, all of which are a thorn in Kingdra's side. Both of these Pokemon are also useful in luring in Fire-type Pokemon to help Kingdra setup set up. Finally, as this set likes having bulky Water-types worn down, a lure for such Pokemon, such as Bloom Doom Moltres or Choice Band Rhyperior, (AC) are a few examples of this is a fine option.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This set allows Kingdra's Water-type attacks to hit nearly as hard as they would in rain while giving far more power to Kingdra's other moves. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB move that hits immensely hard. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB attack. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, which resists Kingdra's STAB moves, as well as being a catch-all (AH) move against Grass-types. Finally, Hidden Power Electric hits Mantine super effectively. If your team is well equipped to face Mantine, however, Scald is a good alternativewhich that gives Kingdra a far more reliable Water-type STAB that also gives you attack with a chance to burn the opposing Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs is used on this set for its instant power, without having to set up rain. The nature depends. A Timid naturegives Kingdra more speed, which is useful in cases against foes such as against Modest Choice Specs Kommo-o, which Kingdra outspeeds if Kommo-O is Modest, in addition to most Flame Orb Heracross variants and non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir. Modest, however, gives Kingdra much more power. Whilst the ability doesn't really affect this set too much, Swift Swim is used to take advantage of rain support if provided, which allows Kingdra to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame.
Usage Tips
========
Compared to other Kingdra sets, this one doesn't require much setup, but it's better to start utilizing it by going against slower Pokemon that Kingdra can easily beat. Don't switch Kingdra in on a Dragon-type, as outside of rain it gets outsped a lot of the time. Switch out immediately after a Draco Meteor, as using it makes Kingdra far more vulnerable than the other sets, as this set can't switch moves. Team Previewis very notable, as it can influence the way you play with this set, (comma) for instance, whether you more commonly use Hydro Pump or Draco Meteor. Prediction is very much key here, especially against the likes of Mantine and Whimsicott.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that beat Fairy-types, such as Doublade, are a necessity, as they can generally take a hit and hit back hard with their STAB moves. Doublade, in particular, can set up on Florges with ease. This set also doesn't fare well against the likes of Slowking and Milotic; to combat this, a Grass- or Electric-type such as Shaymin, Roserade, or Rotom-Cut can be used to severely chip them down. Roserade can also set up Spikes to help Kingdra pressure its common switch-ins. Sticky Web support from Pokemon such as Shuckle and Galvantula is a very good option, as Kingdra's Speed tier makes it perfect for such a playstyle. While this set can function very well outside of rain, it becomes a bigger threat with it due to the severe Speed increase, and as such fits wonderfully on teams of that playstyle. A Pokemon that can reliably set up Rain Dance, such as Uxie or Bronzong, makes a great fit in this case. If that is the playstyle you're using, additional Pokemon that can benefit from rain such as Kabutops, Toxicroak, and even Pokemon such as Omastar and Heliolisk, would work well. Entry hazard removal from the likes of Gligar work works wonders, as this set can get worn down by hazards quite easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragon Dance with Lum Berry or a Z-Crystal seems quite useful at first glance, due to Kingdra's bulk making it easy to set up and Kingdra having a good STAB combination, but it ends up being inferior to Flygon,who which has a better Speed tier, is stronger, has a better offensive typing in Ground over Water, and has access to Levitate (RC) making Flygon to make it less prone vulnerable to entry hazards. There's also Feraligatr, who which keeps the Water typing (RC) but is much stronger due to Sheer Force and Life Orb (RC) aswell as and has better coverage and its better overall bulk. Chesto Berry and Rest can be an option on Dragon Dance sets, but Kingdra generally lacks the space for it. Damp Rock can be used on rain sweeper sets for longer rain time, but Kingdra generally won't stay in long enough and it prefers the extra power boost brought by Life Orb, making it a poor weather setter because it can't safely pivot out like Pokemon such as Uxie can.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types hit Kingdra for pretty good super effectively, and for pretty good damage too. Whimsicott resists all moves from Kingdra's arsenal other than Ice Beam, and it can utilize Encore to lock Kingdra into an undesirable move. Florges is a very safe switch-in most of the time, though it can get 2HKO'ed 2HKOed by a critical hit from Hydro Pump and rain-boosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock, (AC) and the likes of Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Comfey can revenge kill it Kingdra via the Trace ability copying Swift Swim or through priority Draining Kiss, (AC) respectively.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon like Snorlax, Mantine, Cresselia, and Umbreon can tank all of Kingdra's attacks and stall it out via Toxic and/or a recovery move. Mantine also walls sets that don't carry Hidden Power Electric.
**Offensive Pressure**: While Kingdra's bulk is generally pretty good, Kingdra's Speed tier when unboosted isn't the greatest, so Kingdra generally has to take a hit before setting up, and most offensive Pokemon can take advantage of this by outspeeding and generally hitting it hard enough to make it drop down to relatively low health. This results in it being very vulnerable to priority moves excluding Aqua Jet.
Amongst the Dragon-types in RU, Kingdra has several notable niches. When you first look at Kingdra, what jumps out immediately is its Water / Dragon typing. This
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Kingdra has enough bulk and a good defensive typing to be able to set rain on its own via Rain Dance. Hydro Pump
Set Details
========
Swift Swim is the ability of choice to make the most of Rain Dance. With maximum Speed EVs and Swift Swim in the rain, Kingdra outspeeds the majority of the RU metagame,
Usage Tips
========
It's best to only set up on defensive Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra such as Slowbro and Gligar. Use Rain Dance as soon as possible, as Kingdra, even with a Life Orb, doesn't hit hard enough, and it isn't nearly fast enough when not under rain. It's better to avoid setting up until faster threats like Whimsicott and Choice Scarf Gardevoir are eliminated. Due to the fact that Draco Meteor lowers Kingdra's stats, it's best not to rely on it; however, rain-boosted Water-type attacks still do decent enough damage at -2 to justify staying in after using Draco Meteor.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Salazzle and Toxicroak that beat Fairy-types such as Comfey are necessary, as Fairy-types can typically tank even a rain-boosted Hydro Pump and hit hard back with their STAB moves. Salazzle, in addition to spreading Taunt, can reliably take out Roserade and Venusaur, both of which are problems for Kingdra because they can tank an Ice Beam or Draco Meteor, while Toxicroak can benefit from the rain that Kingdra sets up thanks to Dry Skin. A wallbreaker such as Choice Band Escavalier can beat Pokemon like Snorlax and Umbreon with ease; Escavalier in particular also beats Fairy- and Grass-type Pokemon reliably and can utilize Pursuit to chip many threats to Kingdra down to a range where it can KO them easily. Spikes support from Pokemon such as Chesnaught and Roserade is good when it comes to wearing down a lot of Kingdra's defensive checks, notably chipping down the likes of Snorlax and Registeel (RC) and pressuring Florges and Umbreon into switching out of Kingdra's teammates more often. An additional weather setter such as Uxie can be a good option if going for a full-on or semi-weather team; if that is the case, a backup rain sweeper such as Kabutops is a decent option as well.
[SET]
name: CritDra
move 1: Focus Energy
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Agility
item: Scope Lens
ability: Sniper
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Focus Energy, when combined with Scope Lens and the Sniper ability, allows Kingdra to get a critical hit every time it uses a move. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's main STAB move (RC)
Set Details
========
A Timid nature can help Kingdra more against more offensive teams, notably allowing
Usage Tips
========
Avoid Pokemon that can hit Kingdra hard, even neutrally, at all costs. Although Kingdra's has decent bulk and defensive typing
Team Options
========
Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon such as Escavalier and Salazzle
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This set allows Kingdra's Water-type attacks to hit nearly as hard as they would in rain while giving far more power to Kingdra's other moves. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB move that hits immensely hard. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB attack. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, which resists Kingdra's STAB moves, as well as being a catch-all (AH) move against Grass-types. Finally, Hidden Power Electric hits Mantine super effectively. If your team is well equipped to face Mantine, however, Scald is a good alternative
Set Details
========
Choice Specs is used on this set for its instant power, without having to set up rain. The nature depends. A Timid nature
Usage Tips
========
Compared to other Kingdra sets, this one doesn't require much setup, but it's better to start utilizing it by going against slower Pokemon that Kingdra can easily beat. Don't switch Kingdra in on a Dragon-type, as outside of rain it gets outsped a lot of the time. Switch out immediately after a Draco Meteor, as using it makes Kingdra far more vulnerable than the other sets, as this set can't switch moves. Team Preview
Team Options
========
Pokemon that beat Fairy-types, such as Doublade, are a necessity, as they can generally take a hit and hit back hard with their STAB moves. Doublade, in particular, can set up on Florges with ease. This set also doesn't fare well against the likes of Slowking and Milotic; to combat this, a Grass- or Electric-type such as Shaymin, Roserade, or Rotom-C
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragon Dance with Lum Berry or a Z-Crystal seems quite useful at first glance, due to Kingdra's bulk making it easy to set up and Kingdra having a good STAB combination, but it ends up being inferior to Flygon,
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types hit Kingdra for pretty good super effective
**Special Walls**: Pokemon like Snorlax, Mantine, Cresselia, and Umbreon can tank all of Kingdra's attacks and stall it out via Toxic and/or a recovery move. Mantine also walls sets that don't carry Hidden Power Electric.
**Offensive Pressure**: While Kingdra's bulk is generally pretty good, Kingdra's Speed tier when unboosted isn't the greatest, so Kingdra generally has to take a hit before setting up, and most offensive Pokemon can take advantage of this by outspeeding and generally hitting it hard enough to make it drop down to relatively low health. This results in it being very vulnerable to priority moves excluding Aqua Jet.
Last edited:
