Overview
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Kingdra is one of many new Pokemon that were benefited in the transition from BW to XY, however instead of receiving a new move or being retyped, Kingdra benefits from the change to critical hit mechanics. With these changes, Kingdra can run a set which is guaranteed to always obtain a critical hit, which works fantastically with Kingdra's Sniper ability, boosting every attack by 2.25x on the critical hit, which is guaranteed after one turn of the move Focus Energy. This also allows Kingdra's attacks to ignore defensive boosts which that have been acquired by opponents, while effectively negating the Special Attack drops from usage of Draco Meteor as well. On the other side of the coin, Kingdra can also run a rain sweeper set due to the fact that Drizzle + Swift Swim is now legal in OU; this allows Kingdra to use its Swift Swim ability and good STAB combination to sweep. It also has a reasonable Attack stat which allows it to go mixed when it wants in order to break through special walls. However, it suffers from the fact that its Speed and bulk are slightly underwhelming at times, and when it is utilizing a rain sweeper set, the nerf to the amount of times rain lasts gives it a time limit on utilizing its Swift Swim and Water-type STAB boosts.
CritDra
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name: CritDra
move 1: Focus Energy
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 4: Agility
ability: Sniper
item: Scope Lens
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
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With the new critical hit mechanics, using the move Focus Energy on a Pokemon holding a Scope Lens causes its every hit to be a critical hit; with Kingdra's Sniper ability, critical hits do 2.25x the damage they would normally do. Critical hits also bypass Draco Meteor's Special Attack drops, (RC) and the can break through defensive boosters. In this set, Draco Meteor is the main STAB move as it is powerful and it can be used indefinitely without repercussions. As a Water-type move, Hydro Pump in generally the best due to its power, but Surf can be used for the if Hydro Pump's poor accuracy is troubling. Agility is the sole option in the last slot for when Kingdra is facing more offensive teams and its lackluster Speed is not sufficient. To put it simply, Focus Energy should be used against defensive teams, (RC) while Agililty should be used against offensive teams. As alternatives for Agility, one can run a desired Hidden Power to eliminate a certain counter to Kingdra. Hidden Power Fire can OHKO Ferrothorn with a critical hit, (RC) while Hidden Power Grass can deal hefty damage to Azumarill, easily KOing it after a small amount of prior damage. This set can also run Outrage purely just so that Kingdra can 2HKO Chansey after a Focus Energy on a critical hit.
Set Details
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A spread that uses full Special Attack and Speed investment allows Kingdra to outspeed Deoxys-S and Choice Scarf Latios after an Agility, (RC) and max Speed Dragonite and Breloom without a boost. It also allows Kingdra to Speed tie with Pinsir before it Mega Evolves. However, an alternate EV spread of 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe can be used to outspeed Choice Scarf Garchomp after an Agility as well as fully investing in Special Attack, while slotting the rest of the EVs in HP to add a bit of bulk for ease in setting up. A Modest nature is the most preferable to increase power as this set uses mono-special coverage, but if one chose to use Outrage, a Rash nature could be used instead.
Usage Tips
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Utilize Kingdra's ability to force switches to your advantage; this is to allow setup opportunities with Focus Energy or Agility. Focus Energy is the most beneficial setup move to use against defensive teams, as it allows Kingdra to hit massively hard against them, breaking through most defensive staples easily. Against faster, more offensive teams, Agility should be used to outspeed the opposing Pokemon, (AC) potentially leading to a sweep with Kingdra's STAB moves. Bear in mind that when using Agility, Kingdra will be affected by Draco Meteor's Special Attack drops, so it can't sweep as effectively against foes that resist the Water-type. However, if you can manage to get up both boosts, Kingdra doesn't have to worry about any of the problems posed by only using one or the other. Kingdra's excellent typing allows it to switch in on Fire- and Water-type moves easily, which is especially helpful against Choice-locked attackers to allow an easy setup of either Focus Energy or Agility. Unlike most other sweepers, defensive boosters do not bother Kingdra, so this makes Kingdra an excellent way of breaking through these boosters if they start setting up, perfect for acting as a "fail-safe".
Team Options
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This set has trouble with Ferrothorn and Azumarill, so partners that can take care of these threats for Kingdra are immensely appreciated. Heatran, Conkeldurr, and Talonflame can all deal with Ferrothorn, while and Azumarill can easily be eliminated by Mega Venusaur, Manaphy, Celebi, or Aegislash. In particular, Mega Garchomp can deal with both Ferrothorn and Azumarill, (RC) with Fire Blast and Earthquake respectively. For a set without Agility, Scolipede is a prime partner, as Kingdra's main flaw is its slightly sub-par Speed. Scolipede can Baton Pass Speed boosts, and Iron Defense boosts, a Substitute to ease Kingdra in setting up, and can even set up Spikes to help with Kingdra's sweep. In addition, it draws in Fire-type moves which Kingdra can easily absorb thanks to its 4x resistance. Another way of remedying Kingdra's poor Speed is a Sticky Web inducer, such as Galvantula or Smeargle.
Rain Sweeper
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name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Rain Dance / Outrage
move 4: Waterfall / Surf / Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
evs: 76 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
nature: Rash / Modest
Moves
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This Kingdra set is used to sweep in the rain with its Swift Swim boost and the boost to its Water-type STAB. Hydro Pump is Kingdra's most powerful Water-type STAB move, as it deals massive damage to anything in the rain and is generally the preferred choice. Its shaky accuracy can be a problem though, so Surf can be used as a more reliable alternative. Draco Meteor is a secondary STAB move; it is powerful, though a use of it will halt Kingdra's sweep. It is essential in breaking through bulky Water-types though, and other things that may resist the Hydro Pump. Rain Dance is a option here for Kingdra to set up rain without Politoed if necessary, which is definitely helpful as a backup? However, Outrage can be used mainly as a strong neutral STAB for Pokemon that resist Water-type attacks, and it can be used after Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. It also is great against Rotom-W and specially defensive Pokemon, but it does have a nasty side effect of locking Kingdra into it. Waterfall is a physical Water-type STAB on the physical side of the spectrum, that deals hefty damage to Blissey and Chansey in rain. However, Surf can be used in this slot as a reliable special Water-type STAB. Ice Beam is a handy coverage move to 2HKO Celebi and Trevenant, but it is often out-damaged by Kingdra's other moves, especially in the rain, while as an alternative to Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse is good for Water-types when the Draco Meteor Special Attack drop is undesirable, and as always, the accuracy is helpful.
Set Details
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Kingdra uses full Special Attack investment as it is its most commonly used offensive stat, while and 176 Speed EVs let it outrun Choice Scarf Garchomp in the rain. 4 Defense EVs give Genesect a Special Attack boost, which allows it to take less damage from a Choice Band Genesect's Extreme Speed; this is only relevant for Modest Kingdra. Rash Kingdra should just put those extra EVs into Attack, (RC) with all of the remaining EVs. Alternatively, one can run 40 Attack EVs, 240 Special Attack EVs, and 228 Speed EVs, which allows Kingdra to outpace Choice Scarf Latios in the rain. Sets using no physical moves should run a Modest nature and use a spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe. Life Orb is the preferred item to boost the power of Kingdra without locking it into one move.
Usage Tips
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Rain doesn't last long, whether it is from a Politoed with a Damp Rock or Kingdra's own Rain Dance. Make sure to take advantage of the amount of time you have; use it as efficiently as possible. If you predict a foe to switch out, use the appropriate move to dent the switch-in, (RC) rather than doing negligible damage on them. Kingdra sweeps best late-game after things like Ferrothorn are removed, but if it is a win condition for you earlier, then go for it. With Life Orb and Kingdra's susceptibility to all entry hazards, it is wise to bring Kingdra in on a double switch, (RC) or after a teammate has fainted. However, its handy 4x resistances to Fire- and Water-type moves does allow it the reassurance of being able to safely switch in on these moves.
Team Options
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Politoed is a mandatory partner for the permanent rain it provides, particularly for sets that don't run Rain Dance. Kingdra should also be paired with other rain sweepers such as Ludicolo, Kabutops, Tornadus-T, and Keldeo. Magnezone and Gothitelle are great partners as they can eliminate Ferrothotrn with Hidden Power Fire; bear in mind that this should be done before rain is set up. Rotom-W makes a good partner as it can easily deal with Azumarill while also aiding Kingdra in entering the battle safely with Volt Switch. As mentioned before, Keldeo is a good partner not only because it benefits from rain, but also because it break through Blissey and Chansey. Thundurus can break through bulky Water-types with impunity, and it can use U-turn. Kingdra is also worn down quickly by Life Orb, so hazard Rapid Spin or Defog support if is often required to enable Kingdra to stay alive as long as possible. Scizor and Starmie both benefit from Rain, so they are generally good choices.
Other Options
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Substitute + Dragon Dance could see use as an alternate set, but it makes Kingdra much easier to wall as it is limited to only its STAB moves. A Choice Specs set can function as a rain counter, but with the weather nerf, rain is rarer, and Choice Specs Kingdra lacks sufficient Speed in most situations. Sets with Dragon Dance are usable, but the introduction of the Fairy-type means that Outrage is not a good move to be locked into anymore. Finally, ChestoRest is a possible set, but it limits Kingdra's coverage power.
Checks & Counters
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**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn walls the first CritDra set completely and can also take anything on the second rain sweeper set bar the rare Hidden Power Fire after a Focus Energy. This is a bit odd, as Focus Energy-boosted HP Fire comes from the first set. It can then proceed to cripple Kingdra with Thunder Wave, use Leech Seed, or set up entry hazards.
**Azumarill**: Azumarill can switch in on any move and OHKO with Play Rough. It can't even be OHKOed by the rare Hidden Power Grass on a critical hit, and it can easily switch in on the rain sweeper set.
**Sylveon**: Sylveon can switch in on any move and proceed to OHKO with Hyper Voice. It is 2HKOed by Hydro Pump on a critical hit, but Sylveon would almost always switch in as Kingdra uses Focus Energy, so this is hardly relevant.
**Chansey and Blissey**: Chansey can only be 2HKOed by the rare CritDra Outrage, (RC) and it can cripple Kingdra with Toxic or Thunder Wave, or simply just stall it out with Wish + Protect. Blissey can do a similar job, but only against the CritDra set.
**Togekiss and Mega Gardevoir**: Specially defensive Togekiss can switch in on a Focus Energy, (RC) and do hefty damage to Kingdra with Dazzling Gleam. Mega Gardevoir can also switch in on the initial Focus Energy and OHKO with Hyper Voice.