[OVERVIEW]
Water
========
* Access to Swift Swim gives Kingdra the ability to outspeed most Pokemon, which, paired with rain-boosted Water STAB, makes it a great sweeper.
* Its strong STAB attacks like Hydro Pump and Draco Meteor can easily puncture the opposing team.
* It has a good defensive typing for a Water-type, as it takes neutral damage from the type’s two weaknesses in Grass and Electric.
* Average bulk accompanied by the need to switch in often makes it very weak to residual damage.
* It has lackluster Special Attack and subpar Speed without rain support.
* It is walled by Pokemon with good Special Defense that resist its STAB attacks, like Empoleon.
* Being on the same team as a rain setter is essential, since without one it has no proper role. Therefore Kingdra is restricted to offensive Water builds.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Surf / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Hydro Pump is Kingdra's strongest Water-type STAB move. Under rain, it OHKOes or 2HKOes most Pokemon, blowing through walls such as Zapdos. However, its low PP and unreliable accuracy make it a risky move.
* Draco Meteor is necessary to pop a huge hit on some big threats that resist Water, like Mega Venusaur and Kyurem-B, though it causes a loss of momentum, switching out is necessary after the drop.
* Ice beam allows it to hit Tapu Bulu, which is either resistant or immune to Kingdra's STAB attacks. Futhermore, Tapu Bulu is a huge threat to Water teams in general, so being able to KO it or at least wear it down is very important. Ice Beam also helps Kingdra hit Dragon-types like Dragonite without suffering a crucial Special Attack drop.
* Surf is a strong and accurate STAB attack that also gets boosted by the rain. It allows Kingdra to have a very safe sweep without the concern of missing if there isn't much on the opposing team that resists the attack.
* Scald can be used as an alternative main Water STAB move to sweep with, despite its lower Base Power. Its 30% chance to burn allows it to cripple Pokemon that would usually switchin on Kingdra, such as Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed EVs allow Kingdra to outspeed most of the metagame, including fast Choice Scarf users such as Latios and Terrakion.
* 252 Special Attack EVs alongside a Modest nature maximize Kingdra's damage output. A Timid nature is not necessary, since Kingdra will usually outspeed most threats anyway when under rain.
* Choice Specs is used to make up for a lacking Special Attack stat and can help wallbreak threats. Without this item, Kingdra can't 2HKO a Mega Venusaur that switches in on it.
* Swift Swim is an amazing ability because it makes up for Kingdom average Speed stat.
* 4 Special Defense EVs give Download users an Attack boost.
Usage Tips
========
* Avoid residual damage like Spikes, Stealth Rock, and status damage that wear Kingdra down and prevent it from properly sweeping. It needs to come in and out of the battle often, so it should remain as healthy as possible.
* Avoid being paralyzed because that completely cripples Kingdra.
* Use Kingdra primarily under rain in order to sweep.
* Only use it outside rain, to drop a big Draco Meteor for a example, if there is no risk of it being KOed or crippled by the opposing Pokemon.
* Spam Hydro Pump early-game in order to break down opposing walls.
* Surf is preferred when it comes to revenge killing or sweeping a damaged team.
* Ice Beam aids in denting Grass-types that resist Water against Flying-types, which are weak to it. It is also another way to hit Water-immune Pokemon such as Cradily, Mantine, and Gastrodon.
* Draco Meteor is for nuking huge threats that can't be taken out by the other moves, such as Mega Venusaur. Also, attempt to avoid using it in the rain, as the Special Attack drop ruins momentum. Water moves do more damage under rain, so this move should be used when the foe resists Water and Ice.
* If you run Eject Button Politoed, bring it in versus something that your current Pokemon outside of rain can't kill. This allows Kingdra to get a free switch in.
Team Options
========
* Pelipper is a crucial partner for Kingdra because it sets up rain and can bring it in with a slow U-turn. Having access to recovery, it is able to come in more than once, giving Kingdra several chances to break the opposing team. It can also use Defog to get rid of entry hazards.
* Politoed with Eject Button is, likewise, a good partner because it can safely switch-in to take hits while setting rain without wasting a turn of it. However, it needs to be paired with Pelipper for more reliable rain setting.
* Seismitoad is a great partner because it can set up Stealth Rock while having an offensive presence by being another Swift Swim sweeper. It also has a very helpful typing, as it is immune to Electric attacks. Stealth Rock break Focus Sashes and gives deals residual damage to the foes, which allows Kingdra to sweep without being threatened by threats like Focus Sash Breloom.
* A physical Swift Swim user like Seismitoad or Kabutops is recommended to handle more specially defensive mons. Kabutops is also able to handle Araquanid, which who can be very annoying for Kingdra.
* Other Pokemon that take advantage of from rain make for great partners. Manaphy can become a big threat to opponents with Z-Rain Dance+Tail Glow while also being able to set up rain if you lose your setter. It can also check some of kingdra's big threats like Mega Venusaur if it sets up and runs Psychic. Alternatively, it makes the horrible Water versus Water matchup simpler with Energy Ball.
* Azumarill with Choice Band or Belly Drum sets can break Pokemon that simply wall Kingdra like Chansey and the defensive Grass core of Ferrothorn+Cradily. It also is immune to the super effective Dragon-type that can come Kingdra's way.
* Keldeo with Choice Specs or Life Orb is a great complement to Kingdra, as it breaks Kingdra's checks like Chansey or Ferrothorn with Secret Sword.
* With its amazing ability, Speed tier, and coverage, Greninja can deal with Kingdra's checks by running Hidden Power Fire for Ferrothorn, Extrasensory for Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, or Gunk shot for Fairy-types like Tapu Fini, Azumarill, and Whimsicott.
* One of the offensive Water sweepers such as regular or Mega Gyarados and Mega Sharpedo are great partners because they can run through teams once Kingdra has done enough damage.
* Besides the ability to spin and take out a weak Venusaur, Starmie can be used to counter Toxapex.
* Toxapex helps wear down foes with Toxic Spikes, making them easier to take out for Kingdra. It can also comfortably switch-in on many attacks that could be risky for Kingdra, such as Dragon-type moves or really any powerful move from an offensive pokemon, like a Close Combat from Terrakion.
* Mega Slowbro running Calm Mind can also be an outstanding partner thanks to its tremendous bulk that allows it to safely take most physical attacks directed towards Kingdra.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Kingdra can also use Life Orb, but the recoil is inconvenient. The advantage of this is being able to change moves; however, Kingdra is already vulnerable to chip and priority damage, and by adding recoil you lose the option to switch in and out often.
* Kingdra's Attack stat is the same as its Special one and it has access to great STAB moves like Outrage and Waterfall. Also, it learns Dragon Dance, which can give it more of an offensive presence even outside of rain. While this set is viable, it's inconvenient because locking Kingdra into Outrage makes it being revenged possible or can force it to be used outside of the rain. In addition, Waterfall is a weaker STAB move than Surf and Hydro Pump, which is not desirable.
* Dragon Pulse is a possible secondary STAB attack used for sweeping. It specifically shines in the Dragon matchup, as it can completely sweep with Stealth Rock up because only a few Dragon-types such as Goodra and Latias can live the hit.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive Pokemon wall everything Kingdra can dish out against them and they usually run status moves and/or entry hazards. However, not all of them will wall it, but mainly those that are immune or resist one or both of Kingdra's STAB moves such as Mantine, Toxapex, and Jellicent.
**Chansey**: Chansey is an exceptional wall that completely stalls out Kingdra. It can cripple it with Thunder Wave or wear it down with Toxic and set up Stealth Rock.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is a hard Pokemon to beat for Water in general, and it also walls Kingdra, easily stalling out every move it uses. However, Kingdra can 2HKO it with Hydro Pump under rain or Draco Meteor on the switch-in under certain circumstances: if it is weakened, if it attempts to switch in while Stealth Rock is up, or if running a physically defensive set.
** Water-types that are immune or resistant to Dragon**: Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Empoleon, and Azumarill easily switch-in on anything Kingdra uses and easily have a free turn to set up, lay down entry hazards, or even KO it. This kills momentum, which is crucial for Kingdra.
**Paralysis**: Once paralyzed, Kingdra is completely useless when it comes to sweeping. It can take out some slower threats, but overall it would lose its greatest asset.
**Residual Damage**: Kingdra needs to go in and out of the field pretty often during a battle, so being worn down by small things like entry hazards or status such as poison or burn can really make a change in a battle. With too much unnecessary damage, Kingdra loses to priority moves like Choice Band Extreme Speed Dragonite.
**Alolan Raichu**: Being able to outspeed Kingdra in rain, paired along with the Electric boost in Electric Terrain makes Alolan Raichu a reasonable threat. If Kingdra takes some residual damage, it can get OHKOed by Alolan Raichu.
**Trace**: Gardevoir and Mega Alakazam both outspeed Kingdra under rain by Tracing Swift Swim and can revenge kill. Gardevoir can immediately KO it with Moonblast, while Alakazam can take out a weakened Kingdra and possibly sweep the remainder of the team in the right conditions.
Water
========
* Access to Swift Swim gives Kingdra the ability to outspeed most Pokemon, which, paired with rain-boosted Water STAB, makes it a great sweeper.
* Its strong STAB attacks like Hydro Pump and Draco Meteor can easily puncture the opposing team.
* It has a good defensive typing for a Water-type, as it takes neutral damage from the type’s two weaknesses in Grass and Electric.
* Average bulk accompanied by the need to switch in often makes it very weak to residual damage.
* It has lackluster Special Attack and subpar Speed without rain support.
* It is walled by Pokemon with good Special Defense that resist its STAB attacks, like Empoleon.
* Being on the same team as a rain setter is essential, since without one it has no proper role. Therefore Kingdra is restricted to offensive Water builds.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Surf / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Hydro Pump is Kingdra's strongest Water-type STAB move. Under rain, it OHKOes or 2HKOes most Pokemon, blowing through walls such as Zapdos. However, its low PP and unreliable accuracy make it a risky move.
* Draco Meteor is necessary to pop a huge hit on some big threats that resist Water, like Mega Venusaur and Kyurem-B, though it causes a loss of momentum, switching out is necessary after the drop.
* Ice beam allows it to hit Tapu Bulu, which is either resistant or immune to Kingdra's STAB attacks. Futhermore, Tapu Bulu is a huge threat to Water teams in general, so being able to KO it or at least wear it down is very important. Ice Beam also helps Kingdra hit Dragon-types like Dragonite without suffering a crucial Special Attack drop.
* Surf is a strong and accurate STAB attack that also gets boosted by the rain. It allows Kingdra to have a very safe sweep without the concern of missing if there isn't much on the opposing team that resists the attack.
* Scald can be used as an alternative main Water STAB move to sweep with, despite its lower Base Power. Its 30% chance to burn allows it to cripple Pokemon that would usually switchin on Kingdra, such as Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed EVs allow Kingdra to outspeed most of the metagame, including fast Choice Scarf users such as Latios and Terrakion.
* 252 Special Attack EVs alongside a Modest nature maximize Kingdra's damage output. A Timid nature is not necessary, since Kingdra will usually outspeed most threats anyway when under rain.
* Choice Specs is used to make up for a lacking Special Attack stat and can help wallbreak threats. Without this item, Kingdra can't 2HKO a Mega Venusaur that switches in on it.
* Swift Swim is an amazing ability because it makes up for Kingdom average Speed stat.
* 4 Special Defense EVs give Download users an Attack boost.
Usage Tips
========
* Avoid residual damage like Spikes, Stealth Rock, and status damage that wear Kingdra down and prevent it from properly sweeping. It needs to come in and out of the battle often, so it should remain as healthy as possible.
* Avoid being paralyzed because that completely cripples Kingdra.
* Use Kingdra primarily under rain in order to sweep.
* Only use it outside rain, to drop a big Draco Meteor for a example, if there is no risk of it being KOed or crippled by the opposing Pokemon.
* Spam Hydro Pump early-game in order to break down opposing walls.
* Surf is preferred when it comes to revenge killing or sweeping a damaged team.
* Ice Beam aids in denting Grass-types that resist Water against Flying-types, which are weak to it. It is also another way to hit Water-immune Pokemon such as Cradily, Mantine, and Gastrodon.
* Draco Meteor is for nuking huge threats that can't be taken out by the other moves, such as Mega Venusaur. Also, attempt to avoid using it in the rain, as the Special Attack drop ruins momentum. Water moves do more damage under rain, so this move should be used when the foe resists Water and Ice.
* If you run Eject Button Politoed, bring it in versus something that your current Pokemon outside of rain can't kill. This allows Kingdra to get a free switch in.
Team Options
========
* Pelipper is a crucial partner for Kingdra because it sets up rain and can bring it in with a slow U-turn. Having access to recovery, it is able to come in more than once, giving Kingdra several chances to break the opposing team. It can also use Defog to get rid of entry hazards.
* Politoed with Eject Button is, likewise, a good partner because it can safely switch-in to take hits while setting rain without wasting a turn of it. However, it needs to be paired with Pelipper for more reliable rain setting.
* Seismitoad is a great partner because it can set up Stealth Rock while having an offensive presence by being another Swift Swim sweeper. It also has a very helpful typing, as it is immune to Electric attacks. Stealth Rock break Focus Sashes and gives deals residual damage to the foes, which allows Kingdra to sweep without being threatened by threats like Focus Sash Breloom.
* A physical Swift Swim user like Seismitoad or Kabutops is recommended to handle more specially defensive mons. Kabutops is also able to handle Araquanid, which who can be very annoying for Kingdra.
* Other Pokemon that take advantage of from rain make for great partners. Manaphy can become a big threat to opponents with Z-Rain Dance+Tail Glow while also being able to set up rain if you lose your setter. It can also check some of kingdra's big threats like Mega Venusaur if it sets up and runs Psychic. Alternatively, it makes the horrible Water versus Water matchup simpler with Energy Ball.
* Azumarill with Choice Band or Belly Drum sets can break Pokemon that simply wall Kingdra like Chansey and the defensive Grass core of Ferrothorn+Cradily. It also is immune to the super effective Dragon-type that can come Kingdra's way.
* Keldeo with Choice Specs or Life Orb is a great complement to Kingdra, as it breaks Kingdra's checks like Chansey or Ferrothorn with Secret Sword.
* With its amazing ability, Speed tier, and coverage, Greninja can deal with Kingdra's checks by running Hidden Power Fire for Ferrothorn, Extrasensory for Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, or Gunk shot for Fairy-types like Tapu Fini, Azumarill, and Whimsicott.
* One of the offensive Water sweepers such as regular or Mega Gyarados and Mega Sharpedo are great partners because they can run through teams once Kingdra has done enough damage.
* Besides the ability to spin and take out a weak Venusaur, Starmie can be used to counter Toxapex.
* Toxapex helps wear down foes with Toxic Spikes, making them easier to take out for Kingdra. It can also comfortably switch-in on many attacks that could be risky for Kingdra, such as Dragon-type moves or really any powerful move from an offensive pokemon, like a Close Combat from Terrakion.
* Mega Slowbro running Calm Mind can also be an outstanding partner thanks to its tremendous bulk that allows it to safely take most physical attacks directed towards Kingdra.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Kingdra can also use Life Orb, but the recoil is inconvenient. The advantage of this is being able to change moves; however, Kingdra is already vulnerable to chip and priority damage, and by adding recoil you lose the option to switch in and out often.
* Kingdra's Attack stat is the same as its Special one and it has access to great STAB moves like Outrage and Waterfall. Also, it learns Dragon Dance, which can give it more of an offensive presence even outside of rain. While this set is viable, it's inconvenient because locking Kingdra into Outrage makes it being revenged possible or can force it to be used outside of the rain. In addition, Waterfall is a weaker STAB move than Surf and Hydro Pump, which is not desirable.
* Dragon Pulse is a possible secondary STAB attack used for sweeping. It specifically shines in the Dragon matchup, as it can completely sweep with Stealth Rock up because only a few Dragon-types such as Goodra and Latias can live the hit.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive Pokemon wall everything Kingdra can dish out against them and they usually run status moves and/or entry hazards. However, not all of them will wall it, but mainly those that are immune or resist one or both of Kingdra's STAB moves such as Mantine, Toxapex, and Jellicent.
**Chansey**: Chansey is an exceptional wall that completely stalls out Kingdra. It can cripple it with Thunder Wave or wear it down with Toxic and set up Stealth Rock.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is a hard Pokemon to beat for Water in general, and it also walls Kingdra, easily stalling out every move it uses. However, Kingdra can 2HKO it with Hydro Pump under rain or Draco Meteor on the switch-in under certain circumstances: if it is weakened, if it attempts to switch in while Stealth Rock is up, or if running a physically defensive set.
** Water-types that are immune or resistant to Dragon**: Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Empoleon, and Azumarill easily switch-in on anything Kingdra uses and easily have a free turn to set up, lay down entry hazards, or even KO it. This kills momentum, which is crucial for Kingdra.
**Paralysis**: Once paralyzed, Kingdra is completely useless when it comes to sweeping. It can take out some slower threats, but overall it would lose its greatest asset.
**Residual Damage**: Kingdra needs to go in and out of the field pretty often during a battle, so being worn down by small things like entry hazards or status such as poison or burn can really make a change in a battle. With too much unnecessary damage, Kingdra loses to priority moves like Choice Band Extreme Speed Dragonite.
**Alolan Raichu**: Being able to outspeed Kingdra in rain, paired along with the Electric boost in Electric Terrain makes Alolan Raichu a reasonable threat. If Kingdra takes some residual damage, it can get OHKOed by Alolan Raichu.
**Trace**: Gardevoir and Mega Alakazam both outspeed Kingdra under rain by Tracing Swift Swim and can revenge kill. Gardevoir can immediately KO it with Moonblast, while Alakazam can take out a weakened Kingdra and possibly sweep the remainder of the team in the right conditions.
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