Halcyon.
@Choice Specs
FREE AT LAST
[Pros]
<ul>
<li>Kingdra is arguably the best user of Swift Swim.</li>
<li>Dual STABs give almost unresisted coverage on the whole metagame, barring Ferrothorn, Azumarill, Whimiscott, and Empoleon.</li>
<li>It might have a small movepool, but has just enough.</li>
<li>Can utilize Choice Specs/Life Orb or Dragon Dance to be either a physical or special sweeper.</li>
<li>Has a respectable typing backed up by good defensive bulk.</li>
<li>It also resists Bullet Punch and takes neutral damage from all other priority.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>Nerfs to the rain have affected Kingdra's sweeping potential.</li>
<li>Kingdra is extremely reliant on the rain.</li>
<li>Ferrothorn completely walls it.</li>
<li>Hydro Pump, Draco Meteor, and Surf nerfs all hurt its special set.</li>
<li>Sticky Web actually makes it slower than Starmie and other base 115 and higher Speed Pokemon.</li>
</ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>Kingdra @ Life Orb<br />
Ability: Swift Swim<br />
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe<br />
Modest / Rash Nature<br />
- Hydro Pump<br />
- Draco Meteor<br />
- Surf / Waterfall<br />
- Dragon Pulse / Rain Dance</p>
<p>Even with the nerf to weather making rain last only five or eight turns, Kingdra remains an extremely threatening Pokémon when donning a Life Orb. With Swift Swim, Kingdra reaches an astonishing 538 Speed under the rain, meaning it outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame along with most Choice Scarf users. Although its Special Attack may seem lacking at first, with Modest and Life Orb, Kingdra actually hits surprisingly hard. Hydro Pump is Kingdra's main attacking STAB, and gets boosted by rain as well as Life Orb. Draco Meteor gets nearly perfect neutral coverage with Hydro Pump, and is Kingdra's secondary STAB option. While not spammable like Hydro Pump, Draco Meteor hits much harder, and hits more types neutrally. Surf is another Water-type move that can be used as a more consistent special attack if the accuracy from Hydro Pump is undesirable. Waterfall hits Blissey, a common switch-in to special Kingdra, on its much weaker physical defense, so it can be used instead. The last moveslot depends on what Kingdra wants to be doing. Dragon Pulse is a more reliable Dragon STAB option, as it doesn't lower Kingdra's Special Attack and has perfect Accuracy. On the other hand, Rain Dance makes Kingdra less reliant on Politoed, being able to set up its own rain and sweep from there.</p>
<p>Kingdra plays at its best on hyper offensive rain teams, so Damp Rock Politoed is an absolute must-have teammate for it. Its auto-rain ability is crucial to allowing Kingdra to sweep for as much time as possible. Specs Politoed can also be used, as it can lure in and weaken Ferrothorn, but usually the extra turns of rain are more valuable. Ferrothorn can set up entry hazards for Kingdra, which makes it much easier to score a OHKO instead of a 2HKO. Though any hazard setting Pokemon can work, Ferrothorn has particularly good synergy with rain teams, and prevents Kingdra from being troubled by other Swift Swim users. Other users of Swift Swim, such as Kabutops and Ludicolo, coincidentally make fantastic partners for Kingdra, as they can wear down each other's checks and usually make a late-game sweep possible. Finally, Choice Specs Magnezone also makes a nice partner for Kingdra. It works well on Rain teams by abusing a Thunder that can never miss and trapping a Ferrothorn for a 2HKO with Hidden Power Fire.</p>
<p>Kingdra @ Leftovers / Chesto Berry<br />
Ability: Swift Swim<br />
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- Dragon Dance<br />
- Waterfall<br />
- Outrage<br />
- Return / Rest</p>
<p>While special Kingdra is notable for how well it works under the affects of rain, Dragon Dance Kingdra sets itself apart by being useful even outside of it. Dragon Dance lets Kingdra boost its Speed and Attack even without rain, meaning that it can continue to sweep even after the turns of Drizzle have ended. Waterfall is Kingdra's main attacking option and gets its power increased even further when used in the rain. Also, when combined with Kingdra's Speed after a Swift Swim boost or a few Dragon Dances, the 20% flinch rate can come in handy. Outrage is an even more powerful STAB move, but it should be used with caution, as it will leave Kingdra vulnerable to both Confusion after two-three turns, as well as grant Fairy-types a free switch-in. Return is Kingdra's best move to hit Pokemon such as Azumarill, easily 2HKOing it at +1 after Stealth Rock. And if Azumarill switches in on an unboosted Return, it will then be KOed by a +1 Return the next time it switches in, provided that Stealth Rock is in play. However, Rest is another option for the last slot, and should be used in conjunction with Chesto Berry. This allows Kingdra to set up on Pokemon that try to burn it such as Rotom-W. Lum Berry can also be used, as it can provide a one-time heal from status, including Confusion from Outrage, but ChestoRest also lets Kingdra recover back to full health, so it is the more reliable option.</p>
<p>Even though Kingdra can work outside of the rain, Damp Rock Politoed is still one of the best partners. Nothing in the OU tier can outspeed a +1 Kingdra in the rain, and few things can withstand a +1 Adamant Waterfall in the rain without resisting it. Ferrothorn also makes a good partner, as it can lay down hazards for Kingdra and has good natural synergy with it and standard rain teams. Magnezone can trap Ferrothorn and switches in well against Azumarill's Play Rough, making it an excellent partner. Azumarill itself also works well with Kingdra, as it can wear down opposing physical walls such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory and appreciates rain support itself.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ferrothorn is often considered to be the best check to Kingdra. It resists both of its STAB moves, can paralyze it with Thunder Wave, and can set up entry hazards on it if Kingdra is locked into Outrage. Azumarill is a close second in terms of countering it, being immune to Outrage and resisting Waterfall, as well as being able to OHKO back easily with Play Rough. Azumarill also benefits from the rain that seems to follow Kingdra wherever it goes. If Kingdra has been weakened, a priority Brave Bird from Talonflame can pick it off. If the special set can be forced to use Draco Meteor, then it becomes much easier to handle, so baiting it with Pokemon such as Multiscale Dragonite and Goodra can work. Changing the weather is also an option, but no weather setter wants to switch into either Kingdra set. Timid Gardevoir can Trace Swift Swim and outspeed Kingdra in the rain, easily OHKOing with Moonblast. Sylveon and Florges can check the special set; they can tank any one of Kingdra's moves and OHKO back with Moonblast.</p>
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